Methods for updating or releasing configuration information and related products

Abstract

An embodiment of the present application provides a method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information, comprising: after a first node determines that it has received all data packets from a switching IAB node, sending first indication information to a source IAB host centralized unit (CU), where the first node is a source IAB host distributed unit (DU) or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of the switching IAB node, the source IAB host CU is an IAB host CU connected to the switching IAB node before switching, and the source IAB host DU is an IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before switching; the first node receives second indication information from the source IAB host CU; and the first node updates or releases backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node based on the second indication information. By using this embodiment of the present application, data loss during IAB node switching can be avoided, and backhaul configuration resource utilization can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information and related products. Background Art

[0002] Fifth-generation mobile communications (5G) imposes even more stringent requirements on network performance, such as a 1,000-fold increase in capacity and wider coverage. In existing technologies, given the abundance of high-frequency carrier frequency resources but limited coverage, communication between terminals and access network equipment can be achieved through at least one relay node (for example, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node). Deploying IAB nodes reduces the deployment cost of fiber backhaul and improves deployment flexibility. Furthermore, due to the poor propagation characteristics of high-frequency carriers and their severe attenuation due to obstruction, the instability of current backhaul links can prevent timely data transmission. To ensure service transmission latency, IAB nodes switch to alternative transmission paths to continue data transmission. When IAB node switching occurs, ensuring lossless transmission of user data remains a technical challenge for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application disclose a method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information and related products, which can avoid data loss during IAB node switching and improve backhaul configuration resource utilization.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application disclose a method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information, comprising: after a first node determines that it has received all data packets from a switching IAB node, sending first indication information to a source IAB host centralized unit (CU), where the first node is a source IAB host distributed unit (DU) or an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, the source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching, and the source IAB host DU is the IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching; the first node receives second indication information from the source IAB host CU; and based on the second indication information, the first node updates or releases backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node. As can be seen, timely updating or releasing the backhaul configuration information by the first node through the indication information can improve backhaul configuration resource utilization. Furthermore, the backhaul configuration information is updated or released only after all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, thereby avoiding data loss during IAB node switching.

[0005] In one possible example, upon receiving a first data packet from a handover IAB node, the first node starts or restarts a first timer. During the first timer's execution, if the first node does not receive any further data packets from the handover IAB node, the first node determines that it has received all data packets from the handover IAB node. In this way, determining whether all data packets from the handover IAB node have been received based on the timer prevents the first node from being stuck in a state of waiting to receive data packets from the handover IAB node, thereby improving backhaul configuration resource utilization.

[0006] In one possible example, a first node receives third indication information from a child node of the first node. Based on the third indication information, the first node determines that all packets from the handover IAB node have been received. In this way, determining that all packets from the handover IAB node have been received based on the indication information can improve recognition efficiency and accuracy.

[0007] In one possible example, the first node is an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the handover IAB node. After sending all packets from the handover IAB node to the first node's parent node, the first node sends fourth indication information to the first node's parent node. This allows the first node's parent node to determine, based on the indication information, that all packets from the handover IAB node have been received, thereby improving identification efficiency.

[0008] In one possible example, a first node receives a data packet, the data packet including a first Backhaul Adaptation Protocol (BAP) routing identifier; the first node receives first routing configuration information from a source IAB host CU, the first routing configuration information including a first BAP routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier including a path between a handover IAB node and a source parent node of the handover IAB node; the first node determines, based on the first BAP routing identifier and the first routing configuration information in the data packet, that the data packet originated from the handover IAB node. In this manner, determining whether a data packet originated from the handover IAB node based on the BAP routing identifier can improve identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0009] In one possible example, a first node receives a data packet that includes an identifier of a handover IAB node. The first node then determines, based on the identifier of the handover IAB node, that the data packet originated from the handover IAB node. This direct determination of whether a data packet originated from the handover IAB node based on the identifier of the handover IAB node improves identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0010] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide another method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information, comprising: a source IAB host CU receiving first indication information from a first node, where the first node is a source IAB host distributed unit DU or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a switching IAB node, the source IAB host centralized unit CU is an IAB host CU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching, and the source IAB host DU is an IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching, the first indication information being used to confirm that the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node; and the source IAB host CU sending second indication information to the first node, where the second indication information is used to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node. As can be seen, the source IAB host CU receives the first indication information from the first node after the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node, and then sends the second indication information to the first node for updating or releasing the backhaul configuration information, thereby avoiding data loss during IAB node switching and improving backhaul configuration resource utilization.

[0011] In one possible example, the first node is a source IAB host DU. The source IAB host CU sends fifth indication information to the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node. The fifth indication information is used to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the upstream IAB node and the child node of the upstream IAB node. Thus, after the source IAB host DU determines that it has received a data packet from the switching IAB node, the source IAB host CU uniformly updates or releases the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between each node and its child node, thereby saving identification time and facilitating improved backhaul configuration resource utilization.

[0012] In one possible example, the source IAB host CU sends first routing configuration information to the first node. The first routing configuration information includes a first Backhaul Adaptation Protocol (BAP) routing identifier. The path identified by the first BAP routing identifier includes the path between the handover IAB node and the parent node of the handover IAB node. In this way, determining whether a data packet originates from the handover IAB node based on the BAP routing identifier can improve identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0013] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a node, which is a source IAB host distributed unit (DU) or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a switching IAB node, where the source IAB host DU is the IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching. The node includes: a processing unit, configured to determine that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received; a communication unit, configured to send first indication information to a source IAB host centralized unit (CU), where the source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching; and receive second indication information from the source IAB host CU. The processing unit is further configured to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node based on the second indication information. As can be seen, timely updating or releasing backhaul configuration information by the first node using the indication information can improve backhaul configuration resource utilization. Furthermore, the backhaul configuration information is updated or released only after all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, thereby preventing data loss during IAB node switching.

[0014] In one possible example, the processing unit is further configured to start or reset a first timer when the communication unit receives a first data packet from the handover IAB node. If no further data packets are received from the handover IAB node during the first timer, the processing unit determines that all data packets from the handover IAB node have been received. In this manner, determining whether all data packets from the handover IAB node have been received based on the timer can avoid wasting resources.

[0015] In one possible example, the communication unit is further configured to receive third indication information from a child node of the first node; and the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the third indication information, that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received. In this manner, determining that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received based on the indication information can improve recognition accuracy.

[0016] In one possible example, the first node is an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a handover IAB node. The communication unit is further configured to send fourth indication information to the parent node of the first node after sending all data packets from the handover IAB node to the parent node of the first node. In this way, the parent node of the first node can determine, based on the indication information, that all data packets from the handover IAB node have been received, thereby improving identification efficiency.

[0017] In one possible example, the communication unit is further configured to receive a data packet, the data packet including a first BAP routing identifier; and receive first routing configuration information from a source IAB host CU, the first routing configuration information including the first BAP routing identifier, the path of the first BAP routing identifier including the path between the handover IAB node and the source parent node of the handover IAB node; and the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the first BAP routing identifier and the first routing configuration information in the data packet, that the data packet is from the handover IAB node. In this manner, determining whether a data packet originates from the handover IAB node based on the BAP routing identifier can improve identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0018] In one possible example, the communication unit is further configured to receive a data packet, the data packet including an identifier of a handover IAB node; and the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the identifier of the handover IAB node, that the data packet originated from the handover IAB node. In this manner, determining whether a data packet originated from the handover IAB node directly based on the identifier of the handover IAB node can improve identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0019] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a node, which is an IAB host centralized unit (CU) to which a switching IAB node is connected before switching. The node includes: a communication unit, configured to receive first indication information from a first node, the first node being a source IAB host distributed unit (DU) or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of the switching IAB node, the source IAB host DU being the IAB host DU to which the switching IAB node is connected before switching, the first indication information being used to confirm that the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node; and a communication unit, further configured to send second indication information to the first node, the second indication information being used to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node. It can be seen that the source IAB host CU receives the first indication information from the first node after the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node, and then sends the second indication information to the first node for updating or releasing the backhaul configuration information. This can avoid data loss during IAB node switching and improve backhaul configuration resource utilization.

[0020] In one possible example, the first node is a source IAB host DU, and the communication unit is further configured to send fifth indication information to the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node. The fifth indication information is configured to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the upstream IAB node and the child node of the upstream IAB node. Thus, after the source IAB host DU determines that it has received a data packet from the switching IAB node, the source IAB host CU uniformly updates or releases the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between each node and its child node, thereby saving identification time and improving backhaul configuration resource utilization.

[0021] In one possible example, the communication unit is further configured to send first routing configuration information to the first node, where the first routing configuration information includes a first Backhaul Adaptation Protocol (BAP) routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier includes a path between the handover IAB node and the parent node of the handover IAB node. In this manner, determining whether a data packet originates from the handover IAB node based on the BAP routing identifier can improve identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0022] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a network device comprising a processor, a memory, a transceiver, a network interface and an antenna, for executing the method of any of the above aspects.

[0023] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides another network device, comprising a processor and a memory and a communication interface connected to the processor, wherein the memory is used to store one or more programs and is configured to be executed by the processor, and the above-mentioned program includes instructions for executing the steps in the method of any of the above aspects.

[0024] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The memory, transceiver and processor are interconnected through lines, and instructions are stored in the memory; when the above instructions are executed by the processor, the method of any of the above aspects is implemented.

[0025] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer executes any of the above methods.

[0026] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program runs on a network device, it enables the computer to execute any of the methods described above.

[0027] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including the nodes described in the third and fourth aspects above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the first IAB network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a CU-DU separation architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 4A Schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack in a CU-DU separation architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 4B Schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack in a CU-DU separation architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the second IAB network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 6A Schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack in a CU-DU separation architecture in an IAB network provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 6B Schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack in a CU-DU separation architecture in an IAB network provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the third IAB network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of another method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of another network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0043] Figure 1 The following is an architecture diagram of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Communication system 100 includes at least one terminal (e.g., terminal 110 or terminal 120), at least one relay node (RN) (e.g., relay node 130), at least one access network device (e.g., access network device 140), and at least one core network device (e.g., core network device 150).

[0044] In the above communication system 100, the terminal is connected to the relay node in a wireless manner, and the relay node is connected to the access network device in a wireless manner. For example, the relay node can be connected to the access network device directly or indirectly through other relay nodes. The access network device 140 can be connected to the core network device in a wired or wireless manner. For example, in Figure 1 In the embodiment, the terminal 110 is connected to the relay node 130 in a wireless manner, the relay node 130 is connected to the access network device 140 directly or through other relay nodes, and the access network device 140 is connected to the core network device 150 in a wired manner.

[0045] The communication system in the embodiments of the present application may be a communication system supporting fourth generation (4G) access technology, such as long term evolution (LTE) access technology; or a communication system supporting fifth generation (5G) access technology, such as new radio (NR) access technology; or a communication system supporting multiple wireless technologies, such as LTE and NR. In addition, the communication system may be applicable to future-oriented communication technologies.

[0046] In the embodiments of the present application, a terminal can be a device that provides voice or data connectivity to users. A terminal can be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station, subscriber unit, station, or terminal equipment (TE). A terminal can be a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, tablet computer, or the like. With the advancement of wireless communication technology, any device that can access a wireless communication network, communicate with a wireless network, or communicate with other objects via a wireless network can be a terminal in the embodiments of the present application. For example, terminals and cars in intelligent transportation, household appliances in smart homes, electricity meters, voltage monitoring instruments, and environmental monitoring instruments in smart grids, video surveillance equipment in intelligent security networks, and cash registers can be included. A terminal can be static or mobile.

[0047] The access network device in the embodiments of the present application may be a device on the access network side used to support terminal access to the communication system. The access network device may be referred to as a base station (BS), for example, an evolved node base station (eNB) in a 4G access technology communication system, a next generation node base station (gNB) in a 5G access technology communication system, a transmission reception point (TRP), an access point (AP), etc. Alternatively, the access network device may be referred to as a donor node, an IAB donor, a donor IAB, a donor or donor gNB (DgNB), etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device is used as an IAB donor for illustration.

[0048] The core network device in the embodiments of the present application can be connected to one or more access network devices and can provide one or more functions of session management, access authentication, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation, and data transmission for terminals in the system. 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, etc. The core network device can be referred to as a core network network element.

[0049] The relay node in the embodiments of the present application may be a node that provides wireless backhaul services, which refer to data and / or signaling backhaul services provided via a wireless backhaul link. On the one hand, the relay node can provide wireless access services to terminals via an access link (AL); on the other hand, the relay node can connect to access network devices via a single-hop or multi-hop backhaul link (BL). Thus, the relay node can forward data and / or signaling between the terminal and the access network device, thereby expanding the coverage of the communication system.

[0050] Relay nodes can have different names in different communication systems. For example, a relay node can be called a wireless backhaul node or wireless backhaul device. In 5G systems, a relay node can be called an integrated access and backhaul node (IAB node). Of course, in future communication systems, relay nodes may also have different names, and this is not a limitation.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present application, the relay node is the IAB node, the access network device is the IAB host, Figure 1 The communication system 100 corresponding to the terminal, relay node and access network device in the embodiment of the present invention is further described. The communication system 100 can be called an IAB network. Figure 2 , Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an IAB network 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] exist Figure 2 In the example, terminal 1 can correspond to Figure 1Terminal 110 in; IAB node 2, IAB node 3, IABnode 1, IAB node 4 and IAB node 5 correspond to Figure 1 The relay node 130 shown; IAB donor 1 may correspond to Figure 1 The access network device 140 in the IAB donor 1 can be connected (eg, via a wired connection) to Figure 1 Core network equipment 150 ( Figure 2 not shown).

[0053] IAB network 200 includes one or more terminals (e.g., terminal 1), one or more IAB nodes (e.g., IAB node 2, IAB node 3, IAB node 1, IAB node 4, and IAB node 5), and one or more donor nodes (e.g., IAB donor 1). A terminal can be wirelessly connected to one or more IAB nodes, each IAB node can be wirelessly connected to one or more other IAB nodes, and one or more IAB nodes can be wirelessly connected to one or more donor nodes. As a future possibility, one or more IAB nodes can also be wirelessly connected to each other, which is not a limitation in this application.

[0054] It is understandable that in an IAB network, a transmission path between a terminal and a host node may include one or more IAB nodes. Each IAB node needs to maintain a wireless backhaul link to the parent node and also needs to maintain a wireless link with the child node. If an IAB node is a node accessed by a terminal, the link between the IAB node and the child node (i.e., the terminal) is a wireless access link, that is, the link between the terminal and the IAB node can be called an access link. If an IAB node is a node that provides backhaul services to terminals under other IAB nodes, the link between the IAB node and the child node (i.e., other IAB nodes) is a wireless backhaul link, that is, the link between IAB nodes and the link between the IAB node and the host node can be called a backhaul link.

[0055] For example, see Figure 2 ,Terminal 1 accesses IAB node 2 via wireless access link, IAB node 2 is connected to IAB node 3 via wireless backhaul link, IAB node 3 is connected to IAB node 1 via wireless backhaul link, and IABnode 1 is connected to IAB donor 1 via wireless backhaul link.

[0056] To ensure reliable service transmission, the IAB network supports multi-hop and multi-connection IAB node networking. Therefore, multiple transmission paths may exist between a terminal and an IAB host. Within a path, IAB nodes maintain a defined hierarchical relationship between each other and between IAB nodes and the host node they serve. Each IAB node considers the node providing access services to be its parent node. Accordingly, each IAB node can be considered a child of its parent node.

[0057] For example, see Figure 2 , the parent node of IAB node 1 and IAB node 5 is IAB donor 1, IAB node 1 is the parent node of IAB node 2, IAB node 2 is the parent node of IAB node 3 and IAB node 4, IAB node 2 is the parent node of terminal 1, and IAB node 5 is the parent node of IAB node 4.

[0058] The terminal's uplink data packets can be transmitted to the host node via 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 the 5G network). The downlink data packets will be received by the host node from the mobile gateway device and then sent to the terminal via one or more IAB nodes.

[0059] For example, see Figure 2 ,There are two available paths for data transmission between terminal 1 and IAB donor 1, Path 1: terminal 1←→IAB node 2←→IAB node 3←→IAB node 1←→IAB donor 1, Path 2: terminal 1←→IAB node 2←→IAB node 4←→IAB node 5←→IAB donor 1.

[0060] In an IAB network, on a transmission path, the IAB node to which a terminal accesses is called an access IAB node, and other IAB nodes on the transmission path are called intermediate IAB nodes. Intermediate IAB nodes can provide backhaul services for the terminal.

[0061] For example, see Figure 2In path 1 (terminal 1 ←→ IAB node 2 ←→ IAB node 3 ←→ IAB node 1 ←→ IAB donor 1), IAB node 2 is the access IAB node, and IAB node 3 and IAB node 1 are intermediate IAB nodes. IAB node 3 provides access services for IAB node 2 and / or backhaul services for terminal 1. IAB node 1 provides access services for IAB node 3 and / or backhaul services for terminal 1.

[0062] It should be noted that an IAB node is an access IAB node for terminals accessing it. For terminals accessing other IAB nodes, it is an intermediate IAB node. Therefore, whether an IAB node is an access IAB node or an intermediate IAB node is not fixed and depends on the specific application scenario.

[0063] Exemplarily, if terminal 2 accesses IAB node 3, then for terminal 1, IAB node 3 is an intermediate IAB node, and for terminal 2, IAB node 3 is an access IAB node.

[0064] In an IAB network, one or more IAB nodes and one or more terminals served by an IAB node may be referred to as descendant nodes or downstream nodes of the IAB node. It is understood that downstream nodes may include IAB nodes served by the IAB node, such as child nodes, grandchild nodes, and grand-grandchild nodes, as well as terminals that access these IAB nodes, such as terminals that access child nodes, grandchild nodes, and grand-grandchild nodes.

[0065] In an IAB network, one or more IAB nodes that provide services to an IAB node are referred to as ancestor nodes or upstream IAB nodes of the IAB node. It is understood that upstream IAB nodes may include IAB nodes between the IAB node and the IAB host, such as a parent node, a grandparent node, and a grandparent node's parent node.

[0066] For example, see Figure 2 , the downstream nodes of IAB node 1 include terminal 1, IAB node 2 and IAB node 3. The upstream IAB nodes of IAB node 2 include IAB node 3 and IAB node 1.

[0067] The above IAB network is merely exemplary. In a multi-hop and multi-connection IAB network, there are many other possibilities. For example, a host node and an IAB node under another host node form a dual connection to serve a terminal, which are not listed here one by one.

[0068] It should be noted that Figure 2 The IAB network was used as an example to introduce it. Figure 2 The content of this also applies to relay networks outside the IAB network. Figure 2 In the relay network, IAB is replaced with relay. For example, IAB node 2 can be replaced with relay node 2, IAB node 3 can be replaced with relay node 3, IAB node 1 can be replaced with relay node 1, and IAB donor 1 can be replaced with donor node 1. For a description of the connection relationship between each network element in the relay network, access links and backhaul links, as well as parent nodes and child nodes, access relay nodes, and intermediate access nodes, refer to the description of IAB network 200.

[0069] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the CU-DU separation architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 Access network equipment or Figure 2 The IAB donor1 in the example can adopt the CU-DU separation architecture. Figure 3 Provide explanation.

[0070] Because future access networks are expected to adopt a cloud radio access network (C-RAN) architecture, gNBs can split the protocol stack architecture and functionality of traditional access network equipment into two parts: a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). This division between the CU and DU can be based on the protocol stack. One possible approach is to deploy the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers in the CU, while the remaining radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers are deployed in the DU.

[0071] A CU can connect to one DU, or multiple DUs. This reduces costs and facilitates network expansion. In other words, access network equipment can consist of one CU and one or more DUs. The CU and DU are connected via the F1 interface, while the CU and core network are connected via the next-generation (NG) interface.

[0072] For example, see Figure 3 The gNB consists of one gNB-CU and two gNB-DUs. An F1 interface is established between the gNB-CU and each gNB-DU, and an NG interface is established between the gNB-CU and the 5G core network (5GC).

[0073] Optionally, the CU may be in a form in which a user plane (UP) (abbreviated as CU-UP in this document) and a control plane (CP) (abbreviated as CU-CP in this document) are separated, that is, the CU consists of the CU-CP and the CU-UP.

[0074] In a single air interface scenario, the terminal can access the CU through the DU, where the RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer equivalent to the UE are located on the DU, and the PDCP layer, SDAP layer, and PDCP layer corresponding to the UE are located on the CU. Figure 4A and Figure 4B They are respectively a schematic diagram of the control plane protocol stack and a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack under the CU-DU separation architecture provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 4A and Figure 4B Provide explanation.

[0075] For the control plane, Figure 4A As shown in the figure, the UE and CU have equivalent RRC and PDCP layers. The UE and DU are connected via the user equipment interface (also known as the Uu interface), with equivalent RLC, MAC, and PHY layers. The DU and CU are connected via the F1-control plane (F1-C) interface, with equivalent F1 application protocol (F1AP), stream control transmission protocol (SCTP), internet protocol (IP), layer (L2), and layer (L1).

[0076] For the user plane, Figure 4BAs shown in the figure, a peer SDAP layer and PDCP layer are established between the UE and the CU. The UE and the DU are connected via the Uu interface, with peer RLC, MAC, and PHY layers established between them. The DU and the CU are connected via the F1-user plane (F1-U) interface, with peer general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol-user plane (GTP-U), user datagram protocol (UDP), IP, Layer 2, and Layer 1 layers established between them.

[0077] In the IAB network, for IAB donors, IAB donors can be composed of CU (can be called IAB donor CU) and DU (can be called IAB donor DU). Figure 3 The functions of the gNB CU are similar to those of the gNB CU introduced in the previous section. The IAB donor DU and Figure 3 The function of DU of gNB is similar.

[0078] In an IAB network, an IAB node, when acting as a parent node, can act like an access network device, providing access services to its child nodes. For example, it can schedule and allocate uplink resources for uplink data transmission to its child nodes. When acting as a child node, an IAB node can act like a terminal to the parent node providing services for the IAB node, accessing the wireless network like a terminal and performing terminal functions. Through operations such as cell selection and random access, it establishes a connection with the parent node and obtains the uplink resources scheduled by the parent node for uplink data transmission.

[0079] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the role of the IAB node as a terminal is referred to as the mobile terminal (MT) side of the IAB node or the MT functional unit of the IAB node (which may be referred to as IAB-MT or IAB-UE), and the role of the IAB node as a similar access network device is referred to as the DU side of the IAB node or the DU functional unit of the IAB node (which may be referred to as IAB-DU). IAB-MT and IAB-DU may be a logical division, and their functions are all implemented by the IAB node; or IAB-MT and IAB-DU may be a physical division, and IAB-MT and IAB-DU may be different physical devices in the IAB node. Among them, IAB-DU and Figure 3The function of DU is similar to that of gNB, and IAB-MT has the function of UE and is used to provide data backhaul.

[0080] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another IAB network 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 Provide further explanation.

[0081] like Figure 5 As shown, IAB donor 1 includes a CU (which may be called IAB donor CU1) and a DU (which may be called IABdonor DU1); IAB node 1 includes the MT side of IAB node 1 (which may be called IAB1-MT) and the DU side of IAB node 1 (which may be called IAB1-DU); IAB node 2 includes the MT side of IAB node 2 (which may be called IAB2-MT) ​​and the DU side of IAB node 2 (which may be called IAB2-DU); IAB node 3 includes the MT side of IAB node 3 (which may be called IAB3-MT) and the DU side of IAB node 3 (which may be called IAB3-DU).

[0082] It should be noted that Figure 5 The IAB network was used as an example to introduce it. Figure 5 The content of the description also applies to relay networks other than the IAB network. In this case, IAB node 2 can be replaced by relay node 2, which has an MT and a DU. IAB node 3 can be replaced by relay node 3, which has an MT and a DU. IAB node 1 can be replaced by relay node 1, which has an MT and a DU. IAB donor 1 can be replaced by donor node 1, which has a CU and a DU. The MT side of the relay node functions as a terminal, while the DU side of the relay node functions as an access network device. For details, please refer to the description of IAB network 300 above and will not be repeated here.

[0083] In an IAB network, the PHY layer, MAC layer, and RLC layer corresponding to the terminal are located on the access IAB node, while the PDCP layer, SDAP layer, and RRC layer corresponding to the UE are located on the IAB donor CU. If the IAB donor-CU consists of a CP and an UP, the RRC layer corresponding to the UE is located on the CP of the IAB donor CU (i.e., donor-CU-CP), and the PDCP layer and SDAP layer corresponding to the UE are located on the UP of the IAB donor CU (i.e., donor-CU-UP).

[0084] Figure 6A and Figure 6BThe schematic diagram of the control plane protocol stack and the schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack in the IAB network provided by the embodiment of the present application are respectively shown in FIG. Figure 6A and Figure 6B Provide explanation.

[0085] For the control plane, Figure 6A As shown, a Uu interface is established between Terminal 1 and IAB2-DU, with peer protocol layers including the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers. An F1-C interface is established between IAB2-DU and IAB donor CU1, with peer protocol layers including the F1AP, SCTP, and IP layers. An F1 interface within the IAB host is established between IAB donor DU1 and IAB donor CU1, with peer protocol layers including the IP, L2, and L1 layers. BLs are established between IAB node 2 and IAB node 3, between IAB node 3 and IAB node 1, and between IAB node 1 and IAB donor DU1. Peer protocol layers include the Backhaul Adaptation Protocol (BAP), RLC, MAC, and PHY layers. Furthermore, peer RRC and PDCP layers are established between Terminal 1 and IAB donor CU1, and a peer IP layer is established between IAB2-DU and IAB donor DU1.

[0086] As can be seen, compared to the control plane protocol stack for a single air interface, the DU connected to the IAB node implements the functions of a single air interface gNB-DU (i.e., establishing peer RLC, MAC, and PHY layers with the terminal, and establishing peer F1AP, SCTP, and IP layers with the CU). This suggests that the DU connected to the IAB node in the IAB network implements the functions of a single air interface gNB-DU, while the IAB donor CU implements the functions of a single air interface gNB-CU.

[0087] As can be seen, compared to the user plane protocol stack for a single air interface, the IAB access node DU implements some of the functions of a single air interface gNB-DU (i.e., establishing peer RLC, MAC, and PHY layers with the terminal, and establishing peer GTP-U, UDP, and IP layers with the IAB donor CU1). This suggests that the IAB access node DU implements the functions of a single air interface gNB-DU, while the IAB donor CU implements the functions of a single air interface gNB-CU.

[0088] On the control plane, PDCP packets are encapsulated and transmitted in a GTP-U tunnel between the access IAB node and the IAB donor CU. The GTP-U tunnel is established on the F1-U interface.

[0089] In an IAB network, an IAB node can switch. In an embodiment of the present application, the IAB node that performs the switch is referred to as a switch IAB node. The switch IAB node and its descendant nodes can be grouped together. The group switches from the parent node connected to the switch IAB node before the switch to the parent node connected to the switch IAB node after the switch. Uplink data for each IAB node in the group switches from the IAB host connected to the switch IAB node before the switch to the IAB host connected to the switch IAB node after the switch.

[0090] Optionally, the switching IAB node may be an access IAB node, or an intermediate IAB node between the access IAB node and the IAB host.

[0091] In this application, the IAB host connected before the switching IAB node is referred to as the source IAB host. Specifically, the source IAB host may include a CU and a DU, wherein the CU of the source IAB host is referred to as the source IAB host CU, and the DU of the source IAB host is referred to as the source IAB host DU.

[0092] In this application, the IAB host connected after the switching of the IAB node is referred to as the target IAB host. Specifically, the target IAB host may include a CU and a DU, wherein the CU of the target IAB host is referred to as the target IAB host CU, and the DU of the target IAB host is referred to as the target IAB host DU.

[0093] Optionally, the parent node to which the handover IAB node is connected before switching can be referred to as the source parent node, and the parent node to which the handover IAB node is connected after switching can be referred to as the target parent node. It is understood that before switching the handover IAB node, the handover IAB node is connected to the source parent node, and the source parent node provides access services for the handover IAB node. After switching the handover IAB node, the handover IAB node is connected to the target parent node, and the target parent node provides access services for the handover IAB node.

[0094] The source parent node may be a source IAB host, or the source parent node is connected to the source IAB host via m other IAB nodes, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The target parent node may be a target IAB host, or the target parent node is connected to the target IAB host via n other IAB nodes, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, see Figure 7The transmission path before the handover is: terminal 2 ←→ IAB node 6 ←→ IAB node 2 ←→ IAB node 3 ←→ IAB node 1 ←→ IAB donor DU1 ←→ IAB donor CU1. The transmission path after the handover is: terminal 2 ←→ IAB node 6 ←→ IAB node 2 ←→ IAB node 4 ←→ IAB node 5 ←→ IAB donor DU2 ←→ IAB donor CU1. The handover IAB node is IABnode 2, the source parent node is IAB node 3, the upstream IAB node of the source parent node is IAB node 1, the source IAB host CU is IAB donor CU1, the source IAB host DU is IAB donor DU1, the target IAB host CU is IAB donor CU1, and the target IAB host DU is IAB donor DU2. The handover IAB node and its descendant nodes (i.e., IAB node 2, IABnode 6, and terminal 2) can be handovered together as a group from IAB node 3 to IAB node 4.

[0095] It should be noted that the source IAB host and the target IAB host may be the same or different. Figure 7 As shown, the source IAB host and the target IAB host are both IAB donor CU1.

[0096] exist Figure 7In this scenario, uplink data sent from IAB node 2, IAB node 6, or terminal 2 to IAB node 3 must be forwarded from IAB node 3 to IAB node 1, then to IAB donor DU1, and finally to IABdonor CU1. If IAB donor DU 1 does not receive all uplink data from IAB node 2, IAB node 6, and terminal 2, or only receives partial uplink data, and IAB donor DU 1 updates or releases the backhaul configuration information corresponding to IAB node 3 on the backhaul link between IAB donor DU 1 and IABnode 1, the uplink data not yet transmitted to IAB donor DU 1 will be lost. This means that IAB donor CU1 will not receive all the uplink data. If IAB donor DU1 updates or releases the backhaul configuration information corresponding to IAB node 3 on the backhaul link between IAB donor DU1 and IAB node 1 before IAB donor CU1 has received the aforementioned uplink data, or has received partial uplink data, IAB donor DU1 will not receive all the uplink data, resulting in data loss. If IAB donor DU1 does not update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to IAB node 3 on the backhaul link between IAB donor DU1 and IAB node 1 after IAB donor CU1 has received all the uplink data, or updates or releases it too late, the resources corresponding to this backhaul configuration information will not be used, affecting the resource utilization of the backhaul link.

[0097] In order to solve the above technical problems, the embodiment of the present application promptly updates or releases the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node according to the indication information after determining that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, thereby avoiding data loss of the IAB node during switching and improving resource utilization.

[0098] For details, see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 Taking an IAB network as an example, the method is specifically applied to a first node, which is a source IAB host DU or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a handover IAB node. The method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0099] Step S801: The first node determines that all data packets from the handover IAB node have been received.

[0100] Step S802: The first node sends first indication information to the source IAB host CU. Correspondingly, the source IAB host CU receives the first indication information from the first node.

[0101] The data packet of the switching IAB node may be a data packet received by the switching IAB node from a downstream node of the switching IAB node before switching, or may be a data packet of the switching IAB node itself, such as service data or download data of the switching IAB node.

[0102] For example, see Figure 7 The IAB node is switched to IAB node 2. The data packets for switching the IAB node can be data packets sent by the downstream nodes of IAB node 2 (i.e., terminal 2 and IAB node 6) to IAB node 2 before IAB node 2 switches to the target transmission link (i.e., IABnode 4←→IAB node 5←→IAB donor DU2←→IAB donor CU1). Alternatively, the data packets for switching the IAB node can include data packets from IAB node 2.

[0103] The present application does not limit the method for determining whether a data packet comes from a switching IAB node. In a first possible example, a first node receives a data packet, which includes an identifier of the switching IAB node; the first node determines that the data packet is a data packet from the switching IAB node based on the identifier of the switching IAB node.

[0104] The identifier of the switching IAB node may include a network address (eg, Internet Protocol (IP) address), a BAP address, a physical address (eg, a Media Access Control Address (MAC)) of the switching IAB node, etc., which is not limited here.

[0105] The identifier of the handover IAB node may be included in the header of the data packet, or may be indicated by indication information in the header, for example, a 1-bit indication may be included in the BAP header of the BAP data packet to indicate that the BAP data packet comes from the handover IAB node.

[0106] The switch IAB node identifier can be obtained by marking a data packet at the switch IAB node, or by marking a data packet at the source parent node of the switch IAB node, without limitation. It is understood that when a source parent node receives a data packet from a switch IAB node, it can determine that the data packet originated from the switch IAB node. Therefore, the source parent node can mark the data packet received from the switch IAB node, allowing the source parent node's upstream IAB node to directly determine whether the data packet originated from the switch IAB node based on the identifier.

[0107] For example, see Figure 7 If the source parent node of the switching IAB node (i.e., IAB node 3) labels the data packet sent by the switching IAB node, and the label is the ID of the switching IAB node, then the upstream IAB node IAB node 1 and IAB donor DU1 of the source parent node of the switching IAB node can directly determine whether the data packet comes from the switching IAB node based on the ID of the switching IAB node contained in the received data packet.

[0108] The identification of the switching IAB node can be obtained by the switching IAB node or the source parent node of the switching IAB node, after receiving indication information from the source IAB host CU, by marking data packets received from the switching IAB node. The indication information can be sent by the source IAB host CU based on a measurement report obtained by the switching IAB node, instructing the switching IAB node to perform a switch. The measurement report may include information such as the signal quality and transmission efficiency of the source transmission link corresponding to the switching IAB node and other transmission links (which may or may not include the switching IAB node). The measurement report can be sent periodically by the switching IAB node to the source IAB host CU, or it can be a reply from the switching IAB node to the source IAB host CU after receiving a measurement request from the source IAB host CU, etc., all of which are not limited herein. It is understood that after receiving the indication information of the switching IAB node, the switching IAB node identifies data packets from the switching IAB node, or the source parent node of the switching IAB node identifies data packets from the switching IAB node. No identification is performed when no switch is performed, which improves identification efficiency.

[0109] If the access IAB node in the link after the handover remains unchanged, the above-mentioned indication information may also include reconfiguration information of the link after the handover of the switched IAB node, such as system information of the target cell, resources of the Random Access Channel (RACH) or resources of the Radio Link Control Channel (RLC CH).

[0110] It can be understood that in the first possible example, determining whether the received data packet comes from the handover IAB node by determining whether the received data packet contains the identifier of the handover IAB node can improve recognition efficiency and accuracy.

[0111] In a second possible example, the first node receives a data packet, which includes a first BAP routing identifier; the first node receives first routing configuration information from a source IAB host CU; the first node determines that the data packet is a data packet from a switching IAB node based on the first BAP routing identifier and the first routing configuration information in the data packet.

[0112] The BAP routing identifier consists of the destination node's BAP address and the routing path identifier. For uplink transmission, the BAP address refers to the BAP address of the IAB donor DU; for downlink transmission, the BAP address refers to the BAP address of the IAB node to which the terminal is connected. The packet header itself includes the BAP routing identifier, which indicates the packet's transmission path and the destination node that ultimately receives the packet.

[0113] The first routing configuration information may include a first BAP routing identifier, where the path of the first BAP routing identifier includes the path between the handover IAB node and the source parent node of the handover IAB node. That is, when a received data packet includes the first BAP routing identifier, it can be determined that the data packet originated from the handover IAB node. It should be noted that the first routing configuration information may include one or more first BAP routing identifiers.

[0114] It will be appreciated that in the second possible example, the source IAB host CU sends the first routing configuration information to the first node. Specifically, the source IAB host CU informs the first node of all BAP routing identifiers related to the return path between the handover IAB node and the handover IAB node's source parent node. Therefore, the first node can determine whether a received data packet originates from the handover IAB node based on whether the first BAP routing identifier is included in the data packet, thereby improving identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0115] The present application does not limit the method for determining that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received. In a first possible example, when the first node receives the first data packet from the switching IAB node, it starts or restarts the first timer; during the running of the first timer, if the first node does not receive other data packets from the switching IAB node, the first node determines that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received.

[0116] The first data packet may be the first data packet received by the first node from the switching IAB node, or may be a data packet received by the first node from the switching IAB node again, without limitation. When the first data packet is received from the switching IAB node for the first time, a first timer is started; when the first node receives a data packet from the switching IAB node again, the first timer is restarted.

[0117] The operation period of the first timer refers to the time from the first timer being turned on to the timeout. Turning on means that the first timer starts timing from 0, and timeout means that the timing time of the first timer exceeds the timing duration. This application does not limit the timing duration of the first timer.

[0118] For example, assuming that the timing duration of the first timer is 1 minute, if the first node receives the first data packet from the switching IAB node at 11:30, the first timer is started. Then at 11:31, if the first node does not receive other data packets from the switching IAB node, the first node determines that it has received all data packets from the switching IAB node.

[0119] It will be appreciated that when the first node receives the first data packet from the switching IAB node, it starts or restarts the first timer. During the first timer's operation, it monitors whether other data packets are received from the switching IAB node. If no other data packets are received from the switching IAB node before the first timer reaches its set duration, it is determined that the first node's child nodes will no longer send data packets from the switching IAB node, i.e., it is determined that the first node has received the data packet from the switching IAB node. Otherwise, the first timer is restarted until no other data packets are received from the switching IAB node during the first timer's operation. Determining whether all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received based on the timer can prevent the first node from being in a state of waiting to receive data packets from the switching IAB node, thereby improving backhaul configuration resource utilization.

[0120] In a second possible example, the first node receives third indication information from a child node of the first node; and the first node determines, based on the third indication information, that it has received all data packets from the handover IAB node.

[0121] Among them, the third indication information may include information used to indicate that the child node of the first node has determined that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, or information used to indicate that the child node of the first node has received the last data packet among all data packets from the switching IAB node, or information used to indicate that the child node of the first node has sent all received data packets from the switching IAB node to the first node, which is not limited here.

[0122] In the embodiment of the present application, the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the handover IAB node refers to the configuration information for providing backhaul services for the handover IAB node, such as BAP routing configuration or backhaul radio link control channel (Backhaul Radio Link Control Channel, BH RLC CH) configuration information.

[0123] It should be noted that one or more backhaul link radio link control channels may be included between the node and the sub-node.

[0124] It can be understood that, through the third indication information sent by the child node of the first node, the first node can determine that it has received all data packets from the switching IAB node, which can improve recognition efficiency and accuracy.

[0125] In an optional embodiment, the first node is an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of the switching IAB node. After the first node sends all data packets from the switching IAB node to the parent node of the first node, the first node sends fourth indication information to the parent node of the first node.

[0126] The fourth indication information is similar to the third indication information and is not further described here. It is understood that if the first node is an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the handover IAB node, the first node can send the fourth indication information to the first node's parent node. The first node's parent node can then determine, based on the fourth indication information, that it has received all data packets from the handover IAB node, thereby improving recognition efficiency and accuracy.

[0127] It should be noted that when the source IAB host DU determines that it has received all data packets from the handover IAB node, the upstream IAB nodes representing the source parent node of the handover IAB node all send all data packets from the handover IAB node to the source IAB host DU. Therefore, in step S802, the source IAB host DU can directly determine that it has received all data packets from the handover IAB node, without having to determine this for each IAB node. Consequently, the IAB nodes between the handover IAB node and the source IAB host DU do not individually determine that they have received data packets from the handover IAB node. That is, in this optional embodiment, the first node is the source IAB host DU.

[0128] In an embodiment of the present application, the first indication information may include information for indicating that the first node has determined that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, or information for indicating that the first node has received the last data packet among all data packets from the switching IAB node, or information for requesting the IAB host CU to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node. It is understood that, through the first indication information, the source IAB host CU can determine that the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node, that is, the backhaul link between the first node's downstream nodes has completed the data transmission task of the switching IAB node, and can then update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and the downstream nodes.

[0129] Furthermore, when the first node is an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, the backhaul configuration information of the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the nodes can be updated or released respectively. Specifically, each of the upstream IAB nodes sends the first indication information to the source IAB host CU respectively. After receiving the first indication information of each of the upstream IAB nodes, the source IAB host CU sends an update or release indication to each of the upstream IAB nodes respectively. When the first node is a source IAB host DU, the backhaul configuration information of the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between each IAB node in the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node and the child node of the IAB node, and between the source IAB host DU and its child node can be uniformly updated or released. Specifically, after receiving the first indication information of the source IAB host DU, the source IAB host CU sends an update or release indication to the source IAB host DU and each of the upstream IAB nodes.

[0130] Step S804: The first node receives second indication information from the source IAB host CU. Correspondingly, the source IAB host CU sends the second indication information to the first node.

[0131] In an embodiment of the present application, the second indication information is used to instruct the first node that receives the second indication information to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and the child node of the first node. When the first node is an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, the second indication information may be sent by the source IAB host CU to the first node after receiving the first indication information from the first node, that is, each node in the upstream IAB node can update or release the backhaul configuration information of the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the node and the child node of the node after receiving the second indication information. When the first node is a source IAB host DU, the second indication information may be sent by the source IAB host CU to the source IAB host DU after receiving the first indication information from the source IAB host DU. The source IAB host CU can send update or release indication information corresponding to each node in the upstream IAB nodes of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, that is, the source IAB host DU and each node in the upstream IAB nodes of the source parent node of the switching IAB node can receive a fifth indication information from the source IAB host CU based on the node. The fifth indication information is used to instruct each node in the upstream IAB nodes to update or release the backhaul configuration information of the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the node and the child node of the node, thereby uniformly updating or releasing the backhaul configuration information of the switching IAB node.

[0132] For example, see Figure 7 If the first node is IAB node 1, after IAB node 1 determines that it has received all data packets from IAB node 2, it sends first indication information to IAB donor CU1. IAB donor CU1 sends second indication information to IABnode 1. Alternatively, after receiving the first indication information from IAB donor DU1, IAB donor CU1 sends the second indication information to IAB node 1 and sends the fifth indication information to IAB donor DU1.

[0133] Step S806: The first node updates or releases the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the IAB node switching on the backhaul link between the first node and the child node of the first node based on the second indication information.

[0134] exist Figure 8 In the illustrated method, the first node promptly updates or releases backhaul configuration information via indication information, improving backhaul configuration resource utilization. Furthermore, the backhaul configuration information is updated or released only after all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, thus preventing data loss during IAB node switching.

[0135] See Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is another method for updating or releasing configuration information provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a host node. Figure 9 Taking an IAB network as an example, the method is specifically applied to a source IAB host CU, which is the IAB host CU connected before the switching of the IAB node. The method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0136] Step S902: The source IAB host CU receives first indication information from the first node. Correspondingly, the first node sends the first indication information to the source IAB host CU.

[0137] The first node is the source IAB host DU or the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the handover IAB node. The source IAB host DU is the IAB host DU connected to the handover IAB node before the handover. The first indication information is sent to the source IAB host CU by the first node after determining that it has received all data packets from the handover IAB node. Step S902 can be referred to the description of step S802 and is not repeated here.

[0138] Step S904: The source IAB host CU sends second indication information to the first node. Correspondingly, the first node receives the second indication information from the source IAB host CU.

[0139] In an embodiment of the present application, the second indication information is used to instruct the first node that receives the second indication information to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and the child node of the first node. When the first node is an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, the second indication information may be sent by the source IAB host CU to the first node after receiving the first indication information from the first node, that is, each node in the upstream IAB node can update or release the backhaul configuration information of the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the node and the child node of the node after receiving the second indication information. When the first node is a source IAB host DU, the second indication information may be sent by the source IAB host CU to the source IAB host DU after receiving the first indication information from the source IAB host DU. The source IAB host CU can send update or release indication information corresponding to each node in the upstream IAB nodes of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, that is, the source IAB host DU and each node in the upstream IAB nodes of the source parent node of the switching IAB node can receive a fifth indication information from the source IAB host CU based on the node. The fifth indication information is used to instruct each node in the upstream IAB nodes to update or release the backhaul configuration information of the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the node and the child node of the node, thereby uniformly updating or releasing the backhaul configuration information of the switching IAB node.

[0140] In a possible example, the first node is a source IAB host DU, and the method further includes: the source IAB host CU sending fifth indication information to an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of the switching IAB node.

[0141] The fifth indication information is used to instruct the upstream IAB node that has received the fifth indication information to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the IAB node handover on the backhaul link between the IAB node and the child node of the IAB node.

[0142] For example, see Figure 7 If the first node is IAB donor DU1, after IAB donor DU1 determines that it has received all data packets from IAB node 2, it sends first indication information to IAB donor CU1. IAB donor CU1 sends second indication information to IAB donor DU1 and fifth indication information to IAB node 1.

[0143] As previously described, the source IAB host DU can directly determine that it has received all data packets from the handover IAB node, without having to determine this for each IAB node individually. Therefore, after receiving the first indication from the source IAB host DU, the source IAB host CU can send a second indication to the source IAB host DU and a fifth indication to the upstream IAB node in the source parent node of the handover IAB node. This uniformly updates or releases the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the handover IAB node on the backhaul link between each node and its child nodes, saving identification time and facilitating improved backhaul configuration resource utilization.

[0144] It should be noted that the source IAB host CU may further send sixth indication information to the source parent node of the switched IAB node.

[0145] The sixth indication information is used to instruct the source parent node of the switching IAB node to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the source parent node and the switching IAB node. The sixth indication information may be sent after the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node sends the first indication information to the source IAB host CU, or may be sent after the source IAB host DU sends the first indication information to the source IAB host CU, without limitation herein.

[0146] For example, see Figure 7 If the first node is IAB node 1, after IAB node 1 determines that it has received all data packets from IAB node 2, it sends first indication information to IAB donor CU1. IAB donor CU1 sends second indication information to IABnode 1 and fifth indication information to IAB node 3. Alternatively, after receiving the first indication information from IAB donor DU1, IAB donor CU1 sends second indication information to IAB donor DU1, fifth indication information to IAB node 1, and sixth indication information to IAB node 3.

[0147] It is understood that the source IAB host CU can determine, based on the first indication information sent by the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, or based on the first indication information sent by the source IAB host DU, that the source parent node of the switching IAB node has sent all data packets from the switching IAB node to the parent node of the source parent node. Therefore, updating or releasing the source parent node and the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the source parent node can avoid data loss during IAB node switching and improve the utilization of backhaul configuration resources.

[0148] exist Figure 9In the illustrated method, after the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node, the source IAB host CU receives first indication information from the first node and then sends second indication information to the first node for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information. This prevents data loss during IAB node switching and improves backhaul configuration resource utilization. In one possible example, the source IAB host CU sends first routing configuration information to the first node.

[0149] The first routing configuration information includes a first BAP routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier includes a path between the switching IAB node and the parent node of the switching IAB node. In this way, determining whether a data packet originates from a switching IAB node based on the BAP routing identifier can improve identification efficiency and accuracy.

[0150] The following combination Figures 10 to 12 Introduce the device provided in the embodiment of this application, Figures 10 to 12 The device can complete Figures 8 and 9 The contents of the method and device can refer to the contents of the method.

[0151] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The network device can be a relay node, which can implement the function of the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node in the above method embodiment; or the network device can be a host node, which can implement the function of the source IAB host CU or source IAB host DU in the above method embodiment. For the convenience of explanation, Figure 10 The main components of network equipment are shown in the figure, such as Figure 10 As shown:

[0152] The network device includes at least one processor 711, at least one memory 712, at least one transceiver 713, at least one network interface 714, and at least one antenna 715. The processor 711, memory 712, transceiver 713, and network interface 714 are connected, for example, via a bus. In the embodiment of the present application, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines, or buses, and this embodiment is not limited to this. The antenna 715 is connected to the transceiver 713. The network interface 714 is used to connect the network device to other network devices via a communication link.

[0153] The transceiver 713 can be used to convert baseband signals into RF signals and process RF signals. The transceiver 713 can be connected to the antenna 715. The transceiver 713 includes a transmitter (transmitter, Tx) and a receiver (receiver, Rx). Specifically, one or more antennas 715 can receive RF signals. The receiver Rx of the transceiver 713 is used to receive the RF signals from the antennas, convert the RF signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals to the processor 711 so that the processor 711 can further process the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 713 is used to receive modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals from the processor 711, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals into RF signals, and transmit the RF signals via one or more antennas 715. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the RF signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal, and the order of the down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to obtain a RF signal, and the order of the up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion is adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital intermediate frequency signal can be collectively referred to as a digital signal. Optionally, the transmitter Tx and the receiver Rx can be implemented by different physical structures / circuits, or can be implemented by the same physical structure / circuit, that is, the transmitter Tx and the receiver Rx can be inherited together.

[0154] The transceiver 713 can be referred to as a transceiver unit, a communication unit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. Alternatively, the device in the transceiver unit that implements the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit that implements the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting unit. That is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit can be referred to as a receiver, an input port, a receiving circuit, etc., and the transmitting unit can be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc. Alternatively, the combination of a Tx, Rx, and antenna can be referred to as the transceiver 713.

[0155] When the network device is a relay node, the processor 711 may be configured to support the relay node in executing the actions described in the above method embodiments. For example, the processor 711 (e.g., a baseband processor) may determine that all data packets from the handover IAB node in the above method embodiments have been received. For details, please refer to the above method embodiments.

[0156] The transceiver 713 and the antenna 715 can realize the connection between the relay node and the source host node, and can also realize transmission with the parent node of the relay node and / or the child node of the relay node. For example, the relay node receives data sent by the child node of the relay node or data sent by the terminal, sends data to the parent node of the relay node or sends data from the terminal, etc.; receives indication information generated by the child node of the relay node from the child node of the relay node, and sends indication information generated by the relay node to the parent node of the relay node, etc., or you can refer to the content of the above-mentioned method embodiment for details.

[0157] The memory 712 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The memory 712 can exist independently and be connected to the processor 711. Optionally, the memory 712 can be integrated with the processor 711, for example, integrated within a chip, that is, on-chip memory, or the memory 712 can be an independent storage element, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Among them, the memory 712 can store program codes for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 711. The various types of computer program codes executed can be regarded as drivers for the processor 711.

[0158] The memory 712 may store program codes and / or data for executing the operations performed by the relay node in the above-described method embodiments, and the execution thereof may be controlled by the processor 711. For example, the memory 712 may store data and / or indication information received from a child node of the relay node, or may store indication information generated by the relay node. For details, reference may be made to the contents of the above-described method embodiments.

[0159] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device is an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a switching IAB node, and the processor 711 is used to determine that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received; the transceiver 713 is used to send first indication information to a source IAB host CU and receive second indication information from the source IAB host CU, wherein the source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU connected before the switching IAB node is switched; the processor 711 is further used to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the network device and the child node of the network device based on the second indication information.

[0160] In a possible example, the processor 711 is further configured to start or restart a first timer when the transceiver 713 receives a first data packet from the switching IAB node; during the running of the first timer, if no other data packets are received from the switching IAB node, it is determined that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received.

[0161] In a possible example, the transceiver 713 is further configured to receive third indication information from a child node of the network device; and the processor 711 is further configured to determine, based on the third indication information, that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received.

[0162] In a possible example, the transceiver 713 is further configured to send fourth indication information to the parent node of the network device after sending all data packets from the switching IAB node to the parent node of the network device.

[0163] In a possible example, the transceiver 713 is further used to receive a data packet, which includes a first BAP routing identifier; and receive first routing configuration information from the source IAB host CU, wherein the first routing configuration information includes the first BAP routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier includes the path between the switching IAB node and the source parent node of the switching IAB node; the processor 711 is further used to determine that the data packet is a data packet from the switching IAB node based on the first BAP routing identifier and the first routing configuration information in the data packet.

[0164] In a possible example, the transceiver 713 is further configured to receive a data packet including an identifier of the switching IAB node; and the processor 711 is further configured to determine, based on the identifier of the switching IAB node, that the data packet is from the switching IAB node.

[0165] When the network device is a host node, the processor 711 can be used to support the execution of the actions described in the above method embodiment. For example, the processor 711 can determine that all data packets from the handover IAB node are received in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the content of the above method embodiment.

[0166] The transceiver 713 and antenna 715 can implement a connection between the host node and the relay node, and can also implement a connection between the host DU and the host CU in the host node. For example, the source IAB host DU sends a data packet and / or indication information from the switching IAB node to the source IAB host CU. They can also implement a connection between the host node and a child node. For example, the child node of the source IAB host DU sends a data packet and / or indication information from the switching IAB node to the source IAB host CU. For details, please refer to the content of the above method embodiment.

[0167] The memory 712 can store program code and / or data for executing the operations performed by the source host node in the above method embodiment, and the execution is controlled by the processor 711. For example, the memory 712 can store data or instruction information received from the child node, and the details can be referred to the content of the above method embodiment.

[0168] The network interface 714 may include a network interface between a host node and a core network element, such as an S1 interface. The network interface may include a network interface between an access network device and other network devices, such as a network interface between a source host node and a target host node, such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0169] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which can be exemplarily a schematic diagram of the structure of a host node, wherein the DU included therein can refer to a host DU, and the CU included therein can refer to a host CU, which can be applied to Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 5 or Figure 7 In the system shown, the functions of the host node (source IAB host CU and / or source IAB host DU) in the above method embodiments are performed.

[0170] The access network device 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 is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals, converting radio frequency signals into baseband signals, and performing some baseband processing. The CU 1102 may include at least one processor 11022 and at least one memory 11021. The CU 1102 and the DU 1101 may communicate via an interface, wherein the control plane interface may be F1-C and the user plane interface may be F1-U.

[0171] The CU1102 is primarily used for baseband processing and base station control. The DU1101 and CU1102 can be physically located together or physically separated, i.e., a distributed base station. The CU1102 is the control center of the base station, or a processing unit, and is primarily used to perform baseband processing functions. For example, the CU1102 can be used to control the base station to execute the operational procedures for network devices in the above-described method embodiments.

[0172] Specifically, the baseband processing on CU and DU can be divided according to the protocol layer of the wireless network. For details, please refer to Figure 3 The content in.

[0173] In addition, optionally, the donor base station 110 may include one or more radio units (RUs), one or more DUs, and one or more CUs. 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 unit 11012, and the CU may include at least one processor 11022 and at least one memory 11021.

[0174] In one example, the CU 1102 may be comprised of one or more boards. These boards may jointly support a single access-indicator radio access network (e.g., a 5G network) or may each support radio access networks of different access standards (e.g., an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 11021 and processor 11022 may serve one or more boards. That is, each board may have its own memory and processor, or multiple boards may share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each board may be provided with necessary circuitry. The DU 1101 may be comprised of one or more boards. These boards may jointly support a single access-indicator radio access network (e.g., a 5G network) or may each support radio access networks of different access standards (e.g., an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 11014 and processor 11013 may serve one or more boards. That is, each board may have its own memory and processor, or multiple boards may share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each board may be provided with necessary circuitry.

[0175] Exemplarily, when the access network device is a source host node, the CU of the source host node can be transmitted with the child node through the DU. For example, in the downlink direction, the CU of the source host node can generate data (such as PDCP data) and / or indication information, and then send it to the DU of the source host node through the interface between the CU and the DU, and the DU of the source host node sends the data to the child node of the DU through the antenna; in the uplink direction, the DU of the source host node can receive data from the child node through the antenna, and then send it to the CU of the source host node through the interface between the CU and the DU.

[0176] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device is a source IAB host DU, and the source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU to which the switching IAB node is connected before the switching. The processor 711 is used to determine that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received; the transceiver 713 is used to send first indication information to the source IAB host CU, wherein the source IAB host DU is the IAB host DU to which the switching IAB node is connected before the switching; and receive second indication information from the source IAB host CU; the processor 711 is further used to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the network device and the child node of the network device based on the second indication information.

[0177] In a possible example, the processor 711 is further configured to start or restart a first timer when the transceiver 713 receives a first data packet from the switching IAB node; during the running of the first timer, if no other data packets are received from the switching IAB node, it is determined that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received.

[0178] In a possible example, the transceiver 713 is further configured to receive third indication information from a child node of the network device; and determine, according to the third indication information, that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received.

[0179] In a possible example, the transceiver 713 is further used to receive a data packet, which includes a first BAP routing identifier; and receive first routing configuration information from the source IAB host CU, wherein the first routing configuration information includes the first BAP routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier includes the path between the switching IAB node and the source parent node of the switching IAB node; the processor 711 is further used to determine that the data packet is a data packet from the switching IAB node based on the first BAP routing identifier and the first routing configuration information in the data packet.

[0180] In a possible example, the transceiver 713 is further configured to receive a data packet including an identifier of the switching IAB node; and the processor 711 is further configured to determine, based on the identifier of the switching IAB node, that the data packet is from the switching IAB node.

[0181] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device is a source IAB host CU, and the source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU to which the switching IAB node is connected before the switching.

[0182] Transceiver 713 is used to receive first indication information from a first node, wherein the first node is a source IAB host DU or an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, and the source IAB host DU is the IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before switching, and the first indication information is used to determine that the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node; transceiver 713 is also used to send second indication information to the first node, and the second indication information is used to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and the child node of the first node.

[0183] In a possible example, the first node is the source IAB host DU, and the transceiver 713 is further used to send fifth indication information to the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, and the fifth indication information is used to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the upstream IAB node and the child node of the upstream IAB node.

[0184] In a possible example, the transceiver 713 is further used to send first routing configuration information to the first node, where the first routing configuration information includes a first BAP routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier includes a path between the switching IAB node and the parent node of the switching IAB node.

[0185] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The network device can perform the methods described in the above method embodiments, and reference can be made to the description of the above method embodiments. The network device can be used in a communication device, circuit, hardware component, or chip. For example, the network device can be a chip in a relay node (e.g., an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a switching IAB node in an IAB network) or a host node (e.g., a source IAB host CU or source IAB host DU node in an IAB network).

[0186] The network device 1900 includes a processing unit 1901 and a communication unit 1902. Optionally, the network device 1900 further includes a storage unit 1903.

[0187] Processing unit 1901 may be a device with processing capabilities and may include one or more processors. The processor may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. The processor may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU may be used to control devices (e.g., host nodes, relay nodes, or chips), execute software programs, and process data in the software programs.

[0188] The communication unit 1902 may be a device with signal input (reception) or output (transmission), used to transmit signals with other network devices or other components in the device.

[0189] The storage unit 1903 may be a device with a storage function and may include one or more memories.

[0190] Optionally, the processing unit 1901, the communication unit 1902 and the storage unit 1903 are connected via a communication bus.

[0191] Optionally, the storage unit 1903 may exist independently and be connected to the processing unit 1901 via a communication bus. The storage unit 1903 may also be integrated with the processing unit 1901.

[0192] Optionally, network device 1900 may be a chip in a relay node or host node according to an embodiment of the present application. Communication unit 1902 may be an input or output interface, pin, or circuit. Storage unit 1903 may be a register, cache, or RAM, and may be integrated with processing unit 1901. Storage unit 1903 may be a ROM or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, and may be independent of processing unit 1901.

[0193] In one possible design, the processing unit 1901 may include instructions, which can be executed on the processor to enable the network device 1900 to execute the method of the relay node or host node in the above embodiment.

[0194] In another possible design, the storage unit 1903 stores instructions that can be executed on the processing unit 1901, causing the network device 1900 to execute the relay node or host node method described in the above embodiment. Optionally, the storage unit 1903 may also store data. Optionally, the processing unit 1901 may also store instructions and / or data.

[0195] When the network device 1900 can be a chip of the first node in the embodiment of the present application, the network device 1900 can implement the functions of the first node in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the processing unit 1901 determines that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, the communication unit 1902 sends first indication information to the source IAB host CU, and receives second indication information corresponding to the source IAB host DU sent by the source IAB host DU.

[0196] When the network device 1900 can be a chip of the source IAB host CU in the embodiment of the present application, the network device 1900 can implement the functions of the source IAB host CU in the above method embodiment. For example, the communication unit 1902 can receive first indication information from the first node and send second indication information to the first node.

[0197] When the network device 1900 can be the target host node or the chip of the target host node in the embodiment of the present application, the network device 1900 can implement the functions of the target host node in the above method embodiment.

[0198] For example, the processing unit 1901 may generate indication information or data generated by the target host node in the above method embodiment. For example, the communication unit 1902 may communicate with a child node of the target host node, such as sending data and / or indication information to the child node, receiving data and / or indication information from the child node, etc.

[0199] In an embodiment of the present application, a network device includes a first node, which is a source IAB host DU or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a switching IAB node. The source IAB host DU is an IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before switching.

[0200] Processing unit 1901 is configured to determine that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received; communication unit 1902 is configured to send first indication information to a source IAB host CU, where the source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU to which the switching IAB node was connected before the switching; and receive second indication information from the source IAB host CU; processing unit 1901 is further configured to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node based on the second indication information.

[0201] In a possible example, the processing unit 1901 is further configured to start or restart a first timer when the communication unit 1902 receives a first data packet from the switching IAB node; during the operation of the first timer, if no other data packets are received from the switching IAB node, it is determined that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received.

[0202] In a possible example, the communication unit 1902 is further configured to receive third indication information from a child node of the first node; and the processing unit 1901 is further configured to determine, based on the third indication information, that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received.

[0203] In a possible example, the first node is an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, and the communication unit 1902 is further configured to send fourth indication information to the parent node of the first node after sending all data packets from the switching IAB node to the parent node of the first node.

[0204] In a possible example, the communication unit 1902 is further used to receive a data packet, which includes a first BAP routing identifier; and receive first routing configuration information from the source IAB host CU, wherein the first routing configuration information includes the first BAP routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier includes the path between the switching IAB node and the source parent node of the switching IAB node; the processing unit 1901 is further used to determine that the data packet is a data packet from the switching IAB node based on the first BAP routing identifier and the first routing configuration information in the data packet.

[0205] In a possible example, the communication unit 1902 is further configured to receive a data packet including an identifier of the switching IAB node; and the processing unit 1901 is further configured to determine, based on the identifier of the switching IAB node, that the data packet is from the switching IAB node.

[0206] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device is a source IAB host CU, and the source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU to which the switching IAB node is connected before the switching.

[0207] Communication unit 1902 is used to receive first indication information from a first node, wherein the first node is a source IAB host DU or an upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, and the source IAB host DU is the IAB host DU connected before the switching IAB node is switched, and the first indication information is used to determine that the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node; communication unit 1902 is also used to send second indication information to the first node, and the second indication information is used to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and the child node of the first node.

[0208] In a possible example, the first node is the source IAB host DU, and the communication unit 1902 is further used to send fifth indication information to the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, and the fifth indication information is used to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the upstream IAB node and the child node of the upstream IAB node.

[0209] In a possible example, the communication unit 1902 is further used to send first routing configuration information to the first node, where the first routing configuration information includes a first BAP routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier includes the path between the switching IAB node and the parent node of the switching IAB node.

[0210] The above describes the method flow chart of the embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the relay node may have functional units (means) corresponding to the method or steps of the relay node, and the source host node (such as CU and / or DU) may have functional units corresponding to the method (such as CU and / or DU) or steps of the source host node. One or more of the above modules or units can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of the two. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions to implement the above method flow.

[0211] The processor in this application may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, among other types of computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing. The processor may be a separate semiconductor chip, or may be integrated into a semiconductor chip with other circuits. For example, it may form a system on a chip (SoC) with other circuits (such as a codec circuit, a hardware acceleration circuit, or various bus and interface circuits). Alternatively, it may be integrated into an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) as a built-in processor. The ASIC with the integrated processor may be packaged separately or with other circuits. In addition to the core for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a logic circuit that implements specialized logic operations.

[0212] The memory in the embodiments of the present 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 electrically erasable programmable-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 other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0213] In addition to the data bus, the bus may also include a power bus, a control bus, a status signal bus, etc. However, for the sake of clarity, various buses are labeled as buses in the figure.

[0214] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0215] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned first node and a source IAB host CU.

[0216] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory, the transceiver, and the processor are interconnected via a line. The memory stores instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor, Figure 8 and Figure 9 The method flow shown is realized.

[0217] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When the program instructions are executed on a processor, Figure 8 and Figure 9 The method flow shown is realized.

[0218] It should also be understood that the first, second, third, fourth and various numerical numbers involved in this document are only distinguished for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The numerical numbers can be replaced by other numerical numbers.

[0219] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this document simply describes a relationship between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0220] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0221] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented using electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented using hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0222] In the several embodiments provided in this 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 schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0223] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented 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, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. 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 via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital versatile disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state drive).

[0224] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information, characterized in that: include: After the first node determines that it has received all data packets from the switching access and backhaul integrated IAB node, it sends first indication information to the source IAB host centralized unit CU, where the first node is the source IAB host distributed unit DU or the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, the source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching, and the source IAB host DU is the IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first node has determined that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, or to indicate that the first node has received the last data packet among all data packets from the switching IAB node, or to request the source IAB host CU to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and the child node of the first node, and the parent node of the switching IAB node before the switching is the same as or different from the parent node of the switching IAB node after the switching. The first node receives second indication information from the source IAB host CU; The first node updates or releases the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the handover IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node based on the second indication information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first node determines that all data packets sent from the handover IAB node have been received, including: When the first node receives the first data packet from the handover IAB node, the first node starts or restarts a first timer; During the running of the first timer, if the first node does not receive other data packets from the handover IAB node, the first node determines that all data packets from the handover IAB node have been received.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first node determines that all data packets sent from the handover IAB node have been received, including: The first node receives third indication information from a child node of the first node; The first node determines, according to the third indication information, that all data packets from the handover IAB node have been received.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first node is an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of the switching IAB node, and the method further includes: After the first node sends all data packets from the switching IAB node to the parent node of the first node, the first node sends fourth indication information to the parent node of the first node.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first node receives a data packet, where the data packet includes a first backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) routing identifier; The first node receives first routing configuration information from the source IAB host CU, where the first routing configuration information includes the first BAP routing identifier, and a path of the first BAP routing identifier includes a path between the handover IAB node and a source parent node of the handover IAB node; The first node determines, according to the first BAP routing identifier and the first routing configuration information in the data packet, that the data packet is a data packet from the handover IAB node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first node receives a data packet, where the data packet includes an identifier of the handover IAB node; The first node determines, according to the identifier of the handover IAB node, that the data packet is a data packet from the handover IAB node.

7. A method for updating or releasing backhaul configuration information, characterized in that: include: A source access and backhaul integrated IAB host centralized unit CU receives first indication information from a first node, where the first node is a source IAB host distributed unit DU or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a switching IAB node. The source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU connected to the switching IAB node before switching, and the source IAB host DU is the IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before switching. The first indication information is used to determine that the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node, or to indicate that the first node has received the last data packet among all data packets from the switching IAB node, or to request the source IAB host CU to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node. The parent node of the switching IAB node before switching is the same as or different from the parent node of the switching IAB node after switching. The source IAB host CU sends second indication information to the first node, where the second indication information is used to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The first node is the source IAB host DU, and the method further includes: The source IAB host CU sends fifth indication information to the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, where the fifth indication information is used to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the upstream IAB node and the child node of the upstream IAB node.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The source IAB host CU sends first routing configuration information to the first node, where the first routing configuration information includes a first BAP routing identifier, and a path of the first BAP routing identifier includes a path between the handover IAB node and a parent node of the handover IAB node.

10. A first node, characterized in that: The first node is a source IAB host distributed unit DU or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of a switching access and backhaul integrated IAB node. The source IAB host DU is an IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before the switching. The first node includes: a processing unit, configured to determine that all data packets from the handover IAB node have been received; a communication unit, configured to send first indication information to a source IAB host centralized unit (CU), the source IAB host CU being the IAB host CU to which the switching IAB node was connected before the switching; the first indication information being used to indicate that the first node has determined that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received, or being used to indicate that the first node has received the last data packet among all data packets from the switching IAB node, or being used to request the source IAB host CU to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node, wherein the parent node of the switching IAB node before the switching is the same as or different from the parent node of the switching IAB node after the switching; and receiving second indication information from the source IAB host CU; The processing unit is further configured to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node based on the second indication information.

11. The first node according to claim 10, characterized in that The processing unit is further configured to start or restart a first timer when the communication unit receives a first data packet from the switching IAB node; and determine that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received if no other data packets from the switching IAB node are received during the operation of the first timer.

12. The first node according to claim 10, characterized in that The communication unit is further configured to receive third indication information from a child node of the first node; and the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the third indication information, that all data packets from the switching IAB node have been received.

13. The first node according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The first node is an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of the switching IAB node. The communication unit is further configured to send fourth indication information to the parent node of the first node after sending all data packets from the switching IAB node to the parent node of the first node.

14. The first node according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The communication unit is further used to receive a data packet, the data packet including a first BAP routing identifier; and receive first routing configuration information from the source IAB host CU, the first routing configuration information including the first BAP routing identifier, and the path of the first BAP routing identifier including the path between the switching IAB node and the source parent node of the switching IAB node; the processing unit is further used to determine that the data packet is a data packet from the switching IAB node based on the first BAP routing identifier and the first routing configuration information in the data packet.

15. The first node according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that: The communication unit is further configured to receive a data packet including an identifier of the switching IAB node; and the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the identifier of the switching IAB node, that the data packet is a data packet from the switching IAB node.

16. A source access backhaul integrated IAB host centralized unit CU, characterized in that: The source IAB host CU is the IAB host CU connected before the switching of the IAB node. The source IAB host CU includes: a communication unit, configured to receive first indication information from a first node, where the first node is a source IAB host distributed unit DU or an upstream IAB node of a source parent node of the switching IAB node, the source IAB host DU being the IAB host DU connected to the switching IAB node before switching, the first indication information being used to determine that the first node has received all data packets from the switching IAB node, or to indicate that the first node has received the last data packet of all data packets from the switching IAB node, or to request the source IAB host CU to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on a backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node, where the parent node of the switching IAB node before switching is the same as or different from the parent node of the switching IAB node after switching; The communication unit is further configured to send second indication information to the first node, where the second indication information is used to update or release backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the first node and a child node of the first node.

17. The source IAB host CU according to claim 16, wherein: The first indication information comes from the source IAB host DU, and the communication unit is further used to send fifth indication information to the upstream IAB node of the source parent node of the switching IAB node, and the fifth indication information is used to update or release the backhaul configuration information corresponding to the switching IAB node on the backhaul link between the upstream IAB node and the child node of the upstream IAB node.

18. The source IAB host CU according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that: The communication unit is further configured to send first routing configuration information to the first node, where the first routing configuration information includes a first BAP routing identifier, and a path of the first BAP routing identifier includes a path between the handover IAB node and a parent node of the handover IAB node.

19. A network device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system includes a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The memory, the transceiver and the processor are interconnected via lines. Instructions are stored in the memory. When the instructions are executed by the processor, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed on a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product runs on a network device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented.

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