A data transmission method and related apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a data transmission method and related apparatus. The method is applied to a terminal device switching to a relay node, and the method comprises: the terminal device establishing a connection with the relay node; and the terminal device sending uplink data to the relay node on the condition that a radio resource control (RRC) state between the relay node and a network device is a connected state. It can be seen that, during the switching of the terminal device to the relay node, the terminal device can send uplink data to the relay node in time after the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node and on the condition that the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is a connected state, thereby guaranteeing the continuity of communication during the switching of the terminal device to the relay node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a data transmission method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] When a terminal device in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state moves from the coverage area of ​​one base station to the coverage area of ​​another, the terminal device needs to perform a cell handover procedure. Similarly, when a terminal device in RRC connected state moves from the coverage area of ​​one base station to the coverage area of ​​a relay node, or from the coverage area of ​​one relay node to the coverage area of ​​another relay node, the terminal device also needs to perform a handover procedure to the relay node.

[0003] In the fifth generation (5G) communication system, when a terminal device performs a handover with a base station, it can continuously disconnect from the source base station and simultaneously initiate a connection establishment process with the target base station. Only after the random access process with the target base station is completed will the terminal device stop data interaction with the source base station and begin sending uplink data to the target base station.

[0004] However, when a terminal device switches to a relay node, since there is no need to initiate a random access procedure with the relay node during the switchover process, the terminal device cannot know when it will start sending uplink data. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a data transmission method and related apparatus that can ensure the continuity of communication during the handover process from a terminal device to a relay node.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a data transmission method applied to a terminal device switching to a relay node. The method includes: establishing a connection between the terminal device and the relay node; and, provided the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is connected, sending uplink data to the relay node.

[0007] As can be seen, during the handover process from the terminal device to the relay node, once the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node and the RRC status between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, it can promptly send uplink data to the relay node, thus ensuring the continuity of communication during the handover process.

[0008] In an optional implementation, the terminal device may further send uplink data to the relay node when the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is idle or inactive, and when it receives first indication information from the relay node. The first indication information is used to indicate that the relay node has successfully accessed the network and / or that the relay node has received the radio bearer configuration information from the terminal device.

[0009] As can be seen, after the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, even if the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is idle or inactive, it still ensures that the relay node can communicate with the network device before sending uplink data to the relay node. This also ensures the continuity of communication during the handover process between the terminal device and the relay node.

[0010] In one optional implementation, the RRC status is determined by the terminal device based on second indication information from the relay node. The second indication information is used to indicate whether the RRC status between the relay node and the network device is connected, idle, or inactive.

[0011] It is evident that the terminal device determines the RRC status between the relay node and the network device based on the second indication information sent by the relay node to the terminal device.

[0012] In one optional implementation, the terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node, including: the terminal device delivering the uplink data to the Radio Link Control (RLC) entity through the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity, wherein the RLC entity is the RLC entity associated with the relay node in the terminal device; and the terminal device sending the uplink data through the RLC entity.

[0013] In other words, the terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node through the RLC entity used to send uplink data to the relay node.

[0014] In one optional implementation, the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, including: when the terminal device receives a direct link establishment receive message from the relay node, it determines that a connection has been established with the relay node.

[0015] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0016] The connection establishment unit is used to establish a connection with the relay node;

[0017] The uplink data transmission unit is used to transmit uplink data to the relay node when the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state.

[0018] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the first aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0019] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a terminal device, the terminal device comprising:

[0020] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0021] The processor calls computer programs to perform the following operations:

[0022] Establish a connection with the relay node;

[0023] Under the condition that the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, uplink data is sent to the relay node.

[0024] In addition, other optional implementations of the terminal device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the first aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0025] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip, the chip comprising: a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps in the method designed in the first aspect above.

[0026] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a module device, which includes a communication module, a power module, a storage module, and a chip module, wherein:

[0027] The power module is used to provide electrical energy to the module device;

[0028] The storage module is used to store data and instructions;

[0029] The communication module is used for internal communication within the module device, or for communication between the module device and external devices;

[0030] The chip module is used for:

[0031] Establish a connection with the relay node;

[0032] Under the condition that the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, uplink data is sent to the relay node.

[0033] In addition, other alternative implementations of the module device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the first aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] A sixth aspect is a computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program including program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the program involved in any of the methods described in the first aspect above.

[0035] A seventh aspect is a computer program product, characterized in that it includes computer instructions that, when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, cause the method described in any of the first aspects above to be performed. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the system architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 2(a) is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which a terminal device needs to perform a handover according to an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 2(b) is a schematic diagram of another scenario in which a terminal device needs to perform a handover, as provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 2(c) is a schematic diagram of another scenario in which a terminal device needs to perform a handover, as provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 2(d) is a schematic diagram of another scenario in which a terminal device needs to perform a handover, as provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 2(e) is a schematic diagram of another scenario in which a terminal device needs to perform a handover, as provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a module device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The embodiments of this application will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0049] The communication system involved in the embodiments of this application is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the communication system may include, but is not limited to, a network device, a relay node, and a terminal device. Figure 1 The number and form of devices shown are for illustrative purposes and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application. In actual applications, they may include more than one network device, more than two relay nodes, and more than two terminal devices. Figure 1 The communication system illustrated uses a network device 101, a relay node 102, and a terminal device 103 as an example. The network device 101 can provide network services to the relay node 102 and the terminal device 103. The terminal device 103 can communicate with the network device 101 through the relay node 102. The relay node 102 can be a different terminal device than the terminal device 103.

[0050] This application is applicable to fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, as well as fourth-generation (4G) and third-generation (3G) communication systems, and also to various new communication systems in the future, such as sixth-generation (6G) and seventh-generation (7G) communication systems. The embodiments of this application are not limited in this respect.

[0051] This application is also applicable to different network architectures, including but not limited to relay network architecture, dual-link architecture, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) architecture, device-to-device (D2D) architecture, etc.

[0052] The network devices in this application embodiment include base stations and base station controllers of the access network, and may also include terminal devices.

[0053] The base station (BS) in this application embodiment, also referred to as base station equipment, is a device deployed in a wireless access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions. For example, in 2G networks, equipment providing base station functions includes a base transceiver station (BTS). In 3G networks, equipment providing base station functions includes a Node B. In 4G networks, equipment providing base station functions includes an evolved Node B (eNB). In Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), equipment providing base station functions is an Access Point (AP). In 5G New Radio (NR), equipment providing base station functions includes a gNB and an ng-eNB, where the gNB communicates with the terminal equipment using NR technology, and the ng-eNB communicates with the terminal using evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) technology. Both the gNB and ng-eNB can connect to the 5G core network. The base station in this application embodiment also includes equipment that provides base station functions in future new communication systems.

[0054] The base station controller in this application embodiment, also referred to as a base station controller device, is a device for managing base stations. Examples include the base station controller (BSC) in a 2G network, the radio network controller (RNC) in a 3G network, and devices for controlling and managing base stations in future communication systems.

[0055] The terminal device in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a terminal, and can refer to various forms of user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device can also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, terminal device in a 5G network, or terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0056] As mentioned above Figure 1 As shown, when relay node 102 and network device 101 communicate, the link between them is called an uplink (UL) or downlink (DL), and its interface is called a uu interface. When relay node 102 communicates with terminal device 103, the link between them is called a sidelink (SL), and its interface is called a PC5 interface.

[0057] The terminal device is mobile. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2(a), when a terminal device in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state moves from the coverage area of ​​one network device to the coverage area of ​​another network device, the terminal device needs to perform a cell handover procedure. Similarly, as shown in Figure 2(b), when a terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​one network device to the coverage area of ​​a relay node in the cell where that network device is located; or, as shown in Figure 2(c), when a terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​one relay node in the same cell to the coverage area of ​​another relay node; or, as shown in Figure 2(d), when a terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​one relay node in the cell to the coverage area of ​​another relay node in the cell where another network device is located; or, as shown in Figure 2(e), when a terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​one network device to the coverage area of ​​another relay node in the cell where another network device is located, the terminal device needs to perform a handover procedure.

[0058] In 5G communication systems, to ensure communication continuity when a terminal device switches to a target network device, a dual active protocol stack (DAPS) switching mechanism is used. This means that during the handover, the terminal device can simultaneously initiate a connection establishment process with the target network device without disconnecting from the source network device. Only after completing the random access process with the target network device does the terminal device cease data interaction with the source network device and begin sending uplink data to the target network device. This point in time when the terminal device sends uplink data to the target network device is referred to as the uplink data switch (UL data switch) point.

[0059] However, during the handover process from the terminal device to the relay node using the DAPS handover mechanism, there is no need to initiate a random access procedure to the relay node. Therefore, the terminal device cannot directly use the time point when the random access procedure is completed as the time point when it sends uplink data to the relay node.

[0060] This application provides a data transmission method 100. In this method, a terminal device establishes a connection with a relay node; the terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node when the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in a connected state. Therefore, during the handover process from the terminal device to the relay node, once the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, and while the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is in a connected state, uplink data can be sent to the relay node in a timely manner, ensuring the continuity of communication during the handover process.

[0061] This application also provides a data transmission method 200. In this method, a terminal device establishes a connection with a relay node. The terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node when the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is connected; and sends uplink data to the relay node when the RRC state is idle or inactive, and upon receiving first indication information from the relay node. The first indication information indicates that the relay node has successfully accessed the network and / or that the relay node has received the radio bearer configuration information from the terminal device.

[0062] As can be seen, after the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, it can promptly send uplink data to the relay node if the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is connected. Even when the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is idle or inactive, the terminal device still sends uplink data to the relay node, provided that the relay node can communicate with the network device. Therefore, this method ensures the continuity of communication during the handover process from the terminal device to the relay node.

[0063] Based on the above description, embodiments of this application propose a method as follows: Figure 3 The data transmission method 100 shown is applied to a terminal device switching to a relay node, and the method may include S301-S302:

[0064] S101. The terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node.

[0065] Understandably, in the communication scenarios shown in Figures 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), and 2(e), the terminal device moves into the coverage area of ​​the relay node, thus requiring a handover to the relay node. Subsequently, the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, that is, a PC5 connection is established between the terminal device and the relay node via a side link.

[0066] In one optional implementation, the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, including: upon receiving a direct communication accept message from the relay node, the terminal device determines that a connection has been established with the relay node. That is, when the terminal device receives the direct communication accept message from the relay node, it determines that the PC5 connection between it and the relay node has been successfully established.

[0067] S102. When the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, the terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node.

[0068] Understandably, before sending uplink data to a relay node, a terminal device needs to determine the RRC status between the relay node and the network device to ascertain whether the relay node and the network device can communicate.

[0069] In one optional implementation, the terminal device further receives second indication information from the relay node, the second indication information indicating whether the RRC status between the relay node and the network device is connected, idle, or inactive. Thus, the terminal device determines the RRC status between the relay node and the network device based on the second indication information.

[0070] In one optional implementation, the second indication information is carried in a discovery signal. This discovery signal is broadcast by the relay node to multiple terminal devices and is used by the terminal devices to determine whether they have moved into the coverage area of ​​the relay node. Thus, the terminal device determines whether a handover process to the relay node is required based on the discovery signal.

[0071] Optionally, the second indication information is sent separately by the relay node to the terminal device. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0072] As can be seen, the terminal device can determine the RRC status between the relay node and the network device through the relay node's indication, which helps the terminal device determine the time point to send uplink data to the relay node based on the RRC status between the relay node and the network device.

[0073] Understandably, when a terminal device sends uplink data to a relay node, it means that the terminal device performs uplink data conversion. In other words, when the terminal device determines that a PC5 connection has been established with the relay node, and the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is connected, it performs uplink data conversion.

[0074] The terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node, including: the terminal device delivering the uplink data to the radio link control (RLC) entity through the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity; and the terminal device sending the uplink data through the RLC entity. The RLC entity is the RLC entity in the terminal device associated with the relay node, that is, the RLC entity in the terminal device used to send uplink data to the relay node.

[0075] like Figure 4 As shown, when a terminal device switches to a relay node using the DAPS handover mechanism, the terminal device contains a PDCP entity, an RLC entity for sending uplink data to the source network device or source relay node, an RLC entity for sending uplink data to the relay node being switched, and a Media Access Control (MAC) entity and a Physical (PHY) entity connected to the two RLC entities respectively. Therefore, when the terminal device is in the connected state in the RRC state, sending uplink data to the relay node means that the terminal device stops delivering uplink data to the RLC entity used to send uplink data to the source network device or source relay node, and instead delivers uplink data to the RLC entity used to send uplink data to the relay node. The terminal device then sends uplink data to the relay node through this RLC entity.

[0076] When the communication state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, it indicates that the relay node and the network device can communicate. Therefore, after the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, it stops sending uplink data to the source network device or the source relay node, and instead sends uplink data to the relay node being switched. The relay node can then forward the uplink data to the network device, thereby ensuring the continuity of communication for the terminal device during the switchover process.

[0077] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, during the handover process from the terminal device to the relay node, once the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node and the RRC status between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, uplink data can be sent to the relay node in a timely manner, which can ensure the continuity of communication during the handover process from the terminal device to the relay node.

[0078] This application provides an embodiment of a method such as Figure 5 The data transmission method 200 shown is applied to a terminal device switching to a relay node, and the method may include S201-S203:

[0079] S201. The terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node.

[0080] S202. When the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, the terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node.

[0081] The implementation methods of S201 and S202 can be found in the relevant descriptions of S101 and S102 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0082] S203. The terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node when the RRC state is idle or inactive and when it receives the first indication information from the relay node. The first indication information is used to indicate that the relay node has successfully accessed the network and / or that the relay node has received the radio bearer configuration information from the terminal device.

[0083] In one optional implementation, during the connection establishment process between the terminal device and the relay node, if the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is idle or inactive, the relay node will initiate random access to the network device to establish a connection with the network device.

[0084] Upon successful random access or receipt of radio bearer configuration information from the terminal device, the relay node sends a first indication message to the terminal device. This first indication message indicates that the relay node has successfully accessed the network and / or has received the terminal device's radio bearer configuration information. Thus, the terminal device recognizes that a communication connection has been established between the relay node and the network device through the first indication message. Therefore, after establishing a connection with the relay node and receiving the first indication message from the relay node, the terminal device can send uplink data to the relay node. The relay node then forwards this uplink data to the network device.

[0085] Understandably, the wireless bearer configuration information of a terminal device includes configuration information such as bearer or channel mapping relationships. This wireless bearer configuration information is used for communication between the relay node and the terminal device. This wireless bearer configuration information can also be used for data forwarding between the relay node and network devices.

[0086] In this method, if the terminal device determines that the communication connection between the relay node and the network device is in an idle or inactive state, it will not send uplink data to the relay node even if a connection is established. The terminal device will only send uplink data to the relay node after confirming that a connection has been established between the relay node and the network device. This ensures that the relay node can forward the terminal device's uplink data to the network device in real time, thereby guaranteeing communication continuity during the handover process from the terminal device to the relay node.

[0087] The implementation method for the terminal device to send uplink data to the relay node can be found in S103 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0088] As can be seen, in this embodiment, after the terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, it can promptly send uplink data to the relay node when the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is connected. Even when the RRC state between the relay node and the network device is idle or inactive, the terminal device still sends uplink data to the relay node only after confirming that the relay node can communicate with the network device. Therefore, this method ensures the continuity of communication during the handover process from the terminal device to the relay node.

[0089] See 6. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device is used in a terminal device. The communication device 600 may include:

[0090] Connection establishment unit 601 is used to establish a connection with a relay node;

[0091] The uplink data transmission unit 602 is used to transmit uplink data to the relay node when the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state.

[0092] In an optional implementation, the uplink data transmission unit 602 is further configured to:

[0093] Under the condition that the RRC state is idle or inactive, and the first indication information is received from the relay node, uplink data is sent to the relay node;

[0094] The first indication information is used to indicate that the relay node has successfully accessed the network randomly, and / or that the relay node has received the wireless bearer configuration information of the device.

[0095] In one optional embodiment, the communication device 600 further includes a receiving unit 603, which is configured to: receive second indication information from the relay node; the second indication information is configured to indicate that the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is connected, idle, or inactive.

[0096] In one optional implementation, the uplink data sending unit 602 sends uplink data to the relay node, specifically for:

[0097] The uplink data is delivered to the Radio Link Control (RLC) entity through the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity, which is the RLC entity associated with the relay node in the terminal device;

[0098] Uplink data is sent through the RLC entity.

[0099] In one optional implementation, the connection establishment unit 601 establishes a connection with the relay node, specifically for:

[0100] Upon receiving a direct link establishment receive message from the relay node, it is determined that a connection will be established with the relay node.

[0101] The embodiments of this application and the above-described method embodiments are based on the same concept and have the same technical effects. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the above-described method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0102] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. The terminal device 700 includes a processor 701, a transceiver 702, and a memory 703. The processor 701 and the memory 703 are connected through one or more communication buses.

[0103] The transceiver 702 is used to send or receive data. The memory 703 is used to store commands or computer programs; the memory 703 may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides commands and data to the processor 701. A portion of the memory 703 may also include non-volatile random access memory.

[0104] The processor 701 can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), but it can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; optionally, the processor 701 can also be any conventional processor.

[0105] The terminal device 700 can be the terminal in the above method embodiment, and the processor 701 can be used to execute the computer program or command stored in the memory 703, so that the terminal device 700 performs:

[0106] Establish a connection with the relay node;

[0107] Under the condition that the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, uplink data is sent to the relay node.

[0108] The embodiments of this application and the above-described method embodiments are based on the same concept and have the same technical effects. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the above-described method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0109] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a module device provided in an embodiment of this application. The module device 800 includes a communication module 801, a power module 802, a storage module 803, and a chip module 804, wherein: the power module is used to provide power to the module device; the storage module is used to store data and commands; the communication module is used for internal communication within the module device, or for communication between the module device and external devices;

[0110] The chip module 804 is used for:

[0111] Establish a connection with the relay node;

[0112] Under the condition that the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, uplink data is sent to the relay node.

[0113] Other implementations of this module device can be found in the relevant content of the above method embodiments. They will not be detailed here.

[0114] The embodiments of this application and the above-described method embodiments are based on the same concept and have the same technical effects. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the above-described method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0115] This application also provides a chip, which includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0116] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0117] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0118] The various devices and products described in the above embodiments include modules / units, which may be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or may be partly software modules / units and partly hardware modules / units. For example, for various devices or products that apply or integrate chips, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs running on the integrated processor inside the chip, while the remaining modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits; for various devices or products that apply or integrate chip modules, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs running on the integrated processor inside the chip module, while the remaining modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits; for various devices or products that apply or integrate terminals, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs running on the integrated processor inside the terminal, while the remaining modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0119] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Furthermore, the ASIC can reside in a terminal device or network device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the terminal device or network device.

[0120] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these 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 via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0121] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made on the basis of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A data transmission method, characterized in that, The method, applied to terminal devices that switch to relay nodes using a dual-activation protocol stack (DAPS) handover mechanism, includes: The terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node; The terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node when the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state. The method further includes: The terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node when the RRC state is idle or inactive and when it receives the first indication information from the relay node. The first indication information is used to indicate that the relay node receives the wireless bearer configuration information of the terminal device; the wireless bearer configuration information is used for communication between the relay node and the terminal device and for forwarding of data of the terminal device between the relay node and the network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives a second indication information from the relay node; the second indication information is used to indicate that the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is connected, idle, or inactive.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal device sends uplink data to the relay node, including: The terminal device delivers uplink data to the Radio Link Control (RLC) entity through the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity. The RLC entity is the RLC entity in the terminal device associated with the relay node. The terminal device sends uplink data through the RLC entity.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal device establishes a connection with the relay node, including: When the terminal device receives a direct link establishment receive message from the relay node, it determines that a connection has been established with the relay node.

5. A communication device, characterized in that, The device, applicable to terminal equipment switching to a relay node using a dual-activation protocol stack (DAPS) handover mechanism, comprises: The connection establishment unit is used to establish a connection with the relay node; The uplink data transmission unit is used to transmit uplink data to the relay node when the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state. The uplink data transmission unit is further configured to: Under the condition that the RRC state is idle or inactive, and the first indication information is received from the relay node, uplink data is sent to the relay node; The first indication information is used to indicate that the relay node receives the wireless bearer configuration information of the device; the wireless bearer configuration information is used for communication between the relay node and the terminal device and for forwarding data of the terminal device between the relay node and the network device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The apparatus further includes a receiving unit, the receiving unit being used for: The relay node receives a second indication message; the second indication message is used to indicate that the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is connected, idle, or inactive.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The uplink data sending unit sends uplink data to the relay node, specifically for: Uplink data is delivered to the Radio Link Control (RLC) entity via the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity, which is the RLC entity associated with the relay node in the device; Uplink data is sent through the RLC entity.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connection establishment unit establishes a connection with the relay node, specifically for: Upon receiving a direct link establishment receive message from the relay node, it is determined that a connection will be established with the relay node.

9. A terminal device, characterized in that, The terminal device includes a processor and a memory, which are interconnected. The memory is used to store a computer program, which includes program instructions. The processor is configured to invoke the program instructions to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. A module device, characterized in that, This module device, applied to terminal equipment that uses a dual-activation protocol stack (DAPS) handover mechanism to switch to a relay node, includes a communication module, a power supply module, a storage module, and a chip module, wherein: The power module is used to provide electrical energy to the module device; The storage module is used to store data and instructions; The communication module is used for internal communication within the module device, or for communication between the module device and external devices; The chip module is used for: Establish a connection with the relay node; Under the condition that the Radio Resource Control (RRC) state between the relay node and the network device is in the connected state, uplink data is sent to the relay node; The chip module is also used to send uplink data to the relay node when the RRC state is idle or inactive and when it receives the first indication information from the relay node. The first indication information is used to instruct the relay node to receive the wireless bearer configuration information of the terminal device; the wireless bearer configuration information is used for communication between the relay node and the terminal device and for forwarding data of the terminal device between the relay node and the network device.

11. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program including program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

12. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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