A communication method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

This application discloses a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium, comprising: a first communication device establishing N+1 links, wherein one service link and N backup links exist among the N+1 links; when the service link fails, the communication can be switched from the service link to one of the N backup links so that communication can be carried out through the backup link, thereby avoiding communication interruption caused by the failure of the service link and improving the reliability of service transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus and computer-readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Terminals, access network equipment, and other devices typically contain various hardware components and software. When hardware and / or hardware malfunctions within these devices, the devices may be unable to communicate with other devices, leading to service interruptions. Therefore, hardware and / or software failures cannot guarantee the reliability of service transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application discloses a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for improving the reliability of service transmission.

[0004] The first aspect discloses a communication method applicable to a first communication device. In one case, the first communication device can be a terminal or a module within a terminal. In another case, the first communication device can be an access network device or a module within an access network device. The communication method may include: the first communication device establishing a first link and N backup links, where the first link is a serving link and N is a positive integer; when the first link fails, the first communication device sends an indication message through a second link, the indication message indicating that the serving link is updated to a third link, where the second link and the third link are backup links among the N backup links.

[0005] In this embodiment, the first communication device establishes multiple links, one of which is a serving link and the remaining links are backup links. When the serving link fails, the device can switch to the backup link to continue communication, thereby solving the technical problem of low service transmission reliability caused by hardware and / or software failures in the prior art. Since the first communication device can switch to the backup link after the serving link fails, the impact of the serving link failure on service transmission can be avoided, thus improving the reliability of service transmission.

[0006] As one possible implementation, the indication information may include the identifier of the third link, or the resource location of the indication information may be associated with the identifier of the third link.

[0007] In this embodiment, the first communication device can send indication information to the second communication device. The indication information may include or be associated with the identifier of the third link, which can enable the second communication device to know that the service link has failed and the backup link that the first communication device prefers to select, so that the service can be quickly and accurately switched to the third link for transmission, thereby improving the reliability of service transmission.

[0008] As one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: when the signal quality of the first signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, the first communication device determines that the first link has failed, the first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link, the first signal may be a reference signal or a physical random access channel (PRACH), and the first signal comes from a second communication device or a third communication device.

[0009] In this embodiment, the first communication device can use signal quality to determine whether a link has failed. This has low complexity and therefore can improve the determination speed, thereby enabling rapid link switching and improving the reliability of service transmission.

[0010] As one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: when receiving a first signal fails, the first communication device determines that the first link has failed, the first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link, the first signal is control information, physical layer data or higher layer data, and the first signal comes from a second communication device or a third communication device.

[0011] In this embodiment, the first communication device can determine link failure by signal reception failure, which has high reliability. It can accurately detect not only hardware errors but also software errors.

[0012] As one possible implementation, the identifiers of the first link and the third link can be transmission configuration indicator (TCI), component carrier (CC) identifier, cell identifier, core network context identifier, access network device identifier, core network device identifier, or terminal identifier.

[0013] As one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: the first communication device determining the backup link with the best signal quality among the N backup links as the third link.

[0014] In this embodiment of the application, when the service link fails, the first communication device can switch to the backup link with the best signal quality, which can ensure the reliability of communication and further improve the reliability of service transmission.

[0015] As one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: the first communication device determining the backup link with the smallest transmission delay among N backup links as the second link.

[0016] In this embodiment, the first communication device can send indication information to the second communication device through the backup link with the least transmission latency, which can reduce the transmission time of the indication information, thereby reducing the link switching time and improving the link switching efficiency. This can reduce the impact of link failure on services and further improve the reliability of service transmission.

[0017] The second aspect discloses a communication method applicable to a second communication device. In one case, the second communication device can be an access network device or a module within an access network device. In another case, the second communication device can be a terminal or a module within a terminal. In yet another case, the second communication device can be a wireless system, an access network device within a wireless system, or a module within an access network device in a wireless system. The communication method may include: the second communication device receiving indication information from a first communication device via a second link, the indication information indicating that the serving link is updated to a third link, the first communication device establishing a first link and N backup links, the first link being the serving link, the second link and the third link being backup links among the N backup links, where N is a positive integer; the second communication device determining the third link as the serving link of the first communication device based on the indication information.

[0018] In this embodiment, after receiving an instruction from the first communication device to update the service link, the second communication device can switch the service link of the first communication device according to the instruction. This allows the first communication device to communicate with the second communication device through the backup link, thereby solving the technical problem of low service transmission reliability caused by hardware and / or software failures in the prior art. Since the first communication device can switch to the backup link after the service link fails, the impact on service transmission can be avoided, thus improving the reliability of service transmission.

[0019] As one possible implementation, the indication information may include the identifier of the third link, or the resource location of the indication information may be associated with the identifier of the third link.

[0020] As one possible implementation, before the second communication device receives instruction information from the first communication device via the second link, the communication method may further include: the second communication device sending a first signal to the first communication device via the first link, the first signal being associated with an identifier of the first link, the first signal being used to determine whether the first link has failed, and the first signal being a reference signal, PRACH, control information, physical layer data, or higher layer data.

[0021] As one possible implementation, the identifiers of the first link and the third link can be TCI, CC, cell identifier, core network context identifier, access network device identifier, core network device identifier, or terminal identifier.

[0022] In this embodiment, different identifiers are configured for different links, enabling backups at different levels and improving information reliability.

[0023] As one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: a second communication device receiving first information from a first communication device via a third link; and the second communication device sending the first information to a fourth communication device.

[0024] As one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: a second communication device receiving second information from a fourth communication device; and the second communication device sending the second information to a first communication device via a third link.

[0025] As one possible implementation, the second information carries a first timestamp, and the second communication device sending the second information to the first communication device through the third link may include: the second communication device sending the second information to the first communication device through the third link based on the first timestamp and the current time.

[0026] In this embodiment of the application, the second communication device can determine whether the information is time-sensitive based on the timestamp. When it is determined that the information is out of time, the information is not sent. When it is determined that the information is time-sensitive, the information can be sent, thereby ensuring the timeliness of the information and avoiding the repeated sending of the information.

[0027] As one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: a second communication device receiving third information from a first communication device via a first link, the third information corresponding to a first identifier; the second communication device receiving fourth information from the first communication device via a third link, the fourth information corresponding to a second identifier; when the first identifier and the second identifier are the same, the second communication device discards the third information or the fourth information, or merges the third information and the fourth information.

[0028] A third aspect discloses a communication device, which in one case can be a terminal or a module within a terminal. In another case, the communication device can be an access network device or a module within an access network device. The communication device may include:

[0029] The processing unit is used to establish a first link and N backup links, where the first link is a service link and N is a positive integer.

[0030] The transceiver unit is used to send an indication message to the second communication device through the second link when the first link fails. The indication message indicates that the service link is updated to the third link, and the second link and the third link are backup links among the N backup links.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the indication information includes the identifier of the third link; or, the resource location of the indication information is associated with the identifier of the third link.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first link has failed when the signal quality of the first signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, wherein the first signal is associated with an identifier of the first link, the first signal is a reference signal or PRACH, and the first signal originates from the second communication device or the third communication device.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first link has failed when receiving the first signal fails, wherein the first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link, the first signal is control information, physical layer data or higher layer data, and the first signal comes from the second communication device or the third communication device.

[0034] As one possible implementation, the identifiers of the first link and the third link can be TCI, CC, cell identifier, core network context identifier, access network device identifier, core network device identifier, or terminal identifier.

[0035] As one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine the backup link with the best signal quality among the N backup links as the third link.

[0036] As one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine the backup link with the minimum transmission latency among the N backup links as the second link.

[0037] The fourth aspect discloses a communication device. In one case, the communication device can be an access network device or a module within an access network device. In another case, the communication device can be a terminal or a module within a terminal. In yet another case, the communication device can be a wireless system, an access network device within a wireless system, or a module within an access network device in a wireless system. The communication device may include:

[0038] The transceiver unit is used to receive indication information from the first communication device through the second link. The indication information indicates that the service link is updated to the third link. The first communication device has established a first link and N backup links. The first link is the service link, and the second and third links are backup links among the N backup links, where N is a positive integer.

[0039] The processing unit is configured to determine, based on the indication information, that the third link is the service link of the first communication device.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the indication information includes the identifier of the third link; or the resource location of the indication information is associated with the identifier of the third link.

[0041] As one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a first signal to the first communication device via the first link before receiving indication information from the first communication device via the second link. The first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link and is used to determine whether the first link is faulty. The first signal is a reference signal, PRACH, control information, physical layer data, or higher layer data.

[0042] As one possible implementation, the identifiers of the first link and the third link can be TCI, CC, cell identifier, core network context identifier, access network device identifier, core network device identifier, or terminal identifier.

[0043] As one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive first information from the first communication device via the third link;

[0044] The transceiver unit is also used to send the first information to the fourth communication device.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also configured to receive second information from a fourth communication device;

[0046] The transceiver unit is also used to send the second information to the first communication device through the third link.

[0047] As one possible implementation, the second information carries a first timestamp, and the transceiver unit sends the second information to the first communication device via the third link, including:

[0048] The second information is sent to the first communication device via the third link based on the first timestamp and the current time.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive third information from the first communication device via the first link, the third information corresponding to the first identifier;

[0050] The transceiver unit is further configured to receive fourth information from the first communication device via the third link, the fourth information corresponding to the second identifier;

[0051] The processing unit is further configured to discard the third information or the fourth information, or merge the third information and the fourth information, when the first identifier is the same as the second identifier.

[0052] The fifth aspect discloses a communication device, which may include a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement the communication method disclosed in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0053] The sixth aspect discloses a communication device, which may include a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement the communication method disclosed in the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0054] The seventh aspect discloses a communication system, which includes the communication device of the fifth aspect and the communication device of the sixth aspect.

[0055] The eighth aspect discloses a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or computer instructions that, when executed, implement the communication methods disclosed in the above aspects.

[0056] The ninth aspect discloses a computer program that, when executed by a communication device, implements the communication methods disclosed in the above aspects.

[0057] The tenth aspect discloses a chip including a processor for executing a program stored in a memory, which, when executed, causes the chip to perform the above-described method.

[0058] As one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the chip. Attached Figure Description

[0059] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0063] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0065] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0067] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device disclosed in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0073] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of this application are described below. In 5G new radio (NR), in addition to supporting enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services with high transmission rates, it also supports ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) services. URLLC services have extremely high requirements for transmission latency and reliability. For example, URLLC services need to guarantee transmission reliability greater than 99.9999% within a 1ms latency. URLLC services can be applied to industrial automation, including motion control, inter-controller communication, wireless replacement of industrial wired networks, and closed-loop control of processing automation. In industrial automation, URLLC services need to guarantee 99.9999% reliability for 10 years.

[0074] In NR (Radio Responsive Networking), various air interface technologies are introduced to ensure high reliability of URLLC services, such as enhanced hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-acknowledgment (ACK), multiple blind retransmissions, and multiple TCI blind retransmissions. Existing air interface technologies for ensuring high reliability of URLLC services primarily address the instability of wireless links and cannot solve air interface reliability issues caused by hardware and software failures. In actual industrial deployments, the probability of transmission failures due to equipment hardware and software failures cannot be ignored. For example, the reliability of transceiver points (TRPs) and baseband equipment requires a transmission failure rate of less than 99.9999% over 10 years. Furthermore, unlike transmission failures caused by wireless link instability, transmission failures caused by equipment hardware and software failures are continuous, leading to interruptions in URLLC services and making it impossible to guarantee the 99.9999% reliability required for industrial automation over 10 years.

[0075] Hardware and software failures in equipment are a persistent problem. Currently, fault detection and recovery can be achieved through equipment polling and self-testing. However, these methods have long latency, and the equipment cannot provide service until it recovers from the fault. For eMBB services, temporary service interruptions do not lead to serious consequences, but for URLLC services aimed at industrial automation, service interruptions can result in significant economic losses. Therefore, ensuring the reliability of URLLC service transmission has become a pressing technical issue that needs to be addressed.

[0076] To better understand the communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium disclosed in the embodiments of this application, the network architecture used in the embodiments of this application is described below. Please refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the network architecture may include at least one core network device (such as...) Figure 1 110 and 111 in the middle), at least one access network device (such as 110 and 111 in the middle), and at least one access network device (such as 110 and 111 in the middle). Figure 1 (120, 121, and 122 in the text) and at least one terminal (such as Figure 1 (130 and 131 in the text). Figure 1 As shown, the access network equipment may include at least one transceiver device, such as... Figure 1 The access network device 120 may include transceivers 1200 and 1201.

[0077] Terminals can connect to access network equipment wirelessly, meaning they can connect to the transceiver devices within the access network equipment wirelessly. Access network equipment can connect to core network equipment wirelessly or via a wired connection. Access network equipment and core network equipment can be independent physical devices. They can also be integrated onto the same physical device, meaning the functions of the access network device and the core network device are integrated into one physical device; or, a single physical device can possess both access network and core network device functions. Alternatively, some functions of access network equipment and core network equipment can be integrated onto the same physical device, with the remaining functions located on separate physical devices. This can be understood as one physical device integrating some functions of both access network and core network equipment, with the remaining functions of the access network device on another physical device, and the remaining functions of the core network device on yet another physical device. The terminal's location can be fixed or mobile.

[0078] It should be understood that Figure 1 This is merely an illustrative representation of the network architecture and does not constitute a limitation on it. The network architecture may also include other devices, such as relay devices, backhaul devices, and central devices.

[0079] It should be understood that the number of terminals, access network devices and core network devices included in this network architecture can be any integer greater than or equal to 1, and the specific number is not limited here.

[0080] Terminals and access network equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted. They can also be deployed on water. Furthermore, they can be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the deployment scenarios for terminals and access network equipment.

[0081] The embodiments of this application can be applied to downlink signal transmission, uplink signal transmission, and device-to-device (D2D) signal transmission. For downlink signal transmission, the transmitting device is an access network device, and the corresponding receiving device is a terminal. For uplink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a terminal, and the corresponding receiving device is an access network device. For D2D signal transmission, both the transmitting and receiving devices are terminals. The embodiments of this application do not limit the direction of signal transmission.

[0082] Communication between terminals and access network devices, and between terminals themselves, can be achieved through licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication between terminals and access network devices, and between terminals themselves, can be achieved through spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. This application does not limit the spectrum resources used by access network devices and terminals.

[0083] A terminal, also known as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal, etc., is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. Terminals can be handheld terminals, laptops, user units, cellular phones, smartphones, wireless data cards, personal digital assistants, computers, tablets, wireless modems, handheld devices, laptops, cordless phones or wireless local loopback stations, machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers), in-vehicle equipment (e.g., cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains), virtual reality devices, augmented reality devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters), intelligent robots, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in remote surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, flying equipment (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), or other devices that can access networks. In this application, the terms "terminal" and "terminal device" are interchangeable.

[0084] Access network equipment is a device that provides wireless access for terminals, primarily responsible for functions such as air interface-side radio resource management, Quality of Service (QoS) flow management, data compression, and encryption. Access network equipment can include various types of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) in 5G mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, and access points. Access network equipment can also include WiFi access points (APs). Access network equipment can also be a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) base station (BS). Access network equipment can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station; for example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or equipment forms used in the access network equipment.

[0085] Core network equipment can correspond to different devices in different systems as core network (CN) equipment. For example, in 3G, it can correspond to the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and / or the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) for General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). In 4G, it can correspond to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) and / or the Serving Gateway (S-GW). In 5G, it can correspond to one or more of the following network elements: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, Session Management Function (SMF) network element, User Plane Function (UPF) network element, etc.

[0086] To better understand the communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium disclosed in the embodiments of this application, the users and concepts used in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0087] 1. Link

[0088] A link can be understood as an air interface link. An air interface link is a link through which a terminal can communicate with access network equipment over the air. Establishing an air interface link requires maintaining time and frequency synchronization between the terminal and the access network equipment, and requires uplink and downlink channel measurements, timing advance (TA) operations, etc.

[0089] 2. Residential area

[0090] Cell is a general term, described by higher layers from the perspective of resource management or mobility management. For a terminal, the cell providing services to it can be called a serving cell. The cells discussed in this application are serving cells. The coverage area of ​​each access network device can be divided into one or more cells. A cell can be configured with one downlink carrier. In addition, at least one uplink carrier can also be configured. A bandwidth part (BWP) is a portion of the bandwidth on a certain carrier of a cell.

[0091] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario disclosed in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the access network equipment may include at least two transceiver devices (such as...). Figure 2 (Transceiver devices 1 and 2 in the network). The terminal can establish multiple links with the access network equipment. One of these links is the terminal's service link, and the other links are backup links for the terminal.

[0092] Based on the above network architecture and Figure 2 The application scenarios shown are as follows: Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Functions performed by the terminal in this application can also be performed by modules within the terminal; functions performed by the access network device in this application can also be performed by modules within the access network device; and functions performed by the core network device in this application can also be performed by modules within the core network device. Specifically, the modules in the device described in this application can be chips within the device. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0093] 301. The terminal establishes a primary link and N backup links with the access network equipment.

[0094] A terminal can establish N+1 links with the access network device, meaning it can establish a primary link and N backup links. These N+1 links can each correspond to N+1 TCIs, meaning one link corresponds to one TCI. The primary link is the terminal's service link; it can be understood as the terminal's current communication link, or the link through which the terminal is currently communicating with the access network device.

[0095] The terminal can first establish a communication connection with the access network device. At this time, there is only one link between the terminal and the access network device, namely the first link. The method of establishing a communication connection between the terminal and the access network device is the same as the existing NR method, and will not be described in detail here.

[0096] After establishing a communication connection with the terminal, the access network device can send configuration information to the terminal via the first link. Optionally, the access network device sends configuration information to the terminal when a first condition is met. In one case, the first condition may be receiving an instruction from the core network device for establishing a backup link. In another case, the access network device may be configured with a function for establishing a backup link, and the first condition may be detecting trigger information such as a start command, message, or signaling to activate this function. This trigger information may be sent by the core network device, input by the user, or generated by the access network device; no limitation is placed here.

[0097] Configuration information can include the TCI (Transceiver Identity) for each link, as well as information about the signals associated with each link. The TCI for each link identifies the corresponding link; it can also be understood as the TCI serving as an identifier for the link. The signals associated with each link are used to measure the validity of that link. When a TCI has already been configured for the first link, the TCI for each link may only include the TCIs for the N backup links. When no TCI has been configured for the first link, the TCI for each link may include the TCI for the first link and the TCIs for the N backup links, meaning there is a one-to-one correspondence between links and TCIs. The number of backup links N can be configured by higher layers or determined by the access network device based on the channel conditions of the terminal. One TCI can correspond to one transceiver device or multiple transceiver devices. When one TCI corresponds to multiple transceiver devices, the access network device can use these multiple transceiver devices for communication based on different precoding methods.

[0098] After receiving configuration information from the access network device, the terminal can establish N backup links with the access network device based on the configuration information. N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The terminal can determine the TCI and signal corresponding to each of the N backup links based on the configuration information.

[0099] The terminal can perform time-frequency synchronization, channel measurement, and TA (Transmission Aspect Ratio) processes based on the N+1 signals corresponding to these N+1 links. This allows it to use any TCI (Transmission Control Channel) to transmit the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) / Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) or receive the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) / Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) at any time. In other words, the terminal can establish an air interface link with the access network equipment through each link. Receiving PDCCH / PDSCH using TCI means using the signal corresponding to that TCI to obtain time-frequency synchronization, downlink channel state information, etc., for downlink reception. Downlink channel state information may include signal quality, Doppler, beam direction, beam identifier, etc. Transmitting the corresponding PUCCH / PUSCH using TCI means using the signal corresponding to that TCI to obtain time-frequency synchronization, uplink channel information corresponding to the downlink channel of that TCI, etc., for uplink transmission. Uplink channel information may include Doppler, beam direction, beam identifier, etc. Signal quality can be any information that can indicate whether a signal is good or bad, such as reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), reference signal receiving power (RSRP), and received signal strength indication (RSSI).

[0100] It should be noted that PUCCH, PUSCH, PDCCH, and PDSCH are merely examples of uplink control channels, uplink data channels, downlink control channels, and downlink data channels in the physical layer. These channels may have different names in different systems, and this application does not limit them.

[0101] 302. The terminal determines whether the first link has failed. If the first link fails, step 303 is executed.

[0102] After the terminal establishes the first link and N backup links with the access network device, it can be understood that after the access network device receives a confirmation message from the terminal indicating that the N backup links have been established, the access network device can periodically send a first signal to the terminal through the first link. The first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link, which can be understood as the first signal corresponding to the identifier of the first link, or as the first signal corresponding to the TCI of the first link.

[0103] Accordingly, the terminal can periodically receive a first signal from the access network device through the first link, and determine whether the first link has failed.

[0104] In one implementation, the first signal can be either a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). The first signal can be associated with an identifier of the first link. The terminal can determine whether the first link is faulty based on the signal quality of the first signal. When the signal quality of the first signal is determined to be greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal can determine that the first link is valid and can continue to communicate with the access network device through the first link; that is, the terminal can use the TCI corresponding to the first link to send PUCCH / PUSCH or receive PDCCH / PDSCH from the access network device. When the signal quality of the first signal is determined to be less than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal can determine that the first link is faulty, and then proceed to step 303.

[0105] The signal quality of the aforementioned first signal can be the signal quality of the most recently received first signal, or it can be the signal quality determined based on the signal quality of multiple recently received first signals. For example, the signal quality of the aforementioned first signal can be determined by the average signal quality of multiple recently received first signals, or it can be determined by the signal quality of multiple recently received first signals after being filtered by layer 3. The number of multiple recently received first signals can be fixed or variable. For example, the first signals received within a recent period can be determined as the multiple most recently received first signals. The first signal can be associated with the identifier of the first link, which can be understood as the first signal being transmitted through the first link.

[0106] In another implementation, the first signal can be downlink control information (DCI) or physical layer data. The terminal can receive the first signal during its transmission period. If the terminal fails to receive the first signal, it can determine that the first link has failed, and then proceed to step 303. The terminal's failure to receive the first signal can be interpreted as either not receiving the first signal or receiving the first signal but failing to decode it. When the terminal successfully receives the first signal, it can determine that the first link is valid and can continue to use the first link to communicate with the access network equipment. Successful reception of the first signal can be understood as receiving the first signal and successfully decoding it.

[0107] When the first signal is DCI, it can be carried on PDCCH. When the first signal is physical layer data, it can be carried on PDSCH.

[0108] 303. The terminal sends instruction information to the access network equipment through the second link.

[0109] When a terminal determines that the first link has failed, it can send an indication message to the access network device via the second link. This indication message can direct the serving link to be updated to the third link. The second and third links are backup links among N backup links. The second and third links can be the same backup link or different backup links.

[0110] Accordingly, the access network equipment can receive indication information from the terminal through the second link.

[0111] When the terminal determines that the first link has failed, if N is 1, the terminal can directly designate this backup link as both the second and third links, meaning the second and third links are the same backup link. If N is greater than 1, the terminal can first select the third link from the N backup links. The terminal can first determine whether each of the N backup links is a valid link. In one implementation, after the terminal establishes the first link and N backup links with the access network device, the access network device can periodically send corresponding signals to the terminal through each of the N backup links, so that the terminal can determine whether the backup link is valid based on the signal corresponding to each backup link. In the above method, because each backup link in the access network device periodically sends a signal, the terminal can quickly determine whether the backup link is valid, thereby improving link switching efficiency and ensuring the reliability of service transmission. In another implementation, when the terminal determines that the first link has failed, it can send measurement signals to the access network device through each backup link. If a response signal is received within a preset time, the backup link is considered valid; if no response signal is received within the preset time, the backup link is considered invalid. Because this method only sends measurement signals to check the validity of backup links when necessary, it reduces the amount of information sent, thus saving transmission resources.

[0112] When the terminal determines that only one of the N backup links is valid, it can directly designate this backup link as both the second and third link; that is, the second and third links are the same link. When the terminal determines that multiple backup links are valid, it can select the third link from these multiple backup links. The terminal can designate the backup link with the best signal quality as the third link, or it can randomly select any backup link from these multiple backup links, or it can designate the backup link with the lowest data transmission latency as the third link. The terminal can also set a default backup link. When the default backup link is valid, it can be designated as the third link, which can shorten the link switching time and thus improve the controllability of service transmission. When the default backup link is invalid, the terminal can select from the remaining backup link list. It can select sequentially, randomly, based on signal quality, based on data transmission latency, or in other ways, without any restrictions. The signal quality and data transmission latency of the backup link can be measured when determining whether the backup link is effective, when establishing the backup link, or at other times, without any limitation.

[0113] When a terminal selects a second link from N backup links, in order to reduce link switching latency and improve the reliability of service transmission, the backup link with the shortest transmission latency can be selected as the second link. The backup link with the shortest transmission latency can be understood as the backup link with the shortest latency in transmitting indication information, or the backup link that takes the shortest time to transmit indication information, or the backup link that can send indication information to the access network device earliest.

[0114] In one implementation, the indication information may include the identifier of the third link, i.e., the TCI corresponding to the third link. For example, one or more bits in the indication information indicate the TCI corresponding to the third link, or indicate the index of the TCI corresponding to the third link. In another implementation, the resource location of the indication information can be associated with the identifier of the third link; this can be understood as the resource location of the indication information corresponding to the identifier of the third link. For example, different resource locations can be pre-allocated for different backup links. When the indication information is transmitted at the resource location corresponding to the third link, the identifier of the third link associated with the indication information can be determined. The indication information can be carried on either the PUCCH or the PRACH.

[0115] 304. The access network equipment determines the third link as the service link of the terminal based on the instruction information.

[0116] After receiving the indication information from the terminal via the second link, the access network device can determine that the third link is the terminal's service link based on the indication information. The access network device can then communicate with the terminal via the third link.

[0117] During uplink transmission, the terminal can send first information to the access network device via the first link or the third link. After receiving the first information from the terminal, the access network device can either forward the first information to the core network device or process the first information before sending it to the core network device.

[0118] During downlink transmission, core network equipment can send second information to access network equipment. After receiving the second information from the core network equipment, the access network equipment can either forward the second information directly to the terminal or process the second information before sending it to the terminal.

[0119] The relevant content in steps 301-304 can be referenced from each other and is not limited to the corresponding steps.

[0120] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario disclosed in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 4 As shown, a terminal can establish multiple links with access network equipment through different component carriers (CCs). One of these links is the terminal's serving link, while the others are backup links. Different links use different CCs.

[0121] Based on the above network architecture and Figure 4 The application scenarios shown are as follows: Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0122] 501. The terminal establishes a primary link and N backup links with the access network equipment.

[0123] 502. The terminal determines whether the first link has failed. If the first link has failed, proceed to step 503.

[0124] 503. The terminal sends instruction information to the access network equipment through the second link.

[0125] 504. The access network equipment determines the third link as the service link of the terminal based on the instruction information.

[0126] Steps 501 to 504 are similar to steps 301 to 304, and detailed descriptions can be found in steps 301 to 304.

[0127] Figure 5 The method shown is the same as Figure 3 The difference between the methods shown is: Figure 3 The information used to identify the link is TCI, while Figure 5 The information used to identify links is called CC, which can be a CC identifier, meaning there is a one-to-one correspondence between CC and link. In addition, one CC can correspond to one frequency point.

[0128] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario disclosed in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the terminal can communicate with at least two access network devices (such as...). Figure 1 Access network devices 1 and 2) establish links. Each access network device can correspond to one or more links. One of these links is the service link of the terminal, and the other links are backup links of the terminal.

[0129] Based on the above network architecture and Figure 6 The application scenarios shown are as follows: Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0130] 701. The terminal establishes a primary link and N backup links with K+1 access network devices.

[0131] A terminal can establish N+1 links with K+1 access network devices, meaning it can establish a primary link and N backup links with each of the K+1 access network devices. The primary link is the terminal's service link; it can be understood as the terminal's current communication link, or the link through which the terminal is currently communicating with the access network devices. K is a positive integer less than or equal to N. One link corresponds to one access network device. One access network device can correspond to one link or multiple links.

[0132] The terminal can first establish a communication connection with the first access network device among the K+1 access network devices. At this time, the link between the terminal and the first access network device is the first link. The first access network device can be any one of the K+1 access network devices. For relevant descriptions, please refer to the description of the terminal establishing a communication connection with the access network device in step 301.

[0133] After establishing a communication connection with the terminal, the first access network device can send configuration information to the terminal. Optionally, the first access network device sends configuration information to the terminal when a first condition is met. A detailed description of the first condition can be found in the relevant description in section 301. The configuration information may include the identifiers of the K+1 access network devices other than the first access network device, and may also include information about the signals corresponding to each link. These K access network devices are connected to the same core network device as the first access network device, and all can establish a communication connection with the terminal. The identifiers of the aforementioned K access network devices and the information about the signals corresponding to each link can be sent from the core network device to the first access network device. A relevant description can be found in step 301, where configuration information can be sent to the terminal through the first link when the first condition is met. When there is a one-to-one correspondence between access network devices and links, the information used to identify the link can be the identifier of the access network device or the cell identifier. When one access network device corresponds to multiple links, the information used to identify the link can be one or more of TCI, CC, the identifier of the access network device, and the cell identifier.

[0134] When the first access network device corresponds to one link, after receiving configuration information from the first access network device, the terminal can establish backup links with the aforementioned K access network devices according to the configuration information, resulting in N backup links. That is, the terminal can establish one or more links with each of the aforementioned K access network devices, resulting in N backup links. The terminal can establish N backup links based on the identifiers of the aforementioned K access network devices. The terminal can determine the signal corresponding to each of the N backup links based on the configuration information, that is, bind the identifier of each link with the corresponding signal. For a related description, please refer to the description of the terminal establishing N backup links with the access network devices according to the configuration information in step 301.

[0135] When the first access network device corresponds to multiple links, after the terminal receives the configuration information from the first access network device, it can establish backup links with the above K+1 access network devices according to the configuration information, and obtain N backup links.

[0136] The frequency points used by different backup links in the first link and the N backup links can be the same or different.

[0137] 702. The terminal determines whether the first link has failed. If the first link fails, step 703 is executed.

[0138] Step 702 is similar to step 302, and a detailed description can be found in step 302.

[0139] The difference between step 702 and step 302 is that the information used to identify the link can be one or more of the following: the access network device identifier, cell identifier, TCI, and CC. In another implementation, the first signal can be DCI or physical layer data, or it can be higher-layer data. In this application, "higher layer" refers to the protocol layer above the physical layer, which can be the media access control (MAC) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, or the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. Higher-layer data can be protocol data unit (PDU) data or service data unit (SDU) data.

[0140] Higher-layer data can be composed of physical layer data. After the terminal receives a first signal from the first access network device, the physical layer can send the first signal to the higher layers. Upon receiving the first signal from the physical layer, the higher layers can first determine whether the first signal belongs to higher-layer data. If it is determined that the first signal belongs to higher-layer data, the terminal can use the first signal to assemble higher-layer data. After assembling the higher-layer data using the first signal, it can determine whether the higher-layer data was successfully received. If the higher-layer data was successfully received, the first link is considered valid. If the first signal is not assembled into higher-layer data, or if the higher-layer data reception fails, the first link is considered invalid. In one scenario, the terminal can determine whether the higher-layer data was successfully received based on the checksum of the higher-layer data; if the checksum verification fails, the higher-layer data reception fails. In another scenario, the terminal can determine whether the higher-layer data was successfully received based on the format corresponding to the higher-layer data; if the format corresponding to the higher-layer data is not the first format, the higher-layer data reception fails. The checksum and the first format can be pre-configured by the access network device or be configured by default. The failure to combine the first signal into higher-layer data could be due to the absence of some physical layer data or the failure of physical layer data decoding or decryption; no specific limitation is made here.

[0141] 703. The terminal sends an instruction message to the second access network device.

[0142] When the terminal determines that the first link has failed, it can send an indication message to the second access network device via the second link. The indication message instructs the serving link to be updated to the third link. The second and third links can be the same backup link among N backup links, i.e., the link between the second access network device and the terminal; or they can be different backup links among the N backup links, where the third link can correspond to the second access network device, the second link can correspond to the third access network device, or both the second and third links can correspond to the second access network device. The second and third access network devices are among the aforementioned K access network devices. When the first access network device corresponds to multiple links, the first access network device and the second access network device can be the same access network device.

[0143] When the second and third links are different backup links and correspond to different access network devices, the terminal sends indication information to the second access network device through the second link. This can be understood as the terminal first sending indication information to the third access network device through the second link, the third access network device sending indication information to the core network device, the core network device sending indication information to the second access network device, and the second access network device receiving the indication information from the core network device. The indication information received by the second access network device may be the same as or different from the indication information sent by the terminal; that is, the indication information received by the second access network device may be a processed version of the indication information sent by the terminal.

[0144] Accordingly, the second access network device can receive indication information from the terminal via the second link. This indication information can be transmitted on either the PUCCH or the PRACH.

[0145] Other relevant descriptions can be found in step 303.

[0146] 704. The second access network device determines the third link as the service link for the terminal based on the instruction information.

[0147] After receiving the indication information from the terminal via the second link, if both the second and third links are established between the second access network device and the terminal, the second access network device can determine that the third link is the terminal's serving link based on the indication information. Optionally, the second access network device can send an acknowledgment message to the terminal, after which the second access network device can communicate with the terminal via the third link. If the second link is established between the third access network device and the terminal, and the third access network device and the second access network device are different access network devices, then the third access network device can forward the aforementioned indication information to the second access network device. The second access network device determines that the third link is the terminal's serving link. Optionally, the second access network device sends an acknowledgment message to the terminal, after which the second access network device can communicate with the terminal via the third link. Here, the second access network device can be referred to as the new serving access network device.

[0148] During uplink transmission, when the first link is active, the terminal can send third information to the first access network device. When the first link fails and the third link becomes active, the terminal can send fourth information to the new serving access network device. To ensure that all information sent by the terminal reaches the core network device, after the third link becomes active, the terminal can resend information sent to the first access network device within a certain period before the first link failure is determined to the new serving access network device; alternatively, it can resend information for which it did not receive an acknowledgment (ACK) message from the first access network device before the first link failure is determined to the new serving access network device. Both the first and new serving access network devices can forward all information sent by the terminal to the core network device, which may result in some duplicate information received by the core network device from both devices. Therefore, the third information corresponds to the first identifier, and the fourth information corresponds to the second identifier. The first and second identifiers can be sequence numbers, content identifiers, or other identifiers. When the third and fourth information are the same, they carry the same identifier. Therefore, after receiving the third and fourth pieces of information, if the core network equipment determines that both information originates from the same terminal, it can determine whether the third and fourth pieces of information are duplicates based on the first and second identifiers. If duplicates are determined, either the third or fourth piece of information can be discarded, or they can be merged into one piece of information, i.e., decoded together. Alternatively, the terminal can divide a complete piece of information into several parts. When the first and second identifiers are the same, it indicates that the third and fourth pieces of information belong to the same set of information, and they can be merged into a complete piece of information according to their sequence numbers within that set.

[0149] In downlink transmission, the core network device only knows the access network device currently communicating with the terminal, but cannot predict the access network device communicating with the terminal in the next moment. Therefore, to ensure information can be transmitted to the terminal, the core network device can send second information to each of the aforementioned K+1 access network devices. Furthermore, the second information can carry a first timestamp, so that after receiving the second information, the K+1 access network devices can determine whether to send the second information to the terminal based on the first timestamp. The first timestamp can be used to indicate the sending time of the second information from the core network device to the access network device, or it can be used to indicate the expiration time of the second information. The access network device can send the second information to the terminal based on the first timestamp and the current time. When the first timestamp is used to indicate the sending time, the access network device can first calculate the time interval between the current time and the first timestamp, where the current time is later than the first timestamp. When the time interval is greater than or equal to a second threshold, it indicates that the second information has lost its timeliness, and sending the second information to the terminal is meaningless; therefore, it can be left unsent. Additionally, the second information can be discarded to save storage space. When the time interval is less than or equal to the second threshold, it indicates that the second information has not yet lost its timeliness, and the second information can be sent to the terminal, or processed before being sent to the terminal. When the first timestamp is used to indicate the expiration time, the access network device can compare the first timestamp with the current time. If the first timestamp is earlier than the current time, it indicates that the second information has lost its timeliness, and sending the second information to the terminal is meaningless; therefore, the second information does not need to be sent to the terminal. If the first timestamp is later than the current time, it indicates that the second information has not yet lost its timeliness, and the second information can be sent to the terminal, or processed before being sent to the terminal.

[0150] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario disclosed in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the terminal can communicate with at least two wireless systems (such as...). Figure 1 Wireless systems 1 and 2 establish links. At least two wireless systems establish communication connections with the same central device. Each wireless system corresponds to at least one link. One of these links serves as the terminal's service link, and the other links serve as backup links for the terminal. Wireless systems may include access network equipment and core network equipment.

[0151] Based on the above network architecture and Figure 8 The application scenarios shown are as follows: Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application. The functions performed by the wireless system in this application can also be performed by access network devices or core network devices within the wireless system. For example... Figure 9As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0152] 901. The terminal establishes a primary link and N backup links with K+1 wireless systems.

[0153] 902. The terminal determines whether the first link has failed. If the first link has failed, step 903 is executed.

[0154] 903. The terminal sends an instruction message to the second wireless system.

[0155] 904. The second wireless system determines the third link as the service link for the terminal based on the instruction information.

[0156] Steps 901 to 904 are similar to steps 701 to 704, and detailed descriptions can be found in steps 701 to 704.

[0157] Figure 9 The method described and Figure 7 The difference between the methods described is that the information used to identify the link can be one or more of the following: the identifier of the access network device, the identifier of the core network device, the cell identifier, the identifier of the core network context, TCI, and CC. Figure 7 The steps performed by the access network device in Figure 9 This is performed by the wireless system. The identifier of the core network context can be the content of the core network context, or it can be any other information that can be used to identify the core network context.

[0158] It should be understood that the wireless technologies used in the aforementioned K+1 wireless systems may be the same or different. For example, all K+1 wireless systems may use NR (Radio over-the-air) technology. Alternatively, some of the K+1 wireless systems may use NR technology, while others may use WiFi technology.

[0159] When the wireless system uses NR (Normally Indicator) air interface technology, the indication information can be transmitted on either PUCCH or PRACH. When the wireless system uses WiFi (Wi-Fi) air interface technology, the indication information can be a specific data packet.

[0160] During uplink transmission, when the first link is active, the terminal device can send third information to the first radio system. When the first link fails and the third link becomes active, the terminal device can send fourth information to the second radio system. The first radio system and the new serving radio system can then forward all information sent by the terminal to the central device. For a detailed description, please refer to the uplink transmission section below step 704.

[0161] In downlink transmission, the central device can send second information to each of the aforementioned K+1 wireless systems, and the second information may carry a first timestamp. For a detailed description, please refer to the downlink transmission section below step 704.

[0162] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario disclosed in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the access network device can communicate with at least two terminals (such as...). Figure 1 Terminals 1 and 2 in the network establish a link. Each terminal corresponds to one or more links. Among these links, one link is the service link of the access network device, and the other links are backup links of the access network device.

[0163] Based on the above network architecture and Figure 10 The application scenarios shown are as follows: Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application. The functions performed by the central device in this application can also be performed by modules within the central device. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0164] 1101. The access network equipment establishes a primary link and N backup links with K+1 terminals.

[0165] An access network device can establish N+1 links with K+1 terminals, meaning it can establish a primary link and N backup links with each of the K+1 terminals. The primary link is the service link of the access network device; it can be understood as the current communication link of the access network device, or the link through which the access network device and the terminals are currently communicating. K is a positive integer less than or equal to N. One link corresponds to one terminal device. One terminal device can correspond to one link or multiple links.

[0166] K+1 terminals can establish communication connections with the access network device, resulting in N+1 links. The central device can determine the primary link and N backup links from these N+1 links, and then send this information to the access network device. This can be done through some or all of the K+1 terminals. After receiving the information from the terminals, the access network device can determine which links are serving links and which are backup links. The access network device can then determine the signal corresponding to each link and send information to the terminal corresponding to each link. This information may include the signal corresponding to each link. It may also include information on whether it is a serving link. After receiving the information from the access network device, when it is a serving link, the terminal can communicate with the access network device and periodically send corresponding signals to the access network device so that the access network device can measure the effectiveness of the link with the terminal. When it is a backup link, the terminal can store the corresponding signal and periodically send the corresponding signal to the access network device so that the access network device can measure the effectiveness of the link with the terminal.

[0167] 1102. The access network device determines whether the first link has failed. If the first link has failed, proceed to step 1103.

[0168] 1103. The access network device sends an instruction message to the second terminal.

[0169] 1104. The second terminal determines the third link as the service link of the access network device based on the instruction information.

[0170] Steps 1101 to 1104 are similar to steps 701 to 704, and detailed descriptions can be found in steps 701 to 704.

[0171] Figure 11 The method shown is the same as Figure 7 The difference between the methods shown is that the information used to identify the link can be one or more of the terminal's identifier and CC. Figure 7 The steps executed by the terminal in Figure 11 This is executed by the access network equipment. Figure 7 The steps performed by the access network device in Figure 11 The process is executed by the terminal. Figure 7 The steps performed by the core network equipment in Figure 11 The process is executed by the central device; the indication information can be transmitted on either the PDCCH or the PDSCH. In one implementation, the first signal can be a sounding reference signal (SRS) or PRACH; in another implementation, the first signal is a PUCCH or PUSCH. The indication information can be DCI.

[0172] Based on the above network architecture Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0173] 1201. The first communication device establishes the first link and N backup links.

[0174] Wherein, the first link is the service link of the first communication device, and N is a positive integer.

[0175] In one implementation, the first communication device can establish a first link and N backup links with the second communication device. The first communication device can be a terminal, and the second communication device can be an access network device. For a detailed description, please refer to steps 301 and 501.

[0176] In another implementation, the first communication device can establish a first link and N backup links with K+1 communication devices. In one case, the first communication device can be a terminal, and the K+1 communication devices can be access network devices; a detailed description can be found in step 701. In another case, the first communication device can be a terminal, and the K+1 communication devices can be a wireless system, or access network devices or core network devices within the wireless system; a detailed description can be found in step 901. In yet another case, the first communication device can be an access network device, and the K+1 communication devices can be terminals; a detailed description can be found in step 1101. K is an integer less than or equal to N.

[0177] 1202. The first communication device determines whether the first link has failed. If the first link fails, step 1203 is executed.

[0178] In one implementation, the second communication device can periodically send a first signal to the first communication device through the first link, as detailed in steps 302 and 502. In another implementation, the third communication device can periodically send a first signal to the first communication device through the first link, as detailed in steps 702, 902, and 1102.

[0179] A first communication device can receive a first signal through a first link and then determine whether the first link has failed. In one implementation, the first communication device determines that the first link has failed when the signal quality of the first signal is less than or equal to a first threshold. The first signal can be a reference signal or a PRACH. In another implementation, the first communication device can determine that the first link has failed when receiving the first signal fails. The first signal can be control information, physical layer data, or higher layer data. The first signal can be associated with an identifier of the first link. When the first communication device establishes a first link and N backup links with a second communication device, the first signal comes from the second communication device. When the first communication device establishes a first link and N backup links with K+1 communication devices, the first signal comes from a third communication device. The second and third communication devices are different communication devices.

[0180] For a detailed description of step 1202, please refer to the descriptions of steps 302, 502, 702, 902 and 1102.

[0181] 1203. The first communication device sends instruction information to the second communication device through the second link.

[0182] Accordingly, the second communication device can receive instruction information from the first communication device via the second link.

[0183] The instruction information is used to indicate that the service link is updated to the third link. The second and third links are backup links among N backup links. The second and third links can be the same backup link or different backup links.

[0184] When the second link and the third link are different backup links, the communication devices corresponding to the second link and the third link can be the same communication device, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 5 The access network equipment in the network. The communication devices corresponding to the second and third links can also be different communication devices, such as... Figure 7 Different wireless systems in, such as Figure 9 Different access network devices, such as Figure 11 Different terminals in the process.

[0185] In one scenario, the indication information may include an identifier of the third link. In another scenario, the resource location of the indication information may be associated with the identifier of the third link.

[0186] The identifiers for the first and third links can be one or more of the following: TCI, CC, cell identifier, core network context identifier, access network device identifier, core network device identifier, and terminal identifier.

[0187] Optionally, the first communication device can identify the backup link with the best signal quality among the N backup links as the third link.

[0188] Optionally, the first communication device may identify the backup link with the smallest transmission delay among the N backup links as the second link.

[0189] For a detailed description of step 1203, please refer to the relevant descriptions of steps 303, 503, 703, 903 and 1103.

[0190] 1204. The second communication device determines the third link as the service link of the first communication device based on the instruction information.

[0191] After the second communication device determines that the third link is the service link of the first communication device according to the instruction information, the second communication device can receive the first information from the first communication device through the third link, and then send the first information to the fourth communication device.

[0192] After the second communication device determines that the third link is the service link of the first communication device based on the instruction information, the second communication device can receive the second information from the fourth communication device, and then send the second information to the first communication device through the third link. The second information may carry a first timestamp, and the second communication device can send the second information to the first communication device through the third link based on the first timestamp and the current time.

[0193] The second communication device can receive third information from the first communication device via the first link, and can receive fourth information from the first communication device via the third link. The third information corresponds to a first identifier, and the fourth information corresponds to a second identifier. When the first identifier and the second identifier are the same, the second communication device can discard either the third information or the fourth information, or it can combine the third information and the fourth information.

[0194] For a detailed description of step 1204, please refer to the relevant descriptions of steps 304, 504, 704, 904 and 1104.

[0195] It should be understood that the relevant content in the above method embodiments can be referenced together, and some of the above method embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0196] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the wireless system, access network equipment, core network equipment, terminal, and central equipment include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0197] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Figure 13 As shown, the communication device may include a processing unit 1301 and a transceiver unit 1302.

[0198] In one implementation, the communication device can be a first communication device.

[0199] Processing unit 1301 is used to establish a first link and N backup links, where the first link is a service link and N is a positive integer;

[0200] The transceiver unit 1302 is used to send an indication message to the second communication device through the second link when the first link fails. The indication message indicates that the service link is updated to the third link. The second link and the third link are backup links among N backup links.

[0201] In one embodiment, the indication information includes the identifier of the third link; or, the resource location of the indication information is associated with the identifier of the third link.

[0202] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1301 is further configured to determine that the first link has failed when the signal quality of the first signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, wherein the first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link, the first signal is a reference signal or PRACH, and the first signal comes from a second communication device or a third communication device.

[0203] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1301 is further configured to determine that the first link has failed when receiving the first signal fails, wherein the first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link, the first signal is control information, physical layer data or higher layer data, and the first signal comes from a second communication device or a third communication device.

[0204] In one embodiment, the identifiers of the first link and the third link are TCI, CC, cell identifier, core network context identifier, access network device identifier, core network device identifier, or terminal identifier.

[0205] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1301 is further configured to determine the backup link with the best signal quality among the N backup links as the third link.

[0206] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1301 is further configured to determine the backup link with the smallest transmission latency among the N backup links as the second link.

[0207] For a more detailed description of the aforementioned transceiver unit 1301 and transceiver unit 1302, please refer directly to the above description. Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 The relevant description of the first communication device in the method embodiment shown is obtained directly and will not be repeated here.

[0208] In another implementation, the communication device can be a second communication device.

[0209] The transceiver unit 1302 is used to receive indication information from the first communication device through the second link. The indication information indicates that the service link is updated to the third link. The first communication device has established a first link and N backup links. The first link is the service link, and the second and third links are backup links among the N backup links, where N is a positive integer.

[0210] Processing unit 1301 is used to determine, based on indication information, that the third link is the service link of the first communication device.

[0211] In one embodiment, the indication information includes the identifier of the third link; or the resource location of the indication information is associated with the identifier of the third link.

[0212] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1302 is further configured to send a first signal to the first communication device via the first link before receiving indication information from the first communication device via the second link. The first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link and is used to determine whether the first link has failed. The first signal is a reference signal, PRACH, control information, physical layer data, or higher layer data.

[0213] In one embodiment, the identifiers of the first link and the third link are TCI, CC, cell identifier, core network context identifier, access network device identifier, core network device identifier, or terminal identifier.

[0214] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1302 is further configured to receive first information from the first communication device via a third link;

[0215] The transceiver unit 1302 is also used to send the first information to the fourth communication device.

[0216] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1302 is further configured to receive second information from a fourth communication device;

[0217] The transceiver unit 1302 is also used to send second information to the first communication device via the third link.

[0218] In one embodiment, the second information carries a first timestamp, and the transceiver unit 1302 sends the second information to the first communication device via the third link, including:

[0219] The second information is sent to the first communication device via the third link based on the first timestamp and the current time.

[0220] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1302 is further configured to receive third information from the first communication device via the first link, the third information corresponding to the first identifier;

[0221] The transceiver unit 1302 is also configured to receive fourth information from the first communication device via a third link, the fourth information corresponding to the second identifier;

[0222] The processing unit 1301 is also configured to discard the third information or the fourth information, or merge the third information and the fourth information, when the first identifier is the same as the second identifier.

[0223] For a more detailed description of the aforementioned transceiver unit 1301 and transceiver unit 1302, please refer directly to the above description. Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 The relevant description of the second communication device in the method embodiment shown is obtained directly and will not be repeated here.

[0224] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 14 As shown, the communication device may include a processor 1401 and an interface circuit 1402. The processor 1401 and the interface circuit 1402 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1402 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory 1403 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1401, or storing input data required by the processor 1401 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1401 executes instructions.

[0225] When the communication device is used to achieve Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the method shown, processor 1401 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1301, and interface circuit 1402 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 1302.

[0226] This application also discloses a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon, which, when executed, perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0227] This application also discloses a computer program product including instructions that, when executed, perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0228] This application also discloses a communication system, which includes at least a terminal, access network equipment, and core network equipment. For a detailed description, please refer to... Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 The communication method shown.

[0229] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0230] The method steps 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, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium 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 ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a network device or terminal. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a network device or terminal.

[0231] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive.

[0232] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0233] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects.

[0234] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first communication device establishes a first link and N backup links, where the first link is a service link and N is a positive integer. When the first link fails, the first communication device sends an indication message to the second communication device through the second link. The indication message indicates that the service link is updated to the third link. The second link and the third link are backup links among the N backup links. The identifiers of the first link and the third link are Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI), Carrier Component (CC), Cell Identifier, Core Network Context Identifier, Access Network Device Identifier, Core Network Device Identifier, or Terminal Identifier.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indication information includes the identifier of the third link; or, the resource location of the indication information is associated with the identifier of the third link.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the signal quality of the first signal is less than or equal to the first threshold, the first communication device determines that the first link has failed. The first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link. The first signal is a reference signal or a random access channel (PRACH). The first signal comes from the second communication device or the third communication device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: When receiving the first signal fails, the first communication device determines that the first link has failed. The first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link. The first signal is control information, physical layer data, or higher layer data. The first signal comes from the second communication device or the third communication device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first communication device determines the backup link with the best signal quality among the N backup links as the third link.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first communication device determines the backup link with the smallest transmission delay among the N backup links as the second link.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The second communication device receives instruction information from the first communication device through the second link. The instruction information indicates that the service link is updated to the third link. The first communication device has established a first link and N backup links. The first link is the service link, and the second and third links are backup links among the N backup links, where N is a positive integer. The second communication device determines the third link as the service link of the first communication device according to the indication information. The identifiers of the first link and the third link are Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI), Carrier Component (CC), Cell Identifier, Core Network Context Identifier, Access Network Device Identifier, Core Network Device Identifier, or Terminal Identifier.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The indication information includes the identifier of the third link; or the resource location of the indication information is associated with the identifier of the third link.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Before the second communication device receives indication information from the first communication device via the second link, the method further includes: The second communication device sends a first signal to the first communication device through the first link. The first signal is associated with the identifier of the first link and is used to determine whether the first link is faulty. The first signal is a reference signal, random access channel PRACH, control information, physical layer data, or higher layer data.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second communication device receives first information from the first communication device via the third link; The second communication device sends the first information to the fourth communication device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second communication device receives second information from the fourth communication device; The second communication device sends the second information to the first communication device through the third link.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The second information carries a first timestamp, and the second communication device sends the second information to the first communication device through the third link, including: The second communication device sends the second information to the first communication device through the third link based on the first timestamp and the current time.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second communication device receives third information from the first communication device through the first link, the third information corresponding to the first identifier; The second communication device receives fourth information from the first communication device via the third link, the fourth information corresponding to the second identifier; When the first identifier is the same as the second identifier, the second communication device discards the third information or the fourth information, or combines the third information and the fourth information.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 7-13.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-6 through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 7-13 through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

18. A communication system, characterized in that, include: The communication device as claimed in claim 14, and the communication device as claimed in claim 15; or The communication device as claimed in claim 16, and the communication device as claimed in claim 17.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

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