A relay communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a relay communication method and device, and is used for solving the problem of low accuracy of judging uplink and downlink ratio by envelope detection in the prior art. The method comprises the following steps: a relay device receives first information sent by a host device and relays and forwards based on the first information. The first information is used for determining whether the relay device starts an amplify-forward function on a first time domain resource unit in a first time domain resource set. The first time domain resource set comprises one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The host device indicates the time domain resource unit in which the relay device starts / closes the amplify-forward function through the first information, so that the relay device can accurately judge the uplink and downlink transmission boundary, thereby reducing the influence of interference noise and improving the communication quality.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In wireless and mobile communications, base stations and terminal devices increase transmission bandwidth to meet users' ever-increasing demands for transmission rates. To obtain greater transmission bandwidth, mobile communication systems employ spectrum resources at higher carrier frequencies. While higher frequency bands offer richer spectrum resources, they also suffer from drawbacks such as greater propagation attenuation and weaker diffraction capabilities. Therefore, cellular communication systems deployed in higher frequency bands are more difficult to achieve full coverage, potentially resulting in coverage holes. Typical coverage holes include areas obstructed by buildings and indoor areas. Relay nodes can be used to address coverage issues in wireless communication systems. Typical relay systems include amplify-and-forward (AF) relays.

[0003] In AF relay, the relay node receives downlink signals from the base station and forwards them directly, or it receives uplink signals from user equipment (UE) and forwards them. To improve relay performance, the relay node uses different operating modes when amplifying uplink and downlink signals. In this case, the relay node needs to accurately determine the time window for uplink and downlink forwarding.

[0004] Currently, relay nodes can determine the time division duplex (TDD) ratio of a base station using envelope detection, and thus adjust their operating modes accordingly. However, envelope detection has limited accuracy and cannot accurately determine the uplink and downlink transmission boundaries, leading to performance loss. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a relay communication method and apparatus to solve the problem of low accuracy in determining uplink / downlink ratio through envelope detection in the prior art.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a relay communication method, comprising: a relay device receiving first information sent by a host device, the first information being used to determine whether the relay device enables amplification and forwarding function on a first time domain resource unit in a first time domain resource set, the first time domain resource set including one or more time domain resource units, the first time domain resource unit being any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set; and the relay device performing relay forwarding based on the first information.

[0007] In this embodiment of the application, the host device instructs the relay device to enable / disable the time-domain resource unit of the amplification and forwarding function through the first information, so that the relay device can accurately determine the uplink and downlink transmission boundaries, thereby reducing the impact of interference noise and improving communication quality.

[0008] After obtaining the TDD ratio for uplink and downlink transmissions, the relay device performs uplink amplification and forwarding on uplink time slots (or symbols) and downlink amplification and forwarding on downlink time slots (or symbols). However, when the host device does not schedule UEs under the relay device, the continuous operation of the relay device may cause amplification of interference noise, thereby interfering with the reception of the host device or UE. Taking uplink amplification as an example, in some uplink time slots, none of the UEs under the relay device are scheduled by the host device, that is, none of them perform uplink transmission. At this time, the uplink amplified signal of the relay device only contains interference noise, causing interference to the uplink reception of the network device. In the embodiment of this application, the host device indicates the time window for enabling / disabling relay forwarding to the relay device, so that the relay device does not amplify and forward the received signal during the time window when relay forwarding is disabled. This can avoid the situation where the relay device amplifies and forwards the received interference signal and interferes with the reception of the host device and the terminal device when the host device does not schedule the terminal device under the relay device, and can also reduce the power consumption of the relay device.

[0009] In one possible design, the first information may indicate a silent amplification and forwarding function on the first time-domain resource unit, or the first information may indicate that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time-domain resource unit. In the above design, the first information may not distinguish between forwarding directions when indicating the amplification and forwarding function.

[0010] In one possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following: a silent pattern of the first time-domain resource set and an open pattern of the first time-domain resource set, wherein the silent pattern is used to indicate the location of time-domain resource units in the first time-domain resource set whose amplification and forwarding functions are in a silent state, and the open pattern is used to indicate the location of time-domain resource units in the first time-domain resource set whose amplification and forwarding functions are in an open state.

[0011] In one possible design, the relay device performs relay forwarding based on first information, including: the first information instructing a silent amplification and forwarding function on a first time domain resource unit, and the relay device disabling the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit. The relay device's amplification and forwarding function includes uplink amplification and forwarding and downlink amplification and forwarding. In the above design, the first information does not distinguish the forwarding direction when instructing the amplification and forwarding function to be disabled; the relay device can disable both uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding.

[0012] In one possible design, the relay device performs relay forwarding based on first information, including: the first information instructing the relay device to enable uplink amplification forwarding functionality on a first time-domain resource unit; if the first time-domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device enables uplink amplification forwarding functionality on the first time-domain resource unit; if the first time-domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device enables downlink forwarding amplification functionality on the first time-domain resource unit. Alternatively, if the first time-domain resource unit includes at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit and at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit, where the first time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for uplink transmission and the second time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device enables uplink amplification forwarding functionality on at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit and downlink forwarding amplification functionality on at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit. With this design, the first information does not distinguish between forwarding directions when instructing the relay device to enable the amplification forwarding functionality, allowing the relay device to enable the amplification forwarding functionality corresponding to the forwarding direction.

[0013] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit, and the status of the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit. The amplification and forwarding functions of the relay device include uplink amplification and forwarding and downlink amplification and forwarding. In the above design, the first information distinguishes the forwarding direction when indicating that the amplification and forwarding function is off, and the relay device can control the amplification and forwarding function of the corresponding forwarding direction to be turned on or off.

[0014] In one possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first sub-information and a second sub-information, wherein the first sub-information indicates the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit, and the second sub-information indicates the status of the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit. Through this design, the first information can separately indicate the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the downlink amplification and forwarding function.

[0015] In one possible design, the first information includes at least one of a first indication state, a second indication state, a third indication state, and a fourth indication state; wherein, the first indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification and forwarding functions and the downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit are enabled; the second indication state indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit is silent, while the downlink amplification and forwarding functions are enabled; the third indication state indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit is enabled, while the downlink amplification and forwarding functions are silent; and the fourth indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification and forwarding functions and the downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit are silent. Through this design, the first information can jointly indicate the states of the uplink amplification and forwarding functions and the downlink amplification and forwarding functions.

[0016] In one possible design, the first time-domain resource unit includes at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit and at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit. The first time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for downlink transmission. The relay device performs relay forwarding based on first information, including: if the first information indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time-domain resource unit is in a silent state, the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit; or, if the first information indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time-domain resource unit is in an enabled state, the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit. With the above design, the relay device can ignore the indication for the downlink amplification and forwarding function on time-domain resources used for uplink transmission, and can ignore the indication for the uplink amplification and forwarding function on time-domain resources used for downlink transmission.

[0017] In one possible design, the first time-domain resource unit includes at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit and at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit. The first time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for downlink transmission. The relay device performs relay forwarding based on first information, including: if the first information indicates that the uplink / downlink amplification and forwarding function of the first time-domain resource unit is in a silent state, the relay device disables the downlink amplification and forwarding function on at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit; or, if the first information indicates that the uplink / downlink amplification and forwarding function of the first time-domain resource unit is in an enabled state, the relay device amplifies the downlink signal from the host device on at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit and forwards it to the terminal device. With this design, the relay device can ignore the indication for the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission, and can ignore the indication for the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission.

[0018] In one possible design, the relay device performs relay forwarding based on first information, including: when the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time-domain resource unit is in a silent state, the relay device activates the amplification and forwarding function on the time-domain resources of the specific signal, where the first time-domain resource unit includes the time-domain resources of the specific signal. Through this method, the relay device can achieve basic coverage.

[0019] In one possible design, the specific signal includes at least one of the following signals: synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, system message block 1 - physical downlink control channel, system message block 1 - physical downlink shared channel, channel state information reference signal, tracking reference signal, physical random access channel, and probe reference signal.

[0020] In one possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes: the relay device receiving second information, which indicates at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission within the first period, the end position of uplink transmission within the first period, the start position of downlink transmission within the first period, and the end position of downlink transmission within the first period; the relay device determining, based on the second information, time-domain resources in a first time-domain resource set for uplink forwarding and time-domain resources for downlink forwarding, the first time-domain resource set including one or more time-domain resources within the first period. Through this design, the relay device can control the amplification forwarding function of the corresponding forwarding direction to be enabled / disabled.

[0021] In one possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes: the relay device receiving a TDD configuration sent by the host device. The TDD configuration indicates time-domain resource sub-units of type downlink, uplink, and flexible type within a TDD cycle. A TDD cycle includes one or more time-domain resource units, and any time-domain resource unit within a TDD cycle includes multiple time-domain resource sub-units. A first time-domain resource set includes one or more TDD cycles. The relay device determines, based on the TDD configuration, the time-domain resource sub-units used for uplink transmission and the resource time-domain resource sub-units used for downlink transmission within the first time-frequency resource set. Through this design, the host device and the relay device can reuse the TDD configuration method between the base station and the terminal device.

[0022] In one possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes: the relay device receiving an uplink forwarding timing advance sent by the host device. Through this design, the relay device can obtain the timing start positions of both uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0023] In one possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes: the relay device determining the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the initial advance. This design avoids noise interference caused by the uplink amplification forwarding starting earlier than the start of the uplink transmission time window.

[0024] In one possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes: the relay device determining the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the switching time from downlink forwarding to uplink forwarding and the guard interval between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission. This design avoids noise interference caused by the uplink amplification forwarding ending time being later than the end position of the uplink transmission time window.

[0025] In one possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes: for the start position of uplink transmission, the relay device determines the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the switching time from downlink to uplink forwarding and the guard interval between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission; for the end position of uplink transmission, the relay device determines the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the initial advance. This design avoids noise interference caused by the uplink amplification forwarding starting earlier than the start position of the uplink transmission time window, and also avoids noise interference caused by the uplink amplification forwarding ending later than the end position of the uplink transmission time window.

[0026] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a relay communication method, including: a host device determining first information, the first information being used to determine whether a relay device on a first time domain resource unit in a first time domain resource set has enabled amplification and forwarding functions, the first time domain resource set including one or more time domain resource units, the first time domain resource unit being any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set; the host device sending the first information to the relay device.

[0027] In this embodiment of the application, the host device instructs the relay device to enable / disable the time-domain resource unit of the amplification and forwarding function through the first information, so that the relay device can accurately determine the uplink and downlink transmission boundaries, thereby reducing the impact of interference noise and improving communication quality.

[0028] After obtaining the TDD ratio for uplink and downlink transmissions, the relay device performs uplink amplification and forwarding on uplink time slots (or symbols) and downlink amplification and forwarding on downlink time slots (or symbols). However, when the host device does not schedule UEs under the relay device, the continuous operation of the relay device may cause interference noise amplification, thereby interfering with the reception of the host device or UE. Taking uplink amplification as an example, in some uplink time slots, none of the UEs under the relay device are scheduled by the host device, that is, none of them perform uplink transmission. At this time, the uplink amplified signal of the relay device only contains interference noise, causing interference to the uplink reception of the network device. In the embodiment of this application, the host device indicates the relay forwarding on / off time window to the relay device, so that the relay device does not amplify and forward the received signal during the indicated time window of disabling relay forwarding. This can avoid the situation where the relay device amplifies and forwards the received interference signal and interferes with the reception of the host device and the terminal device when the host device does not schedule the terminal device under the relay device, and can also reduce the power consumption of the relay device.

[0029] In one possible design, the first information may indicate a silent amplification and forwarding function on the first time-domain resource unit, or the first information may indicate that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time-domain resource unit. In the above design, the first information may not distinguish between forwarding directions when indicating the amplification and forwarding function.

[0030] In one possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following: a silent pattern of the first time-domain resource set and an open pattern of the first time-domain resource set, wherein the silent pattern is used to indicate the location of time-domain resource units in the first time-domain resource set whose amplification and forwarding functions are in a silent state, and the open pattern is used to indicate the location of time-domain resource units in the first time-domain resource set whose amplification and forwarding functions are in an open state.

[0031] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit, and the status of the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit. The amplification and forwarding function of the relay device includes uplink amplification and forwarding and downlink amplification and forwarding. In the above design, the first information distinguishes the forwarding direction when indicating that the amplification and forwarding function is off, and the relay device can control the amplification and forwarding function of the corresponding forwarding direction to be turned on or off.

[0032] In one possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first sub-information and a second sub-information, wherein the first sub-information indicates the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit, and the second sub-information indicates the status of the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit. Through this design, the first information can separately indicate the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the downlink amplification and forwarding function.

[0033] In one possible design, the first information includes at least one of a first indication state, a second indication state, a third indication state, and a fourth indication state; wherein, the first indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification and forwarding functions and the downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit are enabled; the second indication state indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit is silent, while the downlink amplification and forwarding functions are enabled; the third indication state indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit is enabled, while the downlink amplification and forwarding functions are silent; and the fourth indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification and forwarding functions and the downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit are silent. Through this design, the first information can jointly indicate the states of the uplink amplification and forwarding functions and the downlink amplification and forwarding functions.

[0034] In one possible design, the host device can also send TDD configuration to the relay device. The TDD configuration indicates time-domain resource sub-units of type downlink, uplink, and flexible type within a TDD cycle. A TDD cycle includes one or more time-domain resource units, and any time-domain resource unit within a TDD cycle includes multiple time-domain resource sub-units. The first time-domain resource set includes one or more TDD cycles. Through this design, the host device and relay device can reuse the TDD configuration method between the base station and the terminal device.

[0035] In one possible design, the host device sends second information to the relay device. This second information indicates at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission within a first cycle, the end position of uplink transmission within a first cycle, the start position of downlink transmission within a first cycle, and the end position of downlink transmission within a first cycle. The first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resources within the first cycle. With this design, the relay device can control the amplification forwarding function to be enabled / disabled in the corresponding forwarding direction.

[0036] In one possible design, the host device can also send uplink forwarding timing advance to the relay device. With this design, the relay device can obtain the timing start positions for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0037] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device, which can be a communication equipment or a chip or chipset within a communication equipment. The communication equipment can be a host device or a relay device. The device may include a processing unit and a transceiver unit. When the device is a communication equipment, the processing unit may be a processor, and the transceiver unit may be a transceiver. The device may also include a storage module, which may be a memory. The storage module stores instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage module to cause the relay device to perform the corresponding functions described in the first aspect, or the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage module to cause the host device to perform the corresponding functions described in the second aspect. When the device is a chip or chipset within a communication equipment, the processing unit may be a processor, and the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, pin, or circuit, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage module to cause the relay device to perform the corresponding functions described in the first aspect, or the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage module to cause the host device to perform the corresponding functions described in the second aspect. The storage module can be a storage module within the chip or chipset (e.g., registers, caches, etc.), or it can be a storage module located outside the chip or chipset within the base station (e.g., read-only memory, random access memory, etc.).

[0038] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface is used for communication between the device and other devices, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of interface, and the other devices may be upper-level nodes (such as host devices or other relay devices). The processor is used to invoke a set of programs, instructions, or data to execute the methods described in the first aspect or various possible designs of the first aspect. The device may further include a memory for storing the programs, instructions, or data invoked by the processor. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions or data stored in the memory, it can implement the methods described in the first aspect or various possible designs of the first aspect.

[0039] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface is used for communication between the device and other devices, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of interface, and the other devices may be lower-level nodes (such as terminal devices or other relay devices). The processor is used to invoke a set of programs, instructions, or data to execute the methods described in the second aspect or various possible designs of the second aspect. The device may further include a memory for storing programs, instructions, or data invoked by the processor. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions or data stored in the memory, it can implement the methods described in the second aspect or various possible designs of the second aspect.

[0040] Sixthly, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the methods described in the first aspect, the second aspect, various possible designs of the first aspect, or various possible designs of the second aspect to be performed.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods described in the first aspect, the second aspect, and various possible designs of the first aspect or the second aspect. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0042] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, the system including a host device and a relay device, the relay device being used to execute the methods in the first aspect or various possible designs of the first aspect, and the host device being used to execute the methods in the second aspect or various possible designs of the second aspect.

[0043] Ninthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided that, when run on a computer, causes the methods described in the first aspect, the second aspect, and various possible designs of the first aspect or the second aspect to be performed.

[0044] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor, a memory, and a transceiver, the transceiver being used to receive or transmit signals; the memory being used to store program code or instructions; and the processor being used to call the program code or instructions from the memory to execute the method described in the first aspect above.

[0045] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, the communication interface being used to receive or send signals; the memory being used to store program code or instructions; and the processor being used to call the program code or instructions from the memory to execute the method as described in the second aspect.

[0046] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive computer program code or instructions and transmit them to the processor; the processor executing the computer program code or instructions to perform the corresponding method as described in the first aspect above.

[0047] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive computer program code or instructions and transmit them to the processor; the processor executing the computer program code or instructions to perform the corresponding method as shown in the second aspect.

[0048] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which, exemplarily, may be a chip. The communication device includes: logic circuitry and an input / output interface. The input / output interface is used for the device to communicate with other devices, for example, to input configuration information. The logic circuitry is used to run computer program code or instructions to perform the corresponding methods as described in the first aspect above.

[0049] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which, exemplarily, may be a chip. The communication device includes: logic circuitry and an input / output interface. The input / output interface is used for the device to communicate with other devices, for example, to output configuration information. The logic circuitry is used to run computer program code or instructions to perform the corresponding methods as described in the second aspect above.

[0050] The technical effects of any of the implementation methods in aspects three through fifteen can be found in the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods provided above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 An architecture diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 2 A specific example diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a relay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna structure of a relay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a relay device communicating via an antenna, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a relay communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of downlink amplification timing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of uplink amplification timing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a silent pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 10 This application provides a schematic diagram of an opening pattern.

[0061] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of an amplified forwarding function when the first information is in a first indication state, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of an amplified forwarding function when the first information is in a second indication state, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of an amplified forwarding function when the first information is in a third indication state, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of an amplified forwarding function when the first information is in a fourth indication state, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a relay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 18 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a host device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0069] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0070] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] All node and message names in this application are merely for descriptive convenience and may differ in actual networks. This application should not be interpreted as limiting the names of various nodes and messages. Conversely, any name that has the same or similar function as the nodes or messages used in this application is considered a method or equivalent substitution of this application and is within the scope of protection of this application; further details will not be provided below.

[0072] The communication systems mentioned in the embodiments of this application include, but are not limited to: narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, wireless local access network (WLAN) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation mobile networks or 5th generation wireless systems (5G) or communication systems after 5G, such as new radio (NR) systems.

[0073] To better understand the embodiments of the present invention, the network architecture used in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments of this application can be applied to communication systems with relay devices. For example, a communication system applicable to the technical solutions of this application may include a host device, a relay device, and a terminal device, such as... Figure 1 As shown. It should be understood that, Figure 1This is merely an illustrative example and does not specify the exact number of host devices, relay devices, and terminal devices included in a communication system.

[0074] The host device can be a device that provides an interface between the terminal device and the core network, such as an access network device. Access network devices are used to connect terminal devices to the wireless network. Access network devices can be called base stations or radio access network (RAN) nodes (or devices). Examples of access network devices include next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B (HNB)), base band unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc.

[0075] For example, an access network device can be divided into a centralized unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU). The CU can be used to manage or control at least one DU, or it can be said that the CU is connected to at least one DU. This structure can separate the protocol layers of the access network device in the communication system, with some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. Taking a gNB as an example, the protocol layers of a gNB include a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) sublayer, and a physical layer. For example, the CU can be used to implement the functions of the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, and the DU can be used to implement the functions of the RLC, MAC, and physical layers. This application does not specifically limit the protocol stacks included in the CU and DU.

[0076] For example, the CU in this embodiment can be further divided into one control plane (CU-CP) network element and multiple user plane (CU-UP) network elements. The CU-CP can be used for control plane management, and the CU-UP can be used for user plane data transmission. The interface between the CU-CP and CU-UP can be an E1 port. The interface between the CU-CP and DU can be an F1-C port for control plane signaling transmission. The interface between the CU-UP and DU can be an F1-U port for user plane data transmission. CU-UPs can be connected to each other via an Xn-U port for user plane data transmission.

[0077] Terminal equipment includes, but is not limited to, any one of the following: user equipment (UE), mobile station, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, station (ST) in wireless local access network (WLAN), cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device, other processing device connected to wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, mobile station in future 5G network, and terminal equipment in future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network.

[0078] A relay device is a communication device with forwarding capabilities. Relay devices can be access network devices, terminal devices, stand-alone devices, vehicle-mounted devices, or devices mounted on moving objects. Relay devices can be named relay nodes (RNs), relay transmission reception points (rTRPs), integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, repeaters, smart reflectors, etc. The upstream node of a relay device can be a host device (including gNBs, gNB-DUs, gNB-CUs, etc.) or another relay device. The downstream node of a relay device can be another relay device or a terminal device.

[0079] It should be understood that, in this application, "relay device" can refer to any node or device with relay functionality.

[0080] In addition, the following basic terms or concepts are also involved in this application.

[0081] Access link: A link between a relay device and the terminal devices it directly serves via a wireless link, or a link between a host device and the terminal devices it directly serves via a wireless link. Access links include uplink access links and downlink access links. Uplink access links are also referred to as the uplink transmission of the access link, and downlink access links are also referred to as the downlink transmission of the access link.

[0082] Backhaul link: The link between a relay device and its upstream node (i.e., parent node). In this case, the relay device acts as a downstream node (i.e., child node) of its parent node. It should be understood that the parent node of a relay device can be another relay device or the host device. Data transmission from the relay device to its parent node is called uplink transmission on the backhaul link. Data transmission from the relay device to its parent node is called downlink transmission on the backhaul link.

[0083] TDD Configuration: TDD configuration includes configuration information for the type of each slot / symbol within the TDD configuration period. The TDD configuration period may include one or more slots. The type of slot / symbol may include downlink, uplink, and flexible. For ease of description, in this embodiment, a symbol of type downlink is referred to as a downlink symbol, a symbol of type uplink as an uplink symbol, and a symbol of type flexible as a flexible symbol. A slot of type downlink, or a slot whose constituent symbols are all downlink symbols, is called a downlink slot; a slot of type uplink, or a slot whose constituent symbols are all uplink symbols, is called an uplink slot; and a slot of type flexible, or a slot whose constituent symbols are all flexible symbols, is called a flexible slot.

[0084] Uplink time slots / symbols are used for uplink transmission, on which terminal devices can transmit uplink signals. Downlink time slots / symbols are used for downlink transmission, on which terminal devices can receive downlink signals. The use of flexible time slots / symbols depends on the indication of the network device and can be indicated for either uplink or downlink transmission. In one embodiment, within a TDD configuration period, the starting time slot / symbol of the TDD configuration period can be a downlink time slot / symbol, while the ending time slot / symbol can be an uplink time slot / symbol, with flexible time slots / symbols existing between the downlink and uplink time slots / symbols.

[0085] It should be understood that a relay device can connect to one upstream node or multiple upstream nodes, meaning that multiple upstream nodes can simultaneously provide services to a relay device.

[0086] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a concrete example of a communication system. Figure 2 The communication system shown includes a host device, relay device 1, relay device 2, UE1, and UE2. The links between the host device and relay device 1, and between relay device 1 and relay device 2, are backhaul links. The links between UE1 and the host device, and between UE2 and relay device 1, are access links.

[0087] See Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a relay device. A relay device can consist of three parts: a return-side antenna (array), an access-side antenna (array), and a processor. The return-side antenna (array) enables communication between the relay device and its upstream node (such as other relay devices or the host device); the access-side antenna (array) enables communication between the relay node and its downstream node (such as other relay devices or terminal devices); and the processor amplifies the received signal. It should be understood that the processor of a relay device can also have other functions, such as interference cancellation, filtering, baseband processing, and amplification control.

[0088] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0089] In wireless and mobile communications, to obtain greater transmission bandwidth, mobile communication systems utilize higher carrier frequency spectrum resources. Higher frequency bands offer richer spectrum resources, but high-frequency electromagnetic waves also suffer from drawbacks such as greater propagation attenuation and weaker diffraction capabilities. Therefore, communication systems deployed in the high-frequency band are more difficult to achieve full coverage, potentially resulting in coverage holes. Typical coverage holes include areas obstructed by buildings and indoor areas. To address coverage issues in communication systems, relay equipment can be deployed. Relay equipment can forward downlink signals from the host device to the terminal device, and vice versa.

[0090] Currently, typical relay equipment includes two types: amplify-and-forward (AF) relays and decode-and-forward (DF) relays. AF relays amplify the received signal (such as downlink signals from an upstream node and uplink signals from a downstream node) before forwarding it. Because the received signal contains noise and interference, and the relay itself may also generate noise, AF relays amplify noise and interference along with the signal, thus affecting the quality of the forwarded signal. AF relays are also known as repeaters, RF trunks, RF IABs, layer 1 (L1) trunks, L1-IABs, amplifiers, and repeaters. Relay equipment can also include devices that directly reflect and forward signals, such as intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS).

[0091] For example, the relay device may include two antennas or two sets of antennas, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the relay device includes antenna 1 and antenna 2. During downlink amplification, the AF relay device receives the downlink signal sent by its upstream node through antenna 1, amplifies it, and then transmits it through antenna 2. Correspondingly, its downstream node receives the amplified signal transmitted by the AF relay device through antenna 2. During uplink amplification, the AF relay device receives the uplink signal sent by its downstream node through antenna 2, amplifies it, and then transmits it through antenna 1. Correspondingly, its upstream node receives the amplified signal transmitted by the AF relay device through antenna 1. It can be seen that the AF relay device uses different operating modes for uplink and downlink amplification, therefore, it is necessary to accurately determine the time windows for uplink and downlink forwarding.

[0092] Currently, AF relay equipment can determine the time-division duplex (TDD) ratio of uplink and downlink by envelope detection, thereby determining the time window for uplink and downlink forwarding, and then adjusting the working mode according to the time window for uplink and downlink forwarding.

[0093] However, envelope detection has limited accuracy and cannot accurately determine the time domain boundaries of uplink and downlink transmission. As a result, relay equipment cannot accurately determine the time window for uplink and downlink forwarding, leading to performance loss.

[0094] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a relay communication method and apparatus. The method and apparatus are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve the problem are similar, the implementations of the apparatus and method can refer to each other, and repeated details will not be repeated.

[0095] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0096] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "disable uplink amplification and forwarding function," "the amplification and forwarding function is in a silent state," "no amplification and forwarding is performed," and "the amplification and forwarding function is silent" should be understood to have similar meanings. For example, disabling the uplink amplification and forwarding function of a relay device can be understood as the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device being in a silent state, or it can also be understood as the relay device not performing uplink amplification and forwarding, or it can also be understood as the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device being silent. Similarly, disabling the downlink amplification and forwarding function of a relay device can be understood as the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device being in a silent state, or it can also be understood as the relay device not performing downlink amplification and forwarding, or it can also be understood as the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device being silent.

[0097] The terms "enable uplink amplification and forwarding function," "uplink amplification and forwarding function is enabled," "perform uplink amplification and forwarding," and "uplink amplification and forwarding function is enabled" should be understood to have similar meanings. For example, enabling uplink amplification and forwarding function on a relay device can be understood as the relay device's uplink amplification and forwarding function being enabled, or it can be understood as the relay device performing uplink amplification and forwarding, or it can be understood as the relay device receiving signals sent by its downstream nodes, applying power reduction to those signals, and then sending them to its upstream nodes. Similarly, enabling downlink amplification and forwarding function on a relay device can be understood as the relay device's downlink amplification and forwarding function being enabled, or it can be understood as the relay device performing downlink amplification and forwarding, or it can be understood as the relay device receiving signals sent by its upstream nodes, applying power reduction to those signals, and then sending them to its downstream nodes.

[0098] In addition, it should be understood that in the description of this application, the words "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0099] The method provided in this application can be applied to relay devices. The upstream node of the relay device can be either a host device or another relay device, and the downstream node can be either a terminal device or another relay device; no specific limitations are made here.

[0100] The relay device in this application embodiment may have multiple antenna panels, wherein at least one of the multiple antenna panels is used to send signals to or receive signals sent by the upper-level node, and at least one of the multiple antenna panels is used to send signals to or receive signals sent by the lower-level node.

[0101] For example, taking a relay device that includes two antenna panels as an example, such as... Figure 5 As shown. Antenna panel 1 can communicate with the upstream node of the relay device, such as receiving downlink signals from its upstream node or forwarding uplink signals to its upstream node. Antenna panel 2 can communicate with the downstream node, such as receiving uplink signals sent by its downstream node or forwarding downlink signals to its downstream node. In some possible implementations, the two antenna panels can also exchange positions and functions. The link between the relay node and its upstream node can be called a backhaul link, and the link between the relay node and its downstream node can be called an access link.

[0102] The downlink forwarding process of the relay equipment is as follows: The relay equipment receives the downlink signal from its upstream node through antenna panel 1, amplifies it through a processor, and then transmits it through antenna panel 2. Its downstream node receives the amplified downlink signal from the relay equipment. The downstream node can be a terminal device or other devices, such as other relay equipment.

[0103] The uplink forwarding process of the relay equipment is as follows: The relay equipment receives the signal through antenna panel 2, amplifies it through the processor, and then transmits it to its upstream node through antenna panel 1. The upstream node receives the amplified uplink signal from the relay equipment. It should be understood that the processor can also perform filtering, interference cancellation, and other processing on the received signal for both uplink and downlink forwarding.

[0104] Relay devices operate in different modes when performing downlink and uplink forwarding, and in typical implementations, they cannot perform both simultaneously. The time windows for uplink and downlink forwarding by relay devices need to match the TDD (Transmission-Driven Development) working mode of the host and terminal devices; that is, the relay device performs downlink forwarding during downlink transmission and uplink forwarding during uplink transmission.

[0105] To enable the relay device to receive control information sent by the host device, or to send or report information to the host device, the relay device and the host device can establish a bidirectional or unidirectional connection. In this application, the link between the relay device and the host device is referred to as a control link. Optionally, the relay device can establish a control link with the host device through a backhaul antenna.

[0106] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0107] See Figure 6 The flowchart shown is a relay communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0108] S601, the host device determines the first information. The first information is used to determine whether the relay device on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set has enabled the amplification and forwarding function. The first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set.

[0109] For example, the amplification and forwarding functions of a relay device include uplink amplification and forwarding functions and downlink amplification and forwarding functions.

[0110] It should be noted that the host device can be the upstream node of the relay device, or one or more relay devices can be deployed between the host device and the relay device, so that the downlink signals sent by the host device and the uplink signals sent by the relay device can be forwarded through the one or more relay devices.

[0111] In one implementation, the host device can determine the first information based on the scheduling status of the terminal devices under the relay device. For example, if all terminal devices under the relay device in the first time domain resource unit are not scheduled, the first information can instruct the relay device in the first time domain resource unit to disable the amplification and forwarding function; if at least one terminal device under the relay device in the first time domain resource unit is scheduled, the first information can instruct the relay device in the first time domain resource unit to enable the amplification and forwarding function.

[0112] For example, the first set of time-domain resources may include time-domain resources within a period of time. This period of time may be indicated by first information, other information, or specified by a protocol, etc., and is not specifically limited here.

[0113] For example, a temporal resource unit may be, but is not limited to, a symbol, a time slot, a frame, a subframe, or a group of symbols, etc.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the first time-domain resource unit may correspond to a subcarrier interval. For example, the relay device can determine the length of a symbol or time slot based on the subcarrier interval information. This subcarrier interval can be configured by the host device to the relay device, or other existing subcarrier intervals can be used, such as the reference subcarrier interval in a TDD configuration.

[0115] S602, the host device sends the first information to the relay device. Correspondingly, the relay device receives the first information from the host device.

[0116] In one possible implementation, one or more relay devices are deployed between the host device and the relay device. The host device can send first information to the relay devices through one or more relay devices. For example, a second relay device is deployed between the host device and the relay device. The second relay device is a subordinate node of the host device and also a superior node of the relay device. The host device can send first information to the second relay device, and the second relay device forwards the first information to the relay device.

[0117] For example, the host device can send the first information through semi-static signaling such as RRC signaling and MAC layer signaling, or it can send the first information through dynamic signaling such as DCI.

[0118] S603, the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information.

[0119] In one implementation, the relay device can determine whether to perform amplification and forwarding on the first time domain resource unit based on the first information.

[0120] After obtaining the TDD ratio for uplink and downlink transmissions, the relay device performs uplink amplification and forwarding on uplink time slots (or symbols) and downlink amplification and forwarding on downlink time slots (or symbols). However, when the host device does not schedule UEs under the relay device, the continuous operation of the relay device may cause amplification of interference noise, thereby interfering with the reception of the host device or UE. Taking uplink amplification as an example, in some uplink time slots, none of the UEs under the relay device are scheduled by the host device, that is, none of them perform uplink transmission. At this time, the uplink amplified signal of the relay device only contains interference noise, causing interference to the uplink reception of the network device. In the embodiment of this application, the host device indicates the time window for enabling / disabling relay forwarding to the relay device, so that the relay device does not amplify and forward the received signal during the time window when relay forwarding is disabled. This can avoid the situation where the relay device amplifies and forwards the received interference signal and interferes with the reception of the host device and the terminal device when the host device does not schedule the terminal device under the relay device, and can also reduce the power consumption of the relay device.

[0121] In one possible implementation, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the relay device may obtain information on the time domain resources used for uplink forwarding and the time domain resources used for downlink forwarding in the first time domain resource set.

[0122] Currently, the host device can notify the UE of TDD configuration through three types of signaling:

[0123] 1. In one implementation, the host device can send a common TDD configuration to the UE through broadcast information such as system information block 1 (SIB1), wherein the common TDD configuration includes configuration information of the type of each time slot and / or each symbol within the TDD configuration period.

[0124] 2. The host device can also send a dedicated TDD configuration to the UE via unicast signaling such as RRC signaling. This dedicated TDD configuration is used to modify the symbol type of the flexible symbol in the TDD configuration cycle.

[0125] 3. The host device can also send indication information to the UE via DCI format 2_0, which is used to modify the symbol type of flexible symbols in the TDD configuration cycle.

[0126] In one implementation, if the relay device has some or all of the UE functions, such as the ability to receive SIB1, RRC configuration, DCI format 2_0, etc., the relay device can also obtain TDD configuration through the above three types of signaling, and thus determine the time domain resources used for uplink forwarding and the time domain resources used for downlink forwarding in the first time domain resource set according to the TDD configuration.

[0127] Optionally, the relay device can reinterpret the TDD configuration. For example, the relay device can interpret the uplink time slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set as time slots / symbols used for uplink forwarding, the downlink time slots / symbols as time slots / symbols used for downlink forwarding, and the flexible time slots / symbols as time slots / symbols not used for uplink and downlink forwarding.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the relay device can perform the aforementioned reinterpretation of the TDD configuration after receiving the dedicated TDD configuration. If the dedicated TDD configuration is not received, the relay device can determine the operating mode of the host device on the first time-domain resource set according to the common TDD configuration; that is, the host device performs uplink transmission in the uplink time slots / symbols of the first time-domain resource set and downlink transmission in the downlink time slots / symbols of the first time-domain resource set.

[0129] Optionally, if the relay device receives a dedicated TDD configuration before reporting its node type as a relay node to the host device, the relay device does not need to perform the above re-interpretation. It should be understood that this explanation is only for the node type being relay node; in actual implementation, the node type reported by the relay device to the host device can be other types, such as CPE, IAB, etc., and the host device can determine that the relay device has relay forwarding functionality based on the node type.

[0130] Alternatively, the relay equipment can interpret the working mode in the order of broadcast signaling-unicast signaling-DCI, that is, unicast signaling can modify the type of flexible timeslot / symbol indicated by broadcast signaling, while DCI can modify the type of flexible timeslot / symbol indicated by unicast signaling.

[0131] In another implementation, the host device can send additional signaling to the first relay node to indicate the time-domain resources used for uplink forwarding and the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding in the first time-domain resource set. In one possible implementation, this additional signaling can reuse the cell format of the current dedicated TDD configuration. For example, the current dedicated TDD configuration can indicate the position and / or number of uplink and downlink symbols in a time slot, and the additional signaling can indicate the position and / or number of uplink and downlink forwarding symbols in the time slot. Optionally, the name of this additional signaling can be different from the signaling used to configure the dedicated TDD configuration.

[0132] In another implementation, the host device may indicate at least one of the following information to the relay device: the start position of the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission within the first period, the end position of the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission within the first period, the start position of the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission within the first period, and the end position of the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission within the first period. The relay device can determine the time-domain resources used for uplink forwarding and the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding in the first time-domain resource set based on the information indicated by the host device. The first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resources within the first period.

[0133] It should be noted that time-domain resources used for uplink transmission refer to time-domain resources of type uplink transmission. Terminal devices may or may not use these time-domain resources for uplink transmission. Time-domain resources used for downlink transmission refer to time-domain resources of type downlink transmission. Terminal devices may or may not use these time-domain resources for downlink transmission.

[0134] Optionally, the host device can explicitly instruct the relay device. For example, the host device can send second information to the relay device, which indicates at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission within the first period, the end position of uplink transmission within the first period, the start position of downlink transmission within the first period, and the end position of downlink transmission within the first period. The relay device can determine, based on the second information, the time-domain resources in the first time-domain resource set used for uplink forwarding and the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding, whereby the first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resources within the first period.

[0135] As an example, the second information may indicate at least one of the following: the symbol index of the start symbol of the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first period, the symbol index of the end symbol of the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first period, the symbol index of the start symbol of the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission in the first period, and the symbol index of the end symbol of the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission in the first period.

[0136] The relay device can determine the symbols used for uplink transmission in the first cycle based on the symbol index of the start symbol of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first cycle and the symbol index of the end symbol of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first cycle.

[0137] Optionally, the relay device can determine the specific time-domain location of the symbol corresponding to the symbol index based on a subcarrier space (SCS). The relay device can determine the time period corresponding to the uplink transmission resources within the first cycle based on the SCS. For example, the SCS can be the SCS corresponding to the first time unit indicated by the first information. The SCS can be explicitly or implicitly configured by the host device, or it can be a reference SCS in a common TDD configuration.

[0138] Of course, the host device may also implicitly indicate at least one of the following information to the relay device: the start position of the uplink transmission in the first cycle, the end position of the uplink transmission in the first cycle, the start position of the downlink transmission in the first cycle, and the end position of the downlink transmission in the first cycle.

[0139] The first cycle can be the TDD configuration cycle configured by the host device via broadcast signaling.

[0140] In one exemplary embodiment, the start symbol of the first downlink transmission segment in the first period can be the first symbol of the first period, and the end symbol of the last uplink transmission segment is the last symbol of the first period. Assuming that the first period contains only one downlink transmission and one uplink transmission, the second information can indicate the end symbol of the downlink transmission and the start symbol of the uplink transmission within the first period. Multiple consecutive uplink symbols can constitute one uplink transmission, and multiple consecutive downlink symbols can constitute one downlink transmission.

[0141] Understandably, if the second information indicates the start symbol of downlink transmission and the end symbol of uplink transmission, it can indicate that the first cycle includes more than one segment of downlink or uplink transmission.

[0142] If the first time-domain resource set includes multiple first cycles, such as two first cycles, then the first time-domain resource set includes multiple downlink and / or uplink transmissions. The start positions of the multiple downlink transmissions include at least the start symbols of multiple first cycles, and similarly, the end positions of the multiple uplink signals include at least the end symbols of multiple first cycles. Assuming the first time-domain resource set includes two first cycles, the second information can indicate two downlink amplification end symbol indices, which respectively represent the end positions of the downlink transmissions in the two first cycles. The second information can also indicate two uplink amplification start symbol indices, which respectively represent the start positions of the uplink transmissions in the two first cycles.

[0143] The above describes the method by which a relay device determines the time-domain resources used for uplink forwarding and downlink forwarding in the first time-domain resource set. To accurately perform uplink and downlink amplification, the relay device can also obtain the timing of uplink and downlink amplification.

[0144] First, this application's embodiments will introduce the downlink amplification timing and the uplink amplification timing.

[0145] Downlink amplification timing: The relay device can determine the downlink reception timing by detecting the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB, SS / PBCH block) using the same method as the UE, and use this downlink reception timing as the downlink amplification (forwarding) timing. For details on how the UE performs SS / PBCH block detection to determine the downlink reception timing, please refer to the 3GPP protocol description; it will not be elaborated here.

[0146] Optionally, the relay device can determine the downlink reception timing by measuring reference signals such as the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and the tracking reference signal (TRS), and use this downlink reception timing as the downlink amplification (forwarding) timing.

[0147] In this embodiment, downlink reception timing may include downlink receive frame timing, downlink receive time slot timing, downlink receive symbol timing, etc. The downlink receive frame timing can be the start time of the downlink receive frame of the relay device, the downlink receive time slot timing can be the start time of the downlink receive time slot of the relay device, and the downlink receive symbol timing can be the start time of the downlink receive symbol of the relay device. Optionally, the relay device can use the first detected path of the downlink signal as the timing start position of the corresponding downlink frame, time slot, or symbol.

[0148] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, taking a downlink time slot as an example, the host device sends a downlink signal in this downlink time slot, and the relay device receives the downlink signal after a certain period of time. Here, Tp represents the propagation delay from the host device to the relay device. Assuming the start time of the host device's transmission of downlink frame i is Ti, the start time of the relay device's reception of downlink frame i can be Ti+Tp. It should be understood that this example ignores possible timing estimation errors. For this downlink frame i, the start time of the relay device's downlink amplification can be the aforementioned Ti+Tp.

[0149] In a TDD system, the host device needs a certain amount of time to switch from uplink receive mode to downlink transmit mode. Therefore, a guard interval is required between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and those used for uplink transmission to allow the host device to complete the switch between downlink transmit and uplink receive modes. This guard interval can be denoted as Tg. First, consider the uplink transmission timing of the control link between the relay device and the host device. To align the uplink signal transmitted by the relay device with the uplink receive window of the host device, the host device needs to adjust the uplink transmission timing of the relay device using timing advance (TA). Specifically, to achieve alignment on the host device side, the uplink transmission timing of the relay device can be advanced by 2Tp + Tg relative to the downlink receive timing, where Tp is the propagation delay from the host device to the relay device, and Tg is the guard interval between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and those used for uplink transmission. For example, ... Figure 8 As shown.

[0150] The following describes three methods for determining uplink forwarding timing advance provided in embodiments of this application. In this application, uplink forwarding advance represents the advance of the frame timing for uplink forwarding by the relay device relative to the frame timing for downlink forwarding.

[0151] Method 1: The relay device can receive the uplink forwarding timing advance sent by the host device.

[0152] To align the uplink signal amplified or forwarded by the relay device with the uplink receiving window of the host device, the advance of the uplink amplification relative to the downlink amplification (or downlink receiving) can also be 2Tp+Tg. The host device can configure the TA for the relay device, and the relay device determines the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the configured TA. Specifically, the relay device can reuse the timing advance procedure of a normal UE to determine the uplink timing advance for communication with the host device. That is, when the relay device has uplink signal transmission capability, the host device can also adjust its uplink signal to align with the host device's uplink receiving window through TA adjustment. TA can be the uplink timing advance between the relay device and the host device, and the relay device can use this timing advance as the forwarding timing advance for uplink forwarding. TTA can conform to the following formula or be determined by the following formula: TTA = (NTA + NTA, offset)Tc, where NTA is the TA amount configured or indicated by the host device, and NTA, offset is the initial timing advance or initial timing advance offset. NTA, offset can be pre-configured. Tc is the basic time unit, such as the basic time unit in NR. That is to say, the host device adjusts the NTA of the relay device so that TTA = 2Tp + Tg, or in other words, makes the two values ​​as close as possible, thereby improving the timing accuracy of the relay device.

[0153] Alternatively, the standard can define uplink forwarding timing advance for relay devices. The setting and indication method for uplink forwarding timing advance can be consistent with that of uplink timing advance. The host device can configure uplink forwarding timing advance for relay devices.

[0154] Alternatively, the relay device can also receive the uplink timing advance of the backhaul link or control link sent by the host device, and use the uplink timing advance of the backhaul link or control link as the uplink forwarding timing advance.

[0155] Method 2: The relay equipment can determine the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the initial advance.

[0156] Assuming the transmission delay between the host device and the relay device is 0, the advance of the uplink forwarding amplification relative to the downlink forwarding amplification (or downlink reception) can be Tg. In the protocol, the relay device may not be able to directly obtain Tg. Therefore, the advance of the relay device's uplink amplification relative to the downlink amplification (or downlink reception) can be N(TA, offset)Tc, that is, assuming NTA = 0, or assuming Tg = N(TA, offset)Tc.

[0157] Method 3: The relay device can determine the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the switching time from downlink forwarding to uplink forwarding and the protection interval between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission.

[0158] Assume the switching time from downlink amplification to uplink amplification in a relay device is TRS. In one possible implementation, the relay device switches to uplink amplification in the shortest possible time after downlink amplification ends, i.e., uplink amplification begins after TRS of downlink amplification ends. Assume the number of protection symbols between the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission is Ng, and the symbol length is Td. Then, the uplink amplification advance can be NgTd-Trs. Optionally, the protocol can specify the value of TRS; for example, the protocol can define TRS = N(TA, offset)Tc.

[0159] In one implementation, the relay device can determine the start time of uplink forwarding based on the uplink forwarding timing advance and the start position of the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission, and determine the duration of uplink forwarding based on the start and end positions of the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission. The relay device can determine the uplink forwarding time window based on the start time and duration of uplink forwarding.

[0160] For example, suppose the uplink forwarding timing advance is T, the start position of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission is symbol 3, and the end position of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission is symbol 7. Symbol 3 starts at time t1 and has a symbol length of Td. The host device begins uplink reception from the start time t1 of symbol 3 and continues for 5 symbol lengths; that is, the host device's uplink reception time window is t1 to t1+5Td. The relay device, however, advances its uplink forwarding by T time based on time t1. That is, the relay device begins uplink forwarding at time t1-T and continues for 5 symbol lengths; that is, the relay device's uplink reception time window is t1-T to t1-T+5Td.

[0161] Based on the uplink forwarding timing advance obtained by methods one to three, the uplink amplification duration (i.e., the length of the uplink forwarding time window) determined by the relay device can be equal to (or approximately equal to) the duration of the uplink signal to be amplified or the time domain resource unit to be amplified.

[0162] In another implementation, the relay device can determine the start time of uplink forwarding based on the uplink forwarding timing advance determined by method three and the start position of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission, and determine the end time of uplink forwarding based on the uplink forwarding timing advance determined by method two and the end position of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission. The relay device can determine the uplink forwarding time window based on the start and end times of uplink forwarding.

[0163] For example, suppose the uplink forwarding timing advance determined by Method 3 is T1, the uplink forwarding timing advance determined by Method 2 is T2, the start position of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission is symbol 3, and the end position of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission is symbol 7, where the start time of symbol 3 is t1, and the end time of symbol 7 is t2. The host device starts uplink reception from the start time t1 of symbol 3 and stops uplink reception at the end time t2 of symbol 7. That is, the uplink reception time window of the host device is t1~t2. When the relay device performs uplink forwarding, it advances the timing by T1 based on time t1. That is, the relay device starts uplink forwarding at time t1-T and advances the timing by T2 based on time t2 when it stops uplink forwarding. In other words, the uplink forwarding time window of the relay device is t1-T1~t2-T2.

[0164] In the above implementation, the start and end times of the uplink forwarding time window are determined by using different timing advances. The duration of uplink amplification determined by the relay device (i.e., the length of the uplink forwarding time window) can be greater than the duration of the signal to be amplified or the time domain resource unit to be amplified.

[0165] Optionally, the relay device can detect the start time of downlink forwarding and determine the duration of downlink forwarding based on the start and end positions of the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission. The relay device can determine the downlink forwarding time window based on the start time and duration of downlink forwarding.

[0166] In one implementation, if the time interval between the uplink forwarding time window and the downlink forwarding time window is no greater than TRS, the relay device may not amplify the signal carried by the first N uplink symbols after the downlink-to-uplink transition point, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, assuming N equals 1, the relay device may not amplify the signal carried by the first uplink symbol after the downlink-to-uplink transition point. Alternatively, the relay device may start amplifying the signal from the second or subsequent uplink symbol after the downlink-to-uplink transition point. Or, the relay device may also not amplify the signal carried by the last M downlink symbols before the downlink-to-uplink transition point, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, assuming M equals 1, the relay device may also not amplify the signal carried by the last downlink symbol before the downlink-to-uplink transition point. Exemplarily, M and N can be configured by the host device, specified by the protocol, or determined by the relay device in other ways; no specific limitations are made here.

[0167] In this embodiment, the relay device obtains the symbols for uplink amplification and the symbols for downlink amplification, and determines the uplink forwarding time window and the downlink forwarding time window by means of the uplink forwarding timing advance. This reduces signal loss or interference noise amplification caused by mismatch between the uplink forwarding time window of the relay device and the uplink signal receiving window of the host device, or mismatch between the downlink forwarding time window of the relay device and the downlink signal receiving window of the terminal device.

[0168] The following is an exemplary description of how the host device instructs the relay device on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set whether to enable the amplification and forwarding function.

[0169] Optionally, the first information may indicate the time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set where the relay device disables the amplification and forwarding function, thereby allowing the relay device to indirectly determine the time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set where the amplification and forwarding function is enabled. For example, the first information may be a silence pattern of the first time-domain resource set, used to indicate the location of the time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set where the amplification and forwarding function is disabled, such as... Figure 9 As shown.

[0170] Alternatively, the first information can indicate the time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set where the relay device has enabled amplification and forwarding functions, thereby allowing the relay device to indirectly determine the time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set where amplification and forwarding functions are disabled. For example, the first information can be an activation pattern of the first time-domain resource set, used to indicate the location of the time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set where amplification and forwarding functions are enabled, such as... Figure 10 As shown.

[0171] Alternatively, the first information can be directed to each time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set, instructing the relay device to enable / disable the amplification and forwarding function on that time-domain resource unit. For example, the first information can be indicated using a bit map. Assuming the first time-domain resource set includes 5 time-domain resource units, 1 can indicate enabling the amplification and forwarding function, and 0 can indicate disabling it. The first information could be 01001, instructing the relay device to enable the amplification and forwarding function on the second and fifth time-domain resource units in the first time-domain resource set, and disable it on the first, third, and fourth time-domain resource units.

[0172] In one implementation, the first information, when instructing the relay device's amplification and forwarding function, may not distinguish the direction of forwarding. For example, the first information may indicate that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is in a silent state. In this case, both the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit are disabled. Alternatively, the first information may indicate that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is enabled. In this implementation, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device enables the downlink forwarding amplification function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource sub-unit and at least one second time domain resource sub-unit, where the first time domain resource sub-unit is configured for uplink transmission and the second time domain resource sub-unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one first time domain resource sub-unit and the downlink forwarding amplification function on at least one second time domain resource sub-unit.

[0173] In another implementation, the first information indicates the forwarding direction of the relay device when instructing the relay device to perform its amplification and forwarding function. This approach improves the scheduling flexibility of the host device.

[0174] For example, the first information is used to indicate the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit. In this approach, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device can ignore the first information. In this embodiment, since the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, "ignoring the first information" can be understood as the relay device not executing the uplink amplification and forwarding function indicated by the first information for the first time domain resource unit. Optionally, the relay device can enable the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit.

[0175] Alternatively, the first information can be used to indicate the status of the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit. In this method, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device can ignore the first information. In this embodiment, since the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, "ignoring the first information" can be understood as the relay device not executing the downlink amplification and forwarding function indicated by the first information for the first time domain resource unit. Optionally, the relay device can enable the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit.

[0176] Alternatively, the first information may be used to indicate the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit. The uplink amplification and forwarding function includes at least two states: enabled and disabled. Similarly, the downlink amplification and forwarding function includes at least two states: enabled and disabled. In this method, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device can ignore the first information's indication of the uplink amplification function and perform downlink amplification and forwarding according to the status of the downlink amplification and forwarding function indicated by the first information. That is, if the first information indicates that the downlink amplification and forwarding function is disabled on the first time domain resource unit, then the downlink amplification and forwarding function is disabled on the first time domain resource unit; if the first information indicates that the downlink amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit, then the downlink amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit. If the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device can ignore the first information's indication of the downlink amplification function and perform uplink amplification and forwarding according to the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function indicated by the first information. That is, if the first information indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function is silent on the first time domain resource unit, then the uplink amplification and forwarding function is turned off on the first time domain resource unit; if the first information indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit, then the uplink amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit.

[0177] Taking the first information used to indicate the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit as an example, in one possible implementation, the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the status of the downlink amplification and forwarding function can be indicated separately. For example, the first information may include a first sub-information and a second sub-information. The first sub-information is used to indicate the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit, and the second sub-information is used to indicate the status of the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit.

[0178] When a first time-domain resource unit includes at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit configured for uplink transmission (hereinafter referred to as an uplink sub-unit) and at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit configured for downlink transmission (hereinafter referred to as a downlink sub-unit), the relay device determines the forwarding function status of the uplink sub-unit based on the first sub-information and the forwarding function status of the downlink sub-unit based on the second sub-information. When the first time-domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, i.e., when the first time-domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device may ignore the second sub-information, or the relay device may not expect to receive the second sub-information and perform uplink amplification and forwarding based on the first sub-information. That is, if the first sub-information indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function is silent on the first time-domain resource unit, then the uplink amplification and forwarding function is disabled on the first time-domain resource unit; if the first sub-information indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time-domain resource unit, then the uplink amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time-domain resource unit. When the first time-domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, i.e., when the first time-domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device can ignore the first sub-information, or the relay device does not expect to receive the first sub-information, and perform downlink amplification and forwarding according to the status of the downlink amplification and forwarding function indicated by the second sub-information. That is, if the second sub-information indicates that the downlink amplification and forwarding function is muted on the first time-domain resource unit, then the downlink amplification and forwarding function is disabled on the first time-domain resource unit; if the second sub-information indicates that the downlink amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time-domain resource unit, then the downlink amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time-domain resource unit. In one implementation, the first time-domain resource unit can be a time slot, and the time-domain resource sub-unit can be a symbol.

[0179] In another possible implementation, the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the status of the downlink amplification and forwarding function can also be jointly indicated. For example, the first information includes one of a first indication status, a second indication status, a third indication status, and a fourth indication status. Specifically, the first indication status indicates that both the uplink amplification and forwarding functions of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit are enabled; the second indication status indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit is silent, while the downlink amplification and forwarding function is enabled; the third indication status indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit is enabled, while the downlink amplification and forwarding function is silent; and the fourth indication status indicates that both the uplink amplification and forwarding functions of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit are silent, as shown in Table 1.

[0180] Table 1

[0181]

[0182]

[0183] Optionally, if the first time-domain resource unit is a flexible time-domain resource subunit, such as a flexible time slot / symbol, the relay device can disable the amplification and forwarding function on the flexible time-domain resource subunit.

[0184] Accordingly, taking the first information as the first indication state as an example, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, that is, the first time domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, then the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, that is, the first time domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, then the relay device enables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit includes at least one uplink sub-unit and at least one downlink sub-unit, then the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one uplink sub-unit and the downlink forwarding and amplification function on at least one downlink sub-unit. Assuming the first time-domain resource unit is a time slot and the time-domain resource sub-unit is a symbol, if the time slot is configured for uplink transmission (i.e., the time slot is an uplink time slot), the relay device enables uplink amplification and forwarding functionality on that time slot; if the time slot is configured for downlink transmission (i.e., the time slot is a downlink time slot), the relay device enables downlink forwarding and amplification functionality on that time slot; if the time slot includes at least one uplink symbol and at least one downlink symbol, the relay device enables uplink amplification and forwarding functionality on the at least one uplink symbol and downlink forwarding and amplification functionality on the at least one downlink symbol. Optionally, if the time slot also includes at least one flexible symbol, the relay device can disable amplification and forwarding functionality on the at least one flexible symbol. Figure 11 As shown.

[0185] Taking the first information as the second indication state as an example, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, that is, the first time domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, then the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, that is, the first time domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, then the relay device enables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit includes at least one uplink sub-unit and at least one downlink sub-unit, then the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one uplink sub-unit and enables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on at least one downlink sub-unit. Assuming the first time-domain resource unit is a time slot and the time-domain resource sub-unit is a symbol, if the time slot is configured for uplink transmission (i.e., the time slot is an uplink time slot), the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on that time slot; if the time slot is configured for downlink transmission (i.e., the time slot is a downlink time slot), the relay device enables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on that time slot; if the time slot includes at least one uplink symbol and at least one downlink symbol, the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the at least one uplink symbol and enables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on the at least one downlink symbol. Optionally, if the time slot also includes at least one flexible symbol, the relay device can disable the amplification and forwarding function on the at least one flexible symbol, such as... Figure 12 As shown.

[0186] Taking the first information as the third indication state as an example, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, that is, the first time domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, then the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, that is, the first time domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, then the relay device disables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit includes at least one uplink sub-unit and at least one downlink sub-unit, then the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one uplink sub-unit and disables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on at least one downlink sub-unit. Assuming the first time-domain resource unit is a time slot and the time-domain resource sub-unit is a symbol, if the time slot is configured for uplink transmission (i.e., the time slot is an uplink time slot), the relay device enables uplink amplification and forwarding functionality on that time slot; if the time slot is configured for downlink transmission (i.e., the time slot is a downlink time slot), the relay device disables downlink forwarding and amplification functionality on that time slot; if the time slot includes at least one uplink symbol and at least one downlink symbol, the relay device enables uplink amplification and forwarding functionality on the at least one uplink symbol and disables downlink forwarding and amplification functionality on the at least one downlink symbol. Optionally, if the time slot also includes at least one flexible symbol, the relay device can disable amplification and forwarding functionality on the at least one flexible symbol, such as... Figure 13 As shown.

[0187] Taking the first information as the fourth indication state as an example, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, that is, the first time domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, then the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, that is, the first time domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, then the relay device disables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on the first time domain resource unit; if the first time domain resource unit includes at least one uplink sub-unit and at least one downlink sub-unit, then the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one uplink sub-unit and disables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on at least one downlink sub-unit. Assuming the first time-domain resource unit is a time slot and the time-domain resource sub-unit is a symbol, if the time slot is configured for uplink transmission (i.e., the time slot is an uplink time slot), the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on that time slot; if the time slot is configured for downlink transmission (i.e., the time slot is a downlink time slot), the relay device disables the downlink forwarding and amplification function on that time slot; if the time slot includes at least one uplink symbol and at least one downlink symbol, the relay device disables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the at least one uplink symbol and the downlink forwarding and amplification function on the at least one downlink symbol. Optionally, if the time slot also includes at least one flexible symbol, the relay device can disable the amplification and forwarding function on the at least one flexible symbol, such as... Figure 14 As shown.

[0188] In some embodiments, the host node can employ different indication methods for different types of time slots. For example, when indicating whether a relay device has enabled amplification and forwarding functionality in an uplink or downlink time slot, the forwarding direction of the relay device can be ignored. For time slots that contain both uplink and downlink symbols, such as the downlink-to-uplink switching time slot in a TDD cycle, the forwarding direction of the relay device can be indicated when determining whether a relay device has enabled amplification and forwarding functionality in that time slot.

[0189] When the first information is carried by the DCI, the relay device may experience a PDCCH miss detection, thus failing to determine the amplified forwarding status of the first time domain resource unit based on the first information. Optionally, if the relay device does not detect the indication DCI, the relay device can keep forwarding enabled in both the uplink and downlink subunits of the first time domain resource unit.

[0190] In one possible implementation, when the first time-domain resource unit includes the time-domain resources of a specific signal or channel, the relay device always enables the amplification and forwarding function for the time-domain resources of the specific channel or signal. For example, the time-domain resources of the specific signal or channel may be a portion of the resources in the first time-domain resource unit, or the first time-domain resource unit may be a part of the time-domain resources of the specific signal or channel; that is, the first time-domain resource unit may include a portion of the resources of the specific signal. For instance, when the first time-domain resource unit is a time slot, and the specific signal is an SSB, the time-domain resources of the specific signal may be multiple symbols including the SSB within that time slot.

[0191] In one possible implementation, for time-domain resources of a specific signal, the relay device can ignore the amplification and forwarding indication of the first information and always keep the amplification and forwarding function enabled. Specifically, when the first time-domain resource unit includes time-domain resources of a specific signal or channel, even if the first information indicates that the relay device's amplification and forwarding function is silent on that time-domain resource, the relay device still enables the forwarding amplification function corresponding to the transmission direction of the specific signal. For example, if the first time-domain resource unit includes multiple symbols of an SSB, even if the first information indicates that the relay device's amplification and forwarding function is silent on those multiple symbols, the relay device still enables the downlink forwarding amplification function on those multiple symbols.

[0192] For example, specific signals may include, but are not limited to: SSB, System Information Block 1 (SIB1) - Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), SIB1 - Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Channel State Information Interference Measurement Resource (CSI-IM), Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), and Sounding Reference Signal (SRS). Here, SIB1-PDSCH may refer to the PDSCH carrying SIB1 information, and SIB1-PDCCH may refer to the PDCCH that schedules SIB1-PDSCH.

[0193] To ensure basic downlink coverage, the host device continuously transmits some basic signals and / or channels, hereinafter referred to as basic coverage signals, such as SSB, SIB1-PDCCH, SIB1-PDSCH, CSI-RS, TRS, etc. Through these methods, the relay device can achieve basic coverage.

[0194] Optionally, relay equipment can obtain some of the cell-level signal resources occupied, such as SSB, SIB1-PDCCH / PDSCH, through methods such as synchronization signal detection and broadcast / unicast signaling reading.

[0195] The following explanation uses SSB as an example. In FR2, the protocol defines 64 candidate locations for SSBs. During cell search, the relay device detects the SSB and confirms its index, completing time-frequency synchronization. In subsequent processes, the relay device can obtain the index number of the SSB actually transmitted by the host device.

[0196] In one possible implementation, the relay device can amplify all SSBs, that is, enable downlink amplification by consuming resources on all SSBs. Here, "all SSBs" can refer to all candidate SSBs or the SSBs actually transmitted as notified by the host device in the signaling.

[0197] In another possible implementation, the relay device may also amplify some SSBs. For example, the relay device may amplify the SSB it initially accesses. Alternatively, the host device may configure one or more SSB indices for the relay device, and the relay device may amplify and forward the configured SSBs downlink. For instance, the SSB indices configured by the host device may be determined by referring to the RSRP reported by the relay device.

[0198] It is understandable that relay devices can also use a similar method to forwarding SSBs for other specific signals sent by the host device.

[0199] Optionally, for SIB1-PDCCH / PDSCH, the relay device can obtain the transmission resources of SIB1-PDCCH by reading the information of the physical layer broadcast channel (PBCH). If the relay device only amplifies some SSBs, it can also amplify only the SIB1-PDCCH / PDSCH corresponding to these SSBs.

[0200] For PRACH, if the relay device only amplifies some SSBs, then the relay device can also only amplify the PRACH associated with these SSBs.

[0201] In addition, PRACH can be a RACH occasions resource used by the relay device for access, or a RACH occasions resource indicated by the host device.

[0202] In this embodiment, the relay device can ignore the indication of the first information on the resources occupied by the specific signal and always amplify and forward the specific signal, thereby ensuring that the specific signal is forwarded in a timely manner, and thus enabling the relay device to guarantee basic coverage and other functions.

[0203] In one possible implementation, the relay device can enter a basic coverage mode. For example, the host device can instruct the relay device to enter the basic coverage mode. In the basic coverage mode, the relay device can enable uplink and downlink forwarding only on specific time-domain resources (e.g., time-domain resources of specific signals / channels). For example, the relay device forwards all or part of the basic coverage signals.

[0204] Optionally, the relay device can also be configured with a silent pattern or a forwarding enable pattern in the basic coverage mode. For example, other information can be used to indicate whether the time domain resource unit of the relay device is turned off / on in the basic coverage mode. After entering the basic coverage mode, the relay device can forward according to the other information.

[0205] Based on the same technical concept as the method embodiments, this application provides a communication device. Specifically, the communication device can be used to implement the method executed by the relay device in the above embodiments. The device can be the relay device itself, or a chip or chipset within the relay device, or a part of a chip that performs the relevant method function. The structure of the communication device can be as follows: Figure 15 As shown, the system includes a processing unit 1501, a first communication unit 1502, and a second communication unit 1503. It may also include an amplification unit 1504, which amplifies uplink and downlink signals. For example, the amplification unit 1504 can be an amplifier or an amplification circuit. The first communication unit 1502 and the second communication unit 1503 can communicate with external systems. The processing unit 1501 performs processing, such as controlling whether the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set. The first communication unit 1502 and the second communication unit 1503 can also be called communication interfaces or transceiver units. The first communication unit 1502 can be used to perform communication actions between the relay device and the upper-level node in the above method embodiment, such as receiving first information and sending uplink signals to the upper-level node. The second communication unit 1503 can be used to perform communication actions between the relay device and the lower-level node in the above method embodiment, such as sending downlink signals to the lower-level node.

[0206] For example, the first communication unit 1502 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps between the relay device and the upper-level node in the method embodiment above. The second communication unit 1503 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps between the relay device and the lower-level node in the method embodiment above.

[0207] The processing unit 1501 is used to perform processing-related operations of the relay device in the above method embodiment.

[0208] For example, the amplification unit 1504 may include an uplink amplification module and / or a downlink amplification module, respectively used to perform the uplink amplification and downlink amplification steps of the relay device in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the uplink amplification module may be integrated with the first communication unit 1502 into one unit, and the downlink amplification module may be integrated with the second communication unit 1503 into one unit.

[0209] For example, the first communication unit 1502 is used to receive first information sent by the host device. The first information is used to determine whether the relay device on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set has enabled the amplification and forwarding function. The first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The processing unit 1501 is used to control the amplification unit 1504 to enable or disable the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set based on the first information.

[0210] For example, the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is in a silent state, or the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is in an enabled state.

[0211] Optionally, the processing unit 1501 can be specifically used for:

[0212] The first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is in a silent state, and the control amplification unit 1504 disables the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit.

[0213] Alternatively, the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is enabled. If the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the control amplification unit 1504 enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit.

[0214] Alternatively, the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is enabled. If the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the control amplification unit 1504 enables the downlink forwarding amplification function on the first time domain resource unit.

[0215] Alternatively, if the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is enabled, and if the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource sub-unit and at least one second time domain resource sub-unit, and the first time domain resource sub-unit is configured for uplink transmission and the second time domain resource sub-unit is configured for downlink transmission, then the control amplification unit 1504 enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one first time domain resource sub-unit and enables the downlink forwarding amplification function on at least one second time domain resource sub-unit.

[0216] For example, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit, and the status of the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit.

[0217] For example, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first sub-information and a second sub-information, wherein the first sub-information is used to indicate the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit, and the second sub-information is used to indicate the status of the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit.

[0218] For example, the first information includes a first indication state, a second indication state, a third indication state, and a fourth indication state.

[0219] The first indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification and forwarding functions and the downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit are enabled; the second indication state indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit are silent, while the downlink amplification and forwarding functions are enabled; the third indication state indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit are enabled, while the downlink amplification and forwarding functions are silent; and the fourth indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification and forwarding functions and the downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit are silent.

[0220] For example, the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource subunit and at least one second time domain resource subunit, the first time domain resource subunit being configured for uplink transmission and the second time domain resource subunit being configured for downlink transmission.

[0221] The processing unit 1501 can be specifically used to: if the first information indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is in a silent state, control the amplification unit 1504 to turn off the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one first time domain resource subunit; or, if the first information indicates that the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is in an on state, control the amplification unit 1504 to turn on the uplink amplification and forwarding function on at least one first time domain resource subunit.

[0222] The processing unit 1501 can also be specifically used to: if the first information indicates that the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit is in a silent state, control the amplification unit 1504 to turn off the downlink amplification and forwarding function on at least one second time domain resource subunit; or, if the first information indicates that the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit is in an open state, control the amplification unit 1504 to amplify the downlink signal from the host device and forward it to the terminal device on at least one second time domain resource subunit.

[0223] Optionally, the processing unit 1501 may be specifically used to: when the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit is in a silent state, control the amplification unit 1504 to enable the amplification and forwarding function on the time domain resources of a specific signal, wherein the first time domain resource unit includes the time domain resources of the specific signal.

[0224] For example, a specific signal includes at least one of the following signals: SSB, SIB1-PDCCH, SIB1-PDSCH, CSI-RS, TRS, PRACH, and SRS.

[0225] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1502 can also be used to: receive second information before the processing unit 1501 controls the amplification unit 1504 to enable or disable the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set based on the first information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of downlink transmission in the first period.

[0226] The processing unit 1501 can also be used to: determine, based on the second information, the time-domain resources used for uplink forwarding and the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding in the first time-domain resource set, wherein the first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resources within a first period.

[0227] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1502 can also be used to receive the uplink forwarding timing advance sent by the host device before the processing unit 1501 controls the amplification and forwarding function to be turned on or off on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set based on the first information control amplification unit 1504.

[0228] Alternatively, the processing unit 1501 can also be used to: determine the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the initial advance before the amplification and forwarding function is turned on or off on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set based on the first information control amplification unit 1504.

[0229] Alternatively, the processing unit 1501 can also be used to: before enabling or disabling the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set based on the first information control amplification unit 1504, determine the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the switching time from downlink forwarding to uplink forwarding and the protection interval between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission.

[0230] Alternatively, the processing unit 1501 can also be used to: before enabling or disabling the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set based on the first information control amplification unit 1504, determine the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the switching time from downlink forwarding to uplink forwarding and the guard interval between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission for the starting position of uplink transmission; and determine the uplink forwarding timing advance based on the initial advance for the ending position of uplink transmission.

[0231] This application provides another communication device. Specifically, the communication device can be used to implement the method executed by the host device in the above embodiments. This device can be the host device itself, or a chip or chipset within the host device, or a part of a chip that performs the relevant method function. The structure of this communication device can be as follows: Figure 16 As shown, it includes a processing unit 1601 and a transceiver unit 1602. The transceiver unit 1602 can communicate with the outside world, and the processing unit 1601 is used for processing, such as determining first information. The transceiver unit 1602 can also be called a communication interface, a transceiver unit, or a communication unit. The transceiver unit 1602 can be used to perform the actions performed by the host device in the above method embodiment.

[0232] For example, transceiver unit 1602 includes a sending module and / or a receiving module, respectively used to execute the sending and receiving steps of the host device in the above method embodiment. Transceiver unit 1602 is used to execute the transmission and reception related operations on the host device side in the above method embodiment, and processing unit 1601 is used to execute the processing related operations of the host device in the above method embodiment. For example, processing unit 1601 is used to: determine first information, the first information being used to determine whether the relay device on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set has enabled the amplification and forwarding function, the first time domain resource set including one or more time domain resource units, the first time domain resource unit being any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set; transceiver unit 1602 is used to send the first information to the relay device.

[0233] For example, the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit is in a silent state, or the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function of the relay device on the first time domain resource unit is in an enabled state.

[0234] For example, the amplification and forwarding function of the relay device includes an uplink amplification and forwarding function and a downlink amplification and forwarding function; the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit, and the status of the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding functions on the first time domain resource unit.

[0235] For example, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first sub-information and a second sub-information, wherein the first sub-information is used to indicate the status of the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit, and the second sub-information is used to indicate the status of the uplink and downlink amplification and forwarding functions of the first time domain resource unit.

[0236] For example, the first information includes a first indication state, a second indication state, a third indication state, and a fourth indication state; wherein, the first indication state is used to indicate that both the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit are in the enabled state; the second indication state is used to indicate that the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit is in the silent state, while the downlink amplification and forwarding function is in the enabled state; the third indication state is used to indicate that the uplink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit is in the enabled state, while the downlink amplification and forwarding function is in the silent state; and the fourth indication state is used to indicate that both the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the first time domain resource unit are in the silent state.

[0237] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1602 can also be used to: send second information to the relay device, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of downlink transmission in the first period, the end position of downlink transmission in the first period, and the first time domain resource set including one or more time domain resources in the first period.

[0238] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1602 can also be used to send uplink forwarding timing advance to the relay device.

[0239] The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It is understood that the functions or implementations of the modules in the embodiments of this application can be further described in the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0240] In one possible approach, the relay device can be as follows: Figure 17As shown. The relay device may include a processor 1701, a communication interface 1702 and a communication interface 1703, and may also include a memory 1704. The communication interface 1702 can be used for communication between the relay device and an upstream node, and the communication interface 1703 can be used for communication between the relay device and a downstream node.

[0241] Processing unit 1501 can be a processor 1701. First communication unit 1502 can be a communication interface 1702, and second communication unit 1503 can be a communication interface 1703. The communication interface can also be called a transceiver unit or transceiver. The communication interface can include a receiver (or receiver circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter circuit), respectively implementing the functions of the transmitting unit and the receiving unit. The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals. The communication interface can also be an input / output interface. In the input / output interface, input corresponds to receiving or acquiring operations, and output corresponds to transmitting operations.

[0242] Processor 1701 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a digital processing unit, etc. Communication interfaces 1702 and 1703 can be transceivers, interface circuits such as transceiver circuits, or transceiver chips, etc. The device also includes memory 1704 for storing programs executed by processor 1701. Memory 1704 can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). Memory 1704 can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, accessible by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0243] The processor 1701, communication interface 1702, communication interface 1703, and memory 1704 can communicate with each other through internal connection channels to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1704 stores computer programs, and the processor 1701 calls and runs these programs from the memory 1704 to control the communication interfaces 1702 and 1703 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the relay device may further include antenna panels 1705 and 1706. Antenna panel 1705 is used to transmit data, control signals, information, or messages output from communication interface 1702 to a higher-level node via wireless signals, and to receive wireless signals transmitted by the higher-level node. Antenna panel 1706 is used to transmit data, control signals, information, or messages output from communication interface 1703 to a lower-level node via wireless signals, and to receive wireless signals transmitted by the lower-level node.

[0244] Optionally, communication interface 1702 can implement the uplink forwarding function of the aforementioned amplification unit 1504, which can also be understood as implementing the function of the uplink amplification module in the aforementioned amplification unit 1504. Communication interface 1703 can implement the downlink forwarding function of the aforementioned amplification unit 1504, which can also be understood as implementing the function of the downlink amplification module in the aforementioned amplification unit 1504. Communication interfaces 1702 and 1703 can have one or more functions such as filtering, gain adjustment, mixing, and power amplification. Specifically, communication interfaces 1702 and 1703 can be used to filter, adjust the gain, and mix received signals, and can also perform filtering, gain adjustment, mixing, and power amplification on signals to be transmitted. For example, when a relay device communicates with a higher-level node through communication interface 1702, the relay device can receive information (e.g., the first message) sent by the higher-level node through antenna panel 1705. This information is then filtered, gain-adjusted, and mixed through communication interface 1702 before being transmitted to processor 1701. Processor 1701 can also generate information to be sent to the host device. This information is then filtered, gain-adjusted, mixed, and amplified through communication interface 1702 before being transmitted to the higher-level node through antenna panel 1705. During uplink amplification and forwarding, the relay device receives signals sent by lower-level nodes through antenna panel 1706, then filters, adjusts, and mixes them through communication interface 1703, and then amplifies and filters them again through communication interface 1702 before finally transmitting them to the higher-level node through antenna panel 1705.

[0245] For example, when a relay device communicates with a downstream node through communication interface 1703, the relay device can receive information sent to it by the downstream node via antenna panel 1706. This information is then filtered, gain-adjusted, and mixed via communication interface 1703 before being transmitted to processor 1701. Processor 1701 can also generate information to be sent to terminal devices (or downstream nodes). This information is then filtered, gain-adjusted, mixed, and amplified via communication interface 1703 before being transmitted to the upstream node via antenna panel 1706. During downlink amplification and forwarding, the relay device receives signals sent by the downstream node via antenna panel 1705, then performs filtering, gain adjustment, and mixing via communication interface 1702, followed by power amplification and filtering via communication interface 1703, before finally transmitting the signal to the downstream node via antenna panel 1706.

[0246] In another embodiment, communication interfaces 1702 and 1703 do not have amplification functions. An amplifier is connected between communication interfaces 1702 and 1703, and the amplification of uplink and downlink signals is performed by the amplifier. The amplifier is used to amplify the downlink signal received from the host device by communication interface 1702 and transmit the amplified downlink signal through communication interface 1703 and antenna panel 1706. The amplifier can also be used to amplify the uplink signal received from the lower-level node (or user equipment) by communication interface 1703 and transmit the amplified uplink signal through communication interface 1702 and antenna panel 1705. The amplifier can enable or disable the uplink signal amplification function and / or the downlink signal amplification function under the control of the processor.

[0247] The processor 1701 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1704, specifically to execute the actions of the aforementioned processing unit 1501, which will not be described in detail here. The communication interface 1702 is specifically used to execute the actions of the aforementioned first communication unit 1502, and the communication interface 1703 is specifically used to execute the actions of the aforementioned second communication unit 1503, which will not be described in detail here.

[0248] The processor 1701 and memory 1704 can be combined into a communication device. The processor 1701 executes the program code stored in the memory 1704 to achieve the above functions. In specific implementations, the memory 1704 can be integrated into the processor 1701 or independent of the processor 1701. The processor 1701 can communicate with... Figure 15 The corresponding processing unit in the process.

[0249] In one possible approach, the host device can be as follows: Figure 18As shown. The host device may include a processor 1801, a communication interface 1802, and a memory 1803. The processing unit 1601 may be the processor 1801. The transceiver unit 1602 may be the communication interface 1802. It should also be understood that the transceiver unit 1602 may also be an input / output interface. Furthermore, the functionality of the transceiver unit 1602 may be implemented by a transceiver. The transceiver may include a transmitter and / or a receiver, respectively implementing the functions of the transmitting unit and the receiving unit.

[0250] In the input / output interface, input corresponds to receiving or acquiring operations, and output corresponds to sending operations.

[0251] The processor 1801 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a digital processing unit, or something similar. The communication interface 1802 can be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver chip, etc. The device also includes a memory 1803 for storing programs executed by the processor 1801. The memory 1803 can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory 1803 can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, accessible by a computer, but is not limited to these.

[0252] The processor 1801 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1803, specifically to perform the actions of the aforementioned processing unit 1601, which will not be described in detail here. The communication interface 1802 is specifically used to perform the actions of the aforementioned transceiver unit 1602, which will not be described in detail here.

[0253] The communication interface 1802, processor 1801, and memory 1803 can communicate with each other through internal connection channels to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1803 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 1801 is used to call and run the computer programs from the memory 1803 to control the communication interface 1802 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the communication device may also include an antenna for transmitting the data, control signals, information, or messages output by the communication interface 1802 via wireless signals.

[0254] The processor 1801 and memory 1803 can be combined into a communication device. The processor 1801 executes the program code stored in the memory 1803 to achieve the above functions. In specific implementations, the memory 1803 can be integrated into the processor 1801 or independent of the processor 1801. The processor 1801 can communicate with... Figure 15 The corresponding processing unit in the process.

[0255] The aforementioned communication interface 1802 can be used with Figure 16 The corresponding transceiver unit in the interface can also be called a transceiver unit or transceiver. The communication interface 1802 may include a receiver (or receiver circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0256] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1802, processor 1801, and memory 1803. This application embodiment... Figure 18 The memory 1803, processor 1801, and communication interface 1802 are connected via a bus 1804. Figure 18 The connections between other components are shown in bold and are for illustrative purposes only, not as limiting information. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 18 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0257] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface. The processor can be used to execute the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0258] It should be understood that the aforementioned communication device can be a chip. For example, the communication device can be a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), a CPU, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0259] For example, the interface can be an interface circuit. For instance, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in memory and can be read directly from memory, or can be read from memory via other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor can be used to run the code instructions to execute the methods in the above method embodiments.

[0260] For example, the interface circuit can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver. For instance, in a transmitting scenario, the processor performs XX to obtain data Y (XX is a non-air interface operation, including but not limited to operations such as determining, judging, processing, calculating, searching, and comparing); the interface circuit can be used to send the data Y to the transmitter (the transmitter performs an air interface transmitting operation). For another example, in a receiving scenario, the interface circuit can be used to receive data Z from the receiver (the receiver performs an air interface receiving operation) and send the data Z to the processor; the processor performs XX processing on the data Z (XX is a non-air interface operation, including but not limited to operations such as determining, judging, processing, calculating, searching, and comparing).

[0261] For example, Figure 19 A possible chip structure is shown, comprising logic circuitry and input / output interfaces, and may also include memory. The input / output interfaces can be used to receive code instructions (stored in memory, which can be read directly from memory or via other devices) and transmit them to the logic circuitry; the logic circuitry can be used to execute the code instructions to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0262] Alternatively, the input / output interface can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between the logic circuit and the transceiver. For example, in a transmitting scenario, the logic circuit is used to perform XX to obtain Y data (XX is a non-air interface operation, including but not limited to operations such as determining, judging, processing, calculating, searching, and comparing); the input / output interface can be used to send the Y data to the transmitter (the transmitter is used to perform air interface transmission operations). As another example, in a receiving scenario, the input / output interface can be used to receive Z data from the receiver (the receiver is used to perform air interface reception operations) and send the Z data to the logic circuit; the logic circuit is used to perform XX processing on the Z data (XX is a non-air interface operation, including but not limited to operations such as determining, judging, processing, calculating, searching, and comparing).

[0263] This invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions required to execute the processor, including a program required to execute the processor.

[0264] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0265] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0266] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0267] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0268] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A relay communication method, characterized in that, include: The relay device receives first information sent by the host device. The first information is used to determine that the relay device on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set enables the amplification and forwarding function. The first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information; The uplink timing advance of the control link of the relay device is the same as the uplink forwarding timing advance.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, including: The first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit. If the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit. Alternatively, the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit. If the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device enables the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit. Alternatively, the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit. If the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource subunit and at least one second time domain resource subunit, the first time domain resource subunit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time domain resource subunit is configured for downlink transmission, then the relay device enables the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the at least one first time domain resource subunit and enables the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the at least one second time domain resource subunit.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes: The relay device receives TDD configuration from the host device; The relay device determines, based on the TDD configuration, the time-domain resources in the first time-domain resource set used for uplink forwarding or the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The relay device receives TDD configuration from the host device, including: The relay device receives the common time division duplex (TDD) configuration from the host device via broadcast messages; or The relay device receives a dedicated TDD configuration from the host device via unicast commands.

6. The method as described in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The relay device determines, according to the TDD configuration, the time-domain resources in the first time-domain resource set used for uplink forwarding or the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding, including: The relay device uses the uplink time slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set as time slots / symbols for uplink forwarding, uses the downlink time slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set as time slots / symbols for downlink forwarding, and uses the flexible time slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set as time slots / symbols not used for uplink and downlink forwarding.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first time-domain resource unit corresponds to the first subcarrier interval, which is configured by the host device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The downlink forwarding timing of the relay device and the downlink receiving timing of the relay device are the same.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The uplink forwarding timing of the relay device is the same as the uplink timing of the control link of the relay device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes: The relay device receives second information, which is used to indicate at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission within the first cycle, the end position of uplink transmission within the first cycle, the start position of downlink transmission within the first cycle, and the end position of downlink transmission within the first cycle. The relay device determines, based on the second information, the time-domain resources used for uplink forwarding and the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding in the first time-domain resource set, wherein the first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resources within the first period.

11. A relay communication method, characterized in that, include: The access network device determines first information, which is used to instruct the amplification and forwarding function to be enabled on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The access network device sends the first information to the relay device; The uplink timing advance of the control link of the relay device is the same as the uplink forwarding timing advance.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit.

13. The method as described in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The access network device sends TDD configuration.

14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The TDD configuration for sending includes: The access network device sends a public time division duplex (TDD) configuration via a broadcast message; or The access network device sends a dedicated TDD configuration via unicast commands.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The method further includes: The access network device configures the first subcarrier interval corresponding to the first time domain resource unit to the relay device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The downlink forwarding timing of the relay device and the downlink receiving timing of the relay device are the same.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The uplink forwarding timing of the relay device is the same as the uplink timing of the control link of the relay device.

18. The method as described in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The access network device sends second information to the relay device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission within the first period, the end position of uplink transmission within the first period, the start position of downlink transmission within the first period, and the end position of downlink transmission within the first period, wherein the first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resources within the first period.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a relay device or a chip within a relay device. The communication device includes a transceiver unit, a processing unit, and an amplification unit, wherein the amplification unit is used to amplify and forward the signal. The transceiver unit is used to receive first information sent by the host device. The first information is used to determine that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The processing unit is configured to control the amplification unit to enable the amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set based on the first information; The uplink timing advance of the control link of the relay device is the same as the uplink forwarding timing advance.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that, The first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The processing unit is specifically used for: The first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit. If the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the amplification unit is controlled to enable the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit. Alternatively, the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit. If the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the amplification unit is controlled to enable the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit. Alternatively, the first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit. If the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource subunit and at least one second time domain resource subunit, and the first time domain resource subunit is configured for uplink transmission and the second time domain resource subunit is configured for downlink transmission, then the amplification unit is controlled to enable the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the at least one first time domain resource subunit and the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the at least one second time domain resource subunit.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19-21, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is further configured to: Before relaying based on the first information, receive TDD configuration from the host device; The processing unit is further configured to: The time-domain resources used for uplink forwarding or the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding in the first time-domain resource set are determined according to the TDD configuration.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is specifically used for: Receive common Time Division Duplex (TDD) configuration from the host device via broadcast message; or Receive dedicated TDD configuration from the host device via unicast commands.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The processing unit is specifically used for: The uplink time slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set are used as time slots / symbols for uplink forwarding, the downlink time slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set are used as time slots / symbols for downlink forwarding, and the flexible time slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set are used as time slots / symbols that are not used for uplink forwarding or downlink forwarding.

25. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19-24, characterized in that, The first time-domain resource unit corresponds to the first subcarrier interval, which is configured by the host device.

26. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19-25, characterized in that, The downlink forwarding timing and the downlink receiving timing of the communication device are the same.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19-26, characterized in that, The uplink forwarding timing of the communication device is the same as the uplink timing of the control link of the communication device.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19-21, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is further configured to: Before the processing unit controls the amplification unit to perform relay forwarding based on the first information, the second information is received, which is used to indicate at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of downlink transmission in the first period. The processing unit is further configured to: Based on the second information, the time-domain resources used for uplink forwarding and the time-domain resources used for downlink forwarding in the first time-domain resource set are determined. The first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resources within the first period.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is configured to determine first information, which is used to instruct the amplification and forwarding function to be enabled on a first time-domain resource unit in a first time-domain resource set. The first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resource units, and the first time-domain resource unit is any time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set. A transceiver unit is used to send the first information to the relay device; The uplink timing advance of the control link of the relay device is the same as the uplink forwarding timing advance.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that, The first information indicates that the amplification and forwarding function is enabled on the first time domain resource unit.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is further configured to: Send TDD configuration.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is specifically used for: Send the Common Time Division Duplex (TDD) configuration via broadcast message; or Send dedicated TDD configuration via unicast commands.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 29-32, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: Configure the first subcarrier interval corresponding to the first time domain resource unit to the relay device.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 29-33, characterized in that, The downlink forwarding timing of the relay device and the downlink receiving timing of the relay device are the same.

35. The apparatus according to any one of claims 29-34, characterized in that, The uplink forwarding timing of the relay device is the same as the uplink timing of the control link of the relay device.

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is further configured to: Send second information to the relay device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: the start position of uplink transmission within the first period, the end position of uplink transmission within the first period, the start position of downlink transmission within the first period, the end position of downlink transmission within the first period, and the first time domain resource set including one or more time domain resources within the first period.

37. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a transceiver, a processor, an amplifier, and a memory; the memory stores program instructions; when the program instructions are executed, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

38. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a transceiver, a processor, and a memory; the memory stores program instructions; when the program instructions are executed, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 18.

39. A chip, characterized in that, The chip is coupled to a memory in an electronic device, such that the chip, during operation, calls program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 18.

40. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions that, when executed on the device, cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

41. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes the communication device as described in any one of claims 19-28 and the communication device as described in any one of claims 29-36.

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