Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device, and belongs to the technical field of communication. In the communication system of the application, a first node receives a resource scheduling message sent by a superior node, the resource scheduling message carries template identification information, the template identification information is used for indicating a target time slot allocation template to be used, and the first node allocates time slots to a plurality of nodes according to indication information for allocating time slots to the plurality of nodes contained in the target time slot allocation template. A transmission slot of the first node is determined. The byte length occupied by the template identification information is far smaller than the byte length occupied by the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node, so that the length of the resource scheduling message can be greatly shortened, and even if the number of nodes in a communication system is increased, the length of the resource scheduling message is not increased, and the resource scheduling efficiency is improved. According to the invention, communication resources required to be occupied for transmitting the resource scheduling message can be reduced, more communication resources can be used for data transmission between nodes, and the effective utilization rate of the communication resources is improved.

Description

Communication method and device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] Power line communication (PLC) is a carrier communication method that transmits data over power lines. In a PLC network, PLC devices can communicate with each other using time-division multiplexing (TDM). Each PLC device in a PLC network is called a node. Each node within a network area has a domain master (DM). During each communication cycle, the DM allocates transmission time slots to each node within the network area through resource scheduling messages. These resource scheduling messages include time slot allocation information for each node.

[0003] As the number of power line communication devices in PLC networks continues to grow, resource scheduling messages are becoming increasingly lengthy. The increasing communication resources required to transmit resource scheduling messages will reduce the resources available for data transmission between power line communication devices, thus affecting the effective utilization of communication resources. Similar issues exist in other communication fields.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus that can reduce the communication resources required to transmit resource scheduling messages and improve the effective utilization of communication resources.

[0006] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a first node in a communication system. The first node can be any node in the communication system except the domain master node. The method includes: the first node receives a resource scheduling message sent by the second node, and based on the template identification information carried in the resource scheduling message, determines a target time slot allocation template from at least one time slot allocation template, and determines a transmission time slot of the first node based on the target time slot allocation template. The transmission time slot may include a data sending time slot or a data receiving time slot.

[0007] The second node is the parent node of the first node. For example, if the first node is a relay node, the second node can be a domain master node or a parent relay node of the first node. If the first node is a normal node, the second node can be a domain master node or a relay node. Each of the above nodes can be understood as a communication device in the communication system.

[0008] The first node stores one or more time slot allocation templates, each of which includes information indicating how to allocate time slots to multiple nodes in the communication system. Based on the template identification information carried in the resource scheduling message, the first node determines a target time slot allocation template from the stored time slot allocation templates. The target time slot allocation template is the time slot allocation template used by all nodes. All nodes determine their respective transmission time slots based on the target time slot allocation template and transmit data in their corresponding transmission time slots to avoid collisions or conflicts.

[0009] Compared to carrying time slot allocation information corresponding to each node in a resource scheduling message, embodiments of the present application carry template identification information in the resource scheduling message. The template identification information is used to indicate the target time slot allocation template to be used. Because the byte length occupied by the template identification information is much smaller than the byte length occupied by the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node, the length of the resource scheduling message can be significantly shortened. Even if the number of nodes in the communication system increases, the length of the resource scheduling message does not increase. This can reduce the communication resources required to transmit the resource scheduling message, allowing more communication resources to be used for data transmission between nodes, thereby improving the effective utilization of communication resources.

[0010] For example, in some embodiments, the template identification information may be template type information. The first node may store a correspondence between the template type information and the time slot allocation template. The first node may search for the target time slot allocation template among the stored time slot allocation templates based on the template type information carried in the resource scheduling message. In other embodiments, the template identification information may be a template number. The first node may store a correspondence between the template number and the time slot allocation template. The first node may search for the target time slot allocation template among the stored time slot allocation templates based on the template number carried in the resource scheduling message.

[0011] The template type information or template number only occupies one byte in the resource scheduling message, which can significantly shorten the length of the resource scheduling message. This not only reduces the communication resources required to transmit the resource scheduling message, but also improves the anti-interference ability of the resource scheduling message and enhances the robustness of the resource scheduling message.

[0012] In some embodiments, the resource scheduling message may be time slot indication information based on a time division multiple access (TDMA) system. In other embodiments, the resource scheduling message may be time-frequency resource block allocation indication information based on an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the resource scheduling message may be carried in a media access planning MAP frame. For example, the template identification information may be included in the physical frame header field of the MAP frame, or in the additional physical frame header field of the MAP frame, or in the physical frame payload field of the MAP frame.

[0014] When the template identification information is included in the physical frame header field or the additional physical frame header field of the MAP frame, it is encoded using the encoding method corresponding to the physical frame header field or the additional physical frame header field, which can further improve the anti-interference ability of the template identification information and reduce the probability of template identification information decoding failure.

[0015] In another possible implementation, the resource scheduling message may be carried in a data frame. For example, the template identification information may be included in a physical frame header field of the data frame, or in an additional physical frame header field of the data frame, or in a physical frame payload field of the data frame.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the resource scheduling message may be carried in a management frame. For example, the template identification information may be included in the physical frame header field of the management frame, or the template identification information may be included in the additional physical frame header field of the management frame, or the template identification information may be included in the physical frame payload field of the management frame.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present application, the resource scheduling message can be carried not only in the MAP frame, but also in the data frame or management frame and sent to each node. This can increase the number of times the resource scheduling message is sent, reduce the situation where the node does not receive the resource scheduling information, or receives the resource scheduling information but cannot successfully decode it, and further improve the robustness of the resource scheduling message.

[0018] In one possible implementation, before receiving a resource scheduling message containing time slot allocation template information sent by a second node, the first node can receive allocation template information sent by any node in the communication system and save at least one time slot allocation template carried in the allocation template information so as to search for the target time slot allocation template based on the template identification information.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the allocation template information may be carried in a MAP frame. The MAP frame may include template location information, which is used to indicate the location of each time slot allocation template in the allocation template information, so that the first node can obtain different time slot allocation templates from different locations in the allocation template information.

[0020] In one possible implementation, assuming that the first node is a relay node, the first node can send the resource scheduling message to the third node within the transmission time slot of the first node; wherein the third node is a subordinate node of the first node, for example, the third node can be an ordinary node, or the third node can be a next-level relay node of the first node.

[0021] In second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method applied to a domain master node in a communication system, the communication method comprising: sending a resource scheduling message to multiple nodes in the communication system, the resource scheduling message comprising template identification information, the template identification information being used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to multiple nodes.

[0022] Since the length of the template identification information is much shorter than the length of the indication information for allocating time slots to each node, the length of the resource scheduling message can be greatly shortened, the communication resources required for transmitting the resource scheduling message can be reduced, and the effective utilization of communication resources can be improved.

[0023] In one possible implementation, before sending a resource scheduling message to multiple nodes in a communication system, the domain master node may send allocation template information to the multiple nodes; the allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template, so that each node saves at least one time slot allocation template carried in the allocation template information, so as to search for the target time slot allocation template according to the template identification information carried in the received resource scheduling message.

[0024] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, applied to a first node in a communication system, the communication device comprising: a transceiver and a processor;

[0025] The transceiver is configured to: under the control of the processor, receive a resource scheduling message sent by a second node; the second node is a superior node of the first node; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information;

[0026] The processor is configured to: determine a target time slot allocation template from at least one time slot allocation template based on the template identification information; the time slot allocation template includes indication information for allocating time slots to a plurality of nodes in the communication system;

[0027] Based on the target time slot allocation template, a transmission time slot of the first node is determined; the transmission time slot includes a data sending time slot or a data receiving time slot.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the template identification information is template type information or template number.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the resource scheduling message is time slot indication information based on a time division multiple access (TDMA) system, or time-frequency resource block allocation indication information based on an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the resource scheduling message is carried in a media access planning MAP frame; the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field in the MAP frame; or,

[0031] The resource scheduling message is carried in a data frame, and the template identification information is included in the physical frame header, additional physical frame header field or physical frame payload field of the data frame; or,

[0032] The resource scheduling message is carried in the management frame, and the template identification information is included in the physical frame header, additional physical frame header field or physical frame payload field of the management frame.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory; and the transceiver is further configured to:

[0034] Before receiving the resource scheduling message including the time slot allocation template information sent by the second node, under the control of the processor, receiving allocation template information sent by any node in the communication system; the allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template;

[0035] The memory is used to: under the control of the processor, store at least one time slot allocation template.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the allocation template information is carried in a MAP frame; the MAP frame includes template position information, and the template position information is used to indicate the position of each time slot allocation template in the allocation template information.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the first node is a relay node, and the transceiver is further used to: under the control of the processor, send the resource scheduling message to the third node in the time slot used for transmitting data at the first node; the third node is a subordinate node of the first node.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, comprising: a transceiver and a processor; wherein the transceiver is used to send resource scheduling messages to multiple nodes in a communication system under the control of the processor; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information; the template identification information is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to multiple nodes.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the transceiver can also be used to send allocation template information to multiple nodes in the communication system; the allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template, so that each node saves at least one time slot allocation template carried in the allocation template information, so as to find the target time slot allocation template according to the template identification information carried in the received resource scheduling message.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which includes corresponding functional modules, respectively used to implement the steps in each method provided in the first aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details, which will not be repeated here. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by executing the corresponding software implementation by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the communication device may include a receiving unit and a determining unit. The receiving unit is used to receive a resource scheduling message sent by a second node; the second node is the superior node of the first node; the resource scheduling message contains template identification information; the determining unit is used to determine a target time slot allocation template from at least one time slot allocation template based on the template identification information, and determine the transmission time slot of the first node based on the target time slot allocation template; wherein the time slot allocation template includes indication information for allocating time slots to multiple nodes in the communication system, and the transmission time slot includes a data transmission time slot or a data reception time slot.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which includes corresponding functional modules, respectively used to implement the steps in each method provided in the second aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details, which will not be repeated here. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the communication device may include a sending unit for sending a resource scheduling message to multiple nodes in a communication system; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information; the template identification information is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to multiple nodes.

[0042] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, comprising a plurality of any one of the communication devices provided in the third aspect and the communication device provided in the fourth aspect.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a terminal device, the terminal device executes any one of the methods provided in the first aspect or any one of the methods provided in the second aspect.

[0044] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a terminal device, it implements any one of the methods provided in the first aspect or any one of the methods provided in the second aspect.

[0045] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the third to ninth aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of the beneficial effects in the first or second aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a power line communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of another power line communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a MAC cycle of a power line communication process;

[0049] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a MAP frame including allocation template information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a MAP INFO field including allocation template information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a time slot allocation template provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG7 is an interactive flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a MAP frame including template identification information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG9 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG10 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used in the implementation methods of this application are only used to explain the specific embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0059] Before introducing the specific solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, some of the terms in the present application are generally explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, and the terms in the present application are not limited.

[0060] (1) PLC network: It can also be called power line network or carrier communication network. It is a communication network that uses power lines as a communication medium to realize the aggregation, transmission and interaction of power user information. The equipment in the PLC network may include power lines, gateway devices, multiple power line communication devices and network-using devices such as terminals. Among them, in addition to being used to transmit current and drive electrical appliances, power lines can also be used to provide access to the Internet. Power line communication devices can be used to provide network signals to network-using devices such as terminals. Multiple power line communication devices are connected to the Internet through gateway devices and power lines. The various power line communication devices in the PLC network can communicate with each other using time division multiplexing.

[0061] (2) Modern: A type of power line communication device, also known as a power line communication modem, is a common name for a modem that provides broadband Internet access via power lines. It uses existing power lines and sockets in homes or offices to create a network to connect computers, broadband Internet access devices, set-top boxes, audio equipment, monitoring equipment, and other intelligent electrical devices, transmitting data, voice, and video between devices. Modern is plug-and-play and can transmit digital signals over ordinary household power lines.

[0062] In the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" refers to two or more. In view of this, in the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, for example, one, two or more. For example, including at least one means including one, two or more, and does not limit which ones are included. For example, including at least one of A, B and C, then the included ones may be A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the previous and subsequent associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0063] Unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0064] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a PLC network or a PLC communication system, and can also be applied to other wired communication fields or wireless communication fields. The following description will be given using a PLC network as an example.

[0065] Figure 1 exemplarily shows a schematic diagram of a PLC communication system. In the PLC communication system shown in Figure 1, each power line communication device in a power line network area can be called a node. There is a DM among all nodes in a region. Other nodes except DM are ordinary nodes. Ordinary nodes can also be called non-DM nodes or ordinary stations (STA). For example, node 0 in Figure 1 is a DM, and nodes 1 to N are ordinary nodes. A DM can be connected to multiple ordinary nodes respectively. The DM can be called the upper node of each ordinary node, and each ordinary node can be called the lower node of the DM. As the master node role in the PLC network, the DM is responsible for completing functions such as network control, network maintenance and management.

[0066] In some other PLC communication systems, one or more levels of relay nodes can be set up between DM and ordinary nodes. Relay nodes are used to relay and forward data between DM and ordinary nodes, or between ordinary nodes, and can also be called proxy nodes. As shown in Figure 2, node 10 is a DM, nodes 13, 16, and 17 are relay nodes, and the remaining nodes are ordinary nodes. The application scenarios of the PLC communication system shown in Figure 2 can include scenarios where long-distance transmission is required. For example, airport navigation lights use PLC networks for lighting control. Since the power lines on the runway can be up to several kilometers long, and the maximum single-hop communication distance of PLC is about 1.2km, multiple levels of relay nodes are required to achieve remote light control. For another example, using a PLC network to control street lights, since the street lights extend for a long distance, relay nodes are also needed to forward control information to achieve unified control of the street lights.

[0067] PLC networks can utilize existing power lines to transmit data or information using digital signal processing methods. For example, PLC networks can use existing low-frequency (50 / 60Hz) power lines to transmit broadband data. Compared to digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, which uses telephone lines, and cable modems (CM) technology, which uses cable television coaxial cables, power line communication technology essentially eliminates the need for re-laying network lines. Furthermore, power lines cover a much wider area than other types of carrier lines.

[0068] It should be noted that the PLC communication system shown in Figure 2 is only an example. Except for the first-level nodes where the DM resides and the common nodes at the last level, all other levels of nodes may contain one or more relay nodes. The network structures shown in Figures 1 and 2 are applicable not only to PLC networks but also to other wired or wireless communication networks.

[0069] Because nodes typically broadcast messages, only nodes within a certain range can receive them. Nodes that cannot receive broadcast messages can only receive messages forwarded by their parent nodes. Of course, nodes can also unicast messages, which can include the identifier of the target node in the message header.

[0070] PLC network communication protocols primarily include standard protocols such as IEEE Homeplug AV and ITU-T G.hn. ITU-T G.hn is suitable for centralized management of power line communication devices within PLC networks. The ITU-T G.hn protocol, based on the characteristics of power line channels, uses two AC power cycles as the medium access control (MAC) cycles for protocol communication. As shown in Figure 3, within each MAC cycle, the DM generates and distributes a medium access plan (MAP) frame. MAP frames, also known as MAP management frames or MAPA management frames, are used to determine the scheduling strategy for the next MAC cycle. Specifically, the time period in the next MAC cycle, excluding the time period for MAP frame transmission, is divided into different time periods and allocated to each node for data transmission. Alternatively, the DM uses MAP frames to assign each node in the PLC network a corresponding time slot in the next MAC cycle. Each node then transmits data, including digital signals, in its corresponding time slot. Therefore, the MAP frame contains information about the time slot allocation for each node.

[0071] MAP frames vary in different MAC cycles. For example, the DM can broadcast MAP frames to each ordinary node during the time period used to transmit MAP frames in each MAC cycle. Alternatively, the DM can send MAP frames to a relay node, which then transmits the received MAP frames to the next-level node, which can be a relay node or an ordinary node, until each ordinary node receives the MAP frame. In addition to the time period used to transmit MAP frames, each MAC cycle can also include a time period used to transmit data. The time period used to transmit data can be called a transmission opportunity (TXOP). During the time period corresponding to the TXOP, each node transmits data in its corresponding transmission time slot according to the time slot allocation information in the MAP frame.

[0072] Because MAP frames contain the time slot allocation information for each node, as the number of PLC devices (and, therefore, the number of nodes) in a PLC network continues to increase, MAP frames become increasingly longer. Transmitting MAP frames consumes increasing communication resources, reducing the resources available for data transmission between PLC devices and thus impacting the efficiency of PLC.

[0073] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can be applied to the PLC communication system shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2. In this communication method, the DM allocates time slots to multiple nodes in the PLC system through resource scheduling messages. The DM generates and sends resource scheduling messages to multiple nodes in the PLC system. The resource scheduling messages include template identification information. The template identification information is used to determine a target time slot allocation template. The target time slot allocation template includes indication information for allocating time slots to each node in the power line communication network. Each node in the PLC system determines its corresponding transmission time slot according to the target time slot allocation template.

[0074] Since the resource scheduling message contains template identification information but does not need to include the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node, the byte length occupied by the template identification information is much smaller than the byte length occupied by the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node. Therefore, the length of the resource scheduling message is shortened. Even if the number of nodes in the PLC network increases, the length of the resource scheduling message will not increase, thereby reducing the communication resources occupied by transmitting the resource scheduling message, allowing more communication resources to be used for data transmission between nodes, and improving the efficiency of power line communication.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present application, one or more time slot allocation templates may be pre-set. The time slot allocation template includes information indicating the allocation of time slots to multiple nodes in a power line communication system within a MAC cycle. For example, each MAC cycle may include multiple time periods for data transmission, namely the aforementioned TXOPs. TXOPs can be divided into two categories: contention-free TXOPs (CFTXOPs) and shared TXOPs (STXOPs). A CFTXOP is a transmission opportunity exclusively for a single node, while an STXOP is a transmission opportunity shared by multiple nodes. During the time period corresponding to an STXOP, a round-robin scheduling method can be used to allow multiple nodes to share the time period. Generally, the duration of a TS is shorter than the duration of a TXOP. The TSs scheduled by STXOPs are further divided into two categories: contention-free time slots (CFTSs) and contention-based time slots (CBTSs). A CFTS is a time slot specifically allocated to a node in the power line communication system, while a CBTS is a time slot that can be preempted by various nodes in the power line communication system through competition. When scheduling TSs using STXOPs, variable-length scheduling can be used. For any TS, if the node occupying that TS has data to send, the TS's end time is determined based on the data length. If the node occupying that TS has no data to send, the TS's duration is 35.84µs. If no data is sent within 35.84µs of the start of the TS, the next TS begins.

[0076] After the PLC communication system network is stabilized, multiple time slot allocation templates can be pre-set. For example, different types of templates can be set based on the network's service characteristics, specifically for control node priority, uplink node priority, upgrade service priority, and low power consumption. For example, a control node priority template can allocate more STXOPs and CBTS within a period, increasing the preemption opportunities for burst messages and reducing the interval between messages sent through preemption, thereby reducing the probability of conflicts when nodes preempt time slots. An uplink node priority template can allocate more CFTS time slots to designated nodes, which can be nodes with periodic uplink fixed services, to ensure the traffic bandwidth of the uplink fixed services.

[0077] In some embodiments, the DM may send the set multiple time slot allocation templates to each node in the power line communication system through the allocation template information. In other embodiments, the DM may send the set multiple time slot allocation templates to the relay nodes located within the signal radiation range of the DM through the allocation template information, and then each relay node forwards the allocation template information to each ordinary node. In other embodiments, the DM may send the set multiple time slot allocation templates to a part of the ordinary nodes in the power line communication system through the allocation template information, and then the ordinary nodes forward the allocation template information to other ordinary nodes, so that each ordinary node saves the time slot allocation template. In other words, a certain ordinary node in the power line communication system can receive the time slot allocation template sent by any node in the power line communication system. In other embodiments, each node in the power line communication system can also obtain the time slot allocation template through other methods. For example, each node can read multiple time slot allocation templates saved in a mobile storage medium.

[0078] In some embodiments, the allocation template information may be carried in a MAP frame for transmission. In other embodiments, the allocation template information may also be carried in a data frame or a management frame for transmission.

[0079] Exemplarily, allocation template information can be carried in a MAP frame and transmitted between nodes. The MAP frame can include template location information, which indicates the location of each time slot allocation template within the allocation template information. For example, the allocation template information can be located in the physical frame payload field of the MAP frame, and the template location information can be located in the additional field of the payload of the MAP frame, indicating the starting position, ending position, and template identification information of each time slot allocation template. The template identification information can be a template number, which can also be referred to as a template ID.

[0080] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary field structure of a MAP frame containing allocation template information. As shown in Figure 4, a MAP frame may include the following fields: preamble, physical header (PHY HDR), additional physical header (PHY HDR+), media access planning header (MAP HDR), and media access planning information (MAP INFO).

[0081] The preamble may include field description information for the MAP frame, such as the number of fields contained in the MAP frame and the start and end positions of each field. The PHY HDR and PHY HDR+ may include frame indication information for the MAP frame, such as the information carried in each field of the MAP frame. The MAP HDR and MAP INFO may constitute the payload field of the MAP frame. The MAP HDR may include description information of the MAP INFO of the MAP frame, such as the number and specific meaning of the descriptors carried in the MAP INFO.

[0082] Allocation template information and template location information can be carried in MAP INFO. Assuming that n+1 time slot allocation templates of different types are set, the MAP INFO field can include the contents of template 0, template 1 to template n. Template location information can be carried in an additional field of the MAP INFO field to indicate the position of each time slot allocation template in the MAP INFO field. As shown in Figure 5, the additional field of the MAP INFO field contains template 0 description information, template 1 description information to template n description information. Exemplarily, template i description information may include the byte start position, byte end position and template ID of template i, where i can take an integer value in [0, n]. The byte start position is used to indicate the starting position of template i in the MAP INFO field, and the byte end position is used to indicate the ending position of template i in the MAP INFO field. The additional field of the above-mentioned MAP INFO field can also be understood as an additional field of the payload field.

[0083] Figure 6 exemplifies the contents of Template 0. The following uses Template 0 as an example to illustrate the composition of a time slot allocation template. Template 0 includes description information for transmission opportunity 0 through transmission opportunity n; the description information for transmission opportunity 0 can be referred to as CFTXOP0 des, and the description information for transmission opportunity n can be referred to as CFTXOPn des. That is, Template 0 includes description information for n+1 CFTXOPs, each of which can indicate the duration of the corresponding CFTXOP. Template 0 also includes description information for n+1 STXOPs, each of which can include m+1 time slots. The description information for time slot 00 through time slot m0 in Template 0 is the description information for the m+1 time slots included in STXOP0, and the description information for time slot 0n through time slot mn in Template 0 is the description information for the m+1 time slots included in STXOPn. The description information for time slot 00 can be called TS00 des, the description information for time slot m0 can be called TSm0 des, the description information for time slot 0n can be called TS0n des, and the description information for time slot mn can be called TSmn des. Each time slot description information can indicate whether the corresponding time slot type is CFTS or CBTS. If a time slot is CFTS, the description information also indicates to which node the time slot is assigned, that is, which node can transmit data in the time slot.

[0084] The above content can also be understood as follows: Template 0 divides the time period for data transmission in a MAC cycle into 2(n+1) TXOPs, including n+1 CFTXOPs and n+1 STXOPs, and each STXOP includes m+1 TSs. In Template 0 shown in Figure 6, the number of CFTXOPs and STXOPs is equal and arranged at intervals. In other embodiments, the CFTXOPs and STXOPs configured in the template may not be arranged at intervals. For example, an STXOP may be configured after several consecutive CFTXOPs, or a CFTXOP may be configured after several consecutive STXOPs, or the CFTXOPs and STXOPs may be arranged irregularly. The number of CFTXOPs and STXOPs configured in the template may also be unequal. For example, more CFTXOPs and fewer STXOPs may be configured, or more STXOPs and fewer CFTXOPs may be configured.

[0085] The above description uses Template 0 as an example to illustrate the composition of the time slot allocation template. The contents of other time slot allocation templates are similar to those of Template 0 and will not be repeated here.

[0086] Each node receives and saves the time slot allocation template sent by DM through the MAP frame, and is ready to use the time slot allocation template to determine its corresponding transmission time slot within the MAC cycle to realize the power line communication process.

[0087] The following uses the interaction process between node 10 and node 13 shown in Figure 2 as an example to illustrate the execution process of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application within the MAC cycle. Node 10 is a DM and node 13 is a relay node. Figure 7 shows a flow chart of the interaction between node 10 and node 13. As shown in Figure 7, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application may include the following steps:

[0088] S701: Node 10 generates a resource scheduling message.

[0089] Node 10 is a DM. During the nth MAC cycle, the DM can generate a resource scheduling message based on communication service requirements. The message indicates the time slot scheduling policy for the next MAC cycle or the kth MAC cycle following the current MAC cycle. Here, k is a positive integer, and the nth MAC cycle is a general term that can refer to any MAC cycle. The resource scheduling message can include template identification information. The template identification information can be template type information or template number, i.e., template ID.

[0090] S702: Node 10 sends a resource scheduling message.

[0091] In some embodiments, the resource scheduling message may be time slot indication information based on a time division multiple access (TDMA) system. In other embodiments, the resource scheduling message may be time-frequency resource block allocation indication information based on an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system.

[0092] For example, DM can send resource scheduling messages by broadcasting, and each node within the radiation range of DM's broadcast signal can receive the resource scheduling message sent by DM. For example, node 11, node 12, node 13, and node 14 shown in Figure 2 can all receive the resource scheduling message sent by DM. Since node 13 is a relay node, after receiving the resource scheduling message, node 13 will forward the resource scheduling message to the lower-level nodes. Nodes 11, 12, and 14 are ordinary nodes. After receiving the resource scheduling message, the actions performed by nodes 11, 12, and 14 are similar to the other actions performed by node 13 after receiving the resource scheduling message, except that they do not need to forward the resource scheduling message to other nodes. The following description takes node 13 as an example.

[0093] In some embodiments, resource scheduling messages can be carried in a MAP frame for transmission. Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram of the field structure of a MAP frame. As shown in Figure 8, the MAP frame may include the following fields: preamble, physical frame header (PHY HDR), and additional physical frame header (PHY HDR+).

[0094] The resource scheduling message may be included in the PHY HDR+ field. In addition to template identification information, the resource scheduling message may also include other information such as template validity period information. The template validity period information is used to indicate the MAC period during which the timeslot allocation template corresponding to the template identification information is effective. Table 1 illustrates an exemplary structure of a PHY HDR+ field.

[0095] Table 1

[0096]

[0097] As shown in Table 1, the PHY HDR+ field may include 21 bytes, where:

[0098] Bytes 0 to 3 are the MAC cycle start position, which is used to indicate the start position of the current MAC cycle.

[0099] Bytes 4 to 7 are the MAC cycle duration, which indicates the duration of the current MAC cycle.

[0100] The 8-byte field indicates the number of cycles during which the current template is applicable, or the current schedule life time (CSLT). It indicates the number of cycles during which the timeslot allocation template specified in the MAP frame can be used continuously. For example, if the CSLT is 2, it indicates that the timeslot allocation template specified in the MAP frame can be used in two consecutive MAC cycles.

[0101] The 9-byte field is the number of template waiting cycles, or the future schedule life time (FSLT), which indicates that the time slot allocation template specified in the MAP frame can be used starting from the kth MAC cycle after the current MAC cycle. For example, if FSLT is 1, it means that the time slot allocation template specified in the MAP frame can be used starting from the first MAC cycle after the current MAC cycle, that is, the next MAC cycle.

[0102] Bytes 10 to 11 are the domain name identifier (DNI), which is used to identify the DM node that generates the MAP frame.

[0103] Bytes 12 to 13 are the sequence number (SEQ NUM), which is used to identify the number of times the MAP frame is forwarded.

[0104] 14 bytes for the domain name key (DNI key), which is a parameter used in the process of hashing the domain name;

[0105] Byte 15 is the template type, also known as the dynamic bandwidth allocation type (DBA type), which is used to identify the type of the time slot allocation template specified in the MAP frame; illustratively, the type of the time slot allocation template may include but is not limited to a control node priority type, an uplink node priority type, an upgraded service priority type, a low power consumption type, etc.

[0106] Bytes 16 to 20 are reserved bytes and can be allocated according to actual needs.

[0107] The template type in the 15th byte is the type information of the template, which is a type of template identification information. In other embodiments, the template identification information in the 15th byte may be the template number.

[0108] In the MAP frame, the encoding method of the PHY HDR field and the PHY HDR+ field is different from that of the Payload field. The PHY HDR field and the PHY HDR+ field have stronger anti-interference capabilities than the Payload field. The resource scheduling message is included in the PHY HDR+ field, which can improve the anti-interference capability of the resource scheduling message.

[0109] The MAP frame shown in FIG8 is only an example. In other embodiments, the MAP frame may include a preamble, a PHY HDR, and a Payload. The resource scheduling message may be included in the PHY HDR or Payload field.

[0110] Due to the template-based resource scheduling, the length of the resource scheduling information required to be carried in the MAP frame is shortened from 1500 bytes to 16 bytes compared to the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node. The length of the MAP frame is significantly shortened. Even if the resource scheduling information is carried in the Payload field, the anti-interference ability of the resource scheduling message can be improved.

[0111] In some embodiments, a 1-bit flag may be used in the PHY HDR field of a MAP frame to identify whether the MAP frame carries template identification information or time slot allocation information corresponding to each node. For example, in some MAC cycles, a pre-configured time slot allocation template may be used. In this case, the MAP frame may include a preamble, a PHY HDR, and a PHY HDR+ field. The flag bit in the PHY HDR field may be "1" to identify whether the MAP frame carries the PHY HDR+ field, which contains the template identification information. In other MAC cycles, the pre-configured time slot allocation template may not be applicable. In this case, the MAP frame may carry time slot allocation information corresponding to each node. For example, the MAP frame may include a preamble, a PHY HDR, and a Payload field. The flag bit in the PHY HDR field may be "0" to identify whether the MAP frame carries the Payload field, which contains the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the resource scheduling message is carried in a MAP frame for transmission. In other embodiments, the resource scheduling message may also be carried in other types of messages similar to the MAP frame for transmission. For example, the resource scheduling message may be carried in a data frame or a management frame for transmission. If the resource scheduling message is carried in a data frame for transmission, the template identification information may be included in the PHY HDR field, PHY HDR+ field, or Payload field of the data frame. If the resource scheduling message is carried in a management frame for transmission, the template identification information may be included in the PHY HDR field, PHY HDR+ field, or Payload field of the management frame.

[0113] S703, the node 13 sends a resource scheduling message to the lower-level node.

[0114] In the transmission time slot of node 13 in the nth MAC cycle, node 13 sends the resource scheduling message to the subordinate nodes, namely, node 15 , node 16 and node 17 .

[0115] The transmission time slot of node 13 is determined by node 13 based on the time slot allocation template used in the nth MAC cycle. The time slot allocation template used in the nth MAC cycle can be a time slot allocation template specified by the template identification information carried in the resource scheduling message sent by node 10 to node 13 in a MAC cycle before the nth MAC cycle. For example, in the n-1th MAC cycle or the nth MAC cycle, node 13 receives a resource scheduling message sent by node 10, and the template identification information carried in the resource scheduling message is template number 0. The template effective period information carried in the resource scheduling message indicates that the template with the corresponding number is effective in the nth MAC cycle. In this case, node 13 can determine that template 0 is effective in the nth MAC cycle.

[0116] In the nth MAC cycle, node 13 determines its transmission time slot based on the indication information for allocating time slots to each node contained in template 0. Node 13 can choose to send the resource scheduling message to nodes 15, 16, and 17 during any of node 13's transmission time slots. The specific process by which node 13 determines its corresponding transmission time slot will be described in detail below. After receiving the resource scheduling message, nodes 15, 16, and 17 will also determine their corresponding transmission time slots based on the resource scheduling message. The process for determining their corresponding transmission time slots can be similar to the process for node 13 to determine its corresponding transmission time slot. Nodes 16 and 17 are the next-level relay nodes of node 13. After receiving the resource scheduling message, node 16 will send the resource scheduling message to node 18 during node 16's transmission time slot in the nth MAC cycle. After receiving the resource scheduling message, node 17 will send the resource scheduling message to node 19 during node 17's transmission time slot in the nth MAC cycle.

[0117] S704: The node 13 determines a target time slot allocation template from at least one time slot allocation template based on the template identification information carried in the resource scheduling message.

[0118] The node 13 receives the resource scheduling message sent by the node 10, and determines the target time slot allocation template from the saved time slot allocation templates according to the template identification information carried in the resource scheduling message.

[0119] In some embodiments, the node 13 may store the correspondence between template type information and time slot allocation templates. The template identification information may be the template type information, and the node 13 may search for the target time slot allocation template among the stored multiple time slot allocation templates based on the template type information.

[0120] In other embodiments, the correspondence between the template number and the time slot allocation template may be stored in the node 13. The template identification information may be the template number, and the node 13 may search for the target time slot allocation template among the stored multiple time slot allocation templates based on the template number.

[0121] In other embodiments, the execution order of the above-mentioned step S703 and step S704 can be swapped, or they can be executed simultaneously by different components.

[0122] S705 , the node 13 determines a transmission time slot of the node 13 based on the target time slot allocation template.

[0123] Within the MAC cycle indicated by the template validity period information carried in the resource scheduling information, node 13 determines, based on the target time slot allocation template, a transmission time slot for node 13 to transmit data. The transmission time slot may include a data transmission time slot or a data reception time slot, and the resource scheduling information is the resource scheduling information received in the nth MAC cycle.

[0124] For example, assuming that in the nth MAC cycle, node 13 receives resource scheduling information, which carries template type information and template effective period information, the template type information is the uplink node priority type, and the time slot allocation template corresponding to the uplink node priority type is template 2, that is, the target time slot allocation template is template 2, and the template effective period information is 1, then the resource scheduling information indicates that template 2 is effective in the n+1th MAC cycle.

[0125] In the n+1th MAC cycle, node 13 may use the transmission time slot in the CFTXOP configured for node 13 by template 2 as the transmission time slot of node 13; or, node 13 may use the CFTS configured for node 13 by template 2 in the STXOP as the transmission time slot of node 13; or, when there is data to be transmitted, node 13 may also use the CBTS in the STXOP configured by template 2 as the transmission time slot of node 13 by preemption.

[0126] Node 13 transmits or receives data in the transmission time slot corresponding to itself. For example, in the transmission time slot of node 13, node 13 may transmit the resource scheduling information received in the (n+1)th MAC cycle to node 15, node 16, and node 17.

[0127] In related technologies, DM carries the time slot allocation information for each node within a MAP frame and sends it to each node in the power line communication system. Because power lines are not specifically designed for communication, the various electrical loads added by users cause real-time changes in load impedance and noise interference. Therefore, the power line channel is susceptible to real-time noise interference. Long MAP frames have poor interference immunity. If a node receives a MAP frame but cannot fully parse it correctly, i.e., experiences a MAP frame decoding anomaly, this will affect data transmission at that node during the next MAC cycle.

[0128] In the embodiment of the present application, the MAP frame carries template identification information, which can significantly shorten the length of the MAP frame, thereby improving the anti-interference performance and robustness of the MAP frame, reducing the occurrence of the phenomenon that data transmission between nodes is affected by abnormal MAP frame decoding, and reducing the performance loss of the communication system.

[0129] In addition, the length of the MAP frame is greatly shortened, and the length of the MAP frame transmission time slot can be shortened from 2.5ms to 0.5ms, reducing the bandwidth waste caused by the MAP frame transmission time slot, improving the utilization of the MAC cycle, and improving the efficiency of power line communication.

[0130] Resource scheduling messages can be carried not only in MAP frames but also in data frames or management frames and sent multiple times to each node. That is, because resource scheduling messages are very short, they can be carried in MAP frames sent between nodes during a MAC cycle, and in data frames or management frames sent between nodes. This increases the number of times resource scheduling messages are sent. If a node does not receive a MAP frame or successfully decodes the resource scheduling message in a MAP frame, it can decode the resource scheduling message in other frames, such as data frames or management frames. This reduces the number of instances where a node fails to receive resource scheduling information or fails to successfully decode the resource scheduling information, further improving the robustness of resource scheduling messages.

[0131] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable not only to PLC networks, but also to other wired communication networks or wireless communication networks.

[0132] Based on the same inventive concept as the above-mentioned embodiment, the present embodiment provides a communication method. This method can be performed by a first node. The first node can be any node in the communication system except the DM. For example, the first node can be any node from node 1 to node N in FIG. 1 , or any node except node 10 in FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 9 , the method can include the following steps:

[0133] S901: Receive a resource scheduling message sent by a second node.

[0134] The second node is the parent node of the first node. For example, if the first node is node 2 in Figure 1, the second node can be node 0 in Figure 1. If the first node is node 18 in Figure 2, the second node can be node 16 in Figure 1.

[0135] The resource scheduling message may be time slot indication information based on a TDMA system, or time-frequency resource block allocation indication information based on an OFDMA system. The resource scheduling message includes template identification information, which is template type information or template number.

[0136] In some embodiments, the resource scheduling message may be carried in a MAP frame, and the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field in the MAP frame.

[0137] In other embodiments, the resource scheduling message is carried in a data frame, and the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field of the data frame.

[0138] In some other embodiments, the resource scheduling message is carried in a management frame, and the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field of the management frame.

[0139] S902: Determine a target time slot allocation template from at least one time slot allocation template based on the template identification information in the resource scheduling message.

[0140] The at least one time slot allocation template is stored in the first node, and each time slot allocation template includes indication information for allocating time slots to multiple nodes in the communication system. Optionally, the at least one time slot allocation template may be received by the first node from allocation template information sent by any node in the communication system, and the at least one time slot allocation template carried in the allocation template information is obtained and stored.

[0141] Exemplarily, the allocation template information may be carried in a MAP frame, and the MAP frame may include template location information, where the template location information is used to indicate the location of each time slot allocation template in the allocation template information.

[0142] S903: Determine a transmission time slot of the first node based on the target time slot allocation template.

[0143] During the effective MAC period corresponding to the target timeslot allocation template, the first node may determine a transmission timeslot of the first node based on the target timeslot allocation template, wherein the transmission timeslot may include a data transmission timeslot or a data reception timeslot.

[0144] Exemplarily, the first node may use the transmission time slot in the CFTXOP configured for the first node by the target time slot allocation template as the transmission time slot of the first node; or, the first node may use the CFTS configured for the first node by the target time slot allocation template in the STXOP as the transmission time slot of the first node; or, when there is data to be transmitted, the first node may also use the CBTS in the STXOP configured by the target time slot allocation template as the transmission time slot of the first node by preemption.

[0145] If the first node is a relay node, the first node may also send the resource scheduling message to a third node within the transmission time slot of the first node. The third node is a subordinate node of the first node.

[0146] Based on the same inventive concept as the above embodiment, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication method, which can be performed by a domain master node in a communication system. For example, the method can be performed by node 0 in Figure 1, or the method can be performed by node 10 in Figure 2. The communication method may include: sending a resource scheduling message to multiple nodes in the communication system, where the resource scheduling message includes template identification information, and the template identification information is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to the multiple nodes.

[0147] In some embodiments, the communication method may further include sending allocation template information to multiple nodes. As shown in FIG10 , the method may specifically include the following steps:

[0148] S1001: Send allocation template information to multiple nodes in a communication system.

[0149] The allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template, so that each node saves the at least one time slot allocation template carried in the allocation template information.

[0150] S1002: Send resource scheduling messages to multiple nodes.

[0151] In different MAC cycles, the domain master node can send different resource scheduling messages to each node. The resource scheduling message includes template identification information, which is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to multiple nodes.

[0152] In other embodiments, the time slot allocation template stored in each node may be issued by other nodes instead of the domain master node, or obtained from a mobile hard disk or other storage media via a data cable.

[0153] Since the resource scheduling message contains template identification information but does not need to include the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node, the byte length occupied by the template identification information is much smaller than the byte length occupied by the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node. Therefore, the length of the resource scheduling message is shortened. Even if the number of nodes in the PLC network increases, the length of the resource scheduling message will not increase, thereby reducing the communication resources occupied by transmitting the resource scheduling message, allowing more communication resources to be used for data transmission between nodes, and improving the effective utilization of communication resources.

[0154] Based on the same inventive concept as the above embodiment, this embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device that can be applied to a first node, which can be any node in a communication system other than a DM. The communication device can be used to implement the functions of the above method embodiment, thereby achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment.

[0155] The communication device may include a receiving unit and a determining unit. The communication device is used to implement the functions of the method embodiment shown in Figure 9 above. When the communication device is used to implement the functions of the method embodiment shown in Figure 9: the receiving unit can be used to execute S901, and the determining unit can be used to execute S902 and S903. For example: the receiving unit is used to receive a resource scheduling message sent by the second node; the second node is the superior node of the first node; the resource scheduling message contains template identification information. The determining unit is used to determine the target time slot allocation template from at least one time slot allocation template based on the template identification information, and determine the transmission time slot of the first node based on the target time slot allocation template; wherein the time slot allocation template includes indication information for allocating time slots to multiple nodes in the communication system, and the transmission time slot includes a data transmission time slot or a data reception time slot.

[0156] In a possible implementation manner, the template identification information is template type information or template number.

[0157] In a possible implementation manner, the resource scheduling message is time slot indication information based on a TDMA system, or time-frequency resource block allocation indication information based on an OFDMA system.

[0158] In a possible implementation, the resource scheduling message is carried in a media access planning MAP frame; the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field in the MAP frame; or,

[0159] The resource scheduling message is carried in a data frame, and the template identification information is included in the physical frame header, additional physical frame header field or physical frame payload field of the data frame; or,

[0160] The resource scheduling message is carried in the management frame, and the template identification information is included in the physical frame header, additional physical frame header field or physical frame payload field of the management frame.

[0161] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit is further configured to receive allocation template information sent by any node in the communication system; the allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template, and save the at least one time slot allocation template in the memory.

[0162] In a possible implementation, the allocation template information is carried in a MAP frame; the MAP frame includes template location information, and the template location information is used to indicate the location of each time slot allocation template in the allocation template information.

[0163] In a possible implementation, if the first node is a relay node, the determination unit may also be configured to: send the resource scheduling message to a third node during a time slot used by the first node for transmitting data; the third node is a subordinate node of the first node.

[0164] Based on the same inventive concept as the above embodiment, the present embodiment further provides a communication device that can be applied to a domain master node of a communication system. The communication device can be used to implement the functions of the above method embodiment, thereby achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment.

[0165] The communication device may include a sending unit, configured to send a resource scheduling message to multiple nodes in a communication system; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information; the template identification information is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to the multiple nodes.

[0166] In a possible implementation, the sending unit may also be configured to send a resource scheduling message to multiple nodes in the communication system; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information; the template identification information is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to the multiple nodes.

[0167] Based on the same inventive concept as the above embodiment, this embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which can be any node in a communication system, or can be applied to any node in a communication system. The communication device can be used to implement the functions of the above method embodiment, thereby achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment.

[0168] FIG11 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device. Referring to FIG11 , the communication device 1100 may include a processor 1101 and a transceiver 1102 connected to the processor 1101 .

[0169] Optionally, the processor 1101 and the transceiver 1102 may be connected to each other via a bus. The processor 1101 may be a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor, or other conventional processor. The bus may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. Buses may be classified into address buses, data buses, control buses, and the like.

[0170] In one embodiment, the communication device shown in FIG11 may be the first node described above, or may be applied to the first node described above. A transceiver 1102 is configured to receive, under the control of a processor 1101, a resource scheduling message sent by a second node; the second node is a superior node of the first node; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information; the processor 1101 is configured to determine, based on the template identification information, a target timeslot allocation template from at least one timeslot allocation template; the timeslot allocation template includes indication information for allocating timeslots to multiple nodes in the communication system; and, based on the target timeslot allocation template, determine a transmission timeslot for the first node; the transmission timeslot includes a data transmission timeslot or a data reception timeslot.

[0171] In a possible implementation, the template identification information is template type information or template number.

[0172] In a possible implementation, the resource scheduling message is time slot indication information based on a time division multiple access (TDMA) system, or time-frequency resource block allocation indication information based on an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system.

[0173] In a possible implementation, the resource scheduling message is carried in a media access planning MAP frame; the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field in the MAP frame; or,

[0174] The resource scheduling message is carried in a data frame, and the template identification information is included in the physical frame header, additional physical frame header field or physical frame payload field of the data frame; or,

[0175] The resource scheduling message is carried in the management frame, and the template identification information is included in the physical frame header, additional physical frame header field or physical frame payload field of the management frame.

[0176] If the first node is a relay node, the transceiver 1102 may also be configured to: under the control of the processor 1101 , send the resource scheduling message to a third node in a time slot used by the first node for transmitting data; the third node being a subordinate node of the first node.

[0177] In another embodiment, the communication device shown in FIG11 may be the aforementioned domain master node, or may be applied to the aforementioned domain master node. Transceiver 1102 is configured to, under the control of processor 1101, send a resource scheduling message to multiple nodes in the communication system; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information; the template identification information is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to the multiple nodes.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the transceiver 1102 can also be used to send allocation template information to multiple nodes in the communication system under the control of the processor 1101; the allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template, so that each node saves at least one time slot allocation template carried in the allocation template information, so as to search for the target time slot allocation template according to the template identification information carried in the received resource scheduling message.

[0179] In some embodiments, the communication device may further include a memory. Referring to Figure 12, the communication device 1200 may include a processor 1201, a memory 1202, and a transceiver 1203. The processor 1201, the memory 1202, and the transceiver 1203 are interconnected.

[0180] Optionally, the processor 1201, the memory 1202, and the transceiver 1203 are interconnected via a bus, which may be a PCI bus or an EISA bus. Buses can be classified into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, FIG12 shows only one thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0181] It is understood that the memory 1202 is used to store program instructions and data. Specifically, the program instructions may include program code, which includes computer operating instructions. The memory 1202 may include random access memory (RAM) and may also include non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as at least one disk storage device.

[0182] In one embodiment, the communication device shown in Figure 12 may be the first node described above, or may be applied to the first node described above. The memory 1202 is used to store program code, and the processor 1201 may implement the steps of the communication method shown in Figure 9 according to the program code obtained from the memory 1202.

[0183] Transceiver 1203 can receive and transmit data under the control of processor 1201. In addition to receiving resource scheduling messages sent by the second node, transceiver 1203 can also be configured to, under the control of processor 1201, receive allocation template information sent by any node in the communication system; the allocation template information carries at least one timeslot allocation template. Memory 1202 can also be configured to store at least one timeslot allocation template.

[0184] In another embodiment, the communication device shown in FIG12 may be the aforementioned domain master node, or may be applied to the aforementioned domain master node. The memory 1202 is used to store program code, and the processor 1201 may implement the steps of the communication method shown in FIG10 according to the program code obtained from the memory 1202.

[0185] Based on the same inventive concept as the above-mentioned embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which may include a domain master node and multiple other nodes, which may include relay nodes and ordinary nodes, and each node is a communication device or communication apparatus in the communication system. The communication system shown in Figure 1 may include a domain master node and multiple ordinary nodes. The communication system shown in Figure 2 may include a domain master node, multiple relay nodes and multiple ordinary nodes. It can also be understood that the communication system includes multiple communication devices shown in Figure 11 or Figure 12, and the communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned method embodiments, thereby achieving the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0186] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the communication methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0187] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes any one of the communication methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0188] The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0189] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to implement any one of the communication methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0190] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions involved in any node in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing the necessary programs and data for the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0191] In summary, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus that carry template identification information in a resource scheduling message. The template identification information is used to indicate the target time slot allocation template to be used. Because the byte length occupied by the template identification information is much smaller than the byte length occupied by the time slot allocation information corresponding to each node, the length of the resource scheduling message can be significantly shortened. Even if the number of nodes in the communication network increases, the length of the resource scheduling message does not increase. This reduces the communication resources required to transmit the resource scheduling message, allowing more communication resources to be used for data transmission between nodes, thereby improving the effective utilization of communication resources.

[0192] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0193] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0194] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0195] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0196] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of protection of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first node in a communication system, the method comprises: receiving a resource scheduling message sent by a second node; the second node being an upper-level node of the first node; the resource scheduling message including template identification information; Determining a target time slot allocation template from at least one time slot allocation template based on the template identification information; the time slot allocation template includes indication information for allocating time slots to a plurality of nodes in the communication system; Based on the target time slot allocation template, a transmission time slot of the first node is determined; the transmission time slot includes a data transmission time slot or a data reception time slot.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The template identification information is the template type information or the template number.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The resource scheduling message is time slot indication information based on a time division multiple access (TDMA) system, or time-frequency resource block allocation indication information based on an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The resource scheduling message is carried in a media access planning MAP frame; the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field or a physical frame payload field in the MAP frame.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The resource scheduling message is carried in a data frame; the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field or a physical frame payload field of the data frame.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The resource scheduling message is carried in a management frame; and the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field of the management frame.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Before receiving the resource scheduling message including the time slot allocation template information sent by the second node, the method further includes: receiving allocation template information sent by any node in the communication system; the allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template; The at least one time slot allocation template is saved.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The allocation template information is carried in a MAP frame; the MAP frame includes template position information, and the template position information is used to indicate the position of each time slot allocation template in the allocation template information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The first node is a relay node, and the method further includes: The resource scheduling message is sent to a third node in a transmission time slot of the first node; the third node is a subordinate node of the first node.

10. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a domain master node in a communication system, the method includes: A resource scheduling message is sent to multiple nodes in the communication system; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information; the template identification information is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to the multiple nodes.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Before sending the resource scheduling message to the multiple nodes in the communication system, the method further includes: Allocation template information is sent to the multiple nodes; the allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template.

12. A communication device, characterized in that: Applied to a first node in a communication system, the communication device includes a transceiver and a processor; The transceiver is configured to: receive a resource scheduling message sent by the second node under the control of the processor; The second node is an upper-level node of the first node; the resource scheduling message includes template identification information; The processor is configured to: determine a target time slot allocation template from at least one time slot allocation template based on the template identification information; The time slot allocation template includes indication information for allocating time slots to a plurality of nodes in the communication system; Based on the target time slot allocation template, a transmission time slot of the first node is determined; the transmission time slot includes a data transmission time slot or a data reception time slot.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that The template identification information is the template type information or the template number.

14. The device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The resource scheduling message is time slot indication information based on a time division multiple access (TDMA) system, or time-frequency resource block allocation indication information based on an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system.

15. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that: The resource scheduling message is carried in a media access planning MAP frame; the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field in the MAP frame; or, The resource scheduling message is carried in a data frame, and the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field of the data frame; or, The resource scheduling message is carried in a management frame, and the template identification information is included in a physical frame header, an additional physical frame header field, or a physical frame payload field of the management frame.

16. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that: The communication device further includes a memory; and the transceiver is further configured to: Before receiving the resource scheduling message containing the time slot allocation template information sent by the second node, receiving allocation template information sent by any node in the communication system under the control of the processor; The allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template; The memory is configured to: under the control of the processor, store the at least one time slot allocation template.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that The allocation template information is carried in a MAP frame; the MAP frame includes template position information, and the template position information is used to indicate the position of each time slot allocation template in the allocation template information.

18. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that The first node is a relay node, and the transceiver is further used to: under the control of the processor, send the resource scheduling message to a third node in the transmission time slot of the first node; the third node is a subordinate node of the first node.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: include: transceiver and processor; The transceiver is configured to: send a resource scheduling message to a plurality of nodes in the communication system under the control of the processor; The resource scheduling message includes template identification information; the template identification information is used to indicate a time slot allocation template for allocating time slots to the multiple nodes.

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The transceiver is further configured to: before sending resource scheduling messages to multiple nodes in the communication system, under the control of the processor, send allocation template information to the multiple nodes; the allocation template information carries at least one time slot allocation template.

21. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A plurality of communication devices according to any one of claims 12 to 18; as well as The communication device according to any one of claims 19 to 20.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that Computer-executable instructions are stored, and the computer-executable instructions are used to enable a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or to execute the method according to any one of claims 10 to 11.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions are used to enable a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or to execute the method according to any one of claims 10 to 11.

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