Forwarding method and device for transponder access link

Abstract

The invention discloses a forwarding method and device of a repeater access link. The method comprises the following steps: a receiving unit of a repeater receives a beam identifier of an access link from network equipment; and a forwarding unit of the transponder performs forwarding by using the wave beam corresponding to the received wave beam identifier.

Description

Forwarding method and device for forwarder access link Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications. Background Art

[0002] Compared to traditional 2G (second-generation mobile communication technology), 3G (third-generation mobile communication technology), and 4G (fourth-generation mobile communication technology) systems, 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication technology) systems offer greater bandwidth and higher data rates, and can support a wider range of terminal types and vertical services. To this end, 5G systems support a significantly larger frequency band range / operating bandwidth than 2G, 3G, and 4G systems, and they support higher carrier frequencies. For example, 5G systems can be deployed in the millimeter wave band.

[0003] However, the higher the carrier frequency, the more severe the signal fading during transmission. Therefore, in the actual deployment of 5G systems, especially in the millimeter wave band, how to better enhance cell coverage has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0004] It should be noted that the above technical background is merely provided to provide a clear and complete description of the technical solutions of this application and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Simply because these solutions are described in the background technology section of this application, it should not be assumed that the above technical solutions are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] To better address coverage issues in practical deployments of cellular mobile communication systems, RF repeaters are commonly used to amplify and forward signals between devices. RF repeaters are widely used in the deployment of 2G, 3G, and 4G systems. Their advantages include low cost, ease of deployment, and minimal latency. Generally speaking, a traditional RF repeater is a device that amplifies and forwards signals between devices in the RF domain. In other words, a traditional RF repeater is a non-regenerative relay node that simply amplifies and forwards all received signals.

[0007] The RF repeater proposed in the Rel-17 3GPP research project can forward transmissions between base stations and terminals, thereby enhancing 5G system coverage. However, the RF repeater is transparent to the base station and terminals and is not controlled by the base station. Therefore, the RF repeater in Rel-17 causes interference to other devices and cannot control its energy consumption, requiring it to be in a constant monitoring and forwarding state.

[0008] In Rel-18 research, a network-controlled repeater (NCR) was proposed that can receive network-side control information. The NCR consists of the NCR-MT (also known as the communication unit) and the NCR-Fwd (also known as the forwarding unit). The NCR-MT can communicate with the base station and control the forwarding of the NCR-Fwd based on the control information sent by the base station. The NCR-Fwd is the component of the NCR that enables forwarding between the base station and the terminal. It includes the backhaul link (BH-link) connecting the NCR to the base station and the access link (AC-link) on the terminal side.

[0009] To enable NCR to better enhance coverage, more accurately forward communications between the base station and terminals, and reduce interference to other surrounding devices, the base station controls and instructs the NCR-Fwd on the backhaul link beam and access link beam. Currently, only the beam index can be used for access link beam management.

[0010] The inventors found that in the prior art, there is no specific solution for how to determine the beam identifier and how to use the beam identifier to perform beam management of the access link. That is, there is a lack of an effective beam management mechanism for the access link, which makes it impossible to determine the beam of the NCR's access link, and thus it is impossible to effectively utilize the beam identifier and complete the forwarding between the terminal and the base station.

[0011] In order to solve one or more of the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a forwarding method and apparatus for a forwarder access link. That is, for one or more of the above problems, the embodiments of the present application propose corresponding solutions.

[0012] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a forwarding device for a forwarder access link is provided, wherein the device is arranged in the forwarder, and the device includes: a first receiving unit, which receives a beam identifier of an access link from a network device; and a forwarding unit, which uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier for forwarding.

[0013] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a device for indicating the beam identification of a repeater access link is provided. The device is arranged in a network device, and the device includes: a first indication unit, which indicates the beam identification of the access link to the repeater.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a repeater is provided, comprising the device according to the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a network device is provided, comprising the apparatus according to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a communication system is provided, which includes the repeater according to the third aspect of the embodiment of the present application and / or the network device according to the fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present application, and a terminal device.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a forwarding method for a forwarder access link is provided, the method comprising: a receiving unit of the forwarder receives a beam identifier of an access link from a network device; and a forwarding unit of the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier for forwarding.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a method for indicating a beam identifier of an access link of a repeater is provided, the method comprising: a network device indicating the beam identifier of the access link to the repeater.

[0019] According to the eighth aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable program is provided, wherein when the program is executed in a forwarding device or a forwarder of a forwarder access link, the program causes the forwarding device or the forwarder of the forwarder access link to execute the forwarding method of the forwarder access link described in the sixth aspect of the embodiment of the present application.

[0020] According to the ninth aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program is provided, wherein the computer-readable program enables the forwarding device or forwarder of the forwarder access link to execute the forwarding method of the forwarder access link described in the sixth aspect of the embodiment of the present application.

[0021] According to the tenth aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable program is provided, wherein when the program is executed in a forwarding device or a network device of a forwarder access link, the program enables the forwarding device or the network device of the forwarder access link to execute the method for indicating the beam identification of the forwarder access link described in the seventh aspect of the embodiment of the present application.

[0022] According to the eleventh aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program is provided, wherein the computer-readable program enables the forwarding device or network equipment of the forwarder access link to execute the method for indicating the beam identification of the forwarder access link described in the seventh aspect of the embodiment of the present application.

[0023] One of the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application is:

[0024] The forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link received from the network device to forward on the access link, so that the network device can schedule the access link beam used by the forwarder for forwarding, and the forwarder can determine the access link beam to be forwarded. Therefore, the beam identifier can be effectively utilized and the forwarding between the terminal and the network device can be completed.

[0025] With reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, specific embodiments of the present application are disclosed in detail, indicating the manner in which the principles of the present application can be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited in scope. Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the embodiments of the present application include many variations, modifications and equivalents.

[0026] Features described and / or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for features in other embodiments.

[0027] It should be emphasized that the term “include / comprising” when used herein refers to the presence of features, integers, steps or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The included drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present application, which constitute a part of the specification, are used to illustrate the implementation methods of the present application, and together with the text description, explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without inventive work. In the drawings:

[0029] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG2 is a logical diagram of a repeater according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a forwarding method for a forwarder access link according to Example 1 of the present application;

[0032] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a beam marker according to Example 1 of the present application;

[0033] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between beams in Example 1 of the present application;

[0034] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to Example 1 of the present application;

[0035] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a method for indicating a beam identifier of a transponder access link according to Example 2 of the present application;

[0036] FIG8 is an interactive diagram of a forwarding method for implementing a forwarder access link according to Example 2 of the present application;

[0037] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a forwarding device of a forwarder access link according to Example 3 of the present application;

[0038] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a device for indicating a beam identifier of a transponder access link according to Example 4 of the present application;

[0039] 11 is another schematic diagram of an indication device for a beam identifier of a transponder access link according to Example 4 of the present application;

[0040] FIG12 is another schematic diagram of an indication device for a beam identifier of a transponder access link according to Example 4 of the present application;

[0041] FIG13 is a schematic block diagram of a system structure of a repeater according to Embodiment 5 of the present application;

[0042] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of the system structure of the network device of Example 6 of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The above and other features of the present application will become apparent through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description and the accompanying drawings, specific embodiments of the present application are disclosed in detail, which illustrate some embodiments in which the principles of the present application can be adopted. It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the described embodiments. On the contrary, the present application includes all modifications, variations and equivalents that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0044] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish different elements from the name, but do not indicate the spatial arrangement or temporal order of these elements, and these elements should not be limited by these terms. The term "and / or" includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. The terms "comprising", "including", "having", etc. refer to the presence of the stated features, elements, components or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components or components.

[0045] In the embodiments of this application, the singular forms "a," "the," etc. may include plural forms and should be broadly understood to mean "a" or "a type" rather than being limited to "one." Furthermore, the term "said" should be understood to include both singular and plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the term "according to" should be understood to mean "at least in part based on...", and the term "based on" should be understood to mean "at least in part based on...", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0046] In the embodiments of the present application, "plurality" or "multiple" refers to at least two (two or more) or at least two.

[0047] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "communication network" or "wireless communication network" may refer to a network that complies with any of the following communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), enhanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A, LTE-Advanced), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), etc.

[0048] Furthermore, communication between devices in the communication system may be carried out according to communication protocols of any stage, for example, including but not limited to the following communication protocols: 1G (generation), 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, 4G, 4.5G and future 5G, New Radio (NR), etc., and / or other currently known or future communication protocols to be developed.

[0049] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "network device" refers to, for example, a device in a communication system that connects a user equipment to the communication network and provides services to the user equipment. Network devices may include, but are not limited to, the following devices: base station (BS), access point (AP), transmission reception point (TRP), broadcast transmitter, mobile management entity (MME), gateway, server, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), etc.

[0050] Base stations may include, but are not limited to, NodeB (NB), evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), and 5G base stations (gNB), among others. They may also include remote radio heads (RRHs), remote radio units (RRUs), relays, or low-power nodes (e.g., femto, pico, etc.). The term "base station" may include some or all of their functions, and each base station may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area. The term "cell" may refer to a base station and / or its coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0051] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "user equipment" or "terminal equipment" (TE) refers to, for example, a device that accesses a communication network through a network device and receives network services. A user equipment can be fixed or mobile and may also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), a terminal, a subscriber station (SS), an access terminal (AT), a station, and so on.

[0052] Among them, user devices may include but are not limited to the following devices: cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless modems, wireless communication devices, handheld devices, machine-type communication devices, laptop computers, cordless phones, smart phones, smart watches, digital cameras, etc.

[0053] For another example, in scenarios such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the user equipment may also be a machine or device for monitoring or measurement, such as but not limited to: machine type communication (MTC) terminals, vehicle-mounted communication terminals, device-to-device (D2D) terminals, machine-to-machine (M2M) terminals, and the like.

[0054] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "repeater" refers to a relay device, for example, a relay device located in a serving cell corresponding to a network device, which is used to forward transmission signals between the network device and a terminal device. Alternatively, it may be referred to as a repeater or a repeater node.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present application, the forwarding of the repeater includes uplink forwarding and / or downlink forwarding, wherein the uplink forwarding includes forwarding the channel and / or signal transmitted by the terminal device to the network device; the downlink forwarding includes forwarding the channel and / or signal transmitted by the network device to the terminal device.

[0056] In an embodiment of the present application, the repeater has a communication function, that is, the repeater can receive information (including channels and / or signals) from the network device, that is, downlink transmission, and / or send information (including channels and / or signals) to the network device, that is, uplink transmission.

[0057] The receiving of information (downlink transmission) includes at least one of the following processes: sequence detection, demodulation, descrambling, decoding, and information interpretation; the sending of information (uplink transmission) includes at least one of the following processes: information generation, sequence generation, scrambling, encoding, modulation, and mapping to time-frequency resources. The process of forwarding information (uplink forwarding and / or downlink forwarding) does not include at least one of the aforementioned processes involved in receiving information (downlink transmission) and / or sending information (uplink transmission).

[0058] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication between the forwarder and the network device is also referred to as transmission of the forwarder.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present application, the repeater may be referred to as a network-controlled repeater (NCR). However, it may also be referred to by other names, and the various names of the repeater are not limitations of the embodiment of the present application.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present application, the forwarder may include a communication unit (NCR-MT, also referred to as an MT unit) and a forwarding unit (NCR-Fwd, also referred to as an RU module), the communication unit being used to support the communication function between the forwarder and the network device (such as the above-mentioned receiving and / or sending information), and the communication unit for example including a receiving unit and a sending unit; the forwarding unit being used to support the forwarding function of the forwarder.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present application, the link between the network device and the communication module is a communication link or a control link. Through this communication link or control link, the communication unit or receiving unit of the repeater can receive information from the network device. This communication link or control link can be based on an existing Uu interface. In addition, the communication unit or receiving unit of the repeater can apply the information received from the network device to the repeater unit through the internal operation of the repeater.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present application, a beam may also be expressed as a beam, a reference signal (RS), a transmission configuration indication (TCI) or a spatial domain filter, or may be expressed as a beam index, a lobe index, a reference signal index, a transmission configuration indication index or a spatial domain filter index, etc.; the above-mentioned reference signals are, for example, CSI-RS, SRS, RS for use by a repeater, RS sent by a repeater, etc.; the above-mentioned TCI may also be expressed as a TCI state.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present application, the uplink beam and the downlink beam are beam-corresponding, that is, the uplink beam and the downlink beam are shared.

[0064] The following describes the scenarios and existing problems of the embodiments of the present application through examples, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0065] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 may include a network device 101 , a terminal device 102 , and a repeater 103 .

[0066] In the embodiment of the present application, existing services or future services can be carried out between the network device 101 and the terminal device 102. For example, these services include but are not limited to: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), etc.

[0067] As shown in Figure 1, the repeater 103 receives a first RF signal from the network device 101, amplifies the first RF signal to obtain a first forwarding signal, and sends it to the terminal device 102, and / or, the repeater 103 receives a second RF signal from the terminal device 102, amplifies the second RF signal to obtain a second forwarding signal, and sends it to the network device 101.

[0068] In addition, as shown in FIG1 , the forwarder 103 and the network device 101 may also communicate via a communication link (Down C-link, Down Comunication-link) and / or an up communication link (Up C-link, Up Comunication-link).

[0069] Figure 2 is a logical diagram of a forwarder according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the forwarder 103 includes an NCR-MT (also known as a communication unit) and an NCR-Fwd (also known as a forwarding unit). The NCR-MT is capable of communicating with the network device 101 and controlling the forwarding of the NCR-Fwd based on control information sent by the network device 101. For example, the NCR-MT includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The receiving unit receives control information from the network device 101, and the sending unit sends relevant information to the network device 101. The NCR-Fwd is the part that implements forwarding between the network device 101 and the terminal device 102, and includes a backhaul link (BH-link) connecting the forwarder 103 to the network device 101 and an access link (AC-link) connecting the forwarder 103 to the terminal device 102.

[0070] The following describes various implementations of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These implementations are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0071] Example 1

[0072] An embodiment of the present application provides a forwarding method for a forwarder access link, which is applied to a forwarder, for example, the forwarder 103 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 .

[0073] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a forwarding method for a forwarder access link according to Example 1 of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the method includes:

[0074] Step 301: The receiving unit of the forwarder receives a beam identifier of an access link from a network device; and

[0075] Step 302: The forwarding unit of the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier to forward.

[0076] In this way, the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link received from the network device to forward on the access link, so that the network device can schedule the access link beam used by the forwarder for forwarding, and the forwarder can determine the access link beam for forwarding. Therefore, the beam identifier can be effectively utilized and the forwarding between the terminal and the network device can be completed.

[0077] In some embodiments, the repeater is a network controlled repeater, or NCR.

[0078] In some embodiments, the receiving unit of the forwarder is an NCR-MT or a part of the NCR-MT; the forwarding unit of the forwarder is an NCR-Fwd. For example, see the relevant structure in FIG2 .

[0079] In some embodiments, a beam index is used to number (also referred to as a number) the beam of the access link (AC-link) to obtain a beam index, and the network device indicates the beam index forwarded by the forwarder.

[0080] In addition, the beam identifier can also be expressed as a beam index, beam number, or beam label, etc.

[0081] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of beam identification in Example 1 of the present application. As shown in Figure 4 , the beams of the access link of the forwarder are numbered, where the beam identifications include Beam #1, Beam #2, and Beam #3. Beam identifications can also be represented in other forms, and this embodiment of the present application does not limit the representation of beam identifications.

[0082] In some embodiments, the beam identifier received by the repeater is indicated by at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE, and physical layer signaling.

[0083] The physical layer signaling is, for example, DCI, or may be other physical layer signaling.

[0084] In this way, the beam identification of the access link is indicated by physical layer signaling, which reduces the signaling overhead and transmission delay of the beam identification indication, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the system.

[0085] In some embodiments, the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device, that is, the network device determines the beam identifier of the access link and indicates at least one of the determined beam identifiers to the forwarder.

[0086] For example, the beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device is beam #1, beam #2, beam #3, ..., when the forwarder needs to forward on the access link, the beam identifier indicated by the network device to the forwarder (that is, the beam identifier received by the forwarder) is at least one of beam #1, beam #2, beam #3, ... configured by the network device, and the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier to forward on the access link; wherein, the correspondence between the beam identifier configured by the network device and the beam is determined by the forwarder implementation.

[0087] In some embodiments, alternatively, the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, that is, the beam identifier of the access link is determined and reported by the forwarder, and the network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers reported by the forwarder.

[0088] For example, the forwarder reports the beam identifiers beam #1, beam #2, beam #3, ... to the network device. When the forwarder needs to forward on the access link, the beam identifier indicated by the network device to the forwarder (that is, the beam identifier received by the forwarder) is at least one of beam #1, beam #2, beam #3, ... reported by the forwarder. The forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier to forward on the access link; wherein, the correspondence between the beam identifier indicated by the network device and the beam is determined by the forwarder implementation.

[0089] In a case where the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers configured by the network device for accessing the link, for example, the beam identifier is configured by the network device according to information reported by the forwarder.

[0090] In some embodiments, the information reported by the forwarder includes at least one of: information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on different beams of the access link is supported.

[0091] In some embodiments, the information on the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following: the total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

[0092] In some embodiments, different types of beams are beams in different directions, or beams of different widths, or beams of different accuracies.

[0093] In addition, the relationship between the beams and the direction and width of the beams will be explained in detail below.

[0094] In some embodiments, whether simultaneous forwarding on different beams of the access link is supported includes: the number of beams that support simultaneous forwarding; whether the precision of the beams that support simultaneous forwarding is the same or different; and at least one of the relationships between the beams that support simultaneous forwarding.

[0095] In the case where the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers configured for the access link by the network device, in the above example, the network device configures the beam identifier for the access link based on the information reported by the forwarder. For another example, the beam identifier for the access link is configured by the network device, that is, the network device independently determines the beam identifier for the access link without requiring information reported by the forwarder.

[0096] If the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers for configuring an access link by the network device, the method may further include: the forwarder receiving, from the network device, relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifier. In other words, the network device further indicates to the forwarder the relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifiers of the access link.

[0097] For the case where the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, the method may further include: the forwarder reporting, to the network device, relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifier.

[0098] In some embodiments, the network device indicates according to the beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder, that is, the network device does not need to process the beam identifier of the access link.

[0099] Alternatively, the network device processes the beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder and then re-indicates the beam identifier to the forwarder. For example, the network device re-numbers the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder based on a reference value, for example, starting with beam #4 reported by the forwarder, and numbers them 0, 1, 2, and 3.

[0100] Next, the relationship between beams will be described in detail.

[0101] In some embodiments, the relationship between beams may also be referred to as a QCL (Quasi-Colocation) relationship between beams or a spatial relation between beams.

[0102] In some embodiments, the relationship between the beams is the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

[0103] For example, the relationship between the beams at least includes: beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in different directions, or beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in the same direction but with different widths.

[0104] In some embodiments, the width of the beam may also be expressed as the accuracy (fineness) of the beam or the type of the beam.

[0105] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between beams in Example 1 of the present application. As shown in Figure 5 , beam identifiers indicate that the beam corresponding to beam #1 is oriented in the same direction as beams #4, #5, and #6, respectively. Beam #2 is oriented in the same direction as beams #7, #8, and #9, respectively. Beam #3 is oriented in the same direction as beams #10, #11, and #12, respectively.

[0106] In addition, the beams corresponding to beam #1, beam #2, and beam #3 are beams in different directions; beam #4, beam #5, and beam #6 are beams in different directions; beam #7, beam #8, and beam #9 are beams in different directions; and beam #10, beam #11, and beam #12 are beams in different directions.

[0107] In some embodiments, the relationship between beams may include type 1 and type 2, where type 1 means that the two beams are in different directions, for example, the beam corresponding to beam #1 in Figure 5 and the beam corresponding to beam #2, the beam corresponding to beam #4 and the beam corresponding to beam #3, the beam corresponding to beam #5 and the beam corresponding to beam #8, and the beam corresponding to beam #11 and the beam corresponding to beam #12; Type 2 means that the two beams are in the same direction but different widths (different accuracy or type), for example, the beam corresponding to beam #1 in Figure 5 and the beam corresponding to beam #4, and the beam corresponding to beam #2 and the beam corresponding to beam #9.

[0108] As described above, in some embodiments, the network device may determine the relationship between beams of the access link, that is, the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers, and indicate it to the forwarder.

[0109] For example, the network device uses one bit to indicate whether the relationship between beams #1 and #2 is type 1 or type 2. For example, if the bit indicates "0", it means that the relationship between beams #1 and #2 is type 1; if the bit indicates "1", it means that the relationship between beams #1 and #2 is type 2.

[0110] For another example, the network device indicates that the beams corresponding to the beam identifiers in the same set are beams of different widths (different precisions or types) in the same direction. For example, set 1 is {beam #1, beam #4, beam #5, beam #6}, and set 2 is {beam #2, beam #7, beam #8};

[0111] For another example, the network device indicates beams in a set with the same width (or accuracy or type), for example, set 1 is {beam #1, beam #2, beam #3}, and set 2 is {beam #5, beam #6, beam #7}.

[0112] As described above, in some embodiments, the forwarder may determine the relationship between beams of the access link, that is, the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers, and report it to the network device.

[0113] For example, the transponder uses one bit to report whether the relationship between the beam corresponding to beam #1 and the beam corresponding to beam #2 is type 1 or type 2. For example, if the bit indicates "0", it means that the beam corresponding to beam #1 and the beam corresponding to beam #2 are of type 1; if the bit indicates "1", it means that the beam corresponding to beam #1 and the beam corresponding to beam #2 are of type 2.

[0114] For another example, the transponder reports the beam identifier. The beam identifiers in the same set correspond to beams of different widths (different precisions or types) in the same direction. For example, set 1 is {beam #1, beam #4, beam #5, beam #6}, and set 2 is {beam #2, beam #7, beam #8}.

[0115] For another example, the forwarder reports beams with the same width (or accuracy or type) in a set, such as set 1 is {beam #1, beam #2, beam #3}, and set 2 is {beam #5, beam #6, beam #7}.

[0116] In some embodiments, the forwarder may support one of the reporting methods in the above examples, or the forwarder may support multiple reporting methods in the above examples simultaneously.

[0117] In addition, in some embodiments, the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers may be specified by default.

[0118] For example, it is specified whether the beam relationship corresponding to the beam identifier is type 1 or type 2;

[0119] For another example, it is specified that the beams corresponding to certain beam identifiers are beams of different widths (different precisions or types) in the same direction;

[0120] For another example, it is stipulated that the beams corresponding to certain beam identifiers are beams of the same width (same accuracy or type) but in different directions.

[0121] As described above, the beam identifier of the access link received by the forwarder is configured by the network device or reported by the forwarder.

[0122] Additionally, in some embodiments, beam information of an access link of a repeater is specified by default.

[0123] For example, the default provision is that the maximum number of access link beams supported by the forwarder is M, such as 8 or 4;

[0124] For another example, it is stipulated by default that the forwarder supports forwarding on M' access link beams simultaneously;

[0125] For another example, the relationship between the access link beams of the repeater is specified by default.

[0126] In some embodiments, the beam identifier received by the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier by a first number of bits.

[0127] For example, the first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or the first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or the first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers received by the forwarder. For example, the beam identifier is indicated by log2M bits corresponding to the identification number, where M is the first number.

[0128] In some embodiments, alternatively, the beam identifier received by the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier in the form of a bitmap.

[0129] For example, the number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or the number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or the number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the forwarder.

[0130] In some embodiments, the network device may indicate the beam identification in a variety of ways.

[0131] For example, method 1: the beam identifier received by the forwarder (i.e., the beam identifier indicated by the network device) is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, or the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device.

[0132] That is to say, the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one (all or part) of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, or the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one (all or part) of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device.

[0133] For example, mode 2: the network device configures at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder through RRC signaling. That is, for the case where the network device configures the beam identifier of the access link, the RRC signaling configures at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device. For the case where the forwarder reports the beam identifier of the access link, the RRC signaling configures at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0134] Furthermore, a first partial beam identifier is activated through a MAC CE, and a second partial beam identifier is indicated through a field of physical layer signaling, where the first partial beam identifier includes at least one beam identifier among the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling, the second partial beam identifier includes at least one beam identifier among the first partial beam identifiers, and the beam identifier received by the forwarder is the second partial beam identifier. The physical layer signaling is, for example, a DCI.

[0135] The following describes this with a specific example.

[0136] A forwarder is configured with up to 1 beam identifier (M1) via RRC signaling for access link forwarding of transmissions from a terminal device within a designated serving cell. For example, M1 is determined by the forwarder's ability to support the number of access link beams. M1 is a positive integer, such as 128. Each beam identifier corresponds to an access link beam of the forwarder, and the correspondence is determined by the forwarder implementation.

[0137] For example, in order for the forwarder to forward downlink and uplink transmissions between the terminal device and the network device, the forwarder is configured with a list of up to 128 beam identifiers, which are configured in the RRC signaling.

[0138] The forwarder receives an activation instruction in the MAC CE, which is used to map up to M2 beam identifiers, each beam identifier corresponding to the forwarder's access link forwarding uplink or downlink beam, where M2 is a positive integer and M2 is less than or equal to M1.

[0139] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to embodiment 1 of the present application. It should be noted that the MAC CE shown in Figure 6 is only an example, and the MAC CE according to the embodiment of the present application may adopt various other structures.

[0140] For example, if beam identifiers are configured in RRC signaling, field Ti in the MAC CE indicates the activation or deactivation status of beam identifier i (beam #i). Otherwise, field Ti in the MAC CE is ignored. As shown in Figure 6, when field Ti is set to 1, it indicates that beam identifier i (beam #i) is activated and is mapped to the codeword indicating the access link forwarding beam identifier in the DCI. When field Ti is set to 0, it indicates that beam identifier i (beam #i) is deactivated and is not mapped to the codeword indicating the access link forwarding beam identifier in the DCI.

[0141] If the activation instruction is mapped to a codeword in the DCI, the forwarder applies the beam identifier indicated by the DCI codeword to forward the downlink and uplink transmissions between the terminal device and the network device. The codewords mapped to the beam identifiers in the DCI are determined in the order (ascending order) in which Ti is set to 1, that is, the first Ti set to 1 maps the codeword in the DCI to 0, the second Ti set to 1 maps the codeword in the DCI to 1, and so on. The maximum number of activated beam identifiers is M2. The beam identifier codeword mapped in the DCI indicates a maximum of N beam identifiers, and there are N log2M2 codewords indicating the beam identifier field in the DCI, where N is a positive integer and N is less than or equal to M2.

[0142] For example, the maximum number of activated beam identifiers is 8. If the DCI indicates that the beam identifier is invalid, the codeword in the DCI is 0 bits, otherwise it indicates a beam identifier with 3 bits;

[0143] For another example, if the field in the MAC CE activates T4, T20, and T22, then the DCI indicates 0 for beam #4, 1 for beam #20, and 2 for beam #22.

[0144] For another example, the codeword indicating the beam identifier in the DCI indicates 2 beam identifiers, and the codeword in the DCI is 6 bits.

[0145] In some embodiments, the beam identifier received by the forwarder includes a first beam identifier indicated by the network device and configured by the network device or reported by the forwarder, and a second beam identifier configured by the network device through RRC signaling, activated by MAC CE, and indicated by a field in physical layer signaling. In other words, the beam identifier received by the forwarder is the first beam identifier and the second beam identifier indicated by the network device according to the above-mentioned method 1 and method 2.

[0146] In some embodiments, it can be determined based on the type of the forwarded signal whether the network device indicates that the beam for forwarding the signal corresponds to the first beam identifier or the second beam identifier according to the above-mentioned method 1 or method 2.

[0147] For example, the beam that the repeater forwards the broadcast signal corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device according to the above method 1, and the beam that the repeater forwards the terminal-specific signal corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device according to the above method 2.

[0148] In some embodiments, it is also possible to determine whether the network device indicates that the beam receiving the beam configuration corresponds to the first beam identifier or the second beam identifier according to the above-mentioned method 1 or method 2 based on whether the received beam configuration is a semi-static beam configuration or a dynamic beam configuration.

[0149] For example, the beam of the semi-static beam configuration received by the repeater corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device according to the above method 1, and the beam of the dynamic beam configuration received by the repeater corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device according to the above method 2.

[0150] In some embodiments, it is also possible to determine whether the network device indicates the first beam identifier corresponding to the beam in accordance with the above-mentioned method 1 or indicates the second beam identifier corresponding to the beam in accordance with method 2 based on the width, type or accuracy of the beam of the access link.

[0151] For example, the wide beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device in accordance with the above-mentioned method 1, and the narrow beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device in accordance with the above-mentioned method 2; in other words, the low-precision beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device in accordance with the above-mentioned method 1, and the high-precision beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device in accordance with the above-mentioned method 2.

[0152] It can be seen from the above embodiments that the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link received from the network device to forward on the access link, so that the network device can schedule the access link beam used by the forwarder for forwarding, and the forwarder can determine the access link beam to be forwarded. Therefore, the beam identifier can be effectively utilized and the forwarding between the terminal and the network device can be completed.

[0153] Example 2

[0154] Embodiment 2 of the present application also provides a method for indicating a beam identifier for a transponder access link, which is applied to a network device. This method corresponds to the transponder access link forwarding method on the transponder side in Embodiment 1, and the same details will not be repeated. For example, this method is applied to the network device 101 in Figures 1 and 2.

[0155] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a method for indicating a beam identifier of a transponder access link according to Example 2 of the present application. As shown in FIG7 , the method includes:

[0156] Step 701: The network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link to the forwarder.

[0157] In some embodiments, the network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link through at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE, and physical layer signaling.

[0158] In some embodiments, the network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device; or, the network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0159] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the network device receiving information reported by the forwarder; and the network device configuring a beam identifier of the access link according to the information reported by the forwarder.

[0160] In some embodiments, the information reported by the forwarder includes at least one of: information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on different beams of the access link is supported.

[0161] In some embodiments, the information on the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following: the total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

[0162] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the network device configuring a beam identifier of the access link.

[0163] In some embodiments,

[0164] In the case where the network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device, the method further includes: the network device indicating to the forwarder relationship information between beams corresponding to the beam identifiers of the access link;

[0165] For the case where the network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, the method also includes: the network device receives the beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder; and the network device receives relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0166] In some embodiments, the network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder; or, the network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device.

[0167] In some embodiments, the network device configures at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder through RRC signaling; the network device activates a first portion of beam identifiers through a MAC CE; and the network device indicates a second portion of beam identifiers through a field of physical layer signaling, where the first portion of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier of the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling, and the second portion of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier of the first portion of beam identifiers. The beam identifier indicated by the network device to the forwarder is the second portion of beam identifier.

[0168] In some embodiments, the relationship between the beams refers to the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

[0169] In some embodiments, the relationship between the beams includes: the two beams are in different directions, or the two beams are in the same direction but with different widths.

[0170] In some embodiments, the beam identifier indicated by the network device to the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier by a first number of bits, or the beam identifier indicated by the network device to the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier by means of a bitmap.

[0171] In some embodiments, for the case where the beam identifier is indicated by a first number of bits corresponding to the beam identifier, the first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or the first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or the first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers received by the forwarder.

[0172] In some embodiments, for the case where the beam identifier indicates the corresponding beam identifier in the form of a bitmap, the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the forwarder.

[0173] FIG8 is an interactive diagram of a forwarding method for implementing a forwarder access link according to Example 2 of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , the method includes:

[0174] Step 801: The network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link to the forwarder;

[0175] Step 802: The forwarding unit of the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier to forward.

[0176] The specific implementation methods of the above steps in Figures 7 and 8 can refer to the description in Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0177] It can be seen from the above embodiments that the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link received from the network device to forward on the access link, so that the network device can schedule the access link beam used by the forwarder for forwarding, and the forwarder can determine the access link beam to be forwarded. Therefore, the beam identifier can be effectively utilized and the forwarding between the terminal and the network device can be completed.

[0178] Example 3

[0179] Embodiment 3 of the present application provides a forwarding device for a forwarder access link, which is provided in a forwarder. Since the principle of solving the problem of this device is similar to that of the method of Embodiment 1, its specific implementation can refer to the implementation of the method described in Embodiment 1, and the same or related contents will not be repeated here.

[0180] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a forwarding device for a forwarder access link according to Embodiment 3 of the present application. As shown in FIG9 , the forwarding device 900 for a forwarder access link includes:

[0181] A receiving unit 901 receives a beam identifier of an access link from a network device; and

[0182] The forwarding unit 902 forwards using the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier.

[0183] In some embodiments, the receiving unit 901 is an NCR-MT or a part of an NCR-MT; the forwarding unit 902 is an NCR-Fwd.

[0184] In some embodiments, the beam identifier received by the repeater is indicated by at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE, and physical layer signaling.

[0185] In some embodiments, the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device; or, the beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0186] In some embodiments, for the case where the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device, the beam identifier is configured by the network device based on the information reported by the forwarder.

[0187] In some embodiments, the information reported by the forwarder includes at least one of: information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on different beams of the access link is supported.

[0188] In some embodiments, the information on the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following: the total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

[0189] In some embodiments, for the case where the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device, the receiving unit 901 further receives relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifier from the network device.

[0190] In some embodiments, for a case where the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, as shown in FIG9 , the apparatus further includes:

[0191] The sending unit 903 reports the relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifier to the network device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the sending unit 903 is an NCR-MT or a part of an NCR-MT.

[0193] In some embodiments, the network device configures at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder through RRC signaling, activates the first part of the beam identifier through MAC CE, and indicates the second part of the beam identifier through the domain of physical layer signaling. The first part of the beam identifier includes at least one beam identifier among the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling, and the second part of the beam identifier includes at least one beam identifier among the first part of the beam identifier. The beam identifier received by the forwarder is the second part of the beam identifier.

[0194] In some embodiments, the beam identifier received by the forwarder includes a first beam identifier configured by the network device or reported by the forwarder, and a second beam identifier configured by RRC signaling, activated by MAC CE, and indicated by a field of physical layer signaling.

[0195] In some embodiments, the beam through which the repeater forwards the broadcast signal corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device in method 1 in Example 1, the beam through which the repeater forwards the terminal-specific signal corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device in method 2 in Example 1, and / or, the beam through which the repeater receives the semi-static beam configuration corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device in method 1 in Example 1, the beam through which the repeater receives the dynamic beam configuration corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device in method 2 in Example 1, and / or, the wide beam through which the repeater accesses the link corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device in method 1 in Example 1, and the narrow beam through which the repeater accesses the link corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device in method 2 in Example 1.

[0196] In some embodiments, the relationship between the beams is the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

[0197] In some embodiments, the relationship between the beams includes at least that: beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in different directions, or beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in the same direction but with different widths.

[0198] In some embodiments, the beam identifier received by the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier by a first number of bits, or the beam identifier received by the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier by a bitmap.

[0199] In some embodiments, for the case where the beam identifier is indicated by a first number of bits corresponding to the beam identifier, the first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or the first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or the first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers received by the forwarder.

[0200] In some embodiments, for the case where the beam identifier indicates the corresponding beam identifier in the form of a bitmap, the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the forwarder.

[0201] The functions and specific contents of the above-mentioned units can be referred to the description of the relevant steps in Example 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0202] It can be seen from the above embodiments that the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link received from the network device to forward on the access link, so that the network device can schedule the access link beam used by the forwarder for forwarding, and the forwarder can determine the access link beam to be forwarded. Therefore, the beam identifier can be effectively utilized and the forwarding between the terminal and the network device can be completed.

[0203] Example 4

[0204] Example 4 of the present application provides a device for indicating the beam identifier of a transponder access link, which is applied to a network device. Because the principle of solving the problem is similar to that of Example 2, its specific implementation can refer to the implementation of the method described in Example 2, and the same or related content will not be repeated here.

[0205] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a device for indicating a beam identifier of a repeater access link according to Embodiment 4 of the present application. As shown in FIG10 , the device 1000 for indicating a beam identifier of a repeater access link includes:

[0206] The first indicating unit 1001 indicates the beam identifier of the access link to the repeater.

[0207] In some embodiments, the network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link through at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE, and physical layer signaling.

[0208] FIG11 is another schematic diagram of a device for indicating a beam identifier of a repeater access link according to Embodiment 4 of the present application. As shown in FIG11 , the device 1100 for indicating a beam identifier of a repeater access link includes:

[0209] A first indicating unit 1001, which indicates a beam identifier of an access link to a forwarder;

[0210] In some embodiments, in the case where the beam identifier of the access link is configured by the network device, the apparatus further includes:

[0211] The second indicating unit 1002 indicates to the forwarder the relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifiers of the access link.

[0212] In some embodiments, in the case where the beam identifier of the access link is configured by the network device, the apparatus further includes:

[0213] A first receiving unit 1003 receives information reported by the forwarder;

[0214] The first configuration unit 1004 configures the beam identifier of the access link according to the information reported by the forwarder.

[0215] In some embodiments, the information reported by the forwarder includes at least one of: information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on different beams of the access link is supported.

[0216] In some embodiments, the information on the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following: the total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

[0217] Alternatively, in some embodiments, for a case where the beam identifier of the access link is configured by a network device, the apparatus further includes:

[0218] The second configuration unit 1005 is configured to configure the beam identifier of the access link, that is, the network device independently determines the beam identifier of the access link.

[0219] For example, the second configuration unit 1005 may replace the first receiving unit 1003 and the second configuration unit 1004 .

[0220] The second indicating unit 1002 , the first receiving unit 1003 , the second configuring unit 1004 and the second configuring unit 1005 are optional components.

[0221] FIG12 is another schematic diagram of a device for indicating a beam identifier of a repeater access link according to Embodiment 4 of the present application. As shown in FIG12 , the device 1200 for indicating a beam identifier of a repeater access link includes:

[0222] A first indicating unit 1001, which indicates a beam identifier of an access link to a forwarder;

[0223] In some embodiments, in the case where the beam identifier of the access link is reported by the forwarder, the apparatus further includes:

[0224] A second receiving unit 1006 receives the beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder;

[0225] The third receiving unit 1007 receives the relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0226] The second receiving unit 1006 and the third receiving unit 1007 are optional components.

[0227] In some embodiments, the network device configures at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder through RRC signaling; the network device activates a first portion of beam identifiers through a MAC CE; and the network device indicates a second portion of beam identifiers through a field of physical layer signaling, where the first portion of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier of the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling, and the second portion of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier of the first portion of beam identifiers. The beam identifier indicated by the network device to the forwarder is the second portion of beam identifier.

[0228] In some embodiments, the relationship between the beams refers to the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

[0229] In some embodiments, the relationship between the beams includes: the two beams are in different directions, or the two beams are in the same direction but with different widths.

[0230] In some embodiments, the beam identifier indicated by the network device to the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier by a first number of bits, or the beam identifier indicated by the network device to the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier by means of a bitmap.

[0231] In some embodiments, for the case where the beam identifier is indicated by a first number of bits corresponding to the beam identifier, the first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or the first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or the first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers received by the forwarder.

[0232] In some embodiments, for the case where the beam identifier indicates the corresponding beam identifier in the form of a bitmap, the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or the number of bits of the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the forwarder.

[0233] The functions and specific contents of the above-mentioned units can be referred to the description of the relevant steps in Example 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0234] It can be seen from the above embodiments that the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link received from the network device to forward on the access link, so that the network device can schedule the access link beam used by the forwarder for forwarding, and the forwarder can determine the access link beam to be forwarded. Therefore, the beam identifier can be effectively utilized and the forwarding between the terminal and the network device can be completed.

[0235] Example 5

[0236] An embodiment of the present application provides a forwarder, which includes a forwarding device for the forwarder access link as described in Example 3.

[0237] Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating the system architecture of a repeater according to Example 5 of the present application. As shown in Figure 13 , repeater 1300 may include a processor 1310 and a memory 1320; memory 1320 is coupled to processor 1310. Memory 1320 can store various data and also stores an information processing program 1330, which is executed under the control of processor 1310. It should be noted that this diagram is exemplary; other types of structures may be used to supplement or replace this structure to implement telecommunications or other functions.

[0238] In one embodiment, the functionality of the forwarding device of the access link of the forwarder may be integrated into the processor 1310. Specifically, the processor 1310 may be configured such that: the receiving unit of the forwarder receives a beam identifier of the access link from the network device; and the forwarding unit of the forwarder forwards using the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier.

[0239] In another embodiment, the forwarding device of the forwarder access link can be configured separately from the processor 1310. For example, the forwarding device of the forwarder access link can be configured as a chip connected to the processor 1310, and the function of the forwarding device of the forwarder access link is realized through the control of the processor 1310.

[0240] As shown in Figure 13 , the repeater 1300 may further include: a network-side transceiver 1340-1 and a network-side antenna 1350-1, a terminal-side transceiver 1340-2 and a terminal-side antenna 1350-2, and a signal amplification circuit 1360, etc. The functions of these components are similar to those in the prior art and are not described in detail here. It is worth noting that the repeater 1300 does not necessarily include all of the components shown in Figure 13 ; furthermore, the repeater 1300 may also include components not shown in Figure 13 , for which reference may be made to the prior art.

[0241] As shown in FIG. 13 , the processor 1310 , sometimes also referred to as a controller or operation control, may include a microprocessor or other processor device and / or logic device. The processor 1310 receives input and controls the operation of various components of the repeater 1300 .

[0242] Memory 1320 can be, for example, one or more of a cache, flash memory, a hard drive, removable media, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or other suitable devices. It can store various data and programs for executing related information. Processor 1310 can execute the programs stored in memory 1320 to implement information storage or processing. The functions of other components are similar to those of existing devices and are not further described here.

[0243] The various components of the forwarder 1300 may be implemented by dedicated hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof without departing from the scope of the present application.

[0244] It can be seen from the above embodiments that the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link received from the network device to forward on the access link, so that the network device can schedule the access link beam used by the forwarder for forwarding, and the forwarder can determine the access link beam to be forwarded. Therefore, the beam identifier can be effectively utilized and the forwarding between the terminal and the network device can be completed.

[0245] Example 6

[0246] An embodiment of the present application provides a network device, which includes an indication device for the beam identification of the repeater access link as described in Example 4.

[0247] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of the system configuration of a network device according to Example 6 of the present application. As shown in Figure 14 , network device 1400 may include a processor 1410 and a memory 1420; memory 1420 is coupled to processor 1410. Memory 1420 can store various data and also stores an information processing program 1430. This program 1430 is executed under the control of processor 1410 to receive various information sent by a forwarder and to send various information to the forwarder.

[0248] In one embodiment, the function of the device for indicating the beam identifier of the access link to the repeater may be integrated into the processor 1410. The processor 1410 may be configured such that the network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link to the repeater.

[0249] In addition, as shown in FIG14 , network device 1400 may further include: a transceiver 1440 and an antenna 1450, etc.; wherein, the functions of the above components are similar to those in the prior art and are not described in detail here. It is worth noting that network device 1400 does not necessarily include all the components shown in FIG14 ; in addition, network device 1400 may also include components not shown in FIG14 , and reference may be made to the prior art for details.

[0250] It can be seen from the above embodiments that the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the beam identifier of the access link received from the network device to forward on the access link, so that the network device can schedule the access link beam used by the forwarder for forwarding, and the forwarder can determine the access link beam to be forwarded. Therefore, the beam identifier can be effectively utilized and the forwarding between the terminal and the network device can be completed.

[0251] Example 7

[0252] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including the repeater as described in Example 5 and / or the network device as described in Example 6.

[0253] For example, the structure of the communication system can refer to Figures 1 and 2.

[0254] As shown in FIG1 , the communication system 100 includes a network device 101 and a terminal device 102 , as well as a repeater 103 . The repeater 103 may be the same as the repeater described in Example 5 . The network device 101 is the same as the network device described in Example 6 , and repeated contents will not be repeated here.

[0255] The above devices and methods of the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software. The embodiments of the present application relate to such computer-readable programs, which, when executed by a logic component, can enable the logic component to implement the devices or components described above, or enable the logic component to implement the various methods or steps described above. The embodiments of the present application also relate to storage media for storing the above programs, such as hard disks, magnetic disks, optical disks, DVDs, flash memories, etc.

[0256] The method / device described in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. For example, one or more of the functional block diagrams shown in Figure 9 and / or one or more combinations of functional block diagrams can correspond to various software modules of a computer program flow or to various hardware modules. These software modules can correspond to the various steps shown in Figure 3, respectively. These hardware modules can be implemented by solidifying these software modules, for example, using a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0257] The software module may be located in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. A storage medium may be coupled to a processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium; or the storage medium may be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. The software module may be stored in the memory of the mobile terminal or in a memory card that can be inserted into the mobile terminal. For example, if the device (such as a mobile terminal) uses a large-capacity MEGA-SIM card or a large-capacity flash memory device, the software module may be stored in the MEGA-SIM card or the large-capacity flash memory device.

[0258] One or more of the functional blocks described in FIG9 and / or one or more combinations of functional blocks may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or any suitable combination thereof for performing the functions described in this application. One or more of the functional blocks described in FIG9 and / or one or more combinations of functional blocks may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in communication with a DSP, or any other such configuration.

[0259] The present application has been described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that these descriptions are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application based on the spirit and principles of the present application, and such modifications and variations are also within the scope of the present application.

[0260] Regarding the implementation methods including the above embodiments, the following additional notes are also disclosed:

[0261] Note 1

[0262] 1. A forwarding device for a forwarder access link, the device being provided on the forwarder and comprising:

[0263] a receiving unit configured to receive a beam identifier of an access link from a network device; and

[0264] A forwarding unit, which uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier for forwarding.

[0265] 2. The device according to Note 1, wherein:

[0266] The beam identifier received by the forwarder is indicated by at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE and physical layer signaling.

[0267] 3. The device according to Note 1, wherein:

[0268] The beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device; or,

[0269] The beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0270] 4. The device according to Note 3, wherein:

[0271] In the case where the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device, the beam identifier is configured by the network device according to the information reported by the forwarder.

[0272] 5. The apparatus according to Note 4, wherein the information reported by the forwarder includes:

[0273] At least one of the information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on beams of different access links is supported.

[0274] 6. The apparatus according to Note 5, wherein the information on the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following:

[0275] The total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

[0276] 7. The apparatus according to Note 3, wherein, for a case where the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device,

[0277] The receiving unit further receives, from the network device, relationship information between beams corresponding to the beam identifiers.

[0278] 8. The apparatus according to Note 3, wherein, when the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, the apparatus further comprises:

[0279] A sending unit reports the relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifiers to the network device.

[0280] 9. The device according to any one of Notes 2 to 8, wherein:

[0281] The network device configures, through RRC signaling, at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder, activates the first part of the beam identifiers through the MAC CE, and indicates the second part of the beam identifiers through a field of the physical layer signaling.

[0282] The first part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier among the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling,

[0283] The second part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier in the first part of beam identifiers,

[0284] The beam identifier received by the repeater is the second partial beam identifier.

[0285] 10. The device according to any one of Notes 2 to 9, wherein:

[0286] The beam identifier received by the forwarder includes a first beam identifier indicated by the network device, configured by the network device or reported by the forwarder, and a second beam identifier configured by the network device through RRC signaling, activated by MAC CE, and indicated by a field of physical layer signaling.

[0287] 11. The device according to Note 10, wherein:

[0288] The beam through which the repeater forwards broadcast signals corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the beam through which the repeater forwards terminal-specific signals corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device, and / or,

[0289] The beam of the semi-static beam configuration received by the repeater corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the beam of the dynamic beam configuration received by the repeater corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device, and / or,

[0290] The wide beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the narrow beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device.

[0291] 12. The device according to any one of Notes 5, 7, and 8, wherein:

[0292] The relationship between the beams is the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

[0293] 13. The device according to Note 12, wherein:

[0294] The relationship between the beams at least includes: beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in different directions, or beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in the same direction but with different widths.

[0295] 14. The device according to Note 1 or 2, wherein:

[0296] The beam identifier received by the transponder is indicated by a first number of bits corresponding to the beam identifier, or,

[0297] The beam identifier received by the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier in the form of a bitmap.

[0298] 15. The apparatus according to Note 14, wherein, for a case where the beam identifier is indicated by a first number of bits,

[0299] The first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or,

[0300] The first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or,

[0301] The first number is determined by a total number of the beam identifiers received by the transponder.

[0302] 16. The apparatus according to Note 14, wherein, in the case where the beam identifier indicates the corresponding beam identifier in a bitmap manner,

[0303] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or,

[0304] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or,

[0305] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the transponder.

[0306] 17. A device for indicating a beam identifier of a transponder access link, the device being provided in a network device, the device comprising:

[0307] A first indicating unit indicates a beam identifier of an access link to the repeater.

[0308] 18. The device according to Note 17, wherein:

[0309] The network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link through at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE and physical layer signaling.

[0310] 19. The device according to claim 17, wherein:

[0311] The network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device; or

[0312] The network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0313] 20. The device according to Note 17, further comprising:

[0314] a first receiving unit, configured to receive information reported by the forwarder;

[0315] A first configuration unit is configured to configure a beam identifier of an access link according to information reported by the forwarder.

[0316] 21. The apparatus according to note 20, wherein the information reported by the forwarder includes:

[0317] At least one of the information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on beams of different access links is supported.

[0318] 22. The apparatus according to Note 21, wherein the information on the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following:

[0319] The total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

[0320] 23. The device according to Note 17, further comprising:

[0321] The second configuration unit configures the beam identifier of the access link.

[0322] 24. The device according to Note 19, further comprising:

[0323] a second indicating unit for indicating to the forwarder information about the relationship between beams corresponding to the beam identifiers of the access link;

[0324] Alternatively, the device further comprises:

[0325] a second receiving unit, configured to receive the beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder; and

[0326] A third receiving unit receives relationship information between beams corresponding to the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0327] 25. The device according to any one of Notes 19 to 24, wherein:

[0328] The network device configures, through RRC signaling, at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder;

[0329] The network device activates the first part of the beam identifier through the MAC CE; and

[0330] The network device indicates the second part of the beam identifier through a field of physical layer signaling,

[0331] The first part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier among the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling,

[0332] The second part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier in the first part of beam identifiers,

[0333] The beam identifier indicated by the network device to the repeater is the second partial beam identifier.

[0334] 26. The device according to Note 21 or 24, wherein:

[0335] The relationship between the beams refers to the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

[0336] 27. The device according to Note 26, wherein:

[0337] The relationship between the beams includes: the two beams are in different directions, or the two beams are in the same direction but with different widths.

[0338] 28. The device according to Note 1 or 2, wherein:

[0339] The beam identifier indicated by the network device to the forwarder is a beam identifier corresponding to an indication of a first number of bits, or,

[0340] The beam identifier indicated by the network device to the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier in a bitmap manner.

[0341] 29. The apparatus according to Note 28, wherein, for a case where the beam identifier is indicated by a first number of bits,

[0342] The first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or,

[0343] The first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or,

[0344] The first number is determined by a total number of the beam identifiers received by the transponder.

[0345] 30. The apparatus according to Note 28, wherein, in the case where the beam identifier indicates the corresponding beam identifier in a bitmap manner,

[0346] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or,

[0347] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or,

[0348] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the transponder.

[0349] 31. A repeater, comprising the device described in any one of Notes 1 to 16.

[0350] 32. A network device, comprising the apparatus described in any one of Notes 17-30.

[0351] 33. A communication system, comprising the repeater described in Note 31 and / or the network device described in Note 32.

[0352] Note 2

[0353] 1. A forwarding method for a forwarder access link, the method comprising:

[0354] The receiving unit of the repeater receives a beam identifier of an access link from a network device; and

[0355] The forwarding unit of the forwarder uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier for forwarding.

[0356] 2. The method according to Note 1, wherein:

[0357] The beam identifier received by the forwarder is indicated by at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE and physical layer signaling.

[0358] 3. The method according to Note 1, wherein:

[0359] The beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device; or,

[0360] The beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0361] 4. The method according to Note 3, wherein:

[0362] In the case where the beam identifier is configured by the network device, the beam identifier is configured by the network device according to information reported by the forwarder.

[0363] 5. The method according to Note 4, wherein the information reported by the forwarder includes:

[0364] At least one of the information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on beams of different access links is supported.

[0365] 6. The method according to Note 5, wherein the information on the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following:

[0366] The total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

[0367] 7. The method according to Note 3, wherein, when the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device, the method further comprises:

[0368] The forwarder receives, from the network device, relationship information between beams corresponding to the beam identifiers.

[0369] 8. The method according to Note 3, wherein, when the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, the method further comprises:

[0370] The forwarder reports the relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifiers to the network device.

[0371] 9. The method according to any one of Notes 2 to 8, wherein:

[0372] The network device configures, through RRC signaling, at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder, activates the first part of the beam identifiers through the MAC CE, and indicates the second part of the beam identifiers through a field of the physical layer signaling.

[0373] The first part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier among the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling,

[0374] The second part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier in the first part of beam identifiers,

[0375] The beam identifier received by the repeater is the second partial beam identifier.

[0376] 10. The method according to any one of Notes 2 to 9, wherein:

[0377] The beam identifier received by the forwarder includes a first beam identifier indicated by the network device, configured by the network device or reported by the forwarder, and a second beam identifier configured by the network device through RRC signaling, activated by MAC CE, and indicated by a field of physical layer signaling.

[0378] 11. The method according to Note 10, wherein:

[0379] The beam through which the repeater forwards broadcast signals corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the beam through which the repeater forwards terminal-specific signals corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device, and / or,

[0380] The beam of the semi-static beam configuration received by the repeater corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the beam of the dynamic beam configuration received by the repeater corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device, and / or,

[0381] The wide beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the narrow beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device.

[0382] 12. The method according to any one of Notes 5, 7, and 8, wherein:

[0383] The relationship between the beams is the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

[0384] 13. The method according to Note 12, wherein:

[0385] The relationship between the beams at least includes: beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in different directions, or beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in the same direction but with different widths.

[0386] 14. The method according to Note 1 or 2, wherein:

[0387] The beam identifier received by the transponder is indicated by a first number of bits corresponding to the beam identifier, or,

[0388] The beam identifier received by the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier in the form of a bitmap.

[0389] 15. The method according to Note 14, wherein, for the case where the beam identifier is indicated by a first number of bits,

[0390] The first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or,

[0391] The first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or,

[0392] The first number is determined by a total number of the beam identifiers received by the transponder.

[0393] 16. The method according to Note 14, wherein, for the case where the beam identifier indicates the corresponding beam identifier in a bitmap manner,

[0394] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or,

[0395] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or,

[0396] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the transponder.

[0397] 17. A method for indicating a beam identifier of a transponder access link, the method comprising:

[0398] The network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link to the repeater.

[0399] 18. The method according to Note 17, wherein:

[0400] The network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link through at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE and physical layer signaling.

[0401] 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein:

[0402] The network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device; or

[0403] The network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0404] 20. The method according to Note 17, further comprising:

[0405] The network device receives information reported by the forwarder;

[0406] The network device configures the beam identifier of the access link according to the information reported by the forwarder.

[0407] 21. The method according to Note 20, wherein the information reported by the forwarder includes:

[0408] At least one of the information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on beams of different access links is supported.

[0409] 22. The method according to Note 21, wherein the information on the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following:

[0410] The total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

[0411] 23. The device according to Note 17, wherein the method further comprises:

[0412] The network device configures a beam identifier of an access link.

[0413] 24. The method according to Note 17, further comprising:

[0414] The network device indicates to the forwarder the relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifiers of the access link,

[0415] Alternatively, the method further comprises:

[0416] The network device receives the beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder; and

[0417] The network device receives the relationship information between beams corresponding to the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

[0418] 25. The method according to any one of Notes 19 to 24, wherein:

[0419] The network device configures, through RRC signaling, at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder;

[0420] The network device activates the first part of the beam identifier through the MAC CE; and

[0421] The network device indicates the second part of the beam identifier through a field of physical layer signaling,

[0422] The first part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier among the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling,

[0423] The second part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier in the first part of beam identifiers,

[0424] The beam identifier indicated by the network device to the repeater is the second partial beam identifier.

[0425] 26. The method according to Note 21 or 24, wherein:

[0426] The relationship between the beams refers to the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

[0427] 27. The method according to Note 26, wherein:

[0428] The relationship between the beams includes: the two beams are in different directions, or the two beams are in the same direction but with different widths.

[0429] 28. The method according to Note 1 or 2, wherein:

[0430] The beam identifier indicated by the network device to the forwarder is a beam identifier corresponding to an indication of a first number of bits, or,

[0431] The beam identifier indicated by the network device to the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier in a bitmap manner.

[0432] 29. The method according to note 28, wherein, for the case where the beam identifier is indicated by a first number of bits,

[0433] The first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or,

[0434] The first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or,

[0435] The first number is determined by a total number of the beam identifiers received by the transponder.

[0436] 30. The method according to Note 28, wherein, for the case where the beam identifier indicates the corresponding beam identifier in a bitmap manner,

[0437] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or,

[0438] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or,

[0439] The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the transponder.

Claims

1. A forwarding device for a forwarder access link, the device being provided on the forwarder, the device comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a beam identifier of an access link from a network device; as well as, A forwarding unit, which uses the beam corresponding to the received beam identifier for forwarding.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The beam identifier received by the forwarder is indicated by at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE and physical layer signaling.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein The beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device; or, The beam identifier received by the forwarder is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein In the case where the beam identifier is configured by the network device, the beam identifier is configured by the network device according to information reported by the forwarder.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein The information reported by the forwarder includes: At least one of the information on the number of beams supported by the access link, the relationship between the beams of the access link, and whether simultaneous forwarding on beams of different access links is supported.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein The information about the number of beams supported by the access link includes at least one of the following: The total number of beams supported by the access link, the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, the total number of simultaneously forwarded beams supported by the access link, and the number of beams of different types.

7. The device according to claim 3, wherein In the case where the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device, The receiving unit further receives, from the network device, relationship information between beams corresponding to the beam identifiers.

8. The device according to claim 3, wherein For a case where the beam identifier is at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder, the apparatus further includes: A sending unit reports the relationship information between the beams corresponding to the beam identifiers to the network device.

9. The device according to claim 2, wherein The network device configures, through RRC signaling, at least one beam identifier of the access link configured by the network device or at least one beam identifier of the access link reported by the forwarder, activates the first part of the beam identifiers through the MAC CE, and indicates the second part of the beam identifiers through a field of the physical layer signaling. The first part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier among the beam identifiers configured by the RRC signaling, The second part of beam identifiers includes at least one beam identifier in the first part of beam identifiers, The beam identifier received by the repeater is the second partial beam identifier.

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein The beam identifier received by the forwarder includes a first beam identifier indicated by the network device, configured by the network device or reported by the forwarder, and a second beam identifier configured by the network device through RRC signaling, MAC CE activation, and a domain indication of physical layer signaling.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein The beam through which the repeater forwards broadcast signals corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the beam through which the repeater forwards terminal-specific signals corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device, and / or, The beam of the semi-static beam configuration received by the repeater corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the beam of the dynamic beam configuration received by the repeater corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device, and / or, The wide beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the first beam identifier indicated by the network device, and the narrow beam of the repeater access link corresponds to the second beam identifier indicated by the network device.

12. The device according to claim 5, wherein The relationship between the beams is the relationship between beams corresponding to different beam identifiers.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein The relationship between the beams at least includes: beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in different directions, or beams corresponding to different beam identifiers are in the same direction but with different widths.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein The beam identifier received by the transponder is indicated by a first number of bits corresponding to the beam identifier, or, The beam identifier received by the repeater indicates the corresponding beam identifier in the form of a bitmap.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein For the case where the beam identifier is indicated by a first number of bits, The first number is determined by the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or, The first number is determined by the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or, The first number is determined by a total number of the beam identifiers received by the transponder.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein For the case where the beam identifier indicates the corresponding beam identifier in a bitmap manner, The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers of the access link, or, The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of forwarding beams supported by the access link, or, The number of bits in the bitmap is the total number of beam identifiers received by the transponder.

17. A device for indicating a beam identifier of a transponder access link, the device being provided in a network device, the device comprising: A first indicating unit indicates a beam identifier of an access link to the repeater.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein The network device indicates the beam identifier of the access link through at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE and physical layer signaling.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein The network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link configured by the network device; or The network device indicates to the forwarder at least one of the beam identifiers of the access link reported by the forwarder.

20. A communication system, comprising a repeater and / or a network device, wherein the repeater comprises the apparatus according to claim 1, and the network device comprises the apparatus according to claim 17.

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