Communication method and related device

Abstract

A communication method and related apparatus, in the method, a first network device determines an Ethernet data packet and sends the Ethernet data packet. Wherein the format of the Ethernet data packet is an eCPRI message format, the Ethernet data packet comprises IQ data in N CPRI frames, and a packet header comprises an IQ flow identifier. Wherein each CPRI frame comprises IQ data corresponding to X cells, each cell comprises one or more antenna channels, the IQ flow identifier is used for determining the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0. By adopting the method provided by the invention, the transmission efficiency of the CPRI data can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0002] The Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) is an interface standard between a Distributed Unit (DU) and a Radio Unit (RU). The Enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI) is an interface standard evolved from CPRI. In some scenarios, to save the cost of laying optical fibers, a solution is proposed that CPRI cells and eCPRI cells share the transmission network between the RU and the DU. For example, an "IWF Type0" function can be deployed on a fronthaul gateway (FHGW) or an RU supporting the eCPRI protocol, and this "IWF Type0" is used for the mutual conversion between the eCPRI protocol and the CPRI protocol. However, the current solution for transmitting CPRI data after converting it into the eCPRI message format has low transmission efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and related devices, which are beneficial to improving the transmission efficiency of CPRI data.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method. Optionally, the execution subject of this method can be a first network device, or a component or device applied to the first network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network device. The method includes: determining an Ethernet data packet, where the format of the Ethernet data packet is the eCPRI message format, the Ethernet data packet includes IQ data in N CPRI frames, and the header of the Ethernet data packet includes an IQ stream identifier; where, each CPRI frame includes IQ data corresponding to X cells, each of the cells includes one or more antenna channels, the IQ stream identifier is used to determine the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0. Sending the Ethernet data packet.

[0005] In this application, by encapsulating the IQ data in multiple CPRI frames in an eCPRI Ethernet data packet (i.e., an Ethernet data packet in the eCPRI message format) for transmission, the transmission efficiency of CPRI data can be improved. In addition, by carrying an IQ stream identifier in the header of the eCPRI Ethernet data packet, the IQ stream identifier can be used to identify which antenna channels of which cell(s) the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet specifically belongs to, which is beneficial for the receiving end to correctly parse the received eCPRI Ethernet data packet. It should be understood that the first network device in this application can be a distributed unit (DU) that supports the eCPRI protocol, or the first network device can also be a radio unit (RU) that supports the eCPRI protocol. This application does not limit this.

[0006] In a possible design, the method further includes:

[0007] Sending first indication information, where the first indication information indicates one or more of the following information:

[0008] The value of N;

[0009] The association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channels of the cell; or,

[0010] The arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet;

[0011] Wherein, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channels of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

[0012] In this implementation manner, the first indication information can be carried in a control plane message. Generally speaking, the first indication information is the indication information sent / notified by the DU to the RU. Therefore, when the first network device is the sender of the first indication information, the first network device is usually a DU that supports the eCPRI protocol.

[0013] In a possible design, one or more of the value of N, the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channels of the cell, or the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is pre-configured or pre-defined; the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channels of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

[0014] In this implementation manner, in addition to configuring the value of N through control plane packets / messages, the association relationship between the IQ flow identifier and the antenna channels of the cell, or the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet, etc., one or more of these pieces of information can also be predefined or preconfigured by the protocol, and the present application does not limit this.

[0015] In a possible design, the Ethernet packet header further includes a timestamp T, and the timestamp T is used to indicate the generation time or packaging time of the Ethernet packet.

[0016] In this implementation manner, the timestamp T can also be carried in the Ethernet packet header, and this timestamp T represents the generation time or packaging time of the Ethernet packet, which is beneficial for the subsequent receiving party of the Ethernet packet to determine the receiving buffer time based on this timestamp T.

[0017] In a possible design, the method further includes:

[0018] Sending second indication information, where the second indication information indicates a delay Z, and the Z is greater than the average transmission delay of the Ethernet packet.

[0019] In this implementation manner, the second indication information can be carried in the control plane packet / message. Generally speaking, the second indication information is the indication information sent / notification by the DU to the RU. Therefore, when the second network device is the sender of the second indication information, the second network device is usually the DU. Generally speaking, the first indication information and the second indication information can be sent in the same control plane message, or the first indication information and the second indication information can also be carried in different control plane messages respectively, and the present application does not limit this.

[0020] In a possible design, the timestamp T and the delay Z are used to determine the receiving buffer time of the Ethernet packet.

[0021] In this implementation manner, the timestamp T and the delay Z can be used to determine the receiving buffer time of the receiving party of the Ethernet packet. Specifically, for the receiving party of the Ethernet packet, it can, according to the timestamp T and the delay Z, send the first CPRI frame to the downstream processing node when the local time reaches T + Z. The first CPRI frame includes the IQ data in the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames. This is beneficial for absorbing the transmission delay jitter of the eCPRI link, making the transmission delay of the IQ data a stable value, and further enabling the downstream processing node to obtain continuous and non-lost-frame CPRI frames.

[0022] In a possible design, the timestamp T is the frame number of the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

[0023] In this implementation, the timestamp T can specifically be the frame number of the first CPRI frame among N CPRI frames, which has strong operability and high applicability.

[0024] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method. Optionally, the execution subject of this method can be a second network device, or a component or device applied to the second network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second network device. The method includes: receiving an Ethernet data packet, where the format of the Ethernet data packet is the eCPRI message format, the Ethernet data packet includes IQ data in N CPRI frames, and the packet header of the Ethernet data packet includes an IQ stream identifier; where, each CPRI frame includes IQ data corresponding to X cells, each cell includes one or more antenna channels, the IQ stream identifier is used to determine the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0.

[0025] In a possible design, the method further includes:

[0026] receiving first indication information, where the first indication information indicates one or more of the following information:

[0027] the value of N;

[0028] the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell; or,

[0029] the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet;

[0030] where, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

[0031] In a possible design, one or more of the information of the value of N, the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell, or the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is pre-configured or pre-defined; the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

[0032] In a possible design, the packet header of the Ethernet data packet further includes a timestamp T, and the timestamp T is used to indicate the generation moment or the packaging moment of the Ethernet data packet.

[0033] In a possible design, the method further includes:

[0034] Receive second indication information, where the second indication information indicates a time delay Z, and Z is greater than the average transmission time delay of the Ethernet data packet.

[0035] In a possible design, the timestamp T and the time delay Z are used to determine the receive buffer time of the Ethernet data packet.

[0036] In a possible design, the timestamp T is the frame number of the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

[0037] In a possible design, the method further includes:

[0038] According to the timestamp T and the time delay Z, when the local time reaches T + Z, send a first CPRI frame, where the first CPRI frame includes the IQ data in the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

[0039] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be a first network device or a module or chip in the first network device. The communication device includes:

[0040] A processing unit, configured to determine an Ethernet data packet, where the format of the Ethernet data packet is the eCPRI message format, the Ethernet data packet includes the IQ data in N CPRI frames, and the packet header of the Ethernet data packet includes an IQ stream identifier; where, each CPRI frame includes the IQ data corresponding to X cells, each cell includes one or more antenna channels, and the IQ stream identifier is used to determine the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0.

[0041] A transceiver unit, configured to send the Ethernet data packet.

[0042] In a possible design, the transceiver unit is configured to:

[0043] Send first indication information, where the first indication information indicates one or more of the following information:

[0044] The value of N;

[0045] The association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell; or,

[0046] The arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet;

[0047] Where, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

[0048] In a possible design, one or more of the value of N, the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channels of the cell, or the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet is preconfigured or predefined; the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channels of the cell in the Ethernet packet.

[0049] In a possible design, the Ethernet packet header further includes a timestamp T, and the timestamp T is used to indicate the generation time or the packaging time of the Ethernet packet.

[0050] In a possible design, the transceiver unit is further configured to:

[0051] Send second indication information, where the second indication information indicates a delay Z, and Z is greater than the average transmission delay of the Ethernet packet.

[0052] In a possible design, the timestamp T and the delay Z are used to determine the reception buffer time of the Ethernet packet.

[0053] In a possible design, the timestamp T is the frame number of the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a second network device or a module or chip in the second network device. The communication device includes:

[0055] A transceiver unit, configured to receive an Ethernet packet, where the format of the Ethernet packet is the eCPRI message format, the Ethernet packet includes IQ data in N CPRI frames, and the Ethernet packet header includes an IQ stream identifier; where, the CPRI frame includes IQ data corresponding to X cells, each cell includes one or more antenna channels, the IQ stream identifier is used to determine the antenna channels of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0.

[0056] In a possible design, the transceiver unit is further configured to:

[0057] Receive first indication information, where the first indication information indicates one or more of the following information:

[0058] The value of N;

[0059] The association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channels of the cell; or,

[0060] The arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet;

[0061] Among them, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

[0062] In a possible design, one or more of the value of N, the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell, or the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is pre-configured or pre-defined; the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

[0063] In a possible design, the packet header of the Ethernet data packet further includes a timestamp T, and the timestamp T is used to indicate the generation time or the packaging time of the Ethernet data packet.

[0064] In a possible design, the transceiver unit is further configured to:

[0065] Receive second indication information, where the second indication information indicates a time delay Z, and Z is greater than the average transmission delay of the Ethernet data packet.

[0066] In a possible design, the timestamp T and the time delay Z are used to determine the reception buffer time of the Ethernet data packet.

[0067] In a possible design, the timestamp T is the frame number of the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

[0068] In a possible design, the communication device further includes a processing unit, and the processing unit is configured to:

[0069] According to the timestamp T and the time delay Z, when the local time reaches T+Z, send a first CPRI frame through the transceiver unit, and the first CPRI frame includes the IQ data in the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

[0070] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program so that the communication device executes the method described in any item of any one of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0071] In a possible design, the communication device may be a chip or a device including a chip that implements the method described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0072] In a possible design, the communication device further includes a transceiver. The processor and the transceiver are coupled.

[0073] In a possible design, the communication device further includes a memory. The processor is coupled to the memory, and a computer program is stored in the memory. The processor is further configured to call the computer program in the memory. Exemplarily, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together.

[0074] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor, and the processor is configured to implement the method described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0075] Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface circuit, which is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device.

[0076] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, the method described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect is implemented.

[0077] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer is caused to execute the method described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0078] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes a communication device for implementing the method described in any one of the first aspect, and a communication device for implementing the method described in any one of the second aspect.

[0079] For the beneficial effects of the second aspect to the ninth aspect, reference may be made to the beneficial effects of the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system to which an embodiment of the present application is applied;

[0081] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture in which a CPRI cell and an eCPRI cell share a transmission network between an RU and a DU;

[0082] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which an IWF Type0 is deployed;

[0083] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an Ethernet data packet provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a packet assembly scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of latency Z provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 8 It is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a possible communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a possible communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0091] The following further describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] Terms such as "first" and "second" in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes steps or units not listed, or optionally further includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0093] Referring to "embodiment" herein means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears in various places in the specification and does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0094] In this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two, three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist at the same time. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally means that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (one)" or its similar expression below refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item (one) or plural items (ones). For example, at least one (one) of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or plural.

[0095] First, the relevant technical features involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection required by this application.

[0096] 1. Radio Access Network (RAN) Node

[0097] RAN nodes can sometimes also be referred to as network devices, access network devices, RAN entities, access nodes, or base stations, etc. They refer to wireless communication stations installed at fixed positions in a cellular mobile communication network. The main function of RAN nodes is to provide wireless coverage and support communication between terminals and the core network. RAN nodes include but are not limited to evolved base stations (eNB or e-NodeB) in Long Term Evolution (LTE), base stations (gNodeB, gNB) in the fifth-generation (5G) network such as New Radio (NR), next-generation base stations in the sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in a WiFi system, etc. RAN nodes can also be macro base stations, micro base stations or indoor stations, relay nodes or donor nodes, or wireless controllers in a CRAN scenario, etc.

[0098] The physical structure of RAN nodes mainly includes a baseband unit (BU) and a radio unit (RU).

[0099] 2. BU

[0100] The BU refers to a module or device with baseband signal processing capabilities and / or RU management capabilities. Baseband signal processing includes, for example, channel coding, multiplexing, modulation, spreading, limiting the power of the carrier, canceling the power limit, and so on. Exemplarily, the BU can be an indoor baseband processing unit (BBU), a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0101] 3. RU

[0102] The RU refers to a module or device with intermediate frequency signal, radio frequency signal, or intermediate radio frequency signal processing capabilities. For example, the RU can be a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU), etc.

[0103] 4. Distributed base station (DBS)

[0104] The DBS refers to a base station where the baseband unit and the radio frequency unit are deployed separately. The core concept of the distributed base station is to divide the traditional macro base station equipment into two functional modules according to functions. Among them, functions such as the baseband, main control, transmission, and clock of the base station are integrated on a module of a baseband unit (usually called BU or BBU). The baseband unit is small in size and very flexible in installation location. The intermediate radio frequency functions such as transceivers and power amplifiers are integrated on another radio frequency unit (usually called RU), and the radio frequency unit is installed at the antenna end. The radio frequency unit and the baseband unit are connected by optical fibers to form a distributed base station.

[0105] 5. CU and DU

[0106] In the 5G network, the BBU evolves into two entities, CU and DU. The CU is mainly used to undertake non-real-time functions, such as the processing of high-layer protocol stacks, for example, the processing of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and the radio resource control (RRC) layer. Optionally, the CU is also used to undertake some core network functions and edge application services. The DU is mainly used to undertake the real-time functions in the BBU, such as the functions of the media access control (MAC) layer and the radio link control (RLC) layer.

[0107] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN) system, the CU may also be referred to as O-CU (Open CU), the DU may also be referred to as O-DU, the CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as O-RU. For the sake of description, in this application, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as examples for description. Any unit among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0108] 6. AAU

[0109] The RRU and the passive antenna are integrated together to form the AAU. The AAU is used to implement the functions of the RRU and the antenna. Optionally, the AAU is also used to implement some physical layer functions in the BBU.

[0110] 7. Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI)

[0111] CPRI is an interface standard between the BBU and the RRU, used to replace the traditional coaxial cable connection. The CPRI protocol provides a communication interface specification between radio equipment control (REC) and radio equipment (RE) in a cellular radio network. CPRI is an interface standard based on direct cable connection, which uses the TDM method to implement data multiplexing, requires exclusive transmission bandwidth, and defines three types of data streams: user, control, and management, and synchronization. Among them, the user plane data stream is used to transmit the IQ modulation (I is in-phase, Q is quadrature) signals of the RRU antenna after quantization.

[0112] Typical examples of REC are the BBU, and typical examples of RE are the RRU. In some scenarios, REC is also referred to as the DU that supports the CPRI protocol, and RE is also referred to as the RU that supports the CPRI protocol.

[0113] The data between REC and RE is usually transmitted through the CPRI frames defined by the CPRI protocol.

[0114] 8. CPRI Frames

[0115] The CPRI frame can be divided into a superframe and a CPRI basic frame. Each superframe contains 256 CPRI basic frames, and the CPRI basic frame is the basic unit transmitted through CPRI. Among them, the CPRI basic frame has a specific frame structure. The transmission period of each CPRI basic frame is 1 / 3.84 MHz, that is, 260.416667 ns. And each CPRI basic frame contains 16 words, among which these 16 words contain 1 control word and 15 words for carrying in-phase / quadrature (IQ) data. These 15 words are usually also called the IQ data area. The control word is used to carry control data other than IQ data and control word information customized by each manufacturer. Among them, IQ data refers to the digital representation of the antenna carrier. The user plane data to be sent is mapped to the CPRI basic frame in units of antenna carriers, and the corresponding IQ data is obtained. Among them, the antenna carrier is an electromagnetic wave modulated in terms of frequency, amplitude or phase, which can realize the transmission of signals such as text, audio or images, and this electromagnetic wave can be transmitted through the antenna to the terminal device. That is to say, based on the CPRI basic frame, the transmission of control plane data and user plane data can be realized. Taking the RU receiving the CPRI basic frame sent by the DU as an example, the RU can obtain the control plane data from the DU by extracting the control word in the CPRI basic frame; the RU can obtain the user plane data that needs to be sent to the terminal device through the antenna carrier by extracting the IQ data in the CPRI basic frame.

[0116] It should be understood that the CPRI frame mentioned in the following embodiments mainly refers to the CPRI basic frame.

[0117] 9. eCPRI

[0118] eCPRI is an interface standard evolved from CPRI. The eCPRI protocol defines the specifications for connecting the eCPRI REC (eREC) and the eCPRI RE (eRE) through the fronthaul network. Different from CPRI, eCPRI is a packet-based interface standard that does not specify the network implementation form and can be implemented relying on any network, such as Ethernet (ETH), Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Optical Transport Network (OTN), etc. Based on the BBU-RRU splitting method defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), eCPRI proposes several reference forms of partitioning, which are achieved by splitting some or all of the physical layer functions into the RRU, so that the data transmitted between the BBU and the RRU changes from the IQ signal on the antenna to the modulation symbol (IID), the coded bit sequence (ID), and even the original data bit (D). Compared with CPRI, eCPRI helps to reduce the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the radio frequency unit, thus meeting the bandwidth resource requirements of large-bandwidth and multi-antenna services such as massive multiple-in multiple-out (massive MIMO).

[0119] The eCPRI protocol and the protocol stacks of application layer standards (such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) protocol, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) protocol, etc.) are at the same level in the protocol stack. The transport layer protocol at the bottom of the eCPRI protocol can optionally be the TCP / IP protocol or the Ethernet MAC layer protocol. That is to say, from the perspective of the packet format, the packet header encapsulated outside an eCPRI message may be a UDP header or a TCP header, or it may skip the TCP / IP protocol stack and directly encapsulate the MAC Ethernet frame header outside the eCPRI message.

[0120] The eCPRI protocol provides three interfaces, namely the user plane (U plane, also known as the data plane) interface, the synchronization plane (S plane) interface, and the control and management plane (C&M plane or C plane) interface.

[0121] The user plane interface is used to transmit service data between the base station and the user equipment, such as IQ data, that is, the sampled data after orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation. Optionally, the user plane interface is also used to transmit real-time control data related to the service data.

[0122] The synchronization plane interface is used to transmit data synchronization and timing information between the BBU and the RRU.

[0123] The control and management plane interface is used to transmit operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) operation, maintenance, and management data of the BBU to the RRU.

[0124] A typical instance of the eREC is the BBU, and typical instances of the eRE are the AAU or the RRU. In some scenarios, the eREC is also referred to as the DU supporting the eCPRI protocol, and the eRE is also referred to as the RU supporting the eCPRI protocol.

[0125] 10. The fronthaul interface and the fronthaul network

[0126] The fronthaul interface refers to the communication interface between the baseband unit and the radio frequency unit. The fronthaul interface includes, but is not limited to, CPRI or eCPRI. Of course, the fronthaul interface may also be other interfaces evolved from CPRI or eCPRI. The fronthaul network is the network between the baseband unit and the radio frequency unit, such as Figure 1As shown, the communication system 10 is a system that communicates based on any wireless communication technology, such as: wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) system, and future sixth generation communication system, etc. The communication system 10 includes a baseband unit 101 and at least one radio frequency unit 102, and the baseband unit 101 and the at least one radio frequency unit 102 are connected through a fronthaul network.

[0127] It should be noted that the fronthaul network involved in this application is mainly the network between eREC (i.e., baseband units such as BBU) and eRE (i.e., radio frequency units such as AAU, RRU). That is to say, Figure 1 the baseband unit 101 in it can specifically be eREC, and the radio frequency unit 102 can specifically be eRE. Figure 1 the fronthaul interfaces of the baseband unit 101 and the radio frequency unit 102 in it are both eCPRI. Figure 1 the fronthaul interfaces of the baseband unit 101 and the radio frequency unit 102 in it include, but are not limited to, the U-plane interface, S-plane interface, or C&M-plane interface.

[0128] The baseband unit 101 and the radio frequency unit 102 are connected through a fronthaul network. The fronthaul network includes, but is not limited to, a wired network or a wireless network. The fronthaul network includes, but is not limited to, a TCP / IP network, an Ethernet, or a private network. The hardware based on which the fronthaul network is implemented includes, but is not limited to, optical fibers, feeder lines, switches, routers, etc.

[0129] Currently, in order to save the laying cost of optical fibers, a solution has been proposed that CPRI cells and eCPRI cells can share the transmission network between the RU and the DU. For example, CPRI cells of the 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) / 4G can share the transmission network between the RU and the DU with eCPRI cells of NR, as Figure 2 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the architecture where CPRI cells and eCPRI cells share the transmission network between the RU and the DU.

[0130] Among them, to adapt to the solution of sharing the transmission network between the RU and the DU by CPRI cells and eCPRI cells, the eCPRI 2.0 specification defines the "IWF Type0" function, which is used to connect the eREC (i.e., the DU supporting the eCPRI protocol) and the RE (i.e., the RU supporting the CPRI protocol), and undertakes the conversion between the eCPRI protocol and the CPRI protocol. Generally speaking, IWF Type0 can be deployed on the eRE, the FrontHaul GateWay, or the eREC, etc. This application mainly takes the example of IWF Type0 deployed on the eRE for illustrative purposes.

[0131] Exemplarily, as Figure 3 shown, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the scenario where IWF Type0 is deployed. As Figure 3 shown, CPRI data is transmitted between the RE and the eRE through the CPRI protocol. Then, after the IWF Type0 deployed in the eRE converts the CPRI data from the RE into the eCPRI message format (i.e., the eCPRI Ethernet packet), it is transmitted to the eREC through the Ethernet fronthaul network. Then, after the IWF Type0 deployed in the eREC parses the CPRI data from the eCPRI Ethernet packet, the eREC passes the parsed CPRI data to the downstream processing node.

[0132] However, when the current CPRI data is converted into the eCPRI message format for transmission, according to the existing specifications, the IQ data of a single cell or a single antenna channel (physical channel) is encapsulated in an eCPRI Ethernet packet for transmission. Generally, the size of the IQ data of a single antenna channel is between 2 bytes and 30 bytes. Therefore, the scheme of encapsulating the IQ data of a single antenna channel into an eCPRI Ethernet packet for transmission will result in too short a payload and too large an overhead of the packet header, making the data transmission efficiency low. In addition, when the IQ data of multiple cells and multiple antenna channels is transmitted simultaneously, the receiving end cannot identify from the eCPRI Ethernet packet which antenna channel of which cell the IQ data belongs to.

[0133] Based on this, the present application proposes a communication method, which is beneficial to improving the transmission efficiency and can enable the receiving end to identify which cell or which cells and which antenna the IQ data carried in the eCPRI Ethernet packet belongs to. In addition, for the problem that the transmission delay of the eCPRI Ethernet packet has jitter, resulting in data frame loss, the present application also proposes a solution that can absorb the transmission delay jitter of the eCPRI link, which is beneficial to improving the communication performance.

[0134] The communication method and communication device provided by the present application are introduced in detail below:

[0135] It should be noted that the first network device mentioned hereinafter may be a DU (or eREC) supporting the eCPRI protocol, and the second network device may be an RU (or eRE) or FHGW supporting the eCPRI protocol. Or, the first network device may be an RU (or eRE) or FHGW supporting the eCPRI protocol, and the second network device may be a DU (or eREC) supporting the eCPRI protocol. It should be understood that both eRE / FHGW and eREC can send IQ data (or user plane data or service data), but for control plane messages, they are usually sent / notified by eREC to eRE or FHGW.

[0136] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, the communication method includes the following steps S401 to S402. Figure 4 The execution subject of the method shown can be the first network device and the second network device, or Figure 4 the execution subject of the method shown can also be the chip in the first network device and the chip in the second network device. Exemplarily, the second network device can be a non-terrestrial second network device (such as a satellite) or an access network device (such as a base station), etc., and the present application places no restrictions thereon. For the convenience of description,Figure 4 The description is mainly given by taking the first network device and the second network device as the execution entities of the method. It should be noted that Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of the method embodiment of the present application, showing the detailed communication steps or operations of the method. However, these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or Figure 4 variations of various operations in. In addition, Figure 4 each step in can be executed respectively in a different order from that presented in Figure 4 , and it is possible that not all the operations in Figure 4 need to be executed. Among them:

[0137] S401. The first network device determines an Ethernet data packet.

[0138] Here, the format of the Ethernet data packet is the eCPRI message format. That is to say, the Ethernet data packets mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are all eCPRI Ethernet data packets (hereinafter referred to as Ethernet data packets). Among them, each Ethernet data packet includes IQ data in N CPRI frames. Each CPRI frame includes IQ data corresponding to X cells. Each cell includes one or more antenna channels (physical channels). N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0. That is to say, the first network device can pack the IQ data in a continuous plurality of received CPRI frames into an eCPRI Ethernet data packet for transmission. This multi-frame packing method can significantly reduce the header overhead bandwidth and is beneficial to improving the data transmission efficiency.

[0139] In addition, the header of the Ethernet data packet includes an IQ stream identifier, which is used to determine the antenna channels of the cells to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, that is, the IQ stream identifier can be used to determine which antenna channels of which cells the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet specifically comes from. Specifically, based on the IQ stream identifier carried in the header of the Ethernet data packet and in combination with the association relationship between each IQ stream identifier and the antenna channels of the cells, the antenna channels of the cells to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs can be determined.

[0140] It should be understood that the antenna channels (physical channels) involved in the present application can be understood as the physical channels for the base station to receive and transmit radio signals. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) cells use multiple antenna channels to receive and transmit radio signals simultaneously. Optionally, the antenna channels are sometimes also referred to as transceiver channels, physical channels, etc. The present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0141] Optionally, the packet header in the Ethernet packet may further include a timestamp T, which is used to indicate the generation time or packaging time of the Ethernet packet. Generally speaking, the timestamp T may specifically be the frame number of the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames, or the timestamp T may also be the frame number of the last CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames, etc. The present application does not limit this. For ease of understanding, hereinafter, the case where the timestamp T is the frame number of the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames will be described.

[0142] Exemplarily, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 which is a schematic structural diagram of the Ethernet packet provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the Ethernet packet is composed of a packet header and a message payload. Among them, the header includes information such as an IQ stream identifier and a timestamp, and the payload includes the IQ data in the N CPRI frames.

[0143] S402. The first network device sends an Ethernet packet to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the Ethernet packet from the first network device.

[0144] In some feasible implementation manners, the first network device may send the Ethernet packet to the second network device through an Ethernet fronthaul network (or referred to as Ethernet). Here, when the first network device is an eREC, the second network device may be an eRE or an FHGW, and when the first network device is an eRE or an FHGW, the second network device may be an eREC.

[0145] It should be understood that for the second network device, the second network device may parse the received Ethernet packet. Generally speaking, the second network device may determine the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet packet belongs based on the IQ stream identifier carried in the packet header of the Ethernet packet and in combination with the association relationship between each IQ stream identifier and the antenna channels of the cell. In addition, the second network device may also obtain the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet, and based on the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet, parse out the IQ data carried in the Ethernet packet. Here, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet packet.

[0146] Optionally, the IQ data in the Ethernet packet can be arranged by cell, or can also be arranged by antenna channel. For example, assume X = 4, that is, each CPRI frame includes IQ data corresponding to 3 cells (i.e., cell 0 to cell 2), and each cell includes 4 antenna channels. ① If the IQ data in the Ethernet packet is arranged by cell, then the arrangement can be: cell 0 (antenna channel 0, antenna channel 1, antenna channel 2, antenna channel 3); cell 1 (antenna channel 0, antenna channel 1, antenna channel 2, antenna channel 3); cell 2 (antenna channel 0, antenna channel 1, antenna channel 2, antenna channel 3). ② If the IQ data in the Ethernet packet is arranged by antenna channel, then the arrangement can be: antenna channel 0 (cell 0, cell 1, cell 2); antenna channel 1 (cell 0, cell 1, cell 2); antenna channel 2 (cell 0, cell 1, cell 2); antenna channel 3 (cell 0, cell 1, cell 2).

[0147] For example, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 which is a schematic diagram of a packet assembly scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in (a) of Figure 6 , assume that the CPRI data stream is the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 of cell 1 and the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 of cell 2. The N CPRI frames are CPRI frame 1 to CPRI frame N respectively. The IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 of cell 1 and the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 of cell 2 in the CPRI frame 1 to CPRI frame N are encapsulated in an Ethernet packet for transmission. Taking one CPRI frame (for example, CPRI frame 1) in the N CPRI frames as an example, assume that in the Ethernet packet, the arrangement of the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 of cell 1 and the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 of cell 2 included in the CPRI frame 1 is arranged by cell, then the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet can be described as:

[0148] The IQ data of antenna channel 0 of cell 1 is located in the first byte (or the 1st bit to the 8th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1;

[0149] The IQ data of antenna channel 1 of cell 1 is located in the second byte (or the 9th bit to the 16th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1;

[0150] The IQ data of antenna channel 2 of cell 1 is located in the third byte (or the 17th bit to the 24th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1;

[0151] The IQ data of antenna channel 3 in Community 1 is located in the fourth byte (or the 25th bit to the 32nd bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1.

[0152] The IQ data of antenna channel 0 in Community 2 is located in the fifth byte (or the 33rd bit to the 40th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1.

[0153] The IQ data of antenna channel 1 in Community 2 is located in the sixth byte (or the 41st bit to the 48th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1.

[0154] The IQ data of antenna channel 2 in Community 2 is located in the seventh byte (or the 49th bit to the 56th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1.

[0155] The IQ data of antenna channel 3 in Community 2 is located in the eighth byte (or the 57th bit to the 64th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1.

[0156] For another example, as Figure 6 shown in (b) below, assume that the CPRI data stream is the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 in Community 1 and the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 in Community 2. The N CPRI frames are CPRI frame 1 to CPRI frame N respectively. The IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 in Community 1 and the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 in Community 2 in these CPRI frames 1 to CPRI frame N are encapsulated in an Ethernet packet for transmission. Taking one CPRI frame (for example, CPRI frame 1) out of the N CPRI frames as an example, assume that in the Ethernet packet, the arrangement of the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 in Community 1 and the IQ data of antenna channels 0 to 3 in Community 2 included in this CPRI frame 1 is in the order of antenna channels. Then the arrangement positions of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet can be described as:

[0157] The IQ data of antenna channel 0 in Community 1 is located in the first byte (or the 1st bit to the 8th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1.

[0158] The IQ data of antenna channel 0 in Community 2 is located in the second byte (or the 9th bit to the 16th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with an IQ stream identifier of 1.

[0159] The IQ data of antenna channel 1 in cell 1 is located in the third byte (or the 17th bit to the 24th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with the IQ stream identifier being 1;

[0160] The IQ data of antenna channel 1 in cell 2 is located in the fourth byte (or the 25th bit to the 32nd bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with the IQ stream identifier being 1;

[0161] The IQ data of antenna channel 2 in cell 1 is located in the fifth byte (or the 33rd bit to the 40th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with the IQ stream identifier being 1;

[0162] The IQ data of antenna channel 2 in cell 2 is located in the sixth byte (or the 41st bit to the 48th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with the IQ stream identifier being 1.

[0163] The IQ data of antenna channel 3 in cell 1 is located in the seventh byte (or the 49th bit to the 56th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with the IQ stream identifier being 1;

[0164] The IQ data of antenna channel 3 in cell 2 is located in the eighth byte (or the 57th bit to the 64th bit) of the payload of the Ethernet packet with the IQ stream identifier being 1.

[0165] Optionally, in some feasible embodiments, for the receiving end of the Ethernet packet (i.e., the second network device), the second network device can also obtain a time delay Z, and the time delay Z is greater than the average transmission time delay of the Ethernet packet. Exemplarily, please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7It is a schematic diagram of the delay Z provided by an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the second network device may, according to the timestamp T and the delay Z, send the first CPRI frame to the downstream processing node of the second network device when the local time reaches T+Z. Here, the timestamp T is the frame number of the first CPRI frame among N CPRI frames, and the first CPRI frame includes the IQ data within the first CPRI frame among N CPRI frames. That is to say, this delay Z means that regardless of the transmission delay, when the receiving end of the Ethernet packet receives the Ethernet packet, according to the timestamp T carried in the Ethernet packet, after the local time reaches T+Z, the IQ data is output to the downstream processing node. In this way, the transmission delay jitter of the eCPRI link can be absorbed, making the transmission delay of the IQ data a stable value, enabling the downstream to obtain continuous and non-lost-frame CPRI frames, which is beneficial to improving communication performance. Here, the downstream processing node may be an RU running the CPRI protocol, or a baseband unit that processes IQ data inside the DU, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0166] It should be noted that one or more pieces of information among the above-mentioned value of N, the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet, or the delay Z, etc. may be configured through control plane messages. Generally speaking, the control plane message is a message sent by the eREC to the eRE or the FHGW. The control plane message may include first indication information, and the first indication information indicates one or more of the following: ① the value of N, ② the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell, ③ the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet. Optionally, the control plane message may also include second indication information, and the second indication information indicates the size of the delay Z. It should be understood that the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried and sent in the same control plane message, or the first indication information and the second indication information may also be carried and sent in different control plane messages respectively. The present application does not make any restrictions on this. It should be noted that for user plane data (such as Ethernet packets), both the eREC and the eRE can be the sending ends of the user plane data. For example, if the eREC is the sending end of the user plane data, then the eRE can be the receiving end of the user plane data. Another example is that if the eRE is the sending end of the user plane data, then the eREC is the receiving end of the user plane data. However, for control plane messages, usually the eREC is the sending end of the control plane message, and the eRE is the receiving end of the control plane message. Exemplarily, as Figure 8 shown, as Figure 8 (a) in shows the Ethernet packet sending situation where the first network device is the eREC and the second network device is the eRE. As Figure 8Figure (b) shows the situation of Ethernet packet transmission where the first network device is an eRE and the second network device is an eREC. Exemplarily, please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 which is a schematic diagram of the network architecture applicable to the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 9 shown in Figure (a), it shows the situation where eREC and eRE are networked, and CPRI cells and eCPRI cells coexist (or share the transmission network) on the eRE. Among them, Ethernet packets can be sent from the eREC to the eRE through the Ethernet fronthaul network, or can be sent from the eRE to the eREC through the Ethernet fronthaul network. The control plane messages are sent / notified from the eREC to the eRE. As Figure 9 shown in Figure (b), it shows the situation where eREC, FHGW, and RE are networked. Among them, Ethernet packets can be sent from the eREC to the FHGW through the Ethernet fronthaul network, or can be sent from the FHGW to the eREC through the Ethernet fronthaul network. The control plane messages are sent / notified from the eREC to the FHGW.

[0167] Optionally, one or more of the above-mentioned values of N, the association relationship between the IQ flow identifier and the antenna channels of the cell, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet packet, or the delay Z, etc. can also be pre-configured or pre-defined, and the present application does not limit this. For example, the value of N can be pre-configured or pre-defined, and this pre-configured or pre-defined method can save transmission bandwidth.

[0168] In the embodiments of the present application, by encapsulating the IQ data in multiple CPRI frames in an eCPRI Ethernet packet (i.e., an Ethernet packet in the eCPRI message format) for transmission, the transmission efficiency of CPRI data can be improved. In addition, by carrying an IQ flow identifier in the header of the eCPRI Ethernet packet, this IQ flow identifier can be used to identify which antenna channels of which cell the IQ data in the Ethernet packet specifically belongs to, which is beneficial for the receiving end to correctly parse the received eCPRI Ethernet packet. Further, by carrying the timestamp T in the Ethernet packet, the receiving end of the Ethernet packet can, according to the timestamp T and the obtained delay Z, start sending CPRI frames to the downstream processing nodes in sequence when the local time reaches T+Z. In this way, the transmission delay jitter of the eCPRI link can be absorbed, making the transmission delay of the IQ data a stable value, enabling the downstream to obtain continuous and non-lost CPRI frames, and improving the delay stability of the IQ data transmission in the Ethernet network.

[0169] Next, the communication device provided by the present application will be described in detail in combination with Figures 10 to 11 .

[0170] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the communication device includes the corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the manner of hardware or computer software driving the hardware depends on the specific application scenarios and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0171] Figure 10 and Figure 11 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first network device or the second network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, these communication devices can be the first network device or the second network device, or can be components or devices applied to the first network device or the second network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network device or the second network device.

[0172] As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 includes a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020. The communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of the first network device or the second network device in the method embodiment shown above. Figure 4 in

[0173] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the first network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4 :

[0174] The processing unit 1010 is used to determine an Ethernet data packet, the format of the Ethernet data packet is the eCPRI message format, the Ethernet data packet includes IQ data in N CPRI frames, and the header of the Ethernet data packet includes an IQ stream identifier; wherein, the CPRI frame includes IQ data corresponding to X cells, each cell includes one or more antenna channels, the IQ stream identifier is used to determine the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0.

[0175] The transceiver unit 1020 is used to send the Ethernet data packet.

[0176] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the second network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4 :

[0177] A transceiver unit 1020 is configured to receive Ethernet data packets. The format of the Ethernet data packets is the eCPRI message format. The Ethernet data packets include IQ data in N CPRI frames, and an IQ stream identifier is included in the header of the Ethernet data packets. Wherein, the CPRI frames include IQ data corresponding to X cells, each cell includes one or more antenna channels, the IQ stream identifier is used to determine the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0.

[0178] A processing unit 1010 is configured to, according to the timestamp T and the time delay Z, at the local time when T+Z arrives, send a first CPRI frame through the transceiver unit 1020. The first CPRI frame includes the IQ data in the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

[0179] For other possible implementation manners of the communication device, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions of the functions of the relevant devices in the corresponding method embodiments above, which will not be elaborated herein. Figure 4 Corresponding descriptions of the relevant functions of the relevant devices in the corresponding method embodiments above, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0180] As Figure 11 As shown, the communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110 and an interface circuit 1120. The processor 1110 and the interface circuit 1120 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1120 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory 1130, configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1110 or store input data required for the processor 1110 to run instructions or store data generated after the processor 1110 runs instructions.

[0181] When the communication device is used to implement the method in the above method embodiment, the processor 1110 is configured to execute the function of the above processing unit 1010, and the interface circuit 1120 is configured to execute the function of the above transceiver unit 1020.

[0182] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a first network device, the chip implements the function of the first network device in the above method embodiment. The chip receives information from other devices; or, the first network device chip sends information to other devices.

[0183] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a second network device, the second network device chip implements the function of the second network device in the above method embodiment. The second network device chip receives information from other devices; or, the second network device chip sends information to other devices.

[0184] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0185] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in a hardware manner or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can be located in the first network device or the second network device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the first network device or the second network device.

[0186] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted through the computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can access or a data storage device such as a server integrating one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital versatile disc (DVD); or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state drive (SSD).

[0187] In various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0188] It can be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The magnitudes of the serial numbers of the above processes do not mean the sequence of execution. The execution sequence of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0189] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-executable instructions are stored. When the computer-executable instructions are executed, the method executed by the first network device or the second network device in the above method embodiments is implemented.

[0190] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method executed by the first network device or the second network device in the above method embodiments is implemented.

[0191] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes a first network device and a second network device. Among them, the first network device is used to execute the method executed by the first network device in the above method embodiments. The second network device is used to execute the method executed by the second network device in the above method embodiments.

[0192] It should be noted that, for the foregoing method embodiments, for the sake of simple description, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations. However, those skilled in the art should know that this application is not limited by the described action sequence, because according to this application, certain steps can be performed in other sequences or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also know that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily essential to this application.

[0193] The descriptions of the embodiments provided in this application can be referred to each other. The descriptions of each embodiment have their own emphases. For the parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments. For the convenience and conciseness of description, for example, the functions and steps performed by the various devices and equipment provided in the embodiments of this application can refer to the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments of this application. The method embodiments can also refer to, combine with, or quote from each other among the device embodiments.

[0194] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, not to limit them; although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, applied to a first network device, includes: Determine an Ethernet data packet, the format of the Ethernet data packet is an enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI) message format, the Ethernet data packet includes in-phase and quadrature (IQ) data in N Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) frames, and the header of the Ethernet data packet includes an IQ stream identifier; wherein, each of the CPRI frames includes IQ data corresponding to X cells, each of the cells includes one or more antenna channels, the IQ stream identifier is used to determine the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0; Send the Ethernet data packet.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method further includes: Send first indication information, the first indication information indicates one or more of the following information: the value of N; the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell; or, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet; wherein, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, one or more of the value of N, the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell, or the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is pre-configured or pre-defined; the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, the header of the Ethernet data packet further includes a timestamp T, and the timestamp T is used to indicate the generation time or packaging time of the Ethernet data packet.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, the method further includes: Send second indication information, the second indication information indicates a delay Z, and Z is greater than the average transmission delay of the Ethernet data packet.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, the timestamp T and the delay Z are used to determine the receive buffer time of the Ethernet data packet.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, the timestamp T is the frame number of the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, applied to a second network device, includes: Receive an Ethernet data packet, the format of the Ethernet data packet being an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI) message format. The Ethernet data packet includes in-phase quadrature (IQ) data in N common public radio interface (CPRI) frames, and an IQ stream identifier is included in the header of the Ethernet data packet. Wherein, each of the CPRI frames includes IQ data corresponding to X cells, each of the cells includes one or more antenna channels, the IQ stream identifier is used to determine the antenna channel of the cell to which the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet belongs, N is an integer greater than 1, and X is an integer greater than 0.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating one or more of the following information: the value of N; the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell; or, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet; wherein, the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, one or more of the value of N, the association relationship between the IQ stream identifier and the antenna channel of the cell, or the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is pre-configured or pre-defined; the arrangement position of the IQ data in the Ethernet data packet is the bit position of the IQ data corresponding to the antenna channel of the cell in the Ethernet data packet.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, wherein, a timestamp T is further included in the header of the Ethernet data packet, and the timestamp T is used to indicate the generation time or the packaging time of the Ethernet data packet.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information indicating a delay Z, and Z is greater than the average transmission delay of the Ethernet data packet.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the timestamp T and the delay Z are used to determine the reception buffer time of the Ethernet data packet.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, the timestamp T is the frame number of the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, the method further includes: sending a first CPRI frame at the local time when it reaches T+Z according to the timestamp T and the delay Z, and the first CPRI frame includes the IQ data in the first CPRI frame among the N CPRI frames.

16. A communication device, including a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-7, or including a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 8-15.

17. A communication device, wherein, Comprising a processor and a transceiver, the processor and the transceiver are configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-7, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 8-15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, the storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1-7 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 8-15 is implemented.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, comprising computer program code, and when the computer program code runs on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1-7 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 8-15 is implemented.

20. A communication system, characterized in that, comprising a first network device for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1-7, and a second network device comprising the method according to any one of claims 8-15.

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