Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and a communication device, the method comprising: a first relay node receiving routing information and time-frequency resource information, the routing information being used for determining a second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information being used for indicating a time-frequency resource for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; the first relay node performs data transmission with a second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, the first relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node. When data transmission is carried out between the terminal equipment and the network equipment, the data is transmitted at least through two relay nodes (such as a first relay node and a second relay node), the scheme supports dynamic routing change of the relay nodes, relatively far transmission between the terminal equipment and the network equipment is realized, and the transmission performance is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) such as satellite communication have significant advantages such as global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, convenient deployment, and being unrestricted by geographical conditions, and have been widely used in multiple fields such as maritime communication, positioning and navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting, and earth observation.

[0003] In a satellite system, taking uplink transmission as an example, a terminal device sends data to a gateway station / ground station through an inter-satellite link, and thus the gateway station forwards the data to a core network / base station. The information transmitted between the terminal device and the network device needs to be forwarded by satellite devices (or called relay nodes) on the inter-satellite link. Currently, the beam direction for the relay nodes to forward information is fixed and all are wide beams, resulting in a low forwarding signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore, how to improve the transmission performance between the terminal device and the network device is a current research hotspot. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, and provides a multi-hop forwarding mechanism to ensure transmission performance.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first relay node. Here, the first relay node can refer to the first relay node itself, or a processor, module, chip, or chip system in the first relay node that implements this method. This application does not make any limitations in this regard. The method includes:

[0006] The first relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information. The routing information is used to determine a second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for the first relay node to perform data transmission with the second relay node; the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, where the first relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0007] It should be understood that for the time-frequency resources for the first relay node to perform data transmission with the second relay node, the time-frequency resources may include the time-frequency resources for the first relay node to send information to the second relay node, or the time-frequency resources may include the time-frequency resources for the second relay node to receive information from the first relay node, or the time-frequency resources include the time-frequency resources for the first relay node to send information to the second relay node, and the time-frequency resources for the second relay node to receive information from the first relay node.

[0008] It should also be understood that the data transmission in this application can be uplink transmission or downlink transmission, and this application does not make any limitations.

[0009] It should also be understood that the path information and time-frequency resource information can be carried in the same piece of information for transmission, or carried in different pieces of information for transmission.

[0010] According to the method provided by this application, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the received routing information and time-frequency resource information. Among them, both the first relay node and the second relay node can be ground relay nodes or satellite relay nodes. In the technical solution of this method, the data transmission between the terminal device and the network device passes through at least two relay nodes (for example, the first relay node and the second relay node) for transmission, supports dynamic routing changes of the relay nodes, realizes longer-distance transmission between the terminal device and the network device, and ensures the transmission performance.

[0011] In addition, the first relay node and the second relay node can be ground relay nodes or satellite relay nodes, and this method can use ground relay nodes for transmission, thereby being able to reduce the hardware cost and complexity of the satellite.

[0012] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the routing information includes the identification information of the destination relay node and the identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the location information of the second relay node, or, the routing information includes the forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node. It should be understood that the routing information includes the identification information of the destination relay node and the identification information of the forwarding path, that is, the first relay node can determine the forwarding path according to the identification information of the forwarding path, and the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the forwarding path and the identification information of the destination node. Among them, the destination node can be the destination node of the forwarding path, or other nodes (non-destination nodes) in the forwarding path, and this application does not make any limitations. For example, the destination node can be the second relay node, and the second relay node is not the destination node of the forwarding path.

[0013] It should also be understood that the routing information includes the identification information of the forwarding path, that is, the first relay node can determine the forwarding path according to the identification information of the forwarding path, and determine the next relay node (such as the second relay node) according to the forwarding path and the first relay node.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the content of the routing information. The first relay node can quickly determine the second relay node, saving the delay of data forwarding.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node determines a forwarding mode, where the forwarding mode includes a regeneration forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

[0016] It should be understood that the forwarding mode can be represented in the form of a bit map. For example, when the bit value is "1", it can be used to indicate the regeneration forwarding mode; when the bit value is "0", it can be used to indicate the transparent forwarding mode. Or, when the bit value is "0", it can be used to indicate the regeneration forwarding mode; when the bit value is "1", it can be used to indicate the transparent forwarding mode.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, when the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node, the first relay node determines whether to use the transparent forwarding mode or the regeneration forwarding mode to perform data transmission with the second relay node, thereby realizing the indication of the transmission mode between the first relay node and the second relay node.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the first relay node determines the forwarding mode, including: the first relay node determines the forwarding mode according to the first information, where the first information includes the forwarding mode; or, the first relay node blindly detects and / or decodes the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding mode, where the second information includes the transmission information between the network device and the terminal device.

[0019] Based on the above technical solution, the forwarding method can adopt explicit indication or implicit indication. Among them, for the explicit indication method, for example, the first relay node receives the first information including the forwarding method, and the first information includes the transparent forwarding method or the regeneration forwarding method; for the implicit indication method, the first information does not include the forwarding method, and the first relay node needs to perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding method. For example, when the first relay node performs blind detection and / or decoding on the second information, if the first relay node can perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the second information, the first relay node can use the regeneration forwarding method to transmit data; if the first relay node fails in blind detection and / or decoding of the time-frequency resources of the second information, the first relay node can use the transparent forwarding method to transmit data. Using the method of blind detection and / or decoding to determine the forwarding method can save signaling overhead compared with the method of indicating the forwarding method through information.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding method and the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, and the transparent forwarding method and / or the regeneration forwarding method.

[0021] Among them, the forwarding method corresponding to the time-frequency resources of the second information may include multiple forwarding methods, that is, a part of the time-frequency resources of the second information adopts the regeneration forwarding method, and another part adopts the transparent forwarding method.

[0022] It should be understood that the forwarding method corresponding to the time-frequency resources of the second information may be one method (for example, the regeneration forwarding method or the transparent forwarding method) or multiple forwarding methods. Among them, when the forwarding method corresponding to the time-frequency resources of the second information is one forwarding method, the second information can be transmitted using the regeneration forwarding method or the transparent forwarding method; when the forwarding method corresponding to the time-frequency resources of the second information is multiple forwarding methods, for example, two forwarding methods, namely transparent forwarding and regeneration forwarding. A part of the information in the second information (such as control information) can be transmitted using the regeneration forwarding method, and another part of the information (such as data information) can be transmitted using the transparent forwarding method.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, when the forwarding mode is the transparent forwarding mode, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node transmits the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information; when the forwarding mode is the regenerative forwarding mode, the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node transmits the third information to the second relay node according to the regenerative forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, where the third information is determined according to the second information and the regenerative forwarding mode.

[0024] It should be understood that when the forwarding mode is the transparent forwarding mode, the first relay node can perform data transmission with the second relay node in accordance with the transparent forwarding mode. For example, the first relay node can send the second information to the second relay node in a transparent forwarding manner, or the first relay node receives the second information sent by the second relay node in a transparent forwarding manner. When the forwarding mode is the regenerative forwarding mode, the first relay node can perform data transmission with the second relay node in accordance with the regenerative forwarding mode. For example, the first relay node can determine the third information according to the second information and the regenerative forwarding mode, and then send the third information to the second relay node, or the first relay node receives the third information sent by the second relay node in a regenerative forwarding manner, where the third information is determined according to the second information and the regenerative forwarding mode.

[0025] It should also be understood that the first relay node and the second relay node can have the regenerative forwarding function and / or the transparent forwarding function. Data transmission is performed based on the functions of the first relay node and the second relay node and the determined forwarding mode.

[0026] For example, the first relay node is a relay node for regenerative transmission, and the first relay node includes the regenerative forwarding function. The first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node transmits the third information to the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, where the third information is determined according to the second information and the regenerative forwarding mode.

[0027] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the method further includes: the first relay node receives a forwarding direction, where the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

[0028] It should be understood that the first relay node can determine the second relay node according to the forwarding direction and the routing information, and perform data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction. When the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resources indicated by the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction corresponding to the time-frequency resources.

[0029] It should be understood that the forwarding direction can be represented in the form of a bitmap. For example, when the bit value is "1", it can be used to indicate the uplink forwarding direction; when the bit value is "0", it can be used to indicate the downlink forwarding direction. Or, when the bit value is "0", it can be used to indicate the uplink forwarding direction; when the bit value is "1", it can be used to indicate the downlink forwarding direction.

[0030] It should be understood that the forwarding direction can be transmitted in the same message as at least one of the above-mentioned routing information, time-frequency resource information, and first information, or transmitted in a separate message.

[0031] It should also be understood that the forwarding direction can include an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. Among them, the uplink and downlink forwarding directions are determined based on whether the data transmitted between the network device and the terminal device is sent by the network device or the terminal device. The forwarding direction can also indicate whether the relay node forwards forward or backward. Among them, the forward or backward forwarding can be determined based on the direction of the forwarding path.

[0032] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the routing information includes the routing information of the first relay node, and the method further includes: the first relay node transmits a second message according to the routing information, the time-frequency resources, and the forwarding mode, where the second message is the transmission information between the terminal device and the network device, and the routing information further includes any one of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, serial number index of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, angular information of the beam (such as elevation angle, azimuth angle).

[0033] It should be understood that the routing information includes the routing information of the first relay node, where the routing information can be used to determine the direction of the receiving beam and / or the direction of the transmitting beam. The direction of the receiving beam and / or the direction of the transmitting beam can be determined according to one or more of the wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, serial number index of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, angular information of the beam (such as elevation angle, azimuth angle) in the routing information. The reference position can be the position of a reference point within the beam coverage.

[0034] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: the first relay node receives forwarding frequency point information, where the forwarding frequency point information is used to indicate the frequency point information used by the first relay node for transmitting the forwarded data; the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency point information.

[0035] It should be understood that when the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency point information, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource indicated by the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency point corresponding to the time-frequency resource.

[0036] It should be understood that the frequency point for the first relay node to receive the forwarding information and the frequency point for sending the forwarding information may be the same or different. For example, the first relay node receives the forwarding information according to the time-frequency resource information at frequency point #1, and the first relay node forwards the information according to the time-frequency resource information at frequency point #2. Among them, the frequency point #2 is different from the frequency point #1. Among them, the frequency point #2 may be determined by the first relay node to meet the link budget requirements of different transmission powers, or the frequency point #2 is determined by the first relay node to adapt to the signal transmission capabilities of different hardware. The specific determination method of the frequency point is not limited in this application.

[0037] It should also be understood that the frequency point #2 may also be pre-configured by the base station or predefined by the system.

[0038] Among them, the forwarding frequency point information in this application may also be referred to as frequency point information, forwarding frequency point, frequency point, etc.

[0039] Based on the above technical solution, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, which may include that the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the routing information, and then performs data transmission with the second relay node on the corresponding time-frequency resource according to the frequency point information based on the time-frequency resource information; or, the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the routing information, and the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, the forwarding mode, and the frequency point information; or, the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the routing information and the forwarding direction, and then performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource, the forwarding mode, and the frequency point information. Among them, the first relay node may determine the second relay node according to the routing information, or information such as the routing information and the forwarding direction. When the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node, the first relay node may determine the forwarding mode of the data transmission, and / or the position of the transmission time-frequency resource, and / or the forwarding frequency point, etc. according to one or more of the time-frequency resource, the forwarding direction, and the frequency point information.

[0040] It should be understood that in this application, the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, where the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the above routing information, and the first relay node may also transmit data with the second relay node according to one or more of the forwarding direction, the forwarding mode, and the frequency point information. Those skilled in the art can disclose one or more of the above information according to this application and adopt different methods to determine one or more of the data transmission method, the occupied time-frequency resource, and the occupied frequency point between the first relay node and the second relay node, which will not be listed one by one in this application. Combining with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit. Among them, the MT is used to establish a first link, and this first link is used for the MT to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, and this first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, and this second link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device, and this second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

[0041] It should be understood that the first relay node may include an MT, a DU, and a transparent forwarding unit. The first relay node has the function of transparent forwarding and may also have the function of regenerative forwarding.

[0042] In a possible implementation manner, the first relay node includes an MT and a transparent forwarding unit. The first relay node has the ability of transparent forwarding.

[0043] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU. Among them, the MT is used to establish a third link, and the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device. The third link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a fourth link, and the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device or the terminal device. The fourth link is a control link or an access link.

[0044] It should be understood that the first relay node may include an MT and a DU, that is, the first relay node has the function of regeneration and forwarding.

[0045] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the first relay node supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the radio link control layer RLC; or, the first relay node supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the MAC layer.

[0046] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second relay node. Here, the second relay node may refer to the second relay node itself, or may refer to a processor, module, chip, or chip system in the second relay node that implements this method. This application does not make any limitations in this regard. The method includes:

[0047] The second relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information. The routing information is used for the second relay node to determine that the second relay node is the last relay node for transmission between the network device and the terminal device. The second relay node sends second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information. The second information includes the information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device. Among them, the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0048] According to the method provided in this application, assuming that the second relay node is the last relay node in the downlink transmission direction or the downlink transmission direction, that is, the second relay node forwards the received data to the terminal device or the network device. The second relay node sends second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the received routing information and time-frequency resource information. The second information includes the information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device.

[0049] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementations, the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes an end flag for stopping forwarding between relay nodes.

[0050] It should be understood that the identification information of the destination node in the routing information may be the identification information of the second relay node. When the second relay node receives the routing information including its own identification information, or its own location information, or an end flag for stopping the relay forwarding between nodes, the second relay node determines that it is the last relay transmission node, and the second relay node sends the information transmitted between the terminal device and the network device to the terminal device or the network device.

[0051] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: the second relay node receives a forwarding direction, where the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information, including: the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

[0052] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: the second relay node receives forwarding frequency point information, where the forwarding frequency point information is used to indicate the frequency point information used by the second relay node for forwarding data transmission; the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information, including: the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency point information.

[0053] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the routing information includes the routing information of the first relay node, and the method further includes: the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device according to the routing information, the time-frequency resource, and the forwarding manner, and the routing information further includes one or more of the following: a wave position index, the location information of the terminal device, the identification information of the terminal device, the index number of the terminal device, a beam index, a reference position, and the angular information of the beam (such as elevation angle, azimuth angle).

[0054] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit.

[0055] Wherein, the MT is used to establish a first link, and the first link is used for the MT to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, and the first link is a control link; the DU is used to establish a second link, and the second link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device, and the second link is a control link; the transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

[0056] In a possible implementation manner, the second relay node includes an MT and a transparent forwarding unit. The second relay node has a transparent forwarding function.

[0057] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU.

[0058] Wherein, the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

[0059] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the second relay node supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the radio link control (RLC) layer; or, the second relay node supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the MAC layer.

[0060] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is used to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information. The routing information is used to determine the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node.

[0061] The processing unit is used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information.

[0062] Wherein, the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0063] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the location information of the second relay node, or, the routing information includes the forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

[0064] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the processing unit is further used to determine a forwarding mode according to the first information, and the forwarding mode includes a regeneration and forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; the processing unit is further used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

[0065] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the first information includes the forwarding manner, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the forwarding manner according to the first information; or, the processing unit is further configured to perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding manner, where the second information is the information for data transmission.

[0066] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the processing unit is further configured to perform data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, and the transparent forwarding manner and / or the regenerative forwarding manner.

[0067] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, when the forwarding manner is the transparent forwarding manner, the processing unit is further configured to transmit the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding manner and the time-frequency resource information; when the forwarding manner is the regenerative forwarding manner, the processing unit is further configured to transmit third information to the second relay node according to the regenerative forwarding manner and the time-frequency resource information, where the third information is determined according to the second information and the regenerative forwarding manner.

[0068] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a forwarding direction, where the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the processing unit is configured to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

[0069] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive forwarding frequency point information, where the forwarding frequency point information is used to indicate the frequency point information used by the first relay node for forwarding data transmission; the processing unit is configured to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency point information.

[0070] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the routing information includes the routing information of the communication device.

[0071] The processing unit is further configured to transmit second information according to the routing information, the time-frequency resources, and the forwarding manner, where the second information is the information for data transmission.

[0072] Wherein, the routing information further includes any one of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, serial number index of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, angle information of the beam (such as elevation angle, azimuth angle).

[0073] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit.

[0074] Among them, the MT is used to establish a first link, and this first link is used for the MT to connect to the DU of the upper-level device. The first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, and this second link is used to provide access for the MT of the lower-level device. The second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

[0075] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit.

[0076] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU.

[0077] Among them, the MT is used to establish a third link, and this third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device. The third link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a fourth link, and this fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT or the terminal device of the lower-level device. The fourth link is a control link or an access link.

[0078] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the radio link control layer RLC; or, the communication device supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the MAC layer.

[0079] Fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is used to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information. The routing information is used to determine that the communication device is the last relay node for transmission between a network device and a terminal device.

[0080] The processing unit is used to send second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information. The second information includes the information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device.

[0081] Among them, the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0082] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the routing information includes identification information of a destination relay node and identification information of a forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes a forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

[0083] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the processing unit is further configured to determine a forwarding manner according to first information, where the forwarding manner includes a regenerative forwarding manner or a transparent forwarding manner; the processing unit is further configured to perform data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding manner and the time-frequency resource information.

[0084] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the first information includes the forwarding manner, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the forwarding manner according to the first information; or, the processing unit is further configured to blindly detect and / or decode time-frequency resources of second information to determine the forwarding manner, where the second information is information for the data transmission.

[0085] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the processing unit is further configured to perform data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, and the transparent forwarding manner and / or the regenerative forwarding manner.

[0086] Wherein, the forwarding manner of the time-frequency resources of the second information includes the transparent forwarding manner and / or the regenerative forwarding manner.

[0087] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, when the forwarding manner is the transparent forwarding manner, the processing unit is further configured to transmit the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding manner and the time-frequency resource information;

[0088] When the forwarding manner is the regenerative forwarding manner, the processing unit is further configured to transmit third information to the second relay node according to the regenerative forwarding manner and the time-frequency resource information, where the third information is determined according to the second information and the regenerative forwarding manner.

[0089] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a forwarding direction, where the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the processing unit is further configured to send second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

[0090] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive forwarding frequency point information, where the forwarding frequency point information is used to indicate the frequency point information used by the first relay node for forwarding data transmission; the processing unit is further configured to send second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency point information.

[0091] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the routing information includes the routing information of the communication device.

[0092] The processing unit is further configured to transmit second information according to the routing information, the time-frequency resource, and the forwarding manner, where the second information is the information for data transmission, and the routing information further includes any one of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, serial number index of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, angle information of the beam (such as elevation angle, azimuth angle).

[0093] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit, where the MT is configured to establish a first link, and the first link is used for the MT to connect to the DU of the upper-level device, and the first link is a control link; the DU is configured to establish a second link, and the second link is used to provide access for the MT of the lower-level device, and the second link is a control link; the transparent forwarding unit is configured to provide a transparent forwarding function.

[0094] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit.

[0095] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU.

[0096] Wherein, the MT is configured to establish a third link, and the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, and the third link is a control link; the DU is configured to establish a fourth link, and the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT or the terminal device of the lower-level device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

[0097] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the communication device supports the retransmission and forwarding manner of the radio link control (RLC) layer; or, the communication device supports the retransmission and forwarding manner of the medium access control (MAC) layer.

[0098] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including a processor configured to implement the method described in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect. The processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is used to store instructions and data. When the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the method described in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect can be implemented.

[0099] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. Optionally, the memory may be coupled to the processor. Optionally, the communication device may further include a communication interface, and the communication interface is used for the device to communicate with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a hardware circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or other types of communication interfaces.

[0100] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, including at least one of a first relay node, a second relay node, a terminal device, and a network device. Wherein, the first relay node is configured to execute any one of the methods shown in the first aspect, and the second relay node is configured to execute any one of the methods shown in the second aspect.

[0101] In a seventh aspect, the present application further provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0102] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, including instructions, which, when running on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0103] In a ninth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instructions are stored, and which, when the computer program or instructions run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0104] In a tenth aspect, the present application further provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory and execute the method described in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect; alternatively, the chip includes means for executing the method described in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0105] In an eleventh aspect, the present application further provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a device to implement the method described in the first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0106] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0107] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0108] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of an ATG communication scenario.

[0109] Figure 3 It is another schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0110] Figure 4 It is another schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0111] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0112] Figure 6 It is another schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0113] Figure 7 It is another schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0114] Figure 8 It is another schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0115] Figure 9 It is another schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0116] Figure 10 It is another schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0117] Figure 11 It is another schematic diagram of a network process provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0118] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of an IAB network.

[0119] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of an IAB user plane protocol stack.

[0120] Figure 14 It is a flowchart schematic diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0121] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0122] Figure 16 It is a schematic diagram of beam elevation and azimuth angles.

[0123] Figure 17 It is a schematic diagram of an indication method for forwarding data provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0124] Figure 18 It is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0125] Figure 19 It is a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0126] Figure 20 It is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0127] Figure 21 It is a schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0128] Figure 22 It is a schematic diagram of another control plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0129] Figure 23 It is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0130] Figure 24 It is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0131] Figure 25 It is a schematic diagram of another user panel protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0132] Figure 26 It is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0133] Figure 27 It is a schematic diagram of another user panel protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0134] Figure 28 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2800 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0135] Figure 29 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2900 provided by an embodiment of the present application. Specific embodiments

[0136] Next, the technical solutions in the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0137] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as satellite communication systems, high altitude platform (HAPS) communication, and unmanned aerial vehicles. For example, integrated communication and navigation (IcaN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and ultra-dense low-earth orbit satellite communication systems.

[0138] Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems. For example: the mobile communication system can be a fourth-generation (4G) communication system (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) system), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth-generation (5G) communication system (e.g., new radio (NR) system), and future mobile communication systems.

[0139] A satellite communication system includes user equipment (UE) and network equipment. The user equipment may also be referred to as a user terminal, a terminal device, a mobile station, etc. The network equipment may include one or more satellites and ground station equipment, and the ground station equipment may also be referred to as core network equipment. The satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellite, etc. The satellite may provide communication services, navigation services, positioning services, etc. to the terminal device through multiple beams. The satellite uses multiple beams to cover the service area, and different beams may communicate through one or more of time division, frequency division, and space division. The satellite communicates wirelessly with the terminal device by broadcasting communication signals, navigation signals, etc., and the satellite may communicate wirelessly with the ground station equipment. The satellite mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a satellite base station, may also include an orbital receiver or a repeater for relaying information, or may be a network-side device carried on the satellite.

[0140] The terminal devices mentioned in the embodiments of the present application include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication functions. Specifically, it may refer to user equipment, access terminals, user units, user stations, mobile stations, mobile phones, remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, terminals, wireless communication devices, user agents or user devices. The terminal device may also be a satellite phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a wireless modem, a machine type communication device, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication functions, a computing device or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a terminal device in a 5G network or a future communication network, etc.

[0141] The ground station equipment is, for example, equipment in the core network (CN) of an existing mobile communication architecture (such as the 3GPP access architecture of a 5G network) or equipment in the core network of a future mobile communication architecture. As a bearer network, the core network provides an interface to the data network, provides communication connections, authentication, management, policy control, and bearer for data services for user equipment (UE). Among them, the CN can further include: access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), authentication server function (AUSF), policy control function (PCF), user plane function (UPF), and other network elements. Among them, the AMF network element is used to manage the access and mobility of the UE, and is mainly responsible for functions such as UE authentication, UE mobility management, and paging of the UE.

[0142] The network equipment can also include, but is not limited to: evolved node B (eNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission reception point (TRP), etc. The network equipment can also be a gNB, TRP, or TP in a 5G system, or one or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system. In addition, the network equipment can also be a network node constituting a gNB or TP, such as a BBU, or a distributed unit (DU), etc. Or, the network equipment can also be equipment that undertakes network-side functions in a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, the Internet of Things (IoT), a vehicle-to-everything communication system, or other communication systems.

[0143] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication scenario applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 1, in this scenario, the network devices include satellite devices and gateway stations (GW). The user terminals include Internet of Things terminals, and can also be terminals of other forms and performances, such as mobile phone terminals, high-altitude airplanes, etc. This application does not make any limitations in this regard. The link between the satellite and the user terminal is called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway station is called the feeder link.

[0144] The method provided by the embodiments of this application can also be applied to a multi-satellite communication scenario extended based on Figure 1 the communication scenario shown, which will not be listed one by one in this application.

[0145] It should be understood that satellite devices can be divided into transparent mode (or called transparent forwarding mode / manner, or simply referred to as transparent) and regenerative mode (or called digital forwarding mode / manner) according to the working mode.

[0146] It should be understood that when the working mode of the device is the transparent manner, the device can be regarded as an amplify-and-forward (AF) relay device / node. This amplify-and-forward relay node can be used to indicate that after receiving a signal, the relay node does not decode or encode the received signal, but directly forwards the received signal to the destination node. Its approach is simple and can reduce the forwarding pressure of the relay node. However, when the relay node directly forwards the received signal to the destination node, it will also forward the noise to the destination node at the same time.

[0147] It should be understood that when the working mode of the device is the regenerative forwarding manner, the device can be regarded as a decode-and-forward (DF) relay device / node. This regenerative forwarding relay node can be used to indicate that after receiving a signal, the relay node decodes the received signal, re-encodes the decoding result, and finally forwards the re-encoded signal to the destination node. This approach can avoid the relay node forwarding noise to the destination node, resulting in excessive noise at the destination node. However, the protocol of regenerative forwarding is relatively complex, and at the same time, the computational pressure on the relay node is relatively large.

[0148] When the satellite operates in the transparent transmission mode, the satellite has the function of relay forwarding in the transparent forwarding mode. The gateway station has the function of a base station or some functions of a base station. At this time, the gateway station can be regarded as a base station. Alternatively, the base station and the gateway station can be deployed separately. Then, the delay of the feeder link includes two parts: the delay from the satellite to the gateway station and the delay from the gateway station to the gNB. Among them, the transparent transmission mode in the embodiments of the present application takes the case where the gateway station and the gNB are together or in close proximity as an example. For the case where the gateway station and the gNB are far apart, the feeder link delay can be obtained by adding the delay from the satellite to the gateway station and the delay from the gateway station to the gNB.

[0149] When the satellite operates in the regeneration mode, the satellite has data processing capabilities, has the function of a base station or some functions of a base station. At this time, the satellite can be regarded as a base station. In addition, the gNB is connected to the core network. Similarly, the regeneration forwarding node can also have the function of a base station (or some functions of a base station), and the regeneration forwarding node can be regarded as a base station.

[0150] It should also be understood that the present application can also be applicable to Figure 2 the air-to-ground (ATG) communication scenario shown in the figure. Among them, the network device includes a ground base station, and the user terminal can include a high-altitude aircraft, an in-flight handheld terminal, etc.

[0151] The present application intends to adopt a ground relay device that can be deployed on demand and a space-ground forwarding link to replace or supplement the existing inter-satellite link (ISL), reduce the cost of satellite payloads, and improve the economy of low-Earth orbit satellite network deployment.

[0152] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario provided by the embodiments of the present application. After the information of the user terminal (abbreviated as UE) reaches the satellite serving the UE, it is transmitted through the ground relay device and the space-ground link in multiple hops to the satellite near the target node, and then the information is transmitted to the target node through the gateway station connected to the satellite near the target node, and vice versa. Among them, the ground relay transfers the signal of one satellite (for example, the first satellite) to one or more satellites (for example, the second satellite), and uses "UE-satellite-ground relay device-satellite-ground relay device-...-satellite-GW-target node" to replace the traditional "UE-satellite-satellite-...-satellite-GW-target node" signal transmission.

[0153] It should be understood that the above Figure 3 deployment method has the following advantages:

[0154] 1. Ground equipment is easier to upgrade in specifications than on-satellite equipment. For example, ground relay equipment can increase the received gain or transmit power to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the satellite-ground link without changing the satellite communication payload. The ground relay equipment around the GW can be designed according to the aggregation capacity, deployed and upgraded as needed, avoiding capacity waste and having a short upgrade cycle.

[0155] 2. Ground equipment is easier to control costs than on-satellite equipment. Therefore, the ground relay equipment in the satellite-ground link can be asymmetrically designed (strong on the ground and weak on the satellite), reducing the requirements for the satellite communication payload capacity.

[0156] 3. The ground relay equipment in the satellite-ground link can only perform the function of signal forwarding between satellites without directly connecting to the core network or the Internet (no need to connect optical fibers or microwave backhaul), and has fewer restrictions on the deployment location than traditional GWs.

[0157] It should also be understood that this application is applicable to scenarios where the ISL capacity in hotspots of future high-throughput satellite networks is limited and it is difficult to deploy ground equipment for connecting networks in unpopulated areas. For example, the technical solutions in this application can also be applicable to the following several potential applicable scenarios:

[0158] Scenario 1: Using existing base stations as relays for inter-satellite forwarding. As Figure 4 shown, transceiver equipment supporting satellite signal forwarding is deployed on existing base stations to forward the signals of one satellite to another satellite. This scenario is applicable to scenarios with existing ground BS deployments. The ground relay equipment can serve both as a relay for inter-satellite data transmission and as a BS for serving UEs in the surrounding area.

[0159] Scenario 2: Ground relay equipment only used for inter-satellite signal transmission, as Figure 3 shown, is applicable to scenarios where the ground relay equipment is deployed in unpopulated areas on land or in the ocean where there are no users in the surrounding area.

[0160] It should be understood that the ground relay equipment and satellites can be divided into transparent mode and regeneration mode according to the working mode. When working in the transparent mode, the equipment has the functions of radio frequency signal amplification and forwarding and frequency translation. When working in the regeneration mode, the equipment has data processing capabilities (functions such as coding, decoding, recombination, and retransmission), and has the functions of a base station or some functions of a base station (such as IABnode, gNB-DU, or UE-relay).

[0161] It should also be understood that based on the processing capabilities of satellites and ground relay equipment, the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applicable to the following several potential network architectures:

[0162] Architecture 1: Full transparent transmission architecture. Both the satellite and the ground relay device are transparent transmission devices, that is, both the satellite and the ground relay device have the ability of transparent transmission. The satellite and the ground relay device do not perform processing such as encoding / decoding, recombination, and retransmission on the transmitted data. The BS node perceived by the UE is the BS on the ground. As shown in (1) of Figure 5 .

[0163] Architecture 2: Full regeneration architecture. Both the satellite and the ground relay device are regeneration devices, that is, both the satellite and the ground relay device have the ability of regeneration. The satellite and the ground relay device can perform processing such as encoding / decoding, recombination, and retransmission on the transmitted data. The node perceived by the UE is the satellite serving the UE. As shown in (2) of Figure 5 .

[0164] Architecture 3: Partial regeneration and partial transparent transmission architecture. Among the satellite and the ground relay device, some devices are transparent transmission nodes and some devices are regeneration nodes. Usually, the satellite is a transparent transmission node and the ground relay device is a regeneration node, so as to minimize the payload cost under the condition of similar performance. The node perceived by the UE is the BS node closest to the UE in the multi-hop link. As shown in (3) of Figure 5 .

[0165] Based on the above Figures 1 to 5 An exemplary introduction is given to the communication scenarios and architectures applicable to the method provided in this application. Combining the above Figures 1 to 5 shown scenarios and architectures, the basic functions and potential network topologies of the ground relay device will be described in detail below with specific scenario examples.

[0166] Scenario 1: For the ground relay device (or called the ground forwarding device), the signal of one satellite can be transferred to one or more satellites. Further, according to the number of satellite signals received and forwarded by the satellite and the ground relay device, it can be divided into the following four potential topologies:

[0167] Topology 1: As shown in (1) of Figure 6 , the ground relay device can transfer the signal of one satellite to another satellite.

[0168] Topology 2: As shown in (2) of Figure 6 , the ground relay device can transfer the signal of one satellite to multiple satellites.

[0169] Topology 3: As shown in (3) of Figure 6 , the ground relay device can transfer the signals of multiple satellites to one satellite.

[0170] Topology 4: As shown in (4) of Figure 6 , the ground relay device can transfer the signals of multiple satellites to multiple satellites.

[0171] Based onFigure 6 As shown, the ground relay device can be a single ground device or multiple ground relay devices that form a device group to complete the function of satellite signal forwarding. Similarly, the satellite can be a single device or a device group composed of multiple satellite devices.

[0172] It should be understood that the ground relay device can operate in the transparent transmission mode, only performing frequency change and RF amplification on the transmitted signal; or it can operate in the regeneration mode, decoding, reorganizing, encoding the transmitted data signal, and making necessary adjustments to some control information.

[0173] It should also be understood that in this application, the ground relay device operating in the regeneration mode can separately and independently decode, reorganize, and encode the signals from multiple satellite nodes and then forward them, or can jointly decode, cross-node reorganize, and encode the signals from multiple satellite nodes and then forward them. The ground relay device can transparently forward the data of some received satellite nodes and regeneratively forward the data of the remaining satellite nodes. Thus, a low-cost alternative and capacity expansion solution for the inter-satellite link can be realized.

[0174] Scenario 2: In this scenario, the potential characteristics of the configuration information of the ground relay device are mainly described. Among them, the ground relay device needs to pre-store or receive a time-varying configuration table, perform frequency shift and / or multiplexing on one or more received signals, and forward them to one or more other satellites. Since the satellite constellation has a dynamic topology, the satellite nodes connected by the ground relay device, the frequency points used for reception and forwarding, and the forwarding routing rules are all time-varying. The potential information included in the configuration table is shown in Table 1.

[0175] Table 1 Forwarding configuration table effective by time

[0176]

[0177] As Figure 7 shown, taking a certain transparent ground relay device connected to 4 satellites as an example, this relay node can exchange the signals of the 4 satellites. According to the configuration or prior agreement, the ground relay device forwards the signal of satellite node #1 to satellite node #3 and satellite node #4, and at the same time forwards the signal of satellite node #2 to satellite node #3. Since the information from satellite node #1 and satellite node #2 is included in the information from the relay node to satellite node #3, a larger bandwidth is required for this link, and a frequency shift operation needs to be performed on the frequency points of satellite node #1 or satellite node #2.

[0178] Among them, the links between the ground relay device and the satellite can adopt extremely narrow beams, so the input and output beams can preferably adopt the co-frequency reuse method to improve the utilization rate. For scenarios with a larger beam width or a shorter distance between satellite nodes, the heterodyne forwarding method can also be adopted more frequently.

[0179] Among them, the ground relay device adaptively adjusts the selection of the frequency points for signal forwarding. The ground relay device is pre-configured with a series of candidate frequency points (and bandwidths). Due to weather reasons, if the signal attenuation of a certain millimeter-wave frequency point is too large, the ground relay device can select a frequency point with low sensitivity to rain from the candidate frequency points for communication to ensure the stability of the communication link.

[0180] Scenario 3: This scenario describes different network topologies corresponding to ground relay devices in different working modes and different incident and forwarding signal types by way of examples.

[0181] For transparent nodes, the ground relay device can be a traditional application function (AF), a network-controlled repeater (NCR) device, etc. Figure 8 Four exemplary receiving and transmitting signal forms of transparent ground relay are listed.

[0182] As Figure 8 shown in (1) of Figure 8 , the transparent ground relay device forwards the signal of the previous transparent node to another transparent node; as Figure 8 shown in (2) of Figure 8 , the transparent ground relay device forwards the signal of the previous regeneration node to a transparent node; as

[0183] shown in (3) of Figure 9 , the transparent ground relay device forwards the signal of the previous transparent node to a regeneration node; as

[0184] shown in (4) of Figure 9 , the transparent ground relay device forwards the signal of the previous regeneration node to a regeneration node. Figure 9 Figure 9 shown in (1) of , the regenerative ground relay device forwards the signal of the previous regeneration node to another regeneration node; as Figure 9 shown in (2) of

[0185] Scenario 4: In this scenario, the manner in which the ground relay device receives operation and maintenance instructions is described exemplarily. The operation and maintenance instructions come from the previous regeneration node in a way of being sent along with the signal, or they can also come from the previous transparent transmission node. For the transparent transmission ground relay, a mobile terminal (MT) can be bound to receive the operation and maintenance instructions; for the regeneration ground relay, it can itself be used as an MT node to obtain the operation and maintenance instructions. The operation and maintenance instructions include information such as the routing configuration of the node, the frequency points, bandwidth, beam width, pointing, scanning pattern, and effective time of the transmitting and receiving beams.

[0186] As Figure 10 shown in (1) of Figure 10 the regeneration ground relay device obtains the operation and maintenance instructions; as

[0187] shown in (2) of

[0188] the transparent transmission ground relay device obtains the operation and maintenance instructions by binding an MT.

[0189] As Figure 11 shown: If the difference between the quality of the forwarding link and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the receiving link exceeds the threshold, the ground relay device forwards the data in a transparent transmission form. At this time, the combined capacity of the two links of the ground relay device will not be lost due to the noise amplification during the forwarding process. The transparent transmission mode can reduce the power consumption of the ground relay device, which is particularly important for ground forwarding devices relying on solar energy or diesel power supply. If the difference between the quality of the forwarding link and the SNR of the receiving link is lower than the threshold, at this time, the combined capacity of the two links of the ground relay device will be lost due to the transparent forwarding process. Therefore, the ground relay device should select the regeneration form to forward the data, and by reconstructing the data, avoid capacity loss.

[0190] Optionally, the base station configures the above threshold for the relay device, or, the threshold is pre-configured / pre-defined by the system. The size of this threshold is not limited in this application.

[0191] Among them, the quality of the forwarding link and the SNR of the receiving link can refer to the link quality from the ground relay device to the nearest hop node, or it can also refer to the equivalent link quality from the ground relay device to the nearest hop regeneration node.

[0192] Optionally, if both the forwarding link quality and the SNR or equivalent SNR of the receiving link are higher than a certain threshold (the combined capacity of the two links is large enough), even if the SNR difference between the two is less than the threshold, the ground relay device can operate in the transparent transmission mode.

[0193] It should be understood that in the above scenario five, the operating mode of the ground relay device is adaptively adjusted according to the channel quality, so as to reduce power consumption.

[0194] Currently, 5G NR technology is evolving from Release 18 to Release 19. At the same time, NR technology has entered the commercial deployment stage from the standardization stage. The original intention of the research on the NR standard protocol is a wireless communication technology designed for terrestrial cellular network scenarios, which can provide users with wireless communication services with ultra-low latency, ultra-high reliability, ultra-high speed, and ultra-large connection. However, cellular networks cannot achieve global seamless coverage. For example, there are no terrestrial base stations in areas such as the sea surface area, polar regions, and rainforests, and voice and data services cannot be provided for these areas without cellular network coverage.

[0195] Compared with terrestrial communication, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication has the characteristics of large coverage area and flexible networking, and can achieve global network seamless coverage. The NTN network is both a supplement to the current terrestrial network and can be regarded as an independent communication system that provides users with global high-speed network access. Currently, research institutes, communication organizations, communication companies, etc. around the world are all involved in the research of NTN communication technology and standard formulation, and strive to build a unified communication network for sky, air, and ground communication. Currently, 3GPP is researching and formulating the NR-NTN standard, applying the NR standard to communication scenarios such as satellites and high-altitude platforms.

[0196] There is an existing integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network technology. IAB supports wireless backhaul and relay links, and can achieve flexible and very dense deployment of NR cells without proportionally encrypting the wired transmission network. The main application scenarios of IAB technology include: high cost of fiber deployment, site encryption, coverage extension and blind spot filling in streets, coverage extension and blind spot filling in indoor areas, etc.

[0197] Figure 12It is a schematic diagram of an IAB network. In the IAB architecture based on forwarding, there are two types of network element nodes: IAB-node and IAB-donor. Among them, IAB-node: Supports NR access and backhaul functions, including IAB-node-MT (also known as IAB-MT) and IAB-node-DU (also known as IAB-DU). IAB-node-Mobile Terminal (MT): Connects to the DU of its parent node or IAB-donor-DU as an ordinary UE and serves as a wireless transmission backhaul link; IAB-node-DU: The access-side pole station cell under the IAB-node provides blind spot coverage and provides access for ordinary UEs or lower-level IAB-node-MTs.

[0198] Among them, IAB-donor: A gNodeB (also known as gNodeB-donor) that supports IAB additional functions, connects to the core network through non-IAB, such as optical fiber. IAB-donor-CU: Provides connections for IAB-donor-DU and IAB-node-DU. IAB-donor-DU: Provides access for UEs or IAB-MTs. Among them, the F1 interface is used for the connection between IAB-node-DU and IAB-donor-CU and fully inherits the F1 interface between DU and CU. The Uu interface is used for the connection between the parent node DU and IAB-node-MT.

[0199] In the satellite-ground forwarding network, if IAB nodes are used, the BAP layer is responsible for forwarding data packets between IAB-donor-DU and the access IAB-node to implement routing functions, such as Figure 13 shown. Among them, the BAP layer: mainly provides routing functions in multi-hop scenarios. BAP routing function: Implements the transmission of data from the sender to the receiver through the specified route. Add a BAP header (including the destination BAP address and BAP path ID) to the upper-layer data at the sender, and forward the data to the upper layer after deleting the BAP header at the receiver.

[0200] It should be understood that the BAP layer routing function requires the receiver to perform a decoding operation on it to obtain the BAP header, that is, the BAP layer routing function is not applicable to transparent nodes (transparent nodes do not decode the data sent to the terminal / base station but transmit it transparently, so transparent nodes cannot obtain the destination address and path ID of the BAP layer), and a routing method compatible with transparent and regenerative nodes and a simplified regenerative node function need to be designed.

[0201] Based on the above IAB technology, there is a type of network device NCR similar to IAB. This NCR can be used as a device to amplify and forward the base station signals for the UE to access the base station (parent node). Compared with IAB, the function of NCR is simpler and the cost is lower. NCR can be regarded as a transparent transmission node.

[0202] NCR-MT is connected to the gNB through the Uu interface and uses the control link (C-link) to control the NCR. NCR can receive the control information (i.e., side information) of the base station through the control link (Uu interface) to control the backhaul link, the beam direction of the backhaul / control link, switch NCR, and perform power control. NCR forwards the data between the gNB and the UE. The NCR manufacturer can provide the characteristic description of the access link beam, such as the direction, width, coverage range, etc. of the beam. The access link beam supports a maximum of 64 beam indication numbers. The base station accessed by NCR can only indicate the beam index number to NCR, and NCR controls the beam direction and width of the access link to forward the signal according to the beam index number. NCR transparently forwards the uplink or downlink signals between the gNB and the UE through the backhaul link and the access link.

[0203] It should be understood that when applying the NCR node in the satellite scenario, taking the satellite NCR as an example, since NCR only supports 64 predefined beam indications, in order to meet the omnidirectional coverage, each of the 64 beams will be a wide beam, which will result in a low signal-to-noise ratio of the access link. NCR only supports transmitting one access link beam at the same time. When NCR needs to forward data to two different directions simultaneously, NCR cannot send two beam directions at the same time, that is, NCR does not support simultaneous multipath forwarding, which will increase the multipath forwarding delay.

[0204] In addition, the current forwarding direction of the NCR access link is determined according to the UL / DL of the time division duplex (TDD) mode. The forwarding direction refers to downlink forwarding or uplink forwarding. In the TDD mode, the time domain resources are divided into downlink transmission resources and uplink transmission resources. Therefore, when the time domain resources for forwarding are indicated in the forwarding information, the NCR can determine the forwarding direction according to the uplink transmission or downlink transmission corresponding to the time domain resources for forwarding in the TDD mode. However, in satellite communication, the frequency division duplex (FDD) mode is commonly used in the communication system, and it is impossible to determine whether it is downlink transmission resources or uplink transmission resources through the time domain resources. Therefore, in the FDD mode, it is necessary to explicitly determine the forwarding direction through other signaling.

[0205] The terminal device in the satellite system can forward data to the gateway station or the ground station through the inter-satellite link, and then establish a connection with the core network or the Internet. Due to various limiting factors, satellite operators cannot establish a large number of gateway stations or ground stations globally, which will cause the satellite data near the gateway station to land intensively and the capacity pressure of the inter-satellite link to increase step by step. For satellites far from the GW, in order to send data to the core network or establish a connection with the Internet, the data is forwarded to the GW through the inter-satellite link, or the core network or Internet data is sent to the terminal device through the GW and the inter-satellite link.

[0206] Under such an inter-satellite forwarding mechanism, the satellites closer to the GW will forward more satellite data to the GW, that is, as the forwarding level increases, the amount of inter-satellite forwarded data doubles, increasing the pressure of inter-satellite forwarding. In addition, due to satellite movement (such as LEO satellites), different satellites will successively become satellites closer to the GW, so almost all satellites need to support the maximum capacity of inter-satellite forwarding, which will greatly increase the on-board hardware cost. Based on the above analysis, in the satellite communication network, transmitting backhaul data through the inter-satellite link will cause a large capacity pressure for multi-hop inter-satellite transmission and a high satellite hardware cost.

[0207] Considering that in the satellite system, the data transmission between the terminal device and the network device needs to pass through the inter-satellite link, and the data transmission passes through the relay node, the gateway station / ground station to reach the core network / base station. The information transmitted between the terminal device and the network device needs to be forwarded by the satellite device (or called the relay node) on the inter-satellite link. Currently, the beam direction of the relay node for forwarding information is fixed and all are wide beams, resulting in a low forwarding signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore, how to improve the transmission performance between the terminal device and the network device is the current research focus.

[0208] In view of this, the present application provides a multi-hop forwarding mechanism for a space-ground forwarding network architecture to ensure the transmission performance between network devices and terminal devices. The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, for example, it can be applied to any one or more of the above Figures 1 to 10 scenarios shown.

[0209] Figure 14 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 14 shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0210] 1401, the first relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information.

[0211] Among them, the routing information is used to determine the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node. In a possible implementation manner, the routing information includes the identification information of the destination relay node and the identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the location information of the second relay node, or, the routing information includes the forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

[0212] As an example, assume that the first relay node is denoted as relay node #1 and the second relay node is denoted as relay node #2. The routing information includes the identification information of the destination relay node and the identification information of the forwarding path. Among them, the identification information of the destination relay node is used to indicate relay node #3, and the path identifier is path ID 2. The first relay node determines the next relay node as relay node #2 according to the pre-configured or predefined path table (such as Table 2) based on relay node #3 and path ID 2.

[0213] Table 2

[0214]

[0215] Based on the above Table 2, the first relay node can determine the specific forwarding path as relay node #0 → relay node #1 → relay node #2 → relay node #3 according to path ID 2. The first relay node determines that the destination node is relay node #3, that is, the next relay node is relay node #2.

[0216] It should be understood that Table 2 can be predefined or pre-configured for each relay node or device, and the present application does not make any limitations thereto.

[0217] It should also be understood that the specific paths in Table 2 above are described by taking the forwarding of Relay Node #1 to the next relay node as an example. Similarly, this path can also be that Relay Node #1 receives from the previous relay node, and this routing information can be used to indicate which relay node's forwarded information Relay Node #1 needs to receive.

[0218] As another example, assume that the first relay node is represented as Relay Node #1 and the second relay node is represented as Relay Node #2. This routing information includes the identification information of the second relay node. For example, the identification information of this second relay node is the ID of this second relay node. That is, when the first relay node receives this routing information including the identification information of the second relay node, the first relay node can determine Relay Node #2. The first relay node can receive the information forwarded by Relay Node #2, or the first relay node can forward information to Relay Node #2.

[0219] As yet another example, assume that the first relay node is represented as Relay Node #1 and the second relay node is represented as Relay Node #2. This routing information includes the forwarding port number of the first relay node. For example, Port #1 of this first relay node corresponds to Relay Node #0, and Port #2 of this first relay node corresponds to Relay Node #2. This routing information includes that the forwarding port number of Relay Node #1 is Port #2. That is, when the first relay node transmits information, it transmits through Port #2. Among them, Port #2 corresponds to Relay Node #2. That is, the first relay node can forward information to Relay Node #2 through Port #2, or the first relay node can receive the information forwarded by Relay Node #2 through Port #2.

[0220] As still another example, assume that the first relay node is represented as Relay Node #1 and the second relay node is represented as Relay Node #2. This routing information includes the satellite ephemeris information / position information of the second relay node. For example, the first relay node can determine the second relay node according to the satellite ephemeris information / position information of the second relay node indicated in this routing information. The first relay node receives the information forwarded by the second relay node, or forwards information to the second relay node.

[0221] In a possible implementation manner, the time-frequency resource information may be the time-frequency resource for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node. The time-frequency resource may include one or more of the following time-frequency resources: the time-frequency resource for the first relay node to send information to the second relay node, the time-frequency resource for the second relay node to send information to the first relay node, the time-frequency resource for the first relay node to send information to the third relay node / network device / terminal device, and the time-frequency resource for the first relay node to receive information from the third relay node / network device / terminal device. The third relay node is a node capable of data transmission with the first relay node, and is different from the second relay node and the first relay node.

[0222] It should be understood that when configuring multiple time-frequency resources, at least one of the time-frequency resource corresponding forwarding method, forwarding direction, and frequency point information can be configured for each time-frequency resource respectively, etc. The time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource information corresponds to one or more of the forwarding method, forwarding direction, and frequency point information. Among them, the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. For the specific introduction of the forwarding direction and frequency point information, please refer to the subsequent detailed introduction and will not be elaborated here.

[0223] It should be understood that the above one or more time-frequency resources can be configured separately or in the same routing information, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0224] Among them, the data transmission may be an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission.

[0225] It should be understood that the routing information and the time-frequency resource information may be carried in the same message for transmission, or carried in different messages for separate transmission. For example, the routing information and the time-frequency resource information may be carried in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) message, or a downlink control information (DCI); or for another example, the routing information may be carried in a MAC-CE message, and the time-frequency resource information is carried in the DCI; or the routing information may be carried in an RRC message, and the time-frequency resource information is carried in the MAC-CE, etc., and this application does not list them one by one.

[0226] It should be understood that the first relay node receives routing information, which can be that the first relay node receives the routing information from a network device (such as a base station) or other relay nodes (such as the fourth relay node), and determines the next relay node to forward (such as the second relay node) according to the routing information. The first relay node forwards the data from the node that sends the routing information to the node indicated by the routing information, that is, the first relay node forwards the data from the base station or the fourth relay node to the second relay node.

[0227] 1402, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information.

[0228] For example, the first relay node receives the routing information and the time-frequency resource information. The first relay node determines the second relay node according to the routing information, and performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the resources indicated by the time-frequency resource information.

[0229] It should be understood that the time-frequency resources received by the first relay node can be time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources. Among them, when the time-frequency resources received by the first relay node include time domain resources but do not include frequency domain resources, the first relay node can determine the frequency domain resources for data transmission with the second relay node according to the default full bandwidth, or the frequency domain resources pre-configured by the system, or the frequency domain resources agreed by the protocol. Or, when the time-frequency resources received by the first relay node include frequency domain resources but do not include time domain resources, the first relay node can determine the time domain resources for data transmission with the second relay node according to the time domain resources pre-configured by the system, or the time domain resources agreed by the protocol.

[0230] It should be understood that the time domain resources in this application can include one or more time domain units. The time domain unit can be a subframe, a frame, a half subframe, a half frame, a slot, a mini-slot, a partial slot, or an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, etc.; the frequency domain resources in this application can include one or more frequency domain units. The frequency domain unit can be a resource block (RB), or a subchannel, or a resource pool, or a bandwidth, or a bandwidth part (BWP), or a carrier (CC), or a subcarrier, or a channel, or a resource block (RB), or an interlaced RB, etc.

[0231] It should be understood that the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to time-frequency resources, which may be that the first relay node determines to receive information from the second relay node on the time-frequency resources indicated by the time-frequency resource information, or it may be that the first relay node determines to send information to the second relay node on the time-frequency resources indicated by the time-frequency resource information.

[0232] In a possible implementation manner, the first relay node determines the forwarding mode and performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding mode.

[0233] Among them, the forwarding mode is determined according to the first information, and the forwarding mode includes transparent forwarding and regenerative forwarding. The first information may be received by the first relay node, received simultaneously or successively with the routing information and the time-frequency resource information in step 1401 above. The first relay node receives the routing information, the time-frequency resource information and the first information simultaneously, that is, the three pieces of information may be carried in the same message or carried in different messages, and this application does not make any limitations on this.

[0234] It should also be understood that the forwarding mode uses a display indication method to indicate the forwarding mode for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node. For example, the first relay node receives the first information, and the first information includes the forwarding mode, that is, the first information includes the regenerative forwarding mode or the transparent forwarding mode. The first relay node determines whether to use the regenerative forwarding mode or the transparent forwarding mode to perform data transmission with the second relay node according to the first information.

[0235] It should also be understood that the forwarding mode may not directly indicate the first relay node through information. The first relay node needs to perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the data transmission information (such as the second information) to determine the forwarding mode. Among them, when the first relay node obtains information and / or correctly decodes through blind detection of the time-frequency resources of the second information, the first relay node uses the regenerative forwarding mode to perform data transmission with the second relay node; when the first relay node fails in blind detection and / or decoding of the time-frequency resources of the second information, the first relay node uses the transparent forwarding mode to perform data transmission with the second relay node.

[0236] It should be noted that part of the information on data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node can be transmitted in a regenerative forwarding manner, and part can be transmitted in a transparent forwarding manner. That is, the forwarding methods corresponding to the information transmitted between the first relay node and the second relay node can include multiple forwarding methods at the same time. For example, the control information transmitted between the first relay node and the second relay node can be transmitted in a regenerative forwarding manner, and the information transmitted between the terminal device and the network device transmitted between the first relay node and the second relay node can be transmitted in a transparent forwarding manner.

[0237] It should also be understood that the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding method. Taking the example that the first relay node sends forwarding information to the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding method, the first relay node determines the time-frequency resource for transmitting the forwarding information according to the time-frequency resource information, and determines whether operations such as decoding, recombination, and encoding need to be performed on the forwarding information according to the forwarding method. Suppose the forwarding method is a transparent forwarding method, that is, the first relay node does not need to perform operations such as decoding, recombination, and encoding on the forwarding information, and according to the transparent forwarding method, the forwarding information can be sent to the second relay node on the corresponding time-frequency resource. Suppose again that the forwarding method is a regenerative forwarding method, that is, the first relay node needs to perform operations such as decoding, recombination, and encoding on the forwarding information (such as the second information) according to the regenerative forwarding method to determine the third information, and send the third information to the second relay node on the corresponding time-frequency resource. The third information can be the information determined by the second information according to the regenerative forwarding method.

[0238] It should also be understood that the first relay node has a regenerative forwarding function and / or a transparent forwarding function. Among them, when the first relay node has a regenerative forwarding function and a transparent forwarding function, the first relay node can perform data transmission with the second relay node in a transparent forwarding manner and / or a regenerative forwarding manner; when the first relay node has a transparent forwarding function, the first relay node can perform data transmission with the second relay node in a transparent forwarding manner; when the first relay node has a regenerative forwarding function, the first relay node can perform data transmission with the second relay node in a regenerative forwarding manner.

[0239] As an example, suppose the first relay node has a regenerative forwarding function and a transparent forwarding function. The first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit (forwarding). Among them, the MT is used to establish a first link, and the first link can be used for the MT to connect to the DU of the upper-level device. The first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, and the second link can be used to provide access for the MT of the lower-level device. The second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide the function of transparent forwarding.

[0240] As another example, assume that the first relay node has the function of transparent forwarding. The first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit (forwarding). Among them, the MT is used to establish a first link, and the first link can be used for the MT to connect to the DU of the upper-level device. The first link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide the function of transparent forwarding.

[0241] As another example, assume that the first relay node has the function of regenerative forwarding. The first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU. Among them, the MT is used to establish a third link, and the third link can be used for the MT to connect to the DU of the upper-level device. The third link is a control link or a backhaul link. The DU is used to establish a fourth link, and the fourth link can be used to provide access for the MT or terminal device of the lower-level device. The fourth link is a control link or a backhaul link or an access link.

[0242] It should be understood that for the detailed introduction of specific data transmission when the first relay node has the function of regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding, or when the first relay node has the function of regenerative forwarding, please refer to Figures 17 to 24 the detailed examples therein, which will not be introduced here.

[0243] It should be understood that the second relay node is similar to the above-mentioned first relay node, and the second relay node has the function of transparent forwarding and / or regenerative forwarding. When the second relay node has the functions of regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit. When the second relay node has the function of regenerative forwarding, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU. When the second relay node has the function of transparent forwarding, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit. Among them, the functions of the MT, DU, and transparent forwarding unit are similar to those of the above-mentioned first relay node, and will not be elaborated here.

[0244] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. Assume that relay node #1 has the functions of regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding, relay node #2 has the function of regenerative forwarding, and relay node #3 has the functions of regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding. Among them, relay node #1 and relay node #3 are satellite relay nodes, and relay node #2 is a ground relay node.

[0245] It should be understood that in the method provided by the present application, the first relay node can be a satellite relay node or a ground relay node; the second relay node can be a satellite relay node or a ground relay node, and the present application does not make specific limitations. Figure 15 It is only an example and does not have any limiting effect on the technical solutions in the present application.

[0246] According to the above Figure 14 In the method shown, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the received routing information and time-frequency resource information. Among them, the first relay node and the second relay node can both be ground relay nodes or satellite relay nodes. The data transmission between the terminal device and the network device passes through at least one relay node (for example, the first relay node transmits, and supports the dynamic routing change of the relay node, realizing a longer transmission between the terminal device and the network device and ensuring the transmission performance.

[0247] In addition, the first relay node and the second relay node can be ground relay nodes or satellite relay nodes. When the first relay node and / or the second relay node is a ground relay node, the advantages of low cost and high capacity of the ground relay node are used to reduce the hardware cost and complexity of the satellite.

[0248] It should be noted that the relay nodes (such as the first relay node and the second relay node) in the method provided in this application can all be satellite relay nodes, or all be ground relay nodes, or some be satellite relay nodes and some be ground relay nodes. This application does not make any restrictions on this.

[0249] Based on the above Figure 14 In the method shown, the method may further include the following steps:

[0250] The first relay node receives the forwarding direction.

[0251] Among them, the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. The first relay node can determine the second relay node according to the routing information and the forwarding direction, and perform the transmission of the forwarded data with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction. Among them, the first relay node performs the transmission of the forwarded data with the second relay node on the time-frequency resource corresponding to the forwarding direction. Among them, the forwarding direction corresponds to the time-frequency resource.

[0252] It should be understood that the forwarding direction can be transmitted in the same message as at least one of the routing information, time-frequency resource information, and first information in the above steps, or transmitted in a separate message.

[0253] It should also be understood that the forwarding direction can include an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. Among them, the uplink and downlink forwarding directions are determined based on whether the data transmitted between the network device and the terminal device is sent by the network device or the terminal device. The forwarding direction can also indicate whether the relay node forwards forward or backward. Among them, whether to forward forward or backward can be determined based on the direction of the forwarding path.

[0254] As an example, in combination with the example in Table 2 above, assume that the first relay node is denoted as relay node #1 and the second relay node is denoted as relay node #2. The routing information includes the identification information of the destination relay node and the identification information of the forwarding path. Among them, the identification information of the destination relay node is used to indicate relay node #3, and the path identifier is path ID 2. The first relay node determines the next relay node as relay node #2 according to relay node #3 and path ID 2 based on pre-configuration or a predefined path table (such as Table 2). When downward forwarding is indicated, the first relay node forwards the data of relay node #0 to relay node #2. When upward forwarding is indicated, the first relay node forwards the data of relay node #2 to relay node #0.

[0255] As another example, assume that the first relay node is relay node #2, and relay node #2 is pre-configured with forwarding path 1, which is: relay node #0 → relay node #1 → relay node #2 → relay node #3. Assume that the forwarding direction from relay node #0 to relay node #3 is forward forwarding, and the forwarding direction from relay node #3 to relay node #0 is backward forwarding. The routing information includes the routing information of the destination node, and the identification of the destination node is used to indicate relay node #3. Relay node #2 receives the forward forwarding identifier, and relay node #2 determines to forward the data to relay node #3 according to forward forwarding and the destination relay node (relay node #3); the routing information includes the routing information of the destination node, and the identification of the destination node is used to indicate relay node #0. Relay node #2 receives the backward forwarding identifier, and relay node #2 determines to forward the data to relay node #1 according to backward forwarding and the destination relay node (relay node #0).

[0256] It should also be understood that the first relay node receives the forwarding direction, and based on step 1401 above, the first relay node receives the routing information, which may also include the routing information of the first relay node. When data is transmitted between the first relay node and the second relay node according to time-frequency resource information, it may also include both the routing information of the sending end and the routing information of the receiving end. Thus, when the receiving end receives the data information forwarded from the sending end, it can determine the direction of the receiving beam. When the sending end forwards the data information to the receiving end, it can determine the direction of the sending beam. The routing information may also include one or more of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, index number of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, angular information of the beam, identification information of the second relay node.

[0257] Among them, the wave position index is used to indicate the ground wave position area. The ground is divided and numbered by wave positions (i.e., the ground area is divided, and different partitions are called wave positions), and the wave position for relaying data transmission is indicated in the way of wave position index, that is, the beam coverage area for relaying data can be determined. The position information of the terminal device is used for the relay node to determine the beam direction between its own position and the terminal device, that is, the beam direction for relaying data can be determined. The relay node prestores the corresponding relationship between the identification information / index number of the terminal device and the position information of the terminal device, determines the position information of the terminal device according to the identification information / index number of the terminal device, and further determines the beam direction for relaying data in combination with its own position information. The beam index can be a beam precoding index or a beam index. Among them, the beam precoding index indicates the precoding used (the index table of the precoding preset or configured by the base station), that is, the relay node determines the beam direction for relaying data according to the beam precoding index; the beam index corresponds to the predefined beam direction, beam width, etc., that is, the relay node determines the beam direction for relaying data according to the corresponding relationship between the beam index and the predefined beam direction. The relay node can determine the elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ of the beam according to the angle information of the beam (for example, determine the angle with its antenna panel as the coordinate system), and determine the beam direction for relaying data. The relay node can determine the beam direction for relaying data according to the corresponding relationship between the identification information of the second relay node and the position information of the second relay node. The relay node determines the beam direction for relaying data according to the reference position information and its own position information.

[0258] Based on the above Figure 14 The method shown may further include the following steps:

[0259] The first relay node receives frequency point information. Among them, the frequency point information is used to indicate the frequency point information used when the first relay node and the second relay node transmit and relay data. For example, the frequency points are 20 GHz, 30 GHz, etc. The first relay node can determine the second relay node according to the routing information, and according to the time-frequency resource information and the frequency point information, transmit the relayed data with the second relay node at the frequency point indicated by the frequency point information, according to the time-frequency resource corresponding to the frequency point. Among them, the time-frequency resource corresponds to the frequency point.

[0260] It should be understood that the frequency point information may be carried and transmitted in the same piece of information as at least one of the routing information, time-frequency resource information, first information, and forwarding method in the above steps, or carried and transmitted in a separate piece of information.

[0261] It should also be understood that the frequency points for the same relay node to receive and send relayed information may be the same or different.

[0262] As an example, assume that both the first relay node and the second relay node are satellite relay nodes. The frequency point #1 used by the first relay node to send forwarding information to the second relay node and the frequency point #2 used by the second relay node to send forwarding information to the first relay node can be the same or different. For example, both the frequency point #1 and the frequency point #2 are low-frequency points (frequencies), and the forwarding of low-frequency points has lower propagation loss.

[0263] As another example, when the first relay node is a ground relay node and the second relay node is a satellite relay node, the frequency point #1 used by the first relay node to send forwarding information to the second relay node and the frequency point #2 used by the second relay node to send forwarding information to the first relay node may be different. Generally, the frequency point #1 can adopt a high-frequency point, and the frequency point #2 is a low-frequency point. Among them, the satellite adopting a low-frequency point can reduce the link propagation loss and save the power consumption of the satellite. When the first relay node is a ground relay node and the ground relay node forwards information to the satellite relay node, generally a high-frequency point is adopted, which can enable data transmission by frequency division of uplink and downlink and avoid interference.

[0264] According to the above Figure 14 introduction, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the routing information and the time-frequency resource information. Specifically, it can be: the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the routing information, and then performs data transmission with the second relay node on the corresponding time-frequency resource according to the time-frequency resource information and the frequency point information; or, the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the routing information, and the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, the forwarding mode and the frequency point information; or, the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the routing information and the forwarding direction, and then performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource, the forwarding mode and the frequency point information. Among them, the first relay node can determine the second relay node according to the routing information, or the routing information and the forwarding direction and other information. When the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node, the first relay node can determine the time-frequency resource for data transmission, and / or the forwarding mode, and / or the forwarding frequency point, etc. according to one or more of the time-frequency resource, the forwarding mode, and the frequency point information. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can adopt different combination methods to determine one or more of the data transmission method, the time-frequency resource for transmission, and the frequency point information between the first relay node and the second relay node according to one or more of the above-disclosed information in this application, and this application will not list them one by one.

[0265] It should also be understood that the signaling information in this application, such as routing information, time-frequency resource information, forwarding direction information, the first information (forwarding mode), forwarding frequency point information, threshold, path table (such as Table 2), etc., can all be included in at least one of the broadcast information including system information block (SIB) 1, SIB19, other system information (OSI), master information block (MIB), physical broadcast channel messages, etc. Specifically, it can be broadcast or multicast by the network device to the relay node (the relay node accesses the network device as the identity of the terminal device). The network device broadcasting or multicasting the above signaling to the relay node can avoid scheduling different resources for different terminal devices to send the above signaling, thereby saving the signaling overhead of scheduling resources and reducing the system scheduling complexity.

[0266] In addition, if the above signaling information is sent during the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment phase and subsequent communication processes, the network device can carry the above signaling in at least one of the RRC signaling (such as RRC setup message, RRC Reconfiguration signaling, RRC Resume signaling, etc.), downlink control information (DCI), group DCI, media access control (MAC) control element (CE) information or indicate the above signaling / parameter values to the relay node in a table manner, or unicast or multicast to the relay node by carrying it with data transmission or in a separately allocated physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The network device sending the above signaling to the relay node individually or in groups can flexibly control the parameter values of each / group of relay devices, and configure different parameter values for the terminal device according to the different positions or regions where the relay node is located to achieve the purpose of optimizing system parameters and optimizing the communication performance of the relay device / system communication performance. For example, the network device can configure different routing information, forwarding frequency points, etc. for the relay node according to its different positions to optimize the forwarding delay and forwarding link budget of each / group of relay devices and improve the forwarding and communication efficiency of the relay device.

[0267] Based on the method described above, assume that the first relay node receives a MAC CE message, which includes routing information, forwarding direction, forwarding time-frequency resources, and forwarding mode. The routing information includes the identification information of the destination node and path identification information.

[0268] As Figure 17 shown in (1) of [], taking the following line transmission as an example, the first relay node will forward data and send the forwarded data to the second relay node according to the routing information, forwarding direction, forwarding time-frequency resources, and forwarding mode in the received MAC CE message. Taking the routing information including the identification information of the second relay node as an example, as Figure 17 shown in (1) of [], the MAC CE message includes address for indicating the identification of the second relay node; DL for indicating downlink transmission; transparentforwarding resource for indicating the transparent forwarding mode; the forwarding time-frequency resources include time-domain resources and time-frequency resources. The indication parameters corresponding to the time-domain resources may include: the starting position of the time-domain resources (e.g., starting time slot) and the time-domain length, and the time-domain length can be indicated by the number of continuous time units; the indication parameters corresponding to the frequency-domain resources in the forwarding time-frequency resources may include: the starting position of the frequency-domain resources (e.g., starting RB index number) and the frequency-domain length, and the frequency-domain length can be indicated by the number of occupied frequency-domain units. Optionally, the starting position of the forwarding time-frequency resources is determined according to the position of the time-frequency resources in the received MAC CE message. For example, the time-frequency resources of the forwarded data can be the relative value of the time-frequency resource position where the first relay node locates the control signaling. Assume that the time-domain resource where the control signaling locates is time slot n, and the minimum serial number resource block RB x of the frequency-domain resource where the control signaling locates, then the starting position of the time-frequency resources of the forwarded data is time slot n + k, and the starting position of the frequency-domain resources is RB x + m. Wherein, both k and m are offset values, and the values of k and m can be configured by the base station / system, and the specific sizes are not limited in this application. Among them, the starting position of the time-frequency resources of the forwarded data determined by the first relay node, the value of the time-domain length, and the value of the frequency-domain length are not limited in this application.

[0269] It should be understood that assume when the forwarding direction in the MAC CE message is uplink transmission, as Figure 17 shown in (2) of [], similar to (1) of the above Figure 17 , details are not described here again.

[0270] It should also be understood that one or more of the forwarding direction, forwarding mode, and frequency point information may not be included in the above MAC CE message, and the forwarding direction, forwarding mode, and frequency point information can be indicated by separate signaling. The above Figure 17 is only an example and does not limit the technical solutions in this application in any way.

[0271] It should also be understood that the above Figure 17 The routing information shown may also include the identification information of the destination node and the path identification information (such as the path identification in Table 2), or the port number of the first relay node (such as port 2), where port 2 corresponds to the second relay node, or includes the location information / ephemeris information of the second relay node, etc. This application will not list them one by one.

[0272] It should also be understood that the above Figure 17 uses transparent transmission (transparent forwarding) as an example for introduction, and this example is equally applicable to the regeneration forwarding method, which will not be elaborated here.

[0273] Based on the above Figure 14 introduction, in step 1401, the first relay node receives the routing information, and the first relay node forwards the data to be forwarded from the node that sends the routing information to the node indicated by the routing information. The routing information may also include a first parameter and a second parameter. The first parameter and the second parameter can be respectively used to indicate that the first relay node receives the data to be forwarded from the node / device indicated by the first parameter and sends the data to be forwarded to the node / device indicated by the second parameter; or, the first parameter and the second parameter can be respectively used to indicate that the first relay node receives the data to be forwarded from the node / device indicated by the second parameter and sends the data to be forwarded to the node / device indicated by the first parameter.

[0274] It should be understood that the first parameter can be used to indicate the node / device / beam direction for the first relay node to receive the data to be forwarded; the second parameter can be used to indicate the node / device / beam direction for the first relay node to send the data to be forwarded. Or, the first parameter can be used to indicate the node / device / beam direction for the first relay node to send the data to be forwarded; the second parameter can be used to indicate the node / device / beam direction for the first relay node to receive the data to be forwarded.

[0275] As an example, the specific manifestations of the first parameter and / or the second parameter are any one or more of the following examples: the identification information of the destination relay node and the identification information of the forwarding path; the identification information of the next and / or previous relay node of the first relay node; the satellite ephemeris information / location information, forwarding port, wave position index, location of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, beam index (beam precoding index, beam index), reference position, angular information of the wave position, etc. Among them, the forwarding port can correspond to the previous and / or next relay node of the first relay node.

[0276] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can combine the first parameter and the second parameter included in the above routing information with Figure 14Determine the transmission process of the forwarded data based on one or more of the forwarding method, time-frequency resources, forwarding frequency points information, forwarding direction, etc. Specific examples of this application are not listed one by one.

[0277] In a possible implementation manner, the routing information includes a first parameter and a second parameter. Assume that the first parameter is used to indicate relay node #0, and the second parameter is used to indicate relay node #2. The first relay node is relay node #1. Among them, the data transmission direction: relay node #0 → relay node #1 → relay node #2 is an uplink transmission, and relay node #2 → relay node #1 → relay node #0 is a downlink transmission.

[0278] Assume that the first relay node determines relay node #0 according to the first parameter in the routing information and determines relay node #2 according to the second parameter. The first relay node determines whether it is an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission according to the received forwarding direction, and receives and sends the forwarded data on the corresponding time-frequency resources according to the forwarding time-frequency resources. For example, when the first relay node receives the forwarding direction as the uplink transmission method, that is, the first relay node will receive the forwarded data sent by relay node #0 on the corresponding time-frequency resources according to the forwarding time-frequency resources, and send the forwarded data to relay node #2 on the corresponding time-frequency resources; when the first relay node receives the forwarding direction as the downlink transmission method, that is, the first relay node will receive the forwarded data sent by relay node #2 on the corresponding time-frequency resources according to the forwarding time-frequency resources, and send the forwarded data to relay node #0 on the corresponding time-frequency resources.

[0279] It should be understood that the forwarding path can be pre-configured, or agreed by the protocol, or predefined for the first relay node, and this application does not make any limitations.

[0280] In another possible implementation manner, the routing information includes a first parameter and a second parameter. Assume that the first parameter is used to indicate relay node #0, and the second parameter is used to indicate relay node #2. The first relay node is relay node #1. Among them, the system predefines or pre-configures the relay node corresponding to the first parameter as the relay node for the first relay node to receive the forwarded data, and the relay node corresponding to the second parameter as the relay node for the first relay node to send the forwarded data; or, the system predefines or pre-configures the relay node corresponding to the first parameter as the relay node for the first relay node to send the forwarded data, and the relay node corresponding to the second parameter as the relay node for the first relay node to receive the forwarded data.

[0281] It should be understood that the system can pre-define, pre-configure or agree through protocols that relay node #1 receives the forwarded data from relay node #0 and relay node #1 sends the forwarded data to relay node #2; or relay node #1 receives the forwarded data from relay node #1 and relay node #1 sends the forwarded data to relay node #0. The first relay node can determine the node information corresponding to receiving and sending the forwarded data according to the routing information, that is, it is not necessary to configure the forwarding direction for the first relay node.

[0282] Suppose the first relay node determines relay node #0 according to the first parameter in the routing information and determines relay node #2 according to the second parameter. The first relay node determines to receive and send the forwarded data on the corresponding time-frequency resources according to the forwarding time-frequency resources and the information pre-configured in the system. Suppose the system pre-configures or agrees through protocols that relay node #1 receives the forwarded data from relay node #0 and relay node #1 sends the forwarded data to relay node #2. The first relay node receives the forwarded data sent from relay node #0 on the corresponding time-frequency resources according to the forwarding time-frequency resources and sends the forwarded data to relay node #2 on the corresponding time-frequency resources; Suppose again that the system pre-configures that relay node #1 receives the forwarded data from relay node #2 and relay node #1 sends the forwarded data to relay node #0. The first relay node receives the forwarded data sent from relay node #2 on the corresponding time-frequency resources according to the forwarding time-frequency resources and sends the forwarded data to relay node #0 on the corresponding time-frequency resources.

[0283] It should be understood that the first relay node determines the corresponding relay node #0 and relay node #2 according to the first parameter and the second parameter in the routing information. The first relay node can receive and / or send the forwarded data on the corresponding forwarding time-frequency resources according to the indicated forwarding direction, or the relay node corresponding to receiving / sending the forwarded data pre-configured or agreed through protocols in the system, or the forwarding direction pre-configured or agreed through protocols in the system. Among them, during the process of transmitting the forwarded data, the first relay node can also transmit the forwarding information according to the forwarding mode and / or frequency point information. Among them, the forwarding mode adopted by the first relay node can be the regenerative forwarding mode or the transparent forwarding mode. The forwarding mode can be indicated to the first relay node through signaling, or the first relay node selects the forwarding mode supported by itself according to its own capabilities to forward the forwarded data. For the specific forwarding mode and frequency point information, please refer to the specific introduction in the above Figure 14 and will not be elaborated here.

[0284] Next, in combination with downlink transmission and uplink transmission, a specific example of a relay node determining the beam direction for receiving / sending and forwarding data will be exemplarily introduced. Among them, in the example of the relay node determining the beam direction, taking the downlink transmission direction as an example, it is assumed that this relay node is the last relay node in the transmission process, that is, the method for determining the beam direction when this relay node forwards data to the terminal device; taking the uplink transmission direction as an example, it is assumed that this relay node is the first relay node in the transmission process, that is, this relay node determines the beam direction and receives the forwarded data from the terminal device.

[0285] It should be understood that the relay node receives information for indicating the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, and this information for indicating the relay node can come from the above-mentioned routing information. The relay node determines the previous relay node and / or the next relay node of this relay node according to this information for indicating the previous relay node and / or the next relay node. Among them, the previous relay node of this relay node can be the node that sends the forwarding information or routing information to this relay node, and the next relay node of this relay node can be the relay node that receives the forwarding information sent by this relay node. The relay node forwards the forwarding data from the previous relay node to the next relay node.

[0286] For example, the information for indicating the previous relay node and / or the next relay node may include one or more of the identification information of the destination node and the identification information of the path, the identification information of the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, the forwarding port number, the beam index (beam precoding index, beam index), the satellite ephemeris / position information of the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, etc. Among them, the forwarding port number corresponds to the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, the forwarding port corresponds to the beam index corresponding to the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, and the beam direction corresponding to the beam index corresponds to the previous relay node and / or the next relay node.

[0287] It should also be understood that the relay node can also determine the coverage area, which is used to indicate the coverage area of the beam direction for the relay node to receive the forwarded data, and / or the coverage area of the beam direction for the relay node to send the forwarded data. The relay node receives and / or sends the forwarded data according to the coverage area of the receiving beam and / or the sending beam direction.

[0288] For example, the relay node may determine the coverage area based on one or more of the wave position index, UE number or index number, UE location, beam index (beamprecoding index, beam index), reference position, and angular information of the beam. The coverage area is used to indicate the coverage area for the relay node to receive and forward data and / or the coverage area for the relay node to send the forwarded data.

[0289] It should also be understood that when the relay node receives and / or sends the forwarded data, the relay node may transmit the forwarded data according to information such as time-frequency resource information, forwarding direction, and forwarding method. For the introduction of the above forwarding direction, time-frequency resource information, and forwarding method, please refer to the above Figure 14 description, which will not be elaborated here one by one.

[0290] Example 1: Assume that the second relay node is the last relay node in the downlink transmission direction, and the second relay node forwards information to the terminal device.

[0291] Among them, when the second relay node is the last relay node in the downlink transmission direction, the second relay node may determine that it is the last relay node based on the identification information of the destination relay node included in the routing information as the identification information of the second relay node, or information such as the identification information of the second relay node, the location information / satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node. Alternatively, the routing information may further include an end flag / identification for stopping the relay node from forwarding, and the end flag is used for the second relay node to determine that it is the last relay node.

[0292] 1.1) The second relay node may determine the ground wave position area, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources for forwarding the information based on the wave position index, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource information in the routing information. The second relay node then forwards the information to the terminal device according to the ground wave position area, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources.

[0293] Among them, the ground is divided and numbered by wave positions, and the second relay node determines the indicated wave position (signal coverage area) to which the forwarding information is to be forwarded according to the wave position index number, that is, the second relay node can determine the beam coverage area for sending the forwarded information.

[0294] 1.2) The second relay node may determine the beam direction of the forwarding information based on the UE position, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources indicated in the routing information for the forwarding information.

[0295] Among them, the second relay node may calculate the beam direction based on the UE position information and the position information of the second relay node, that is, the second relay node can determine the direction of the sending beam.

[0296] 1.3) The second relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarding information according to the UE number or index number, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information.

[0297] Among them, the second relay node prestores the correspondence between the UE index number and the location information of the UE (or prestores the correspondence between the UE index number and the beam coverage area). The second relay node can determine the location of the UE or the beam where the UE is located according to the index number of the UE, that is, determine the direction of the transmission beam.

[0298] 1.4) The second relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarding information according to the beam direction, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information.

[0299] Among them, the beam direction is determined by the precoding indicated by the beam precoding index (the index table of the precoding preset or configured by the base station).

[0300] Optionally, the second relay node is preconfigured or has previously sent a beam precoding list, that is, a mapping table of the index and the precoding parameters (such as sent through RRC signaling). Then, send the beam precoding index to the second relay node (such as sent through MAC CE or DCI signaling), and the second relay node determines the direction of the transmission beam according to the beam precoding index.

[0301] 1.5) The second relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarding information according to the beam direction, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information.

[0302] Among them, the beam direction is determined by the mapping relationship between the beam index and the predefined beam direction, beam width, etc. The mapping relationship between the beam index and the predefined beam direction, beam width is preconfigured or predefined.

[0303] 1.6) The second relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarding information according to the reference position, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information. The reference position can be the position of a reference point within the beam coverage.

[0304] Among them, the second relay node can calculate the beam direction according to the reference position and the location information of the second relay node, that is, determine the beam direction of the forwarding information.

[0305] 1.7) The second relay node determines the beam direction for forwarding information based on the beam angle information (such as elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ) indicating the forwarding information in the routing information, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources. For example, the second relay node can determine the elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ of the beam based on its antenna panel as the coordinate system, that is, determine the beam direction for the second relay to forward information. As Figure 16 shown, taking the antenna panel as the reference system, the elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ can be defined in the figure, and the boresight of the beam is pointed to the elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ.

[0306] Example 2: Assume that the first relay node is the first relay node in the uplink transmission direction, and the first relay node receives the forwarding information from the terminal device.

[0307] Among them, when the first relay node is the first relay node in the uplink transmission direction, the first relay node can determine the receiving beam direction for receiving the forwarding information from the terminal device according to the routing information of the first relay node in the routing information, as well as one or more of the wave position index, the location information of the terminal device, the identification information of the terminal device, the index number of the terminal device, the beam index, the reference position, and the beam.

[0308] 2.1) The first relay node can determine the ground wave position area, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources for forwarding information according to the wave position index, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resource information in the routing information. The first relay node receives the forwarding information from the terminal device according to the ground wave position area, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources.

[0309] Among them, the ground is divided and numbered by wave positions, and the first relay node determines to forward the received forwarding information from the terminal device to the next relay node (such as the second relay node) according to the wave position index number.

[0310] 2.2) The first relay node can determine the beam direction for receiving the forwarding information from the terminal device according to the UE position corresponding to the forwarding information indicated in the routing information, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources.

[0311] Among them, the first relay node can calculate the beam direction based on the UE position information and the position information of the first relay node, that is, the first relay node can determine the direction of the receiving beam.

[0312] 2.3) The first relay node determines the beam direction for receiving the forwarding information from the terminal device according to the UE number or index number of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources.

[0313] Among them, the first relay node pre-stores the correspondence between the UE index number and the location information of the UE (or pre-stores the correspondence between the UE index number and the beam coverage area). The first relay node can determine the location of the UE or the beam where the UE is located according to the index number of the UE, that is, determine the direction of the receiving beam.

[0314] 2.4) The first relay node determines the beam direction for receiving the forwarding information of the receiving terminal device according to the beam direction, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources indicating the forwarding information in the routing information.

[0315] Among them, the beam direction is determined by the precoding indicated by the beam precoding index (the index table of the preconfigured or base station-configured precoding).

[0316] Optionally, the first relay node is preconfigured or has previously sent a beam precoding list, that is, a mapping table of the index and the precoding parameters (such as sent through RRC signaling). Then, the beam precoding index is sent to the first relay node (such as sent through MAC CE or DCI signaling), and the first relay node determines the direction of the receiving beam according to the beam precoding index.

[0317] 2.5) The first relay node determines the beam direction for receiving the forwarding information of the receiving terminal device according to the beam direction, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources indicating the forwarding information in the routing information.

[0318] Among them, the beam direction is determined by the mapping relationship between the beam index and the predefined beam direction, beam width, etc. The mapping relationship between the beam index and the predefined beam direction, beam width is preconfigured or predefined.

[0319] 2.6) The first relay node determines the beam direction for receiving the forwarding information of the receiving terminal device according to the reference location, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources indicating the forwarding information in the routing information. The reference location can be the location of a reference point within the beam coverage.

[0320] Among them, the first relay node can calculate the beam direction according to the reference location and the location information of the first relay node, that is, determine the beam direction for receiving the forwarding information.

[0321] 2.7) The first relay node determines the beam direction for receiving the forwarding information of the receiving terminal device according to the beam angle information (e.g., elevation angle θ, azimuth angle φ) indicating the forwarding information, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources in the routing information. For example, the first relay node can determine the elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ of the beam based on its antenna panel as the coordinate system, that is, determine the beam direction for the first relay to receive the forwarding information. For example, direct the boresight of the beam to the elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ.

[0322] It should be understood that in this application, in the downlink transmission, the second relay node is used as the last relay node to determine the transmission beam and forward the forwarding information to the terminal device; in the uplink transmission, the first relay node is used as the first relay node to determine the receiving beam and receive the forwarding information from the terminal device as an example for introduction. Of course, when the first relay node / second relay node can also be a relay node in the middle of the forwarding process, it is also applicable to the scenario of determining the receiving beam for receiving the forwarding information from the previous relay node or the transmission beam for sending the forwarding information to the next relay node, where in the downlink transmission, the next relay node is equivalent to the terminal device described above; in the uplink transmission, the previous relay node is equivalent to the terminal device. In addition, when the base station sends an instruction to the relay node, this relay node is equivalent to the terminal, and the previous forwarding node of the relay node is equivalent to the last node in the downlink or the first node in the uplink. This application will not list them one by one.

[0323] According to the above Example 1 and Example 2, the routing information includes the routing information of the first relay node, and this routing information can be used to determine the direction of the receiving beam and / or the direction of the transmission beam. The direction of the receiving beam and / or the direction of the transmission beam can be determined according to one or more of the wave position index, the location information of the terminal device, the identification information of the terminal device, the index number of the terminal device, the beam index, and the reference position in the routing information.

[0324] Based on the introduction of the above method, when the relay node (e.g., the first relay node, the second relay node) includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit; or, when the relay node (e.g., the first relay node, the second relay node) includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit; or, when the relay node (e.g., the first relay node, the second relay node) includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, a schematic diagram of the specific protocol stack for forwarding data is taken as an example in this application to Figures 17 to 23 introduce in detail. When the relay device includes a mobile terminal MT, it can be accessed as a terminal to the previous parent node.

[0325] Among them, assuming that the relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit, in Figures 17 to 23Abbreviated as a network-controlled transparent node (NCTN) in the present application, which is denoted by NCTN in the embodiments of the present application. There may be other names for this NCTN, which are not limited in the present application. The NCTN has the functions of regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding, that is, the NCTN can forward the forwarded data in the way of regenerative forwarding or transparent forwarding. Assume that the relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU. In Figures 18 to 25 Abbreviated as a network-controlled regenerative node (NCRN) in the present application, which is denoted by NCRN in the embodiments of the present application. There may be other names for this NCRN, which are not limited in the present application. The NCRN has the function of regenerative forwarding, that is, the NCRN forwards the forwarded data in the way of regenerative forwarding.

[0326] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the network architecture between the NCTN and the NCRN provided by the embodiments of the present application. Among them, the F1 interface is used for the connection between the gNobeB-donor-CU and the NCTN-DU, NCRN-DU, and is inherited from the F1 interface between the DU and the CU. The Uu air interface is used for the connection between the donor-DU and the NCTN-MT, the NCTN-DU and the NCRN-MT, and the NCRN-DU and the NCTN-MT. Among them, as Figure 18 the NCTN-MT in the relay node #1 in accesses the gNobeB as a terminal device and establishes a Uu interface connection. The NCRN-MT in the relay node #2 accesses the NCTN-DU of the relay node #1 as a terminal device and establishes a Uu interface connection. The NCTN-MT in the relay node #3 accesses the NCRN-DU in the relay node #2 as a terminal device and establishes a Uu interface connection.

[0327] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack provided by the embodiments of the present application. The Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack from the perspective of the terminal device, which can be regarded as a backhaul link. Among them, Figure 19 the NCTN in performs transparent forwarding (forwarding) on the transmission data between the UE and the gNB. The NCRN regeneratively forwards the transmission data between the UE and the gNB through the MT and the DU, that is, operations such as decoding, recombination, and encoding are performed. When the NCRN performs regenerative forwarding, it supports forwarding to the RLC layer. Among them, the GTP-U, UDP, and IP layers are inherited from the separation of the CU and the DU and provide channels for transmitting data between the CU and the DU.

[0328] Figure 20It is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application. The Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack from the perspective of NCTN, which can be regarded as a control link, and the gNB sends control instructions to the NCTN-MT. The protocol stack from the perspective of NCRN-MT is similar to Figure 19 this.

[0329] Among them, as Figure 20 shown, NCTN can establish a connection with the MT of the next node through NCTN-DU, and can use the beam alignment method in the prior art (such as the method of beam scanning at the sending end and receiving end feedback of the maximum SNR beam index) to support beam alignment with the next node, realize sending narrow beams, improve the reliability of the control link (improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the control link and be able to provide HARQ or ARQ retransmission methods for the control link between the next nodes), and improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the backhaul link.

[0330] It should be noted that the forwarding of control information on the control link at the NCTN node can be forwarded to the target NCTN-MT or NCRN-MT in a transparent forwarding manner (subsequently referred to as Method 1). Or, it can be forwarded to the target NCTN-MT or NCRN-MT through the regeneration forwarding method of NCTN (regarding NCTN-MT or NCRN-MT as a UE, as Figure 19 shown) (subsequently referred to as Method 2).

[0331] For Method 1, when the gNB sends control information to the NCTN-MT / NCRN-MT and passes through the NCTN, the NCTN forwards its corresponding resources to the next node in a transparent forwarding manner. For Method 2, when the gNB sends control information to the NCTN-MT / NCRN-MT and passes through the NCTN, the NCTN-MT decodes the information for regeneration forwarding, re-encodes it, and forwards it to the next node through the NCTN-DU.

[0332] It can be seen that Method 1 is simple to implement and has low complexity. Method 2 has higher reliability in transmitting control information and can reduce the retransmission delay.

[0333] Figure 21 and Figure 22 are the control plane protocol stacks. Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack from the perspective of the UE provided by an embodiment of the present application. Compared with the Figure 19 user plane protocol stack, the SDAP layer is replaced by the RRC layer, the GTP-U layer is replaced by F1AP, and the UDP layer is replaced by SCTP (only the schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack is given in the following embodiments, and the corresponding control plane protocol stack can be obtained by only replacing the above layers). Among them, the F1AP, SCTP, and IP layers are inherited from the separation of CU and DU and provide a channel for transmitting data between CU and DU.

[0334] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of the control plane protocol stack from the NCTN-MT perspective provided by an embodiment of the present application. Compared with the Figure 19 user plane protocol stack, the SDAP layer is replaced by the RRC layer, the GTP-U layer is replaced by the F1AP, and the UDP layer is replaced by the SCTP (only the schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack is given in the following embodiments, and the corresponding control plane protocol stack can be obtained by simply replacing the above layers). Among them, the F1AP, SCTP, and IP layers are inherited from the CU and DU separation and provide a channel for transmitting data between the CU and DU.

[0335] It should be understood that the above Figure 19 and Figure 20 respectively introduce the schematic diagrams of the user plane protocol stack, Figure 21 and Figure 22 respectively introduce the schematic diagrams of the control plane protocol stack.

[0336] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application. When NCRN performs regenerative forwarding, it supports forwarding to the MAC layer, that is, Figure 23 compared with Figure 19 it can be seen that the forwarding delay is lower. However, Figure 19 it supports regenerative forwarding to the RLC layer, that is, it supports ARQ and HARQ retransmissions, and the reliability is higher. Figure 23 Compared with Figure 19 the forwarding to the MAC layer, that is, the complexity is lower and the processing delay is lower.

[0337] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application. Compared with Figure 20 when NCRN and NCTN perform regenerative forwarding, they support forwarding to the MAC layer, that is, Figure 24 compared with Figure 20 it can be seen that the forwarding delay is lower. However, Figure 20 it supports regenerative forwarding to the RLC layer, that is, it supports ARQ and HARQ retransmissions, and the reliability is higher. Figure 24 Compared with Figure 20 the forwarding to the MAC layer, that is, the complexity is lower and the processing delay is lower.

[0338] It can be seen that Figure 23 compared with Figure 24 as shown, compared with the above Figure 20 compared with Figure 21 when performing regenerative forwarding at the intermediate node, it forwards to the MAC layer instead of the RLC layer, which can reduce the forwarding complexity and delay.

[0339] It should be understood that the above Figures 19 to 24The relay nodes shown include NCTN and NCRN. When all relay nodes are NCTN, the schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack is as Figure 24 and Figure 25 .

[0340] Figure 25 is the schematic diagram of another user panel protocol stack provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 25 is the schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack from the perspective of the terminal device, which can be regarded as the backhaul link. Among them, Figure 25 the NCTN in

[0341] performs transparent forwarding (forwarding) on the transmission data between the UE and the gNB. Figure 25 It should be understood that the NCTN in

[0342] transmits the transmission data between the UE and the gNB in a full transparent forwarding manner. The method provided by this application is also applicable to the existing NCR scenario, that is, those skilled in the art can easily apply the method provided by this application to NCR. Figure 26 The specific network architecture diagram in which all forwarding relays adopt NCTN is as Figure 25 shown. Among them, the F1 interface is used for the connection between the gNobeB-donor-CU and the NCTN-DU, and is inherited from the F1 interface between the DU and the CU. The Uu air interface is used for the connection between the donor-DU and the NCTN-MT, and the connection between the NCTN-DU and the NCTN-MT. Among them, as

[0343] Figure 27 is the schematic diagram of another user panel protocol stack provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 27 is the schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack from the perspective of the NCTN-MT, which can be regarded as the control link. Among them, Figure 27 the NCTN in

[0344] performs regeneration forwarding processing on the transmission data between the UE (relay device) and the gNB. Among them, when performing regeneration forwarding, the NCTN supports forwarding to the RLC layer, that is, supports ARQ and HARQ retransmission, and the reliability is higher. Figures 19 to 27Schematic diagrams showing the forwarding methods of the user plane protocol stack and the control plane protocol stack are respectively presented. Among them, the transparent forwarding relay node includes an MT, a DU, and a transparent forwarding function, that is, it can implement transparent forwarding and regeneration forwarding. Among them, the transparent forwarding node and the regeneration forwarding node can support forwarding to the RLC layer or support forwarding to the MAC layer. Supporting forwarding to the RLC layer can improve the reliability of the control link and the signal-to-noise ratio of the backhaul link. Supporting forwarding to the MAC layer can reduce the complexity of transmission, reduce cost requirements, and reduce transmission delay.

[0345] The method embodiments of the present application have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Next, the device embodiments of the present application will be described. It can be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments and the device embodiments can correspond to each other. Therefore, for the parts not described, reference can be made to the previous method embodiments.

[0346] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned various method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the terminal device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) available for the terminal device. The methods and operations implemented by the first relay node can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) available for the second relay node.

[0347] The above mainly introduces the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between each network element. It can be understood that each network element, such as a transmitting end device or a receiving end device, includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for implementing the above functions. Those skilled in the art should be able to realize that, combined with the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, 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 form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0348] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of the transmitting end device or the receiving end device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation. Next, taking the division of each functional module corresponding to each function as an example for description.

[0349] Figure 28It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0350] The device 2800 includes a transceiver unit 2810 and a processing unit 2820. Among them, the transceiver unit 2810 can be used to implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 2820 can be used to perform data processing.

[0351] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2810 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit, and includes a sending unit and / or a receiving unit. The transceiver unit 2810 can be a transceiver (including a transmitter and / or a receiver), an input / output interface (including an input and / or an output interface), a pin, a circuit, etc. The transceiver unit 2810 can be used to execute the sending and / or receiving steps in the above method embodiments.

[0352] Optionally, the processing unit 2820 can be a processor (which can include one or more), a processing circuit with processor functions, etc., and can be used to execute other steps in the above method embodiments except for sending and receiving.

[0353] Optionally, the device 2800 further includes a storage unit, and the storage unit can be a memory, an internal storage unit (such as a register, a cache, etc.), an external storage unit (such as a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.). The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the above processing unit 2820 executes the instructions stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to execute the above method.

[0354] In one design, the device 2800 can correspond to the first relay node in the above method embodiment, or be a component (such as a chip) of the first relay node.

[0355] The device 2800 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the first relay node in the above method embodiment. Among them, the transceiver unit 2810 can be used to execute the operations related to the sending and receiving of the first relay node in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 2820 can be used to execute the operations related to the processing of the first relay node in the above method embodiment.

[0356] In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit 2810 is used to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information. The routing information is used to determine the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; the processing unit 2820 is used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, where the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0357] In another design, the device 2800 may correspond to the second relay node in the above method embodiments, or a component (such as a chip) of the second relay node.

[0358] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 2810 is configured to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, where the routing information is used to determine that the communication device is the last relay node for transmission between the network device and the terminal device; the transceiver unit 2810 is configured to send second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information, where the second information includes the information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device, and where the communication device is a terrestrial relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0359] Wherein, when the device 2800 is used to execute Figures 14 to 27 the method in, the transceiver unit 2810 may be used to execute the step of receiving and sending information in the method; the processing unit 2820 may be used to execute other processing steps in the method except receiving and sending information.

[0360] It should be understood that the specific processes for each unit to execute the above corresponding steps have been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0361] It should also be understood that the device 2800 here is embodied in the form of functional units. The term "unit" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group of processors, etc.) for executing one or more software or firmware programs, and a memory, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art can understand that the device 2800 may specifically be the first relay node in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the first relay node in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, they will not be repeated here.

[0362] The device 2800 in the above various solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps executed by the devices (such as the first relay node and the second relay node) in the above method. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, etc., can be replaced by a processor to respectively execute the receiving and sending operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0363] In addition, the above transceiver unit 2810 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0364] It should be noted that Figure 28 the device in may be the network element or device in the foregoing embodiments, or may be a chip or a chip system, for example: a system on chip (SoC). Among them, the transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. There is no limitation here.

[0365] Figure 29 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2900 provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 29 The shown communication device 2900 includes: a processor 2910, a memory 2920, and a transceiver 2930. The processor 2910 is coupled to the memory 2920 and is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 2920 to control the transceiver 2930 to send signals and / or receive signals.

[0366] It should be understood that the above processor 2910 and memory 2920 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 2910 is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 2920 to implement the above functions. Specifically, in implementation, the memory 2920 may also be integrated in the processor 2910 or independent of the processor 2910. It should be understood that the processor 2910 may also correspond to each processing unit in the previous communication device, and the transceiver 2930 may correspond to each receiving unit and sending unit in the previous communication device.

[0367] It should also be understood that the transceiver 2930 may include a receiver (or, a receiver) and a transmitter (or, a transmitter). The transceiver may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more. The transceiver may also be a communication interface or an interface circuit.

[0368] Specifically, the communication device 2900 may correspond to the Figures 14 to 27 device (the first relay node or the second relay node) in according to the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2900 may include Figures 14 to 27 the unit of the method executed by the first relay node in, or the unit of the method executed by the second relay node. It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0369] When the communication device 2900 is a chip, the chip includes an interface unit and a processing unit. Among them, the interface unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit can be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0370] In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware processor, or executed and completed by the combination of the hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0371] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with the ability to process signals. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The above-mentioned processor can be 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 devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute each method, step, and logic block diagram disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware decoding processor, or executed and completed by the combination of the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0372] The present application also provides a computer-readable medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by the computer, it realizes the functions of any one of the above method embodiments.

[0373] The present application also provides a computer program product, and when the computer program product is executed by the computer, it realizes the functions of any one of the above method embodiments.

[0374] 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 instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated 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 instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can access, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more integrated available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a high-definition digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0375] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A professional technician can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0376] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0377] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection between each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0378] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0379] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, the functional units can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0380] If the above functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essence of the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or this part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0381] As described above, it is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and all should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

[0382] As used in this specification, the terms "component", "module", "system", etc. are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration, an application running on a computing device and the computing device can both be components. One or more components can reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and a component can be located on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer-readable media having various data structures stored thereon. A component can communicate, for example, by signals according to one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component in a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0383] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functions are implemented in hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functions in different ways for each particular application, but such implementation should not be regarded as exceeding the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, it includes: A first relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information, where the routing information is used to determine a second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; The first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, wherein, the first relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the routing information includes identification information of a destination relay node and identification information of a forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the location information of the second relay node, or, the routing information includes the forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the first relay node performing the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information includes: the first relay node determines a forwarding mode, and the forwarding mode includes a regenerative forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, the first relay node determining the forwarding mode includes: the first relay node determines the forwarding mode according to first information, and the first information includes the forwarding mode; or, the first relay node blindly detects and / or decodes the time-frequency resources of second information to determine the forwarding mode, wherein, the second information is the information for the data transmission.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, the first relay node performing the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information includes: the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, and the transparent forwarding mode and / or the regenerative forwarding mode.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, when the forwarding mode is the transparent forwarding mode, the first relay node performing the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information includes: the first relay node transmits the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information; when the forwarding mode is the regenerative forwarding mode, the first relay node performing the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information includes: The first relay node transmits third information to the second relay node according to the regeneration and forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, where the third information is determined according to the second information and the regeneration and forwarding mode.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the method further includes: the first relay node receives a forwarding direction, where the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction, the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, the routing information includes the routing information of the first relay node, and the method further includes: the first relay node transmits second information according to the routing information, the time-frequency resource, and the forwarding mode, where the second information is the information for the data transmission, wherein, the routing information further includes any one of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, serial number index of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, angular information of the beam.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, the first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit, wherein, the MT is used to establish a first link, and this first link is used for the MT to connect to the DU of the upper-level device, the first link is a control link, the DU is used to establish a second link, and this second link is used to provide access for the MT of the lower-level device, the second link is a control link, and the transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, the first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, wherein, the MT is used to establish a third link, and this third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, the DU is used to establish a fourth link, and this fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device or the terminal device, the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, the first relay node supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the radio link control layer RLC; or, the first relay node supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the MAC layer.

12. A communication method, wherein, includes: a second relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information, where the routing information is used for the second relay node to determine that the second relay node is the last relay node for transmission between the network device and the terminal device; the second relay node sends second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information, where the second information includes the information for transmission between the network device and the terminal device, Wherein, the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the routing information includes identification information of a destination relay node and identification information of a forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes an end flag for stopping forwarding between relay nodes.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, the method further includes: the second relay node receives a forwarding direction, the forwarding direction including an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction, the second relay node sending the second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information, including: the second relay node sending the second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, the routing information includes routing information of the first relay node, and the method further includes: the second relay node sending the second information to the terminal device according to the routing information, the time-frequency resource, and the forwarding manner, and the routing information further includes one or more of the following: a wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, an index number of the terminal device, a beam index, a reference position, and angular information of a beam.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit, wherein, the MT is used to establish a first link, the first link being used for the MT to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the first link being a control link, the DU is used to establish a second link, the second link being used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device, the second link being a control link, and the transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, wherein, the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link being used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link being a control link, the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link being used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT or the terminal device of the lower-level device, the fourth link being a control link or an access link.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, the second relay node supports a regeneration forwarding manner of the radio link control (RLC) layer; or, the second relay node supports a regeneration forwarding manner of the media access control (MAC) layer.

19. A communication device, wherein, comprising: A transceiver unit, configured to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, where the routing information is used to determine a second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; A processing unit, configured to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, wherein the communication device is a terrestrial relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a terrestrial relay node or a satellite relay node.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, the routing information includes identification information of a destination relay node and identification information of a forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes the identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes the location information of the second relay node, or, the routing information includes the forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, the processing unit is further configured to determine a forwarding mode according to first information, and the forwarding mode includes a regenerative forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; the processing unit is further configured to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein, the first information includes the forwarding mode, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the forwarding mode according to the first information; or, the processing unit is further configured to blindly detect and / or decode the time-frequency resources of second information to determine the forwarding mode, wherein the second information is the information for the data transmission.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein, the processing unit is further configured to perform data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, and the transparent forwarding mode and / or the regenerative forwarding mode.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein, when the forwarding mode is the transparent forwarding mode, the processing unit is further configured to transmit the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information; when the forwarding mode is the regenerative forwarding mode, the processing unit is further configured to transmit third information to the second relay node according to the regenerative forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, and the third information is determined according to the second information and the regenerative forwarding mode.

25. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a forwarding direction, and the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the processing unit is further configured to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein, the routing information includes the routing information of the communication device, the processing unit is further configured to transmit second information according to the routing information, the time-frequency resource, and the forwarding mode, and the second information is the information for data transmission, wherein the routing information further includes any one of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, serial number index of the terminal device, beam index, reference position.

27. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit, wherein the MT is configured to establish a first link for connecting the MT to the DU of the upper-level device, and the first link is a control link; the DU is configured to establish a second link for providing access to the MT of the lower-level device, and the second link is a control link; the transparent forwarding unit is configured to provide a transparent forwarding function.

28. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, wherein the MT is configured to establish a third link for connecting to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, and the third link is a control link; the DU is configured to establish a fourth link for providing access to the mobile terminal MT or the terminal device of the lower-level device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

29. The device according to claim 27 or 28, wherein, the communication device supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the radio link control layer RLC; or the communication device supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the MAC layer.

30. A communication device, wherein, comprising: a transceiver unit, configured to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, where the routing information is used to determine that the communication device is the last relay node for transmission between the network device and the terminal device; a processing unit, configured to send second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information, and the second information includes the information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device, wherein the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein, the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or the routing information includes identification information of the communication device; or the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the communication device; or the routing information includes location information of the communication device; or the routing information includes an end flag for stopping forwarding between relay nodes.

32. The device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a forwarding direction, and the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction, The processing unit is further configured to send second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein, the routing information includes the routing information of the terminal device, the processing unit is further configured to send the second information to the terminal device according to the routing information, and the routing information further includes one or more of the following: a wave position index, the location information of the terminal device, the identification information of the terminal device, the serial number index of the terminal device, a beam index, and a reference position.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein, the communication apparatus includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit, wherein, the MT is configured to establish a first link, and the first link is used for the MT to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, and the first link is a control link; the DU is configured to establish a second link, and the second link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device, and the second link is a control link; the transparent forwarding unit is configured to provide a transparent forwarding function.

35. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein, the communication apparatus includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, wherein, the MT is configured to establish a third link, and the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, and the third link is a control link; the DU is configured to establish a fourth link, and the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT or the terminal device of the lower-level device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

36. The apparatus according to claim 34 or 35, wherein, the communication apparatus supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the radio link control (RLC) layer; or, the communication apparatus supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the media access control (MAC) layer.

37. A communication apparatus, wherein, comprises: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, and the processor is configured to call computer program instructions stored in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-11, or the method according to any one of claims 12-18.

38. A chip, wherein, comprises a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is configured to receive data and / or information, and transmit the received data and / or information to the processor, and the processor processes the data and / or information to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-11, or the method according to any one of claims 12-18, or the method according to any one of claims 19-21.

39. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, instructions are stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-11, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 12-18.

40. A computer program product, It is characterized in that instructions are stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the instructions run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-10, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 11-18.

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