Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device. The communication method applied to a host node of a first relay node comprises the following steps: receiving a first data packet from a source node; determining the first data packet as a target data packet; and sending the first data packet to the target node. The first relay node comprises a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, a first PDU session of a protocol data unit is established between the first mobile terminal and the core network equipment, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node; the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node. Under the condition that the source node is the first access network node, the target node is a second access network node; under the condition that the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of wireless communication technology, and specifically to a communication method, a communication device, a communication equipment, a chip module, a communication system, and a readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] For example, in scenarios such as vehicle mounted relays (VMRs), a relay device is required that can provide complete access network node functions for user equipment (UE) and can access the host node via wireless backhaul, thereby forming a relay network architecture. There are situations where the access network node in the relay device needs to exchange data with adjacent access network nodes. To address this situation, in the relay network architecture, after the data from the access network node in the relay device is sent to the host node, the host node forwards it to the core network device, and the core network device forwards it to the adjacent access network node. This has the problems of extended data transmission time and low communication efficiency. Therefore, in the relay network architecture, how to efficiently forward the data exchanged between the access network node in the relay device and the adjacent access network node has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a communication method, a communication apparatus, a communication device, a chip module, a communication system, a readable storage medium, and a computer program product.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application relates to a communication method applied to a host node of a first relay node, comprising: receiving a first data packet from a source node; determining that the first data packet is a target data packet; and sending the first data packet to a target node.

[0005] The first relay node includes a first mobile terminal and a first access network node. A first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0006] The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node; the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0007] When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node.

[0008] For example, when the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, the first data packet from the first access network node is sent to the host node, and the host node determines that the first data packet is the target data packet and forwards the first data packet to the target node, i.e., the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node and the target node is the first access network node, the second access network node can send the first data packet from the second access network node to the host node, and the host node determines that the first data packet is the target data packet and forwards the first data packet to the target node, i.e., the first access network node.

[0009] The first access network node and the second access network node can be understood as different access network devices. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The target data packet can also be understood as Xn data or Xn traffic, i.e., data packets or traffic transmitted through the Xn interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0010] The second access network node may be different from the host node, or may be the same as the host node. In the case where the second access network node is the same as the host node, the host node may not forward the first data packet after determining that the first data packet is the target data packet.

[0011] According to the communication method of the present application, under the Wireless Access and Backhaul (WAB) network architecture, the first relay node serves as a WAB node (WAB-node), which not only includes the first access network node, but also includes the first mobile terminal. A first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. That is, the communication method of the present application is triggered by the first mobile terminal to establish a backhaul link in the form of a first PDU session, which is adapted to data backhaul under the WAB network architecture.

[0012] In addition, on the one hand, after the user equipment UE accesses the network through the first access network node of the first relay node, the UE data can be transmitted to the host node of the first access network node (hereinafter referred to as the host node of the first access network node) through the first access network node. On the other hand, the first access network node can also generate data for interacting with the second access network node, such as interface-level establishment or update data, etc. The "interface" here can be understood as the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node, such as the Xn interface. Therefore, at the host node, the host node can receive a first data packet from the first access network device (according to the above description, the first data packet here can include the UE data when the UE accesses the first access network device and the user data generated by the first access network node). The host node recognizes the first data packet as the target data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, and identifies the first data packet as the target data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The host node can directly send the first data packet to the second access network node, which makes it possible, according to the communication method of the present application, for the host node to at least not send the first data packet to the core network device and the core network device to not send the first data packet to the second access network node and can also complete the forwarding of the first data packet to the second access network node. Since there is no need to forward the first data packet to the core network device and there is no need for the core network device to forward the first data packet to the second access network node, according to the communication method of the present application, the delay in transmitting the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node is shorter and the communication efficiency is higher.

[0013] Exemplarily, the communication method may further include: receiving first indication information.

[0014] The first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target PDU session, information of a target quality of service QoS flow, and target packet header information.

[0015] The target PDU session is a PDU session used to carry the target data packet.

[0016] When the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node is the target PDU session, the target PDU session can, for example, carry the target data packet for transmission. Furthermore, the target PDU session can also, for example, carry the interface for transmitting the target data packet, that is, the Xn interface, which is the interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0017] In the case where the host node receives an indication of the target PDU session type, it can be understood that all DRBs associated with the target PDU session are DRBs used to transmit the target data packet of the first access network node, that is, all DRBs associated with the target PDU session are target DRBs. At this time, the host node can indicate the target DRB to the first relay node, or it may not indicate the target DRB to the first relay node. In the case where the host node does not receive an indication of the target PDU session type, the host node needs to indicate the target DRB to the first relay node.

[0018] Exemplarily, when the source node is a first access network node and the target node is a second access network node, determining the first data packet as a target data packet includes: determining the first data packet transmitted through a DRB associated with a target PDU session as the target data packet.

[0019] The target QoS flow is a QoS flow used to carry target data packets.

[0020] Exemplarily, the information used to indicate the target QoS flow may include at least one of the following: a quality of service class identifier (QoS Class Identifier, QCI), a 5G QoS identifier (5G QoS Identifier, 5QI), and a QoS flow identifier (QFI). For example, the target QoS flow can be indicated by indicating the type of DRB, or by indicating a specific QCI / 5QI / QFI.

[0021] Exemplarily, the donor node and the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) may also obtain, through preconfiguration, an indication of a target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet. For example, an indication of a control plane type target DRB / target SRB for transmitting a control plane type or user plane type target data packet may also be obtained through preconfiguration.

[0022] Exemplarily, information such as QCI, 5QI and QFI for sending the target data packet's QoS flow can be carried in a PDU session resource setup request message and indicated to the host node when the first mobile terminal requests to establish a first PDU session, or can be indicated to the host node in a PDU session resourcemodify request message after the first PDU session is established.

[0023] Exemplarily, when the source node is a first access network node and the target node is a second access network node, determining the first data packet as a target data packet includes: determining the first data packet transmitted through the target QoS flow as the target data packet.

[0024] The target packet header information is the packet header information of the Internet Protocol IP packet of the target data packet.

[0025] Exemplarily, the target packet header information is used to indicate that the payload of the data packet is a target data packet.

[0026] Exemplarily, the indication information used to indicate the target packet header information may be a specified service type (applicable to Internet Protocol version 4 and Internet Protocol version 6, Internet Protocol version 4, referred to as IPv4, and Internet Protocol version 6, referred to as IPv6), for example, a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP), or a flow label. When the indication information used to indicate the target packet header information is a flow label, it is only applicable to IPv6.

[0027] Determining the first data packet as the target data packet based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet can be understood as determining the first data packet whose header information of the IP packet is identical to the target header information as the target data packet.

[0028] Exemplarily, determining the first data packet as the target data packet includes: parsing the first data packet that meets the parsing condition to obtain header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, and determining the first data packet as the target data packet based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0029] The parsing condition includes: the first data packet is a data packet sent by the first relay node.

[0030] Exemplarily, for example, based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, a first data packet whose destination IP address is not the IP address of the core network device can be determined as the target data packet, and / or, for example, based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, a first data packet whose destination IP address is the IP address of the second access network node can be determined as the target data packet.

[0031] Exemplarily, when the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining the first data packet as the target data packet includes: determining the first data packet whose IP packet header information is identical to the target header information as the target data packet.

[0032] Exemplarily, the communication method may further include: sending second indication information.

[0033] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target data radio bearer DRB information, target signaling radio bearer SRB information, target quality of service QoS flow information, and target packet header information.

[0034] The target DRB is the DRB used to transmit the target data packet, the target SRB is the SRB used to transmit the target data packet; the target QoS flow is the quality of service QoS flow used to carry the target data packet, and the target packet header information is the packet header information of the Internet Protocol IP packet of the target data packet.

[0035] Exemplarily, since the establishment of the DRB depends on the establishment of the first PDU session, the donor node may indicate in the RRC message that the target DRB is used to transmit the target data packet. For example, when configuring the associated DRB for the first PDU session through a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, the donor node may indicate the target DRB for transmitting the target data packet to the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal WAB-MT of the first relay node), thereby enabling the target data packet to be transmitted through the target DRB.

[0036] Exemplarily, the host node can directly establish a target SRB dedicated to transmitting the target data packet. Since the establishment of the SRB does not depend on the establishment of the first PDU session, that is, there is no direct correspondence between the SRB and the first PDU session, the host node indicates the target SRB for transmitting the target data packet to the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) through an RRC message.

[0037] Exemplarily, the donor node may indicate the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet through an RRC reconfiguration message. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message indicating the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet may indicate identification information of the target DRB / identification information of the target SRB.

[0038] Exemplarily, the donor node may further indicate that the target DRB / target SRB is used to transmit a target data packet of a control plane or a target data packet of a user plane. That is, the target DRB / target SRB indicates not only the target data packet to be transmitted, but also the target data packet of a specific data packet type to be transmitted.

[0039] Exemplarily, when the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining the first data packet as the target data packet includes: determining the first data packet transmitted through the target DRB or target SRB as the target data packet.

[0040] Exemplarily, the donor node and the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) may also obtain, through preconfiguration, an indication of a target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet. For example, an indication of a control plane type target DRB / target SRB for transmitting a control plane type or user plane type target data packet may also be obtained through preconfiguration.

[0041] Exemplarily, determining the first data packet as the target data packet includes: determining the first data packet including the first message container as the target data packet.

[0042] The first message container includes a target data packet whose data packet type is a control plane.

[0043] Exemplarily, the communication interface message further includes: identification information of the second access network node.

[0044] Exemplarily, when the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, the first message container is transmitted via a communication interface message (eg, an RRC message) between the first mobile terminal and the donor node.

[0045] For example, when the first mobile terminal sends a first data packet of the control plane to the donor node via SRB, the first data packet of the control plane may be transmitted via a first message container. In this case, the donor node may receive the first message container via an RRC message, a communication interface message, between the donor node and the first access network node, and transparently transmit the first message container to the second access network node.

[0046] The RRC message may include a first message container XnAP container, where the first message container XnAPcontainer includes a first data packet of the control plane. For example, the first message container XnAP container may be a container including an Xnsetup request message. The RRC message may further include information of the second access network node.

[0047] Exemplarily, when the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, the first message container is transmitted via a communication interface message (eg, an XnAP message) between the first access network node and the host node.

[0048] For example, the first control plane data packet can also be sent via a newly added XnAP message, such as an XnAP Message Transfer message. Still taking the first control plane data packet as an XnAP message as an example, the XnAP Message Transfer message can include a first message container, XnAP container, which can include an XnAP message. Furthermore, the XnAP Message Transfer message can also include information about the first access network node. This allows the host node to determine, after receiving the XnAP Message Transfer message, that the sender of the first message container is the first access network node based on the information about the first access network node. For example, this can also enable the host node to forward an XnAP message from a non-host node to a second access network node.

[0049] Exemplarily, the XnAP Message Transfer message may further include information of the second access network node.

[0050] Exemplarily, the source node is a first access network node and the target node is a second access network node. When it is determined that the first data packet is the target data packet, sending the first data packet to the target node includes: sending the first data packet to the second access network node through IP routing; or, sending the first data packet to the second access network node through a communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node.

[0051] Exemplarily, sending a first data packet to a second access network node via a communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node includes: when the first data packet includes a first message container, transparently transmitting the first message container to the second access network node via a communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node.

[0052] Exemplarily, the first data packet is not transmitted in a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) User Plane Tunneling Protocol (GTP-U) tunnel associated with the target PDU session.

[0053] Exemplarily, there is the following situation in which the second access network node does not receive the first data packet (which can also be understood as the second access network node determining not to establish an Xn interface): the second access network node is a second relay node, and the second relay node and the first relay node are nodes of the same type. The type of the first relay node can be a wireless access backhaul node, that is, the first relay node has a base station function (first access network node) and a mobile terminal function (first mobile terminal). The second relay node of the same type as the first relay node can be understood as the second relay node including a base station function and a mobile terminal function. hereinafter, the second relay node of the same type as the first relay node will be referred to as including the second access network node and the second mobile terminal.

[0054] Exemplarily, in the case where it is determined that the first data packet is a target data packet, the communication method further includes: not sending the first data packet to the target node.

[0055] When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node; wherein, the second access network node belongs to the second relay node, and the second relay node and the first relay node are nodes of the same type.

[0056] Exemplarily, the communication method further includes: sending third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate that establishment of the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node has failed.

[0057] Exemplarily, the third indication information is further used to indicate that the reason value for failure to establish the communication interface is: the second access network node and the first access network node are of the same node type, and the target data packet is used to transmit a request to establish the communication interface.

[0058] In summary, according to the communication method of the present application, the host node can identify the first data packet sent to the second access network node by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) via the backhaul link as the target data packet (also understood as Xn data), and then it can be sent to the second access network node through IP routing or through the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node. The first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node can be forwarded from the core network device serving the first mobile terminal to the second access network node, thereby reducing the delay in the exchange of the first data packet (that is, Xn data) between the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) and the second access network node, and improving the transmission efficiency of the first data packet, that is, improving the interaction efficiency of the Xn data and the communication efficiency between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0059] In addition, when the second relay node and the first relay node are of the same node type, and the wireless access node is used, for example, in a vehicle-mounted mobile relay, the positions of the first relay node and the second relay node move as the position of a vehicle or other means of transportation moves. Establishing an Xn interface between the two may lead to increased complexity in Xn interface maintenance work. For example, in this case, the host node may not receive the first data packet to improve communication efficiency.

[0060] In the second aspect, the present application relates to a communication method, which is applied to a source node, the source node is a first access network node or a second access network node, the first relay node includes the first access network node and a first mobile terminal, and a protocol data unit first PDU session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for the data transmission of the first access network node. The communication method includes: receiving a second indication information; sending a target data packet to the host node of the first relay node according to the second indication information, or sending a target data packet according to the first message container.

[0061] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target data radio bearer (DRB) information, target signaling radio bearer (SRB) information, target quality of service (QoS) flow information, and target packet header information; the target DRB is the DRB used to transmit the target data packet, the target SRB is the SRB used to transmit the target data packet; the target QoS flow is the quality of service (QoS) flow used to carry the target data packet, and the target packet header information is the packet header information of the Internet Protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between a first access network node and a second access network node, the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node, and the first message container includes the target data packet whose data packet type is control plane.

[0062] Exemplarily, when the source node is the first access network node, sending the target data packet according to the first message container includes: transmitting the first message container through the communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or transmitting the first message container through the communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node.

[0063] Exemplarily, the communication interface message further includes: identification information of the second access network node.

[0064] Exemplarily, the communication method further includes: receiving third indication information.

[0065] The third indication information is used to indicate that establishment of the communication interface fails, and the target data packet is used to transmit a request to establish the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0066] Exemplarily, the third indication information is also used to indicate that the reason value for failure to establish the communication interface is: the second access network node and the first access network node have the same node type, and the first PDU session is used to carry the request to establish the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0067] In a third aspect, the present application relates to a communication method, applied to a target node, the communication method comprising: receiving a target data packet from a host node of a first relay node.

[0068] The first relay node includes a first mobile terminal and a first access network node. A first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for the data of the first access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0069] The communication method according to the present application may further include: sending fifth indication information.

[0070] The target node can, for example, send the fifth indication information to the host node, and the host node can also forward the fifth indication information to the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node). It should be noted that the content of the fifth indication information and the third indication information can be the same, and the different names of "fifth indication information" and "third indication information" are only to distinguish the different senders of the indication information. For example, the fifth indication information is sent by the target node, and the third indication information is sent by the host node. Therefore, in addition to receiving the third indication information, the source node can also receive the fifth indication information.

[0071] The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the communication interface establishment failed. The target data packet is used to transmit the establishment request of the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node. The establishment request of the communication interface includes the fourth indication information. The fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first access network node belongs to the first relay node.

[0072] According to the communication method of the present application, the fifth indication information is also used to indicate that the reason value for failure to establish the communication interface is: the node type of the second access network node is the same as that of the first access network node.

[0073] In a fourth aspect, the present application relates to a communication device, which is applied to a host node of a first relay node. The communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0074] The transceiver module is configured to receive a first data packet from a source node and to send the first data packet to a destination node, where the source node is the first access network node and the destination node is the second access network node, or where the source node is the second access network node and the destination node is the first access network node.

[0075] The processing module is used to determine that the first data packet is a target data packet.

[0076] The source node is the first access network node or the second access network node, the target data packet is the data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0077] In a fifth aspect, the present application relates to a communication device, applied to a source node, where the source node is a first access network node or a second access network node, and a first relay node includes the first access network node and a first mobile terminal. A first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. The communication device includes: a transceiver module.

[0078] The transceiver module is configured to receive the second indication information and send the target data packet to the host node of the first relay node according to the second indication information, or send the target data packet according to the first message container.

[0079] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of the target data radio bearer DRB, information of the target signaling radio bearer SRB, information of the target quality of service QoS flow, and target packet header information; the target DRB is the DRB used to transmit the target data packet, and the target SRB is the SRB used to transmit the target data packet; the target QoS flow is the quality of service QoS flow used to carry the target data packet, the target packet header information is the packet header information of the Internet Protocol IP packet of the target data packet, the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node, and the first message container includes the target data packet whose data packet type is the control plane.

[0080] In a sixth aspect, the present application relates to a communication device, applied to a target node, comprising: a transceiver module.

[0081] The transceiver module is used to receive a target data packet from the host node of the first relay node.

[0082] The first relay node includes a first mobile terminal and a first access network node. A first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for the data of the first access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0083] In the seventh aspect, the present application relates to a communication device, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement at least one of the communication methods of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0084] Exemplarily, the communication device is a chip.

[0085] In an eighth aspect, the present application relates to a chip module, comprising a transceiver component and a chip, wherein the chip is used to execute at least one of the communication methods of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0086] In a ninth aspect, the present application relates to a communication system, comprising: a source node, a host node of a first relay node, and a target node.

[0087] The source node is a first access network node or a second access network node. When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node. The first relay node includes the first access network node and a first mobile terminal. A first PDU session of a protocol data protocol has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0088] In a tenth aspect, the present application relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, comprising: computer instructions, wherein when the computer instructions are executed, the computer executes at least one of the communication methods of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0089] Exemplarily, the computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory storage medium.

[0090] In an eleventh aspect, the present application relates to a computer program product, comprising a computer program stored on a readable storage medium, which enables a computer to implement at least one of the communication methods of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect when executed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] The following is an introduction to the drawings used in the embodiments of this application.

[0092] Figure 1A The following schematically shows a vehicle-mounted mobile relay scenario;

[0093] Figure 1B and Figure 1C The following schematically shows the integrated access backhaul (IAB) architecture.

[0094] Figure 1D The schematic diagram of the wireless access backhaul WAB architecture is shown schematically;

[0095] Figure 1E Schematically illustrates a layer 3 relay architecture similar to a wireless access backhaul (WAB) architecture in one embodiment;

[0096] Figure 2 A schematic diagram schematically illustrates a wireless access backhaul WAB network architecture according to a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0097] Figure 3A An embodiment in which a donor node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet according to a target DRB / target SRB and forwards the first data packet;

[0098] Figure 3B An embodiment in which a donor node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet according to a target QoS flow and forwards the first data packet;

[0099] Figure 3C An embodiment in which a host node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet based on target packet header information and forwards the first data packet;

[0100] Figure 3D An embodiment in which a host node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet based on a destination IP address of the IP packet and forwards the first data packet;

[0101] Figure 3E An embodiment in which a donor node determines, based on a first message container in an SRB, that a first data packet is a target data packet for a control plane and forwards the first data packet;

[0102] Figure 4A Schematically shows a protocol stack diagram corresponding to forwarding control plane data packets based on IP routing;

[0103] Figure 4B Schematically shows a protocol stack diagram corresponding to forwarding user plane data packets based on IP routing;

[0104] Figure 5A Schematically shows a schematic diagram of a protocol stack in which the first data packet is forwarded to the second access network node via an XnAP message of a host node when the first data packet is a target data packet of a control plane;

[0105] Figure 5B The diagram schematically shows the hierarchical structure of the RRC message;

[0106] Figure 5C The diagram schematically shows the hierarchical structure of the XnAP Message Transfer message;

[0107] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another wireless access backhaul WAB network architecture based on the O-RAN architecture according to the communication method of an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0108] Figure 7A Schematically illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication device 700A applied to a donor node of a first relay node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0109] Figure 7B Schematically shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 700B applied to a source node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0110] Figure 7C Schematically shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 700C applied to a target node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0111] Figure 8 The block diagram schematically shows a communication device that can implement the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0112] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0113] The term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone.

[0114] In the description and claims of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order of objects. For example, the terms "first target object" and "second target object" are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order of objects.

[0115] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be interpreted as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0116] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "And / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0117] The following describes in detail the background of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0118] Vehicle Mounted Relay (VMR)

[0119] Figure 1A The following schematic diagram shows a vehicle-mounted mobile relay scenario. Figure 1A As shown in the figure, in the vehicle-mounted mobile relay scenario, relay nodes are deployed in mobile vehicles such as vehicles and airplanes to provide wireless coverage for terminal equipment (user equipment, UE) in the vehicle to overcome the problem of poor wireless signal in the vehicle. The relay nodes access the macro station through wireless backhaul. The macro station here can also be understood as a host node (donor).

[0120] The relay node can be an integrated access backhaul node or a wireless access backhaul node.

[0121] Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB)

[0122] Figure 1B and Figure 1C The following schematically shows a schematic diagram of the integrated access backhaul (IAB) architecture.

[0123] Integrated access backhaul is based on a centralized unit-distributed unit (CU-DU) separation architecture. The IAB node (IAB-node) includes a mobile terminal (MT) and a distributed unit (DU). When the IAB node faces its parent node, it acts as a terminal device, that is, the role of a mobile terminal MT; when the IAB node faces its child node (the child node may be another IAB node or a UE), it is regarded as a network device, that is, it acts as a distributed unit DU.

[0124] The host node of the IAB node (IAB-donor, also referred to as donor) is an access network element with complete base station (gNB) functions, including a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The host node of the IAB node IAB-donor is connected to the core network device serving the UE (for example, connected to the 5G core network device).

[0125] Taking uplink transmission as an example, after a UE accesses an IAB-DU, the mobile terminal IAB-MT belonging to the same IAB node backhauls the UE's data to the distributed unit IAB-DU of the previous-hop IAB node. The mobile terminal IAB-MT of the previous-hop IAB node then backhauls the data to the distributed unit IAB-DU of the previous-hop IAB node, and so on. Each hop's wireless backhaul is completed via the New Radio (NR, also known as 5G) air interface (Uu) until it reaches the distributed unit donor-DU of the IAB node's host node. It is then sent via a wired connection to the centralized unit donor-CU of the IAB node's host node and then to the core network. The same applies to downlink transmission.

[0126] The IAB architecture is a layer 2 relay because the IAB node only has the distributed unit DU function of the base station and does not have the centralized unit CU function. It only has the protocol stack below the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer.

[0127] Wireless Access and Backhaul (WAB)

[0128] Figure 1DThe diagram schematically shows a wireless access backhaul (WAB) architecture.

[0129] like Figure 1D As shown, since the WAB node includes a base station gNB (also called WAB-gNB) and a mobile terminal MT (also called WAB-MT), the mobile terminal MT faces its upstream node as a UE role, and because the PDU session is established by the UE request, the mobile terminal MT can also request to establish a PDU session with the core network device serving the mobile terminal MT, that is, Figure 1D The PDU session for backhaul shown in the figure can backhaul UE data. Thus, the UE accesses the base station WAB-gNB of the WAB node through the air interface Uu port, and then the mobile terminal WAB-MT of the WAB node wraps the control plane or user plane data of the UE in the backhaul PDU session of the mobile terminal WAB-MT of the WAB node, through the Uu port of the mobile terminal WAB-MT of the WAB node, through the N3 tunnel (N3 tunnel is the general packet radio service GPRS user plane tunnel protocol GTP-U tunnel) between the host node (WAB-donor, also called donor) of the WAB node and the user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) of the core network device serving the mobile terminal MT of the WAB node, and sends it to the user plane function UPF (i.e., the core network user plane function UPF) of the core network serving the mobile terminal MT. Figure 1D The backhaul UPF shown in the figure) is then sent to the core network device serving the mobile terminal WAB-MT. The user plane function UPF of the core network device strips the header information of the relevant data packets of the mobile terminal WAB-MT, exposing the UE-related header information, and sends it to the core network device according to IP routing. Specifically, for example, it is sent to the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element of the core network device serving the UE, the session management function (SMF) network element of the core network device serving the UE, or the user plane function UPF network element of the core network device serving the UE.

[0130] It should be noted that “WAB node” is only an exemplary name for a relay node that includes base station functions and mobile terminal functions, and may also be other names such as “mobile WAB node”.

[0131] Logically, a non-access layer connection (NAS) is established between the UE and the AMF of the core network device serving the UE for transmitting control plane data; a PDU session (i.e. Figure 1D PDU session for access as shown).

[0132] Compared with the two, in the integrated access backhaul (IAB) architecture, although the mobile terminal MT also backhauls UE data, the UE data does not need to be packaged in the PDU session of the mobile terminal MT. Instead, it is directly carried on the layer 2 logical channel of the mobile terminal MT and reaches the host node WAB-donor through hop-by-hop logical channel mapping. The host node donor can then identify the UE data. In the wireless access backhaul WAB architecture, UE data is directly enclosed in the PDU session of the mobile terminal WAB-MT. During the backhaul process of the mobile terminal WAB-MT, UE data is regarded as the user plane data of the mobile terminal WAB-MT itself. After these data reach the host node WAB-donor through the wireless bearer of the mobile terminal WAB-MT, such as DRB (Data Radio Bearer) or SRB (Signaling Radio Bearer), the host node WAB-donor will identify the UE data as the data of the mobile terminal WAB-MT. Only after the UE data is sent to the user plane function UPF of the core network device serving the mobile terminal WAB-MT will the packet header information related to the mobile terminal WAB-MT be decompressed to reveal the UE-related packet header information, and then forwarded to the core network device serving the UE.

[0133] The above example illustrates how the UE communicates with the core network equipment serving the UE under the wireless access backhaul WAB network architecture. The interface-level data transmission between the WAB node base station WAB-gNB and the core network equipment serving the UE (such as the access and mobility management function AMF) is similar. It also needs to be transmitted through the PDU session of the mobile terminal WAB-MT to the user plane function UPF of the core network equipment serving the mobile terminal WAB-MT, and then routed to the access and mobility management function AMF of the core network equipment serving the UE.

[0134] Compared with the integrated access backhaul (IAB) architecture, the wireless access backhaul (WAB) architecture has the following advantages:

[0135] 1) The WAB node has complete base station gNB functions, and some user plane functions (UPF) can be integrated into the WAB node, giving the WAB node more service functions (such as edge computing, perception, etc.).

[0136] 2) The WAB node adopts a layer 3 architecture, and the access link and the backhaul link can be decoupled, which is more conducive to flexible deployment.

[0137] Figure 1E Schematically illustrates a layer 3 relay architecture similar to a wireless access backhaul WAB architecture in an embodiment. Figure 1EAs shown, the relay node Relay Node (RN) can be understood as consisting of a UE and a base station (eNB). There is an air interface connection between the UE of the relay node RN (called RN-MT) and the donor node (donor eNB, also called DeNB). This part of the air interface is called the Un interface (the ordinary UE accessing the base station eNB is called the Uu interface). The base station eNB of the relay node RN (called RN-eNB) and the donor node DeNB have logical X2 interfaces and S1 interfaces (the S1 interface is the interface between the wireless network and the core network in the LTE system, and the X2 interface is the interconnection interface between the base stations eNB, supporting direct transmission of data and signaling). The control plane and user plane data on the X2 and S1 interfaces are all transmitted via the data radio bearer DRB on the Un interface between the mobile terminal RN-MT of the relay node and the donor node DeNB. The host node DeNB is a proxy host node for the relay node RN. It can be understood that after the relay node's base station RN-eNB accesses the host node DeNB, it is invisible to other adjacent base stations eNB or the core network. The host node DeNB can be regarded as a core network device (for the S1 interface) or a base station eNB (for the X2 interface) for the relay node RN. The core network device or other neighboring stations will only discover that some new cells have been added to the host node DeNB through the S1 interface / X2 interface update process with the host node DeNB, but will not be aware of the existence of the relay node's base station RN-eNB. As for the UE under the base station RN-eNB accessing the relay node, when the UE-related message reaches the host node DeNB, the host node DeNB will update the information on both the sending and receiving ends of the message. Taking the X2 interface as an example, the relay node's base station RN-eNB only has a logical X2 interface with the host node DeNB, and the host node DeNB can have an X2 interface with other adjacent base stations eNB. When the host node DeNB receives a UE-related X2AP message from the relay node base station RN-eNB that it wants to send to the base station eNB1, the host node DeNB will retain the main content of the X2AP message, but will only modify the X2AP UE ID, transport layer address, and GTP-U TEID of the sender of the message to its own. The X2AP UE ID, transport layer address, and GTP TEID of the receiver are still set to the information of the base station eNB1, so as to forward the X2AP message generated by the relay node base station RN-eNB to the base station eNB1 through the X2AP message between the host node DeNB and the base station eNB1.Similarly, the X2-U data sent by the relay node RN to other base stations eNB will be transmitted to the host node DeNB through the GTP-U tunnel carried on the Un interface, and then sent by the host node DeNB to other base stations eNB through the GTP-U tunnel between it and other base stations eNB. This is equivalent to the host node DeNB maintaining the correspondence between the GTP-U tunnels at both ends between the relay node RN and the host node DeNB and between the host node DeNB and other base stations eNB. From the perspective of other base stations eNB, they will only receive X2-U data from the host node DeNB and will not perceive the relay node RN.

[0138] In the LTE Relay network architecture, the backhaul link is a data radio bearer (DRB), which can be directly triggered and established by the host node donor. Therefore, the host node donor can process the data packets transmitted on the backhaul link. For example, relay nodes (such as LTE Relay) are presented to the outside world through the host node donor as a proxy. That is, they are invisible to the outside world. Neighboring stations and the core network only see the host node donor.

[0139] In summary, how to efficiently forward data exchanged between access network nodes and adjacent access network nodes in relay devices based on the WAB network architecture has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0140] A WAB network architecture to which the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied will be described below, which can also be understood as a specific example of a communication system.

[0141] Figure 2 A schematic diagram schematically shows a WAB network architecture of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0142] like Figure 2 As shown, the system architecture of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first access network node, a donor node, and a second access network node. The system architecture may also include a UE accessing the first access network node and a core network device serving the UE.

[0143] The first relay node includes a first access network node and a first mobile terminal.

[0144] According to the transmission direction of the first data packet, the source node can be the first access network node or the second access network node. Figure 2As shown, for example, when the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, a first data packet from the first access network node is sent to the host node, and the host node determines that the first data packet is the target data packet and forwards the first data packet to the target node, i.e., the second access network node. When the source node is the second access network node and the target node is the first access network node, the second access network node can send the first data packet from the second access network node to the host node, and the host node determines that the first data packet is the target data packet and forwards the first data packet to the target node, i.e., the first access network node. Unless otherwise specified, the following descriptions are based on the example of the source node being the first access network node and the target node being the second access network node.

[0145] like Figure 2 As shown, in the WAB network architecture, the first relay node can be understood as a WAB node (WAB-node). Unless otherwise specified, the first relay node and the WAB node can be considered the same. A first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0146] The following description uses a host node executing the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be executed by the host node, and the communication method includes: receiving a first data packet from a source node; determining that the first data packet is a target data packet; and sending the first data packet to the target node.

[0147] The destination node may receive the first data packet.

[0148] The first access network node and the second access network node can be understood as different access network devices. The target data packet is the data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The target data packet can also be understood as Xn data or Xn traffic, that is, the data packet and traffic transmitted through the Xn interface between the first access network node and the second access network node. Unless otherwise specified below, the target data packet, Xn data, and Xn traffic can also be considered to be the same. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node. The second access network node being an adjacent access network node of the first access network node can be understood as the second access network node being a neighboring station of the first access network node.

[0149] It should be noted that the second access network node may be different from the host node, or may be the same as the host node. In the case where the second access network node is the same as the host node, the host node may not forward the first data packet after determining that the first data packet is the target data packet.

[0150] The first access network node may only establish a communication connection with the host node. The "communication connection" in the embodiment of the present disclosure may also be understood as a "communication interface", that is, "communication connection" and "communication interface" are equivalent. Furthermore, in the case where a communication connection is established between the first access network node and the host node, the host node may update the cell configuration information to the second access network node through an update message of the communication interface (the update message of the communication interface may be, for example, an NG-RAN node configuration update). Optionally, the host node may also indicate to the second access network node in the updated cell configuration information that the cell type of the newly added cell is a cell managed by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node), for the second access network node to manage access to UEs.

[0151] It should also be noted that the host node can receive all data packets sent from the first access network node, and the host node can determine whether each of all data packets from the first access network node is the target data packet. The embodiments of the present disclosure will not discuss the situation where the destination IP address of the data packet from the first access network node is not the second access network node.

[0152] According to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, under the WAB network architecture, the first relay node serves as a WAB node, which includes not only the first access network node but also the first mobile terminal. A first protocol data unit PDU session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for the data transmission of the first access network node. That is, the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure triggers the establishment of a backhaul link in the form of a first PDU session by the first mobile terminal, which is adapted to data backhaul under the WAB network architecture.

[0153] In addition, on the one hand, after the UE accesses the network through the first access network node of the first relay node, the UE data can be transmitted to the host node of the first access network node (hereinafter referred to as the host node of the first access network node) through the first access network node. On the other hand, the first access network node can also generate data for interacting with the second access network node, such as interface-level establishment or update data, etc. The "interface" here can be understood as the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node, such as the Xn interface. Therefore, at the host node, the host node can receive a first data packet from the first access network device (according to the above description, the first data packet here can include the UE data when the UE accesses the first access network device and the data generated by the first access network node for interacting with the second access network node). The host node receives the first data packet as the target data packet for transmission between the first access network node and the second access network node, and identifies the first data packet as the target data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The host node can directly send the first data packet to the second access network node, which makes it possible for the host node to at least not send the first data packet to the core network device and the core network device to not send the first data packet to the second access network node and also complete the forwarding of the first data packet to the second access network node according to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure. Since there is no need to forward the first data packet to the core network device and there is no need for the core network device to forward the first data packet to the second access network node, according to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the delay in transmitting the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node is shorter and the communication efficiency is higher.

[0154] Similarly, when the source node is the second access network node and the target node is the first access network node, the host node receives the first data packet from the second access network node and can also determine that the first data packet is the target data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, and then forward the first data packet to the first access network node. This allows the first data packet sent by the second access network node according to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure to be sent directly to the host node instead of being forwarded by the core network device, and the host node to identify the first data packet as the target data packet and then forward the first data packet to the first access network node. Therefore, according to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the delay in transmitting the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node is shorter and the communication efficiency is higher.

[0155] Figures 3A to 3E Schematic diagrams schematically illustrate five different communication methods according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0156] Figure 3A This is an embodiment in which a host node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet according to a target DRB / target SRB and forwards the first data packet.

[0157] like Figure 3A The communication method shown may include operations S311 to S314.

[0158] In operation S311 , a first mobile terminal of a first relay node establishes a first PDU session, which provides a backhaul function for data transmission of a first access network node.

[0159] The operation S311 can be understood as being performed before the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, so Figure 3A In the example of , operation S311 is not shown.

[0160] like Figure 3A As shown, the first PDU session established through operation S311 enables an N3 tunnel to be established between the core network and the donor node, where the N3 tunnel is a General Packet Radio Service GPRS User Plane Tunneling Protocol GTP-U tunnel.

[0161] For example, when the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node in operation S311 is a target PDU session (the target PDU session can be understood as a PDU session for carrying the target data packet), the target PDU session (first PDU session) can, for example, carry the target data packet for transmission. On this basis, the target PDU session (first PDU session) can also, for example, carry the interface for transmitting the target data packet, that is, the Xn interface, which is the interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0162] It should be noted that, when the host node receives an indication of the target PDU session type, it can be understood that all DRBs associated with the target PDU session are DRBs used to transmit the target data packet of the first access network node, that is, all DRBs associated with the target PDU session are target DRBs. At this time, the host node can indicate the target DRB to the first relay node, or it may not indicate the target DRB to the first relay node. In the case where the host node does not receive an indication of the target PDU session type, the host node is required to indicate the target DRB to the first relay node.

[0163] Exemplarily, the host node may receive indication information inst1 sent by the core network device in the PDU session resource setup request message, where the indication information instr1 indicates that the type of the target PDU session is about the target data packet. At this point, an N3 tunnel for transmitting target data packets related to the target PDU session is established between the host node and the core network device (for example, the core network device is the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal WAB-MT). Taking the first relay node as a WAB node as an example, the indication information inst1 may specifically be sent by the AMF of the core network device serving the WAB-MT.

[0164] In operation S312 : the donor node indicates to the first relay node (eg, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) information of the DRB / SRB related to the N3 tunnel for sending the target data packet.

[0165] Exemplarily, since DRB establishment depends on a PDU session, the donor node may indicate in an RRC message that the target DRB is used to transmit the target data packet. For example, when configuring an associated DRB for a PDU session (e.g., a first PDU session) through a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, the donor node may indicate the target DRB for transmitting the target data packet to the first relay node (e.g., a first mobile terminal WAB-MT of the first relay node), thereby enabling the target data packet to be transmitted through the target DRB.

[0166] Exemplarily, the host node can directly establish a target SRB dedicated to transmitting the target data packet. Since the establishment of the SRB does not depend on the establishment of the PDU session, that is, there is no direct correspondence between the SRB and the PDU session (such as the first PDU session), the host node indicates the target SRB for transmitting the target data packet to the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) through an RRC message.

[0167] Exemplarily, the donor node may indicate the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet through an RRC reconfiguration message. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message indicating the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet may indicate identification information of the target DRB / identification information of the target SRB.

[0168] Exemplarily, the donor node may further indicate that the target DRB / target SRB is used to transmit a target data packet of a control plane or a target data packet of a user plane. That is, the target DRB / target SRB indicates not only the target data packet to be transmitted, but also the target data packet of a specific data packet type to be transmitted.

[0169] Exemplarily, the donor node and the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) may also obtain, through preconfiguration, an indication of a target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet. For example, an indication of a control plane type target DRB / target SRB for transmitting a control plane type or user plane type target data packet may also be obtained through preconfiguration.

[0170] In operation S313: the first relay node (for example, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) transmits a first data packet through a designated DRB / SRB.

[0171] The "designated DRB / SRB" of operation S313 may include at least one of the following: a target DRB, a target SRB, and all DRBs related to the target PDU session.

[0172] In operation S314 : the host node may determine the first data packet sent through the target DRB / target SRB / DRB associated with the target PDU session as the target data packet, and forward the first data packet according to the destination IP address of the first data packet.

[0173] Exemplarily, when the host node receives the first data packet from the target DRB / DRB associated with the target PDU session, that is, when the host node does not receive the first data packet from the target SRB, the host node may not forward the first data packet to the N3 tunnel corresponding to the target DRB / target PDU session to the core network device (such as the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal).

[0174] Figure 3B This is an embodiment in which a donor node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet according to a target QoS flow and forwards the first data packet.

[0175] like Figure 3B The communication method shown may include operations S321 to S324.

[0176] In operation S321 , a first mobile terminal of a first relay node establishes a first PDU session, which provides a backhaul function for data transmission of a first access network node.

[0177] The operation S321 can be understood as being performed before the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, so Figure 3B In the example of , operation S321 is not shown.

[0178] like Figure 3BAs shown, the first PDU session established through operation S321 enables an N3 tunnel to be established between the core network and the host node, and also enables data transmission between the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) and the host node through the DRB related to the N3 tunnel.

[0179] and Figure 3A Similarly to the embodiment, in operation S321, when the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node is a target PDU session (the target PDU session can be understood as a PDU session used to carry the target data packet), the target PDU session (first PDU session) can, for example, carry the target data packet. On this basis, the target PDU session (first PDU session) can also, for example, carry the interface for transmitting the target data packet, that is, the Xn interface, which is the interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0180] In operation S322 , the donor node indicates information of a QoS flow for transmitting a target data packet to the first relay node (eg, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node). The target QoS flow is a QoS flow for carrying the target data packet.

[0181] Exemplarily, the information used to indicate the target QoS flow may include at least one of the following: a quality of service class identifier (QoS Class Identifier, QCI), a 5G QoS identifier (5G QoS Identifier, 5QI), and a QoS flow identifier (QFI). For example, the target QoS flow can be indicated by indicating the type of DRB, or by indicating a specific QCI / 5QI / QFI.

[0182] Exemplarily, information such as QCI, 5QI and QFI for sending the target data packet's QoS flow can be carried in the PDU session resource setup request message and indicated to the host node when the first mobile terminal requests to establish the first PDU session in operation S321, or can be indicated to the host node through the PDU session resource modify request message after the first PDU session is established.

[0183] like Figure 3B As shown, for example, the core network device can indicate the information of the QoS flow for sending the target data packet to the host node, and after receiving the information, the host node can indicate the information of the target QoS flow for sending the target data packet to the first mobile terminal.

[0184] and Figure 3B Different from the example, the first mobile terminal can also obtain information such as QCI, 5QI and QFI indicating the QoS flow used to send the target data packet from the NAS message sent by the core network device serving the first mobile terminal. The NAS message can be, for example, a PDU session establishment accept message.

[0185] and Figure 3A Similarly to the example, the donor node and the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) can obtain information of a target QoS flow for transmitting a target data packet in a pre-configured manner. For example, information of a control plane type target QoS flow for transmitting a control plane type or user plane type target data packet can also be obtained in a pre-configured manner.

[0186] In operation S323 : the first relay node (for example, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) transmits a first data packet through the target QoS flow.

[0187] In operation S324 : the donor node may determine the first data packet sent through the target QoS flow as a target data packet, and forward the first data packet according to the destination IP address of the first data packet.

[0188] Exemplarily, the host node may not forward the first data packet to the corresponding N3 tunnel to send it to the core network device (such as the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal).

[0189] Figure 3C This is an embodiment in which a host node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet based on target packet header information and forwards the first data packet.

[0190] like Figure 3C The communication method shown may include operations S331 to S334.

[0191] In operation S331 , a first mobile terminal of a first relay node establishes a first PDU session, which provides a backhaul function for data transmission of a first access network node.

[0192] The operation S331 can be understood as being performed before the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, so Figure 3C In the example of , operation S331 is not shown.

[0193] like Figure 3C As shown, the first PDU session established through operation S331 enables an N3 tunnel to be established between the core network and the host node, and also enables data to be transmitted between the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) and the host node through the DRB related to the N3 tunnel.

[0194] and Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B Similarly to the embodiment, in operation S331, when the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node is a target PDU session (the target PDU session can be understood as a PDU session used to carry the target data packet), the target PDU session (first PDU session) can, for example, carry the target data packet. On this basis, the target PDU session (first PDU session) can also, for example, carry the interface for transmitting the target data packet, that is, the Xn interface, which is the interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0195] In operation S332 : the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet is target header information indicating that the data packet type is a target data packet.

[0196] For example, the first relay node may add the target header information to the IP header of the generated first data packet.

[0197] Exemplarily, the target packet header information is used to indicate that the payload in the IP packet is a target data packet.

[0198] It should be noted that the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure is described using IP packets as an example. In addition to IP packet headers, packet headers based on other network layer protocols may also be used. Similarly, the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure is also described using IP addresses as an example. In addition to IP addresses, addresses used to identify network nodes or devices in other protocols may also be used.

[0199] Exemplarily, for example, the target packet header information can be preconfigured to the first relay node (also known as the WAB node, such as the first access network node of the first relay node) and the host node. Optionally, the target packet header information can also be preconfigured to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal. Alternatively, after any one of the first relay node / host node / core network device serving the first mobile terminal determines the target packet header information, indication information indicating the target packet header information is sent to the other two. For example, the first relay node determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and can send the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the host node and the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through RRC messages and NAS messages respectively, or the first relay node determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and can send the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the host node through an RRC message, and then the host node sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through an NGAP (Next Generation Access Protocol) message. For another example, the host node determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and can send the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the first mobile terminal and the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through RRC messages and NGAP messages respectively, or the host node determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the core network serving the first mobile terminal through NAGP messages, and then the core network device serving the first mobile terminal sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the first mobile terminal through NAS messages, or the host node first sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the first mobile terminal through RRC messages, and then the first mobile terminal sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through NAS messages. For another example, the core network device serving the first mobile terminal determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and can send the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the host node and the first mobile terminal through NGAP message and NAS message respectively, or the core network device serving the first mobile terminal first sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the host node through NGAP message, and then the host node sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the core network serving the first mobile terminal through RRC message.

[0200] Exemplarily, the indication information used to indicate the target packet header information may be a specified service type (applicable to Internet Protocol version 4 and Internet Protocol version 6, Internet Protocol version 4, referred to as IPv4, and Internet Protocol version 6, referred to as IPv6), for example, a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP), or a flow label. When the indication information used to indicate the target packet header information is a flow label, it is only applicable to IPv6.

[0201] In operation S333: the first relay node (for example, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) transmits a first data packet through the DRB.

[0202] In operation S334 : the host node may determine that the first data packet is the target data packet according to the target packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, and forward the first data packet according to the destination IP address of the first data packet.

[0203] Determining the first data packet as the target data packet based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet can be understood as determining the first data packet whose header information of the IP packet is identical to the target header information as the target data packet.

[0204] Exemplarily, for example, the first data packet that meets the parsing condition may be parsed to obtain the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0205] The parsing condition includes: the first data packet is a data packet sent by the first relay node.

[0206] Exemplarily, for example, based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, a first data packet whose destination IP address is not the IP address of the core network device can be determined as the target data packet, and / or, for example, based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, a first data packet whose destination IP address is the IP address of the second access network node can be determined as the target data packet.

[0207] Exemplarily, the host node may not forward the first data packet to the corresponding N3 tunnel to be sent to the core network device (e.g., the UPF of the core network device). If the host node is not indicated with the IP address of the second access network node or the identity / type of the first relay node (e.g., the first access network node of the first relay node) is not indicated to the host node, the host node may send an IP address request message to the second access network node, or may not process the first data packet of the first relay node (e.g., the first access network node of the first relay node) and directly forward it to the N3 tunnel. The identity / type of the first relay node may be represented by a WAB node.

[0208] Figure 3D The present invention is an embodiment in which a host node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet based on a destination IP address of the IP packet and forwards the first data packet.

[0209] like Figure 3D The communication method shown may include operations S341 to S344.

[0210] In operation S341 , a first mobile terminal of a first relay node establishes a first PDU session, which provides a backhaul function for data transmission of a first access network node.

[0211] The operation S341 can be understood as being performed before the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, so Figure 3D In the example of , operation S341 is not shown.

[0212] like Figure 3D As shown, the first PDU session established through operation S341 enables an N3 tunnel to be established between the core network and the host node, and also enables data to be transmitted between the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) and the host node through the DRB related to the N3 tunnel.

[0213] and Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B as well as Figure 3C Similarly to the embodiment, in operation S341, when the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node is a target PDU session (the target PDU session can be understood as a PDU session used to carry the target data packet), the target PDU session (first PDU session) can, for example, carry the target data packet. On this basis, the target PDU session (first PDU session) can also, for example, carry the interface for transmitting the target data packet, that is, the Xn interface, which is the interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0214] In operation S342: the first data packet generated by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) is sent to the host node via the DRB related to the first PDU session / N3 tunnel of the first relay node (for example, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) and the host node.

[0215] In operation S343 , the host node determines that the first data packet is a target data packet according to the destination IP address of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0216] Exemplarily, the host node can, for example, determine the first data packet whose destination IP address is not the IP address of the core network device as the target data packet based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, and / or, for example, the host node can determine the first data packet whose destination IP address is the IP address of the second access network node as the target data packet based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0217] For example, the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet can be obtained by parsing the first data packet that meets the parsing condition. The parsing condition can include, for example, that the first data packet is a data packet sent by the first relay node. This can be understood as parsing the first data packet from the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) to obtain the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0218] Exemplarily, the host node may not forward the first data packet to the corresponding N3 tunnel to send it to the core network device (such as the UPF of the core network device).

[0219] Figure 3E This is an embodiment in which a donor node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet of a control plane according to a first message container in an SRB and forwards the first data packet.

[0220] like Figure 3E The communication method shown may include operations S351 to S353.

[0221] In operation S351: the donor node configures an SRB for the first relay node (eg, the first mobile terminal). The SRB may be a common SRB such as SRB0 to SRB4, or a target SRB for transmitting a target data packet.

[0222] Exemplarily, for example, the donor node may configure the above-mentioned SRB to the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal) through an RRC message.

[0223] In operation S352: the first relay node (eg, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) sends a first message container to the donor node via the SRB. The first message container may include a target data packet of a control plane type.

[0224] Exemplarily, in operation S352, the first relay node (eg, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) may further send identification information of the second access network node to the donor node via SRB.

[0225] Exemplarily, the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) can also send to the host node through SRB: the node identifier of the second access network node, the NR Cell Global Identifier (NCGI) / physical cell identifier (PCI) of the management cell of the second access network node, the tracking area identity (TAI) to which the second access network node belongs, and the IP address.

[0226] Exemplarily, the first message container may include a target data packet with a data packet type of the control plane. It can also be understood that the first message container is a transmission form of the target data packet of the control plane. The first message container can be understood as a container in which the target data packet of the control plane between the first access network node and the second access network node is encapsulated, such as an XnAP container used to transparently transmit XnAP messages.

[0227] In operation S353: the donor node sends the first message container according to the information of the second access network node.

[0228] It should be noted that, upon receiving the first message container sent through the SRB, the donor node may consider that the first message container includes the first data packet, and the first data packet is the target data packet.

[0229] Exemplarily, when the source node is a first access network node and the target node is a second access network node, the first message container is transmitted via a communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node (the communication interface message can specifically be an RRC message), and / or, when a communication connection such as an Xn interface has been established between the first access network node and the host node, the first message container can also be transmitted via a communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node (the communication interface message can specifically be an XnAP message).

[0230] Exemplarily, the communication interface message may further include: information of the second access network node, and the information of the second access network node may be identification information of the second access network node.

[0231] Combine Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E In the embodiment, the host node as the execution subject can also perform the operation of receiving the first indication information and / or sending the second indication information.

[0232] The first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of the target PDU session (corresponding to Figure 3A In this embodiment, the first indication information for indicating the target PDU session information may be from the core network device), information of the target quality of service QoS flow (corresponding to Figure 3B In this embodiment, the first indication information for indicating the target quality of service QoS flow information may be from the core network device), the target packet header information (corresponding to Figure 3C In an embodiment, the first indication information used to indicate the target packet header information may be from a core network device).

[0233] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of the target data radio bearer DRB (corresponding to Figure 3A In this embodiment, the second indication information for indicating the target PDU session and / or target DRB information can be sent to the first access network node), the target signaling radio bearer SRB information (corresponding to Figure 3A In this embodiment, the second indication information for indicating the target SRB information can be sent to the first access network node), the target quality of service QoS flow information (corresponding to Figure 3B In this embodiment, the second indication information for indicating the target quality of service QoS flow information can be sent to the first access network node), the target packet header information (corresponding to Figure 3C In an embodiment, the second indication information for indicating the target packet header information may be sent to the first access network node).

[0234] For example, the source node may receive the second indication information and send the target data packet to the host node of the first relay node according to the second indication information. Figures 3A to 3D The detailed description of Figure 3E In an embodiment, for example, the source node may use a first message container to send the target data packet. For example, the first message container may be transmitted via a communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or the first message container may be transmitted via a communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node.

[0235] Exemplarily, the communication interface message may further include identification information of the second access network node.

[0236] For example, Figures 3A to 3E The example shown details the process by which a host node determines that a first data packet is a target data packet after receiving it. The following uses the example of a first relay node (e.g., a first access network node that is a first relay node) requesting to establish an Xn interface with a second access network node (establishing an Xn interface can also be understood as the process of transmitting a target data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node) to illustrate a specific example of how, after determining that the first data packet is a target data packet, the host node forwards the first data packet to the second access network node based on the destination IP address.

[0237] Figure 4A The schematic diagram shows the protocol stack corresponding to the control plane data packet forwarding based on IP routing. Figure 4B A schematic diagram of the protocol stack corresponding to forwarding user-plane data packets based on IP routing.

[0238] by Figure 4A For example, a first PDU session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device, which enables the first relay node (for example, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) to transmit the Xn setup request message (Xn setup request is an Xn interface establishment request) to the host node through wireless backhaul such as DRB or SRB associated with the first PDU session. Figure 3A To the above Figure 3E In an embodiment, the first data packet is determined to be the target data packet, and then the destination IP address can be determined based on the IP address of the first data packet and / or the second access network node identifier indicated by the first data packet (the second access network node is the second access network node). The host node can route according to the destination IP address of the first data packet and send the first data packet to the second access network node. After the second access network node receives the first data packet, it can be understood that the second access network node receives the Xn setup request message sent by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node that is the first relay node), and the second access network node returns the Xn setup response message (Xn setup response is the Xn interface establishment response) when it determines that the Xn interface can be established. The return method is the same as the above-mentioned receiving method and will not be repeated here. By establishing the Xn interface, the target data packet can be transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, so when the Xn interface is established, the recipient of the target data packet can receive the target data packet.

[0239] In the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node. When it is determined that the first data packet is the target data packet, in addition to forwarding the first data packet according to the destination IP address of the first data packet in the above embodiment, the host node can also send the first data packet to the target node through the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network, which can specifically include operations S51 to S53.

[0240] Figure 5A The diagram schematically shows a protocol stack of a second access network node in which the first data packet is forwarded to the second access network node through an XnAP message of a host node when the first data packet is a target data packet of a control plane.

[0241] For example, if the first data packet is a target data packet of a control plane data type, the target data packet of the control plane will be referred to as an XnAP message below. The following description will also use the XnAP message as an Xn setup request message as an example. A first relay node (e.g., a first mobile terminal of the first relay node) can send a first data packet of the control plane (it is understood that after determining that the first data packet is the target data packet, the first data packet is also the target data packet) to the host node via a wireless backhaul method such as DRB / SRB. The Xn setup request message requests the first relay node (e.g., the first access network node of the first relay node) to establish a communication interface (Xn interface) between the host node. In this case, the host node can act as a proxy node for transmitting the first data packet of the control plane between the first relay node (e.g., the first access network node of the first relay node) and the second access network node, such as transmitting the first data packet.

[0242] For example, when the first mobile terminal sends a first data packet of the control plane to the donor node via SRB, the first data packet of the control plane may be transmitted via a first message container. In this case, the donor node may receive the first message container via an RRC message, a communication interface message, between the donor node and the first access network node, and transparently transmit the first message container to the second access network node.

[0243] For the source node, for example, the target data packet can be sent using a first message container. Furthermore, for example, the first message container can be transmitted via a communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node. The communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node can be, for example, an RRC message, meaning that the first message container can be transmitted via an RRC message.

[0244] Figure 5B The schematic diagram of the hierarchical structure of the RRC message is shown schematically. Figure 5BAs shown, the RRC message may include a first message container XnAP container, the first message container XnAP container includes a first data packet of the control plane, for example, the first message container XnAP container may be a container including an Xn setup request message, and the RRC message may further include information of the second access network node.

[0245] In operation S51, the first relay node (for example, the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) transmits the Xn setup request message to be sent by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) to the second access network node to the host node through a wireless backhaul method such as DRB / SRB.

[0246] The Xn setup request message may further include a cell managed by the first relay node (eg, the first access network node of the first relay node) and a corresponding tracking area identity (TAI).

[0247] Exemplarily, the Xn setup request message sent to the second access network node can be sent to the host node through the communication interface (Xn interface) established between the first access network node and the host node, or can also be carried in the first message container in the RRC message sent by the first access network node and sent to the host node.

[0248] In operation S52, the host node can Figures 3A to 3E In an embodiment, after determining the first data packet sent from the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) as the first data packet with the data packet type of the control plane, the identifier of the second access network node can also be determined based on the destination IP address of the first data packet with the data packet type of the control plane and / or the information of the second access network node indicated by the first access network node.

[0249] After the donor node determines the identifier of the second access network node, at least one of the following implementations may be adopted:

[0250] Implementation method 1: The donor node acts as a proxy node to send, for example, an NG-RAN NodeConfiguration Update message to the second access network node, which includes the cell managed by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) and the corresponding Tracking Area Identity (TAI). For details, please refer to Figure 1E The process steps involved.

[0251] Implementation method 2: the donor node continues to forward the first data packet (Xn setup request message) to the second access network node.

[0252] Exemplarily, the first data packet (Xn setup request message) of the control plane may also include information for indicating the first access network node. After receiving the first data packet (Xn setup request message), the second access network node may know that the first access network node is the opposite end of the second access network node, that is, the second access network node may know that the opposite end is not the host node.

[0253] For example, the first data packet of the control plane may be sent through a newly added XnAP message such as an XnAP Message Transfer message. Still taking the first data packet of the control plane as an XnAP message as an example, Figure 5C The hierarchical structure diagram of the XnAPMessage Transfer message is shown schematically. Figure 5C As shown, for example, an XnAP Message Transfer message may include a first message container XnAP container, which may include an XnAP message. Furthermore, the XnAP Message Transfer message may also include information about the first access network node. This allows the host node to determine, after receiving the XnAP Message Transfer message, that the sender of the first message container is the first access network node based on the information about the first access network node. For example, this may also allow the host node to forward an XnAP message from a non-host node to a second access network node.

[0254] For example, the target data packet can be sent to the source node using a first message container. Furthermore, the first message container can be transmitted via a communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node. The communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node can be, for example, an XnAP message, meaning that the first message container can be transmitted via an XnAP message.

[0255] Implementation method three: After parsing the first data packet, the host node sends the first data packet to the second access network node based on the target IP address of the first data packet.

[0256] Exemplarily, the XnAP Message Transfer message may further include information of the second access network node.

[0257] For example, when a communication interface (Xn interface) has been established between the first relay node (e.g., the first access network node of the first relay node) and the host node, the Xn setup request message sent by the first relay node (e.g., the first access network node of the first relay node) to the second access network node in operation S51 may also be sent to the host node via an XnAP Message Transfer message (the XnAP Message Transfer message may include a first message container, or the first message container and information about the second access network node). The subsequent behavior of the host node may refer to the above three embodiments.

[0258] In operation S53, after receiving the data sent by the donor node, the neighboring access network node of the first access network node (i.e., the second access network node) performs the following operations:

[0259] With respect to the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the host node and the second access network node send, for example, an NG-RAN NodeConfiguration Update message, and the second access network node can reply to the host node with an NG-RAN NodeConfiguration Update Acknowledge message. When the host node receives the UE-related XnAP message (for example, by discovering that the destination IP address of the XnAP message is not its own, or by identifying the UE-related XnAP message through the XnAP UE ID for the UE specified by the host node for the first access network node), the XnAP UEID, transport layer address, and GTP-U TEID of the sender of the XnAP message can be modified to its own information. Similarly, the forwarding method of the UE-related XnAP message replied by the second access network node to the first access network node is the same, except that the objects at the sending and receiving ends are swapped, which will not be repeated here.

[0260] With respect to the second embodiment described above, the host node continues to forward the first data packet (Xnsetup request message) to the second access network node. After the second access network node receives the first data packet sent by the host node, it can be understood that it has received the Xn setup request message sent by the first access network node. After the second access network node determines that the Xn interface can be established, it sends an Xn setup response message to the host node. Optionally, the Xn setup response message can carry the identification information of the first access network node as an indication of the true receiving end. The host node then continues to forward the Xn setup response message to the first access network node. Optionally, the Xn setup response message can also carry the identification information of the second access network node to inform the first access network node that the true sending end is the second access network node. Optionally, similar to the method of forwarding the XnAP container in the above-mentioned embodiment 2, the Xn setup response message that the second access network node replies to the first access network node can be first sent to the host node through an XnAP Message Transfer message (the XnAP Message Transfer message may include a first message container, the first message container may include an Xn setup response, and on this basis, the XnAP Message Transfer message may further include information of the first access network node), and then the host node sends it to the first access network node through an XnAP Message Transfer or an RRC message (the XnAP Message Transfer or RRC message may include a first message container, the first message container may include an Xn setup request message, and on this basis, the XnAP Message Transfer or RRC message may further include information of the second access network node), or the host node parses the XnAP message in the XnAP container and interacts with the first access network node through the method of the above-mentioned embodiment 1.

[0261] It should be noted that, in addition to the above embodiments, there are also the following situations where the second access network node determines not to establish an Xn interface: the second access network node belongs to a second relay node, and the second relay node and the first relay node are nodes of the same type. The type of the first relay node can be a wireless access backhaul node, that is, the first relay node has a base station function (first access network node) and a mobile terminal function (first mobile terminal). The second relay node of the same type as the first relay node can be understood as the second relay node including a base station function and a mobile terminal function. hereinafter, the second relay node of the same type as the first relay node will be referred to as including a second access network node and a second mobile terminal. For example, there may be the following implementation methods:

[0262] Embodiment 1: The host node does not forward the first data packet to the second access network node. For example, when the host node forwards the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node, for example, when the host node receives the first data packet from the first access network node and determines that the first data packet is the target data packet, and the second access network node is a node of the same type as the first access network node, the host node does not forward the first data packet to the second access network node. This can be understood as a failure to establish a communication connection between the first access network node and the second access network node. Optionally, the host node can send indication information (such as third indication information) to the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) indicating that the communication interface (communication interface is an Xn interface) between the first access network node and the second access network node has failed to be established. The first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) can receive the third indication information. The indication information (such as the third indication information) can also be used to indicate that the reason for the failure to establish the communication interface is that the second access network node and the first access network node are of the same node type. For example, the indication information (such as the third indication information) indicating the reason for the failure to establish the communication interface may be an Xn setup failure message, indicating that the reason for the failure is that the second access network node belongs to the second relay node.

[0263] Implementation method two: When the first data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node arrives at the core network device serving the first mobile terminal (such as the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal) via the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal, and then is routed to the second access network node via the destination IP address of the first data packet, if the core network serving the first mobile terminal determines that the UE sending the first data packet is the first mobile terminal (that is, the core network serving the first mobile terminal determines that the node type sending the first data packet is a WAB node), and the first PDU session transmitting the first data packet is dedicated to transmitting the target data packet, the core network serving the first mobile terminal can determine whether the recipient is also a WAB node type based on the destination IP address of the first data packet. If the recipient is also a WAB node, the first data packet will not be forwarded, and the communication interface (Xn interface) will fail to be established. Optionally, an indication information is sent to indicate that the communication interface (the communication interface is the Xn interface) between the first access network node and the second access network node has failed to be established. The indication information can also be used to indicate that the reason for the failure to establish the communication interface is: the second access network node is the same node type as the first access network node; or, when the host node determines that the adjacent access network node of the first access network node (i.e., the second access network node) is also a WAB node, the host node will inform the core network device serving the first mobile terminal of the information of the second access network node, and the core network device serving the first mobile terminal will intercept the first data packet with the destination IP address being the IP address of the second access network node based on the information of the second access network node, terminate the forwarding of the first data packet, and fail to establish the communication interface (Xn interface). Optionally, indication information is sent to indicate that the communication interface (communication interface is an Xn interface) between the first access network node and the second access network node has failed to establish. The indication information can also be used to indicate that the reason for the failure to establish the communication interface is: the second access network node is the same node type as the first access network node.

[0264] Implementation Method 3: The host node forwards the first data packet, and the second access network node refuses to establish a communication interface (Xn interface). For example, if the host node receives a first data packet from a first access network node and determines that the first data packet is the target data packet, and the second access network node is a node of the same type as the first access network node, the host node may forward the first data packet to the second access network node, and the second access network node may refuse to establish a communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0265] Exemplarily, the second access network node may further send, to the host node, indication information indicating that the communication interface (the communication interface is an Xn interface) between the first access network node and the second access network node has failed to be established (the indication information sent by the second access network node to the host node indicating that the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node has failed to be established is, for example, fifth indication information. The host node may further forward the fifth indication information to the first access network node of the first relay node). The host node may receive the fifth indication information. The host node may further send the fifth indication information to the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node), and the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) may receive the fifth indication information. The indication information (fifth indication information) may also be used to indicate that the reason for the failure to establish the communication interface is that the second access network node and the first access network node have the same node type. For example, the indication information indicating the reason for the failure to establish the communication interface may be an Xn setup failure message, indicating that the reason for the failure is that the second access network node belongs to the second relay node.

[0266] For example, a target data packet (when the first data packet is the target data packet, the target data packet is also the first data packet) can transmit a request to establish a communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node. The request to establish the communication interface can include fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first access network node belongs to the first relay node, that is, the fourth indication information indicates that the second relay node and the first relay node have the same node type. It should be noted that in the third embodiment, the second access network node refuses to establish the communication interface. The reason why the second access network node refuses to establish the communication interface is that, from the perspective of the second access network node, the fourth indication information included in the request to establish the communication interface carried by the first data packet indicates that the first access network node belongs to the first relay node, that is, the first access network node that sends the first data packet belongs to the first relay node. Since the second access network node belongs to the second relay node, the node type of the first relay node is the same as the node type of the second relay node, so at this time the second access network node can refuse to establish the Xn interface.

[0267] Implementation method 4: The UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal forwards the first data packet, and the second access network node refuses to establish the communication interface (Xn interface). Implementation method 3 is different from Implementation method 3, in which the first data packet is forwarded by the donor node. In Implementation method 4, the first data packet is forwarded by the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal. The method of forwarding the first data packet by the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal is similar to Implementation method 3 and is not further described here.

[0268] In summary, according to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the host node can identify the first data packet sent to the second access network node via the backhaul link by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) as the target data packet (also understood as Xn data), and then it can be sent to the second access network node through IP routing or through the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node. The first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node can be forwarded from the core network device serving the first mobile terminal to the second access network node, thereby reducing the delay in the exchange of the first data packet (that is, Xn data) between the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) and the second access network node, and improving the transmission efficiency of the first data packet, that is, improving the interaction efficiency of the Xn data and the communication efficiency between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0269] In addition, when the second relay node and the first relay node are of the same node type, and the wireless access node is used, for example, in a vehicle-mounted mobile relay, the positions of the first relay node and the second relay node move as the position of a vehicle or other means of transportation moves. There may be a problem in which establishing an Xn interface between the two may increase the complexity of Xn interface maintenance work. For example, in this case, the host node may not receive the first data packet to improve communication efficiency.

[0270] The following describes the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 Another wireless access backhaul WAB network architecture based on an open wireless access network (Open RAN, O-RAN) that is different from the example can also be understood as a specific example of another communication system.

[0271] Figure 6 A schematic diagram schematically shows another WAB network architecture of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0272] like Figure 6 As shown, the system architecture of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include: an access network controller RIC, a first relay node WAB, a donor node donor, and a second access network node other gNB.

[0273] Figure 6 A specific example is also schematically shown in which the first relay node WAB includes a first access network node and a first mobile terminal WAB-MT. Figure 6The device also schematically illustrates a specific example in which the donor node donor includes a centralized unit donor-CU and a distributed unit donor-DU, the first access network node includes a centralized unit WAB-CU and a distributed unit WAB-DU, and the second access network node other gNB includes a centralized unit other gNB-CU and a distributed unit other gNB-DU.

[0274] The access network controller is connected to the first relay node, the second access network node, and the host node through a communication interface. Figure 6 In the example, the access network controller, for example, is communicatively connected to the distributed unit donor-DU of the donor node, the centralized unit WAB-CU of the first access network node, the distributed unit WAB-DU of the first access network node, the centralized unit other gNB-CU of the second access network node, and the distributed unit other gNB-DU of the second access network node through the communication interface E2.

[0275] and Figure 3C Similarly, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 In the network architecture shown, the target packet header information of the IP header of the first data packet can also be determined by the first relay node / host node / core network device serving the first mobile terminal. For example, the access network controller RIC can also determine the target packet header information and send the target packet header information to the centralized unit donor-CU of the host node and / or the distributed unit donor-DU of the host node via the E2 interface. The access network controller RIC can also send the target packet header information to the centralized unit WAB-CU of the first access network node and / or the distributed unit WAB-DU of the first access network node via the E2 interface. After that, for example, the first access network node can also send the target packet header information to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal.

[0276] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 6 The illustrated network architecture can also implement transmission of a first data packet between a first access network node and a second access network node. For example, the first access network node can forward a first data packet sent to the second access network node via the access network controller (RIC) via the E2 interface to the second access network node. For another example, the second access network node can forward a first data packet sent to the first access network node via the access network controller (RIC) via the E2 interface to the first access network node.

[0277] Exemplarily, for example, the first relay node can encapsulate the first data packet of the control plane in a first message container, so that the first message container includes the first data packet of the control plane. The first relay node can send the first message container to the access network controller RIC through the E2 interface, and the access network controller RIC sends it to the recipient through the E2 interface.

[0278] Exemplarily, the access network controller RIC can also indicate the information of the first access network node in the communication interface message, so that when the access network controller RIC sends the first message container to the recipient through the communication interface, the recipient will also know that the sender of the first message container is the first access network node.

[0279] According to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, a system architecture in which an access network controller communicates with each node through a communication interface can ensure the accurate and efficient transmission of the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node. Since the access network controller is used to control the access network nodes, at least compared to the technical solution in which the host node sends the target data packet to the core network device and the core network device forwards it, the embodiment of the present disclosure has a shorter delay in transmitting the first data packet and higher communication efficiency.

[0280] The above are all detailed descriptions of the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure when the host node is the execution subject. Since the communication method applied to the host node in the embodiments of the present disclosure is related to the source node and the target node, the above embodiments also describe the interaction between the host node and the source node and the target node, that is, the communication method executed by the source node and the target node in the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be repeated here.

[0281] The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a communication device.

[0282] Figure 7A A schematic diagram of a communication device 700A of a host node applied to a first relay node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown. The first relay node includes a first mobile terminal and a first access network node. A first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0283] like Figure 7A As shown, the communication device 700A applied to the host node of the first relay node includes: a transceiver module 710A and a processing module 720A.

[0284] The transceiver module 710A is configured to receive a first data packet from a source node and to send the first data packet to a destination node. If the source node is a first access network node, the destination node is a second access network node; if the source node is a second access network node, the destination node is the first access network node.

[0285] The processing module 720A is used to determine that the first data packet is a target data packet.

[0286] The source node is the first access network node or the second access network node, the target data packet is the data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0287] Figure 7B A schematic diagram of a communication device 700B applied to a source node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown, where the source node is a first access network node or a second access network node, the first relay node includes the first access network node and a first mobile terminal, and a first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0288] like Figure 7B As shown, the communication device 700B applied to the source node includes: a transceiver module 710B.

[0289] The transceiver module 710B is configured to receive the second indication information, and send the target data packet to the host node of the first relay node according to the second indication information, or send the target data packet according to the first message container.

[0290] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of the target data radio bearer DRB, information of the target signaling radio bearer SRB, information of the target quality of service QoS flow, and target packet header information; the target DRB is the DRB used to transmit the target data packet, and the target SRB is the SRB used to transmit the target data packet; the target QoS flow is the quality of service QoS flow used to carry the target data packet, the target packet header information is the packet header information of the Internet Protocol IP packet of the target data packet, the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node, and the first message container includes the target data packet whose data packet type is the control plane.

[0291] Figure 7C The figure schematically shows a communication device 700C applied to a target node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0292] like Figure 7C As shown, the communication device 700C applied to the target node includes: a transceiver module 710C.

[0293] The transceiver module 710C is configured to receive a target data packet from the host node of the first relay node.

[0294] The first relay node includes a first mobile terminal and a first access network node. A first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for the data of the first access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0295] It should be understood that Figure 7A The embodiment of the apparatus portion of the present disclosure shown corresponds to or is similar to the embodiment of the method portion of the present disclosure executed by the host node of the first relay node. Figure 7B The embodiment of the apparatus part of the present disclosure shown corresponds to or is similar to the embodiment of the method part of the present disclosure executed by the source node. Figure 7C The embodiments of the apparatus part of the present disclosure shown are identical or similar to the embodiments of the method part of the present disclosure executed by the target node, and the technical problems solved and the technical effects achieved are also identical or similar, so the present disclosure will not repeat them here.

[0296] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also provides a communication device, a chip module, a communication system, a computer-readable storage medium and a computer program product.

[0297] A communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to execute the communication method of any of the above embodiments through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0298] In some embodiments, the instructions are stored in a memory that is communicatively connected or coupled to the processor.

[0299] In some embodiments, the communication device is a chip.

[0300] A chip module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transceiver component and a chip, wherein the chip is used to execute the communication method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0301] A communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (the communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may also refer to Figure 2system architecture and description thereof), including: a source node, a host node of the first relay node, and a target node.

[0302] The source node is a first access network node or a second access network node. When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node. The first relay node includes the first access network node and a first mobile terminal. A first PDU session of a protocol data protocol has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0303] Figure 8 A schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 that can be used to implement the communication method of an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The communication device includes various forms of digital computers, such as laptop computers, desktop computers, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframe computers, and other suitable computers. The communication device may also include various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular phones, smart phones, wearable devices, and other similar computing devices. The components shown herein, their connections and relationships, and their functions are merely examples and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present disclosure described and / or claimed herein.

[0304] like Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 800 includes a computing unit 801, which can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to a computer program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 802 or a computer program loaded from a storage unit 808 into a random access memory (RAM) 803. Various programs and data required for the operation of the communication device 800 can also be stored in the RAM 803. The computing unit 801, the ROM 802, and the RAM 803 are connected to each other via a bus 804. An input / output (I / O) interface 805 is also connected to the bus 804.

[0305] Multiple components in the communication device 800 are connected to the I / O interface 805, including an input unit 806, such as a keyboard, mouse, etc.; an output unit 807, such as various types of displays, speakers, etc.; a storage unit 808, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.; and a communication unit 809, such as a network card, modem, wireless communication transceiver, etc. The communication unit 809 allows the device 800 to exchange information / data with other devices via a computer network such as the Internet and / or various telecommunication networks.

[0306] The computing unit 801 can be a variety of general and / or special processing components with processing and computing capabilities. Some examples of the computing unit 801 include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), various dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) computing chips, various computing units that run machine learning model algorithms, a digital signal processor (DSP), and any appropriate processor, controller, microcontroller, etc. The computing unit 801 performs the various methods and processes described above, such as the communication method. For example, in some embodiments, the aforementioned method can be implemented as a computer software program, which is tangibly contained in a machine-readable medium, such as a storage unit 808. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program can be loaded and / or installed on the communication device 800 via the ROM 802 and / or the communication unit 809. When the computer program is loaded into the RAM 803 and executed by the computing unit 801, one or more steps of the communication method described above can be performed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the computing unit 801 may be configured to execute the communication method in any other appropriate manner (eg, by means of firmware).

[0307] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described above can be implemented in digital electronic circuit systems, integrated circuit systems, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), systems on a chip (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include being implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable and / or interpreted on a programmable system that includes at least one programmable processor, which can be a special-purpose or general-purpose programmable processor that can receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and transmit data and instructions to the storage system, the at least one input device, and the at least one output device.

[0308] The program code for implementing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device so that when the program code is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram are implemented. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0309] In the context of the present disclosure, a machine-readable medium may be a tangible medium that may contain or store a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus. A machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device, or apparatus, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media may include an electrical connection based on one or more lines, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a flash memory, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0310] To provide interaction with a user, the systems and techniques described herein can be implemented on a computer having: a display device (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor) for displaying information to the user; and a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices can also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any form (including acoustic input, voice input, or tactile input).

[0311] The systems and techniques described herein can be implemented in a computing system that includes back-end components (e.g., as a data server), or a computing system that includes middleware components (e.g., an application server), or a computing system that includes front-end components (e.g., a user computer having a graphical user interface or a web browser through which a user can interact with implementations of the systems and techniques described herein), or a computing system that includes any combination of such back-end components, middleware components, or front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and the Internet.

[0312] Computer systems may include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The client and server relationship arises through computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0313] It should be understood that the various forms of the processes shown above can be used to reorder, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this disclosure can be performed in parallel, sequentially, or in a different order, as long as the desired results of the technical solutions disclosed in this disclosure can be achieved. This is not a limitation herein.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: A host node applied to a first relay node, the first relay node including a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session having been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, the first PDU session providing a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, the communication method comprising: receiving a first data packet from a source node, where the source node is the first access network node or the second access network node; Determining that the first data packet is a target data packet, where the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and a second access network node; the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node; Send the first data packet to the target node. When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: Receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target PDU session, information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information; The target PDU session is a PDU session used to carry the target data packet; The target QoS flow is a quality of service QoS flow used to carry the target data packet; the target packet header information is the packet header information of the Internet Protocol IP packet of the target data packet.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Also includes: Sending second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer (DRB), information of a target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information; The target DRB is a DRB used to transmit the target data packet, and the target SRB is an SRB used to transmit the target data packet; The target QoS flow is a quality of service QoS flow used to carry the target data packet, and the target packet header information is the packet header information of the Internet Protocol IP packet of the target data packet.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that When the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining that the first data packet is a target data packet includes: The first data packet transmitted through the DRB associated with the target PDU session, the target DRB or the target SRB is determined as the target data packet.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that When the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining that the first data packet is a target data packet includes: The first data packet transmitted through the target QoS flow is determined as the target data packet.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The target packet header information is used to indicate that the payload of the data packet is the target data packet.

7. The method according to claim 2, 3 or 6, characterized in that: When the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining that the first data packet is a target data packet includes: The first data packet whose header information of the IP packet is identical to the target header information is determined as the target data packet.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that Determining that the first data packet is a target data packet includes: Parsing the first data packet that meets the parsing condition to obtain header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, wherein the parsing condition includes: the first data packet is a data packet sent by the first relay node; According to the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, it is determined that the first data packet is the target data packet.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that Determining, based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, that the first data packet is the target data packet includes: Determining, based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, the first data packet whose destination IP address is not the IP address of the core network device as the target data packet; and / or According to the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, the first data packet whose destination IP address is the IP address of the second access network node is determined as the target data packet.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The determining that the first data packet is a target data packet includes: The first data packet including a first message container is determined as the target data packet, where the first message container includes the target data packet whose data packet type is a control plane.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that When the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, the first message container is transmitted through a communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or the first message container is transmitted through a communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The communication interface message also includes: identification information of the second access network node.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The source node is the first access network node and the destination node is the second access network node. When it is determined that the first data packet is a target data packet, sending the first data packet to the destination node includes: Sending the first data packet to the second access network node through IP routing; or, The first data packet is sent to the second access network node through a communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The sending the first data packet to the second access network node through a communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node includes: In a case where the first data packet includes the first message container, the first message container is transparently transmitted to the second access network node through a communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The first data packet will not be transmitted in a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) User Plane Tunneling Protocol (GTP-U) tunnel associated with the target PDU session.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that When it is determined that the first data packet is a target data packet, the method further includes: Not sending the first data packet to the target node; When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node; wherein, the second access network node belongs to a second relay node, and the second relay node and the first relay node are nodes of the same type.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Also includes: Send third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate that establishment of a communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node has failed.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The third indication information is further used to indicate that the reason value for failure to establish the communication interface is: the second access network node and the first access network node are of the same node type, and the target data packet is used to transmit the request to establish the communication interface.

19. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a source node, the source node being a first access network node or a second access network node, the first relay node including the first access network node and a first mobile terminal, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session having been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, the first PDU session providing a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, the method comprising: Receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer (DRB), information of a target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information; the target DRB is a DRB used to transmit the target data packet, the target SRB is an SRB used to transmit the target data packet; the target QoS flow is a quality of service (QoS) flow used to carry the target data packet, and the target packet header information is packet header information of an Internet Protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet; A target data packet is sent to the host node of the first relay node according to the second indication information, or the target data packet is sent according to the first message container, wherein the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node, and the first message container includes the target data packet whose data packet type is the control plane.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that When the source node is the first access network node, sending the target data packet according to the first message container includes: The first message container is transmitted via a communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or the first message container is transmitted via a communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The communication interface message also includes: identification information of the second access network node.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein Also includes: Receive third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate that establishment of the communication interface fails, and the target data packet is used to transmit a request to establish the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The third indication information is also used to indicate that the reason value for the failure to establish the communication interface is: the second access network node and the first access network node are of the same node type, and the first PDU session is used to carry the request to establish the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

24. A communication device, applied to a host node of a first relay node, the first relay node comprising a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session having been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, the first PDU session providing a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, the communication device comprising: Transceiver module and processing module, The transceiver module is used to receive a first data packet from a source node, the processing module is used to determine that the first data packet is a target data packet, the source node is the first access network node or the second access network node, the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node, the transceiver module is also used to send the first data packet to the target node, when the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node, when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node.

25. A communication device, applied to a source node, the source node being a first access network node or a second access network node, a first relay node comprising the first access network node and a first mobile terminal, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session having been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, the first PDU session providing a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, the communication device comprising: A transceiver module, configured to receive second indication information, and send a target data packet to a host node of a first relay node according to the second indication information, or send the target data packet according to a first message container; the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer (DRB), information of a target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information; the target DRB is a DRB used to transmit the target data packet, and the target SRB is an SRB used to transmit the target data packet; The target QoS flow is a quality of service QoS flow used to carry the target data packet, the target packet header information is the packet header information of the Internet Protocol IP packet of the target data packet, the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node, and the first message container includes the target data packet whose data packet type is control plane.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18 or the method according to any one of claims 19 to 23 through a logic circuit or executing code instructions.

27. A chip module, characterized in that: The invention comprises a transceiver component and a chip, wherein the chip is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or the method according to any one of claims 19 to 23.

28. A communication system comprising: a source node, a host node of a first relay node, and a target node, wherein the source node is a first access network node or a second access network node; if the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; if the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node; The first relay node includes the first access network node and the first mobile terminal. A protocol data protocol first PDU session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device. The first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

29. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, characterized in that: include: Computer instructions, wherein when the computer instructions are executed, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or the method according to any one of claims 19 to 23.

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