Relay communication method and apparatus

Abstract

To provide a relay communication method and apparatus that accurately determine an uplink-downlink transmission boundary, reduce the influence of interference noise, and improve communication quality.SOLUTION: In a communication system, a relay device receives first information transmitted by a host device, performs relay-forwarding based on the first information used to determine whether to turn on an amplifying-and-forwarding function on a first time domain resource unit in a first time domain resource set including one or more time domain resource units, and turns on an uplink amplifying-and-forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a relay communication method and apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In wireless and mobile communications, base stations and terminal devices increase the transmission bandwidth to meet users' requirements for increasing transmission rates. To obtain a larger transmission bandwidth, a mobile communication system uses spectral resources at higher carrier frequencies. Although higher frequency bands can provide more spectral resources, electromagnetic waves in higher frequency bands also have drawbacks such as large propagation attenuation and weak diffraction ability. Therefore, it is more difficult for a cellular communication system deployed in a higher frequency band to achieve complete coverage of an area. That is, there may be coverage holes. Typical coverage holes include areas blocked by buildings, indoor areas, etc. A relay node can be used to solve the coverage problem in a wireless communication system. A typical relay system includes amplify-and-forward (AF) relay, etc.

[0003] In AF relay, after receiving a downlink signal transmitted by a base station, the relay node directly forwards the downlink signal, or after receiving an uplink signal transmitted by a user equipment (UE), the relay node forwards the uplink signal. To improve relay performance, the relay node uses different operating modes when amplifying the uplink signal and the downlink signal. In this case, the relay node needs to accurately determine the time window for uplink transfer and downlink transfer executed by the relay node.

[0004] Currently, the relay node can determine the time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the base station through envelope detection and adjust the corresponding operating mode. However, the accuracy of envelope detection is limited, and the uplink-downlink transmission boundary cannot be accurately determined, resulting in performance loss.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] This application provides a relay communication method and apparatus to solve the problem of low accuracy in determining the uplink-downlink configuration through envelope detection in the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a relay communication method including: a relay device receives first information sent by a host device, and the first information is used to determine whether the relay device turns on the amplification and transfer function on a first time domain resource unit [time domain resource unit] within a first set of time domain resources. The first set of time domain resources includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit within the first set of time domain resources. The relay device performs relay transfer based on the first information.

[0007] In this embodiment of this application, the host device uses the first information to indicate the time domain resource unit for the relay device to turn on / off the amplification and transfer function, whereby the relay device can accurately determine the uplink-downlink transmission boundary, reduce the influence of interference noise, and further improve communication quality.

[0008] After the relay device obtains the TDD configuration of uplink-downlink transmission, the relay device performs uplink amplification and transfer in the uplink slot (or symbol), and performs downlink amplification and transfer in the downlink slot (or symbol). However, when the host device does not schedule the UE served by the relay device, the continuous operation of the relay device may cause amplification of interference noise and cause interference to the reception by the host device or the UE. Uplink amplification is used as an example. In some uplink slots, the UE served by the relay device is not scheduled by the host device. That is, no UE performs uplink transmission. In this case, the amplified uplink signal of the relay device only contains interference noise and causes interference to the uplink reception by the network device. However, in this embodiment of the present application, the host device indicates to the relay device the time window during which the relay transfer is turned on / off. As a result, the relay device does not amplify and transfer the received signal during the time window when the relay transfer is turned off. This can avoid the case where the relay device amplifies and transfers the received interference signal and causes interference to the reception by the host device and the terminal device when the host device does not schedule the terminal device served by the relay device, and can reduce the power consumption of the relay device.

[0009] In a possible design, the first information may indicate turning off the amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, or the first information may indicate turning on the amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. In the foregoing design, when the first information indicates the amplification and transfer function, the transfer direction may not be distinguished.

[0010] In a possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following information, that is, the off-pattern of the first time-domain resource set and the on-pattern of the first time-domain resource set. The off-pattern indicates the positions of the time-domain resource units in the first time-domain resource set where the amplification transfer function is in the off state. The on-pattern indicates the positions of the time-domain resource units in the first time-domain resource set where the amplification transfer function is in the on state.

[0011] In a possible design, the relay device performing relay transfer based on the first information includes the following: When the first information indicates turning off the amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit, the relay device turns off the amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit. The amplification transfer function of the relay device includes uplink amplification transfer and downlink amplification transfer. In the above design, when the first information indicates turning off the amplification transfer function, the transfer direction is not distinguished, and the relay device can turn off the uplink amplification transfer and the downlink amplification transfer.

[0012] In a possible design, for the relay device to perform relay transmission based on the first information includes the following: When the first information indicates turning on the amplification transmission function on the first time-domain resource unit, if the first time-domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transmission function on the first time-domain resource unit. If the first time-domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification transmission function on the first time-domain resource unit. Alternatively, when the first time-domain resource unit includes at least one first time-domain resource subunit and at least one second time-domain resource subunit, the first time-domain resource subunit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time-domain resource subunit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transmission function on the at least one first time-domain resource subunit and turns on the downlink amplification transmission function on the at least one second time-domain resource subunit. According to the above design, when the first information indicates turning on the amplification transmission function, the transmission direction is not distinguished, and the relay device can turn on the amplification transmission function in the corresponding transmission direction.

[0013] In a possible design, the first information indicates at least one of the following information, namely, the state of the uplink amplification transmission function on the first time-domain resource unit and the state of the downlink amplification transmission function on the first time-domain resource unit. The amplification transmission function of the relay device includes uplink amplification transmission and downlink amplification transmission. In the above design, when the first information indicates turning off the amplification transmission function, the transmission direction is distinguished, and the relay device can control to turn on or off the amplification transmission function in the corresponding transmission direction.

[0014] In a possible design, the first information includes at least one of first sub - information and second sub - information. The first sub - information indicates the state of the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit, and the second sub - information indicates the state of the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit. According to the above - mentioned design, the first information can indicate the state of the uplink amplification transfer function and the state of the downlink amplification transfer function separately.

[0015] In a possible design, the first information includes at least one of a first indication state, a second indication state, a third indication state, and a fourth indication state. The first indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit are in the on state. The second indication state indicates that the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit is in the off state and the downlink amplification transfer function is in the on state. The third indication state indicates that the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit is in the on state and the downlink amplification transfer function is in the off state. The fourth indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit are in the off state. According to the above - mentioned design, the first information can indicate the state of the uplink amplification transfer function and the state of the downlink amplification transfer function together.

[0016] In a possible design, the first time-domain resource unit includes at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit and at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit. The first time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for downlink transmission. The relay device performing relay transmission based on the first information includes the following: When the first information indicates that the uplink amplification transmission function in the first time-domain resource unit should be in an off state, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transmission function in the at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit; or when the first information indicates that the uplink amplification transmission function in the first time-domain resource unit should be in an on state, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transmission function in the at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit. According to the foregoing design, the relay device can ignore the indication of the downlink amplification transmission function in the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission, and can ignore the indication of the uplink amplification transmission function in the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission.

[0017] In a possible design, the first time-domain resource unit includes at least one first time-domain resource sub-unit and at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit. The first time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time-domain resource sub-unit is configured for downlink transmission. The relay device performing relay transmission based on the first information includes the following: when the first information indicates that the downlink amplification transmission function in the first time-domain resource unit should be in an off state, the relay device turns off the downlink amplification transmission function in the at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit; or when the first information indicates that the downlink amplification transmission function in the first time-domain resource unit should be in an on state, the relay device amplifies the downlink signal from the host device and transfers the amplified downlink signal to the terminal device on the at least one second time-domain resource sub-unit. According to the above design, the relay device can ignore the instruction of the uplink amplification transmission function in the time-domain resource used for downlink transmission and can ignore the instruction of the downlink amplification transmission function in the time-domain resource used for uplink transmission.

[0018] In a possible design, the relay device performing relay transmission based on the first information is as follows: when the first information indicates that the amplification transmission function in the first time-domain resource unit should be in an off state, the relay device turns on the amplification transmission function in the time-domain resource of a specific signal, where the first time-domain resource unit includes the time-domain resource of the specific signal. In the above manner, the relay device can implement basic coverage.

[0019] In a possible design, the specific signal includes at least one of the following signals, namely, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, a system information block 1 - physical downlink control channel, a system information block 1 - physical downlink shared channel, a channel state information reference signal, a tracking reference signal, a physical random access channel, and a sounding reference signal.

[0020] In a possible design, before the relay device performs relay transmission based on the first information, the method further includes the following: The relay device receives second information, where the second information indicates at least one of the following information, namely, the start position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of the downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of the downlink transmission in the first period. The relay device determines, based on the second information, the time domain resources used for uplink transmission and the time domain resources used for downlink transmission in the first time domain resource set, and the first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resources within the first period. According to the foregoing design, the relay device can control to turn on / off the amplification transmission function in the corresponding transmission direction.

[0021] In a possible design, before the relay device performs relay transmission based on the first information, the method further includes the following: The relay device receives the TDD configuration transmitted by the host device. The TDD configuration indicates the time domain resource sub-units of the downlink type, the time domain resource sub-units of the uplink type, and the time domain resource sub-units of the flexible type in the TDD period. The TDD period includes one or more time domain resource units, any time domain resource unit in the TDD period includes a plurality of time domain resource sub-units, and the first time domain resource set includes one or more TDD periods. The relay device determines, based on the TDD configuration, the time domain resource sub-units used for uplink transmission and the resource time domain resource sub-units used for downlink transmission in the first time-frequency resource set. According to the foregoing design, the host device and the relay device can reuse the TDD configuration method between the base station and the terminal device.

[0022] In a possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes the following: The relay device receives an uplink transmission timing advance transmitted by the host device. According to the foregoing design, the relay device can obtain the timing start positions of the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

[0023] In a possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes the following: The relay device determines an uplink transmission timing advance based on an initial advance. According to the foregoing design, noise interference caused by the start time of the uplink amplified transmission being earlier than the start position of the uplink transmission time window can be avoided.

[0024] In a possible design, before the relay device performs relay forwarding based on the first information, the method further includes the following: The relay device determines an uplink transmission timing advance based on a guard period between a section for switching from downlink transmission to uplink transmission and time domain resources used for downlink transmission and time domain resources used for uplink transmission. According to the foregoing design, noise interference caused by the end time of the uplink amplified transmission being later than the end position of the uplink transmission time window can be avoided.

[0025] In a possible design, before the relay device performs relay transmission based on the first information, the method further includes the following: Regarding the start position of the uplink transmission, the relay device determines the uplink transmission timing advance based on the section for switching from the downlink transmission to the uplink transmission and the guard period between the time domain resources used for the downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for the uplink transmission. Regarding the end position of the uplink transmission, the relay device determines the uplink transmission timing advance based on the initial advance. According to the foregoing design, the noise interference caused by the start time of the uplink amplification transmission being earlier than the start position of the uplink transmission time window can be avoided, and the noise interference caused by the end time of the uplink amplification transmission being later than the end position of the uplink transmission time window can be avoided.

[0026] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a relay communication method including the following. The host device determines first information. Here, the first information is used to determine whether the relay device turns on the amplification transmission function in the first time domain resource unit in the first set of time domain resources. The first set of time domain resources includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first set of time domain resources. The host device transmits the first information to the relay device.

[0027] In this embodiment of the present application, the host device uses the first information to indicate the time domain resource unit for the relay device to turn on / off the amplification transmission function. As a result, the relay device can accurately determine the uplink-downlink transmission boundary, reduce the influence of interference noise, and further improve the communication quality.

[0028] After the relay device obtains the TDD configuration of the uplink-downlink transmission, the relay device performs uplink amplification transmission in the uplink slot (or symbol) and performs downlink amplification transmission in the downlink slot (or symbol). However, when the host device does not schedule the UE served by the relay device, the continuous operation of the relay device may cause amplification of interference noise and cause interference to the reception by the host device or the UE. Uplink amplification is used as an example. In some uplink slots, the UE served by the relay device is not scheduled by the host device. That is, no UE performs uplink transmission. In this case, the amplified uplink signal of the relay device only contains interference noise and causes interference to the uplink reception by the network device. However, in this embodiment of the present application, the host device indicates to the relay device the time window during which the relay transfer is turned on / off. As a result, the relay device does not amplify and transfer the received signal during the time window when the relay transfer is turned off. This can avoid the case where the relay device amplifies and transfers the received interference signal and causes interference to the reception by the host device and the terminal device when the host device does not schedule the terminal device served by the relay device, and can reduce the power consumption of the relay device.

[0029] In a possible design, the first information may indicate turning off the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, or the first information may indicate turning on the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. In the foregoing design, when the first information indicates the amplification transfer function, the transfer direction may not be distinguished.

[0030] In a possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following information, that is, the off - pattern of the first time - domain resource set and the on - pattern of the first time - domain resource set. The off - pattern indicates the positions of the time - domain resource units in which the amplification transfer function is in the off state in the first time - domain resource set. The on - pattern indicates the positions of the time - domain resource units in which the amplification transfer function is in the on state in the first time - domain resource set.

[0031] In a possible design, the first information indicates at least one of the following information, that is, the state of the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit and the state of the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit. The amplification transfer function of the relay device includes uplink amplification transfer and downlink amplification transfer. In the above - mentioned design, when the first information indicates turning off the amplification transfer function, the transfer direction is distinguished, and the relay device can be controlled to turn on or off the amplification transfer function in the corresponding transfer direction.

[0032] In a possible design, the first information includes at least one of the first sub - information and the second sub - information. The first sub - information indicates the state of the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit, and the second sub - information indicates the state of the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time - domain resource unit. According to the above - mentioned design, the first information can indicate the state of the uplink amplification transfer function and the state of the downlink amplification transfer function separately.

[0033] In a possible design, the first information includes at least one of a first indication state, a second indication state, a third indication state, and a fourth indication state. The first indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit are in the on state. The second indication state indicates that the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit is in the off state and the downlink amplification transfer function is in the on state. The third indication state indicates that the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit is in the on state and the downlink amplification transfer function is in the off state. The fourth indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit are in the off state. According to the foregoing design, the first information can indicate the states of the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function together.

[0034] In a possible design, the host device can further transmit the TDD configuration to the relay device. The TDD configuration indicates a downlink-type time domain resource sub-unit, an uplink-type time domain resource sub-unit, and a flexible-type time domain resource sub-unit in the TDD period. The TDD period includes one or more time domain resource units, any time domain resource unit in the TDD period includes a plurality of time domain resource sub-units, and the first time domain resource set includes one or more TDD periods. According to the foregoing design, the host device and the relay device can reuse the TDD configuration method between the base station and the terminal device.

[0035] In a possible design, the host device transmits second information to the relay device, and the second information indicates at least one of the following information, namely, the start position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of the downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of the downlink transmission in the first period. The first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resources in the first period. According to the above design, the relay device can be controlled to turn on / off the amplification transfer function in the corresponding transfer direction.

[0036] In a possible design, the host device can further transmit an uplink transfer timing advance to the relay device. According to the above design, the relay device can obtain the timing start positions of the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

[0037] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The device may be a communication device, or may be a chip or chipset within a communication device. The communication device may be a host device or a relay device. The present device may include a processing unit and a transceiver unit. When the device is a communication device, the processing unit may be a processor and the transceiver unit may be a transceiver. The device may further include a storage module, and the storage module may be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage module such that the relay device executes the corresponding function in the first aspect, or the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage module such that the host device executes the corresponding function in the second aspect. When the device is a chip or chipset within a communication device, the processing unit may be a processor, and the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, a pin, a circuit, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage module such that the relay device executes the corresponding function in the first aspect, or the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage module such that the host device executes the corresponding function in the second aspect. The storage module may be a storage module within the chip or chipset (e.g., a register or cache), or may be an external storage module of the chip or chipset within the base station (e.g., a read-only memory or a random access memory).

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface is configured for communication between the device and another device, for example, for receiving and transmitting data or signals. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or another type of interface, and the other device may be an upper node (for example, a host device or another relay device). The processor is configured to call a program, an instruction, or a group of data to execute the method described in the first aspect or a possible design of the first aspect. The device may further include a memory configured to store the program, instruction, or data called by the processor. The memory is coupled to the processor. When executing the instructions or data stored in the memory, the processor can implement the method described in the first aspect or a possible design of the first aspect.

[0039] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface is configured for communication between the device and another device, for example, for receiving and transmitting data or signals. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or another type of interface, and the other device may be a lower node (for example, a terminal device or another relay device). The processor is configured to call a program, an instruction, or a group of data to execute the method described in the second aspect or a possible design of the second aspect. The device may further include a memory configured to store the program, instruction, or data called by the processor. The memory is coupled to the processor. When executing the instructions or data stored in the memory, the processor can implement the method described in the second aspect or a possible design of the second aspect.

[0040] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-readable instructions, and when the computer-readable instructions are executed on a computer, the methods in the first aspect, the second aspect, the possible designs of the first aspect, or the possible designs of the second aspect are executed.

[0041] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and may further include a memory, and is configured to implement the methods in the first aspect, the second aspect, the possible designs of the first aspect, or the possible designs of the second aspect. The chip system may include a chip or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0042] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The system includes a host device and a relay device. The relay device is configured to execute the method in the first aspect or the possible designs of the first aspect, and the host device is configured to execute the method in the second aspect or the possible designs of the second aspect.

[0043] According to a ninth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the methods in the first aspect, the second aspect, the possible designs of the first aspect, or the possible designs of the second aspect are executed.

[0044] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive or transmit signals. The memory is configured to store program code or instructions. The processor is configured to call the program code or instructions from the memory to execute the method in the first aspect.

[0045] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive or transmit a signal. The memory is configured to store program code or instructions. The processor is configured to call the program code or instructions from the memory to execute the method in the second aspect.

[0046] According to a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive computer program code or instructions and transmit the computer program code or instructions to the processor. The processor executes the computer program code or instructions to execute the corresponding method in the first aspect.

[0047] According to a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive computer program code or instructions and transmit the computer program code or instructions to the processor. The processor executes the computer program code or instructions to execute the corresponding method in the second aspect.

[0048] According to a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. For example, the communication device may be a chip, and the communication device includes a logic circuit and an input / output interface. The input / output interface is used by the device to communicate with another device, for example, to input configuration information. The logic circuit is configured to execute computer program code or instructions to execute the corresponding method in the first aspect.

[0049] According to a 15th aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. For example, the communication device may be a chip, and the communication device includes a logic circuit and an input / output interface. The input / output interface is used by the device to communicate with another device, for example, to output configuration information. The logic circuit is configured to execute a computer program code or instruction to execute a corresponding method in a 2nd aspect.

[0050] Regarding the technical effects brought about by any implementation from the 3rd aspect to the 15th aspect, refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above. Details are not described again here.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0070] Hereinafter, the technical solution of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] All the node and message names in the present application are only names set for the convenience of explanation, and the names in the actual network may be different. It should be understood that the names of various nodes and messages are limited in the present application. Conversely, any name having the same or similar function as the node or message used in the present application shall be regarded as the method of the present application or an equivalent substitution and shall fall within the protection scope of the present application. Details will not be described below.

[0072] The communication system described in the embodiment of the present application includes, but is not limited to, a narrow band-internet of things (NB-IoT) system, a wireless local access network (WLAN) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th generation mobile networks or 5th generation wireless systems (5G) system, or a communication system of a communication system after 5G, such as a new radio (NR) system, but is not limited thereto.

[0073] To better understand the embodiments of the present invention, first, the network architecture used in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments of the present application can be applied to a communication system having a relay device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a communication system applicable to the technical solution of the present application may include a host device, a relay device, and a terminal device. FIG. 1 is merely an example for explanation, and it should be understood that the number of host devices, relay devices, and terminal devices included in the communication system is not particularly limited.

[0074] The host device may be a device that provides an interface between the terminal device and the core network, for example, an access network device. The access network device is configured to connect the terminal device to a wireless network. The access network device may be called a base station, or may be called a radio access network (RAN) node (or device). For example, the access network device may be a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved NodeB (eNB), or a radio network controller (RNC), a NodeB (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), and a home base station (for example, a home evolved NodeB, or a home NodeB, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP).

[0075] For example, an access network device may be divided into a central unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU). The CU may be configured to manage or control at least one DU. In other words, the CU is connected to at least one DU. In this structure, the protocol layers of the radio access network device in the communication system can be divided. Some protocol layers are centrally controlled by the CU, and some or all of the functions of the remaining protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the CU centrally controls the DU. For example, the radio access network device is a gNB. The protocol layers of the gNB include a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a physical layer. For example, the CU may be configured to implement the functions of the RRC layer, the SDAP layer, and the PDCP layer, and the DU may be configured to implement the functions of the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the physical layer. The protocol stacks included in the CU and the DU are not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0076] For example, in the embodiments of the present application, the CU may be further divided into one control plane (CU-control plane, CU-CP) network element and a plurality of user plane (CU-user plane, CU-UP) network elements. The CU-CP may be used for control plane management, and the CU-UP may be used for user plane data transmission. The interface between the CU-CP and the CU-UP may be an E1 interface. The interface between the CU-CP and the DU may be F1-C and is used for control plane signaling transmission. The interface between the CU-UP and the DU may be F1-U and is used for user plane data transmission. The CU-UP and the CU-UP may be connected through the Xn-U interface to execute user plane data transmission.

[0077] The terminal device includes, but is not limited to, any one of a user equipment (UE), a mobile console, an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, a station (ST) in a wireless local access network (WLAN), a mobile phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device having a wireless communication function, a computing device, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a mobile console in a future 5G network, and a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network.

[0078] The relay device is a communication device having a transfer function. The relay device may be an access network device, a terminal device, an independent device form, an in-vehicle device, or a device disposed in a moving body. The name of the relay device may be a relay node (RN), a relay transmission reception point (rTRP), an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node (IAB node), a repeater, an intelligent reflecting surface, etc. The upper-level node of the relay device may be a host device (including gNB, gNB-DU, gNB-CU, etc.), or another relay device. The lower-level node of the relay device may be another relay device, or a terminal device.

[0079] In this application, it should be understood that the relay device generally can refer to any node or device having a relay function.

[0080] In addition, this application further relates to the following basic terms or concepts.

[0081] Access link: The link between the relay device and the terminal device directly served by the relay device through a wireless link, or the link between the host device and the terminal directly served by the host device through a wireless link. The access link includes an uplink access link and a downlink access link. The uplink access link is also called the uplink transmission of the access link, and the downlink access link is also called the downlink transmission of the access link.

[0082] Backhaul link: A link between a relay device and the upper node (i.e., the parent node) of the relay device. In this case, the relay device functions as a lower node (i.e., a child node) of the parent node of the relay device. It should be understood that the parent node of the relay device may be another relay device or a host device. The transmission of data from the relay device to the parent node of the relay device is called the uplink transmission of the backhaul link. The transmission of data from the parent node of the relay device to the relay device is called the downlink transmission of the backhaul link.

[0083] TDD configuration: The TDD configuration includes the configuration information of the type of each slot / symbol within the TDD configuration period, and the TDD configuration period may include one or more slots. The type of slot / symbol can include Downlink, Uplink, and flexible. For the sake of easy explanation, in the embodiments of the present application, a symbol of the Downlink type is called a Downlink symbol, a symbol of the Uplink type is called an Uplink symbol, and a symbol of the flexible type is called a flexible symbol. A slot of the Downlink type, or a slot including symbols that are all Downlink symbols, is called a Downlink slot. A slot of the Uplink type, or a slot including symbols that are all Uplink symbols, is called an Uplink slot. A slot of the flexible type or a slot including symbols that are all flexible symbols is called a flexible slot.

[0084] The uplink slot / symbol is used for uplink transmission, and the terminal device can transmit an uplink signal in the uplink slot / symbol. The downlink slot / symbol is used for downlink transmission, and the terminal device can receive a downlink signal in the downlink slot / symbol. The use of the flexible slot / symbol depends on the indication of the network device and may be indicated as being used for uplink transmission or may be indicated as being used for downlink transmission. In one embodiment, in one TDD configuration period, the start slot / symbol of the TDD configuration period may be a downlink slot / symbol, and the end slot / symbol may be an uplink slot / symbol. The flexible slot / symbol is used between the downlink slot / symbol and the uplink slot / symbol.

[0085] It should be understood that one relay device may be connected to one upper node or may be connected to a plurality of upper nodes. That is, a plurality of upper nodes may simultaneously provide services for one relay device.

[0086] FIG. 2 is a specific example of a communication system. The communication system shown in FIG. 2 includes a host device, relay device 1, relay device 2, UE 1, and UE 2. The link between the host device and relay device 1 and the link between relay device 1 and relay device 2 are backhaul links. The links between UE 1 and the host device and between UE 2 and relay device 1 are access links.

[0087] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of a relay device. The relay device may include a backhaul-side antenna (array), an access-side antenna (array), and a processor. The backhaul-side antenna (array) communicates between the relay device and an upper node (e.g., another relay device or a host device). The access-side antenna (array) communicates between the relay node and a lower node (e.g., another relay device or a terminal device). The processor performs a power amplification operation on the received signal. It should be understood that the processor of the relay device may further have other functions such as interference cancellation, filtering, baseband processing, and amplification control.

[0088] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0089] In wireless and mobile communications, in order to obtain a larger transmission bandwidth, a mobile communication system uses spectral resources with a higher carrier frequency. The high-frequency band can provide more spectral resources, but the electromagnetic waves in the high-frequency band also have disadvantages such as large propagation attenuation and weak diffraction ability. Therefore, it is more difficult for a communication system deployed in the high-frequency band to achieve complete coverage of the area. That is, coverage holes may occur. Typical coverage holes include areas blocked by buildings, indoor areas, and the like. To solve the coverage problem in a communication system, a relay device can be deployed in the communication system. The relay device may transfer a downlink signal transmitted by a host device to a terminal device, or transfer an uplink signal transmitted by a terminal device to a host device.

[0090] Currently, typical relay devices include two types: amplify-and-forward (AF) relay devices and decode-and-forward (DF) relay devices. The AF relay device performs power amplification on the received signal (e.g., the downlink signal transmitted by the upper node or the uplink signal transmitted by the lower node), and transfers the uplink signal obtained after power amplification. Since the signal received by the relay device contains noise and interference, and the relay device may also generate noise, the AF relay device amplifies the noise and interference when amplifying the signal. This affects the quality of the transferred signal. The AF relay device is also called a repeater, RF relay, RF IAB, layer 1 (L1) relay, L1-IAB, amplifier, repeater, etc. Alternatively, the relay device may include a device that directly performs reflection and transfer on the signal, such as an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS).

[0091] For example, the relay device may include two or two groups of antennas. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the relay device includes antenna 1 and antenna 2. During downlink amplification, the AF relay device can receive the downlink signal transmitted by the upper node of the AF relay device through antenna 1 and transmit the downlink signal obtained after power amplification through antenna 2. Correspondingly, the lower node of the AF relay device receives the amplified signal transmitted by the AF relay device through antenna 2. During uplink amplification, the AF relay device receives the uplink signal transmitted by the lower node of the AF relay device through antenna 2 and transmits the uplink signal obtained after power amplification through antenna 1. Correspondingly, the upper node of the AF relay device receives the amplified signal transmitted by the AF relay device through antenna 1. From the above, it can be seen that the AF relay device uses different operating modes in uplink amplification and downlink amplification. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately determine the time window for performing uplink transfer and downlink transfer by the AF relay device.

[0092] Currently, the AF relay device can determine the uplink-downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration through envelope detection to determine the time window for uplink transfer and downlink transfer, and can further adjust the operating mode based on the time window for uplink transfer and downlink transfer.

[0093] However, the accuracy of envelope detection is limited, and the time domain boundaries of uplink and downlink transmissions cannot be accurately determined. As a result, the relay device cannot accurately determine the time window for uplink transfer and downlink transfer, causing performance loss.

[0094] Based on this, embodiments of the present application provide a relay communication method and apparatus. This method and apparatus are based on the same technical concept. Since the problem-solving principle of this method is similar to that of this apparatus, mutual reference can be made to the implementation of this apparatus and this method. For duplicate parts, no detailed description will be given.

[0095] In the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions indicate any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item (piece) or a plurality of items (pieces). For example, at least one of a, b, or c can indicate a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, and a, b, and c can be singular or plural.

[0096] In this embodiment of the present application, it should be understood that "turn off the amplification and transfer function", "the amplification and transfer function is in the off state", "do not perform amplification and transfer", and "the amplification and transfer function is turned off" have the same meaning. For example, the relay device turning off the uplink amplification and transfer function may be understood as the uplink amplification and transfer function of the relay device being in the off state, or the relay device not performing uplink amplification and transfer, or the uplink amplification and transfer function of the relay device being turned off. Another example is that the relay device turning off the downlink amplification and transfer function may be understood as the downlink amplification and transfer function of the relay device being in the off state, or the relay device not performing downlink amplification and transfer, or the downlink amplification and transfer function of the relay device being turned off.

[0097] It should be understood that "turn on the amplification and transfer function", "the amplification and transfer function is on", "execute amplification and transfer", and "the amplification and transfer function is turned on" have the same meaning. For example, when a relay device turns on the uplink amplification and transfer function, it may be understood that the uplink amplification and transfer function of the relay device is on, or it may be understood that the relay device executes the amplification and transfer of the uplink, or it may be understood that the uplink amplification and transfer function of the relay device is turned on, or it may be understood that the relay device receives a signal transmitted by a lower node of the relay device, executes power amplification on the signal, and transmits the signal obtained after power amplification to an upper node of the relay device. In another example, when a relay device turns on the downlink amplification and transfer function, it may be understood that the downlink amplification and transfer function of the relay device is on, or it may be understood that the relay device executes the amplification and transfer of the downlink, or it may be understood that the downlink amplification and transfer function of the relay device is turned on, or it may be understood that the relay device receives a signal transmitted by an upper node of the relay device, executes power amplification on the signal, and transmits the signal obtained after power amplification to a lower node of the relay device.

[0098] In addition, in the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinction in the description, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying a sequence.

[0099] The method provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to a relay device. The upper node of the relay device may be a host device or another relay device, and the lower node may be a terminal device or another relay device. This is not particularly limited in this specification.

[0100] The relay device in the embodiment of the present application may have a plurality of antenna panels. At least one of the plurality of antenna panels is configured to transmit a signal to the upper node or receive a signal transmitted by the upper node. At least one of the plurality of antenna panels is configured to transmit a signal to the lower node or receive a signal transmitted by the lower node.

[0101] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the relay device includes two antenna panels. Antenna panel 1 can communicate with the upper node of the relay device. For example, it can receive a downlink signal from the upper node of the relay device or transfer an uplink signal to the upper node of the relay device. Antenna panel 2 may communicate with the lower node. For example, it can receive an uplink signal transmitted by the lower node of the relay device or transfer a downlink signal to the lower node of the relay device. In some possible implementations, the positions and functions of the two antenna panels can also be exchanged. The link between the relay node and the upper node of the relay node may be referred to as a backhaul link, and the link between the relay node and the lower node of the relay node may be referred to as an access link.

[0102] The downlink transfer process of the relay device is as follows. The relay device receives a downlink signal from the upper node of the relay device through antenna panel 1 and transmits the amplified downlink signal by the processor through antenna panel 2. The lower node of the relay device receives the downlink signal amplified by the relay device. The lower node may be a terminal device or another device, for example, another relay device.

[0103] The uplink transfer process of the relay device is as follows. The relay device receives a signal through the antenna panel 2 and transmits the signal amplified by the processor to the upper node of the relay device through the antenna panel 1. The upper node of the relay device receives the uplink signal amplified by the relay device. It should be understood that for uplink transfer and downlink transfer, the processor may further perform processes such as filtering and interference cancellation on the received signal.

[0104] The relay device has different operating modes for downlink transfer and uplink transfer. In a typical implementation, downlink transfer and uplink transfer cannot be executed simultaneously. The time window during which the relay device executes uplink transfer and downlink transfer needs to match the TDD operating mode of the host device and the terminal device. Specifically, the relay device executes downlink transfer during downlink transmission, and the relay device executes uplink transfer during uplink transmission.

[0105] To enable the relay device to receive control information transmitted by the host device, or to enable the relay device to transmit or report information to the host device, the relay device and the host device can establish a bi-directional connection or a unidirectional connection. In this application, the link between the relay device and the host device is referred to as a control link. Optionally, the relay device can establish a control link to the host device through the backhaul side antenna.

[0106] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0107] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a relay communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. This method includes the following steps.

[0108] S601: The host device determines the first information. The first information is used to determine whether the relay device turns on the amplification and transfer function on the first time domain resource unit within the first set of time domain resources. The first set of time domain resources includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit within the first set of time domain resources.

[0109] For example, the amplification and transfer function of the relay device includes an uplink amplification and transfer function and a downlink amplification and transfer function.

[0110] Note that the host device may be a higher-level node of the relay device, and one or more relay devices may be deployed between the host device and the relay device. As a result, the downlink signal transmitted by the host device and the uplink signal transmitted by the relay device can be transferred by the one or more relay devices.

[0111] In an implementation, the host device may determine the first information based on the scheduling state of the terminal device served by the relay device. For example, if the terminal device served by the relay device is not scheduled on the first time domain resource unit, the first information may indicate to the relay device to turn off the amplification and transfer function on the first time domain resource unit. If at least one terminal device served by the relay device is scheduled on the first time domain resource unit, the first information may indicate to the relay device to turn on the amplification and transfer function on the first time domain resource unit.

[0112] For example, the first set of time domain resources may include time domain resources in a periodic duration. The periodic duration may be indicated by the first information, may be indicated by other information, or may be specified in the protocol, etc. This is not particularly limited in this specification.

[0113] For example, the time domain resource unit may be, but is not limited to, a symbol, a slot, a frame, a subframe, or a symbol group.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the first time domain resource unit may correspond to a subcarrier spacing. For example, the relay device can determine the length of a symbol or a slot based on information regarding the subcarrier spacing. The subcarrier spacing may be configured by the host device for the relay device, or an existing subcarrier spacing, for example, the reference subcarrier spacing in a TDD configuration, may be used.

[0115] S602: The host device transmits the first information to the relay device. Correspondingly, the relay device receives the first information from the host device.

[0116] In one possible implementation, one or more relay devices are deployed between the host device and the relay device, and the host device may transmit the first information to the relay device through the one or more relay devices. For example, a second relay device is deployed between the host device and the relay device. The second relay device is a lower node of the host device and also an upper node of the relay device. The host device can transmit the first information to the second relay device, and the second relay device forwards the first information to the relay device.

[0117] For example, the host device may transmit the first information by using quasi-static signal transmission such as RRC signal transmission and MAC layer signal transmission, or may transmit the first information by using dynamic signal transmission such as DCI.

[0118] S603: The relay device performs relay transfer based on the first information.

[0119] In one implementation, the relay device may determine whether to perform amplification and forwarding for the first time domain resource unit based on the first information.

[0120] After the relay device obtains the TDD configuration of the uplink-downlink transmission, the relay device performs uplink amplification and forwarding in the uplink slot (or symbol), and performs downlink amplification and forwarding in the downlink slot (or symbol). However, when the host device does not schedule the UE served by the relay device, the continuous operation of the relay device may cause amplification of interference noise and cause interference to the reception by the host device or the UE. Uplink amplification is used as an example. In some uplink slots, the UE served by the relay device is not scheduled by the host device. That is, no UE performs uplink transmission. In this case, the amplified uplink signal of the relay device only contains interference noise and causes interference to the uplink reception by the network device. However, in this embodiment of the present application, the host device indicates to the relay device the time window in which the relay transfer is turned on / off, so that the relay device does not amplify and forward the received signal in the time window in which the relay transfer is turned off. This can avoid the case where the relay device amplifies and forwards the received interference signal when the host device does not schedule the terminal device served by the relay device, causing interference to the reception by the host device and the terminal device, and can reduce the power consumption of the relay device.

[0121] In one possible implementation, before the relay device performs relay transfer based on the first information, the relay device may obtain information on the time domain resources used for uplink transfer and information on the time domain resources used for downlink transfer within the first set of time domain resources.

[0122] Currently, the host device can notify the UE of the TDD configuration by using three types of signaling.

[0123] 1. In one implementation, the host device can send the common TDD configuration to the UE by using broadcast information such as system information block 1 (SIB1). The common TDD configuration includes the configuration information of the type of each slot and / or each symbol within the TDD configuration period.

[0124] 2. Alternatively, the host device may send a dedicated TDD configuration to the UE by using unicast signaling such as RRC signaling. The dedicated TDD configuration is used to modify the symbol type of the flexible symbol in the TDD configuration period.

[0125] 3. Alternatively, the host device may send indication information to the UE by using DCI format 2_0. The indication information is used to modify the symbol type of the flexible symbol within the TDD configuration period.

[0126] In one implementation, if the relay device has some or all of the functions of the UE, for example, the function of receiving signaling such as SIB1, RRC configuration, and DCI format 2_0, the relay device can obtain the TDD configuration by using the above three types of signaling, and based on the TDD configuration, within the first time domain resource set, determine the time domain resources used for uplink transmission and the time domain resources used for downlink transmission.

[0127] Optionally, the relay device can reinterpret the TDD configuration. For example, the relay device can understand the uplink slots / symbols within the first time domain resource set as the slots / symbols used for uplink transmission, understand the downlink slots / symbols as the slots / symbols used for downlink transmission, and can understand the flexible slots / symbols as the slots / symbols not used for uplink transmission and downlink transmission.

[0128] In one possible implementation, after receiving a dedicated TDD configuration, the relay device can perform the aforementioned reinterpretation on the TDD configuration. When a dedicated TDD configuration is not received, the relay device can determine the operating mode of the host device on the first time domain resource set based on the common TDD configuration. That is, the host device performs uplink transmission in the uplink slots / symbols within the first time domain resource set and performs downlink transmission in the downlink slots / symbols within the first time domain resource set.

[0129] Optionally, if the relay device receives a dedicated TDD configuration before reporting to the host device that the node type of the relay device is a relay node, the relay device may not perform the aforementioned reinterpretation. It should be understood that only the example where the node type is a relay node is used for the description in this specification. In a specific implementation, the node type reported by the relay device to the host device may be another type, such as a CPE or an IAB. The host device can determine based on the node type that the relay device has a relay transfer function.

[0130] Alternatively, the relay device may perform operation mode interpretation in the broadcast signal transmission - unicast signal transmission - DCI sequence. Specifically, the unicast signal transmission can modify the flexible slot / symbol type indicated by the broadcast signal transmission, and the DCI can modify the flexible slot / symbol type indicated by the unicast signal transmission.

[0131] In another implementation, the host device can transmit other signaling to the first relay node to indicate, within the first time domain resource set, the time domain resources used for uplink transmission and the time domain resources used for downlink transmission. In one possible implementation, the information element format of the current dedicated TDD configuration may be reused for other signaling. For example, the current dedicated TDD configuration may indicate the positions and / or amounts of uplink symbols and downlink symbols in a slot. Other signaling can indicate the positions and / or amounts of uplink transmission symbols and downlink transmission symbols within the slot. Optionally, the name of the other signaling may be different from the name of the signaling for configuring the dedicated TDD configuration.

[0132] In yet another aspect, the host device may indicate to the relay device at least one of the start position of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of the time domain resources used for downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of the time domain resources used for downlink transmission in the first period. Based on the information indicated by the host device, the relay device can determine the time domain resources used for uplink transfer and the time domain resources used for downlink transfer in the first time domain resource set. The first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resources in the first period.

[0133] It should be noted that the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission are time-domain resources of the uplink transmission type. The terminal device may or may not use the time-domain resources to perform uplink transmission. The time-domain resources used for downlink transmission are time-domain resources of the downlink transmission type. The terminal device may or may not use the time-domain resources to perform downlink transmission.

[0134] Optionally, the host device can explicitly indicate to the relay device. For example, the host device may send second information to the relay device. The second information indicates at least one of the following information, namely, the start position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of the downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of the downlink transmission in the first period. The relay device can determine, based on the second information, the time-domain resources used for uplink transfer and the time-domain resources used for downlink transfer in the first set of time-domain resources. The first set of time-domain resources includes one or more time-domain resources in the first period.

[0135] For example, the second information may indicate at least one of the following information, namely, the symbol index of the start symbol of the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first period, the symbol index of the end symbol of the time-domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first period, the symbol index of the start symbol of the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission in the first period, and the symbol index of the end symbol of the time-domain resources used for downlink transmission in the first period.

[0136] The relay device can determine the symbols used for uplink transmission in the first period based on the symbol index of the start symbol of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first period and the symbol index of the end symbol of the time domain resources used for uplink transmission in the first period.

[0137] Optionally, the relay device can determine the specific time domain position of the symbol corresponding to the symbol index based on the subcarrier space (SCS). The relay device can determine the time period corresponding to the uplink transmission resources in the first period based on the SCS. For example, the SCS may be the SCS corresponding to the first time unit indicated by the first information. The SCS may be explicitly or implicitly configured by the host device, or the SCS may be the reference SCS in the common TDD configuration.

[0138] Of course, the host device can also implicitly indicate at least one of the following information to the relay device, namely, the start position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of the downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of the downlink transmission in the first period.

[0139] The first period can be a TDD configuration period configured by the host device by using broadcast signaling.

[0140] In an exemplary description, the start symbol of the first segment of the downlink transmission in the first period may be the first symbol of the first period, and the end symbol of the last segment of the uplink transmission is the last symbol of the first period. Assuming that there is only one segment of downlink transmission and one segment of uplink transmission within the first period, the second information may indicate the end symbol of the downlink transmission in the first period and the start symbol of the uplink transmission in the first period. A plurality of consecutive uplink symbols may be segments of the uplink transmission, and a plurality of consecutive downlink symbols may be segments of the downlink transmission.

[0141] It can be understood that when the second information indicates the start symbol of the downlink transmission and the end symbol of the uplink transmission, it may indicate that the first period includes two or more segments of the downlink transmission or the uplink transmission.

[0142] If the first time domain resource set includes a plurality of first periods, for example, two first periods, the first time domain resource set includes a plurality of segments of the downlink transmission and / or the uplink transmission. The start positions of the plurality of segments of the downlink transmission include at least the start symbols of the plurality of first periods. Similarly, the end positions of the plurality of segments of the uplink signal include at least the end symbols of the plurality of first periods. Assuming that the first time domain resource set includes two first periods, the second information may indicate two downlink amplification end symbol indexes, and the two downlink amplification end symbol indexes respectively indicate the end positions of the downlink transmission in the two first periods. The second information may further indicate two uplink amplification start symbol indexes, and the two uplink amplification start symbol indexes respectively indicate the start positions of the uplink transmission in the two first periods.

[0143] In the above, a method for determining, by means of a relay device, the time-domain resources used for uplink transfer and the time-domain resources used for downlink transfer within a first time-domain resource set has been described. In order to accurately perform uplink amplification and downlink amplification, the relay device can further obtain uplink amplification timing and downlink amplification timing.

[0144] First, in this embodiment of the present application, downlink amplification timing and uplink amplification timing are first described.

[0145] Downlink amplification timing: The relay device can perform synchronization signal / physical layer broadcast channel block (SSB, SS / PBCH block) detection in the same way as the UE to determine downlink reception timing, and use the downlink reception timing as downlink amplification (transfer) timing. For the specific method of determining downlink reception timing by performing SS / PBCH block detection by the UE, refer to the description in the 3GPP protocol. Details are not described here.

[0146] Optionally, the relay device can determine downlink reception timing by measuring reference signals such as channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and tracking reference signal (TRS), and use the downlink reception timing as downlink amplification (transfer) timing.

[0147] In this embodiment, the downlink reception timing may include the downlink reception frame timing, the downlink reception slot timing, the downlink reception symbol timing, etc. The downlink reception frame timing may be the start time of the downlink reception frame of the relay device. The downlink reception slot timing may be the start time of the downlink reception slot of the relay device. The downlink reception symbol timing may be the start time of the downlink reception symbol of the relay device. Optionally, the relay device can use the path first detected for the downlink signal as the timing start position of the corresponding downlink frame, slot, or symbol.

[0148] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a downlink slot is used as an example. The host device transmits a downlink signal in the downlink slot, and the relay device receives the downlink signal after a certain time period. T p represents the propagation delay from the host device to the relay device. The start time for the host device to transmit the downlink frame i is T i Assuming that it is, the start time for the relay device to receive the downlink frame i may be T i +T p It should be understood that the possible timing estimation error is ignored in this example. For the downlink frame i, the start time of the downlink amplification of the relay device may be T i +T p as well.

[0149] In a TDD system, a host device requires a specific time period to switch from an uplink reception mode to a downlink transmission mode. Therefore, a specific guard period is required between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission so that the host device can complete the switching between the downlink transmission mode and the uplink reception mode. The guard period between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission can be denoted as T g Let's first consider the uplink transmission timing of the control link between the relay device and the host device. To align the uplink signal transmitted by the relay device with the uplink reception window of the host device, the host device needs to adjust and control the uplink transmission timing of the relay device by using timing advance (TA). Specifically, to implement alignment on the host device side, the uplink transmission timing of the relay device can be at least 2T p +T g earlier than the downlink reception timing, where T p is the propagation delay from the host device to the relay device, and T g is, for example, the guard period between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission as shown in FIG. 8.

[0150] The following describes three methods for determining the uplink transfer timing advance provided in this embodiment of the present application. In the present application, the uplink transfer advance indicates the advance [lead amount] of the frame timing for the relay device to perform uplink transfer with respect to the frame timing for the relay device to perform downlink transfer.

[0151] Method 1: The relay device can receive the uplink transfer timing advance transmitted by the host device.

[0152] In order to align the uplink signal amplified or forwarded by the relay device with the uplink receive window of the host device, the amount of lead of the uplink amplification relative to the downlink amplification (or downlink receive) is also 2T. p +T g The host device may configure a TA for the relay device, and the relay device may determine an uplink transmission timing advance based on the configured TA. Specifically, the relay device may reuse a general UE timing advance procedure to determine an uplink timing advance for communication between the relay device and the host device. In other words, when the relay device has an uplink signal transmission capability, the host device may adjust the TA to align the uplink signal of the relay device with the uplink receive window of the host device. The TA may be an uplink timing advance between the relay device and the host device, and the relay device may use the timing advance as a transmission timing advance for the uplink transmission. T TA may satisfy or be determined according to the following formula: T TA =(N TA +N TA,offset )T c where N TA is the TA configured or instructed by the host device, and N TA,offset is the initial timing advance or initial timing advance offset, and N TA,offset may be preconfigured. c is the basic time unit, e.g., the basic time unit in NR. In other words, the host device can increase or decrease T TA =2T p +T g or as close as possible to the two values. TA Adjust.

[0153] Alternatively, the standard may define an uplink transmission timing advance for the relay device. The method of setting and indicating the uplink transmission timing advance may be consistent with the method of setting and indicating the uplink timing advance. The host device may configure the uplink transmission timing advance for the relay device.

[0154] Alternatively, the relay device may receive the uplink timing advance of the backhaul link or the control link transmitted by the host device and use the uplink timing advance of the backhaul link or the control link as the uplink transmission timing advance.

[0155] Method 2: The relay device can determine the uplink transmission timing advance based on the initial advance.

[0156] Assuming that the transmission delay between the host device and the relay device is 0, the advance of the uplink transmission amplification relative to the downlink transmission amplification (or downlink reception) can be T g In the protocol, the relay device may not be able to directly obtain T g Therefore, the advance of the uplink amplification of the relay device relative to the downlink amplification (or downlink reception) can be N (TA,offset) T c That is, N TA = 0, or T g = N (TA,offset) T c is assumed.

[0157] Method 3: The relay device can determine the uplink transmission timing advance based on the interval from downlink transmission to uplink transmission switching and the guard period between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission.

[0158] Let the interval for switching from downlink amplification to uplink amplification of the relay device be T. rs In one possible implementation, the relay device switches to uplink amplification in the shortest period after downlink amplification ends, that is, starts uplink amplification at time point T after downlink amplification ends. rs Let the number of guard symbols between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission be N. g Assuming the symbol length is T, d the uplink amplification advance can be N * T. g T d - T rs Optionally, the protocol may provide the value of T. For example, the protocol may define T = N * T. rs For example, the protocol may define T = N * T. rs = N (TA,offset) T c

[0159] In one implementation, the relay device may determine the start time of uplink transfer based on the uplink transfer timing advance and the start position of the time domain resources used for uplink transfer, and determine the duration of uplink transfer based on the start position and end position of the time domain resources used for uplink transfer. The relay device can determine the uplink transfer time window based on the start time and duration of uplink transfer.

[0160] For example, assuming the uplink transfer timing advance is T, the start position of the time domain resources used for uplink transfer is symbol 3, and the end position of the time domain resources used for uplink transfer is symbol 7. The start time of symbol 3 is t1 and the symbol length is T. d The host device starts uplink reception starting from the start time t1 of symbol 3 and continues for a length of 5 symbols. In other words, the uplink reception time window of the host device is from t1 to t1 + 5T. d ​However, when performing uplink transmission, the relay device advances by a duration T by using time point t1 as a reference. In other words, the relay device starts performing uplink transmission at time point t1 - T, and the uplink transmission continues over a length of 5 symbols. In other words, the uplink reception time window of the relay device is from t1 - T to t1 - T + 5T d is.

[0161] According to the uplink transmission timing advance obtained in the first method to the third method, the uplink amplification duration (i.e., the length of the uplink transmission time window) determined by the relay device may be equal to (or approximately equal to) the duration of the uplink signal to be amplified or the time domain resource unit to be amplified.

[0162] In another implementation, the relay device can determine the start time of the uplink transmission based on the uplink transmission timing advance determined by method 3 and the start position of the time domain resource used for the uplink transmission, and determine the end time of the uplink transmission based on the uplink transmission timing advance determined by method 2 and the end position of the time domain resource used for the uplink transmission. The relay device can determine the uplink transmission time window based on the start time and the end time of the uplink transmission.

[0163] For example, assume that the uplink transmission timing advance determined by method 3 is T1, the uplink transmission timing advance determined by method 2 is T2, the start position of the time domain resource used for uplink transmission is symbol 3, and the end position of the time domain resource used for uplink transmission is symbol 7. The start time of symbol 3 is t1, and the end time of symbol 7 is t2. The host device starts executing uplink reception from the start time t1 of symbol 3 and stops executing uplink reception at the end time t2 of symbol 7. In other words, the uplink reception time window of the host device is from t1 to t2. When performing uplink transmission, the relay device advances the duration T1 by using the time point t1 as a reference. In other words, the relay device starts executing uplink transmission at the time point t1 - T. When stopping uplink transmission, the relay device advances the duration T2 by using the time point t2 as a reference. In other words, the uplink transmission time window of the relay device is from t1 - t1 to t2 - T2.

[0164] In the above implementation, the start time and end time of the uplink transmission time window are determined by using different timing advances. The duration of the uplink amplification determined by the relay device (i.e., the length of the uplink transmission time window) may be longer than the duration of the signal to be amplified or the time domain resource unit to be amplified.

[0165] Optionally, the relay device can detect the start time of downlink transmission and determine the duration of downlink transmission based on the start position and end position of the time domain resource used for downlink transmission. The relay device can determine the downlink transmission time window based on the start time and duration of downlink transmission.

[0166] In an implementation, the time interval between the uplink transmission time window and the downlink transmission time window is T rsIf it is not greater, the relay device may not amplify the signal carried in the first N uplink symbols after the switching point from the downlink to the uplink, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, if N is equal to 1, the relay device may not amplify the signal carried in the first uplink symbol after the switching point from the downlink to the uplink. Alternatively, the relay device may perform signal amplification from the second or subsequent uplink symbol after the switching point from the downlink to the uplink. Alternatively, the relay device may not amplify the signal carried in the last M downlink symbols before the switching point from the downlink to the uplink, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, if M is equal to 1, the relay device may not amplify the signal carried in the last downlink symbol before the switching point from the downlink to the uplink. For example, M and N may be configured by the host device, or specified in the protocol, or determined in another way by the relay device. This is not particularly limited in this specification.

[0167] In this embodiment of the present application, the relay device can obtain the symbols for which uplink amplification is performed and the symbols for which downlink amplification is performed, and determine the uplink transfer time window and the downlink transfer time window by using the uplink transfer timing advance. Therefore, it is possible to reduce signal loss or interference noise amplification caused by a mismatch between the uplink transfer time window of the relay device and the uplink signal reception window of the host device, and a mismatch between the downlink transfer time window of the relay device and the downlink signal reception window of the terminal device.

[0168] Hereinafter, an example of a method in which the host device indicates whether the relay device turns on the amplification transfer function on the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set will be described.

[0169] Optionally, the first information may indicate a time-domain resource unit in which the relay device turns off the amplification and transfer function in the first set of time-domain resources, whereby the relay device can indirectly determine the time-domain resource units in which the amplification and transfer function is turned on in the first set of time-domain resources. For example, the first information may be an off-pattern of the first set of time-domain resources, and the off-pattern indicates the positions of the time-domain resource units in which the amplification and transfer function is turned off in the first set of time-domain resources, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0170] Alternatively, the first information may indicate a time-domain resource unit in which the relay device turns on the amplification and transfer function in the first set of time-domain resources, whereby the relay device may indirectly determine the time-domain resource units in which the amplification and transfer function is turned off in the first set of time-domain resources. For example, the first information may be an on-pattern of the first set of time-domain resources, and the on-pattern indicates the positions of the time-domain resource units in which the amplification and transfer function is turned on in the first set of time-domain resources, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0171] Alternatively, the first information may indicate whether the relay device turns on / off the amplification and transfer function on each time-domain resource unit within the first set of time-domain resources. For example, the first information may be indicated by a bitmap. Assuming that the first set of time-domain resources includes five time-domain resource units, 1 may indicate that the amplification and transfer function is turned on, and 0 may indicate that the amplification and transfer function is turned off. The first information may be 01001, instructing the relay device to turn on the amplification and transfer function on the second and fifth time-domain resource units and turn off the amplification and transfer function on the first, third, and fourth time-domain resource units in the first set of time-domain resources.

[0172] In one implementation, when the first information indicates the amplification and forwarding function of the relay device, the forwarding direction of the relay device may not need to be distinguished. For example, the first information may indicate that the amplification and forwarding function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the off state. In this case, both the uplink amplification and forwarding function and the downlink amplification and forwarding function of the relay device in the first time domain resource unit are turned off. Alternatively, the first information may indicate that the amplification and forwarding function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the on state. In this implementation, when the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource subunit and at least one second time domain resource subunit, the first time domain resource subunit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time domain resource subunit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification and forwarding function on the at least one first time domain resource subunit and turns on the downlink amplification and forwarding function on the at least one second time domain resource subunit.

[0173] In another implementation, when indicating the amplification and forwarding function of the relay device, the first information indicates the forwarding direction of the relay device. In the foregoing implementation form, the scheduling flexibility of the host device can be improved.

[0174] For example, the first information indicates the state of the uplink amplification transfer function of the relay device in the first time domain resource unit. In this implementation, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device may ignore the first information. In this embodiment, since the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, "ignoring the first information" can be understood as follows: The relay device does not execute the uplink amplification transfer function indicated by the first information on the first time domain resource. Optionally, the relay device can turn on the downlink amplification transfer function on the first time domain resource unit.

[0175] Alternatively, the first information indicates the state of the downlink amplification transfer function of the relay device in the first time domain resource unit. In this implementation, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device may ignore the first information. In this embodiment, since the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, "ignoring the first information" can be understood as follows: The relay device does not execute the downlink amplification transfer function indicated by the first information on the first time domain resource. Optionally, the relay device can turn on the uplink amplification transfer function on the first time domain resource unit.

[0176] Alternatively, the first information indicates the state of the uplink amplification and transfer function and the downlink amplification and transfer function of the relay device in the first time domain resource unit. The uplink amplification and transfer function includes at least two states: on and off, and the downlink amplification and transfer function includes at least two states: on and off. In this way, when the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device ignores the instruction of the uplink amplification function according to the first information, and can perform downlink amplification and transfer based on the state of the downlink amplification and transfer function indicated by the first information. That is, when the first information indicates turning off the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, the relay device turns off the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, or when the first information indicates turning on the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device ignores the instruction of the downlink amplification function according to the first information, and can perform uplink amplification and transfer based on the state of the uplink amplification and transfer function indicated by the first information. That is, when the first information indicates turning off the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, or when the first information indicates turning on the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit.

[0177] For example, the first information is used to indicate the state of the relay device's uplink amplification and transfer function and the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. In a possible implementation, the state of the uplink amplification and transfer function and the state of the downlink amplification and transfer function may be shown separately. For example, the first information may include first sub-information and second sub-information. The first sub-information indicates the state of the relay device's uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, and the second sub-information indicates the state of the relay device's downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit.

[0178] When the first time-domain resource unit includes at least one first time-domain resource subunit configured for uplink transmission (hereinafter referred to as the uplink subunit) and at least one second time-domain resource subunit configured for downlink transmission (hereinafter referred to as the downlink subunit), the relay device determines the state of the transfer function of the uplink subunit based on the first sub-information and determines the state of the transfer function of the downlink subunit based on the second sub-information. When the first time-domain resource unit does not include a downlink subunit, that is, when the first time-domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the relay device may ignore the second sub-information, or the relay device does not expect to receive the second sub-information and may perform uplink amplification and transfer based on the first sub-information. That is, when the first sub-information indicates turning off the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit, or when the first sub-information indicates turning on the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit. When the first time-domain resource unit does not include an uplink subunit, that is, when the first time-domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the relay device may ignore the first sub-information, or the relay device does not expect to receive the first sub-information and may perform downlink amplification and transfer based on the state of the downlink amplification transfer function indicated by the second sub-information. That is, when the second sub-information indicates turning off the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit, the relay device turns off the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit, or when the second sub-information indicates turning on the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit.In one implementation, the first time-domain resource unit may be a slot, and the time-domain resource subunit may be a symbol.

[0179] In another possible implementation, the state of the uplink amplification transfer function and the state of the downlink amplification transfer function may also be jointly indicated. For example, the first information includes one of a first indication state, a second indication state, a third indication state, and a fourth indication state. The first indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function of the relay device in the first time-domain resource unit are in the on state. The second indication state indicates that the uplink amplification transfer function of the relay device in the first time-domain resource unit is in the off state and the downlink amplification transfer function is in the on state. The third indication state indicates that the uplink amplification transfer function of the relay device in the first time-domain resource unit is in the on state and the downlink amplification transfer function is in the off state. The fourth indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function of the relay device in the first time-domain resource unit are in the off state, as shown in FIG. 1. [Table 1]

[0180] Optionally, when the first time-domain resource unit includes a flexible type of time-domain resource subunit such as a flexible slot / symbol, the relay device may turn off the amplification transfer function in the flexible type of time-domain resource subunit.

[0181] Correspondingly, for example, the first information indicates a first instruction state. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, i.e., when the first time domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, i.e., when the first time domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit includes at least one uplink sub-unit and at least one downlink sub-unit, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function on the at least one uplink sub-unit and turns on the downlink amplification transfer function on the at least one downlink sub-unit. Assume that the first time domain resource unit is a slot and the time domain resource sub-unit is a symbol. When the slot is configured for uplink transmission, i.e., when the slot is an uplink slot, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function in the slot. When the slot is configured for downlink transmission, i.e., when the slot is a downlink slot, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification transfer function in the slot. When the slot includes at least one uplink symbol and at least one downlink symbol, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function in the at least one uplink symbol and turns on the downlink amplification transfer function in the at least one downlink symbol. Optionally, when the slot further includes at least one flexible symbol, the relay device can turn off the amplification transfer function in the at least one flexible symbol as shown in FIG. 11.

[0182] For example, the first information indicates a second instruction state. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, that is, when the first time domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, that is, when the first time domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification transfer function on the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit includes at least one uplink sub-unit and at least one downlink sub-unit, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the at least one uplink sub-unit and turns on the downlink amplification transfer function in the at least one downlink sub-unit. Assume that the first time domain resource unit is a slot and the time domain resource sub-unit is a symbol. When the slot is configured for uplink transmission, that is, when the slot is an uplink slot, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the slot. When the slot is configured for downlink transmission, that is, when the slot is a downlink slot, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification transfer function in the slot. When the slot includes at least one uplink symbol and at least one downlink symbol, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the at least one uplink symbol and turns on the downlink amplification transfer function in the at least one downlink symbol. Optionally, when the slot further includes at least one flexible symbol, the relay device can turn off the amplification transfer function in the at least one flexible symbol as shown in FIG. 12.

[0183] For example, the first information indicates a third instruction state. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, i.e., when the first time domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, i.e., when the first time domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, the relay device turns off the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit includes at least one uplink sub-unit and at least one downlink sub-unit, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function on the at least one uplink sub-unit and turns off the downlink amplification transfer function on the at least one downlink sub-unit. Assume that the first time domain resource unit is a slot and the time domain resource sub-unit is a symbol. When the slot is configured for uplink transmission, i.e., when the slot is an uplink slot, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function in the slot. When the slot is configured for downlink transmission, i.e., when the slot is a downlink slot, the relay device turns off the downlink amplification transfer function in the slot. When the slot includes at least one uplink symbol and at least one downlink symbol, the relay device turns on the uplink amplification transfer function on the at least one uplink symbol and turns off the downlink amplification transfer function on the at least one downlink symbol. Optionally, when the slot further includes at least one flexible symbol, the relay device can turn off the amplification transfer function on the at least one flexible symbol as shown in FIG. 13.

[0184] For example, the first information indicates a fourth instruction state. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, that is, when the first time domain resource unit does not include a downlink sub-unit, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, that is, when the first time domain resource unit does not include an uplink sub-unit, the relay device turns off the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit. When the first time domain resource unit includes at least one uplink sub-unit and at least one downlink sub-unit, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the at least one uplink sub-unit and turns off the downlink amplification transfer function in the at least one downlink sub-unit. Assume that the first time domain resource unit is a slot and the time domain resource sub-unit is a symbol. When the slot is configured for uplink transmission, that is, when the slot is an uplink slot, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the slot. When the slot is configured for downlink transmission, that is, when the slot is a downlink slot, the relay device turns off the downlink amplification transfer function in the slot. When the slot includes at least one uplink symbol and at least one downlink symbol, the relay device turns off the uplink amplification transfer function in the at least one uplink symbol and turns off the downlink amplification transfer function in the at least one downlink symbol. Optionally, when the slot further includes at least one flexible symbol, the relay device can turn off the amplification transfer function for the at least one flexible symbol as shown in FIG. 14.

[0185] In some embodiments, the host node may use different indication methods for different types of slots. For example, for an uplink slot or a downlink slot, when it is indicated whether the relay device turns on the amplify-and-forward function in the slot, the transfer direction of the relay device may not be distinguished. For a slot including both an uplink symbol and a downlink symbol, for example, a switching slot from the downlink to the uplink in a TDD period, when it is indicated whether the relay device turns on the amplify-and-forward function in the slot, an indication may be performed for a certain transfer direction of the relay device.

[0186] When the first information is carried by DCI, the relay device may fail to detect the PDCCH, and thus may not be able to determine the amplify-and-forward state of the first time-domain resource unit based on the first information. Optionally, when the relay device does not detect the indicated DCI, the relay device can effectively maintain the transfer on the uplink sub-unit and the downlink sub-unit of the first time-domain resource unit.

[0187] In a possible implementation, when the first time-domain resource unit includes the time-domain resources of a specific signal or channel, the relay device always turns on the amplify-and-forward function in the time-domain resources of the specific channel or signal. For example, the time-domain resources of the specific signal or channel may be some resources within the first time-domain resource unit, or the first time-domain resource unit may be a part of the time-domain resources of the specific signal or channel. In other words, the first time-domain resource unit may include some resources of the specific signal. For example, when the first time-domain resource unit is one slot and the specific signal is an SSB, the time-domain resources of the specific signal may be a plurality of symbols including the SSB in the slot.

[0188] In a possible implementation, on the time-domain resources of a specific signal, the relay device may ignore the amplification and transfer instruction of the first piece of information and always keep the amplification and transfer function on. Specifically, when the first time-domain resource unit includes the time-domain resources of a specific signal or channel, even if the first piece of information indicates turning off the amplification and transfer function of the relay device in the time-domain resources, the relay device turns on the amplification and transfer function in the transmission direction corresponding to that specific signal. For example, the first time-domain resource unit includes a plurality of symbols of the SSB. Even if the first piece of information indicates turning off the amplification and transfer function of the relay device with respect to the plurality of symbols, the relay device turns on the downlink amplification and transfer function with respect to the plurality of symbols.

[0189] For example, the specific signal may include, but is not limited to, the SSB, system information block 1 (SIB1)-physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), SIB1-physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), channel state information-interference measurement (CSI-IM), tracking reference signal (TRS), physical random access channel (PRACH), and sounding reference signal (SRS). Here, the SIB1-PDSCH may be the PDSCH that transmits SIB1 information, and the SIB1-PDCCH may be the PDCCH that schedules the SIB1-PDSCH.

[0190] To ensure downlink basic coverage, the host device continuously transmits several basic signals and / or channels called basic coverage signals hereinafter, such as SSB, SIB1-PDCCH, SIB1-PDSCH, CSI-RS, and TRS. In the aforementioned manner, the relay device can implement basic coverage.

[0191] Optionally, the relay device can acquire resources occupied by some cell-level signals, such as SSB or SIB1-PDCCH / PDSCH, through synchronous signal detection, broadcast / multicast signal transmission reading, etc.

[0192] Hereinafter, SSB is used as an example for illustration. In FR2, the protocol defines 64 candidate positions for SSB. In the cell search process, the relay device detects the SSB, confirms the index of the SSB, and completes time and frequency synchronization. In the subsequent process, the relay device can obtain the index number of the SSB actually transmitted by the host device.

[0193] In a possible implementation, the relay device may amplify all SSBs, that is, turn on downlink amplification on the resources occupied by all SSBs. All SSBs here may be all candidate SSBs or the actually transmitted SSBs notified by the host device in signal transmission.

[0194] In another possible implementation, the relay device may alternatively amplify some SSBs. For example, the relay device amplifies the SSB on which the relay device performs initial access. Alternatively, the host device configures one or more SSB indexes for the relay device, and the relay device performs downlink amplification and transfer on the configured SSBs. For example, the SSB index set by the host device may be determined with reference to the RSRP reported by the relay device.

[0195] It can also be understood that for another specific signal transmitted by the host device, the relay device may use a method similar to the method for transferring the SSB.

[0196] Optionally, for SIB1-PDCCH / PDSCH, the relay device can obtain the transmission resources of the SIB1-PDCCH by reading the information regarding the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). If the relay device amplifies only some SSBs, the relay device may amplify only the SIB 1-PDCCH / PDSCH corresponding to these SSBs.

[0197] Regarding the PRACH, if the relay device amplifies only some SSBs, the relay device may also perform uplink amplification only for the PRACHs associated with these SSBs.

[0198] Also, the PRACH may be a RACH opportunity resource used by the relay device for access, or may be a RACH opportunity resource indicated by the host device.

[0199] In this embodiment of the present application, the relay device may ignore the indication of the first information in the resources occupied by the specific signal and always amplify and transfer the specific signal. In this way, it can be guaranteed that the specific signal is transferred within the time, and the relay device can guarantee functions such as basic coverage.

[0200] In one possible implementation, the relay device may enter the basic coverage mode. For example, the host device can instruct the relay device to enter the basic coverage mode. In the basic coverage mode, the relay device can turn on uplink and downlink transmissions only in specific time domain resources (e.g., time domain resources of a specific signal / channel). For example, the relay device transfers all or some of the basic coverage signals.

[0201] Optionally, the relay device may be further configured with an off pattern or a transfer on pattern in the basic coverage mode. For example, other information indicates a time domain resource unit in which the relay device turns off / turns on the amplification transfer function in the basic coverage mode. After entering the basic coverage mode, the relay device can perform transfers based on the other information.

[0202] Based on the same technical concept as the method embodiments, certain embodiments of the present application provide a communication device. Specifically, the communication device may be configured to implement the method executed by the relay device in the foregoing embodiments. The device may be a relay device, or may be a chip, chipset, or part configured to execute related method functions in a chip within the relay device. The structure of the communication device may be shown in FIG. 15, and includes a processing unit 1501, a first communication unit 1502, and a second communication unit 1503, and may further include an amplification unit 1504. The amplification unit 1504 is configured to perform processing such as amplification on uplink signals and downlink signals. For example, the amplification unit 1504 may be an amplifier or an amplification circuit. The first communication unit 1502 and the second communication unit 1503 can communicate with the outside. The processing unit 1501 is configured to execute processing. For example, the processing unit 1501 is configured to control whether the amplification unit 1504 turns on the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The first communication unit 1502 and the second communication unit 1503 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit. The first communication unit 1502 may be configured to execute communication operations between the relay device and the upper node in the foregoing method embodiments, such as receiving first information and transmitting an uplink signal to the upper node. The second communication unit 1503 may be configured to execute communication operations between the relay device and the lower node in the foregoing method embodiments, such as transmitting a downlink signal to the lower node.

[0203] For example, the first communication unit 1502 may include a transmission module and / or a reception module, each configured to perform the transmission and reception steps between the relay device and the upper node in the foregoing method embodiments. The second communication unit 1503 may include a transmission module and / or a reception module, each configured to perform the transmission and reception steps between the relay device and the lower node in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0204] The processing unit 1501 is configured to perform the processing-related operations of the relay device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0205] For example, the amplification unit 1504 may include an uplink amplification module and / or a downlink amplification module, each configured to perform the uplink amplification and downlink amplification steps of the relay device in the embodiments of the foregoing method. Optionally, the uplink amplification module and the first communication unit 1502 may be integrated into one unit, and the downlink amplification module and the second communication unit 1503 may be integrated into one unit.

[0206] For example, the first communication unit 1502 is configured to receive first information transmitted by the host device. The first information is used to determine whether the relay device turns on the amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit in the first time domain resource set. The first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit within the first time domain resource set. The processing unit 1501 is configured to control the amplification unit 1504 to turn on or off the amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit within the first time domain resource set based on the first information.

[0207] For example, the first information indicates that the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the off state, or the first information indicates that the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the on state.

[0208] Optionally, the processing unit 1501 is specifically: When the first information indicates that the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the off state, control the amplification unit 1504 to turn off the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, or When the first information indicates that the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the on state, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, control the amplification unit 1504 to turn on the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, or When the first information indicates that the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the on state, if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, control the amplification unit 1504 to turn on the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, or When the first information indicates that the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the on state, if the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource subunit and at least one second time domain resource subunit, the at least one first time domain resource subunit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time domain resource subunit is configured for downlink transmission, it is further configured to control the amplification unit 1504 to turn on the uplink amplification transfer function on the at least one first time domain resource subunit and turn on the downlink amplification transfer function on the at least one second time domain resource subunit.

[0209] For example, the first information indicates at least one of the following information, that is, the state of the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit and the state of the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit.

[0210] For example, the first information includes at least one of the first sub-information and the second sub-information. The first sub-information indicates the state of the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, and the second sub-information indicates the state of the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit.

[0211] For example, the first information includes a first instruction state, a second instruction state, a third instruction state, and a fourth instruction state.

[0212] The first instruction state indicates that both the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit are in the on state. The second instruction state indicates that the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit is in the off state and the downlink amplification transfer function is in the on state. The third instruction state indicates that the uplink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit is in the on state and the downlink amplification transfer function is in the off state. The fourth instruction state indicates that both the uplink amplification transfer function and the downlink amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit are in the off state.

[0213] For example, the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource sub-unit and at least one second time domain resource sub-unit. The first time domain resource sub-unit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time domain resource sub-unit is configured for downlink transmission.

[0214] Specifically, when the first information indicates that the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the off state, the processing unit 1501 may be configured to control the amplification unit 1504 to turn off the uplink amplification and transfer function in the at least one first time domain resource sub-unit, or when the first information indicates that the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the on state, the processing unit 1501 may be configured to control the amplification unit 1504 to turn on the uplink amplification and transfer function in the at least one first time domain resource sub-unit.

[0215] More specifically, when the first information indicates that the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the off state, the processing unit 1501 may be configured to control the amplification unit 1504 to turn off the downlink amplification and transfer function in the at least one second time domain resource sub-unit, or when the first information indicates that the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the on state, the processing unit 1501 may be configured to control the amplification unit 1504 to amplify the downlink signal from the host device and transfer the amplified downlink signal to the terminal device in the at least one second time domain resource sub-unit.

[0216] Optionally, specifically, when the first information indicates that the amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit should be in the off state, the processing unit 1501 may be configured to control the amplification unit 1504 to turn on the amplification and transfer function in the time domain resource of a specific signal, and the first time domain resource unit includes the time domain resource of the specific signal.

[0217] For example, the specific signal includes at least one of SSB, SIB1-PDCCH, SIB1-PDSCH, CSI-RS, TRS, PRACH, and SRS.

[0218] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1502 may be further configured to receive second information before the processing unit 1501 controls the amplification unit 1504 to turn on or off the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit within the first set of time domain resources, where the second information indicates at least one of a start position of uplink transmission in the first period, an end position of uplink transmission in the first period, a start position of downlink transmission in the first period, and an end position of downlink transmission in the first period.

[0219] The processing unit 1501 may be further configured to determine, based on the second information, time domain resources used for uplink transfer and time domain resources used for downlink transfer within the first set of time domain resources, where the first set of time domain resources includes one or more time domain resources within the first period.

[0220] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1502 may be further configured to receive an uplink transfer timing advance transmitted by the host device before the processing unit 1501 controls the amplification unit 1504 to turn on or off the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit within the first set of time domain resources, based on the first information.

[0221] Alternatively, the processing unit 1501 may be further configured to determine an uplink transfer timing advance based on an initial advance before controlling the amplification unit 1504 to turn on or off the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit within the first set of time domain resources, based on the first information.

[0222] Alternatively, before controlling the amplification unit 1504 to turn on or off the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit within the first time domain resource set based on the first information, the processing unit 1501 may be further configured to determine the uplink transfer timing advance based on the section for switching from downlink transfer to uplink transfer and the guard period between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission.

[0223] Alternatively, before controlling the amplification unit 1504 to turn on or off the amplification transfer function in the first time domain resource unit within the first time domain resource set based on the first information, the processing unit 1501 determines the uplink transfer timing advance based on the section for switching from downlink transfer to uplink transfer and the guard period between the time domain resources used for downlink transmission and the time domain resources used for uplink transmission for the start position of the uplink transmission, and may be further configured to determine the uplink transfer timing advance based on the initial advance for the end position of the uplink transmission.

[0224] Certain embodiments of the present application provide another communication device. The communication device may specifically be configured to implement the method executed by the host device in the foregoing embodiments. The device may be a host device, or may be a chip, chipset, or part configured to execute related method functions in a chip within the host device. The structure of the communication device may be shown in FIG. 16 and includes a processing unit 1601 and a transceiver unit 1602. The transceiver unit 1602 can communicate with the outside, and the processing unit 1601 is configured to execute processing, for example, to determine first information. The transceiver unit 1602 may also be referred to as a communication interface, transceiver unit, or communication unit. The transceiver unit 1602 may be configured to execute the actions executed by the host device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0225] For example, the transceiver unit 1602 includes a transmission module and / or a reception module, and is respectively configured to execute the transmission step and the reception step of the host device in the foregoing method embodiments. The transceiver unit 1602 is configured to execute the transceiver-related operations on the host device side in the foregoing method embodiments, and the processing unit 1601 is configured to execute the processing-related operations of the host device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the processing unit 1601 is configured to determine first information, and the first information is used to determine whether the relay device turns on the amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit within the first time domain resource set. The first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit within the first time domain resource set. The transceiver unit 1602 is configured to transmit the first information to the relay device.

[0226] For example, the first information indicates that the amplification and transfer function of the relay device in the first time domain resource unit should be in the off state, or the first information indicates that the amplification and transfer function of the relay device in the first time domain resource unit should be in the on state.

[0227] For example, the amplification and transfer function of the relay device includes an uplink amplification and transfer function and a downlink amplification and transfer function. The first information indicates at least one of the state of the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit and the state of the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit.

[0228] For example, the first information includes at least one of the first sub - information and the second sub - information. The first sub - information indicates the state of the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit, and the second sub - information indicates the state of the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit.

[0229] For example, the first information includes a first indication state, a second indication state, a third indication state, and a fourth indication state. The first indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification and transfer function and the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit are in the on state. The second indication state indicates that the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit is in the off state and the downlink amplification and transfer function is in the on state. The third indication state indicates that the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit is in the on state and the downlink amplification and transfer function is in the off state. The fourth indication state indicates that both the uplink amplification and transfer function and the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit are in the off state.

[0230] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1602 may be further configured to transmit second information to the relay device, where the second information indicates at least one of the following information, namely, the start position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of the downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of the downlink transmission in the first period, and the first time domain resource set includes one or more time domain resources in the first period.

[0231] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1602 may be further configured to transmit an uplink transfer timing advance to the relay device.

[0232] The division into modules in the embodiments of the present application is only an example and is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, other divisions may be used. In addition, the functional modules in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processor, or each module may physically exist independently, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It can be understood that for the functions or implementations of the modules in this embodiment of the present application, the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments are referred to.

[0233] In a possible aspect, the relay device may be as shown in FIG. 17. The relay device may include a processor 1701, a communication interface 1702, and a communication interface 1703, and may further include a memory 1704. The communication interface 1702 may be used for communication between the relay device and the upper node, and the communication interface 1703 may be used for communication between the relay device and the lower node.

[0234] The processing unit 1501 can be a processor 1701. The first communication unit 1502 may be a communication interface 1702, and the second communication unit 1503 may be a communication interface 1703. A communication interface may also be called a transceiver unit or simply a transceiver. A communication interface may include a receiver (also called a receiver machine or receiver circuit) and a transmitter (also called a transmitter machine or transmitter circuit) to respectively implement the functions of a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiver is configured to receive signals, and the transmitter is configured to transmit signals. Alternatively, the communication interface may be an input / output interface. In an input / output interface, an input corresponds to a receiving or acquiring operation, and an output corresponds to a transmitting operation.

[0235] The processor 1701 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a digital processing device, or the like. The communication interface 1702 and the communication interface 1703 may each be a transceiver, an interface circuit, such as a transceiver circuit or a transceiver chip. The apparatus further includes a memory 1704 configured to store a program executed by the processor 1701. The memory 1704 may be a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or alternatively, a volatile memory such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory 1704 can be used to carry or store program code expected in the form of instructions or data structures, and is any other medium that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0236] The processor 1701, communication interface 1702, communication interface 1703, and memory 1704 can communicate with each other through internal connection paths to transmit control signals and / or data signals. The memory 1704 is configured to store a computer program. The processor 1701 is configured to call and execute the computer program from the memory 1704 and control the communication interface 1702 and the communication interface 1703 to receive / transmit signals. Optionally, the relay device can further include an antenna panel 1705 and an antenna panel 1706. The antenna panel 1705 is configured to transmit data or a control signal transmission or information or a message output by the communication interface 1702 to an upper node by using a wireless signal and receive a wireless signal transmitted by the upper node. The antenna panel 1706 is configured to transmit data or a control signal transmission or information or a message output by the communication interface 1703 to a lower node by using a wireless signal and receive a wireless signal transmitted by the lower node.

[0237] Optionally, communication interface 1702 may implement the uplink transfer function of amplification unit 1504. It can also be understood that communication interface 1702 may implement the function of the uplink amplification module within amplification unit 1504. Communication interface 1703 may implement the downlink transfer function of amplification unit 1504. It can also be understood that communication interface 1703 may implement the function of the downlink amplification module within amplification unit 1504. Communication interface 1702 and communication interface 1703 may have one or more functions such as filtering, gain adjustment, frequency mixing, power amplification, etc. Communication interface 1702 and communication interface 1703 may be configured to perform filtering, gain adjustment, and frequency mixing on the received signal, and may further perform processes such as filtering, gain adjustment, frequency mixing, and power amplification on the signal to be transmitted. For example, when the relay device communicates with the upper node through communication interface 1702, the information (e.g., the first information) transmitted by the upper node to the relay device is received by the relay device through antenna panel 1705, and then can be transmitted to processor 1701 after undergoing filtering, gain adjustment, and frequency mixing performed by communication interface 1702. Alternatively, processor 1701 may generate the information to be transmitted to the host device, and the information is transmitted to the upper node through antenna panel 1705 after undergoing filtering, gain adjustment, frequency mixing, and power amplification performed by communication interface 1702. In the uplink amplification transfer process, the signal transmitted by the lower node is received by the relay device through antenna panel 1706, undergoes filtering, gain adjustment, and frequency mixing performed by communication interface 1703, and then undergoes processes such as power amplification and filtering performed by communication interface 1702, and is finally transmitted to the upper node by antenna panel 1705.

[0238] In another example, when the relay device communicates with the lower nodes via the communication interface 1703, the information transmitted by the lower nodes to the relay device may be received by the relay device through the antenna panel 1706 and then transmitted to the processor 1701 after undergoing filtering, gain adjustment, and frequency mixing performed by the communication interface 1703. Alternatively, the processor 1701 may generate information to be transmitted to the terminal device (or lower nodes), and the information is transmitted to the upper nodes through the antenna panel 1706 after undergoing filtering, gain adjustment, frequency mixing, and power amplification performed by the communication interface 1703. In the downlink amplification and transfer process, the signal transmitted by the lower nodes is received by the relay device through the antenna panel 1705, undergoes filtering, gain adjustment, and frequency mixing performed by the communication interface 1702, then undergoes processing such as power amplification and filtering performed by the communication interface 1703, and finally is transmitted to the lower nodes by the antenna panel 1706.

[0239] In another embodiment, the communication interface 1702 and the communication interface 1703 do not have an amplification function, and an amplifier is connected between the communication interface 1702 and the communication interface 1703, and the amplification of the uplink signal and the downlink signal is completed by the amplifier. The amplifier is configured to amplify the downlink signal received by the communication interface 1702 from the host device and transmit the amplified downlink signal through the communication interface 1703 and the antenna panel 1706. The amplifier may be further configured to amplify the uplink signal received by the communication interface 1703 from the lower nodes (or user equipment) and transmit the amplified uplink signal through the communication interface 1702 and the antenna panel 1705. The amplifier can turn on or off the uplink signal amplification function and / or the downlink signal amplification function under the control of the processor.

[0240] The processor 1701 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 1704, specifically configured to execute the operations of the processing unit 1501. In the present application, details are not described again here. The communication interface 1702 is specifically configured to execute the operations of the first communication unit 1502, and the communication interface 1703 is specifically configured to execute the operations of the second communication unit 1503. In the present application, details are not described again here.

[0241] The processor 1701 and the memory 1704 may be integrated into the communication device. The processor 1701 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 1704 to implement the aforementioned functions. During a specific implementation, the memory 1704 may alternatively be integrated into the processor 1701 or may be independent of the processor 1701. The processor 1701 may correspond to the processing unit in FIG. 15.

[0242] In a possible aspect, the host device may be as shown in FIG. 18. The host device may include a processor 1801 and a communication interface 1802, and may further include a memory 1803. The processing unit 1601 may be the processor 1801. The transceiver unit 1602 may be the communication interface 1802. It should be further understood that the transceiver unit 1602 may alternatively be an input / output interface. Also, the functions of the transceiver unit 1602 may be realized by a transceiver. The transceiver may include a transmitter and / or a receiver that respectively implement the functions of the transmission unit and the reception unit.

[0243] In the input / output interface, the input corresponds to a reception or acquisition operation, and the output corresponds to a transmission operation.

[0244] Processor 1801 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a digital processing device, or the like. Communication interface 1802 may be a transceiver, an interface circuit, for example, a transceiver circuit or a transceiver chip. The apparatus further includes a memory 1803 configured to store programs executed by processor 1801. Memory 1803 may be a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or may be a volatile memory such as a random-access memory (RAM). Memory 1803 can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and can be any other medium that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0245] Processor 1801 is configured to execute program code stored in memory 1803, and specifically, is configured to execute the operations of processing unit 1601. Details are not described again here in the present application. Communication interface 1802 is specifically configured to execute the operations of transceiver unit 1602. Details are not described again here in the present application.

[0246] The communication interface 1802, the processor 1801, and the memory 1803 can communicate with each other via internal connection paths to transmit control signals and / or data signals. The memory 1803 is configured to store a computer program. The processor 1801 is configured to call and execute the computer program from the memory 1803 and control the communication interface 1802 to receive / send signals. Optionally, the communication device may further include an antenna configured to transmit data, control signal transmission, information, or messages output by the communication interface 1802 by using radio signals.

[0247] The processor 1801 and the memory 1803 may be integrated into the communication device. The processor 1801 is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 1803 to implement the aforementioned functions. During a specific implementation, the memory 1803 may alternatively be integrated into the processor 1801 or may be independent of the processor 1801. The processor 1801 may correspond to the processing unit of FIG. 15.

[0248] The communication interface 1802 may correspond to the transceiver unit of FIG. 16 and may also be called the transceiver unit or the transceiver. The communication interface 1802 may include a receiver (or also called a receiver machine or receiver circuit) and a transmitter (or also called a transmitter machine or transmitter circuit). The receiver is configured to receive signals, and the transmitter is configured to transmit signals.

[0249] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1802, the processor 1801, and the memory 1803 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, the memory 1803, the processor 1801, and the communication interface 1802 are connected through the bus 1804 in FIG. 18. In FIG. 18, the bus is shown using a thick line. The connection modes between other components are merely examples for explanation and are not limited thereto. The bus can be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of easy expression, only one thick line is used to represent the bus in FIG. 18, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0250] A certain embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device including a processor and an interface. The processor may be configured to execute the method in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0251] It should be understood that the communication device may be a chip. For example, the communication device may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a CPU, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a micro controller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or another integrated chip.

[0252] For example, the interface may be an interface circuit. For example, the interface circuit may be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit may be configured to receive a code instruction (the code instruction may be stored in a memory and directly read from the memory, or read from the memory by using another component), and to send the code instruction to a processor. The processor may be configured to execute the code instruction to execute the method in the embodiment of the foregoing method.

[0253] In another example, the interface circuit may alternatively be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver. For example, in a transmission scenario, the processor is configured to execute XX to obtain Y data (XX is a non-air interface operation, including operations such as discrimination, decision-making, processing, calculation, search, and comparison, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit may be configured to send the Y data to a transmitter (the transmitter is configured to execute a transmission operation on an air interface). In another example, in a reception scenario, the interface circuit may be configured to receive Z data from a receiver (the receiver is configured to execute a reception operation on an air interface), and to send the Z data to a processor. The processor may be configured to execute XX processing on the Z data (XX is a non-air interface operation, including operations such as discrimination, decision-making, processing, calculation, search, and comparison, but not limited thereto).

[0254] For example, FIG. 19 shows a possible structure of a chip. The chip includes a logic circuit and an input / output interface, and may further include memory. The input / output interface is configured to receive code instructions (the code instructions may be stored in the memory and directly read from the memory, or read from the memory by using another component), and transmit the code instructions to the logic circuit. The logic circuit may be configured to execute the code instructions to perform the method in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0255] Alternatively, the input / output interface may be a signal transmission interface circuit between the logic circuit and the transceiver. For example, in a transmission scenario, the logic circuit is configured to execute XX to obtain Y data (XX is a non-air interface operation, including operations such as discrimination, decision-making, processing, calculation, search, and comparison, but not limited thereto). The input / output interface may be configured to transmit the Y data to a transmitter (the transmitter is configured to perform a transmission operation on the air interface). In another example, in a reception scenario, the input / output interface may be configured to receive Z data from a receiver (the receiver is configured to perform a reception operation on the air interface) and transmit the Z data to the logic circuit. The logic circuit is configured to execute XX processing on the Z data (XX is a non-air interface operation, including operations such as discrimination, decision-making, processing, calculation, search, and comparison, but not limited thereto).

[0256] Certain embodiments of the present invention further provide a computer-readable storage medium configured to store computer software instructions that need to be executed by the foregoing processor, and the computer-readable storage medium includes a program that needs to be executed by the foregoing processor.

[0257] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can be implemented in the form of embodiments having only hardware, only software, or a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, the present application can be implemented in the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-readable storage media (including but not limited to disk memory, CD-ROM, optical memory, etc.) containing program code that can be used by a computer.

[0258] The present application will be described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the method, device (system), and computer program product according to the present application. It should be understood that computer program instructions can be used to implement each process and / or each block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as combinations of processes and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram. These computer program instructions may be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or another programmable data processing device for generating a machine, such that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or another programmable data processing device generate an apparatus for implementing specific functions in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0259] These computer program instructions can be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or another programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufacture including an instruction device. The instruction device implements specific functions in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0260] These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, thereby causing a series of operational steps to be executed on the computer or other programmable device, and thereby generating a computer-implemented process. Accordingly, the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the specified functions in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0261] It is apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. The present application is intended to cover these modifications and variations of the present application as long as they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalent technologies.

Claims

1. A relay communication method, comprising: receiving, by a relay device, first information transmitted by an access network device, wherein the first information indicates turning on an amplification and transfer function in a first time domain resource unit in a first set of time domain resources, the first set of time domain resources includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first set of time domain resources; executing, by the relay device, relay transfer based on the first information. The method.

2. Executing, by the relay device, relay transfer based on the first information includes: if the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, turning on, by the relay device, an uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit; or if the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, turning on, by the relay device, a downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit; or if the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource subunit and at least one second time domain resource subunit, the first time domain resource subunit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time domain resource subunit is configured for downlink transmission, turning on, by the relay device, an uplink amplification and transfer function in the at least one first time domain resource subunit and turning on a downlink amplification and transfer function in the at least one second time domain resource subunit. The method according to claim 1.

3. Before executing, by the relay device, relay transfer based on the first information, the method further includes: receiving, by the relay device, a common TDD configuration; or receiving, by the relay device, a dedicated TDD configuration. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The method further includes: determining, based on the common TDD configuration or the dedicated TDD configuration, time domain resources used for uplink transfer and time domain resources used for downlink transfer in the first set of time domain resources. The method according to claim 3.

5. The determining step being: the uplink slot / symbol in the first time domain resource set is the slot / symbol used for uplink transmission; the downlink slot / symbol in the first time domain resource set is the slot / symbol used for downlink transmission; the flexible slot / symbol in the first time domain resource set is the slot / symbol not used for uplink transmission and downlink transmission, The method according to claim 4.

6. Before the relay device executes relay transmission based on the first information, the method further comprises: the relay device receiving second information, the second information indicating at least one of the following information, namely, the start position of uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of downlink transmission in the first period; the relay device determining, based on the second information, the time domain resources used for uplink transmission and the time domain resources used for downlink transmission in the first time domain resource set, the first time domain resource set including one or more time domain resources in the first period, The method according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the downlink transmission timing of the relay device is the same as the downlink reception timing of the relay device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the uplink transmission timing of the relay device is the same as the uplink timing of the control link of the relay device.

9. A relay communication method, comprising: A step of determining first information by an access network device, wherein the first information indicates turning on an amplification and transfer function in a first time domain resource unit in a first set of time domain resources, the first set of time domain resources includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first set of time domain resources; A step of transmitting the first information to the relay device by the access network device, including; Method.

10. The method further includes: Transmitting a common TDD configuration by the access network device, or Receiving a dedicated TDD configuration by the access network device, including; The method according to claim 9.

11. The method further includes: A step of transmitting second information to the relay device by the access network device, wherein the second information indicates at least one of the following information, namely, the start position of uplink transmission in a first period, the end position of uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of downlink transmission in the first period, and the first set of time domain resources includes one or more time domain resources in the first period; The method according to claim 9.

12. A relay communication device having a transceiver unit, a processing unit, and an amplification unit, wherein the amplification unit is configured to amplify and transfer signals; The transceiver unit is configured to receive first information transmitted by an access network device, the first information indicates turning on an amplification and transfer function in a first time domain resource unit in a first set of time domain resources, the first set of time domain resources includes one or more time domain resource units, and the first time domain resource unit is any time domain resource unit in the first set of time domain resources; The processing unit is configured to control whether the amplification unit turns on the amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit in the first set of time domain resources based on the first information. Device.

13. Specifically, the processing unit is configured as follows: If the first time domain resource unit is configured for uplink transmission, the amplification unit is controlled to turn on the uplink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit; or If the first time domain resource unit is configured for downlink transmission, the amplification unit is controlled to turn on the downlink amplification and transfer function in the first time domain resource unit; or If the first time domain resource unit includes at least one first time domain resource subunit and at least one second time domain resource subunit, the first time domain resource subunit is configured for uplink transmission, and the second time domain resource subunit is configured for downlink transmission, the amplification unit is controlled to turn on the uplink amplification and transfer function in the at least one first time domain resource subunit and turn on the downlink amplification and transfer function in the at least one second time domain resource subunit The apparatus according to claim 12, configured as such.

14. The transceiver unit is further configured to: Receive a common TDD configuration, or Receive a dedicated TDD configuration, The method according to claim 12 or 13.

15. Specifically, the processing unit is configured as follows: Based on the common TDD configuration or the dedicated TDD configuration, it is configured to determine the time domain resources used for uplink transfer and the time domain resources used for downlink transfer in the first time domain resource set. The apparatus according to claim 14.

16. The uplink slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set are the slots / symbols used for uplink transfer; The downlink slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set are the slots / symbols used for downlink transfer; The flexible slots / symbols in the first time domain resource set are the slots / symbols not used for uplink transfer and downlink transfer, The apparatus according to claim 15.

17. The transceiver unit is further configured to: Before the processing unit controls whether to turn on the amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set by the amplification unit based on the first information, it is configured to receive second information, and the second information indicates at least one of the following information, that is, the start position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of the uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of the downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of the downlink transmission in the first period; The processing unit further: Based on the second information, it is configured to determine the time-domain resources used for uplink transfer and the time-domain resources used for downlink transfer in the first time-domain resource set, and the first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resources in the first period, The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the downlink transfer timing of the relay device is the same as the downlink reception timing of the relay device.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the uplink transfer timing of the relay device is the same as the uplink timing of the control link of the relay device.

20. A relay communication apparatus comprising: A processing unit configured to determine first information, wherein the first information indicates turning on the amplification transfer function in the first time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set, the first time-domain resource set includes one or more time-domain resource units, and the first time-domain resource unit is any time-domain resource unit in the first time-domain resource set; A transceiver unit configured to transmit the first information to the relay device. Apparatus.

21. The transceiver unit further: Is configured to transmit a common TDD configuration, or Is configured to receive a dedicated TDD configuration. The apparatus according to claim 20.

22. The transceiver unit further: configured to send the second information to the relay device, the second information indicating at least one of the following information, namely, the start position of uplink transmission in the first period, the end position of uplink transmission in the first period, the start position of downlink transmission in the first period, and the end position of downlink transmission in the first period, and the first time domain resource set including one or more time domain resources in the first period, The apparatus according to claim 20.

23. A communication device, comprising a transceiver, a processor, an amplifier, and a memory, the memory storing program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed, the communication device is adapted to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

24. A communication device, comprising a transceiver, a processor, and a memory, the memory storing program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed, the communication device is adapted to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

25. A chip coupled to a memory in an electronic device, such that, at runtime, the chip calls program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or to implement the method according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

26. A computer-readable storage medium including program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed on a device, the device is adapted to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

27. A communication system having a relay communication device according to any one of claims 12 to 19 and a relay communication device according to any one of claims 20 to 22.

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