Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus for improving link recovery efficiency, the method includes the steps of: obtaining first information from a baseband unit (BBU), the first information indicating N1 antenna line devices, the antenna line devices being configured to control antennas, N1 being a positive integer, and maintaining a connection between a radio frequency device and the first antenna line device, the first antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111657575.7, entitled “Communication Method and Apparatus,” filed with the China State Intellectual Property Office on December 30, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly to communication methods and devices. [Background technology]

[0003] In a communication network, a baseband unit (BBU) may control an antenna line device through a remote radio unit (RRU) to perform operations such as amplifying a radio frequency signal or adjusting the downtilt of an antenna system for an antenna system. How to use a BBU to achieve efficient control of an RRU is a technical problem worthy of research. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus for improving link restoration efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, which can be applied to a radio frequency device, including: acquiring first information from a baseband unit BBU, the first information indicating N1 antenna line devices, the antenna line device being configured to control an antenna, N1 being a positive integer; and maintaining a connection between the radio frequency device and the first antenna line device, the first antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0006] In the antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device, the connection to the first antenna line device indicated by the BBU is maintained. The process of re-establishing the link is avoided so that the link recovery efficiency can be improved, and the BBU directly restores the management capability of the first antenna line device.

[0007] In a possible design, the second information is sent to the BBU, and the second information indicates N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, where N2 is a positive integer. According to such a design, the BBU may know the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device. This helps the BBU to quickly restore management capability for the antenna line devices.

[0008] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices include at least one antenna line device among the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device.

[0009] In a possible design, the method further includes scanning a second antenna line device based on the first information, the second antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices, and the second antenna line device not connected to the radio frequency device, and establishing a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device. According to such a design, the radio frequency device does not need to scan all of the N1 antenna line devices indicated by the BBU. This can reduce the number of antenna line devices scanned by the radio frequency device and improve link recovery efficiency.

[0010] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices are included in the N2 antenna line devices. The method further includes: acquiring third information from the BBU, the third information indicating a second antenna line device, and the second antenna line device is not connected to the radio frequency device; scanning the second antenna line device based on the third information; and establishing a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device. According to such a design, the radio frequency device only scans the second antenna line device indicated by the BBU, and does not need to scan all of the N1 antenna line devices indicated by the BBU. This can reduce the number of antenna line devices scanned by the radio frequency device and improve link recovery efficiency.

[0011] In a possible design, the method further includes disconnecting the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device, where the third antenna line device is included in the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the third antenna line device is not included in the N1 antenna line devices. With such a design, it is possible to avoid the third antenna line device being unable to respond to a scan of another radio frequency device that needs to be connected to the third antenna line device, and to ensure successful establishment of another communication link.

[0012] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, which may be applied to a BBU, including: determining N1 antenna line devices, where the antenna line devices are configured to control antennas, and N1 is a positive integer; and transmitting first information, where the first information indicates the N1 antenna line devices, and the first information instructs a radio frequency device to maintain a connection to the first antenna line device, where the first antenna line device is included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0013] In a possible design, the method further includes a step of obtaining second information, the second information indicating N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0014] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices include at least one antenna line device among the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device.

[0015] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices include a second antenna line device, the second antenna line device not connected to the radio frequency device, and the first information further instructs the radio frequency device to establish a connection with the second antenna line device.

[0016] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices are included in the N2 antenna line devices. The method further includes transmitting third information, where the third information indicates a second antenna line device, and the second antenna line device is not connected to the radio frequency device.

[0017] In a possible design, the method further includes a step of transmitting fourth information, the fourth information instructing the radio frequency device to disconnect from a third antenna line device, the third device being included in the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the third device being not included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0018] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus may be a radio frequency device, an apparatus in a radio frequency device, or an apparatus capable of being used with a radio frequency device. In one design, the communication apparatus may include modules in one-to-one correspondence with the methods / operations / steps / acts described in the first aspect. The modules may be implemented as hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In one design, the communication apparatus may include a processing module and a communication module.

[0019] For example, the communication module is configured to obtain first information from the baseband unit BBU, the first information indicating N1 antenna line devices, the antenna line devices being configured to control antennas, N1 being a positive integer, the processing module is configured to maintain a connection between the radio frequency device and the first antenna line device, and the first antenna line device is included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0020] In a possible design, the communication model is further configured to send second information to the BBU, where the second information indicates N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0021] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices include at least one antenna line device among the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device.

[0022] In a possible design, the processing module is further configured to scan for a second antenna line device based on the first information, the second antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices, the second antenna line device being not connected to the radio frequency device, and establishing a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device through the communication module.

[0023] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices are included in the N2 antenna line devices. The communication module is further configured to obtain third information from the BBU, the third information indicating a second antenna line device, the second antenna line device not being connected to the radio frequency device. The processing module is further configured to scan the second antenna line device based on the third information and establish a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device through the communication module.

[0024] In a possible design, the processing module is further configured to disconnect the radio frequency device from a third antenna line device, the third antenna line device being included in the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the third antenna line device being not included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication device. The communication device may be a BBU, a device in a BBU, or a device capable of being used with a BBU. In one design, the communication device may include modules in one-to-one correspondence with the methods / operations / steps / acts described in the second aspect. The modules may be implemented as hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In one design, the communication device may include a processing module and a communication module.

[0026] For example, the processing module is configured to determine N1 antenna line devices, where the antenna line devices are configured to control antennas, N1 being a positive integer, the communication module is configured to transmit first information, where the first information indicates the N1 antenna line devices, where the first information instructs the radio frequency device to maintain a connection to the first antenna line device, where the first antenna line device is included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0027] In a possible design, the communications module is further configured to obtain second information, the second information indicating N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0028] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices include at least one antenna line device among the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device.

[0029] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices include a second antenna line device, the second antenna line device not connected to the radio frequency device, and the first information further instructs the radio frequency device to establish a connection with the second antenna line device.

[0030] In a possible design, the N1 antenna line devices are included in the N2 antenna line devices. The communication module is further configured to transmit third information, the third information indicating a second antenna line device, the second antenna line device not connected to the radio frequency device.

[0031] In a possible design, the communications module is further configured to transmit fourth information, the fourth information instructing the radio frequency device to disconnect from a third antenna line device, the third device being included in the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the third device being not included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the method described in the first aspect. The processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions and data. Upon executing the instructions stored in the memory, the processor may perform the method described in the first aspect. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. The communication device may further include a communication interface. The communication interface is used by the device to communicate with another device. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or another type of communication interface.

[0033] In an enabled device, the communication device a memory configured to store program instructions; a processor configured to receive first information from a baseband unit (BBU) through a communication interface, the first information indicating N1 antenna line devices, the antenna line devices being configured to control antennas, N1 being a positive integer; Includes.

[0034] The processor is further configured to establish a connection between the radio frequency device and a first antenna line device, the first antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0035] According to a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the method described in the second aspect. The processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions and data. Upon executing the instructions stored in the memory, the processor may perform the method described in the second aspect. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. The communication device may further include a communication interface. The communication interface is used by the device to communicate with another device. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or another type of communication interface.

[0036] In the enabled device, the communication device a memory configured to store program instructions; a processor configured to determine N1 antenna line devices, the antenna line devices being configured to control antennas, N1 being a positive integer; Includes.

[0037] The processor is further configured to transmit first information over the communication interface, the first information indicating the N1 antenna line devices, the first information instructing the radio frequency device to maintain a connection to the first antenna line device, the first antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0038] According to a seventh aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication system including a communication device according to the third or fifth aspect and a communication device according to the fourth or sixth aspect.

[0039] According to an eighth aspect, the present disclosure further provides a computer program which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to carry out the method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0040] According to a ninth aspect, the present disclosure further provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform a method as provided in the first or second aspect.

[0041] According to a tenth aspect, the present disclosure further provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0042] According to an eleventh aspect, the present disclosure further provides a chip, the chip being configured to read a computer program stored in a memory to perform a method as provided in the first or second aspect.

[0043] According to a twelfth aspect, the present disclosure further provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor configured to support a computer device in performing the method provided in the first or second aspect. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store programs and data required for the computer device. The chip system may include the chip, or may include the chip and another discrete component. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a remote electrical tilt antenna. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a procedure for restoring a communication link. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6]1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to the present disclosure; [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to the present disclosure; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] In the present disclosure, the following "at least one" means one or more. "Multiple" means two or more. The term "and / or" describes a related relationship to describe related objects, and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent three cases, namely, when only A exists, when both A and B exist, and when only B exists. The symbol " / " usually indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. In addition, although terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe objects in the present disclosure, it should be understood that these objects should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used simply to distinguish objects from each other.

[0047] The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof mentioned in the following description of the present disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to other recited steps or units, and optionally includes unrecited steps or units, and optionally includes other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product, or device. It should be noted that in the present disclosure, terms such as "example" or "for example" are used to denote giving an example, illustration, or explanation. Any method or design manner described in the present disclosure as "example" or "for example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other methods or design manners. Strictly, the use of words such as "example", "for example", and the like is intended to present the relevant concept in a particular way.

[0048] The techniques according to the present disclosure may be applied to various communication systems. For example, the communication system may be a third generation (3G) communication system (e.g., universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS)), a fourth generation (4G) communication system (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) system), a fifth generation (5G) communication system, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) or a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, a multi-system integration system, a future communication system such as a sixth generation (6G) communication system, etc. The 5G communication system may also be referred to as a new radio (NR) system.

[0049] A network element in a communication system may transmit a signal to another network element or receive a signal from another network element. The signal may include information, data, etc. A network element may also be referred to as an entity, a network entity, a device, a communication device, a communication module, a node, a communication node, etc. In this disclosure, a network element is used as an example for explanation. For example, a communication system may include at least one terminal device and at least one access network device. The signal transmitting network element may be an access network device, and the signal receiving network element may be a terminal device. Alternatively, the signal transmitting network element may be a terminal device, and the signal receiving network element may be an access network device. In addition, it will be understood that when a communication system includes multiple terminal devices, a signal may also be transmitted between multiple terminal devices. In other words, both the signal transmitting network element and the signal receiving network element may be terminal devices.

[0050] 1 illustrates a communication system 100. For example, the communication system 100 includes an access network device 110 and two terminal devices, specifically, a terminal device 120 and a terminal device 130. At least one of the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 130 may transmit uplink data to the access network device 110. The access network device 110 may receive the uplink data. The access network device may transmit downlink data to at least one of the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 130.

[0051] The following describes the terminal device and the access network device of FIG. 1 in detail.

[0052] (1) Terminal Device A terminal device, also called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. A terminal device may communicate with one or more core network devices through an access network device. A terminal device may be a handheld device with wireless connectivity, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, or an in-vehicle device, etc. A terminal device may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or in-vehicle mobile device. Some examples of terminal devices are personal communication service (PCS) telephone cordless telephones, session initiation protocol (SIP) telephone wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless network cameras, mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, handheld computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices such as smart watches, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals of industrial control, terminals of internet of vehicles systems, wireless terminals of self driving, wireless terminals of smart grids, wireless terminals of transportation safety, wireless terminals of smart cities, such as smart fuel tankers, wireless terminal devices of high-speed trains, wireless terminals of smart homes such as smart audio, smart coffee machines, and smart printers.

[0053] In the present disclosure, the communication device configured to implement the functions of the terminal device may be a terminal device, or may be a terminal device having part of the functions of the terminal, or may be an apparatus, such as a chip system, that can support the terminal device to implement the functions. The apparatus may be installed in the terminal device. In the present disclosure, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another individual component. In the technical solution provided in the present disclosure, an example in which the communication device configured to implement the functions of the terminal device is a terminal device or a UE is used for explanation.

[0054] (2) Access Network Devices The access network device may be a base station (BS). The access network device may also be referred to as a network device, an access node (AN), or a radio access node (RAN). The access network device may be connected to a core network (e.g., an LTE core network or a 5G core network). The access network device may provide wireless access services to a terminal device. Examples of some access network devices include, but are not limited to, at least one of a next generation node B (gNB) in 5G, an access network device in an open radio access network (O-RAN), an evolved node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved node B or home node B, HNB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a mobile switching center, and the like. Alternatively, the access network device may be a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, an access network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc.

[0055] An access network device may include a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio frequency device (or called a radio frequency unit). When an access network device transmits information to a terminal device, the BBU generates a baseband signal representing the information and transmits the baseband signal to the radio frequency device. The radio frequency device performs intermediate radio frequency processing on the baseband signal to obtain a radio frequency signal, and transmits the radio frequency signal to the antenna system. The radio frequency signal is transmitted to the terminal device by the antenna system. The baseband signal is an original electrical signal transmitted by a transmitting side such as the aforementioned access network device and not modulated (e.g., spectrum shifting and conversion). The baseband signal may be classified into a digital baseband signal and an analog baseband signal based on the characteristics of the original electrical signal. The radio frequency device may be a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), another unit, module, or device with radio frequency processing capability, etc. The antenna system may include a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna.

[0056] An access network device is used as an example. The access network device may include a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a radio unit (RU). The DU is located on the BBU of the access network device and has the function of processing baseband signals. The RU is located on the radio frequency device of the access network device and has radio frequency functions. Multiple DUs may be centrally controlled by one CU. Optionally, the CU and the DU may be located together on the BBU, or may be designed such that the CU can be separated from the DU. For example, the CU is located elsewhere outside the BBU. Optionally, the CU may further include a central unit control plane (CU-CP) or a central unit user plane (CU-UP). Optionally, any one of the DU, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, and RU may be a software module, a hardware structure, or a combination of a software module and a hardware structure. This is not limited. The existence forms of different entities may be different. This is not limited. For example, the DU, CU, CU-CP, and CU-UP are software modules, and the RU is a hardware structure. These modules and the methods performed by the modules also fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] Optionally, the function of the BBU in this application may be implemented using a general-purpose device, such as a general-purpose computer or server. In other words, the BBU described in this application may be replaced with other possible devices. The device may implement the function of the BBU in this application.

[0058] The BBU and radio frequency devices of one access network device may be integrated in an equipment room. The radio frequency devices are connected to an antenna system through a feeder. Alternatively, the BBU and radio frequency devices may be separated. For example, the BBU is installed in an equipment room, while the radio frequency devices and the antenna system are located in a base station tower. The BBU is connected to the radio frequency devices through an optical cable. The radio frequency devices are connected to the antenna system through a jumper. An access network device in which the BBU and the radio frequency devices are separated may be further described as a distributed access network device or a distributed base station. One BBU may support connections to multiple radio frequency devices. One access network device may include one BBU and one or more radio frequency devices. The radio frequency devices connected to different BBUs may be the same. In addition, the BBU and / or radio frequency devices included in different access network devices may be the same. In other words, multiple access network devices may share one BBU, and multiple access network devices may share one or more radio frequency devices. Specifically, the BBU and the radio frequency device may communicate with each other according to a common public radio interface (CPRI) protocol or an enhanced CPRI (eCPRI) protocol. The communication link established between the BBU 1 and the RRU 1 may be described as a CPRI link and an eCPRI link.

[0059] In the present disclosure, the communication device configured to implement the function of the BBU may be a BBU, or may be a device having part of the function of the BBU, or may be an apparatus that can support the BBU to implement the function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a combination of a hardware circuit and a software module. The apparatus may be installed in the BBU. In the method according to the present disclosure, an example in which the communication device configured to implement the function of the BBU is a BBU is used for explanation.

[0060] In the present disclosure, the communication apparatus configured to implement the functions of the radio frequency device may be a radio frequency device, or may be a device having part of the functions of the radio frequency device, or may be an apparatus that can support the radio frequency device to implement the functions, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a combination of a hardware circuit and a software module. The apparatus may be installed in the radio frequency device. In the method according to the present disclosure, an example in which the communication apparatus configured to implement the functions of the radio frequency device is a radio frequency device is used for explanation.

[0061] It should be understood that the number and types of devices in the communication system shown in FIG. 1 are only used as an example. This is not limited in the present disclosure. In practical applications, the communication system may further include more terminal devices and more access network devices, and may further include another network element, for example, network management and / or core network devices. According to the actual requirements of the operator's network operation, network management may be classified into three types, namely, operation, administration, and maintenance. Network management may also be called operation administration and maintenance (OAM) network elements, OAM for short. Operation mainly completes the analysis, prediction, planning, and configuration of daily network and business. Maintenance is the daily operation, such as inspection and fault management of network and service. Network management can detect network working conditions, optimize network connection and performance, improve network stability, and reduce network maintenance costs.

[0062] The method according to the present disclosure may be used for communication between an access network device and a terminal device, or for communication between other communication devices, for example, communication between a macro base station and a micro base station in a wireless backhaul link, or as another example, communication between two terminal devices in a sidelink (SL), without being limited thereto.

[0063] The present disclosure relates to a remote electrical tilt antenna technology. An antenna line device (ALD) is introduced between a radio frequency device and an antenna system. A BBU may send a control command to the antenna line device through the radio frequency device. The antenna line device may control the antenna system according to the aforementioned control command. For example, the antenna line device may perform at least one of the following operations on the antenna system: amplifying a radio frequency signal, adjusting a downtilt of the antenna system, etc. Adjusting the downtilt of the antenna system can change the antenna coverage area. The antenna coverage is achieved by using a vertical main beam. Adjusting the downtilt can change the coverage area of ​​the main beam. The antenna line device may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a remote electrical tilting (RET) unit, a tower mounted amplifier (TMA), an antenna sensor, etc. In the remote electrical tilt antenna technology, the antenna line device may adjust the downtilt of the antenna system using an electronic downtilt. Electronic downtilt changes the coverage area of ​​the main beam by changing the tilt angle of the antenna elements for a given physical antenna position.

[0064] The radio frequency device and the antenna line device may communicate with each other according to the antenna interface standards group (AISG) protocol. FIG. 2 shows an architecture of a communication system. An example is used in which the radio frequency device is an RRU. The communication system includes a BBU 1, a BBU 2, an RRU 1, an RRU 2, and an ALD. Both the BBU 1 and the BBU 2 support connection to the RRU 1. The BBU 2 further supports connection to the RRU 2. Both the RRU 1 and the RRU 2 support communication with the ALD according to the AISG protocol. An example is used in which the BBU 1 supports connection to the RRU 1. It may be further described that the BBU 1 has the capability of communication with the RRU 1, or a communication link may be established between the BBU 1 and the RRU 1. The communication link may also be referred to as a link for short. It is used as an example in which the RRU 1 supports communication with the ALD according to the AISG protocol. It may be further described that an AISG link may be established between the RRU 1 and the ALD. Specifically, the AISG protocol stack may include a physical layer, a data link layer, and an application layer. In the physical layer, an RS485 serial port protocol is used. In the data link layer, a high-level data link control (HDLC) protocol is used. The radio frequency device and the antenna line device may be connected to a serial port bus to implement communication. The AISG link established between the radio frequency device and the antenna line device may alternatively be described as an HDLC link.

[0065] An example is used in which the antenna line device includes a RET unit. The RET unit may include an active component. The active component is a component that can execute software communication. The active component may also be called a remote control unit (RCU). The RCU is connected to the antenna system. The remote electrical tilt antenna includes an RCU and an antenna system. Optionally, the remote electrical tilt antenna may further include another unit or module. This is not limited. Optionally, the RCU includes an external RCU and / or an internal RCU. The internal RCU is integrated into the antenna system and shares one housing with the antenna system. The external RCU is disposed outside the housing of the antenna system and is connected to a corresponding remote electrical tilt interface on the antenna system.

[0066] In a remote electrical tilt antenna, a mechanically adjustable phase shifter may be used inside the antenna system. The BBU may send a control command to the radio frequency device. The radio frequency device controls the RCU to change a phase of a phase shifter inside the antenna system through a RET interface to change the phase of a power signal acquired by some or all elements (or called radiating elements) in the antenna array. This implements downtilt of the vertical main beam. Specifically, the RCU may include a drive motor, a control circuit, and a mechanical transmission mechanism. The control circuit may communicate with the RET unit, input a signal corresponding to the control command for the radio frequency device, and output a signal used to control the drive motor. When the drive motor rotates based on the signal output by the control circuit, the mechanical transmission mechanism may be controlled to change the phase of the phase shifter in the antenna system.

[0067] Specifically, the RET unit may be disposed on a radio frequency device and used as a RET interface of the radio frequency device. The RCU may be connected to the RET interface of the radio frequency device through an AISG control cable. An example in which the radio frequency device is an RRU is used. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a remote electrical tilt antenna. The BBU and the RRU are connected through an optical fiber. The RRU and the antenna system are disposed on a base station tower. The RRU is connected to the antenna system through a jumper. Specifically, an antenna hardware interface (ANT) configured to connect to the antenna system is disposed on the RRU. The antenna hardware interface is connected to the antenna system through a jumper. For example, FIG. 3 shows that the ANT on the RRU includes a transport (TX) / receive (RX) port A and an RX port B. The RET interface (or called a RET unit) is disposed on the RRU. The antenna system is connected to an external RCU. The RET interface is connected to the RCU through an AISG control cable.

[0068] Optionally, the communication link between the BBU and the RRU is unstable. After the connection between the BBU and the RRU is interrupted and restored, the BBU instructs the RRU to disconnect from all antenna line devices (or the BBU indicates that the RRU clears all antenna line devices currently connected to the RRU), rescan the antenna line devices, and establish a communication link between the RRU and the antenna line device scanned by the RRU. Figure 4 shows a procedure for restoring a communication link. The procedure includes the following steps:

[0069] S401: Establish a communication link between the BBU and the RRU.

[0070] Specifically, in this step, a communication link between the RRUs is established after the interruption.

[0071] S402: The BBU instructs the RRU to disconnect communication links between the RUU and all ALDs currently connected to the RRU.

[0072] For example, as shown in S402 of Figure 4, the BBU instructs the RRU to delete addresses of all ALDs currently connected to the RRU, and the RRU deletes the aforementioned addresses of all ALDs. The addresses of the ALDs may also be described as communication addresses of the ALDs and may be assigned by the RRU.

[0073] S403: The BBU instructs the RRU to broadcast relevant information regarding the reconfiguration of the ALD, and the RRU broadcasts relevant information regarding the reconfiguration of the ALD.

[0074] The broadcast of relevant information regarding the reconfiguration of the ALD may allow the ALD device to know that the historically assigned communication address has been cleared. When a communication address is not assigned to an ALD, it is convenient to respond to the relevant scanning device, for example, the RRU of S404.

[0075] S404: The BBU sends scanning request information to the RRU, where the scanning request information instructs the RRU to scan the ALD. The RRU scans the ALD according to the scanning request information.

[0076] S405: The RRU sends the device information of the ALD acquired by scanning to the BBU.

[0077] S406: The BBU matches the device information of the ALD acquired by the RRU through scanning with the device information of the ALD managed by the BBU to determine a target ALD to which the RRU needs to be connected. The target ALD is included in the ALD managed by the BBU, and the target ALD is included in the ALD scanned by the RRU.

[0078] S407: The BBU instructs the RRU to establish a communication link with the target ALD, and the RRU assigns a corresponding address to the target ALD.

[0079] For example, the ALD in FIG. 4 corresponds to the target ALD in this step.

[0080] S408: The BBU sends a management message to the RRU, where the management message instructs the ALD to perform operation and maintenance operations on the antenna system. For example, the operation and maintenance operations may include service operations, such as amplifying a radio frequency signal or adjusting the downtilt of the antenna system, or may include operations for maintaining the device, such as software upgrade and alarm reporting. The RRU forwards the management message to the address of the target ALD.

[0081] S409: The RRU obtains operation result information corresponding to the operation and maintenance operation from the address of the target ALD, and sends the operation result information to the BBU.

[0082] When a large number of antenna line devices are connected to the RRU, the method of rescanning and re-establishing the link after disconnecting the link is inefficient, and the operation of the communication service is easily interfered with.

[0083] Based on this, the present disclosure provides a communication method for improving link recovery efficiency, in which when a link between a BBU and a radio frequency device is restored after an interruption, the radio frequency device may be instructed to maintain a connection between the radio frequency device and an antenna line device to which the BBU is attempting to connect, within an antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device.

[0084] In the following, the communication methods according to the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to Solution 1 to Solution 4. In these methods, the steps or operations included are merely examples. In the present disclosure, other operations or variations of various operations may be performed. In addition, steps may be performed in a different order than shown in the present disclosure, and all operations may not need to be performed.

[0085] Solution 1 Figure 5 shows a communication method. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0086] S501: The BBU sends first information to a radio frequency device.

[0087] The first information indicates N1 antenna line devices, where the antenna line devices are configured to control antennas, and N1 is a positive integer. The N1 antenna line devices may be antenna line devices to which the BBU is going to connect the RRU. For example, the N1 antenna line devices are antenna line devices managed (also called maintenance) by the BBU. The number of all antenna line devices managed by the BBU may be N1. The antenna line devices managed by the BBU may be pre-configured. For example, an operator of the BBU configures the antenna line devices managed by the BBU for the BBU.

[0088] Optionally, the identification information of the antenna line devices managed by the BBU may be further configured on the BBU. The identification information of one antenna line device is for identifying the antenna line device, and may include, for example, a manufacturer code of the antenna line device and a device serial number of the antenna line device. Optionally, the first information may include identification information of the N1 antenna line devices.

[0089] Optionally, the BBU may send the first information to the radio frequency device after the communication link between the BBU and the radio frequency device is interrupted and restored. The radio frequency device may be an RRU or an AAU, and the antenna line device is an ALD.

[0090] Specifically, the BBU sending the first information to the radio frequency device may be implemented with reference to any of the following two methods.

[0091] In one method, the BBU sends a first message to the radio frequency device, the first message including an identification of each of the N1 antenna line devices. For example, the first message may include an array, the array including N1 elements, each element indicating an identification of one of the N1 antenna line devices. The length of the array corresponds to the value of N1. The first message may be implemented using a network configuration protocol (NETCONF) interface message.

[0092] In another method, the BBU sends N1 second messages to the radio frequency device, each second message including identification information of one of the N1 antenna line devices, the N1 second messages being in one-to-one correspondence with the N1 antenna line devices. The second messages may be implemented using NETCONF interface messages.

[0093] S502: The radio frequency device maintains a connection between the radio frequency device and a first antenna line device.

[0094] The first antenna line device is included in the N1 antenna line devices, and the first antenna line device is included in the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device. Optionally, there are one or more first antenna line devices.

[0095] Optionally, the first information may further instruct the radio frequency device to maintain a connection to the first antenna line device.

[0096] Specifically, the radio frequency device may determine a first antenna line device included in the N1 antenna line devices among the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device based on the N1 antenna line devices indicated by the first information. The radio frequency device maintains a connection to the first antenna line device. The radio frequency device maintaining a connection to the first antenna line device may also be described as the radio frequency device reserving a communication link between the radio frequency device and the first antenna line device.

[0097] Optionally, the radio frequency device may store the identification information of the antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device. Corresponding to S501, when the first information includes the identification information of the N1 antenna line devices, the radio frequency device may match the identification information of the antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device with the identification information of the N1 antenna line devices to determine the aforementioned first antenna line device.

[0098] Optionally, the radio frequency device may store link information corresponding to an antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the link information corresponding to the antenna line device indicates a communication link between the antenna line device and the radio frequency device. For example, the radio frequency device may assign a communication address to the antenna line device that has established a communication link with the radio frequency device. The aforementioned link information may indicate the communication address of the antenna line device. The radio frequency device maintaining a connection between the radio frequency device and the first antenna line device may specifically include the radio frequency device reserving the communication address of the first antenna line device.

[0099] Optionally, the antenna line device managed by the BBU further includes a second antenna line device that is not connected to the radio frequency device, and the radio frequency device may further scan the second antenna line device. There may be one or more second antenna line devices. This is not limited in the present disclosure. For example, after S501 and S502 are executed, S503 and S504 may be further executed.

[0100] S503: The radio frequency device scans for a second antenna line device based on the first information.

[0101] The second antenna line device is included in the N1 antenna line devices, and the second antenna line device is not connected to the radio frequency device.

[0102] Corresponding to S501, when the first information includes the identification information of the N1 antenna line devices, the radio frequency device may determine the antenna line device corresponding to the identification information as the second antenna line device by scanning and identifying based on the identification information of the second antenna line device. For example, referring to the remote electrical tilt antenna shown in FIG. 3, an example is used in which the radio frequency device is an RRU. The RRU may scan and identify the ALD corresponding to the identification information on the serial port bus (e.g., RS485 serial port bus) based on the identification information of the second antenna line device, in other words, determine the second antenna line device.

[0103] In addition, it will be understood that when the N1 antenna line devices indicated by the first information include a second antenna line device that is not connected to the radio frequency device, the BBU may implicitly instruct the radio frequency device to scan for the second antenna line device by using the first information.

[0104] S504: The radio frequency device establishes a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device.

[0105] Specifically, the radio frequency device may establish a communication link with the second antenna line device. The radio frequency device may transmit to the second antenna line device a communication address assigned to the second antenna line device. It should be noted that when there are multiple second antenna line devices, the radio frequency device may transmit a unique communication address to each of the multiple second antenna line devices. In other words, the communication addresses of different second antenna line devices among the multiple second antenna line devices are different.

[0106] Optionally, the radio frequency device may exchange information with the first antenna line device and / or the second antenna line device through the serial port bus. For example, the radio frequency device may forward management messages from the BBU through the bus to the first antenna line device and / or the second antenna line device. The management messages instruct the corresponding antenna line device to perform operation and maintenance operations on the antenna system. The operation and maintenance operations may include at least one of amplifying the radio frequency signal, adjusting the downtilt of the antenna system, other operations, etc.

[0107] Optionally, if there is a third antenna line device that is not included in the N1 antenna line devices among the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, the radio frequency device may disconnect from the third antenna line device. There may be one or more third antenna line devices. For example, after S501 and S502 are executed, S505 may be further executed.

[0108] S505: The radio frequency device disconnects the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device.

[0109] The third antenna line device is included in the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the third antenna line device is not included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0110] Specifically, the radio frequency device may broadcast information to delete the communication address of the third antenna line device and instruct the third antenna line device to reconfigure. According to the method, the third antenna line device is prevented from being unable to respond to the scan of another radio frequency device that needs to be connected to the third antenna line device, and the successful establishment of another communication link is ensured.

[0111] In addition, it should be understood that when the N1 antenna line devices indicated by the first information do not include a third antenna line device connected to the radio frequency device, the BBU may implicitly instruct the radio frequency device to disconnect from the third antenna line device by using the first information. The radio frequency device may determine the third antenna line device based on the first information.

[0112] In addition, it can be understood that the execution of S503 to S505 is as follows: After S501 and S502 are executed, S503 and S504 may be executed, or S505 may be executed. Alternatively, after S501 and S502 are executed, S503 to S505 may be executed. The following describes several possible implementation cases of Solution 1.

[0113] Case 1: When N1 antenna line devices partially overlap with the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and N1 indicates the aforementioned partially overlapped antenna line devices, S501 to S505 are executed. For example, N1 is 6, and the radio frequency device is currently connected to seven antenna line devices. Based on the first information, the radio frequency device determines that among the seven antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, there are four first antenna line devices that are included in the N1 antenna line devices and whose connection is maintained. There are three third antenna line devices that can be disconnected from the radio frequency device. There are two second antenna line devices that need to be scanned by the radio frequency device.

[0114] The order of performing S503 to S505 is not limited in the present disclosure. For example, S503 and S504 are performed first, and then S505 is performed. Or, S505 is performed first, and then S503 and S504 are performed. Or, S503 and S505 are performed simultaneously, and then S504 is performed. Case 2: If N1 antenna line devices correspond to some antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and S501, S502, and S505 are performed, S503 and S504 do not need to be performed. For example, N1 is 4, and the radio frequency device is currently connected to six antenna line devices. The radio frequency device determines, based on the first information, that among the six antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, there are four first antenna line devices that are included in the N1 antenna line devices and whose connection is maintained. There are two third antenna line devices that can be disconnected from the radio frequency device. The radio frequency device does not need to scan for the second antenna line device.

[0115] Case 3: When the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device correspond to some of the N1 antenna line devices, S501 to S504 are executed, and S505 does not need to be executed. For example, N1 is 6, and the radio frequency device is currently connected to four antenna line devices. Based on the first information, the radio frequency device determines that among the four antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, there are four first antenna line devices that are included in the N1 antenna line devices and whose connection is maintained. There are two second antenna line devices that need to be scanned by the radio frequency device. The radio frequency device does not need to be disconnected from the antenna line devices.

[0116] Case 4: If the N1 antenna line devices correspond to all antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and S501 and S502 are executed, S503 to S505 do not need to be executed. For example, the value of N1 is 3, and the radio frequency device is currently connected to three antenna line devices. The radio frequency device determines based on the first information that among the three antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, there are three first antenna line devices that are included in the N1 antenna line devices and whose connection is maintained. The radio frequency device does not need to scan the second antenna line devices. The radio frequency device does not need to be disconnected from the antenna line devices.

[0117] In the aforementioned communication method provided in this solution, the relevant information of the antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device is stored, so that the link recovery efficiency can be improved when the communication link between the BBU and the radio frequency device is unstable. Specifically, the communication link between the radio frequency device to which the BBU is trying to connect and the antenna line device is quickly established or restored, so as to quickly restore the management ability of the BBU for the antenna line device and ensure the execution of the communication service.

[0118] Solution 2 Figure 6 shows a communication method. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0119] S601: The radio frequency device transmits second information to the BBU.

[0120] The second information indicates N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0121] Specifically, the radio frequency device may store identification information of the antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device. The second information may include identification information of the N2 antenna line devices. The identification information of one antenna line device is for identifying the antenna line device, and may include, for example, a manufacturer code of the antenna line device and a device serial number of the antenna line device.

[0122] For the definition of radio frequency device and antenna line device, please refer to the description of S501 for understanding. Details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0123] Specifically, the radio frequency device sending the second information to the BBU may be implemented with reference to any of the following two methods.

[0124] In one method, the radio frequency device sends a third message to the BBU, where the third message includes an identification of each of the N2 antenna line devices. For example, the third message may include an array, where the array includes N2 elements, each element indicating an identification of one of the N2 antenna line devices. The length of the array corresponds to the value of N2. The third message may be implemented using a NETCONF interface message.

[0125] In another method, the radio frequency device transmits N2 fourth messages to the BBU, each second message including identification information of one of the N2 antenna line devices, and the N2 fourth messages are in one-to-one correspondence with the N2 antenna line devices. The fourth messages may be implemented using NETCONF interface messages.

[0126] S602: The BBU sends first information to the radio frequency device.

[0127] The first information indicates N1 antenna line devices, the N1 antenna line devices being included in the N2 antenna line devices, where the antenna line devices are configured to control antennas, and N1 is a positive integer.

[0128] Specifically, the N1 antenna line devices may be antenna line devices that the BBU expects to remain connected to the RRU among the N2 antenna line devices. For example, the N1 antenna line devices may be included in the antenna line devices managed (also called maintained) by the BBU. The number of antenna line devices managed by the BBU may be more than N1. Specifically, if the N2 antenna line devices include all antenna line devices managed by the BBU, the N1 antenna line devices are all antenna line devices managed by the BBU. Alternatively, if the N2 antenna line devices include some antenna line devices managed by the BBU, the N1 antenna line devices are some antenna line devices managed by the BBU.

[0129] For the antenna line device managed by the BBU, please refer to the description of S501 for understanding, and the details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0130] Optionally, the identification information of all antenna line devices managed by the BBU may be further configured on the BBU. Corresponding to S601, when the second information includes the identification information of the N2 antenna line devices, the BBU may match the identification information of the N2 antenna line devices with the identification information of all antenna line devices managed by the BBU to determine the aforementioned N1 antenna line devices.

[0131] In addition, optionally, the first information further instructs the radio frequency device to maintain connections to the N1 antenna line devices. For example, when the N1 antenna line devices are some of the N2 antenna line devices, the first information may include identification information of the N1 antenna line devices. Alternatively, when the N1 antenna line devices are all antenna line devices of the N2 antenna line devices, the first information may include instruction information, for example, by using a specific value (1 or 0), instructing the radio frequency device to obtain all connections to the antenna line devices. In this way, signaling overhead can be reduced. For the implementation of the first information, please refer to the description of S501 for implementation. Details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0132] S603: The radio frequency device maintains a connection between the radio frequency device and the first antenna line device.

[0133] The first antenna line device is included in the N1 antenna line devices, and the number of the first antenna line devices is N1.

[0134] Specifically, the radio frequency device stores link information corresponding to the N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device. For the related link information corresponding to the antenna line devices, please refer to the definition of S502 for understanding. Details will not be described again in this disclosure. The radio frequency device maintaining the connection between the radio frequency device and the first antenna line device may specifically include the radio frequency device reserving a communication address of the first antenna line device.

[0135] Optionally, the antenna line device managed by the BBU further includes a second antenna line device not connected to the radio frequency device, and the radio frequency device may further scan the second antenna line device. There may be one or more second antenna line devices. This is not limited in the present disclosure. For example, after S601 to S603 are executed, S604 to S606 may be further executed.

[0136] S604: The BBU sends the third information to the radio frequency device.

[0137] The third information indicates a second antenna line device. The second antenna line device is not connected to the radio frequency device. Optionally, the third information may further instruct the radio frequency device to scan for the second antenna line device.

[0138] Specifically, the BBU sending the third information to the radio frequency device may be implemented with reference to any of the following two methods.

[0139] In one method, the BBU sends a fifth message to the radio frequency device, the fifth message including an identification of the second antenna line device. For example, when there is one second antenna line device, the fifth message may include one field indicating the identification of the second antenna line device. For example, when there are multiple second antenna line devices, the fifth message may include one array. The length of the array corresponds to the number of second antenna line devices. Each element of the array represents the identification of one second antenna line device, and different elements represent different identifications. The fifth message may be implemented using a network configuration protocol NETCONF interface message.

[0140] In another method, when there are multiple second antenna line devices, the BBU sends multiple sixth messages to the radio frequency device, each sixth message including identification information of one of the multiple second antenna line devices, and the multiple sixth messages are in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple second antenna line devices. The sixth messages may be implemented using a NETCONF interface message.

[0141] S605: Scan for a second antenna line device based on the third information.

[0142] This step can be implemented with reference to the solution of S503, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0143] S606: The radio frequency device establishes a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device.

[0144] This step can be implemented with reference to the solution of S504, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0145] Optionally, if the N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device further include a third antenna line device other than the N1 antenna line devices, there may be one or more third antenna line devices. This is not limited in the present disclosure. The radio frequency device may disconnect the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device. For example, after S601 to S603 are executed, S607 may be further executed.

[0146] S607: The radio frequency device disconnects the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device.

[0147] The third antenna line device is included in the N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the third antenna line device is not included in the N1 antenna line devices.

[0148] This step can be implemented with reference to the solution of S505, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0149] In addition, it can be understood that the execution of S604 to S607 is as follows: After S601 to S603 are executed, S604 to S606 may be executed, or S607 may be executed. Alternatively, after S601 to S603 are executed, S604 to S607 may be executed. The following describes several possible implementation cases of Solution 2.

[0150] Case 1: When N2 antenna line devices are partially overlapped with all antenna line devices managed by the BBU, and N1 indicates the aforementioned partially overlapped antenna line devices, S601 to S607 are executed. For example, N1 is 4 and N2 is 6. The radio frequency device determines based on the first information that among the six (N2) antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, there are four (N1) first antenna line devices whose connection is maintained. In this case, there are two third antenna line devices that can be disconnected from the radio frequency device. If there are a total of five antenna line devices managed by the BBU, the third information indicates one second antenna line device. The radio frequency device needs to scan for one second antenna line device based on the third information. In this case, all antenna line devices managed by the BBU include N1 antenna line devices and a second antenna line device. The N2 antenna line devices include a first antenna line device and a third line device.

[0151] The order of execution of S604 to S607 is not limited in the present disclosure. For example, S604 to S606 are executed first, and then S607 is executed. Alternatively, S607 is executed first, and then S604 to S606 are executed. Alternatively, S604 and S607 are executed simultaneously, and then S605 and S606 are executed.

[0152] Case 2: If the N2 antenna line devices correspond to some antenna line devices managed by the BBU, and the N1 antenna line devices are the same as the N2 antenna line devices, S601 to S606 are executed, and S607 does not need to be executed. For example, N1 is 4 and N2 is 4. The radio frequency device determines based on the first information that among the four (N2) antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, there are four (N1) first antenna line devices whose connection is maintained. The radio frequency device does not need to be disconnected from the antenna line devices. If there are a total of five antenna line devices managed by the BBU, the third information indicates one second antenna line device. The radio frequency device needs to scan for one second antenna line device based on the third information. In this case, all antenna line devices managed by the BBU include the N1 antenna line devices and the second antenna line devices. The first antenna line devices are all antenna line devices of the N2 antenna line devices.

[0153] Case 3: If N2 antenna line devices correspond to all antenna line devices managed by the BBU, N1 antenna line devices are all antenna line devices managed by the BBU, and N1 antenna line devices correspond to some of the N2 antenna line devices, S601 to S603 and S607 are executed, and S604 to S606 do not need to be executed. For example, N1 is 4 and N2 is 6. Based on the first information, the radio frequency device determines that among the six (N2) antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, there are four (N1) first antenna line devices whose connection is maintained. There are two third antenna line devices that can be disconnected from the radio frequency device. The BBU does not need to instruct the radio frequency device to scan for the second antenna line devices by using the third information. In this case, the N2 antenna line devices include the first antenna line device and the third line device.

[0154] Case 4: If the N2 antenna line devices are some antenna line devices managed by the BBU, and the N1 antenna line devices are all antenna line devices managed by the BBU, S601 to S603 are executed, and S604 to S607 do not need to be executed. For example, N1 is 3, and N2 is 3. The radio frequency device determines based on the first information that among the three (N2) antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, there are three (N1) first antenna line devices whose connection is maintained. The BBU does not need to use the third information to instruct the radio frequency device to scan for the second antenna line device, and the radio frequency device does not need to be disconnected from the antenna line device. In this case, the N2 antenna line devices, the N1 antenna line devices, and the first antenna line device are all the same.

[0155] In the aforementioned communication method provided in this solution, the radio frequency device notifies the BBU of the antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device, so that the BBU implements corresponding link restoration measures based on the connection status between the radio frequency device and the antenna line device, such as, for example, one or more of: maintaining the connection, cutting the connection, or establishing the connection. When the communication link between the BBU and the radio frequency device is unstable, the link recovery efficiency can be improved, so as to quickly restore the management ability of the BBU for the antenna line device and ensure the execution of the communication service.

[0156] Solution 3 7 shows a communication method. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0157] S701: The radio frequency device transmits second information to the BBU.

[0158] The second information indicates N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0159] This step may be implemented with reference to S601, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0160] S702: The BBU sends first information to the radio frequency device.

[0161] The first information indicates N1 antenna line devices, where the N1 antenna line devices are a part or all of all antenna line devices managed by the BBU.

[0162] Specifically, this step may be implemented with reference to S501, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0163] S703: The radio frequency device maintains a connection between the radio frequency device and the first antenna line device.

[0164] Specifically, this step may be implemented with reference to S502. Details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0165] Optionally, the antenna line device managed by the BBU further includes a second antenna line device not connected to the radio frequency device, and the radio frequency device may further scan the second antenna line device. For example, after S701 to S703 are executed, S704 and S705 may be further executed.

[0166] S704: The radio frequency device scans for a second antenna line device based on the first information.

[0167] This step may be implemented with reference to S503, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0168] S705: The radio frequency device establishes a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device.

[0169] This step may be implemented with reference to S504, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0170] Optionally, if there is a third antenna line device that is not included in the N1 antenna line devices among the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, the radio frequency device may disconnect the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device. For example, after S701 to S703 are executed, S706 may be further executed.

[0171] S706: The radio frequency device disconnects the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device.

[0172] This step may be implemented with reference to S505, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0173] In addition, it will be understood that S704 to S706 are as follows. After S701 to S703 are executed, S704 and S705 may be executed, or S706 may be executed. Alternatively, after S701 to S703 are executed, S704 to S706 may be executed. The possible implementation cases of Solution 3 may be understood with reference to the possible implementation cases of Solution 1. Details are not described again in this disclosure. When S704 to S706 are executed, the order of executing S704 to S706 is not limited in this disclosure. For example, S704 and S705 are executed first, and then S706 is executed. Alternatively, S706 is executed first, and then S704 and S705 are executed. Alternatively, S704 and S706 are executed simultaneously, and then S705 is executed.

[0174] In this solution, the BBU and the radio frequency device replace the antenna line device currently connected to the antenna line device and the radio frequency device managed by the BBU, and both the BBU and the radio frequency device can determine the antenna line device whose current communication link is normal, so as to quickly restore the BBU's management capability for the antenna line device and ensure the execution of communication services.

[0175] Solution 4 8 shows a communication method. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0176] S801: The radio frequency device transmits second information to the BBU.

[0177] The second information indicates N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0178] This step may be implemented with reference to S601, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0179] S802: The BBU sends the fourth information to the radio frequency device.

[0180] The fourth information instructs to disconnect the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device. The third antenna line device is included in the N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the third antenna line device is not an antenna line device managed by the BBU, or the description is as follows: The third antenna line device is not an antenna line device to which the BBU is trying to connect the radio frequency device. There may be one or more third antenna line devices.

[0181] Specifically, the fourth information may include the identification information of the third antenna line device. For the definition of the identification information, please refer to the description of S501 for understanding. In this disclosure, the details will not be described again.

[0182] Specifically, the BBU sending the fourth information to the radio frequency device may be implemented with reference to any of the following two methods.

[0183] In one method, the BBU sends a seventh message to the radio frequency device, the seventh message including an identification of the third antenna line device. For example, when there is one third antenna line device, the seventh message may include one field indicating the identification of the third antenna line device. For example, when there are multiple third antenna line devices, the seventh message may include one array. The length of the array corresponds to the number of third antenna line devices. Each element of the array represents the identification of one third antenna line device, and different elements represent different identifications. The seventh message may be implemented using a network configuration protocol NETCONF interface message.

[0184] In another method, when there are multiple third antenna line devices, the BBU sends multiple eighth messages to the radio frequency device, each eighth message including identification information of one of the multiple third antenna line devices, and the multiple eighth messages are in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple third antenna line devices. The eighth messages may be implemented using a NETCONF interface message.

[0185] S803: The radio frequency device disconnects the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device based on the fourth information.

[0186] Specifically, see the description of S502. The radio frequency device may store the identification information and link information of the antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device. The radio frequency device may determine the third antenna line device from the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device based on the identification information of the third antenna line device included in the fourth information. Furthermore, the radio frequency device may disconnect the radio frequency device from the third antenna line device with reference to the description of S505.

[0187] Optionally, when the N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device further include another antenna line device other than the third antenna line device, for example, the antenna line device may be indicated as the first antenna line device. There may be one or more first antenna line devices. In this case, the radio frequency device may determine that the first antenna line device is the antenna line device to which the BBU is going to connect, or the first antenna line device is included in the antenna line devices managed by the BBU. Based on this, it can be understood that the fourth information further implicitly instructs the radio frequency device to maintain the previous connection between the radio frequency device and the first antenna line device. According to S803 shown in FIG. 8, when the radio frequency device disconnects from the third antenna line device based on the fourth information, the radio frequency device maintains the connection to the first antenna line device.

[0188] Specifically, for the solution in which the radio frequency device is disconnected from the third antenna line device, please refer to the description of S505 for implementation. For the solution in which the radio frequency device maintains a connection to the first antenna line device, please refer to the description of S502 for implementation. Details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0189] Optionally, the antenna line device managed by the BBU may further include a second antenna line device not connected to the radio frequency device, and the BBU may further instruct the radio frequency device to scan for the second antenna line device. There may be one or more second antenna line devices. For example, after S801 to S803 are executed, S804 to S806 may be further executed.

[0190] S804: The BBU sends the third information to the radio frequency device.

[0191] The third information indicates a second antenna line device, and the second antenna line device is not connected to the radio frequency device. Optionally, there may be one or more second antenna line devices.

[0192] Specifically, this step can be implemented with reference to the description of S603, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0193] S805: Scan for a second antenna line device based on the third information.

[0194] This step can be implemented with reference to the solution of S503, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0195] S806: The radio frequency device establishes a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device.

[0196] This step can be implemented with reference to the solution of S504, and details will not be described again in this disclosure.

[0197] In the following, we describe some possible implementation cases of Solution 4.

[0198] Case 1: When N2 antenna line devices include all antenna line devices managed by the BBU, and the number of devices on the third day among the N2 antenna line devices is less than the number of all antenna line devices managed by the BBU, S801 to S803 are executed, and S804 to S806 are not executed. For example, N2 is 6, and all antenna line devices managed by the BBU are four antenna line devices among the N2 antenna line devices. The BBU can indicate that there are two third antenna line devices that are disconnected from the radio frequency device by using the fourth information. The BBU does not need to send the third information and instruct the radio frequency device to scan for the second antenna line devices.

[0199] Case 2: When the N2 antenna line devices include some antenna line devices managed by the BBU, and the number of the third day devices among the N2 antenna line devices is less than the number of the aforementioned some antenna line devices managed by the BBU, S801 to S806 are executed. For example, N2 is 6, there are a total of six antenna line devices managed by the BBU, and the N2 antenna line devices include four antenna line devices managed by the BBU. The BBU indicates that there are two third antenna line devices that are disconnected from the radio frequency device by using the fourth information. The BBU instructs the radio frequency device to scan for the two second antenna line devices by using the third information.

[0200] According to the aforementioned communication method provided in this solution, the BBU instructs to disconnect some antenna line devices connected to the radio frequency device, and the connection to another antenna line device managed by the BBU is maintained. When the communication link between the BBU and the radio frequency device is unstable, the link recovery efficiency can be improved to quickly restore the management ability of the BBU for the antenna line devices and ensure the execution of the communication service. This solution can be applied to the following scenarios to reduce the signaling overhead: For the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, the number of antenna line devices managed by the BBU exceeds the number of antenna line devices not managed by the BBU.

[0201] According to any one of the above solutions 1 to 4, the more the number of antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, the more the number of antenna line devices that the BBU is trying to connect to the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, and the more the number of communication links that can be directly maintained. The link recovery speed is not affected by the increase in the number of antenna line devices. However, by using the related technology, whether the antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device overlap with the antenna line devices that the BBU is trying to connect, the more the number of antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device and / or the more the number of antenna line devices that the BBU is trying to connect to, the slower the speed of disconnecting the link and rescanning to establish the communication link. For example, see Table 1. An example in which the antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device is the antenna line device that the BBU is trying to connect to is used to explain the comparison of the link recovery speed between solutions 1 to 4 and the related technology.

[0202] [Table 1]

[0203] It can be seen that, compared with the related art, Solution 1 to Solution 4 provided in this disclosure can improve link recovery efficiency.

[0204] The above describes the methods provided in the present disclosure individually from the perspective of the interaction between the BBU and the radio frequency device. To implement the functions of the aforementioned methods, the BBU and the radio frequency device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and may implement the aforementioned functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a particular function among the aforementioned functions is performed using a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the design constraints of a particular application and technical solution.

[0205] Based on the same concept, please refer to FIG. 9. The present disclosure provides a communication device 900. The communication device 900 includes a processing module 901 and a communication module 902. The communication device 900 may be a radio frequency device, or may be a communication device used in a radio frequency device or used to match with a radio frequency device and capable of implementing a communication method performed on the radio frequency device side. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may be a BBU, or may be a communication device used in a BBU or used to match with a BBU and capable of implementing a communication method performed on the BBU side. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may be an antenna line device (e.g., a first antenna line device, a second antenna line device, or a third antenna line device), or may be a communication device used in an antenna line device or used to match with an antenna line device and capable of implementing a communication method performed on the antenna line device side.

[0206] The communication module may also be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver machine, a transceiver device, etc. The processing module may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing unit, a processing device, etc. Optionally, the communication module is configured to perform a transmitting operation and a receiving operation at a radio frequency device side, a BBU side, or an antenna line device side in the aforementioned manner. A component in the communication module and configured to perform a receiving function may be considered as a receiving unit. A component in the communication module and configured to perform a transmitting function may be considered as a transmitting unit. In other words, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

[0207] When the communication apparatus 900 is used in a radio frequency device, the processing module 901 may be configured to perform the processing functions of the radio frequency device in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 8. The communication module 902 may be configured to perform the transmitting and receiving functions of the radio frequency device in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 8. Alternatively, the communication apparatus may be understood with reference to the third aspect of the Summary of the Invention and possible designs of the third aspect.

[0208] When the communication device 900 is used in a BBU, the processing module 901 may be configured to implement the processing functions of the BBU in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 8. The communication module 902 may be configured to implement the transmitting and receiving functions of the BBU in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 8. Alternatively, the communication device may be understood with reference to the fourth aspect of the Summary of the Invention and possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0209] When the communications apparatus 900 is used within an antenna line device, the processing module 901 may be configured to perform the processing functions of the antenna line device in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 8. The communications module 902 may be configured to perform the transmission and reception functions of the associated antenna line device in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 8.

[0210] In addition, it should be noted that the communication module and / or the processing module may be implemented by using virtual modules. For example, the processing module may be implemented using a software functional unit or a virtual device, and the communication module may be implemented using a software function or a virtual device. Alternatively, the processing module or the communication module may be implemented using a physical device. For example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the communication module may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, and may perform input operations (corresponding to the receiving operation described above) and output operations (corresponding to the transmitting operation described above). The processing module is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit.

[0211] The module division of the present disclosure is an example, and is merely a logical division of functions. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, the functional modules in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processor or may exist independently. Alternatively, 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.

[0212] Based on the same technical concept, the present disclosure further provides a communication device 1000. For example, the communication device 1000 may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another individual component.

[0213] The communication device 1000 may be configured to implement the functionality of any network element of the communication system shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. The communication device 1000 may include at least one processor 1010. The processor 1010 is coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located within the device, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be located outside the device. For example, the communication device 1000 may further include at least one memory 1020. The memory 1020 stores computer programs, computer programs or instructions, and / or data necessary to implement any one of the aforementioned embodiments. The processor 1010 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1020 to complete the method of any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0214] The communication device 1000 may further include a communication interface 1030, through which the communication device 1000 may exchange information with another device. For example, the communication interface 1030 may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or another type of communication interface. When the communication device 1000 is a chip-type device or circuit, the communication interface 1030 in the communication device 1000 may alternatively be an input / output circuit, which may input information (also referred to as input information) and output information (also referred to as output information). The processor may be an integrated processor, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a logic circuit, and the processor may determine the output information based on the input information.

[0215] A coupling in this disclosure is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical, or in another form, and is used to exchange information between the devices, units, or modules. The processor 1010 may cooperate with the memory 1020 and the communication interface 1030. The specific connection medium between the processor 1010, the memory 1020, and the communication interface 1030 is not limited in this disclosure.

[0216] Optionally, refer to Figure 10. The processor 1010, the memory 1020, and the communication interface 1030 are connected to each other through a bus 1040. The bus 1040 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus may be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used to represent a bus in Figure 10, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0217] In this disclosure, a processor may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, which may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this disclosure. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in connection with this disclosure may be performed and completed directly using a hardware processor, or may be performed and completed using a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor.

[0218] In the present disclosure, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be configured to carry or store expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to such. Alternatively, the memory of the present disclosure may be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function and is configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0219] In a possible implementation, the communication device 1000 may be used in a BBU. Specifically, the communication device 1000 may be a BBU or a device that can support the BBU to implement the functions of the BBU in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. The memory 1020 stores computer programs (or instructions) and / or data for implementing the functions of the BBU in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. The processor 1010 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1020 to complete the method performed by the BBU in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. When used in a BBU, the communication interface of the communication device 1000 may be configured to interact with a radio frequency device and transmit information to or receive information from the radio frequency device.

[0220] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1000 may be used in a radio frequency device. Specifically, the communication device 1000 may be a radio frequency device or a device capable of supporting the radio frequency device to implement the functions of the radio frequency device in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. The memory 1020 stores computer programs (or instructions) and / or data for implementing the functions of the radio frequency device in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. The processor 1010 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1020 to complete the method performed by the radio frequency device in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. When used in a radio frequency device, the communication interface of the communication device 1000 may be configured to interact with a BBU and transmit information to or receive information from the BBU.

[0221] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1000 may be used in an antenna line device. Specifically, the communication device 1000 may be an antenna line device or a device capable of supporting the antenna line device to implement the functions of the antenna line device in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. The memory 1020 stores computer programs (or instructions) and / or data for implementing the functions of the antenna line device in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. The processor 1010 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1020 to complete the method performed by the antenna line device in any one of the aforementioned embodiments. When used in an antenna line device, the communication interface of the communication device 1000 may be configured to interact with a radio frequency device and transmit information to or receive information from the radio frequency device.

[0222] The communication device 1000 according to the embodiment may be applied to a BBU to complete the aforementioned method performed by the BBU, or may be used in a radio frequency device to complete the aforementioned method performed by the radio frequency device, or may be used in an antenna line device to complete the aforementioned method performed by the antenna line device. Therefore, for the technical effects that can be obtained, please refer to the aforementioned method examples. Details will not be described again in this specification.

[0223] Based on the foregoing embodiment, the present disclosure provides a communication system including a BBU and a radio frequency device. The BBU and the radio frequency device can implement the communication method according to the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 8. Optionally, the communication system may further include an antenna line device.

[0224] All or some of the technical solutions provided in the present disclosure may be implemented by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions based on the present disclosure are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a radio frequency device, a BBU, an antenna line device, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or a data center, that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium, etc.

[0225] In this disclosure, embodiments may be cross-referenced without logical contradiction. For example, methods and / or terms between method embodiments may be cross-referenced. For example, features and / or terms between device embodiments may be cross-referenced. For example, features and / or terms between device and method embodiments may be cross-referenced.

[0226] It is apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this case, if the modifications and variations made to the present disclosure are within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and their equivalent technologies, the present disclosure is intended to include these modifications and variations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0227] 100 Communication Systems 110 Access Network Devices 120 Terminal Devices 130 Terminal Devices 900 Communication Equipment 901 Processing Module 902 Communication Module 1000 Communication Equipment 1010 Processor 1020 Memory 1030 Communication Interface 1040 Bus

Claims

1. 1. A communication method comprising: obtaining first information from a baseband unit (BBU), the first information indicating N1 antenna line devices, the antenna line devices being configured to control antennas, N1 being a positive integer; maintaining a connection between a radio frequency device and a first antenna line device, the first antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices; The method includes:

2. sending second information to the BBU, the second information indicating N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, N2 being a positive integer; The method of claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the N1 antenna line devices include at least one antenna line device among antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device.

4. scanning a second antenna line device based on the first information, the second antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices, and the second antenna line device not connected to the radio frequency device; establishing a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device; 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the N1 antenna line devices are included in the N2 antenna line devices.

6. obtaining third information from the BBU, the third information indicating a second antenna line device, the second antenna line device not being connected to the radio frequency device; scanning the second antenna line device based on the third information; establishing a connection between the radio frequency device and the second antenna line device; 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

7. disconnecting the radio frequency device from a third antenna line device, the third antenna line device being included among antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, the third antenna line device not being included among the N1 antenna line devices; 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

8. 1. A communication method comprising: determining N1 antenna line devices configured to control antennas, where N1 is a positive integer; transmitting first information, the first information indicating the N1 antenna line devices, the first information instructing a radio frequency device to maintain a connection to a first antenna line device, the first antenna line device being included in the N1 antenna line devices; The method includes:

9. obtaining second information, the second information indicating N2 antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device, N2 being a positive integer; 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

10. 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the N1 antenna line devices include at least one antenna line device among antenna line devices currently connected to the radio frequency device.

11. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the N1 antenna line devices include a second antenna line device, the second antenna line device is not connected to the radio frequency device, and the first information further instructs the radio frequency device to establish a connection with the second antenna line device.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the N1 antenna line devices are included in the N2 antenna line devices.

13. transmitting third information, the third information indicating a second antenna line device, the second antenna line device not being connected to the radio frequency device; 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

14. transmitting fourth information, the fourth information instructing the radio frequency device to disconnect from a third antenna line device, the third device being included in an antenna line device currently connected to the radio frequency device, the third device not being included in the N1 antenna line devices; 14. The method of any one of claims 8 to 13, further comprising:

15. A communications device configured to carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

16. A communications device configured to carry out a method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

17. A processor coupled to a memory, the processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 7. A communication device comprising:

18. A processor coupled to a memory, the processor configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 8 to 14. A communication device comprising:

19. A communication device according to claim 15 or 17, A communication device according to claim 16 or 18. A communication system comprising:

20. A computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 8 to 14.

21. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 8 to 14.

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