Communication methods and devices

Abstract

This application discloses a communication method and a communication device. A control network element first obtains real-time control capability information of a plurality of executing network elements, where the real-time control capability information indicates performance parameters used by the executing network element to implement various real-time control functions. Then, the control network element determines at least one target network element from the plurality of executing network elements based on the real-time control capability information of the executing network element and the real-time control capability information of the control network element. Each target network element and the control network element both support a real-time control function or support a plurality of the same real-time control functions. Thus, real-time control information can be transmitted through a real-time control transmission channel established based on the control network element and the target network element, and each target network element can identify the real-time control transmission information. Therefore, the success rate of real-time control information transmission can be improved, and the real-time control processing capability of the base station system can be improved.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] The service processing functions of the network elements in the wireless base station system include data processing and control processing. Based on the timeliness requirements for processing completion, the control processing is classified into real-time control processing and non-real-time control processing. In real-time control processing, the network elements can respond to the request of an external event in time, complete the processing of the event within a specified response time, and control the cooperative execution of all real-time tasks. If the specified time limit is exceeded, the data processing fails. In non-real-time control processing, even if the response to the request of an external event exceeds a specified response time, the data processing does not fail, but the data processing performance is degraded. In the control processing between the network elements, the cooperative processing is achieved by the transfer of control information. The control information transferred in the real-time control processing is real-time control information, which has a large impact on the timeliness of the processing. The control information transferred in the non-real-time control processing is non-real-time control information, which has little impact on the timeliness of the processing.

[0003] Generally, in real-time control processing, the network elements at different levels of a radio base station system are classified into a control network element and an execution network element based on their processing functions. Generally, the control network element can send real-time control information to the execution network element. If the real-time control function supported by the execution network element is the same as the real-time control function supported by the control network element, the execution network element can execute the corresponding real-time control function based on the real-time control information. However, if the real-time control function supported by the control network element is different from the real-time control function supported by the execution network element, or if the performance parameters of the real-time control function supported by the control network element are different from the performance parameters of the real-time control function supported by the execution network element, the execution network element cannot identify the real-time control information. As a result, the real-time control processing fails, which affects the real-time control processing capability of the base station system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and communication device, which improves the success rate of real-time control information transmission and further improves the real-time control processing capability of a base station system.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which mainly relates to a control network element and an execution network element. In the method, the control network element first obtains real-time control capability information of a plurality of execution network elements managed by the control network element, where the real-time control capability information indicates performance parameters used by the execution network element to implement various real-time control functions. Then, the control network element determines at least one target network element from among the plurality of execution network elements based on the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the real-time control capability information of the plurality of execution network elements. Then, the control network element sends transmission channel configuration information to each of the at least one target network element, the transmission channel configuration information is used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the control network element and the target network element, and the real-time control transmission channel is used to transmit the real-time control information.

[0006] Each of the control network element and the at least one target network element both support each real-time control function in the first function set, and the first function set includes the at least one real-time control function. It should be understood that the first function set only refers to the scope of the at least one real-time control function, and the at least one real-time control function does not necessarily have to be implemented in the form of a set. In other words, the at least one real-time control function can be obtained without defining a set. It can also be understood that each of the at least one target network element and the control network element both support a real-time control function or support multiple identical real-time control functions.

[0007] In the present application, a control network element can collect real-time control capability information of a plurality of executing network elements managed by the control network element, and select at least one target network element according to the real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element. The control network element and the target network element both support real-time control functions or multiple same real-time control functions. Then, a real-time control transmission channel is established based on the at least one target network element to transmit real-time control information. Since each of the at least one target network element and the control network element can support at least one same real-time control function, the real-time control information transmitted by the control network element in the real-time control transmission channel established by the at least one target network element and the control network element can be identified by the target network element in the real-time control transmission channel. Therefore, the success rate of real-time control information transmission can be improved, and the real-time control processing capability of the base station system can be improved.

[0008] In a possible implementation, there is a non-empty intersection between the values ​​of the performance parameters of a real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the values ​​of the performance parameters of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the target network element.

[0009] In this implementation, a feature of the target network element determined by the control network element is proposed. Specifically, the control network element supports a real-time control function, and the target network element also supports the function. In addition, the value of the performance parameter used when the control network element supports the real-time control function is the same as the value of the performance parameter used when the executing network element supports the real-time control function. Therefore, when the control network element is used to transmit information such as performance parameters related to the real-time control function to the executing network element, the executing network element can identify information such as performance parameters related to the real-time control function. Therefore, the success rate of real-time control information transmission can be improved, and the real-time control processing capability of the base station system can be improved.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the control network element determining at least one target network element from among the multiple executing network elements based on the real-time control capability information of the multiple executing network elements and the real-time control capability information of the control network element includes: if there is a non-empty intersection between the value of a performance parameter of the real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the value of a performance parameter of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the target network element, the control network element determines that both the control network element and the executing network element support the real-time control function, and the control network element determines the executing network element as the target network element.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the transmission channel configuration information includes transmission resources of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0012] The transmission resource indicates the resource (e.g., the transmission bandwidth resource on the hardware connection line between the network elements) used to transmit the real-time control information through the real-time control transmission channel that needs to be established. The transmission rate indicates the rate at which the real-time control information is transmitted through the real-time control transmission channel that needs to be established. The transmission rate is determined based on the upper and lower limits of the transmission rate supported by the executing network element and the upper and lower limits of the transmission rate supported by the control network element.

[0013] In this implementation, it is proposed that the control network element configures transmission resources before establishing a real-time control transmission channel. Compared with the solution in the prior art in which transmission resources are fixedly configured, in this implementation, the control network element can flexibly configure transmission resources based on real-time control information, and can improve resource utilization efficiency.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower limits of a transmission rate supported by the executing network element. Before the control network element sends the transmission channel configuration information to each of the at least one target network element, the method further includes: the control network element determines a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel based on the upper and lower limits of the transmission rate of the at least one target network element.

[0015] In this implementation, compared with the solution in the prior art in which the transmission rate is fixedly configured, the control network element can set a transmission rate between the upper and lower limits of the transmission rate of each network based on the upper and lower limits of the transmission rate supported by each executing network element, thereby avoiding congestion in some network elements and improving the transmission efficiency of control information.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the control network element determines, based on the real-time control capability information of the at least one target network element, capability configuration information for each target network element, the capability configuration information being used to configure the real-time control functions in the first capability set for the target network element; and the control network element sends, to each target network element, the capability configuration information corresponding to the target network element.

[0017] In this implementation, the control network element can configure the real-time control functions of the target network element using the function configuration information, so that each executing network element can enable or disable the real-time control functions under the instruction of the control network element, which helps to ensure consistency between the real-time control functions supported by the control network element and the real-time control functions supported by the executing network element, and improves the probability that the executing network element can accurately identify information or instructions from the control network element.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the function configuration information includes performance parameters corresponding to at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of at least one performance parameter.

[0019] In this implementation, it is specified that the function configuration information mainly includes performance parameters and / or indexes of performance parameters. The control network element sends the performance parameters used to realize the real-time control function to the target network element, so that the target network element can use the performance parameters in the configuration information when realizing the real-time control function. This helps to keep the performance parameters used by the control network element for the real-time control function consistent with the performance parameters used by the executing network element for the real-time control function, and avoids the case where the control network element and the executing network element cannot realize the real-time control function because the performance parameters of the real-time control function are not consistent.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the control network element sends real-time control information to the target network element, where the real-time control information includes a value of each performance parameter indicated by the function configuration information.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the control network element sends a transmission resource ratio to each target network element, the transmission resource ratio indicating a ratio between the transmission resources occupied for transmitting real-time control information and the transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data.

[0022] In this implementation, when transmission resources are limited, it is proposed that the control network element sends a transmission resource ratio to each target network element to reduce the amount of transmission resources used for transmitting service data and reserve more transmission resources for transmitting real-time control information.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: a control network element obtains state information of a real-time control transmission channel, the state information indicating a running state of the real-time control transmission channel; and the control network element manages the real-time control transmission channel according to the state information.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first set of functions includes at least one of the following: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time integrated access and backhaul IAB mode enablement function, and a real-time channel calibration function.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, in which an executive network element transmits real-time control capability information of the executive network element to a control network element, where the real-time control capability information indicates performance parameters used by the executive network element to implement various real-time control functions. When the executive network element is determined as a target network element, the executive network element receives transmission channel configuration information from the control network element, the transmission channel configuration information is used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the control network element and the executive network element, the real-time control transmission channel is used for transmitting the real-time control information, both the control network element and the executive network element support each real-time control function in a first function set, and the first function set includes at least one real-time control function.

[0026] In a possible implementation, there is a non-empty intersection between the values ​​of the performance parameters of a real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the controlling network element and the values ​​of the performance parameters of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the transmission channel configuration information includes transmission resources of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower bounds of the transmission rate supported by the executing network element, and the upper and lower bounds of the transmission rate are used to determine the transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the executing network element receives function configuration information corresponding to the executing network element from the control network element, and the function configuration information is used to configure a real-time control function in the first function set for the target network element.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the function configuration information includes performance parameters corresponding to at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of at least one performance parameter.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the executing network element receives real-time control information from the controlling network element, where the real-time control information includes a value of each performance parameter indicated by the functional configuration information.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the executing network element receives a transmission resource ratio from the controlling network element, the transmission resource ratio indicating a ratio between the transmission resources occupied for transmitting real-time control information and the transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the first set of functions includes at least one of the following: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time IAB mode enablement function, and a real-time channel calibration function.

[0034] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application has several other implementations. For details, please refer to the specific implementation of the first aspect and the beneficial effects of the first aspect. The details will not be described again here.

[0035] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a control network element, the control network element including a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0036] The transceiver module obtains real-time control capability information of a plurality of executing network elements managed by the control network element, where the real-time control capability information indicates performance parameters used by the executing network elements to implement various real-time control functions. The processing module is configured to determine at least one target network element from the plurality of executing network elements based on the real-time control capability information of the plurality of executing network elements and the real-time control capability information of the control network element, where each of the at least one target network element and the control network element both support each real-time control function in a first function set, where the first function set includes the at least one real-time control function. The transceiver module is further configured to send transmission channel configuration information to each of the at least one target network element, where the transmission channel configuration information is used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the control network element and the target network element, where the real-time control transmission channel is used to transmit the real-time control information.

[0037] In a possible implementation, there is a non-empty intersection between the values ​​of the performance parameters of a real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the values ​​of the performance parameters of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the target network element.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the transmission channel configuration information includes transmission resources of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower bounds of a transmission rate supported by the executing network element. Further, the processing module is further configured to determine a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel based on the upper and lower bounds of the transmission rate of the at least one target network element.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine capability configuration information for each target network element based on the real-time control capability information of the at least one target network element, the capability configuration information being used to configure real-time control functions in the first capability set for the target network element. The transceiver module is further configured to transmit, to each target network element, the capability configuration information corresponding to the target network element.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the function configuration information includes performance parameters corresponding to at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of at least one performance parameter.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to transmit real-time control information to the target network element, the real-time control information including a value for each performance parameter indicated by the functional configuration information.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a transmission resource ratio to each target network element, the transmission resource ratio indicating a ratio between transmission resources occupied for transmitting real-time control information and transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to obtain status information of the real-time control transmission channel, the status information indicating a running state of the real-time control transmission channel, and the processing module is further configured to manage the real-time control transmission channel based on the status information.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first set of functions includes at least one of the following: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time integrated access and backhaul IAB mode enablement function, and a real-time channel calibration function.

[0046] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application has several other implementations. For details, please refer to the specific implementation of the first aspect and the beneficial effects of the first aspect. The details will not be described again here.

[0047] According to a fourth aspect, the present application provides an performing network element, the performing network element including a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0048] The transceiver module is configured to transmit real-time control capability information of the executing network element to the controlling network element, the real-time control capability information indicating performance parameters used by the executing network element to implement various real-time control functions. The transceiver module is further configured to receive transmission channel configuration information from the controlling network element when the executing network element is determined as the target network element, the transmission channel configuration information is used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the controlling network element and the executing network element, the real-time control transmission channel is used for transmitting the real-time control information, both the controlling network element and the executing network element support each real-time control function in the first function set, the first function set includes at least one real-time control function.

[0049] In a possible implementation, there is a non-empty intersection between the values ​​of the performance parameters of a real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the controlling network element and the values ​​of the performance parameters of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the transmission channel configuration information includes transmission resources of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower bounds of the transmission rate supported by the executing network element, and the upper and lower bounds of the transmission rate are used to determine the transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module receives function configuration information corresponding to the executing network element from the control network element, and the function configuration information is used to configure real-time control functions in a first function set for the target network element.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the function configuration information includes performance parameters corresponding to at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of at least one performance parameter.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive real-time control information from the controlling network element, the real-time control information including a value for each performance parameter indicated by the functional configuration information.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a transmission resource ratio from the control network element, the transmission resource ratio indicating a ratio between transmission resources occupied for transmitting real-time control information and transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the first set of functions includes at least one of the following: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time IAB mode enablement function, and a real-time channel calibration function.

[0057] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application has several other implementations. For details, please refer to the specific implementation of the first aspect and the beneficial effects of the first aspect. The details will not be described again here.

[0058] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a control network device in the above implementation, or may be a chip or a functional module in the control network device. The communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication device is a control network element, the processing module may be a processor, and the transceiver unit may be a transceiver. The control network element may further include a storage module, and the storage module may be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module, so that the control network element executes the method according to the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect. When the communication device is a chip in the control network element, the processing module may be a processor, and the transceiver module may be an input / output interface, a pin, a circuit, etc. The processing module may execute the instructions stored in the storage module, so that the control network element executes the method according to the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect. The storage module may be a storage module within the chip (eg, a register or cache) or may be a storage module within the control network element and external to the chip (eg, a read-only memory or random access memory).

[0059] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be an execution network device in the above implementation, or may be a chip or a functional module in the execution network device. The communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication device is an execution network element, the processing module may be a processor, and the transceiver unit may be a transceiver. The execution network element may further include a storage module, and the storage module may be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module, so that the execution network element executes the method according to the second aspect or any one of the implementations of the second aspect. When the communication device is a chip in the execution network element, the processing module may be a processor, and the transceiver module may be an input / output interface, pins, circuitry, etc. The processing module may execute the instructions stored in the storage module, so that the execution network element executes the method according to the second aspect or any one of the implementations of the second aspect. The storage module may be a storage module within the chip (eg, a register or cache) or may be a storage module within the execution network element and external to the chip (eg, a read-only memory or random access memory).

[0060] According to a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communications device. The device may be an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip includes a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the communications device is capable of performing a method as described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or any of the implementations of the previous aspects.

[0061] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform a method according to the first aspect, the second aspect or any one of the implementations of the preceding aspects.

[0062] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform a method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any one of the implementations of the preceding aspects.

[0063] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system including a control network element according to any one of the first aspect and the implementations thereof, and an execution network element according to any one of the second aspect and the implementations thereof.

[0064] From the above technical solutions, it can be seen that the embodiments of the present application have the following advantages:

[0065] In this application, the control network element first obtains real-time control capability information of a plurality of executing network elements, where the real-time control capability information indicates performance parameters used by the executing network element to implement various real-time control functions. Then, the control network element determines at least one target network element from among the plurality of executing network elements based on the real-time control capability information of the plurality of executing network elements and the real-time control capability information of the control network element. Each of the at least one target network element and the control network element both support a real-time control function or support a plurality of the same real-time control functions. Thus, real-time control information can be transmitted through a real-time control transmission channel established based on the control network element and the at least one target network element, and each target network element can identify the real-time control transmission information. Therefore, the success rate of real-time control information transmission can be improved, and the real-time control processing capability of the base station system can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0066] In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly describe the accompanying drawings to describe the embodiments. It is obvious that the accompanying drawings in the following description only show some embodiments of the present application.

[0067] [Figure 1A] 1 is an exemplary diagram of a network structure of a base station system according to the present application;

[0068] [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a fronthaul interface in accordance with the present application.

[0069] [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is another exemplary diagram of a network structure of a base station system according to the present application;

[0070] [Figure 1D] FIG. 2 is another exemplary diagram of a network structure of a base station system according to the present application;

[0071] [Diagram 2] 2 is a flow chart of a communication method according to the present application.

[0072] [Diagram 3] 4 is another flow chart of a communication method according to the present application.

[0073] [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a real-time control message according to the present application.

[0074] [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is another exemplary diagram of a real-time control message according to the present application.

[0075] [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a communication device according to the present application;

[0076] [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a communication device according to the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0077] The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application.

[0078] In the present specification, claims, and accompanying drawings, the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. (when present) are intended to distinguish between similar objects and do not necessarily indicate a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that such named data are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and as a result, the embodiments described herein can be implemented in orders other than those shown or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "have," and any other variations are meant to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, e.g., a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a list of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units and may include other units that are not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0079] For ease of understanding, the following first describes a system architecture to which the communication method provided in this application is applicable.

[0080] The communication method provided in this application is mainly applicable to a base station system. The base station system may be a base station system based on the 4th generation mobile communication technology (4G), a base station system based on the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G), or a base station system based on the 6th generation mobile communication technology (6G). The communication method is also applicable to a base station system or a fronthaul network in a future communication network, which is not specifically limited here.

[0081] As shown in Figure 1A, the base station system mainly includes a control network element and an execution network element. The control network element and the execution network element establish a communication connection through a communication interface. The control network element is a network element that controls service processing, and can collect information about the execution network element from the execution network element through the communication interface and send control information to the execution network element to control the execution network element. The execution network element is a network element that executes corresponding service processing based on the control information sent from the control network element.

[0082] Also, the communication interface between the control network element and the execution network element may be a transmission protocol interface based on a transmission interface such as a backplane bus, an optical fiber, a radio frequency cable, a coaxial cable, a high-speed serial cable, etc. For example, when the communication interface uses a transmission medium such as a backplane bus or an optical fiber, the communication interface may be an interface based on a common public radio interface (CPRI) protocol, an interface based on an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI) protocol, an interface based on a similar CPRI (sCPRI) protocol, or other fronthaul network interfaces. For example, when the communication interface uses a transmission medium such as a radio frequency cable, a coaxial cable, a high-speed serial cable, etc., the communication interface may be an interface based on an antenna interface standards group (AISG) protocol, or an interface based on an Ethernet protocol, which is not specifically limited here.

[0083] Optionally, an intermediate network element is further included between the control network element and the execution network element. The intermediate network element is configured to connect the control network element and the execution network element and forward signaling between the control network element and the execution network element. Optionally, the intermediate network element can further implement an interface conversion function. Specifically, when the execution network element and the control network element each support different communication interfaces, the intermediate network element can implement interface protocol conversion, so that the control network element and the execution network element using different interface protocols can communicate with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, if the control network element supports functions on an interface based on the eCPRI protocol (e.g., functions above the upper physical layer (PHY-High)) and the execution network element supports functions below the interface based on the CPRI protocol (e.g., functions below the radio frequency function), an intermediate network element connecting the control network element and the execution network element may have various functions of the lower physical layer (PHY-Low) (e.g., precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, RE reverse mapping) so that the control network element supporting the eCPRI protocol and the execution network element supporting the CPRI protocol can communicate with each other.

[0084] Specifically, the control network elements may include non-real-time control network elements and real-time control network elements. The non-real-time control network elements may be connected to at least one real-time control network element (FIG. 1A shows only one real-time control network element), and the real-time control network elements may be connected to at least one execution network element (FIG. 1A shows only one execution network element connected to the real-time control network element). Optionally, one execution network element may also be connected to another execution network element.

[0085] The non-real-time control network element is a network element configured to execute non-real-time control processing in a base station system, and is configured to configure commands or parameters used in real-time control processing processes for the real-time control network element and / or the execution network element. Specifically, the non-real-time control network element may be a network element supporting non-real-time wireless upper layer protocol stack functions. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, the non-real-time control network element may be a central unit (CU) in a conventional base station system. For example, as shown in FIG. 1D, the non-real-time control network element may be a non-real-time control unit that is independent of the CU in the conventional technology and can realize the functions of the non-real-time control network element, or may be a network element realized by combining the CU and the non-real-time control unit in the conventional technology. Optionally, the non-real-time control network element may further have a part of a baseband processing function. In this case, the non-real-time control network element may be a baseband unit (BBU).

[0086] The real-time control network element is a network element configured to perform real-time control processing in a base station system, and is configured to control an executing network element to perform real-time control functions based on commands or parameters set by a non-real-time control network element. Specifically, the real-time control network element is a network element or device having a baseband signal processing function, or a device having a radio signal processing function for managing a radio access network (RAN). The real-time control network element can achieve baseband signal processing functions such as coding, multiplexing, modulation, spreading, etc., can achieve functions of processing signaling from an executing network element (e.g., a radio unit or an antenna device), and can implement functions of performing local management and remote operation and maintenance on the executing network element. Optionally, the real-time control network element is a layer 2 function network element that processes physical layer functions and timeliness requirements. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, the real-time control network element may be a distributed unit (DU). For example, as shown in Fig. 1D, the real-time control network element may be a real-time control unit that is independent of the DU in the prior art and can realize the function of the real-time control network element, or may be a network element realized by combining the DU and the real-time control unit in the prior art. Furthermore, the real-time control network element may alternatively be a baseband unit (BBU).

[0087] Also, the executing network element is a network element that executes a real-time control service in a base station system. The executing network element may receive real-time control information from the real-time control network element and execute corresponding real-time control service processing based on the real-time control information. Specifically, the executing network element may be a network element that processes services related to radio signals (e.g., intermediate frequency signals or radio frequency signals), such as a radio unit (RU), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a remote radio head (RRH). Alternatively, the executing network element may be an antenna device, such as an antenna line device (ALD) (also called an antenna line device), connected to a network element that processes intermediate radio frequency services. Alternatively, the executing network element may be a combination of a radio unit and an antenna device. For example, in a 5GNR system, the executing network element may be an active antenna unit (AAU), i.e., a processing unit that integrates an RRU (or an RRH) and an antenna device.

[0088] The intermediate network element may be configured to connect the real-time control network element and the execution network element, or may be configured to connect the execution network element and another execution network element. For example, when the real-time control network element is a baseband unit and the execution network element is a radio unit, the intermediate network element may be an intermediate unit (baseband radio middle unit (BRMU)) connecting the baseband unit and the radio unit (e.g., a baseband gateway, a remote radio unit hub (RRU) and various extension network elements). When the execution network element is a radio unit and the antenna unit is another execution network element that needs to be connected to the radio unit, the intermediate network element may be an intermediate unit (radio antenna middle unit (RAMU)) connecting the radio unit and the antenna unit. When the intermediate network element is a BRMU, the intermediate network element has some functions of the connected baseband unit (e.g., DU or BBU) or radio unit (e.g., RU or RRU), and can facilitate the interconnection between the baseband unit and the radio unit with different performance parameters (e.g., device version, device interface, or protocol version) on both sides. When the intermediate network element is a RAMU, the intermediate network element has some functions of a connected radio unit (e.g., an RU or an RRU) or an antenna unit (e.g., an ALD), and can realize interconnection between a radio unit and an antenna unit having different performance parameters (e.g., equipment version, equipment interface, or protocol version) on both sides.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 1C, a 5G radio base station system is used as an example. When the CU is a non-real-time control network element and the DU is a real-time control network element, the CU may be connected to at least one DU via a backplane bus or optical fiber. For example, the CU may be separately connected to DU1 and DU2. When the RU and the ALD are execution network elements, one DU may be connected to at least one RU, and one RU may be connected to at least one ALD. For example, the DU1 may be connected to both RU1 and RU2, and the DU2 may be connected to RU3. For example, the RU1 may be connected to both ALD1 and ALD2, the RU2 may be connected to ALD3, and the RU3 may be connected to ALD4. When the BRMU is an intermediate network element, the DU may be connected to the RU via the BRMU. For example, the DU1 may be connected to both RU1 and RU2 via the BRMU1, and the DU2 may be connected to the RU3 via the BRMU2. Furthermore, when the BRMU1 and the BRMU2 are integrated, the DU1 and the DU2 may share the same BRMU. When a RAMU is an intermediate network element, the RUs may be connected to the ALDs via the RAMUs. For example, RU1 may be connected to both ALD1 and ALD2 via RAMU1, RU2 may be connected to ALD3 via RAMU2, and RU3 may be connected to ALD4 via RAMU3.

[0090] It should be understood that in practical application, there may be other implementations of the control network element and the execution network element, which is not specifically limited here. In this application, the control network element and the execution network element are first described as examples.

[0091] In the following, the main steps of the communication method provided in the present application are described with reference to Fig. 2. The method mainly concerns the control network element and the executing network element described in Fig. 1A, Fig. 1C or Fig. 1D. The network elements each perform the following steps:

[0092] Step 201: An execution network element sends real-time control capability information of the execution network element to a control network element. In response, the control network element receives real-time control capability information of the execution network element from the execution network element.

[0093] The real-time control capability information indicates the real-time control capability of the network element. The real-time control capability of the network element may be the capability of the network element to support a real-time control function or the capability of the network element to respond to a real-time control function. The real-time control capability of the network element may be specifically the capability of the network element to perform real-time control on other network elements or specifically the capability of the network element to be controlled in real time by other network elements. For example, if the network element is a controlling network element, the controlling network element having the capability to support real-time control indicates that the controlling network element can perform real-time control on other network elements (e.g., the executing network element). If the network element is an executing network element, the executing network element having the capability to support real-time control indicates that the other network elements (e.g., the controlling network element) can perform real-time control on the executing network element.

[0094] It should be noted that, when two network elements exchanging signaling support real-time control functions, the protocol layers related to the process in which the two network elements process signaling (e.g., real-time control messages, which will be described later) are consistent with each other. For ease of explanation, the two network elements exchanging signaling are referred to as a message sender and a message receiver, respectively. When the message sender is an executing network element, the message receiver may be an executing network element. When the message sender is an executing network element, the message receiver may be a control network element. When the message sender is an executing network element, the message receiver may alternatively be another executing network element or an intermediate network element. This is not specifically limited here. For example, the message sender generates control information at the link layer, and encodes and transmits the control information at the physical layer. The message receiver receives and analyzes the control information at the protocol physical layer, and then feeds back the control information to the data link layer for processing. For example, both the message sender and the message receiver are at the same layer. That is, both the sending process and the receiving process are performed at the same layer. For example, steps such as sending and receiving, analyzing, and processing of messages are accomplished at the data link layer or the physical layer. For example, only one of the message sender and the message receiver is involved in multiple protocol layers, while the other operates in only one protocol layer. For example, the message sender constructs a message in the link layer, encodes and transmits the message in the physical layer, and the message receiver receives, analyzes, and processes the message in the physical layer. Or, the message sender constructs, encodes, and transmits the message in the physical layer, and the message receiver receives and analyzes the message in the physical layer, and then feeds it back to the link layer for processing. In addition to the data link layer and physical layer mentioned above, the same layer or interlayer processing in other standard network layers in the open system interconnection reference model (OSI) is also similar. Details will not be described here.In addition to the functions that need to be processed based on the upper layer protocol, based on the requirements of the real-time control processing function, messages with higher timeliness requirements are analyzed and processed at the lower layer, and messages with the highest timeliness requirements are analyzed, processed, and controlled at the protocol physical layer.

[0095] Specifically, the real-time control capability information indicates the performance parameters used by the executing network element to realize various real-time control functions. In other words, the real-time control capability information can indicate the performance parameters of multiple real-time control functions of one executing network element.

[0096] The real-time control function refers to a function that processes an event that needs to be completed within a certain response time. For example, the real-time control function may be a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time integrated access and backhaul (IAB) mode enable function, and a real-time channel calibration function. The real-time power control function may be a real-time power sharing function or a real-time power back-off function. The real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function may be a function of intermediate radio frequency channel deactivation, a function of real-time symbol shutdown, or a function of real-time subcarrier deactivation.

[0097] The performance parameters of a real-time control function refer to the parameters used by an executing network element to realize the real-time control function. In general, multiple performance parameters may be required to realize one real-time control function. For ease of understanding, a real-time control function is taken as an example to be a real-time beam weight adjustment function. Performance parameters of the real-time beam weight adjustment function include the number of channels, the number of phase shifters, the number of symbol switching times, phase shifter weights, etc. A real-time power control function is taken as an example to be described. Performance parameters of the real-time power control function include the channel power adjustment step, the maximum radio frequency power of the channel, the number of channels, etc.

[0098] In addition, when multiple performance parameters need to be used to realize one real-time control function, and the multiple performance parameters that need to be used for the real-time control function are considered as a group of performance parameters, the real-time control capability information includes multiple performance parameter groups, and each performance parameter group corresponds to one real-time control function. For example, when the real-time control capability information includes performance parameters for realizing two real-time control functions by an executing network element, the real-time control capability information includes a first performance parameter group of a first real-time control function of the executing network element and a second performance parameter group of a second real-time control function of the executing network element.

[0099] Specifically, the control network element can receive the real-time control capability information of each execution network element from multiple execution network elements. If there is another intermediate network element between the control network element and the execution network element, the execution network element can first send the real-time control capability information of the execution network element to the intermediate network element, and then the intermediate network element can forward the real-time control capability information of the execution network element to the control network element. In this case, the control network element receives the real-time control capability information of the execution network element from the intermediate network element.

[0100] Step 202: The control network element determines at least one target network element among the multiple executing network elements according to the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the real-time control capability information of the multiple executing network elements.

[0101] Each of the at least one target network element and the control network element both support each real-time control function in the first function set, and the first function set includes the at least one real-time control function. It should be understood that the first function set refers only to the scope of the at least one real-time control function, and the at least one real-time control function does not necessarily have to be implemented in the form of a set. In other words, the at least one real-time control function can be obtained without defining a set.

[0102] It should be understood that the at least one target network element selected by the control network element and the control network element support the same real-time control function. Also, the at least one target network element and the control network element both support one real-time control function, or both support multiple real-time control functions. For example, if the at least one target network element selected by the control network element includes target network element 1 and target network element 2, the control network element, target network element 1, and target network element 2 all support real-time control function 1, the control network element, target network element 1, and target network element 2 all support real-time control function 2, or the control network element, target network element 1, and target network element 2 all support real-time control function 1 and real-time control function 2.

[0103] For example, the first function set includes at least one of a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time integrated access and backhaul IAB mode enablement function, and a real-time channel calibration function.

[0104] Specifically, the control network element determines at least one target network element based on the performance parameters indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the performance parameters indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element.

[0105] In a possible embodiment, the control network element compares the performance parameters of the control network element with the performance parameters of a plurality of executing network elements, and if there is a non-empty intersection between the values ​​of the performance parameters of the real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the values ​​of the performance parameters of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element, the control network element determines the executing network element as the target network element.

[0106] For example, if there is a non-empty intersection between the value of a performance parameter of the first real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the value of a performance parameter of the first real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the first executing network element, the control network element determines that the first executing network element supports the first real-time control function, and further determines the first executing network element as the target network element.

[0107] For ease of understanding, a real-time beam weight adjustment function is taken as an example. Performance parameters of the real-time beam weight adjustment function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element include: the number of channels, where 16 channels, 32 channels, and 64 channels are supported; the number of phase shifters, where 8 phase shifters, 16 phase shifters, and 64 phase shifters are supported; the number of phase shifters, the number of symbol switching times: 1, 2, or 4, and the weight of the phase shifter, which is a single phase shifter weight (4 bits) x the number of phase shifters. Performance parameters of the real-time beam weight adjustment function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the execution network element 1 include: the number of channels, where 8 channels, 16 channels, and 32 channels are supported; the number of channels, the number of phase shifters, where 8 phase shifters, 16 phase shifters, and 32 phase shifters are supported; the number of phase shifters, the number of symbol switching times: 4, and the weight of the phase shifter, which is a single phase shifter weight (4 bits) x the number of phase shifters. The performance parameters of the real-time beam weight adjustment function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element 2 include: the number of channels, where 8 channels are supported; the number of phase shifters, where 8 phase shifters, 16 phase shifters, and 32 phase shifters are supported; the number of phase shifters, the number of symbol switching times: 1; and the weight of the phase shifter, which is a single phase shifter weight (4 bits) times the number of phase shifters. The control network element and the executing network element 1 can both support 16 channels and 32 channels, both can support 8 phase shifters or 16 phase shifters, and both can support one symbol switching. Therefore, the control network element may determine the executing network element 1 as the target network element. Since there is no intersection between the number of channels supported by the control network element and the number of channels supported by the executing network element 2, the control network element may not determine the executing network element 2 as the target network element.

[0108] Further, take the real-time power control function as an example. The performance parameters of the real-time power control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element include a channel power adjustment step of 1 dB or 10 dB, and a maximum radio frequency power of the channel supported with three values: 10W, 20W, and 40W. The performance parameters of the real-time power control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element include a channel power adjustment step of 1 dB, and a maximum radio frequency power of the channel supported with three values: 20W, 40W, and 60W. The control network element and the executing network element 3 can both support a maximum radio frequency power of the channel of 20W and 40W, and both support a channel power adjustment step of 1 dB. Therefore, the control network element may determine the executing network element 3 as the target network element.

[0109] Similarly, the control network element can filter the multiple executing network elements based on the multiple real-time control functions indicated by the real-time control information, and finally determine at least one target network element.

[0110] Step 203: The control network element sends the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target network element to the executing network element.

[0111] The transmission channel configuration information is used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the control network element and the target network element, and the real-time control transmission channel is used to transmit real-time control information. After the control network element selects the target network element, the control network element configures the transmission channel configuration information for the target network element, so that the target network element can establish the real-time control transmission channel with the control network element.

[0112] In a possible implementation, the transmission channel configuration information includes transmission resources of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0113] The transmission resource indicates the resource (e.g., the transmission bandwidth resource on the hardware connection line between the network elements) used for transmitting the real-time control information through the real-time control transmission channel that needs to be established. Note that, when allocating the transmission resource, the control network element reserves the amount of transmission resource that can be allocated to the control transmission channel first, and then considers the amount of transmission resource of other channels. Also, when allocating the transmission resource to the control transmission channel, the control network element reserves the amount of transmission resource that can be allocated to the real-time control transmission channel first, and then considers the amount of transmission resource of the non-real-time control transmission channel.

[0114] Compared with the solution in the prior art in which transmission resources are fixedly configured, in the present application, the control network element can flexibly configure transmission resources based on real-time control information, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency.

[0115] Furthermore, the transmission rate indicates the rate at which real-time control information is transmitted through the real-time control transmission channel that needs to be established. Wherein, the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower limits of the transmission rates supported by the executing network element and the controlling network element. Thus, the controlling network element can determine the transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel according to the upper and lower limits of the transmission rates of at least two target network elements.

[0116] Compared with the solution in the prior art in which the transmission rate is fixedly configured, in the present application, the control network element can set a transmission rate between the upper and lower limits of the transmission rate of each network based on the upper and lower limits of the transmission rate supported by each executing network element, thereby avoiding congestion in some network elements and improving the transmission efficiency of control information.

[0117] Optionally, the transmission channel configuration information further includes address information of an upstream network element and / or a downstream network element corresponding to the target network element receiving the transmission channel configuration information. The upstream network element refers to a network device where the previous hop of the target network element is located, and the downstream network element refers to a network device where the next hop of the target network element is located. It should be understood that different target network elements correspond to different upstream network elements, and different target network elements correspond to different downstream network elements. It should be understood that for a target network element, the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target network element may only include address information of the upstream network element and not include address information of the downstream network element, the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target network element only includes address information of the downstream network element and does not include address information of the upstream network element, or the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target network element includes address information of the upstream network element and address information of the downstream network element.

[0118] For example, the target network elements determined by the control network element are an executing network element 1 and an executing network element 2, the control network element is connected to the executing network element 1 via an intermediate network element 1, and the executing network element 2 is directly connected to the executing network element 1. In this case, the address information of the upstream network element in the transmission channel configuration information sent by the control network element to the executing network element 1 is the address information of the intermediate network element 1, and the address information of the downstream network element is the address information of the executing network element 2. The address information of the upstream network element in the transmission channel configuration information sent by the control network element to the executing network element 2 is the address information of the executing network element 1.

[0119] Optionally, if the upstream or downstream network element of the target network element is an intermediate network element, the control network element needs to further configure the address information of the target network element to the upstream or downstream network element. For example, in the above example, the intermediate network element 1 is configured to connect the control network element and the executing network element 1, so the control network element needs to not only indicate to the executing network element 1 that the upstream network element of the executing network element 1 is the intermediate network element 1 using the transmission channel configuration information, but also send the address information of the executing network element 1 to the intermediate network element 1. In this case, the intermediate network element 1 can learn that the control information or other signaling is sent to the executing network element 1 when it receives the control information or other signaling.

[0120] Optionally, the address information of the upstream network element includes a communication address and a communication port of the upstream network element, and the address information of the downstream network element includes a communication address and a communication port of the downstream network element.

[0121] After the target network element receives the transmission channel configuration information from the control network element, the target network element can know the address of the control network element that needs to establish a real-time control transmission channel with the target network element. The control network element can also know the address of the target network element that needs to establish a real-time control transmission channel with the target network element. Therefore, the control network element and the target network element can establish a real-time control transmission channel based on the address information of the peer network element, transmit real-time control information, and realize a real-time control service. Specifically, for the implementation of the control network element transmitting real-time control information to the target network element, please refer to the relevant description of the next step 306.

[0122] In this embodiment, the control network element first obtains real-time control capability information of a plurality of executing network elements, where the real-time control capability information indicates the performance parameters used by the executing network element to implement various real-time control functions. Then, the control network element determines at least one target network element from among the plurality of executing network elements based on the real-time control capability information of the plurality of executing network elements and the real-time control capability information of the control network element. Each of the at least one target network element and the control network element both support a real-time control function or a plurality of the same real-time control functions. Thus, the real-time control information can be transmitted through a real-time control transmission channel established based on the control network element and the at least one target network element, and each target network element can identify the real-time control transmission information. Therefore, the success rate of real-time control information transmission can be improved, and the real-time control processing capability of the base station system can be improved.

[0123] The following further describes the communication method provided in the present application with reference to Figure 3. In an embodiment corresponding to Figure 3, the aforementioned control network element includes a non-real-time control network element and a real-time control network element, and the non-real-time control network element, the real-time control network element and the execution network element respectively perform the following steps:

[0124] Step 301a: The candidate real-time control network element sends the real-time control capability information of the candidate real-time control network element to the non-real-time control network element. In response, the non-real-time control network element receives the real-time control capability information of the candidate real-time control network element from the candidate real-time control network element.

[0125] Step 301b: The candidate performing network element sends the real-time control capability information of the candidate performing network element to the non-real-time control network element. In response, the non-real-time control network element receives the real-time control capability information of the candidate performing network element from the candidate performing network element.

[0126] The real-time control capability information indicates the performance parameters that the candidate network elements use to realize various real-time control functions. For detailed descriptions of the real-time control capability information, the real-time control functions, and the performance parameters of the real-time control functions, please refer to the above step 201. The details will not be described again here.

[0127] In this embodiment, the non-real-time control network element can obtain real-time control capability information from a plurality of candidate network elements, and the plurality of candidate network elements includes at least one candidate real-time control network element and at least one candidate execution network element managed by the candidate real-time control network element. It should be noted that the number of the candidate real-time control network elements and the number of the candidate execution network elements included in the plurality of candidate network elements are related to the network topology. Figure 1C is used as an example. If the CU is a non-real-time control network element, the CU can manage DU1 and DU2. In this case, DU1 and DU2 can be the candidate real-time control network elements. DU1 can manage RU1, RU2, ALD1, ALD2 and ALD3, so RU1, RU2, ALD1, ALD2 and ALD3 can be the candidate execution network elements. DU2 can manage RU3 and ALD4, so RU3 and ALD4 can be the candidate execution network elements.

[0128] In addition, the non-real-time control network element may separately obtain the real-time control capability information of the candidate real-time control network element from the candidate real-time control network element, and obtain the real-time control capability information of the candidate execution network element from the candidate execution network element. For example, the candidate real-time control network element and the candidate execution network element may each report the real-time control capability information to the non-real-time control network element. In addition, the non-real-time control network element may alternatively obtain the real-time control capability information of the candidate real-time control network element directly and from the candidate control network element. For example, the candidate execution network element reports the real-time control capability information to the candidate real-time control network element, and then the candidate real-time control network element reports the real-time control capability information of the candidate real-time control network element and the real-time control capability information of the candidate execution network element to the non-real-time control network element. The method in which the non-real-time control network element obtains the real-time control capability information of each candidate network element is not limited in the present application.

[0129] In addition, if there is an intermediate network element between the candidate real-time control network element and the candidate execution network element, or if there is an intermediate network element between two candidate execution network elements, the real-time control capability information reported from each execution network element to the non-real-time control network element will further pass through at least one intermediate network element. For details, please refer to the description in the above step 201. For details, we will not repeat the description here.

[0130] It should be understood that, when the non-real-time control network element directly obtains real-time control capability information from the candidate real-time control network element and from the candidate execution network element, respectively, there is no clear limitation on the time sequence of step 301a and step 301b. Specifically, the non-real-time control network element may first execute step 301a and then execute step 301b, may first execute step 301b and then execute step 301a, or may execute step 301a and step 301b simultaneously. This is not specifically limited here.

[0131] Step 302: The non-real-time control network element determines at least one target real-time control network element and at least one target execution network element from the at least one candidate real-time control network element and the at least one candidate execution network element based on the real-time control capability information of the at least one candidate real-time control candidate network element and the real-time control capability information of the at least one candidate execution network element.

[0132] Specifically, the non-real-time control network element can determine at least two target network elements from at least one candidate real-time control network element and at least one candidate execution network element, and the at least two target network elements include at least one target real-time control network element and at least one target execution network element. Each of the at least two target network elements supports each real-time control function in a first function set, and the first function set includes at least one real-time control function. The first function set includes at least one of the following: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time integrated access and backhaul IAB mode enable function, and a real-time channel calibration function. For a detailed description of the first function set, please refer to step 202 above. The details will not be described again here.

[0133] In addition, at least two target network elements selected by the non-real-time control network element may support the same real-time control function, and at least two target network elements may all support multiple identical real-time control functions. For example, when at least two target network elements selected by the non-real-time control network element include a target real-time control network element 1, a target execution network element 1, and a target execution network element 2, the target real-time control network element 1, the target execution network element 1, and the target execution network element 2 all support real-time control function 1, the target real-time control network element 1, the target execution network element 1, and the target execution network element 2 all support real-time control function 2, or the target real-time control network element 1, the target execution network element 1, and the target execution network element 2 all support real-time control function 1 and real-time control function 2.

[0134] Specifically, the non-real-time control network element determines at least two target network elements based on the performance parameters indicated by the real-time control capability information of the candidate real-time control network element and the performance parameters indicated by the real-time control capability information of the candidate execution network element.

[0135] In a possible embodiment, the non-real-time control network element compares the performance parameters of the candidate real-time control network element with the performance parameters of the candidate performing network element, and if there is a non-empty intersection between the value of the performance parameter of the first real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the candidate real-time control network element and the value of the performance parameter of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the candidate performing network element, the non-real-time control network element determines the candidate real-time control network element as the target real-time control network element and determines the candidate performing network element as the target performing network element.

[0136] For example, if there is a non-empty intersection between the value of the performance parameter of the first real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the first candidate real-time control network element and the value of the performance parameter of the first real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the first candidate execution network element, the non-real-time control network element determines that both the first candidate real-time control network element and the first candidate execution network element support the first real-time control function, and further determines the first candidate real-time control network element as the target real-time control network element, and determines the first candidate execution network element as the target execution network element. For details, please refer to the detailed example in the above step 202. The details will not be described again here.

[0137] After the non-real-time control network element selects the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element, the non-real-time control network element sets transmission channel configuration information of the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element, so that the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element establish a real-time control transmission channel according to the transmission channel configuration information. Specifically, the non-real-time control network element sets the transmission channel configuration information of the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element separately through steps 303a and 303b.

[0138] Step 303a: The non-real-time control network element sends transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target real-time control network element to the target real-time control network element.

[0139] Step 303b: The non-real-time control network element sends transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target execution network element to the target execution network element.

[0140] It should be noted that there is no clear limitation on the time sequence of step 303a and step 303b. Specifically, the non-real-time control network element may first execute step 303a and then execute step 303b, may first execute step 303b and then execute step 303a, or may execute step 303a and step 303b simultaneously. This is not specifically limited here.

[0141] The transmission channel configuration information is used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the target network elements, and the real-time control transmission channel is used for transmitting real-time control information.

[0142] In a possible implementation, the transmission channel configuration information includes transmission resources of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0143] Optionally, the transmission channel configuration information further includes address information of the upstream network element and / or downstream network element corresponding to the target network element that receives the transmission channel configuration information. Figure 1C is used as an example. DU2, RU3 and ALD4 are target network elements, DU2 is a target real-time control network element, RU3 and ALD4 are target execution network elements, DU2 is connected to RU3 through an intermediate network element BRMU, and RU3 is connected to ALD4 through an intermediate network element RAMU. Therefore, for RU3, BRMU2 is the upstream network element, and RAMU3 is the downstream network element. For DU2, BRMU2 is the downstream network element. For ALD4, RAMU3 is the upstream network element. Note that, for the target network element, the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target network element only includes address information of the upstream network element, and does not include address information of the downstream network element. For example, the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to ALD4 in the above example only includes address information of the upstream network element RAMU3. Alternatively, the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target network element only includes the address information of the downstream network element, and does not include the address information of the upstream network element. For example, the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the DU2 in the above example only includes the address information of the downstream network element BRMU2. Alternatively, the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target network element includes the address information of the upstream network element and the address information of the downstream network element. For example, the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the RU3 in the above example includes the address information of the upstream network element BRMU2 and the address information of the downstream network element RAMU3. Optionally, the address information of the upstream network element includes the communication address and communication port of the upstream network element, and the address information of the downstream network element includes the communication address and communication port of the downstream network element.

[0144] Also, for explanations of concepts such as transmission resources, transmission rates, upstream network elements, downstream network elements, etc., please refer to step 203 above. The details will not be described again here.

[0145] In order to facilitate understanding of the transmission channel configuration information, FIG. 1C is taken as an example for explanation. The non-real-time control network element CU determines DU2 as the target real-time control network element, RU3 and ALD4 are the target execution network elements, BRMU2 is an intermediate network element connecting DU2 and RU3, and RAMU3 is an intermediate network element connecting RU3 and ALD4. In this case, the CU sends the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the network elements to DU2, RU3, and ALD4 individually. The transmission channel configuration information corresponding to DU2 is {transmission resource: time domain location 1 and frequency domain location 1; transmission rate: 800M; address information of downstream network element: address information of BRMU2}. The transmission channel configuration information corresponding to DU3 is {transmission resource: time domain location 1 and frequency domain location 1; transmission rate: 800M; address information of upstream network element: address information of BRMU2; address information of downstream network element: address information of RAMU3}. The transmission channel configuration information corresponding to ALD4 is {transmission resource: time domain position 1 and frequency domain position 1; transmission rate: 800M; address information of upstream network element: address information of RAMU3}.

[0146] Optionally, when the upstream or downstream network element of the target network element is an intermediate network element, the non-real-time control network element not only sends the transmission channel configuration information to the target network element, but also configures the address information of the target network element to the upstream or downstream network element connected to the target network element. For example, in the above example, the non-real-time control network element CU further sends the address information of the intermediate network element BRMU2 to DU2 and RU3 separately, and further sends the address information of the intermediate network element RAMU3 to RU3 and ALD4 separately.

[0147] After receiving the transmission channel configuration information from the non-real-time control network element, the target real-time control network element can know the address of the target execution network element that needs to establish a real-time control transmission channel with the target real-time control network element. The target execution network element can also know the address of the target real-time control network element that needs to establish a real-time control transmission channel with the target execution network element. Therefore, the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element can establish a real-time control transmission channel based on the address information of the peer network element.

[0148] Step 304: The non-real-time control network element determines function configuration information of each target execution network element according to the real-time control capability information of the target real-time control network element and the real-time control capability information of the target execution network element.

[0149] The capability configuration information is used by the target network element to enable various real-time control functions within the first capability set.

[0150] In addition, since the real-time control function in the first function set is a real-time control function supported by both the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element, the performance parameters included in the configuration information are performance parameters of the real-time control function supported by both the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element. For example, when both the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element support a real-time beam weight adjustment function and a real-time power control function, the configuration information sent by the non-real-time control network element to the target real-time control network element indicates that the target real-time control network element enables the real-time beam weight adjustment function and the real-time power control function, and the configuration information sent by the non-real-time control network element to the target execution network element indicates that the target execution network element enables the real-time beam weight adjustment function and the real-time power control function.

[0151] Furthermore, the target network element enabling the real-time control function can be understood as the target network element enabling or disabling the real-time control function, or, when the target network element enables the real-time control function, reading performance parameters of the real-time control function that are included in the function configuration information and determining that the target network element can use the performance parameters of the real-time control function.

[0152] Specifically, the functional configuration information can be implemented in the following ways.

[0153] In a possible implementation, the function configuration information includes performance parameters corresponding to at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of at least one performance parameter.

[0154] In implementation 1 of this implementation, the function configuration information includes performance parameters of various real-time control functions. In this case, the performance parameters of the real-time control functions can not only be used as instruction information for instructing the target network element to enable or disable the real-time control function, but also can indicate the performance parameters that the target network element can use when the target network element enables the real-time control function.

[0155] For example, if the function configuration information includes performance parameters corresponding to a real-time control function, after receiving the performance parameters of the real-time control function, the target network element can learn the functions that need to be enabled as indicated by the performance parameters of the real-time control function and the performance parameters of the real-time control function that can be used when enabling the real-time control function.

[0156] For example, when the function configuration information includes performance parameters of a real-time control function, the function configuration information sent by the non-real-time control network element to the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element can be as shown in Table 1-1 below. [Table 1]

[0157] In the example shown in Table 1-1, the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element both support a real-time beam weight adjustment function and a real-time power control function, and the function configuration information includes a performance parameter of the real-time beam weight adjustment function and a performance parameter of the real-time power control function. When the target network element (target real-time control network element or target execution network element) reads the performance parameter of the real-time beam weight adjustment function in the function configuration information, the target network element enables the real-time beam weight adjustment function. Similarly, when the target network element (target real-time control network element or target execution network element) reads the performance parameter of the real-time power control function in the function configuration information, the target network element enables the real-time power control function. For the real-time beam weight adjustment function, the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element may both set 16 channels or 32 channels, both set 8 phase shifters or 16 phase shifters, and both support 4 symbol switches. For the real-time power control function, the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element may both support a channel power adjustment step of 1 dB, and both support a maximum radio frequency power of 20 W or 40 W for the channel.

[0158] In this embodiment 1, since the function configuration information includes the performance parameters of the real-time control function, the target network elements (target real-time control network element and target execution network element) can learn the performance parameters and the values ​​of the performance parameters that can be used when the real-time control function is enabled. This maintains the consistency between the performance parameter values ​​of the real-time control function of the target real-time control network element and the performance parameter values ​​of the real-time control function of the target execution network element, making it possible to smoothly implement the real-time control function and to avoid failure in implementing the real-time control function due to inconsistency in the performance parameters.

[0159] In this implementation 2, the function configuration information includes performance parameters of various real-time control functions and indexes of the performance parameters. In this case, the performance parameters of the real-time control functions can be used as instruction information for instructing the target network element to enable or disable the real-time control functions. The details are the same as those in implementation 1, so the description is omitted here.

[0160] Optionally, if a performance parameter of the real-time control function has multiple available values, the function configuration information further comprises an index of the value of the performance parameter.

[0161] For example, when the function configuration information includes an index of a performance parameter of a real-time control function, the function configuration information sent by the non-real-time control network element to the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element can be as shown in Table 1-2 below. [Table 2]

[0162] In the example shown in Table 1-2, in addition to the contents shown in Table 1-1, an index of the value of each performance parameter is further included, and each index can uniquely identify the value of the performance parameter of the real-time control function. Optionally, the index can include three digits. The first digit represents the type of the real-time control function, the second digit represents the type of the performance parameter of the real-time control function represented by the first digit, and the third digit represents a specific value of the performance parameter represented by the second digit. For example, the index "1.1.1" indicates that the first value of the performance parameter "number of channels" of the real-time beam weight adjustment function is 16, and the index "1.1.2" indicates that the second value of the performance parameter "number of channels" of the real-time beam weight adjustment function is 32. As another example, the index "1.3.1" indicates that the value of the performance parameter "number of symbol switching times" of the real-time beam weight adjustment function is 1.

[0163] In addition, when a performance parameter has only one value, the index of the performance parameter may indicate the value of the performance parameter. For example, when the performance parameter "symbol switching count" of the real-time beam weight adjustment function has only one value, the index "1.3" may indicate that the value of the performance parameter "symbol switching count" of the real-time beam weight adjustment function is 1.

[0164] In addition, when the performance parameter has few values ​​(for example, the performance parameter has only one or two values), the function configuration information may not include the index of the performance parameter. For example, in this case, the function configuration information that the non-real-time control network element sends to the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element can be as shown in the following Table 1-3. [Table 3]

[0165] In the example shown in Table 1-3, in addition to the contents shown in Table 1-1, indexes of values ​​of some performance parameters (e.g., weights of phase shifters) are further included, and each index can uniquely identify the value of the performance parameter of the real-time control function. Indexes of other performance parameters may not be set.

[0166] In this implementation 2, the function configuration information includes not only the performance parameters of the real-time control function but also the indexes of the performance parameters. This allows the target network elements (target real-time control network element and target execution network element) to accurately determine the value range of the performance parameters when the real-time control function is enabled, and the target real-time control network element can use the indexes of the performance parameters to replace the performance parameters when exchanging real-time control information with the target execution network element. This not only allows the real-time control function to be smoothly realized, but also reduces the byte size of the control information transmitted when the target real-time control network element interacts with the target execution network element, and saves transmission resources for transmitting the real-time control information.

[0167] In implementation 3 of this implementation, the function configuration information includes indexes of performance parameters of various real-time control functions, in which the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element agree on the correspondence between the indexes of the performance parameters and the performance parameters, and the target network element (e.g., the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element) can determine the performance parameters based on the indexes of the performance parameters.

[0168] In addition, the index of the performance parameter of the real-time control function can also be used as instruction information for instructing the target network element to enable or disable the real-time control function. Specifically, when the target network element (target real-time control network element or target execution network element) reads the index of the performance parameter of the function configuration information, it first determines the performance parameter according to the index of the performance parameter, and then enables the real-time control function corresponding to the performance parameter.

[0169] For example, when the function configuration information includes an index of a performance parameter of a real-time control function, the function configuration information sent by the non-real-time control network element to the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element can be as shown in Tables 1-4 below. [Table 4]

[0170] In the example shown in Table 1-4, the configuration information is an index of the performance parameters of each real-time control function, and each index can uniquely identify the value of the performance parameter of the real-time control function.

[0171] In this embodiment 3, the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element can agree on the corresponding relationship between the index of the performance parameter and the performance parameter in advance, so that the target real-time control network element may replace the performance parameter with the index of the performance parameter when exchanging real-time control information with the target execution network element, which not only can smoothly realize the real-time control function, but also can reduce the byte size of the control information transmitted when the target real-time control network element interacts with the target execution network element, and can save the transmission resources for transmitting the real-time control information.

[0172] In another possible implementation, in addition to the performance parameter and / or the index of the performance parameter, the function configuration information further includes enable instruction information of at least one real-time control function, and the enable instruction information instructs the target network element to enable or disable the real-time control function. In this case, the target network element is instructed to enable or disable the real-time control function using the enable instruction information, and does not need the performance parameter or the index of the performance parameter to realize the enable effect. For example, the enable instruction information includes two values. One value (e.g., 1) represents enable, and the other value (e.g., 0) represents disable.

[0173] In this implementation, for the implementation of performance parameters or performance parameter indexes, please refer to the examples shown in Tables 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4. In this implementation, details will not be listed one by one.

[0174] As a possible example, the performance parameters of the functional configuration information and the activation instruction information may be combined. For example, the performance parameters of the functional configuration information and the activation instruction information may be arranged in the same table. When the example shown in Table 1-1 is used for the performance parameters, the functional configuration information may be as shown in Table 1-5 below. [Table 5]

[0175] In the example shown in Table 1-5, in addition to the contents shown in Table 1-1, activation instruction information is further included. When the value of the activation instruction information is 1, it indicates that the real-time control function is enabled. Or, when the value of the activation instruction information is 0, it indicates that the real-time control function is disabled. For example, in the example shown in Table 1-5, it indicates that the real-time beam weight adjustment function is enabled, or it indicates that the real-time power control function is disabled.

[0176] As a possible example, the performance parameters of the functional configuration information may be independent of the activation instruction information. For example, the performance parameters of the functional configuration information and the activation instruction information may be arranged in different tables. In this case, the activation instruction information may be as shown in Table 2-1 below. [Table 6]

[0177] In the example shown in Table 2-1, when the value of the enable instruction information is 1, it indicates that the real-time control function is enabled, or when the value of the enable instruction information is 0, it indicates that the real-time control function is disabled.

[0178] In this example, Table 2-1 may be combined with any of the examples of Table 1-1, Table 1-2, Table 1-3, Table 1-4, and Table 1-5.

[0179] Note that Table 1-1, Table 1-2, Table 1-3, Table 1-4, Table 1-5, and Table 2-1 are only some possible examples of functional configuration information. In practical applications, the functional configuration information may include more real-time control functions, and each real-time control function may include more performance parameters or performance parameter indexes. In the present application, there is no limit to the number of real-time control functions, performance parameters, or performance parameter indexes included in the functional configuration information.

[0180] Step 305a: The non-real-time control network element sends function configuration information to the target real-time control network element, and in response, the target real-time control network element receives function configuration information from the non-real-time control network element.

[0181] It should be noted that after the target real-time control network element receives the function configuration information, the target real-time control network element can send real-time control information to the target execution network element according to the function configuration information. For details, see step 306.

[0182] For details of the functional configuration information, please refer to the detailed description of step 304 above, and the details will not be described again here.

[0183] Step 305b: The non-real-time control network element sends function configuration information to the target execution network element, and in response, the target execution network element receives the function configuration information from the non-real-time control network element.

[0184] It should be noted that after the target performing network element receives the function configuration information, the target performing network element can learn the performance parameters and the values ​​of the performance parameters available for each real-time control function. However, the performance parameters of the real-time control function in the function configuration information may have at least two values. In this case, the target real-time control network element needs to instruct the target performing network element to enable the value of the performance parameter through the real-time control information. Specifically, the target real-time control network element executes step 306.

[0185] Step 306: The target real-time control network element sends real-time control information to the target execution network element. In response, the target execution network element receives real-time control information from the target real-time control network element.

[0186] The real-time control information indicates enable values ​​of each performance parameter of the real-time control function determined by the target real-time control network element based on function configuration information received from the non-real-time control network element.

[0187] The real-time control information includes the values ​​of each performance parameter indicated by the functional configuration information.

[0188] In a possible embodiment, the real-time control information includes a value of at least one performance parameter of the real-time control function, the value of the at least one performance parameter being a value that should be valid. For example, if the target real-time control network element needs to enable the real-time beam weight adjustment function, the target real-time control network element needs to send a value of each of the at least one performance parameter of the real-time beam weight adjustment function to the target executing network element.

[0189] In another possible implementation, the real-time control information includes an index of a value of at least one performance parameter of the real-time control function. The function configuration information received by the target performing network element includes a correspondence between the index of the value of the performance parameter and the value of the performance parameter, or the target performing network element is configured with the correspondence between the index of the value of the performance parameter and the value of the performance parameter. Thus, when the target performing network element receives the value of the performance parameter, the target performing network element can determine the value of the performance parameter corresponding to the index, and thus the value of the performance parameter becomes effective.

[0190] However, in a practical application, the target real-time control network element may indicate the value of the performance parameter in any of the above implementations.

[0191] In addition, the real-time control information further includes address information of an upstream network element and / or address information of a downstream network element, where the address information of the upstream network element includes a communication address and a communication port of the upstream network element, and the address information of the downstream network element includes a communication address and a communication port of the downstream network element.

[0192] Optionally, the real-time control information further includes type information of real-time control function, indicating the type of real-time control function currently being transmitted by the real-time control information. For example, the type information may be a type of real-time beam weight adjustment function, a type of real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a type of real-time power control function, a type of real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a type of real-time integrated access and backhaul IAB mode enablement function, and a type of real-time channel calibration function, etc., which is not specifically limited herein.

[0193] Optionally, the real-time control information further comprises an identifier of a real-time control information transmission channel, indicating a transmission channel for transmitting the real-time control information. Because there may be multiple real-time control information transmission channels between network devices, the real-time control information comprising a transmission channel identifier is helpful to accurately transmit the real-time control information from the target real-time control network element to the target execution network element.

[0194] In a possible implementation, the real-time control information may be included in a real-time control message, which includes the following fields:

[0195] The START field is used to carry a start flag of a real-time control message to distinguish the real-time control message from other information. For example, when real-time control information is carried in the payload of a basic protocol message, the start flag is used to distinguish service data in the payload of the basic protocol message from a real-time control message. As another example, when real-time control information is carried in an extension message header of a basic protocol message, the start flag is used to distinguish message header information in the extension message header of the basic protocol message from a real-time control message.

[0196] The HEAD field is used to carry information such as address information of an upstream network element and / or address information of a downstream network element, type information of a real-time control function, and an identifier of a real-time control information transmission channel.

[0197] The PAYLOAD field is used to carry at least one performance parameter of a real-time control function and / or an index of at least one performance parameter in the function configuration information. In general, the performance parameters carried in the PAYLOAD field vary depending on the real-time control function.

[0198] The FRAMECHECK field is used to validate real-time control messages so that they are byte-aligned. The FRAMECHECK field may be an optional field.

[0199] The END field is used to carry an end flag of the real-time control message to distinguish the real-time control message from other information. For example, when the real-time control information is carried in the payload of the basic protocol message, the end flag is used to distinguish the service data in the payload of the basic protocol message from the real-time control message. As another example, when the real-time control information is carried in the extended message header of the basic protocol message, the end flag is used to distinguish the message header information in the extended message header of the basic protocol message from the real-time control message. When both the current start flag and the end flag are located in the payload of the basic protocol message, it indicates that the entire real-time control message is located in the payload of the basic protocol message. When both the current start flag and the end flag are located in the extended message header of the basic protocol message, it indicates that the entire real-time control message is located in the extended message header of the basic protocol message.

[0200] For example, using the real-time beam weight adjustment function as an example, when the payload of the real-time control message carries the value of a performance parameter, the sequence of the fields and the contents of the fields carried in the real-time control message can be shown in Table 3-1 below. [Table 7]

[0201] In the example shown in Table 3-1, the real-time control information is carried in a real-time control message, and the payload field of the real-time control message includes the value of each performance parameter related to the implementation of the real-time beam weight adjustment function. After the target performing network element receives the real-time control message, the target performing network element can implement the real-time beam weight adjustment function based on the real-time control message. It should be understood that for the real-time control function, the target real-time control network element can send different real-time control messages to the target performing network element at different moments, and the values ​​of the performance parameters in the payload carried in the different real-time control messages are different. For example, the weights of the phase shifters in different real-time control messages are different to realize the function of adjusting the weights of the phase shifters in real time.

[0202] For example, using the real-time power control function as an example, when the payload of the real-time control message carries the value of a performance parameter, the sequence of the fields and the contents of the fields carried in the real-time control message can be shown in Table 3-2 below. [Table 8]

[0203] In the example shown in Table 3-2, the real-time control information is carried in a real-time control message, and the payload field of the real-time control message includes the value of each performance parameter related to the implementation of the real-time power control function. After the target implementing network element receives the real-time control message, the target implementing network element can implement the real-time power control function based on the real-time control message.

[0204] It should be noted that Table 3-1 and Table 3-2 are only some possible examples of real-time control messages. In practical applications, the message format and message content can be adjusted according to the actual transmission situation. For example, encryption processing fields can be added or some fields can be deleted. This is not specifically limited here.

[0205] Additionally, real-time control messages may be conveyed within the underlying protocol messages.

[0206] In a possible implementation, the real-time control message may be encapsulated in a data payload of an underlying protocol message, i.e., the real-time control information may be transmitted as part of the data payload of the underlying protocol message. In this case, the underlying protocol message includes an underlying protocol message header and an underlying protocol data payload, and the underlying protocol data payload includes the real-time control message. Optionally, the underlying protocol may be a common public radio interface (CPRI) protocol, a similar CPRI (sCPRI) protocol, an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI) protocol, an antenna interface standards group (AISG) protocol, an Ethernet protocol, etc., which are not specifically limited herein.

[0207] For example, take as an example that a real-time control message is transmitted based on the CPRI protocol. The format of the CPRI protocol message carrying the real-time control message is shown in Figure 4A. The CPRI control word represents the message header of the CPRI protocol message. The real-time control message is carried in the CPRI payload. It should be understood that the CPRI payload can further carry other information in addition to the real-time control message, which is not specifically limited here.

[0208] In another possible implementation, the real-time control message is encapsulated in a message header of the base protocol message, i.e., an extended protocol header of the base protocol, and the real-time control message is sent as the base control message. In this case, the base protocol message includes an extended base protocol message header and a base protocol data payload, and the extended base protocol message header includes the real-time control message. Optionally, the base protocol may be a CPRI protocol, an sCPRI protocol, an eCPRI protocol, an AISG protocol, an Ethernet protocol, etc. This is not specifically limited here.

[0209] For example, take as an example that the real-time control message is transmitted based on the CPRI protocol. The format of the CPRI protocol message carrying the real-time control message is shown in Figure 4B. The CPRI extended control word represents the extended message header of the CPRI protocol message. The real-time control message is carried in the CPRI extended control word. It should be understood that the CPRI payload can further carry other information in addition to the real-time control message, which is not specifically limited here.

[0210] Step 307a: The target real-time control network element sends the status information of the real-time control transmission channel to the non-real-time control network element. In response, the non-real-time control network element receives the status information of the real-time control transmission channel from the target real-time control network element.

[0211] Step 307b: The target executing network element sends the status information of the real-time control transmission channel to the target real-time control network element. In response, the target real-time control network element receives the status information of the real-time control transmission channel from the target executing network element.

[0212] In this embodiment, step 307b is an optional step.

[0213] The status information indicates the running status of the real-time control transmission channel. The running status of the real-time control transmission channel includes normal running or abnormal running. The status information optionally includes an address of a network element that reports the status information, a channel number of the real-time control transmission channel, a status value indicating that the channel is normal, and a status value indicating that the channel is abnormal. The address of the network element that reports the status information and the channel number of the real-time control transmission channel are used to determine a specific location of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0214] Optionally, the status information further includes delay information. The delay information indicates whether a delay occurs when the real-time control transmission channel transmits the real-time control information, and indicates a value of the delay. Specifically, the intermediate network element or the executing network element in the real-time control transmission channel can determine the delay based on time domain resource information such as frame index, subframe index, slot index, symbol index, etc. in the real-time control message. For example, determine an error time Td based on the actual receiving time and the standard receiving time, and if the error time Td is greater than a preset value, determine the error time Td as the value of the delay.

[0215] In a possible implementation, the non-real-time control network element CU periodically sends a query message to a network element through which the real-time control transmission channel passes (i.e., a target real-time control network element (e.g., a DU) or a target execution network element (e.g., an RU and an ALD)), where the query message is used to inquire about the status information of the real-time control transmission channel. And after receiving the query message, the network element feeds back the status information of the real-time control transmission channel to the non-real-time control network element CU.

[0216] In another possible implementation, a network element through which the established real-time control transmission channel passes (i.e., a target real-time control network element (e.g., a DU) or a target execution network element (e.g., an RU and an ALD)) may periodically and actively report status information of the real-time control transmission channel to the real-time control network element.

[0217] Step 308a: The non-real-time control network element manages the real-time control transmission channel according to the status information of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0218] Specifically, after receiving the status information of the real-time control transmission channel, the non-real-time control network element decides to maintain, establish, reconfigure or delete the real-time control transmission channel according to the status information. For example, if the status information indicates that the status is normal, the non-real-time control network element continues to maintain the real-time control transmission channel. If the status information indicates that the status is abnormal, the non-real-time control network element decides to reconfigure the software of the real-time control transmission channel or directly delete the real-time control transmission channel according to the fault degree of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0219] Specifically, the non-real-time control network element can perform the following management for each target network element based on the state information:

[0220] In a possible implementation, when the status information indicates that the transmission resources are limited, the non-real-time control network element sends a transmission resource ratio to the target network element, where the transmission resource ratio indicates a ratio between the transmission resources occupied for transmitting real-time control information and the transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data. Optionally, the transmission resource ratio sent by the non-real-time control network element is greater than an initial transmission resource ratio initially configured by the non-real-time control network element. Specifically, when the transmission resources are limited, the non-real-time control network element increases the amount of the transmission resources occupied for transmitting real-time control information and decreases the amount of the transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data to reserve more transmission resources for transmitting real-time control information.

[0221] Optionally, the non-real-time control network element may further send data compression indication information to each target network element, where the data compression indication information indicates to compress the service data to be transmitted, so that the reserved transmission resources can be reserved for the real-time control information by compressing the data. Optionally, the data compression indication information includes a compression ratio, which indicates a ratio of compressed data to data before compression. For example, the compression ratio is 1 / 2 or 1 / 3. For example, when the compression ratio is 1 / 2, it indicates that the number of bits occupied by the compressed data is 1 / 2 of the number of bits occupied by the data before compression.

[0222] In a possible implementation, if the status information further includes delay information, the non-real-time control network element instructs each network element on the real-time control transmission channel (e.g., the target real-time control network element, the target execution network element, and the intermediate network element) to adjust the delay based on the delay information, and each target network element on the real-time control transmission channel can adjust the time at which it transmits real-time control information based on the instruction.

[0223] In a possible implementation, when the status information indicates that a serious failure has occurred in the real-time control transmission channel, the non-real-time control network element sends a release message to each target network element, and the release message indicates to release the real-time control transmission channel, thereby saving transmission resources and improving the resource utilization rate of the base station system.

[0224] Step 308b: The target real-time control network element manages the real-time control transmission channel according to the state information of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0225] Step 308b is an optional step.

[0226] In a possible implementation, if the status information further includes delay information, the target real-time control network element instructs each network element (e.g., including the target executing network element and / or intermediate network element) on the real-time control transmission channel to adjust the delay based on the delay information, so that each target network element on the real-time control transmission channel can adjust the time at which it transmits real-time control information based on the instruction.

[0227] In this implementation, the non-real-time control network element can collect real-time control capability information of multiple candidate network elements (i.e., real-time control capability information of at least one candidate real-time control network element and real-time control capability information of at least one candidate execution network element) managed by the non-real-time control network element, and select at least two target network elements (i.e., at least one target real-time control network element and at least one target execution network element) supporting one or more identical real-time control functions based on the real-time control capability information of the candidate network elements. Then, establish a real-time control transmission channel based on the at least two target network elements to transmit real-time control information. Since each of the at least two target network elements supports at least one identical real-time control function, the real-time control information transmitted by the target real-time control network element in the real-time control transmission channel established by the at least two target network elements can be identified by the target execution network element in the real-time control transmission channel. Therefore, the success rate of real-time control information transmission can be improved, and the real-time control processing capability of the base station system can be improved.

[0228] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 50 according to the present application. It should be noted that the control network element in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2, the non-real-time control network element and the real-time control network element in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3 may all be based on the configuration of the communication device 50 shown in FIG. 5 in this embodiment. The communication device 50 is a network element or device having a baseband signal processing function, or a device having a radio signal processing function for managing a radio access network (RAN). For example, when the communication device 50 executes the method embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2, the communication device 50 may be a baseband processing unit (BBU), a central unit (CU), or a distributed unit (DU) in a base station system, or may be a combination of a CU and a DU. When the communication device 50 executes the method of the non-real-time control network element in the method embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3, the communication device 50 may be a CU. When the communication device 50 executes the method of the real-time control network element in the method embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3, the communication device 50 may be a DU. In practical application and subsequent network evolution, the communication device 50 may alternatively be other network elements or devices having real-time control processing capabilities, or other devices having radio signal processing capabilities for managing the radio access network RAN.

[0229] Specifically, the communication device 50 includes at least one processor 501, at least one memory 502, and at least one communication interface 503. The processor 501, the memory 502, and the communication interface 503 are connected via a connection device. The connection device may include various types of interfaces, transmission cables, buses, etc. This is not limited in this embodiment.

[0230] The memory 502 is mainly configured to store software programs and data. The memory 502 may exist independently or be connected to the processor 501. Optionally, the memory 502 may be integrated with the processor 501, for example integrated with one or more chips. The memory 502 may store programs for implementing the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, and the processor 501 controls the execution of the program code. Various types of executing computer programs may be considered as drivers for the processor 501. It should be understood that in this embodiment, FIG. 5 shows only one memory and one processor. However, in practical applications, the communication device 50 may include multiple processors or multiple memories. This is not specifically limited here. Furthermore, the memory 502 may also be referred to as a storage medium, a storage device, etc. The memory 502 may be a storage element located on the same chip as the processor (i.e., an on-chip storage element), or may be an independent storage element. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0231] In this embodiment, the communication interface 503 is configured to receive digital baseband or digital intermediate frequency signals from a radio unit (e.g., an implementation network element as described above) and provide the digital baseband or digital intermediate frequency signals to the processor 501 so that the processor 501 can perform further processing, such as demodulation and decoding, on the digital baseband or digital intermediate frequency signals. The communication interface 503 may further be configured to transmit the digital baseband or digital intermediate frequency signals to a radio unit (e.g., an implementation network element as described above) so that the radio unit can convert the modulated digital baseband or modulated digital intermediate frequency signals into radio frequency signals and transmit the radio frequency signals via one or more antennas. For example, the communication interface 503 may be a fronthaul interface such as an enhanced common public radio interface eCPRI or a common public radio interface CPRI.

[0232] Optionally, the communication interface 503 is further connected to an optical module (not shown), which is configured to convert a digital baseband signal generated by the communication device 50 into an optical signal for transmission over an optical fiber. The optical module is further configured to receive an optical signal from another device (e.g., an intermediate network element or an execution network element as mentioned above) and convert the optical signal into a digital baseband signal.

[0233] It should be noted that the combined structure of the communication interface 503 and the optical module may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. Optionally, a component configured to realize a receiving function in the transceiver unit may be considered as a receiving unit, and a component configured to realize a transmitting function in the transceiver unit may be considered as a transmitting unit. In other words, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, an input port, a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitting unit may also be referred to as a transmitting machine, a transmitter, a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0234] Moreover, the processor 501 is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire network device, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs, for example, configured to assist the communication device 50 to perform the operations described in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The communication device 50 may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit. The baseband processor is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit is mainly configured to control the entire communication device 50, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs. The processor 501 of FIG. 5 may integrate the functions of the baseband processor and the central processing unit. Those skilled in the art may understand that the baseband processor and the central processing unit may alternatively be processors independent of each other and are interconnected using a technology such as a bus. Those skilled in the art may understand that the communication device 50 may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, the communication device 50 may include multiple central processing units to increase the processing capacity of the communication device 50, and the components of the communication device 50 may be connected via various buses. The baseband processor may alternatively be expressed as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processing unit may alternatively be represented as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing the communication protocol and communication data may be built into the processor, or may be stored in the memory in the form of a software program, and the processor may execute the software program to realize the baseband processing function.

[0235] Specifically, when the communication device 50 executes the method of the control network element of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2, the communication device 50 executes the following steps according to the program code stored in the memory 502:

[0236] The communication device 50 receives real-time control capability information of each of the execution network elements from the execution network elements via the communication interface 503, where the real-time control capability information indicates performance parameters used by the execution network elements to realize various real-time control functions. Then, the processor 501 determines at least one target network element from the multiple execution network elements based on the real-time control capability information of the multiple execution network elements and the real-time control capability information of the control network element. Each of the at least one target network element and the control network element both support each real-time control function in a first function set, where the first function set includes at least one real-time control function. Then, the communication device 50 transmits transmission channel configuration information to each of the at least one target network element via the communication interface 503. The transmission channel configuration information is used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the control network element and the target network element, where the real-time control transmission channel is used to transmit the real-time control information.

[0237] Optionally, the first set of functions includes at least one of the following: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time integrated access and backhaul IAB mode enablement function, and a real-time channel calibration function.

[0238] Optionally, there is a non-empty intersection between the value of a performance parameter of a real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and the value of a performance parameter of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the target network element.

[0239] Optionally, the transmission channel configuration information includes a transmission resource of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0240] In a possible implementation, the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower bounds of the transmission rate supported by the execution network element, in which case the processor 501 determines the transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel based on the upper and lower bounds of the transmission rate of at least one target network element.

[0241] In a possible implementation, the processor 501 further determines function configuration information of each target network element based on the real-time control capability information of the at least one target network element, and the function configuration information is used to configure the real-time control functions in the first function set for the target network element. The communication interface 503 sends the function configuration information corresponding to the target network element to each target network element.

[0242] Optionally, the function configuration information comprises performance parameters corresponding to at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of at least one performance parameter.

[0243] In a possible implementation, the communication device 50 further transmits real-time control information to the target network element via the communication interface 503, where the real-time control information includes values ​​of each performance parameter indicated by the functional configuration information.

[0244] In a possible implementation, the communication device 50 further transmits a transmission resource ratio to each target network element via the communication interface 503, the transmission resource ratio indicating the ratio between the transmission resources occupied for transmitting real-time control information and the transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data.

[0245] In a possible implementation, the communication device 50 further obtains status information of the real-time control transmission channel through the communication interface 503, and the status information indicates the execution status of the real-time control transmission channel. The processor 501 further manages the real-time control transmission channel according to the status information.

[0246] Specifically, when the communication device 50 executes the method of the non-real-time control network element of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3, the communication device 50 executes the following steps according to the program code stored in the memory 502:

[0247] The communication device 50 receives, via the communication interface 503, real-time control capability information of the candidate real-time control network element from the candidate real-time control network element, and receives real-time control capability information of the candidate execution network element from the candidate execution network element.

[0248] The processor 501 determines at least one target real-time control network element and at least one target execution network element from the at least one candidate real-time control network element and the at least one candidate execution network element based on real-time control capability information of the at least one candidate real-time control candidate network element and real-time control capability information of the at least one candidate execution network element.

[0249] In addition, the communication device 50 transmits transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target real-time control network element to the target real-time control network element via the communication interface 503, and transmits the transmission channel configuration information corresponding to the target execution network element to the target execution network element, so that the target real-time control network element and the target execution network element establish a real-time control transmission channel based on the transmission channel configuration information.

[0250] In a possible implementation, the processor 501 is further configured to determine function configuration information of each target execution network element based on the real-time control capability information of the target real-time control network element and the real-time control capability information of the target execution network element. The communication device 50 transmits the function configuration information corresponding to the target real-time control network element to the target real-time control network element through the communication interface 503, and transmits the function configuration information corresponding to the target execution network element to the target execution network element.

[0251] Specifically, when the communication device 50 executes the method of the real-time control network element of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3, the communication device 50 executes the following steps according to the program code stored in the memory 502:

[0252] The communication device 50 transmits real-time control information to the target execution network element via the communication interface 503 .

[0253] For the rest, please refer to the method of the control network element in the embodiment corresponding to Fig. 2, or the method of the non-real-time control network element or the real-time control network element in the embodiment corresponding to Fig. 3. Details will not be described again here.

[0254] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 60 according to the present application. It should be noted that the execution network element of the embodiment of the method corresponding to FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 may be based on the structure of the communication device 60 of FIG. 6 in this embodiment. It should be noted that the communication device 60 may be a radio unit or other processing device having the function of processing radio signals (e.g., intermediate frequency signals or radio frequency signals) in a base station system. For example, the communication device 60 may be a remote radio unit (RRU) or a remote radio head (RRH) in a base station system. The RRU is generally used for traditional outdoor coverage of a macro base station, and the RRH is generally used for indoor coverage of an indoor distributed system. For example, in a 5GNR system, the communication device 60 may alternatively be an active antenna unit (AAU), i.e., a processing unit that integrates an RRU (or RRH) and an antenna device. The communication device 60 may alternatively be an antenna device, for example, an antenna line device (ALD). In practical applications and subsequent network development, the wireless device may alternatively be other devices or equipment having the function of transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals, or the function of processing radio frequency signals or intermediate frequency signals.

[0255] The communication device 60 includes at least one processor 601, at least one memory 2020, at least one transceiver 603, and one or more antennas 604. The processor 601, the memory 602, and the transceiver 603 are connected to each other through a connection device, and the antenna 604 is connected to the transceiver 603. The connection device may include various types of interfaces, transmission cables, buses, etc. This is not limited in this embodiment.

[0256] The memory 602 is mainly configured to store software programs and data. The memory 602 may exist independently or be connected to the processor 601. Optionally, the memory 602 may be integrated with the processor 601, for example integrated with one or more chips. The memory 602 may store programs for implementing the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, and the processor 601 controls the execution of the program code. Various types of executing computer programs may be considered as drivers for the processor 601. It should be understood that in this embodiment, FIG. 6 shows only one memory and one processor. However, in practical applications, the communication device 60 may include multiple processors or multiple memories. This is not specifically limited here. Furthermore, the memory 602 may also be referred to as a storage medium, a storage device, etc. The memory 602 may be a storage element located on the same chip as the processor (i.e., an on-chip storage element), or may be an independent storage element. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0257] In this embodiment, the transceiver 603 may be configured to assist in transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals between the communication device 60 and the terminal device, and the transceiver 603 may be connected to an antenna 604. The transceiver 603 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, the one or more antennas 604 may receive radio frequency signals. The receiver Rx of the transceiver 603 is configured to receive the radio frequency signals from the antenna 604, convert the radio frequency signals to digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and transmit the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals to the radio device controller. In this manner, the radio device controller performs further processing, such as demodulation and decoding, on the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals. Furthermore, the transmitter Tx of the transceiver 603 is further configured to receive the modulated digital baseband signals or modulated digital intermediate frequency signals from the radio device controller, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or modulated digital intermediate frequency signals to radio frequency signals, and transmit the radio frequency signals via the one or more antennas 604. Specifically, the receiver Rx may selectively perform one or more levels of frequency downmixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the radio frequency signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal. The order of the frequency downmixing and analog-to-digital conversion processes is adjustable. The transmitter Tx may selectively perform one or more levels of frequency upmixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or the modulated digital intermediate frequency signal to obtain a radio frequency signal. The order of the frequency upmixing and digital-to-analog conversion processes is adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital intermediate frequency signal may be collectively referred to as a digital signal.

[0258] It should be understood that the transceiver 603 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver machine, a transceiver device, etc. Optionally, a component configured to realize a receiving function in the transceiver unit may be considered as a receiving unit, and a component configured to realize a transmitting function in the transceiver unit may be considered as a transmitting unit. In other words, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit may be referred to as a receiver, an input port, a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitting unit may be referred to as a transmitting machine, a transmitter, a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0259] Moreover, the processor 601 is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs, for example, to assist the communication device 60 to perform the operations described in the above embodiments. In a possible embodiment, the communication device 60 is configured to perform the method of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

[0260] Specifically, when the communication device 60 executes the method of the embodiment corresponding to Fig. 2, the processor 601 in the communication device 60 is configured to collect real-time control capability information of the executing network element. Then, the transceiver 603 in the communication device 60 is configured to send the real-time control capability information of the executing network element to the control network element, where the real-time control capability information indicates the performance parameters used by the executing network element to implement various real-time control functions. The transceiver 603 is further configured to receive transmission channel configuration information from the control network element when the executing network element is determined as the target network element. Then, the processor 601 in the communication device 60 establishes a real-time control transmission channel connecting the control network element and the communication device 60 based on the transmission channel configuration information, where the real-time control transmission channel is used to transmit the real-time control information.

[0261] The control network element and the executing network element both support each real-time control function in the first function set, the first function set including at least one real-time control function.

[0262] Optionally, the first set of functions includes at least one of the following: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time IAB mode enable function, and a real-time channel calibration function.

[0263] Optionally, there is a non-empty intersection between the values ​​of the performance parameters of a real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the controlling network element and the values ​​of the performance parameters of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element.

[0264] Optionally, the transmission channel configuration information includes a transmission resource of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0265] Optionally, the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower bounds of a transmission rate supported by the executing network element, which upper and lower bounds of the transmission rate are used to determine the transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

[0266] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 603 receives function configuration information corresponding to the executing network element from the control network element, and the function configuration information is used to configure real-time control functions in the first function set for the target network element.

[0267] In a possible implementation, the function configuration information includes performance parameters corresponding to at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of at least one performance parameter.

[0268] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 603 is further configured to receive real-time control information from the controlling network element, where the real-time control information includes values ​​of each performance parameter indicated by the functional configuration information.

[0269] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 603 is further configured to receive a transmission resource ratio from a control network element, the transmission resource ratio indicating a ratio between transmission resources occupied for transmitting real-time control information and transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data.

[0270] For the rest, please refer to the method of the executing network element in the embodiment corresponding to Fig. 2 or Fig. 3. The details will not be described again here.

[0271] In the implementation process, the steps of the aforementioned method can be implemented using hardware integrated logic circuits in a processor or using instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed using a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor. The software modules may be located in conventional mature storage media, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage media may be located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and achieves the steps of the aforementioned method in combination with the hardware of the processor. To avoid repetition, the details will not be described again here. It should be understood that the "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and various numbers in this specification are used merely for distinction for ease of description, and are not to be interpreted as a limitation of the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0272] The present application also provides a computer program product, the computer program product including one or more computer instructions. The computer program instructions, when loaded and executed on a computer, generate procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application in whole or in part. For example, the method associated with the control network element of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 is performed. In another example, the method associated with the execution network element of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 is performed. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, 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 data center that incorporates one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a digital versatile disc (DVD)), a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)), or the like.

[0273] Furthermore, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program being executed by a processor to implement the method relating to the control network element of FIG.

[0274] Furthermore, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program being executed by a processor to implement the method relating to the executing network element of FIG.

[0275] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this specification describes an association relationship that simply describes associated objects, and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. Furthermore, the character " / " in this specification generally indicates an "or" relationship between associated objects.

[0276] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the above processes do not refer to the execution order in various embodiments of the present application. The execution sequence of the processes should be determined according to the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as a restriction on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0277] For the purpose of convenience and concise description, it can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the detailed operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, equipment, and units may be referred to the corresponding processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.

[0278] The above embodiments are merely intended to describe the technical solutions of the present application, and do not limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, modifications may be made to the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or equivalent substitutions may be made to some technical features thereof.

Claims

1. 1. A communication method comprising: obtaining, by a controlling network element, real-time control capability information of a plurality of executing network elements managed by said controlling network element, said real-time control capability information indicating performance parameters used by said executing network elements to implement various real-time control functions; determining, by the control network element, at least one target network element from the plurality of executing network elements based on real-time control capability information of the plurality of executing network elements and the real-time control capability information of the control network element, where each of the at least one target network element and the control network element both support each real-time control function in a first function set, the first function set including at least one real-time control function; sending, by the control network element, transmission channel configuration information to each of the at least one target network element, the transmission channel configuration information being used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the control network element and the target network element, the real-time control transmission channel being used to transmit real-time control information; The method includes:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a non-empty intersection exists between values ​​of performance parameters of real-time control functions indicated by the real-time control capability information of the control network element and values ​​of performance parameters of the same real-time control functions indicated by the real-time control capability information of the target network element.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission channel configuration information comprises a transmission resource of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

4. the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower bounds on transmission rates supported by the executing network element; Prior to the step of transmitting, by the control network element, transmission channel configuration information to each of the at least one target network element, the method further comprises: determining, by the control network element, a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel based on the upper and lower bounds of a transmission rate of the at least one target network element; The method of claim 3 further comprising:

5. The method comprises: determining, by the control network element, function configuration information for each target network element based on real-time control capability information of the at least one target network element, the function configuration information being used to configure the real-time control functions in the first function set for the target network element; sending, by the control network element, to each target network element, the functional configuration information corresponding to the target network element; The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the functional configuration information comprises performance parameters corresponding to the at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of the at least one performance parameter.

7. The method comprises: transmitting the real-time control information to the target network element by the control network element, the real-time control information including a value of each performance parameter indicated by the functional configuration information; The method of claim 6 further comprising:

8. The method comprises: sending a transmission resource ratio by the control network element to each target network element, the transmission resource ratio indicating a ratio of transmission resources occupied for transmitting the real-time control information to transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data; The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

9. The method comprises: acquiring, by the control network element, status information of the real-time control transmission channel, the status information indicating a running state of the real-time control transmission channel; managing, by the control network element, the real-time control transmission channel based on the state information; The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

10. The first set of features includes: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time integrated access and backhaul IAB mode enablement function, and a real-time channel calibration function; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least one of:

11. 1. A communication method comprising: transmitting, by an executing network element, real-time control capability information of the executing network element to a controlling network element, the real-time control capability information indicating performance parameters used by the executing network element to implement various real-time control functions; receiving, by the executing network element when the executing network element is determined as a target network element, transmission channel configuration information from the control network element, the transmission channel configuration information being used to establish a real-time control transmission channel connecting the control network element and the executing network element, the real-time control transmission channel being used for transmitting real-time control information, both the control network element and the executing network element supporting each real-time control function in a first function set, the first function set including at least one real-time control function; The method includes:

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a non-empty intersection exists between values ​​of performance parameters of a real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the controlling network element and values ​​of performance parameters of the same real-time control function indicated by the real-time control capability information of the executing network element.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the transmission channel configuration information comprises a transmission resource of the real-time control transmission channel and / or a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the real-time control capability information includes upper and lower bounds on transmission rates supported by the executing network element, and the upper and lower bounds on transmission rates are used to determine a transmission rate of the real-time control transmission channel.

15. The method comprises: receiving, by the executing network element, from the controlling network element, function configuration information corresponding to the executing network element, the function configuration information being used to configure the real-time control functions in the first function set for the target network element; The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising:

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the functional configuration information comprises performance parameters corresponding to the at least one real-time control function, each real-time control function corresponding to at least one performance parameter and / or an index of the at least one performance parameter.

17. The method comprises: receiving, by the executing network element, the real-time control information from the controlling network element, the real-time control information including values ​​of each performance parameter indicated by the functional configuration information; The method of claim 16 further comprising:

18. The method comprises: receiving, by the executing network element, a transmission resource ratio from the controlling network element, the transmission resource ratio indicating a ratio of transmission resources occupied for transmitting the real-time control information to transmission resources occupied for transmitting service data; The method of any one of claims 11 to 17, further comprising:

19. The first set of features includes: a real-time beam weight adjustment function, a real-time subframe and / or symbol configuration adjustment function, a real-time power control function, a real-time intermediate radio frequency energy saving control function, a real-time IAB mode enable function, and a real-time channel calibration function; The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, comprising at least one of the following:

20. A communications device, comprising a processor and a memory; the memory stores a computer program; A communications device, wherein the processor invokes the computer program so that the communications device can carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

21. A communications device, comprising a processor and a memory; the memory stores a computer program; A communications device, wherein the processor invokes the computer program so that the communications device can carry out a method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

22. A communication system comprising a communication device for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a communication device for performing a method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

23. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or any one of claims 11 to 19.

24. A computer program product comprising instructions, which when said computer program product is executed on a computer, enables said computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

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