Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device. Configuration data used to activate a first device can be obtained from a network management device based on first information indicating the installation status of the first device in an access network device. In other words, the network management device can distribute configuration data at the granularity of communication devices that form the access network device, so as to implement site deployment at the granularity of communication devices. This helps to improve the flexibility of site deployment.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The site deployment of an access network device usually includes two phases: an installation phase and a commissioning phase. In the installation phase, a site maintenance engineer connects the hardware based on the installation drawing of the access network device and completes the installation of the access network device. In the commissioning phase, the site maintenance engineer transfers the site name and electronic serial number (ESN) of the access network device to a back-end network management engineer. The network management engineer associates the site deployment data with the ESN based on the site name and ESN, and then notifies the site maintenance engineer that the configuration of the site deployment data is complete. The site maintenance engineer powers on the access network device. After powering on, the access network device obtains the site deployment data corresponding to the ESN from the network management device based on the ESN to activate the access network device.

[0003] Currently, site deployment of access network devices is performed at the granularity of the entire access network device, resulting in insufficient flexibility. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device for improving the flexibility of site deployment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided a communication method, which may be performed by a radio frequency unit of an access network device, a baseband unit of the access network device, or a collection device independent of the access network device (hereinafter referred to as collection device for short), or may be performed by a radio frequency unit of the access network device, a baseband unit of the access network device, or a module or unit of the collection device.

[0006] The method includes a step of acquiring first information, the first information indicating an installation status of a first device in an access network device, the first information being used to acquire configuration data for the first device, and the configuration data being used to activate the first device; and a step of transmitting the first information.

[0007] The first device of the access network device may be a part of the access network device or an independent communication device, such as a baseband unit or a radio frequency unit of the access network device. The baseband unit may be a baseband unit (BBU), and the radio frequency unit may be a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio frequency unit (RFU), an active antenna unit (AAU), a remote radio head (RRH), etc.

[0008] In the method, the configuration data used to activate the first device may be obtained based on first information indicating the installation status of the first device. In other words, the configuration data may be distributed at the granularity of communication devices forming the access network device to perform site deployment at the granularity of communication devices. This helps to improve the flexibility of site deployment.

[0009] Referring to the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following information: location information, orientation information, or altitude information.

[0010] Since the installation conditions (e.g., location, orientation, height) of the communication devices forming the access network device are closely related to the configuration data of the communication devices, the communication devices included in the access network device can be accurately distinguished from each other based on their installation conditions. Therefore, in the above method, the configuration data of the first device can be accurately obtained based on at least one of location information, orientation information, or height information indicating the first device.

[0011] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the implementation forms of the first aspect, in another possible implementation form, the step of transmitting the first information includes a step of transmitting the first information to a network management device, and the method further includes a step of receiving configuration data from the network management device, the configuration data being associated with the first information.

[0012] For example, if the radio frequency unit of the access network device, the baseband unit of the access network device, or the collection device can access the network management device, after obtaining the first information, the radio frequency unit of the access network device, the baseband unit of the access network device, or the collection device may communicate directly with the network management device and obtain, based on the first information, configuration data associated with the first information.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect, in another possible implementation, the method further includes transmitting configuration data to the first device.

[0014] For example, when the method is performed by a baseband unit of an access network device or a collection device, and the first device is a radio frequency unit that accesses a network management device, the baseband unit of the access network device or the collection device may further send the configuration data to the radio frequency unit after obtaining the configuration data, so as to help activate the radio frequency unit.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the implementation forms of the first aspect, in another possible implementation form, obtaining the first information includes collecting the first information or receiving the first information.

[0016] For example, when the first device is a radio frequency unit of an access network device and the method is performed by a collection device or a radio frequency unit, the first information may be obtained through collection.

[0017] In another example, when the first apparatus is a radio frequency unit of an access network device and the method is performed by the radio frequency unit, the radio frequency unit may receive the first information from the collection unit.

[0018] In another example, when the first apparatus is a radio frequency unit of an access network device and the method is performed by a baseband unit of the access network device, the baseband unit may receive the first information from the radio frequency unit.

[0019] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the implementation forms of the first aspect, in another possible implementation form, the step of transmitting the first information includes the step of transmitting the first information to the first device.

[0020] For example, when the first device is a radio frequency unit of an access network device and the method is performed by a collecting device and the collecting device cannot access the network management device, the collecting device may transmit the first information to the radio frequency unit, so that the radio frequency unit transmits the first information to the network management device. In other words, the collecting device collects the first information and provides the first information to the radio frequency unit, and then the radio frequency unit uses the first information to obtain configuration data for the radio frequency unit from the network management device.

[0021] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the implementation forms of the first aspect, in another possible implementation form, the method used to communicate with the first device includes at least one of the following methods: device-to-device, sidelink, proximity-based services, Bluetooth, wireless fidelity, wireless fidelity direct, Zigbee, radio frequency identification, infrared data association, ultra-wideband, near field communication, Ethernet, or serial communication.

[0022] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the implementation forms of the first aspect, in another possible implementation form, the step of transmitting the first information includes a step of transmitting the first information to a baseband unit of the access network device, and the method further includes a step of receiving configuration data from the baseband unit, the configuration data being associated with the first information, and the configuration data being obtained by the baseband unit from the network management device.

[0023] For example, when the first apparatus is a radio frequency unit of an access network device, the method is performed by the radio frequency unit, and the radio frequency unit cannot access the network management device, the radio frequency unit may communicate with the network management device via the baseband unit, including a step of transmitting the first information or a step of receiving configuration data.

[0024] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the implementation forms of the first aspect, in another possible implementation form, obtaining the first information includes collecting the first information or receiving the first information.

[0025] For example, when the first device is a radio frequency unit of an access network device and the method is performed by the radio frequency unit, the first information may be obtained through collection, or the first information may be received from a collection device.

[0026] According to a second aspect, there is provided a communication method, which may be performed by a network management device or by a module or unit of the network management device.

[0027] The method includes receiving first information, the first information indicating an installation status of a first device in an access network device; obtaining configuration data associated with the first information, the configuration data being configuration data of the first device, and the configuration data being used to activate the first device; and transmitting the configuration data.

[0028] The first device of the access network device may be a part of the access network device or an independent communication device, such as a baseband unit or a radio frequency unit of the access network device. The baseband unit may be a BBU, and the radio frequency unit may be an RRU, an RFU, an AAU, an RRH, etc.

[0029] In the method, the configuration data used to activate the first device may be obtained based on first information indicating the installation status of the first device. In other words, the configuration data may be distributed at the granularity of communication devices forming the access network device to perform site deployment at the granularity of communication devices. This helps to improve the flexibility of site deployment.

[0030] Referring to the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following information: location information, orientation information, or altitude information.

[0031] Since the installation conditions (e.g., location, height, orientation) of the communication devices forming the access network device are closely related to the configuration data of the communication devices, the communication devices included in the access network device can be accurately distinguished from each other based on their installation conditions. Therefore, in the above method, the configuration data of the first device can be accurately obtained based on at least one of location information, orientation information, or height information indicating the first device.

[0032] With reference to the second aspect or any one of the implementation forms of the second aspect, in another possible implementation form, the step of receiving the first information includes a step of receiving the first information from a first device or a second device, wherein the first device is different from the second device and the first device includes a radio frequency unit and / or a baseband unit.

[0033] In other words, the first device or a second device other than the first device may provide the network management device with the installation status of the first device. For example, when the first device is a radio frequency unit, the second device may be a baseband unit or a collection device.

[0034] With reference to the second aspect or any one of the implementation forms of the second aspect, in another possible implementation form, the step of transmitting the configuration data includes a step of transmitting the configuration data to a first device or a second device, wherein the first device is different from the second device and the first device includes a radio frequency unit and / or a baseband unit.

[0035] In other words, the network management device may provide the configuration data of the first device to the first device or to a second device other than the first device. For example, when the first device is a radio frequency unit, the second device may be a baseband unit or a collection device.

[0036] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The device is configured to perform the method provided in any one of the above-mentioned aspects or implementations thereof. Specifically, the device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and / or a communication unit, configured to perform the method provided in any one of the above-mentioned aspects or implementations thereof.

[0037] In one implementation, the apparatus is a radio frequency unit of an access network device, a baseband unit of an access network device, a collection device, or a network management device. When the apparatus is a radio frequency unit of an access network device, a baseband unit of an access network device, a collection device, or a network management device, the communication unit may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or a communication interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver is a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface is an input / output circuit.

[0038] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a radio frequency unit of an access network device, a baseband unit of an access network device, a collection device, or a network management device. When the apparatus is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a radio frequency unit of an access network device, a baseband unit of an access network device, a collection device, or a network management device, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, etc. on the chip, chip system, or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, etc.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a communication device, the device including: a memory configured to store a program; and at least one processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory to perform a method provided in any one of the preceding aspects or implementations of the preceding aspects.

[0040] In one implementation, the apparatus is a radio frequency unit of an access network device, a baseband unit of an access network device, a collection device, or a network management device.

[0041] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a radio frequency unit of an access network device, a baseband unit of an access network device, a collection device, or a network management device.

[0042] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes at least one processor and a communication interface. The at least one processor is configured to retrieve, via the communication interface, a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to perform a method provided in any one of the above aspects or implementations of the above aspects. The communication interface may be implemented in hardware or software.

[0043] In one implementation, the apparatus further includes a memory.

[0044] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a processor configured to perform the method provided in the previous aspect.

[0045] Unless otherwise specified, or if the operations such as transmitting and acquiring / receiving associated with a processor do not contradict the actual function or internal logic of the operations in the associated description, the operations may be understood as operations such as outputting and receiving or inputting performed by a processor, or as transmitting and receiving operations performed by a radio frequency circuit and an antenna, which is not limited in this application.

[0046] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing program code for execution by a device, the program code being used to perform the method provided in any one of the above aspects or implementations of the above aspects.

[0047] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method provided in any one of the preceding aspects or implementations of the preceding aspects.

[0048] According to a ninth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface to perform a method provided in any one of the above aspects or implementations of the above aspects. The communication interface may be implemented by hardware or software.

[0049] Optionally, in one implementation, the chip further includes a memory. The memory stores a computer program or instruction. The processor is configured to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the memory. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the processor is configured to perform the method provided in any one of the aforementioned aspects or implementations of the aforementioned aspects.

[0050] When the method provided herein is performed by a chip, the number of chips implementing the method of the present application is not particularly limited in the present application. For example, the method may be implemented in one chip, or in two or more chips. In addition, when there are two or more chips implementing the method of the present application, the chip manufacturer is not limited. The chips may be from the same manufacturer or from different manufacturers.

[0051] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer program, which, when run on a computer, performs the method provided in any one of the previous aspects or implementations of the previous aspects.

[0052] According to an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a communication apparatus and a network management device configured to perform a method according to the first aspect or an implementation of the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0053] [Figure 1] 1 is an architecture of a system applicable to a method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 200 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram of the structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram of another configuration of the device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram of another configuration of the device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following explanation is first provided before the embodiments of the present application are described.

[0055] In this application, an "indication" may include a direct indication and an indirect indication, or an "indication" may be an explicit indication and / or an implicit indication. For example, when information is described as indicating information I, the information may directly or indirectly indicate I, but does not necessarily indicate that the information carries I. For another example, an implicit indication may be based on a location and / or resources used for transmission, and an explicit indication may be based on one or more parameters, and / or one or more indexes, and / or one or more bit patterns represented by the information.

[0056] In the following embodiments, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and various numerical values ​​are used merely to distinguish between different devices and different information for ease of description, but are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, for example, to distinguish between different devices and different information.

[0057] Each aspect, embodiment, or feature is presented in this application with reference to a system that includes multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It is understood that each system may include other devices, components, modules, etc. and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, combinations of these solutions may be used.

[0058] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "example," "for example," "e.g.," and "in one (or another) example" are used to denote providing an example, illustration, or explanation. Any embodiment or design scheme described in this application as an "example" should not be described as preferred or having more advantages than another embodiment or design scheme. Rather, the term "example" is intended to present a concept in a particular way.

[0059] The terms "including," "having," and all variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless specifically emphasized otherwise.

[0060] "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The term "and / or" describes an associative relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate the following: only A is present, both A and B are present, and only B is present, in which case A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. "At least one of the following items (moieties)" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including a single item (moiety) or any combination of multiple items (moieties). For example, at least one of a, b, and c may refer to a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0061] "Sending information to X..." may be understood as the destination end of the information being X, and may include directly or indirectly sending information to X. "Receiving information from X..." may be understood as the source end of the information being X, and may include directly or indirectly receiving information from X. Necessary processing, for example, formatting, may be performed on the information between the information sending source end and the destination end, but the destination end may understand valid information from the source end. Similar descriptions in this application may be understood in a similar manner, and details will not be described again below.

[0062] In addition, the network architectures and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute limitations on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art may know that with the development of network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to similar technical problems.

[0063] The following describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a long term evolution (LTE) system, a frequency division duplex (FDD) system, a time division duplex (TDD) system, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a fifth generation (5G) system, a new radio (NR) system, a sixth generation (6G) system, or a future communication system. The 5G communication system in the present application includes a non-standalone (NSA) 5G mobile communication system or a standalone (SA) 5G mobile communication system. The communication system may alternatively be a public land mobile network (PLMN), a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of things (IoT) communication system, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication system, or another communication system.

[0065] For example, Figure 1 is an architecture of a system applicable to a method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the system includes at least one access network (RAN) node (Figure 1 shows only one RAN node) and a network management device. The RAN node may communicate with a network management system. For example, when a site deployment of the RAN node is performed, the RAN node may obtain configuration data of the RAN node from the network management device.

[0066] A network management device may also be referred to as a network management system, a back-end network management system, a network element management system, a network element management device, a network management system, a network management device, etc. For ease of explanation, the terms will be collectively referred to hereinafter as a network management device. The configuration data of a RAN node is used to activate the RAN node. The configuration data may also be referred to as site deployment data, site deployment configuration data, or configuration information. Similarly, for ease of explanation, the terms will be collectively referred to hereinafter as configuration data.

[0067] The radio access network including the RAN nodes may be a cellular system associated with the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system, a 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (e.g., a 6G mobile communication system). Alternatively, the radio access network may be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) or a cloud radio access network (CRAN). Alternatively, the radio access network may be a communication system that integrates two or more of the aforementioned systems.

[0068] A RAN node, sometimes referred to as an access network device, RAN entity, access node, etc., forms part of a communication system to help terminals implement radio access. The main functions of a RAN node include radio resource management, user data flow management, mobility management entity selection performed during user equipment installation, user plane data routing, organization and transmission of paging messages, organization and transmission of broadcast messages, measurements for mobility or scheduling, configuration of measurement reports, etc. Multiple RAN nodes in a system may be of the same type or different types.

[0069] In possible scenarios, the RAN node may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation NodeB in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, etc. The RAN node may be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor base station, a relay node, a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node may alternatively be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, an in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the RAN node in V2X technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0070] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist terminals in performing radio access, with different RAN nodes separately performing some functions of a base station. For example, a RAN node may be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU may be located separately or may be included in the same network element, e.g., a BBU. The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, e.g., an RRU, an RFU, an AAU, or an RRH.

[0071] In different systems, the CU, DU, or RU may be called by different names, but those skilled in the art will understand the meaning of the names. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU may be called an open CU (open-CU, O-CU), the DU may be called an open DU (open-DU, O-DU), and the RU may be called an open RU (open-RU, O-RU). For ease of explanation, the CU, DU, and RU are used as examples for explanation in this application. Any of the CU, DU, and RU units in this application may be implemented using a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0072] The embodiments of the present application may be applied to the site deployment process of access network devices.

[0073] Currently, site deployment of access network devices typically involves two phases: an installation phase and a commissioning phase.

[0074] In the installation phase, the site maintenance engineer connects the hardware based on the installation drawings of the access network device to complete the installation of the access network device. In the commissioning phase, in one method, the site maintenance engineer transfers the site name and electronic serial number (ESN) of the access network device to a back-end network management engineer. The network management engineer associates configuration data with the ESN based on the site name and ESN, and then notifies the site maintenance engineer that the configuration of the configuration data is complete. The site maintenance engineer powers on the access network device. After powering on, the access network device reports the ESN of the access network device to the network management device to obtain the configuration data corresponding to the ESN, in order to complete activation of the access network device. In another method, after powering on, the access network device reports its location information to the network management device to obtain the configuration data, so that the configuration data is automatically obtained and activation of the access network device can be completed.

[0075] The configuration data in the above method is the configuration data of the access network device, for example, includes two parts, i.e., RU and DU. In other words, the configuration data is at the granularity of the access network device, that is, the site deployment is at the granularity of the access network device, resulting in insufficient flexibility.

[0076] The present application provides a communication method for the aforementioned problems to improve the flexibility of site deployment.

[0077] Specifically, the site deployment of a first device of an access network device is used as an example. In the communication method, to perform the site deployment of the first device, first information indicating the installation status of the first device may be obtained, and configuration data used to activate the first device may be obtained from a network management device based on the first information. The first device may be part of the access network device or an independent communication device, such as a DU or RU of a distributed base station. The DU may be a BBU or the like, and the RU may be an RRU, RFU, AAU, RRH or the like.

[0078] In a first scenario, the first information may be collected by a collecting device. The collecting device may be a device other than an access network device, for example, a terminal device. In a second scenario, the first information may be collected by the first device, i.e., the first device may collect the installation status of the first device to obtain configuration data of the first device. For example, the first device is a RU. The RU may be enhanced so that the RU can collect the installation status of the RU.

[0079] For ease of understanding, the following uses an example in which the first device is an RU for explanation.

[0080] In the following, the technical solution in the first scenario will be described with reference to FIG.

[0081] 2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 200 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 200 may be performed by the collection device, the RU, the DU, and the network management device, or may be performed by a module or unit (e.g., a circuit or a system on chip (SOC)) of the collection device, the RU, the DU, and the network management device. In the following, the collection device, the RU, the DU, and the network management device will be described collectively.

[0082] Step 201: The collection device collects first information.

[0083] The first information indicates the installation status of the RU in the access network device.

[0084] For example, the first information includes at least one of the following information: location information of the RU, orientation information of the RU, or height information of the RU. The location information of the RU may be, for example, the longitude and latitude of the RU. The orientation information of the RU may be, for example, the geomagnetic orientation of the RU.

[0085] For example, the first information may include location information and orientation information. When the collector is located near the RU, the location information of the collector may be considered to be location information of the RU. Thus, the collector may collect location information of the collector, and the location information may indicate the location of the RU. When the orientation of the collector is the same as or approximately the same as the orientation of the RU, the orientation information of the collector may be considered to be orientation information of the RU. Thus, the collector may collect orientation information of the collector, and the orientation information may indicate the orientation of the RU.

[0086] In the first scenario, there are many ways to obtain the configuration data of the RU based on the first information. For example, the following methods may be included:

[0087] Method 1 is shown in steps 202 through 205.

[0088] Step 202: The collecting device sends the collected first information to the network management device, or the network management device receives the first information from the collecting device.

[0089] Step 203: The network management device obtains configuration data associated with the first information.

[0090] The configuration data is configuration data for a first device, and the configuration data is used to activate the first device.

[0091] In one implementation, the association relationship between the first information and the configuration data is pre-configured in the network management device. After receiving the first information, the network management device may obtain the configuration data associated with the first information based on the first information and the association relationship between the first information and the configuration data.

[0092] The implementation of pre-configuring the association relationship between the first information and the configuration data is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. In one example, first, based on network planning and layout requirements, the deployment positions, types, and directions of communication devices, including RUs of access network devices, are planned based on location information on a map. Then, based on site deployment information of the communication devices, the configuration data of the communication devices are pre-configured on the network management device. The site deployment information may include at least one of location information, orientation information, or elevation information.

[0093] Step 204: The network management device sends the acquired configuration data to the collection device, or the collection device receives the configuration data from the network management device.

[0094] Step 205: The collection device sends the received configuration data to the RU, or the RU receives the configuration data from the collection device.

[0095] The communication method used by the collection device to communicate with the RU is not limited in this embodiment of the present application and may be a wired or wireless communication method. For example, the communication method may include at least one of D2D, sidelink, proximity-based services (ProSe), Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi), WiFi Direct, Zigbee, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wide bandwidth (UWB), near-field communication (NFC), Ethernet, or serial communication. The serial communication may include recommended standard 485 (RS485) interface communication, recommended standard 232 (RS232) interface communication, and / or the like.

[0096] In the first method, the collection device may access the network management device, and the collection device may directly provide the first information for the network management device to acquire the configuration data of the RU, and further transmit the acquired configuration data to the RU.

[0097] Method 2 is shown in steps 206 to 209.

[0098] Step 206: The collecting device sends the acquired first information to the RU, or the RU receives the first information from the collecting device.

[0099] For the communication method used by the collection device to communicate with the RU, please refer to the description of step 205. The details will not be described again.

[0100] Step 207: The RU sends the received first information to the network management device, or the network management device receives the first information from the RU.

[0101] Step 208: The network management device obtains configuration data associated with the first information. For the implementation form of step 208, please refer to step 203. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0102] Step 209: The network management device sends the obtained configuration data to the RU, or the RU receives the configuration data from the network management device.

[0103] It should be noted that in Method 2, after the network management device sends the configuration data associated with the first information to the RU, site deployment of the RU can be performed. Therefore, the RU does not need to send the configuration data to the collection device.

[0104] In Scheme 2, the collecting device is responsible for collecting first information and providing the first information to the RU, and then the RU directly obtains its configuration data from the network management device based on the first information. In Scheme 2, the RU may be understood as an RU that is independently run and maintained, that is, information exchange may be performed between the RU and the network management device.

[0105] Method 3 is shown in steps 210 through 215.

[0106] Step 210: The collecting device sends the acquired first information to the RU, or the RU receives the first information from the collecting device.

[0107] For the communication method used by the collection device to communicate with the RU, please refer to the description of step 205. The details will not be described again.

[0108] Step 211: The RU sends the received first information to the DU, or the DU receives the first information from the RU.

[0109] Step 212: The DU sends the received first information to the network management device, or the network management device receives the first information from the DU.

[0110] Step 213: The network management device obtains configuration data associated with the first information. For the implementation form of step 213, please refer to step 203. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0111] Step 214: The network management device sends the obtained configuration data to the DU, or the DU receives the configuration data from the network management device.

[0112] Step 215: The DU sends the received configuration data to the RU, or the RU receives the configuration data from the DU.

[0113] Similarly, in Method 3, the site deployment of the RU can be performed after the RU obtains the configuration data, so the RU does not need to send the configuration data to the collection device.

[0114] In method 3, the collection device is responsible for collecting first information and providing the first information to the RU, and then the RU uses the first information to obtain configuration data for the RU from the network management device via the DU.

[0115] It should be noted that the above-mentioned Scheme 1 to Scheme 3 are merely examples, and the solution of the present application is not limited thereto. Implementations formed by combining some steps of the above-mentioned Scheme 1 to Scheme 3 in an appropriate manner also fall within the scope of protection of the present application, such as the combination of steps 202, 203, and 209, the combination of steps 202, 203, 214, and 215, and the combination of steps 206, 207, 208, 214, and 215.

[0116] The following describes the technical solution in the second scenario with reference to FIG.

[0117] 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 300 may be performed by the RU, the DU, and the network management device, or may be performed by a module or unit (e.g., a circuit or SoC) of the RU, the DU, and the network management device. A unified description is as follows: the RU, the DU, and the network management device.

[0118] Step 301: The RU collects the first information.

[0119] The first information indicates the installation status of the RU in the access network device.

[0120] For example, the first information includes at least one of the following information: location information of the RU, orientation information of the RU, or height information of the RU. The location information of the RU may be, for example, the longitude and latitude of the RU. The orientation information of the RU may be, for example, the geomagnetic orientation of the RU.

[0121] In one implementation, the performance of the RU may be enhanced so that the RU can collect the installation status of the RU.

[0122] In the second scenario, there are many ways to obtain the configuration data of the RU based on the first information. The following several ways are used as examples for illustration:

[0123] Method 4 is shown in steps 302 to 304.

[0124] Step 302: The RU sends the collected first information to the network management device, or the network management device receives the first information from the RU.

[0125] Step 303: The network management device obtains configuration data associated with the first information.

[0126] For the implementation of step 303, please refer to step 203. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0127] Step 304: The network management device sends the obtained configuration data to the RU, or the RU receives the configuration data from the network management device.

[0128] In Method 4, the RU collects first information and directly obtains configuration data for the RU from the network management device based on the first information.

[0129] Method 5 is shown in steps 305 to 309.

[0130] Step 305: The RU sends the collected first information to the DU, or the DU receives the first information from the RU.

[0131] Step 306: The DU sends the received first information to the network management device, or the network management device receives the first information from the DU.

[0132] Step 307: The network management device obtains configuration data associated with the first information. For the implementation form of step 307, please refer to step 203. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0133] Step 308: The network management device sends the obtained configuration data to the DU, or the DU receives the configuration data from the network management device.

[0134] Step 309: The DU sends the received configuration data to the RU, or the RU receives the configuration data from the DU.

[0135] In method 5, the RU collects first information and uses the first information to obtain configuration data for the RU from the network management device via the DU.

[0136] It should be noted that the above-mentioned Scheme 4 and Scheme 5 are merely examples, and the solution of the present application is not limited thereto. Implementations formed by combining some steps of the above-mentioned Scheme 4 and Scheme 5 in an appropriate manner also fall within the scope of protection of the present application, such as the combination of steps 302, 303, 308, and 309.

[0137] In this case, in the communication method provided in the present application, configuration data used to activate the first device can be obtained from the network management device based on the first information indicating the installation status of the first device. In other words, the network management device can distribute configuration data at the granularity of communication devices (hereinafter, simply referred to as communication devices) forming the access network device to implement site deployment at the granularity of communication devices. This helps to improve the flexibility of site deployment.

[0138] In addition, because the installation status (e.g., location, height, orientation) of a communication device is closely related to the configuration data of the communication device, communication devices included in an access network device can be accurately distinguished from each other based on the installation status of the communication device. Therefore, in the communication method provided in the present application, a network management device can associate the installation status with the configuration data and accurately obtain the configuration data of the first device based on the first information indicating the installation status of the first device. In addition, compared with the method of obtaining configuration data using an ESN, the communication method provided in the present application can reduce manual joining and simplify site deployment procedures.

[0139] The communication method in this application will be described below with reference to a specific example.

[0140] FIG. 4 is an example of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0141] This example is a further description of the aforementioned Scheme 3. The step description of Figure 4 and the step description of Scheme 3 may be cross-referenced. In this example, an example in which the first information is site deployment information, the base station is an access network device, and the RRU is part of the base station is used for description.

[0142] The association relationship between the configuration data and the site deployment information is pre-configured in the network management device. In one manner, the network management device may plan the configuration data of the RRU based on the location and sector direction of the communication device. Specifically, based on the network plan and layout requirements, the deployment location, type, and direction of the RRU in the base station are planned based on the location information on the map. Then, the configuration data of the RRU is pre-configured in the network management device based on the site deployment information (including the deployment location, sector direction, etc.) of the RRU.

[0143] Table 1 shows an example of configuration data in a network management device.

[0144] [Table 1]

[0145] In this case, the configuration data may then be distributed in stages based on a single RRU to implement dynamic site deployment of communication devices in the base station.

[0146] Step 401: A collection device collects site deployment information of the RRU.

[0147] Specifically, after the installation of the device is completed based on the network plan, the collecting device (for example, a mobile phone) collects the site deployment information of the RRU.

[0148] The site deployment information includes latitude and longitude information and geomagnetic direction information of the RRU.

[0149] Step 402: The collection device uploads the collected site deployment information to the RRU.

[0150] For example, after the RRU is powered on, the collected site deployment information is uploaded to the RRU via Wi-Fi communication method.

[0151] Step 403: The RRU uploads site deployment information to the BBU of the base station.

[0152] Step 404: The BBU of the base station sends the site deployment information of the RRU to the network management device.

[0153] Step 405: The network management device obtains configuration data based on the received site deployment information.

[0154] Specifically, the network management device may, based on the site deployment information, find the configuration data corresponding to the site deployment information from a pre-configured association relationship between the configuration data and the site deployment information.

[0155] For example, referring to Table 1, when the site deployment information includes longitude 1, latitude 1, and geomagnetic direction 1, the network management device may obtain configuration data 1 of RRU 1.

[0156] Step 406: The network management device delivers the obtained configuration data to the BBU of the base station.

[0157] Specifically, the network management device automatically downloads the obtained configuration data to the BBU of the base station.

[0158] The example of step 405 is used as an example. In this step, the network management device sends configuration data 1 to the BBU of the base station.

[0159] Step 407: The BBU of the base station verifies the configuration data.

[0160] Specifically, the BBU of the base station delivers and activates the configuration data of the RRU to complete the site deployment of the RRU.

[0161] It should be noted that when the aforementioned method 1 is used, after step 401, the collecting device may directly upload the collected site deployment information to the network management device. The network management device obtains configuration data associated with the site deployment information based on the received site deployment information and the preconfigured association relationship between the configuration data and the site deployment information, and delivers the configuration data to the collecting device. The collecting device then transmits and activates the configuration data of the RRU to complete the site deployment of the RRU. When the aforementioned method 2 is used, after step 402, the RRU may directly upload the received site deployment information to the network management device. The network management device obtains configuration data associated with the site deployment information based on the received site deployment information and the preconfigured association relationship between the configuration data and the site deployment information, and delivers and activates the configuration data of the RRU to complete the site deployment of the RRU. When the aforementioned method 4 is used, 401 is not performed, and the RRU collects the site deployment information of the RRU and directly uploads the site deployment information to the network management device. The network management device obtains the configuration data associated with the site deployment information based on the received site deployment information and the pre-configured association relationship between the configuration data and the site deployment information, and distributes and activates the configuration data of the RRU to complete the site deployment of the RRU. If the aforementioned method 5 is used, 401 is not performed, and the RRU collects the site deployment information of the RRU. For subsequent steps, see steps 403 to 407.

[0162] The above describes in detail the method provided in the present application with reference to Figures 2 to 4. In the following, an embodiment of the apparatus of the present application will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 to 7.

[0163] To implement the functions according to the foregoing embodiments, it can be understood that the devices in Figures 5 and 7 include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for implementing the functions. These devices may be configured to implement the functions of the collection device, RU, DU, or network management device in the foregoing method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the foregoing method embodiments. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that the present application can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software with reference to the example units and method steps described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application.

[0164] 5 is a diagram of the structure of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present application. The apparatus shown in FIG. 5 can realize the function of the collection apparatus described above.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 5, the collection device includes a collection unit, a data transceiver unit, a processing unit, and a storage unit. The collection unit is configured to collect first information indicating the installation status of the first device. The data transceiver unit is configured to transmit the collected first information to the first device when the data transceiver unit cannot access the network management device, or to transmit the first information directly to the network management device when the data transceiver unit can access the network management device. In this case, the data transceiver unit is further configured to receive configuration data associated with the first information and distributed by the network management device, and to transmit the received configuration data to the first device. The processing unit is configured to control the data collection logic, transmit and receive data, and activate the first device based on the configuration data. The storage unit is configured to store the collected first information and the received configuration data.

[0166] Optionally, the storage unit may store the first information and the configuration data respectively corresponding to the plurality of communication devices.

[0167] In addition, the collecting device further includes a communication interface configured to support communication between the collecting device and the first device, and optionally configured to support communication between the collecting device and the network management device. For example, the communication interface may be an interface supporting D2D communication, an interface supporting sidelink communication, an interface supporting ProSe communication, an interface supporting Bluetooth communication, an interface supporting Wi-Fi communication, an interface supporting Wi-Fi Direct, an interface supporting Zigbee communication, an interface supporting RFID communication, an interface supporting NFC communication, a serial communication interface, an ETH communication interface, etc.

[0168] FIG. 6 is a diagram of another structure of the device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 6, the device 10 includes a transceiver unit 11 and an acquisition unit 12 .

[0170] When the device 10 is configured to perform the functions of a collection device, a RU, or a DU in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the acquisition unit 12 is configured to acquire first information, the first information indicating the installation status of the first device in the access network device, the first information is used to acquire configuration data of the first device, and the configuration data is used to activate the first device. The transceiver unit 11 is configured to transmit the first information.

[0171] Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the following information: location information, orientation information, or altitude information.

[0172] Optionally, the transceiver unit 11 is specifically configured to transmit the first information to the network management device. The transceiver unit 11 is further configured to receive configuration data from the network management device, the configuration data being associated with the first information.

[0173] Optionally, when the device 10 is a collection device or a DU, the transceiver unit 11 is further configured to transmit the configuration data to the first device.

[0174] Optionally, when the device 10 is an RU or a DU, the acquisition unit 12 is specifically configured to collect the first information or receive the first information. When the device 10 is a collection device, the acquisition unit 12 is specifically configured to collect the first information.

[0175] Optionally, when the device 10 is a collecting device, the transceiver unit 11 is specifically configured to transmit the first information to the first device.

[0176] Optionally, the method used to communicate with the first device includes at least one of the following methods: device-to-device, sidelink, proximity-based services, Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity, Wireless Fidelity Direct, Zigbee, radio frequency identification, infrared data association, ultra-wideband, near field communication, Ethernet, or serial communication.

[0177] Optionally, when the apparatus 10 is an RU, the transceiver unit 11 is specifically configured to transmit the first information to a DU of the access network device. The transceiver unit 11 is further configured to receive configuration data from the DU, the configuration data being associated with the first information, and the configuration data being obtained by the DU from a network management device.

[0178] Optionally, the first device includes an RU and / or a DU.

[0179] When the device 10 is configured to perform the function of the network management device in the aforementioned method embodiment, the transceiver unit 11 is configured to receive first information, the first information indicating the installation status of the first device in the access network device. The acquisition unit 12 is configured to acquire configuration data associated with the first information, the configuration data being configuration data of the first device, and the configuration data being used to activate the first device. The transceiver unit 11 is further configured to transmit the configuration data.

[0180] Optionally, the transceiver unit 11 is specifically configured to receive first information from a first device or a second device, where the first device is different from the second device and the first device includes an RU and / or a DU.

[0181] Optionally, the transceiver unit 11 is specifically configured to transmit the configuration data to a first device or a second device, the first device being different from the second device and the first device including an RU and / or a DU.

[0182] Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the following information: location information, orientation information, or altitude information.

[0183] Please refer to the relevant descriptions of the above method embodiments for a more detailed description of the transceiver unit 11 and the acquisition unit 12. The details will not be described again here.

[0184] FIG. 7 is a diagram of another structure of the device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0185] 7, the apparatus 20 includes a processor 21. The processor 21 is coupled to a memory 23, which is configured to store instructions. When the apparatus 20 is configured to perform the above-described method, the processor 21 is configured to execute the instructions in the memory 23 to perform the functions of the acquisition unit 12.

[0186] Optionally, the device 20 further comprises a memory 23 .

[0187] Optionally, the apparatus 20 further includes an interface circuit 22. The processor 21 and the interface circuit 22 are coupled to each other. It may be understood that the interface circuit 22 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. When the apparatus 20 is configured to perform the above-mentioned method, the processor 21 is configured to execute instructions to perform the functions of the acquisition unit 12, and the interface circuit 22 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver unit 11.

[0188] For example, when the device 20 is a chip used in a collection device, RU, DU, or network management device, the chip performs the functions of the collection device, RU, DU, or network management device in the above-described method embodiments. The chip receives information from another module of the collection device, RU, DU, or network management device, and the information is transmitted to the collection device, RU, DU, or network management device by the other device. Alternatively, the chip transmits information to another module of the collection device, RU, DU, or network management device, and the information is transmitted to the other device by the collection device, RU, DU, or network management device.

[0189] Additionally, the present application further provides an apparatus including a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory or read data stored in the memory to perform the method in the aforementioned method embodiments. Optionally, there are one or more processors. Optionally, the apparatus includes a memory. Optionally, there are one or more memories. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated with each other or located separately.

[0190] The present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions used to implement the method performed by the collection device, the RU, the DU, or the network management device in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0191] The present application further provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed by a computer, perform the methods performed by the collection device, the RU, the DU, or the network management device in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0192] The present application further provides a communication system, which includes the collection device, the RU, the DU, or the network management device in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0193] For the description of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any of the devices provided above, please refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

[0194] It may be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0195] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions may include corresponding software modules. The software modules may be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. For example, the storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may alternatively be components of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in the collection device, the RU, the DU, or the network management device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may alternatively reside as separate components in the collection device, the RU, the DU, or the network management device.

[0196] All or part of the above-described embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used in the implementation, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are performed. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, user equipment, or another programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape, an optical medium such as a digital video disk, or a semiconductor medium such as a solid state drive.

[0197] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or logically contradictory, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and may refer to each other, and the technical features of different embodiments may be combined based on their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0198] It can be understood that various numbers in the embodiments of the present application are only used for distinction to facilitate description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The sequence numbers of the above processes do not imply the execution order, and the execution order of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes.

[0199] Unless otherwise specified, the meanings of all technical and scientific terms used in the embodiments of this application are the same as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of this application. The terms used in this application are merely for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. It should be understood that the above is an example for illustrative purposes, and the above example is intended to help those skilled in the art understand the embodiments of this application, and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to specific values ​​or specific scenario examples. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or variations based on the above examples, and such modifications and variations are also included in the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0200] The above description is merely a specific implementation form of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any variations or replacements that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0201] 10 equipment 11 Transceiver unit 12 Acquisition Units 20 equipment 21 processors 22 Interface circuit 23 Memory 200 Communication Methods 300 Communication Method

Claims

1. 1. A method of communication, the method comprising: acquiring first information, the first information indicating a location of a first device in an access network device, the first information being used to acquire configuration data for the first device, and the configuration data being used to activate the first device; transmitting the first information; A method comprising:

2. the first information includes at least one of the following information: location information, orientation information, or altitude information; The method of claim 1.

3. transmitting the first information includes transmitting the first information to a network management device; The method includes receiving the configuration data from the network management device, the configuration data being associated with the first information.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The method includes the step of transmitting the configuration data to the first device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

5. The step of obtaining the first information includes collecting the first information or receiving the first information.

5. The method of claim 3 or 4, comprising the steps of:

6. the step of transmitting the first information includes transmitting the first information to the first device.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising:

7. The method used to communicate with the first device is one of the following methods: Device-to-device, sidelink, proximity-based services, Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity, Wireless Fidelity Direct, Zigbee, radio frequency identification, infrared data association, ultra-wideband, near field communication, Ethernet, or serial communications 7. The method of claim 3, comprising at least one of:

8. transmitting the first information includes transmitting the first information to a baseband unit of the access network device; The method includes receiving the configuration data from the baseband unit, the configuration data being associated with the first information, the configuration data being obtained by the baseband unit from a network management device.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

9. The step of obtaining the first information includes collecting the first information or receiving the first information. The method of claim 8, comprising the steps of:

10. the first device comprises a radio frequency unit and / or a baseband unit; 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. 1. A method of communication, the method comprising: receiving first information, the first information indicating a location of a first apparatus in an access network device; obtaining configuration data associated with the first information, the configuration data being configuration data for the first device, the configuration data being used to activate the first device; transmitting the configuration data; A method comprising:

12. the first information includes at least one of the following information: location information, orientation information, or altitude information; The method of claim 11.

13. receiving the first information from the first device or a second device, the first device being different from the second device, and the first device including a radio frequency unit and / or a baseband unit; 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, comprising:

14. transmitting the configuration data to the first device or the second device, the first device being different from the second device, the first device including a radio frequency unit and / or a baseband unit; 14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising:

15. A communication device comprising a module or unit configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A communication device, a processor configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory so as to enable the device to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 14. A communication device comprising:

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the apparatus further comprises the memory.

18. 18. The device of claim 16 or 17, wherein the device is a chip.

19. 15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.

20. A computer program product, said computer program product comprising instructions for carrying out the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.

21. A communication device configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 10; a network management device configured to perform the method of any one of claims 11 to 14; A communication system comprising:

22. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the communication device comprises at least one of the following devices: a radio frequency unit of an access network device, a baseband unit of the access network device, or a collection device, the collection device configured to collect first information, the first information indicating an installation status of the first device of the access network device.

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