Communication method and related device

Abstract

A communication method and a related device, which are used for an implementation approach in which, when an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node supports a mobile IAB mode and an IAB mode, an IAB node, or a donor node, or a core network element is used as a determiner for determining a working mode of the IAB node, so that the working mode of the IAB node can be flexibly selected to be one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, so as to improve the communication flexibility of the IAB node in an IAB network. In the method, an IAB node determines that a radio resource control (RRC) connection between the IAB node and a donor node has not been established, or determines that the IAB node has established an RRC connection with the donor node and the working mode of the IAB node is a mobile IAB mode, or determines that the IAB node has established an RRC connection with the donor node; the IAB node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and an IAB mode.

Description

A communication method and related equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on October 30, 2023, with application number 202311432743.1 and application name “A Communication Method and Related Equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related equipment. Background Art

[0003] In communication systems, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) technology enables both access links and backhaul links to adopt wireless transmission solutions, which can reduce fiber deployment and lower costs.

[0004] Currently, an IAB network may include an IAB donor node and an IAB node, wherein the IAB node can realize data transmission through a communication connection with the donor node.

[0005] However, in the IAB network, how to improve the flexibility of IAB node communication is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and related equipment for implementing a method in which, when an IAB node supports both mobile IAB mode and IAB mode, an IAB node, a host node, or a core network element is used as the determiner of the working mode of the IAB node. This method can flexibly select the working mode of the IAB node as one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, thereby improving the communication flexibility of the IAB node in the IAB network.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by an IAB node, or the method is executed by some components in the IAB node (such as a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.), or the method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the IAB node. In the first aspect and its possible implementation, the communication method is described as being executed by an IAB node. In the method, the IAB node determines that the radio resource control (RRC) connection between the IAB node and the host node has not been established, or the IAB node determines that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is a mobile IAB mode, or the IAB node determines that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node; the IAB node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, the IAB node can be an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. When the IAB node has not determined its operating mode (for example, the RRC connection of the IAB node has not been established; for example, the RRC connection of the IAB node has been established but signaling has not yet been performed over the backhaul link), or when the IAB node has determined its operating mode to be the mobile IAB mode, the IAB node can determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode among the IAB modes. In other words, when the IAB node supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the IAB node can serve as the determiner of the operating mode of the IAB node and can flexibly select the operating mode of the IAB node as the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode among the IAB modes. Therefore, for an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, it is no longer limited to communicating only through the mobile IAB mode, so that the operating mode of the IAB node can access the network in the IAB mode or switch from the mobile IAB mode to the IAB mode, thereby improving the flexibility of the IAB node in communicating in the IAB network.

[0010] It should be understood that the RRC establishment process between the IAB node and the host node may include the exchange of multiple messages, such as message 1 (MSG1), message 2 (MSG2), message 3 (MSG3), message 4 (MSG4), message 5 (MSG5), message A (MSGA), message B (MSGB), etc. Generally, after the IAB node sends MSG5 to the host node, the IAB node can determine that the RRC connection establishment between the IAB node and the host node is complete. Correspondingly, before the IAB node sends MSG5 to the host node, the IAB node can determine that the RRC connection establishment between the IAB node and the host node is not complete.

[0011] Optionally, MSG5 may indicate that the RRC establishment is complete. Accordingly, MSG5 may be replaced with other descriptions, such as an RRC connection establishment complete message.

[0012] It should be understood that the IAB node includes a mobile terminal (MT) and a distributed unit (DU). Generally, when the IAB node operates in IAB mode, the MT and DU are connected to the same host node, and when the IAB node operates in mobile IAB mode, the MT and DU can be connected to the same host node or to different host nodes. In any of the cases where the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node has not been established, or the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode, or the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node, the host nodes involved are all the host nodes connected to the MT in the IAB node.

[0013] Alternatively, the donor node to which the MT is connected may be referred to as a non-F1-terminating donor, or a radio resource control terminating donor, etc. Correspondingly, the donor node to which the DU is connected may be referred to as an F1-terminating donor, or a non-RRC-terminating donor, etc.

[0014] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: the IAB node sending first information to the donor node, where the first information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, the IAB node may further send first information to the host node, so that the host node may determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode based on the first information.

[0016] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first information satisfies any of the following:

[0017] The first information includes IAB node indication information and the first information does not include mobile IAB node indication information;

[0018] The first information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information;

[0019] The first information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information, and first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode;

[0020] The first information includes the first indication information.

[0021] Based on the above technical solution, the first information can be implemented in the above multiple ways, that is, the host node can determine the first information to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode based on the above multiple ways.

[0022] In this application, preference can be replaced by other terms, such as tendency, choice, etc.

[0023] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the IAB node receiving second information from the donor node, the second information including configuration information of an access link of the IAB node and not including configuration information of a backhaul link of the IAB node, and / or the second information indicating that both a mobile IAB authorization state and an IAB authorization state of the IAB node are unauthorized. Alternatively, the IAB node receives indication information from the donor node instructing to release an RRC connection between the IAB node and the donor node.

[0024] Based on the above technical solution, for an IAB node that supports mobile IAB mode and IAB mode, when the IAB node indicates through first information that the working mode of the IAB node is IAB mode, the host node may consider that the IAB node is abnormal or the host node does not expect the working mode of the IAB node to be IAB mode for other reasons (for example, the signal quality of the signal sent by the IAB node is lower than the threshold).

[0025] To this end, when the host node configures the configuration information of the access link of the IAB node through the second information, the second information sent by the host node may not send the configuration information of the backhaul link for the IAB node, thereby preventing the terminal device or other IAB node from accessing the IAB node as a child node, so as to avoid affecting the communication between the terminal device and the other IAB node.

[0026] Alternatively, the donor node may indicate through the second information that both the mobile IAB authorization state and the IAB authorization state of the IAB node are unauthorized, thereby preventing the terminal device or other IAB node from accessing the IAB node as a child node, thereby avoiding affecting the communication between the terminal device and the other IAB node.

[0027] Alternatively, the host node may send an indication message to the IAB node (for example, through an RRC release message indication) to indicate the release of the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node. This method of releasing the RRC connection of the IAB node can also prevent the terminal device or other IAB node from accessing the IAB node as a sub-node, so as to avoid affecting the communication between the terminal device and the other IAB node.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: the IAB node receiving instruction information from the donor node instructing to establish an F1 connection between the IAB node and the donor node.

[0029] Based on the above technical solution, when the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, it is possible that the MT and DU in the IAB node are respectively connected to different host nodes. To this end, after the host node receives the first information, the host node can send an indication information instructing the establishment of an F1 connection between the IAB node and the host node, so that the MT and DU in the IAB node can be connected to the same host node, which can avoid communication errors caused by the MT and DU being connected to different host nodes in the IAB node when the working mode is the IAB mode.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: the IAB node sending a request message to the host node requesting to establish an F1 connection between the IAB node and the host node, the request message including an identifier of the host node and / or indication information indicating that the IAB node is authorized to operate in the IAB mode.

[0031] Based on the above technical solution, when the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, it is possible that the MT and DU in the IAB node are respectively connected to different host nodes. To this end, after the IAB node sends the first information, the IAB node can also send a request message to the host node requesting the establishment of an F1 connection between the IAB node and the host node, so that the MT and DU in the IAB node can be connected to the same host node, which can avoid communication errors caused by the MT and DU being connected to different host nodes in the IAB node when the working mode is the IAB mode.

[0032] Optionally, the identifier of the above-mentioned host node is the identifier of the RRC terminating donor. The IAB node can obtain the identifier of the RRC terminating donor through operation administration and maintenance (OAM), or the IAB node can obtain the identifier of the RRC terminating donor through the RRC terminating CU, or the IAB node can obtain the identifier of the host node through the F1-terminating donor connected to the DU, which is not limited here.

[0033] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the IAB node determining that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode includes: determining, by the IAB node, based on second indication information from the donor node or second indication information from a core network element, that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode;

[0034] The second indication information indicates at least one of the following:

[0035] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0036] The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0037] The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode among the IAB modes.

[0038] Based on the above technical solution, the IAB node can receive second indication information sent by the host node, or the IAB node can receive second indication information from a core network element through the host node, and the second indication information indicates at least one of the above items, so that the IAB node can determine, based on the at least one of the above items, that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. In other words, the IAB node can determine that the operating mode is the IAB mode based on the indication information provided by the host node or the core network element.

[0039] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the IAB node may use locally acquired information as a basis for determining that the operating mode is the IAB mode.

[0040] In an implementation example, the energy consumption of the IAB node when operating in the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode may be different. Generally, since the mobile IAB mode supports more features (such as the migration features described in Figures 2f to 2h below), it is possible that the energy consumption corresponding to the mobile IAB mode is higher than the energy consumption corresponding to the IAB mode. To this end, the IAB node can use its own energy status information as a basis for determining whether the working mode is the IAB mode. For example, when the energy status information of the IAB node indicates that the energy load of the IAB node is higher than a certain threshold (or the remaining energy is lower than a certain threshold), the IAB node can determine that the working mode is the IAB mode.

[0041] In another implementation example, the IAB node operates in a mobile IAB mode and the node movement corresponding to the IAB mode may be different. Generally, it is possible that the mobile IAB mode supports higher-speed movement, while the IAB mode supports lower-speed movement or no movement (or does not support higher-speed movement). To this end, the IAB node can use its own mobility status information as a basis for determining whether the operating mode is the IAB mode. For example, when the mobility status information of the IAB node indicates that the moving speed of the IAB node is lower than a certain threshold, the IAB node can determine that the operating mode is the IAB mode. Alternatively, the mobility status information can also be determined based on the number of cell reselections and / or handovers of the MT in the IAB node (i.e., IAB-MT) within a period of time. When the number of cell reselections and / or handovers of the IAB-MT within a period of time is greater than a certain threshold, the IAB node determines that the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode. When the number of cell reselections and / or handovers of the IAB-MT within a period of time is less than or equal to a certain threshold, the IAB node determines that the operating mode is the IAB mode.

[0042] In another implementation example, the IAB node operates in mobile IAB mode and the parent node corresponding to the IAB mode may be different. For example, some parent nodes only support nodes accessing the mobile IAB mode (referred to as first-type parent nodes), some parent nodes only support nodes accessing the IAB mode (referred to as second-type parent nodes), and some parent nodes support nodes accessing the mobile IAB mode and support nodes accessing the IAB mode (referred to as third-type parent nodes). Generally, the parent node can broadcast indication information of nodes supporting access to the mobile IAB mode in the system broadcast information. For example, the indication information sent by the first-type parent node and / or the third-type parent node can be a mobile IAB-support information element carried by the system information block (SIB) 1, and the indication information sent by the second-type parent node can be an IAB-support information element carried by SIB 1. Since the IAB node may need to provide network services to the child node through the access link, for this reason, the IAB node generally accesses a parent node with better signal quality. Accordingly, the IAB node can use the signal quality information of the first-class parent node and / or the third-class parent node as the basis for determining that the working mode is the IAB mode. For example, when the signal quality corresponding to the signal quality information of the first-class parent node and / or the third-class parent node is lower than a certain threshold, the IAB node can determine that it may not be possible to obtain higher-quality communication services through the mobile IAB mode at present. To this end, the IAB node can determine that the working mode is the IAB mode, and access the second-class parent node to obtain communication services through the second-class parent node. Correspondingly, when the signal quality corresponding to the signal quality information of the first-class parent node or the third-class parent node is not lower than a certain threshold, the IAB node determines that the working mode is the mobile IAB mode, and accesses the first-class parent node or the third-class parent node to obtain communication services through the first-class parent node or the third-class parent node.

[0043] The second aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is performed by an IAB node, or the method is performed by some components in the IAB node (such as a processor, chip or chip system, etc.), or the method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the IAB node functions. In the second aspect and its possible implementation, the communication method is described as being performed by an IAB node. In this method, the IAB node determines that the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the host node and the operating mode of the IAB node is IAB mode; the IAB node determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode.

[0044] Based on the above technical solution, when the IAB node determines that the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is IAB mode, the IAB node can determine that the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode. In other words, when the IAB node has determined that the working mode is IAB mode, the IAB node can determine that the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode, that is, the IAB node can serve as the determiner of the working mode of the IAB node and can flexibly select the working mode of the IAB node as mobile IAB mode or mobile IAB mode within the IAB mode. Therefore, for IAB nodes that support mobile IAB mode and IAB mode, they are no longer limited to communicating only through mobile IAB mode, so that the working mode of the IAB node can be carried out in IAB mode while also supporting the switching of the working mode of the IAB node from IAB mode to mobile IAB mode, thereby improving the flexibility of the IAB node in communicating in the IAB network.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes: the IAB node sending third information to the donor node, where the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0046] Based on the above technical solution, the IAB node may further send third information to the host node, so that the host node may determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode based on the third information.

[0047] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the third information satisfies any of the following:

[0048] The third information includes the mobile IAB node indication information;

[0049] The third information includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a preference for the mobile IAB mode.

[0050] Based on the above technical solution, the third information may be implemented in the above multiple ways, that is, the donor node may determine, based on the above multiple ways, that the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0051] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: the IAB node receiving fourth information from the host node, the fourth information indicating switching of the child node of the IAB node to other network devices, and / or the fourth information indicating releasing the connection between the IAB node and the first parent node of the IAB node or releasing the connection between the IAB node and the second parent node of the IAB node, wherein the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second parent node via dual connection.

[0052] Based on the above technical solution, the IAB node may support different communication characteristics in different working modes. For example, when the IAB node works in the IAB mode, the IAB node supports dual connection to two different parent nodes and supports access to child nodes; while when the IAB node works in the mobile IAB mode, the IAB node does not support dual connection to two different parent nodes and does not support access to child nodes. To this end, when the IAB node indicates through the third information that the working mode of the IAB node is switched from the IAB mode to the mobile IAB mode, the host node can indicate through the fourth information that the child node of the IAB node is switched and / or that one of the dual connections is released to adapt to the mobile IAB mode of the IAB node, thereby avoiding communication errors of the child nodes of the IAB node working in the mobile IAB mode and / or avoiding communication errors of the IAB node in the dual connection scenario.

[0053] It should be understood that the child node is another IAB node.

[0054] It should be understood that the first parent node and the second parent node may be different IAB nodes. Alternatively, the first parent node and the second parent node may be the same IAB node. Accordingly, the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second parent node via dual connectivity. This can be understood as the IAB node communicating with different cells within the same IAB node via dual connectivity.

[0055] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the IAB node determining that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode includes: the IAB node determining, based on third indication information from the donor node or third indication information from a core network element, that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode;

[0056] The third indication information indicates at least one of the following:

[0057] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0058] The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0059] The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0060] Based on the above technical solution, the IAB node can receive third indication information sent by the host node, or the IAB node can receive third indication information from a core network element through the host node, and the third indication information indicates at least one of the above items, so that the IAB node can determine, based on the at least one of the above items, that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode or the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes. In other words, the IAB node can determine that the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode based on the indication information provided by the host node or the core network element.

[0061] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the IAB node may use locally acquired information as a basis for determining that the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode.

[0062] In an implementation example, the energy consumption of the IAB node when operating in the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode may be different. Generally, since the mobile IAB mode supports more features (such as the migration features described in Figures 2f to 2h below), it is possible that the energy consumption corresponding to the mobile IAB mode is higher than the energy consumption corresponding to the IAB mode. To this end, the IAB node can use its own energy status information as a basis for determining whether the working mode is the mobile IAB mode. For example, when the energy status information of the IAB node indicates that the energy load of the IAB node is lower than a certain threshold (or the remaining energy is higher than a certain threshold), the IAB node can determine that the working mode is the mobile IAB mode.

[0063] In another implementation example, the IAB node operates in mobile IAB mode and the node movement corresponding to the IAB mode may be different. Generally, it is possible that the mobile IAB mode supports higher-speed movement, while the IAB mode supports lower-speed movement or no movement (or does not support higher-speed movement). To this end, the IAB node can use its own mobility status information as a basis for determining whether the operating mode is the IAB mode. For example, when the mobility status information of the IAB node indicates that the movement speed of the IAB node is higher than a certain threshold, the IAB node can determine that the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode.

[0064] In another implementation example, the IAB node operates in mobile IAB mode and the parent node corresponding to the IAB mode may be different. For example, some parent nodes only support nodes accessing the mobile IAB mode (referred to as first-type parent nodes), some parent nodes only support nodes accessing the IAB mode (referred to as second-type parent nodes), and some parent nodes support nodes accessing the mobile IAB mode and support nodes accessing the IAB mode (referred to as third-type parent nodes). Generally, the parent node can broadcast indication information of nodes supporting access to the mobile IAB mode in the system broadcast information. For example, the indication information sent by the first-type parent node and / or the third-type parent node can be a mobile IAB-support information element carried by the system information block (SIB) 1, and the indication information sent by the second-type parent node can be an IAB-support information element carried by SIB 1. Since the IAB node may need to provide network services to the child node through the access link, for this reason, the IAB node generally accesses a parent node with better signal quality. Accordingly, the IAB node may use the signal quality information of the second-type parent node as a basis for determining whether the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode. For example, if the signal quality corresponding to the signal quality information of the second-type parent node is lower than a certain threshold, the IAB node may determine that it may not be possible to obtain higher-quality communication services through the IAB mode. To this end, the IAB node may determine that the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode and access the first-type parent node or the third-type parent node to obtain communication services through the first-type parent node or the third-type parent node.

[0065] The third aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a host node, or the method is executed by some components in the host node (such as a processor, chip or chip system, etc.), or the method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the host node function. In the third aspect and its possible implementation, the communication method is described as being executed by the host node. In this method, the host node receives indication information from the IAB node indicating that the IAB node supports a working mode of mobile IAB mode; the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0066] Based on the above technical solution, the host node can receive indication information from the IAB node indicating that the IAB node supports the working mode of the mobile IAB mode, and based on the indication information, determine that the IAB node can be an IAB node that supports the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Thereafter, the host node can determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. In other words, when the IAB node supports the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the host node can serve as the determiner of the working mode of the IAB node and can flexibly select the working mode of the IAB node as one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Therefore, for an IAB node that supports the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, through the decision of the host node, the working mode of the IAB node can be one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, thereby improving the flexibility of the IAB node in communicating in the IAB network.

[0067] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on at least one of the following items, including: first information from the IAB node, third information from the IAB node, fifth information from the core network network element, and mobile status information of the IAB node; wherein, the first information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0068] Based on the above technical solution, when the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the host node may determine based on at least one of the above items to improve the flexibility of the solution implementation.

[0069] It should be understood that when the host node uses the mobility status information of the IAB node as the basis for determination, after the host node receives the mobility status information from the IAB node, the process of the host node determining the working mode of the IAB node based on the mobility status information can refer to the relevant description of the first aspect mentioned above.

[0070] Optionally, after the mobility status information of the IAB node is determined, the host node can receive an RRC message sent by the IAB node, carrying the mobility status information of the IAB node. For example, the mobility status information of the IAB node can be carried or indicated by a mobility state (mobilityState) information element, and the mobilityState information element can be carried in an RRC recovery complete (RRCResumeComplete) message or an RRC setup complete message (RRCSetupComplete) message.

[0071] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the method further includes: the donor node sending sixth information to the core network element, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0072] Based on the above technical solution, after the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the host node can also send sixth information to the core network network element, so that the core network network element determines the decision result of the host node based on the sixth information.

[0073] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, when the sixth information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the sixth information satisfies any one of the following:

[0074] The sixth information includes IAB node indication information and the sixth information does not include mobile IAB node indication information;

[0075] The sixth information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information;

[0076] The sixth information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information, and the first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode;

[0077] The sixth information includes the first indication information.

[0078] Based on the above technical solution, when the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the sixth information sent by the host node satisfies any of the above items. Accordingly, the core network network element can determine, based on any of the items, that the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

[0079] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, when the host node determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0080] The donor node sends second information to the IAB node, where the second information includes configuration information of an access link of the IAB node and does not include configuration information of a backhaul link of the IAB node, and / or the second information is used to indicate that both a mobile IAB authorization state and an IAB authorization state of the IAB node are unauthorized;

[0081] The host node sends, to the IAB node, indication information instructing to release the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node;

[0082] The donor node sends second indication information to the IAB node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized, the IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized, and the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0083] Based on the above technical solution, when the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the host node can also enable subsequent IAB nodes to implement IAB mode communication based on the above at least one interaction.

[0084] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, when the donor node determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0085] The host node sends fourth information to the IAB node, where the fourth information indicates switching a child node of the IAB node to another node, and / or the fourth information indicates releasing a connection between the IAB node and the first parent node or releasing a connection between the IAB node and the second parent node, wherein the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second node through a dual connection;

[0086] The host node sends third indication information to the IAB node, where the third indication information indicates at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized; the IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized; and the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes.

[0087] Based on the above technical solution, when the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the host node can also enable subsequent IAB nodes to implement mobile IAB mode communication based on the above at least one interaction.

[0088] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is performed by a core network element, or performed by some components in the core network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or the method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the core network element functions. In the fourth aspect and its possible implementation, the communication method is described as being performed by a core network element. In this method, the core network element determines that the working mode supported by the IAB node includes a mobile IAB mode; the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0089] Based on the above technical solution, after the core network element determines that the IAB node can be an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the core network element can determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. In other words, when the IAB node supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the core network element can serve as the determiner of the working mode of the IAB node and can flexibly select the working mode of the IAB node as one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Thus, for an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the decision made by the core network element can enable the working mode of the IAB node to be one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, thereby improving the flexibility of the IAB node in communicating in the IAB network.

[0090] It should be noted that the core network element can determine that the operating mode supported by the IAB node includes the mobile IAB mode through various methods. For example, the core network element can receive capability information from the IAB node through the host node, and this capability information can indicate that the IAB node supports the mobile IAB mode. For another example, the core network element can determine that the IAB node supports the mobile IAB mode based on subscription information.

[0091] Optionally, when the working mode supported by the IAB node includes the mobile IAB mode, the working mode supported by the IAB node may also include the IAB mode. In other words, an IAB node that supports the mobile IAB mode may also support the IAB mode.

[0092] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the core network element sending fifth information to the host node of the IAB node, where the fifth information is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0093] Based on the above technical solution, after the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the core network element can also send fifth information to the host node, so that the host node determines the decision result of the host node based on the fifth information.

[0094] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including the following mode A and / or mode B.

[0095] Method A. The core network element determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on the current time of the IAB node and at least one of the following: a time range in which the IAB node is allowed to operate in the mobile IAB mode, a time range in which the IAB node is allowed to operate in the IAB mode, a time range in which the IAB node is not allowed to operate in the mobile IAB mode, and a time range in which the IAB node is not allowed to operate in the IAB mode;

[0096] Method B. The core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on the space in which the IAB node is currently located and at least one of the following: the spatial range in which the IAB node is allowed to work in the mobile IAB mode, the spatial range in which the IAB node is allowed to work in the IAB mode, the spatial range in which the IAB node is not allowed to work in the mobile IAB mode, and the spatial range in which the IAB node is not allowed to work in the IAB mode.

[0097] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the core network network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the core network network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on sixth information, wherein the sixth information comes from the host node of the IAB node, and the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0098] Based on the above technical solution, when the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the host node may determine based on the sixth information from the host node.

[0099] Optionally, the core network element can use the mobility status information of the IAB node as a basis for determination. After the core network element receives the mobility status information from the IAB node through the host node, the core network element determines the working mode of the IAB node based on the mobility status information. The process can refer to the relevant descriptions of the first and third aspects mentioned above.

[0100] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, when the fifth information includes at least one of the following items, the fifth information is used to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode:

[0101] Indication information indicating that the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0102] Indication information indicating that the mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0103] Indication information indicating the IAB mode of the IAB node.

[0104] Based on the above technical solution, when the core network network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the fifth information sent by the core network network element satisfies any of the above items. Accordingly, the host node can determine, based on any of the items, that the fifth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

[0105] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, when the fifth information includes at least one of the following items, the fifth information is used to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode:

[0106] Indication information indicating that the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0107] Indication information indicating that the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized;

[0108] Indication information indicating the mobile IAB mode of the IAB node.

[0109] Based on the above technical solution, when the core network network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the fifth information sent by the core network network element satisfies any of the above items. Accordingly, the host node can determine, based on any of the items, that the fifth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0110] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the core network network element determining that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode includes: the core network network element determining that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode; and the method further includes:

[0111] The core network network element sends second indication information to the IAB node through the host node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized, the IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized, and the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0112] Based on the above technical solution, when the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the core network element can also send second indication information to the IAB node through the host node, so that the IAB node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode based on the second indication information.

[0113] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the core network network element determining that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode includes: determining, by the core network network element, that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode; and the method further includes: sending, by the core network network element, third indication information to the IAB node through the donor node, where the third indication information indicates at least one of the following:

[0114] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0115] The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0116] The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0117] Based on the above technical solution, when the core network network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the core network network element can also send third indication information to the IAB node through the host node, so that the IAB node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode based on the third indication information.

[0118] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is an IAB node, or a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within an IAB node. Alternatively, the device may be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the IAB node's functionality. The fifth aspect and its possible implementations are described using the communication device as an IAB node as an example.

[0119] The device includes a processing unit; the processing unit is used to determine that the RRC connection between the access and backhaul integrated IAB node and the host node has not been established, or to determine that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, or to determine that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node; the processing unit is also used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0120] In a possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the apparatus further includes a transceiver unit configured to send first information to the donor node, where the first information is configured to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

[0121] In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the first information satisfies any of the following:

[0122] The first information includes IAB node indication information and the first information does not include mobile IAB node indication information;

[0123] The first information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information;

[0124] The first information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information, and first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode;

[0125] The first information includes the first indication information.

[0126] In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive second information from the host node, where the second information includes configuration information of the access link of the IAB node and does not include configuration information of the backhaul link of the IAB node, and / or the second information is used to indicate that both the mobile IAB authorization status and the IAB authorization status of the IAB node are unauthorized.

[0127] In a possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive indication information from the donor node indicating to release the RRC connection between the IAB node and the donor node.

[0128] In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit is specifically configured to determine, based on second indication information from the donor node or second indication information from the core network network element, that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode;

[0129] The second indication information indicates at least one of the following:

[0130] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0131] The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0132] The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode among the IAB modes.

[0133] In the fifth aspect of this application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in each possible implementation method of the first aspect and achieve corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0134] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is an IAB node, or a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within an IAB node. Alternatively, the device may be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the IAB node's functions. In the sixth aspect and its possible implementations, the communication device is described as an IAB node.

[0135] The device includes a processing unit; the processing unit is used to determine that the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is IAB mode; the processing unit is also used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode.

[0136] In a possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the apparatus further includes a transceiver unit configured to send third information to the donor node, where the third information is configured to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0137] In a possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the third information satisfies any one of the following: the third information includes the mobile IAB node indication information; the third information includes fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate a preference for the mobile IAB mode.

[0138] In a possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive fourth information from the host node, the fourth information indicating switching the child node of the IAB node to other network devices, and / or the fourth information indicating releasing the connection between the IAB node and the first parent node of the IAB node or releasing the connection between the IAB node and the second parent node of the IAB node, wherein the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second parent node via dual connection.

[0139] In a possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, including: the transceiver unit is specifically configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode based on third indication information from the donor node or third indication information from the core network network element;

[0140] The third indication information indicates at least one of the following:

[0141] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0142] The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0143] The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0144] In the sixth aspect of this application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in each possible implementation method of the second aspect and achieve corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the second aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0145] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is a host node, or a component of a host node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the host node functions. In the seventh aspect and its possible implementations, the communication device is described as a host node.

[0146] The device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the transceiver unit is used to receive indication information from the IAB node indicating that the IAB node supports the working mode of mobile IAB mode; the processing unit is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and IAB mode.

[0147] In a possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on at least one of the following: first information from the IAB node, third information from the IAB node, fifth information from a core network network element, and mobility status information of the IAB node;

[0148] The first information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0149] In a possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to send sixth information to a core network element, where the sixth information is configured to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0150] In a possible implementation of the seventh aspect, when the sixth information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the sixth information satisfies any one of the following:

[0151] The sixth information includes IAB node indication information and the sixth information does not include mobile IAB node indication information;

[0152] The sixth information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information;

[0153] The sixth information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information, and the first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode;

[0154] The sixth information includes the first indication information.

[0155] In a possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0156] Sending second information to the IAB node, where the second information includes configuration information of an access link of the IAB node and does not include configuration information of a backhaul link of the IAB node, and / or the second information is used to indicate that both a mobile IAB authorization state and an IAB authorization state of the IAB node are unauthorized;

[0157] Sending, to the IAB node, instruction information for releasing the RRC connection between the IAB node and the donor node; or,

[0158] Sending second indication information to the IAB node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0159] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized.

[0160] The IAB authorization status of this IAB node is authorized.

[0161] The IAB node working mode is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0162] In a possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0163] sending fourth information to the IAB node, the fourth information instructing to switch a child node of the IAB node to another node, and / or the fourth information instructing to release a connection between the IAB node and the first parent node or to release a connection between the IAB node and the second parent node, wherein the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second node through a dual connection;

[0164] Send third indication information to the IAB node, where the third indication information indicates at least one of the following:

[0165] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0166] The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0167] The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0168] In the seventh aspect of the present application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in each possible implementation method of the third aspect and achieve corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the third aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0169] In an eighth aspect of the present application, a communications device is provided. The device is a core network element, or the device is a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the core network element. Alternatively, the device may be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the core network element functions. In the eighth aspect and its possible implementations, the communication device is described as a core network element.

[0170] The device includes a processing unit; the processing unit is used to determine that the working mode supported by the IAB node includes the mobile IAB mode; the processing unit is also used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0171] In a possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to send fifth information to a donor node of the IAB node, where the fifth information is used to determine whether the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0172] In a possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the processing unit is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit is specifically used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on sixth information, wherein the sixth information comes from the host node of the IAB node, and the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0173] In a possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, when the fifth information includes at least one of the following items, the fifth information is used to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode:

[0174] Indication information indicating that the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0175] Indication information indicating that the mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0176] Indication information indicating the IAB mode of the IAB node.

[0177] In a possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, when the fifth information includes at least one of the following items, the fifth information is used to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode:

[0178] Indication information indicating that the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0179] Indication information indicating that the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized;

[0180] Indication information indicating the mobile IAB mode of the IAB node.

[0181] In a possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode;

[0182] The transceiver unit is further configured to send second indication information to the IAB node through the donor node, where the second indication information is configured to indicate at least one of the following:

[0183] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized.

[0184] The IAB authorization status of this IAB node is authorized.

[0185] The IAB node working mode is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0186] In a possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode; and the transceiver unit is further configured to send third indication information to the IAB node through the donor node, where the third indication information indicates at least one of the following:

[0187] The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0188] The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0189] The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0190] In the eighth aspect of the present application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in each possible implementation method of the fourth aspect and achieve corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the fourth aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0191] In the ninth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided, comprising at least one processor, which is used to execute programs or instructions in a memory so that the device can implement the method executed in each possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0192] In the tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the logic circuit is used to execute the method executed in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0193] In the eleventh aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which is used to store one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method performed in each possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0194] The twelfth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product. When the computer program in the computer program product is executed by a processor, the processor executes the method performed in each possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0195] The thirteenth aspect of the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting a communication device to implement the method executed in each possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0196] In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the first communication device. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete components. Optionally, the chip system may further include an interface circuit that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor.

[0197] A fourteenth aspect of the present application provides a communication system, which includes at least two devices among the IAB node, the host node and the core network element in any of the above aspects and any of the implementation methods.

[0198] It should be understood that the technical effects brought about by any design method in the fifth to fourteenth aspects can be referred to the technical effects brought about by the different design methods in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0199] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the present application;

[0200] FIG2a is a schematic diagram of an IAB communication scenario provided by this application;

[0201] FIG2 b is another schematic diagram of an IAB communication scenario provided by this application;

[0202] FIG2c is a schematic diagram of the IAB communication protocol stack provided by this application;

[0203] FIG2 d is another schematic diagram of the IAB communication protocol stack provided by this application;

[0204] FIG2e is a schematic diagram of the IAB network access process provided by this application;

[0205] Figure 2f is a schematic diagram of IAB node migration;

[0206] Figure 2g is another schematic diagram of IAB node migration;

[0207] Figure 2h is another schematic diagram of IAB node migration;

[0208] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0209] FIG4 is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided by the present application;

[0210] FIG5 is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided by the present application;

[0211] FIG6 is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided by the present application;

[0212] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0213] FIG8 is another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0214] FIG9 is another schematic diagram of the communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0215] First, some of the terms that may be used in the embodiments of this application are explained.

[0216] (1) Configuration and pre-configuration: In this application, configuration and pre-configuration will be used at the same time. Configuration refers to the network equipment such as base stations or servers sending some parameter configuration information or parameter values ​​to the terminal through messages or signaling, so that the terminal can determine the communication parameters or resources during transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration. It can be a way for network equipment such as base stations or servers to send parameter information or values ​​to the terminal through a communication link or carrier; it can also be a way to give the definition of corresponding parameters or parameter values ​​in the standard, or by setting the relevant parameters or values ​​in the terminal device in advance. This application does not limit this. Furthermore, these values ​​and parameters can be changed or updated.

[0217] (2) In this application, “used for indication” can include direct indication and indirect indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0218] In this application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated. For example, it can be implemented by direct indication, such as by indicating the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated. It can also be implemented by indirectly indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be indicated. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of specific information can also be achieved with the help of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, stipulated in the protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent.

[0219] The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole, or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in this application. Among them, the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device. Among them, the configuration information can, for example, but not limited to, include one or a combination of at least two of RRC signaling, medium access control (MAC) layer signaling and physical layer signaling. Among them, MAC layer signaling, for example, includes a medium access control control element (MAC CE); physical layer signaling, for example, includes downlink control information (DCI).

[0220] (3) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0221] In addition, in this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, methods, or implementations according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0222] (4) "Sending" and "receiving" in the embodiments of the present application indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, the communication process between entity A and entity B is taken as an example. In the present application, when entity A sends information to entity B, it can be that A sends it directly to B, or that A sends it indirectly to B through other entities. Similarly, when entity B receives information from entity A, it can be that entity B directly receives the information sent by entity A, or that entity B indirectly receives the information sent by entity A through other entities. Entities A and B here can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules inside RAN nodes or terminals. The sending and receiving of information can be information interaction between a RAN node and a terminal, for example, information interaction between a base station and a terminal; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between two RAN nodes, for example, information interaction between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between different modules inside a device, for example, information interaction between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or information interaction between a base station chip and other modules in the base station. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0223] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, methods, or implementations according to their inherent logical relationships. The following description of the implementation methods of this application does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0224] Please refer to FIG1 , which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 used in an embodiment of the present application.

[0225] As shown in Figure 1 , the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 1 , collectively referred to as 110) and may also include at least one terminal (e.g., 120a-120j in Figure 1 , collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul equipment (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110, and the RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network 200. The core network devices in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 may be independent and distinct physical devices, or they may be a single physical device that integrates the logical functions of the core network devices and the logical functions of the RAN node. Terminals and RAN nodes may be connected to each other via wired or wireless means.

[0226] RAN100 may be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a NR system, or a future radio access system defined in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). RAN100 may also include two or more of the aforementioned different radio access systems. RAN100 may also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0227] A RAN node, also known as a radio access network device, RAN entity, or access node, facilitates wireless access to a communication system by a terminal. In one application scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1), a micro base station, an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1), a relay node, or a donor node.

[0228] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing portions of the base station's functions. For example, a RAN node can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The CU implements the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) functions, and can also implement the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) functions; the DU implements the base station's radio link control layer and MAC layer functions, and can also implement some or all of the physical layer functions. For detailed descriptions of each of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP. The RU can be used to implement the transmission and reception of radio frequency signals. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes, or they can be integrated into the same RAN node, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0229] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, the CU may be called an open CU (O-CU), the DU may be called an open DU (O-DU), and the RU may be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN nodes in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules. For example, the RAN node may be a server loaded with the corresponding software module. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the RAN node.

[0230] For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a RAN node in the following description. It is understandable that when the communication system includes an IAB network, the base station (ie, RAN node) may be an IAB node.

[0231] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can send signals to a base station or receive signals from a base station. A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. A terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal.

[0232] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of base stations and terminals.

[0233] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. To terminals 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a base station. However, to base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that communication between 110a and 120i occurs via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, communication between 110a and 120i can also occur via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be referred to as communication devices with base station functionality, while 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functionality.

[0234] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be carried out through authorized spectrum, unauthorized spectrum, or both; communication can be carried out through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0235] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the base station may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes the base station functions. The control subsystem that includes the base station functions here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal, or by a device that includes the terminal functions.

[0236] It should be understood that the present application can be applied to a long term evolution (LTE) system, a new radio (NR) system, or a communication system evolved after 5G (such as 6G, etc.). The communication system includes network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0237] In the communication system shown in Figure 1, IAB technology uses wireless transmission solutions for both the access link and the backhaul link, which can reduce fiber deployment and meet the needs of increased network capacity, wider coverage, ultra-high reliability and ultra-low latency.

[0238] In an IAB network, a relay node, or IAB-node, provides wireless access services for terminal devices. The terminal device's service data is transmitted from the IAB-node to the IAB-donor via a wireless backhaul link. The IAB-node consists of a MT and a DU. When facing its parent node, the IAB-node acts as a terminal device, acting as an MT. When facing its child node (which may be another IAB-node or an ordinary terminal device), it is considered a network device, acting as a DU. An IAB-donor is an access network element with complete base station (e.g., gNB) functionality, including a CU and DU. The IAB-donor is connected to the core network (e.g., a 5G core network) that serves the terminal devices.

[0239] The following will introduce the IAB network with reference to the implementation examples shown in FIG. 2 a to FIG. 2 h .

[0240] FIG2a is a schematic diagram of an IAB network.

[0241] In the IAB network shown in Figure 2a, terminal devices include UE1 and UE2, and IAB nodes include IAB Node 1 (IAB Node 1) to IAB Node 5 (IAB Node 5), as well as IAB donor nodes. A transmission path between any UE and an IAB-donor may include one or more IAB-nodes. Each IAB-node needs to maintain a wireless backhaul link to its parent node and also needs to maintain a wireless link with its child nodes. If the child node of an IAB-node is a terminal device (such as UE1 or UE2 in Figure 2a), then the wireless access link is between the IAB-node and the child node (i.e., the UE). If the child node of an IAB-node is another IAB-node, then the wireless backhaul link is between the IAB-node and the child node (i.e., the other IAB-node). For example, in Figure 2a, in the path "UE1→IAB-node4→IAB-node3→IAB-node1→IAB-donor", UE1 accesses IAB-node4 through a wireless access link, IAB-node4 is connected to IAB-node3 through a wireless backhaul link, IAB-node3 is connected to IAB-node1 through a wireless backhaul link, and IAB-node1 is connected to IAB-donor through a wireless backhaul link.

[0242] FIG2 b is a schematic diagram showing a wireless relay scenario implemented through standalone (SA) networking.

[0243] As shown in Figure 2b, the communication nodes include the 5G core (5G core, 5GC), 5G access network equipment (denoted as gNodeB in the figure), an IAB-donor, and one or more IAB-nodes. In Figure 2b, the IAB-node DU (hereinafter simply referred to as IAB-DU) is logically connected to the IAB-donor CU (hereinafter simply referred to as CU) via the F1 interface. In practice, the connection between the IAB-DU and the CU is achieved through the NR Uu interface between the IAB-node MT and the parent node DU at each hop. However, because the IAB-DU can ultimately communicate with the CU, the F1 interface can be considered to exist logically.

[0244] Illustratively, the F1 interface may be used to support a user plane protocol (F1-user plane, F1-U) and a control plane protocol (F1-control plane, F1-C).

[0245] For example, as shown in Figure 2c, F1-U includes one or more of the following protocol layers: general packet radio service tunneling protocol user plane (GTP-U), user datagram protocol (UDP), and internet protocol (IP). Through F1-U, user plane data can be transmitted between the IAB-donor and IAB-node, as well as downlink transmission status feedback.

[0246] For example, as shown in Figure 2d, F1-C includes one or more of the following protocol layers: F1 application protocol (F1AP), stream control transport protocol (SCTP), and IP. Through F1-C, the IAB-donor and IAB-node can manage interfaces, manage IAB-DUs, and perform UE context-related configuration.

[0247] It should be understood that in FIG. 2 c and FIG. 2 d , the UE and the IAB node communicate via the Uu interface, and different IAB nodes communicate via a backhaul link (BL).

[0248] Figure 2e below describes the IAB node integration process. For example, in Figure 2e, the integration process of IAB-node2 is used as an example. IAB-node1 is the parent node of IAB-node2 and has already been connected to the network.

[0249] The IAB node network access process can be summarized as follows:

[0250] Step 1: For cells that support the IAB function, the iab-support information element can be broadcast in SIB1. The IAB-MT in the IAB node that supports the IAB mode will select the cell with the iab-support information element in SIB1 to access, establish an RRC connection with the donor, and indicate that it is an IAB node when establishing the RRC connection (carrying IAB node indication in the RRCSetupComplete message). When the donor-CU sends the UE initial message (INITIAL UE MESSAGE) to the core network (specifically, it can be the AMF network element in the core network), it also carries the IAB node indication. The AMF authenticates the IAB-MT and carries the IAB Authorized information element in the message (INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST) instructing the donor-CU to establish the UE initial context for the IAB-MT to authorize the IAB node. If the authentication is successful, the value of IAB Authorized is authorized, otherwise it is not authorized.

[0251] Optionally, for cells that support the mobile integrated access and backhaul (mobile IAB-node, or mIAB) function, the mobile iab-support information element can be broadcast in SIB1. Similarly, the IAB-MT in the IAB node that supports the mobile IAB mode can select the cell with the mobile iab-support information element in SIB1 to access and establish an RRC connection with the donor. The subsequent execution process of the AMF network element in the core network can refer to the processing process of the above-mentioned IAB mode.

[0252] Since this section describes the IAB node access process, assume that the value of IAB Authorized is authorized and proceed to the subsequent steps.

[0253] Step 2-1: The donor-CU configures a backhaul RLC channel (BH RLC Channel) and routing for the IAB-node via RRC messages. Specifically, this only configures a default BH RLC Channel and default route for use during the initial F1 interface establishment (e.g., step 3). After the F1 interface is established, the donor-CU configures additional BH RLC Channels and routing paths to the IAB-node via F1-C messages for subsequent F1-C messages and F1-U user plane data.

[0254] Step 2-2: In addition to configuring IAB-node2 in step 2-1, you can also perform a routing update on the node between the IAB-node and the donor (IAB-node1) in step 2-2 to inform these nodes how to select the next-hop link and next-hop RLC channel when receiving packets from or sending packets to IAB-node2.

[0255] Step 3: IAB-DU2 in IAB-node2 uses the default configuration obtained in Step 2-1 to send an F1 SETUP REQUEST message to the donor-CU, carrying the cell configuration information for DU2 and requesting the establishment of an F1 interface. The donor-CU responds with an F1 SETUP RESPONSE message to IAB-DU2, activating the cell and completing the F1 interface establishment. At this point, IAB-node2 is activated and can provide services to terminal devices and / or the next-hop IAB-MT.

[0256] The following Figures 2f, 2g, and 2h illustrate the migration process of the IAB node.

[0257] Figure 2f shows an example of partial migration of an IAB node. In Figure 2f, the IAB node undergoing migration can be called a boundary node, such as the mobile integrated access and backhaul (mIAB) in the figure.

[0258] In Figure 2f, before executing Partial migration, there is an RRC connection between the MT in mAB (denoted as mAB-MT) and CU1, and there is an F1 interface between the DU in mAB (denoted as mAB-DU) and CU1. to communicate.

[0259] In Figure 2f, during partial migration, the mAB-MT undergoes an inter-CU cell handover and establishes an RRC connection with CU2. However, to avoid the need to re-establish the F1 interface, the mAB-DU maintains the F1 interface with CU1 and does not establish an F1 interface with CU2. As a result, the communication path between CU1 and the mAB-DU becomes cross-topology:

[0260] Optionally, in Figure 2f, CU1 and CU2 are referred to as the F1-terminating CU and non-F1-terminating CU (or RRC terminating CU), respectively, or as the source CU and target CU. Note that data transmission across the cross-topology path does not pass through CU2; CU1 and Donor-DU2 can communicate directly over the IP network.

[0261] In addition, in Figure 2f, when traffic is being transmitted between CU1 and the UE, CU1 can send an IAB TRANSPORT MIGRATION MANAGEMENT REQUEST message to CU2. This message asks CU2 to help CU1 transmit traffic between CU1 and the UE. Specifically, the F1-terminating CU sends an IAB TRANSPORT MIGRATION MANAGEMENT REQUEST message to the non-F1-terminating CU, requesting the establishment of cross-topology traffic transmission. If the non-F1-terminating CU agrees, it responds with an IAB TRANSPORT MIGRATION MANAGEMENT RESPONSE message to the F1-terminating CU. If it disagrees, it responds with an IAB TRANSPORT MIGRATION MANAGEMENT REJECT message. If the F1-terminating CU or the non-F1-terminating CU subsequently wishes to modify or withdraw the QoS of the traffic, they can also exchange IAB TRANSPORT MIGRATION MODIFICATION REQUEST / RESPONSE messages.

[0262] As shown in Figure 2g, an implementation example of performing consecutive partial migration of an IAB node is shown. In Figure 2G, the miAB node that undergoes migration may be due to its own movement.

[0263] In FIG2g, migration 1 indicates the migration process between mIAB-DU and CU1 from the source communication path Migrate to target communication path process.

[0264] After migration 1, the mAB-DU can perform the next migration process, namely the migration 2 process. That is, the mAB-MT switches from CU2 to CU3, but the F1 interface of the DU is always associated with CU1. As shown in Figure 2g, the mAB-node is directly connected to the donor-DU, but this is not limited. There may be other IAB nodes between the mAB-node and the donor-DU. In addition, regarding how the MT arrived at CU2, the MT may have switched from CU1 to CU2, but it may also have switched from other CUs to CU2 (not shown in the figure, which can be understood in conjunction with the DU migration scenario below).

[0265] FIG. 2h shows an example of implementing DU migration performed by an IAB node.

[0266] Considering the large-scale mobility of IAB nodes (such as mAB nodes), when the mAB-node moves far away, it may be difficult for the mAB-DU to maintain an IP connection with the original CU, or the transmission delay will be very large. Therefore, in order to support large-scale mobility, DU migration can be introduced. As shown in Figure 2h, the RRC connection of the MT can always be on CU2, and the F1 interface of the DU is migrated from CU1 to CU3. The figure shows mAB-DU1 and mAB-DU2, which are two logical DUs on a physical DU. DU migration is achieved in this way: assuming that the source DU is mAB-DU1, the mAB-node generates a new logical DU mIAB-DU2, and mAB-DU2 establishes an F1 interface with CU3. CU1 sends a terminal device switching request to CU3, switching the terminal device from the cell under mAB-DU1 to the cell under mAB-DU2, and then CU1 releases the F1 interface between it and mAB-DU1. At this point, DU migration is completed.

[0267] As explained above, an IAB network can include IAB donor nodes and IAB nodes. IAB nodes can communicate with donor nodes to achieve data transmission. Furthermore, IAB nodes can operate in multiple modes, including IAB mode and mobile IAB mode, which may differ from each other.

[0268] In one implementation example, compared to the IAB mode, the mobile IAB mode supports more features, including but not limited to one or more of the partial migration described in Figure 2f, the consecutive partial migration described in Figure 2g, and the DU migration described in Figure 2h. That is, the IAB node in the IAB mode does not support the one or more features.

[0269] In another implementation example, compared to the IAB mode, the mobile IAB mode reduces (or disables) some features. For example, the mobile IAB mode does not support the IAB node connecting to different cells via dual connections, while the IAB mode supports the IAB node connecting to different cells via dual connections. For another example, the IAB mode supports the connection of other IAB nodes under the IAB node (that is, the child nodes of the IAB node in the IAB mode can be IAB nodes), while the mobile IAB mode does not support the connection of other IAB nodes under the IAB node (that is, the child nodes of the IAB node in the mobile IAB mode cannot be IAB nodes).

[0270] As shown in step 1 of Figure 2e above, if the parent node's system broadcast information carries the iab-support information element but does not carry the mobile iab-support information element, and if the IAB node supports both mobile IAB mode and IAB mode, then the IAB node can access the parent node and operate in IAB mode. Similarly, if the parent node's system broadcast information carries the mobile iab-support information element, and if the IAB node supports both mobile IAB mode and IAB mode, then the IAB node can access the parent node and operate in mobile IAB mode.

[0271] In other words, whether an IAB node operates in IAB mode or mobile IAB mode is determined by whether the parent node's system broadcast information carries the mobile iab-support information element. If the mobile iab-support information element is carried, the IAB node will operate in mobile IAB mode after connecting to the parent node. If the mobile iab-support information element is not carried, the IAB node will operate in IAB mode after connecting to the parent node.

[0272] However, in an IAB network, the above method of determining the working mode of an IAB node by determining whether the parent node broadcasts the mobile iab-support information element is relatively limited.

[0273] For example, the energy consumption of an IAB node operating in mobile IAB mode and IAB mode may be different. Generally, because the mobile IAB mode supports more features (such as the migration features described in Figures 2f and 2h), the energy consumption corresponding to the mobile IAB mode may be higher than the energy consumption corresponding to the IAB mode. To this end, the IAB node may need to use its own energy state information as a basis for determining whether to operate in the IAB mode, so that the operating mode of the IAB node can adapt to its own energy state information.

[0274] For example, the mobility of an IAB node operating in mobile IAB mode and the corresponding node mobility in the IAB mode may be different. Generally, the mobile IAB mode may support higher-speed mobility, while the IAB mode may support lower-speed mobility or no mobility (or may not support higher-speed mobility). To this end, the IAB node or the network device connected to the IAB node (e.g., a host node or a core network element) may need to use the mobility state information of the IAB node as a basis for determining whether the operating mode is the IAB mode, so that the operating mode of the IAB node can adapt to its mobility state information.

[0275] In summary, the current method of determining the working mode of an IAB node based on whether its parent node broadcasts the mobile iab-support information element is quite limited. Therefore, how to improve the flexibility of IAB node communication is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0276] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a communication method and related devices for implementing an IAB node operating mode determination mechanism, where the IAB node, a host node, or a core network element determines the IAB node's operating mode. This method enables flexible selection of the IAB node's operating mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, thereby enhancing the communication flexibility of the IAB node in an IAB network. This will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0277] Please refer to FIG3 , which is a schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0278] It should be noted that in the implementation process shown in Figures 3 to 6, the IAB node, host node, and core network element are used as the execution subjects of the interaction diagram to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, the method executed by the IAB node can also be executed by a module of the IAB node (such as a chip, chip system, or processor), and can also be implemented by a logical node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the IAB node. The method executed by the host node can also be executed by a module of the host node (such as a chip, chip system, or processor), and can also be implemented by a logical node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the host node function. The method executed by the core network element can also be executed by a module of the core network element (such as a chip, chip system, or processor), and can also be implemented by a logical node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the core network element function.

[0279] It should be understood that in the implementation processes shown in Figures 3 to 6, the core network element may be a network element for access management and / or mobility management functions. For example, the core network element may be named an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. Alternatively, as standards or technologies evolve, the name of the core network element may be another description, which is not limited here.

[0280] S301. The IAB node determines that the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node has not been established, or the IAB node determines that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode, or the IAB node determines that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node.

[0281] S302. The IAB node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0282] It should be understood that the RRC establishment process between the IAB node and the host node may include the exchange of multiple messages, such as message 1 (MSG1), message 2 (MSG2), message 3 (MSG3), message 4 (MSG4), message 5 (MSG5), message A (MSGA), message B (MSGB), etc. Generally, in step S301, after the IAB node sends MSG5 to the host node, the IAB node may determine that the RRC connection establishment between the IAB node and the host node is complete. Correspondingly, before the IAB node sends MSG5 to the host node, the IAB node may determine that the RRC connection establishment between the IAB node and the host node is not complete.

[0283] Optionally, MSG5 may indicate that the RRC establishment is complete. Accordingly, MSG5 may be replaced with other descriptions, such as an RRC connection establishment complete message.

[0284] It should be understood that the IAB node includes a mobile terminal (MT) and a distributed unit (DU). Generally, when the IAB node operates in IAB mode, the MT and DU are connected to the same host node, and when the IAB node operates in mobile IAB mode, the MT and DU can be connected to the same host node or to different host nodes. In any of the cases where the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node has not been established, or the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode, or the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node, the host nodes involved are all the host nodes connected to the MT in the IAB node.

[0285] Alternatively, the donor node to which the MT is connected may be referred to as a non-F1-terminating donor, or a radio resource control terminating donor, etc. Correspondingly, the donor node to which the DU is connected may be referred to as an F1-terminating donor, or a non-RRC-terminating donor, etc.

[0286] In a possible implementation, in step S302, the IAB node may use locally acquired information as a basis for determining that the working mode is the IAB mode.

[0287] In an implementation example, the energy consumption of the IAB node when operating in the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode may be different. Generally, since the mobile IAB mode supports more features (such as the migration features described in Figures 2f to 2h below), it is possible that the energy consumption corresponding to the mobile IAB mode is higher than the energy consumption corresponding to the IAB mode. To this end, the IAB node can use its own energy status information as a basis for determining whether the working mode is the IAB mode. For example, when the energy status information of the IAB node indicates that the energy load of the IAB node is higher than a certain threshold (or the remaining energy is lower than a certain threshold), the IAB node can determine that the working mode is the IAB mode.

[0288] In another implementation example, the IAB node operates in a mobile IAB mode and the node movement corresponding to the IAB mode may be different. Generally, it is possible that the mobile IAB mode supports movement at a higher speed, and the IAB mode supports movement at a lower speed or no movement (or does not support movement at a higher speed). To this end, the IAB node can use its own mobility status information as a basis for determining whether the working mode is the IAB mode. For example, when the mobility status information of the IAB node indicates that the moving speed of the IAB node is lower than a certain threshold, the IAB node can determine that the working mode is the IAB mode. Alternatively, the mobility status information can also be determined based on the number of cell reselections and / or handovers of the IAB-MT within a period of time. When the number of cell reselections and / or handovers of the IAB-MT within a period of time is greater than a certain threshold, the IAB node determines that the working mode is the mobile IAB mode. When the number of cell reselections and / or handovers of the IAB-MT within a period of time is less than or equal to a certain threshold, the IAB node determines that the working mode is the IAB mode.

[0289] In another implementation example, the IAB node operates in mobile IAB mode and the parent node corresponding to the IAB mode may be different. For example, some parent nodes only support nodes accessing the mobile IAB mode (referred to as first-type parent nodes), some parent nodes only support nodes accessing the IAB mode (referred to as second-type parent nodes), and some parent nodes support nodes accessing the mobile IAB mode and support nodes accessing the IAB mode (referred to as third-type parent nodes). Generally, the parent node can broadcast indication information of nodes supporting access to the mobile IAB mode in the system broadcast information. For example, the indication information sent by the first-type parent node and / or the third-type parent node can be a mobile IAB-support information element carried by the system information block (SIB) 1, and the indication information sent by the second-type parent node can be an IAB-support information element carried by SIB 1. Since the IAB node may need to provide network services to the child node through the access link, for this reason, the IAB node generally accesses a parent node with better signal quality. Accordingly, the IAB node can use the signal quality information of the first-class parent node and / or the third-class parent node as the basis for determining that the working mode is the IAB mode. For example, when the signal quality corresponding to the signal quality information of the first-class parent node and / or the third-class parent node is lower than a certain threshold, the IAB node can determine that it may not be possible to obtain higher-quality communication services through the mobile IAB mode at present. To this end, the IAB node can determine that the working mode is the IAB mode, and access the second-class parent node to obtain communication services through the second-class parent node. Correspondingly, when the signal quality corresponding to the signal quality information of the first-class parent node or the third-class parent node is not lower than a certain threshold, the IAB node determines that the working mode is the mobile IAB mode, and accesses the first-class parent node or the third-class parent node to obtain communication services through the first-class parent node or the third-class parent node.

[0290] In a possible implementation, in step S302, the IAB node may determine that the working mode is the IAB mode based on instructions from other nodes.

[0291] In an implementation example, in the technical solution shown in FIG3 , before step S301, the following steps may also be included:

[0292] S300A. The host node sends second indication information to the IAB node, that is, the second indication information may be carried in an access stratum (AS) message.

[0293] In an implementation example, in the technical solution shown in FIG3 , before step S301, the following steps may also be included:

[0294] S300B. The core network device sends second indication information to the donor node.

[0295] S300A. The host node sends second indication information to the IAB node, that is, the second indication information may be carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

[0296] In other words, in step S302, the IAB node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the IAB node determines, based on the second indication information from the donor node or the second indication information from the core network element, that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode;

[0297] The second indication information indicates at least one of the following information A to information C:

[0298] Information A. The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0299] Information B. The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0300] Information C: The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0301] In an implementation example, taking the second indication information carried in a NAS message as an example, in step S300A, the information A received by the host node can be implemented by taking the value of mobile IAB authorized in the NAS message as not authorized, the information B received by the host node can be implemented by taking the value of IAB authorized in the NAS message as authorized, and the information C received by the host node can be implemented by a newly added element in the NAS message, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0302] In another implementation example, taking the second indication information carried in an AS message as an example, the donor node may carry at least one of the above information A to information C through an RRC message. In one possible implementation example, the donor node does not carry the backhaul link configuration information in the RRC message, which is used to implicitly indicate to the IAB node that the mobile IAB authorization status is unauthorized.

[0303] Optionally, when the second indication information is carried in an AS message, the second indication information may be the result of an autonomous decision made by the donor node (such as the implementation shown in FIG5 below), and the second indication information may be the result of a decision made by a core network element (such as the implementation shown in FIG6 below). In the case where the second indication information may be the result of a decision made by the core network element, the core network element may send the decision result of the core network element to the donor node through an NG message (such as an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message or a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message), so that the donor node determines the second indication information based on the decision result.

[0304] Specifically, the IAB node may receive second indication information sent by the host node through step S300A, or the IAB node may receive second indication information from a core network element through steps S300A and S300B, and the second indication information indicates at least one of the above items, so that the IAB node can determine, based on the at least one of the above items, that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. In other words, the basis for the IAB node to determine that the operating mode is the IAB mode can be the indication information provided by the host node or the core network element.

[0305] In a possible implementation, in the technical solution shown in FIG3 , the method further includes:

[0306] Step S303: The IAB node sends first information to the host node, where the first information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, so that the host node can determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode based on the first information.

[0307] In a possible implementation, the first information sent by the IAB node in step S303 satisfies any one of the following conditions A to D:

[0308] Condition A: The first information includes IAB node indication information and does not include mobile IAB node indication information. For example, the first information includes an iab-NodeIndication information element but does not include a mobile IAB-NodeIndication information element.

[0309] Condition B: The first information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information, for example, the first information includes the iab-NodeIndication information element and the mobileIAB-NodeIndication information element. If the IAB node and the host node agree, through configuration or pre-configuration, that the first information includes both the iab-NodeIndication information element and the mobileIAB-NodeIndication information element, the host node determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode based on the iab-NodeIndication information element.

[0310] Condition C: The first information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information, and first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode. For example, the first information includes an iab-NodeIndication information element and preference information (i.e., the first indication information), where the preference information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode.

[0311] Condition D: The first information includes the first indication information. For example, the first information includes preference information (ie, the first indication information), and the preference information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode.

[0312] Therefore, the first information can be implemented in the above-mentioned multiple ways, that is, the host node can determine, based on the above-mentioned multiple ways, that the first information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

[0313] Optionally, the first information sent by the IAB node in step S303 may be carried in MSG5 or other messages (eg, IAB other information (IABOtherInformation)), which is not limited here.

[0314] In one possible implementation, after step S303, the method may further include: the IAB node receives second information from the host node, the second information including configuration information of the access link of the IAB node and the second information does not include configuration information of the backhaul link of the IAB node, and / or the second information is used to indicate that the mobile IAB authorization state and the IAB authorization state of the IAB node are both unauthorized. Alternatively, the IAB node receives indication information from the host node indicating the release of the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node. Specifically, for an IAB node that supports mobile IAB mode and IAB mode, when the IAB node indicates through the first information that the working mode of the IAB node is IAB mode, the host node may consider that the IAB node is abnormal or that the host node does not expect the working mode of the IAB node to be IAB mode for other reasons (for example, the signal quality of the signal sent by the IAB node is lower than a threshold).

[0315] To this end, when the host node configures the configuration information of the access link of the IAB node through the second information, the second information sent by the host node may not send the configuration information of the backhaul link for the IAB node, thereby preventing the terminal device or other IAB node from accessing the IAB node as a child node, so as to avoid affecting the communication between the terminal device and the other IAB node.

[0316] Alternatively, the donor node can use the second information to indicate that both the mobile IAB authorization status and the IAB authorization status of the IAB node are unauthorized. This means that the IAB-MT remains in the network as a normal terminal device, and the IAB-DU does not establish an F1 interface connection. This can also prevent terminal devices or other IAB nodes from accessing the IAB node as child nodes, thereby preventing any impact on communication between the terminal device and the other IAB node. Optionally, when the second information indicates that both the mobile IAB authorization status and the IAB authorization status of the IAB node are unauthorized, the second information can be carried in a NAS message from a core network element.

[0317] Alternatively, the host node may send an indication message to the IAB node (for example, through an RRC release message indication) to indicate the release of the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node. This method of releasing the RRC connection of the IAB node can also prevent the terminal device or other IAB node from accessing the IAB node as a sub-node, so as to avoid affecting the communication between the terminal device and the other IAB node.

[0318] In one possible implementation, after step S303, the method may further include: the IAB node receives indication information from the host node indicating establishment of an F1 connection between the IAB node and the host node. Specifically, when the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode, it is possible that the MT and DU in the IAB node are respectively connected to different host nodes. To this end, after the host node receives the first information, the host node may send indication information indicating establishment of an F1 connection between the IAB node and the host node, so that the MT and DU in the IAB node can be connected to the same host node, thereby avoiding communication errors caused by the MT and DU being connected to different host nodes in the IAB node when the working mode is IAB mode.

[0319] In one possible implementation, after step S303, the method may further include: the IAB node sends a request message to the host node requesting establishment of an F1 connection between the IAB node and the host node, the request message including an identifier of the host node and / or indication information indicating that the IAB node is authorized to work in the IAB mode. Specifically, when the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode, it is possible that the MT and DU in the IAB node are respectively connected to different host nodes. To this end, after the IAB node sends the first message, the IAB node may also send a request message to the host node requesting establishment of an F1 connection between the IAB node and the host node, so that the MT and DU in the IAB node can be connected to the same host node, thereby avoiding communication errors caused by the MT and DU being connected to different host nodes in the IAB node when the working mode is IAB mode.

[0320] Optionally, the identifier of the host node is the IP address of the RRC terminating donor. In this case, the F1 terminating donor and the RRC terminating donor are the same host node. The IAB node can obtain the IP address of the F1 terminating donor through operation administration and maintenance (OAM). For example, the IAB node requests the IP address of the current F1 terminating donor from OAM, and OAM sends the IP address of the current F1 terminating donor to the IP node. Optionally, the IAB node carries the gNB ID of the donor in the message sent to OAM requesting the IP address of the current F1 terminating donor, indicating that the IP address of the donor is being requested from OAM, or carries information indicating that the IAB node is operating in IAB mode (e.g., mobile IAB authorization failure and / or IAB authorization success). OAM then determines whether to send the IP address of the current RRC terminating donor to the IAB node as the IP address of the F1 terminating donor. Alternatively, the IAB node can obtain the IP address of the RRC terminating donor through the RRC terminating CU. For example, the IAB node sends an RRC message to the RRC terminating donor requesting an IP address, and the donor sends an RRC message to the IAB node carrying the donor's IP address. Alternatively, the IAB node can obtain the IP address of the host node through the F1-terminating donor to which the DU was connected before step S303. This is not limited here.

[0321] Based on the technical solution shown in Figure 3, the IAB node can be an IAB node that supports the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. In step S301, when the working mode of the IAB node has not been determined (for example, the RRC connection of the IAB node has not been established; for example, the RRC connection of the IAB node has been established and signal transmission has not yet been performed based on the backhaul link), or when the IAB node has determined that the working mode is the mobile IAB mode, the IAB node can determine in step S302 that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode among the IAB modes. In other words, when the IAB node supports the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the IAB node can serve as the determiner of the working mode of the IAB node and can flexibly select the working mode of the IAB node as the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode among the IAB modes. Therefore, for an IAB node that supports mobile IAB mode and IAB mode, it is no longer limited to communicating only through mobile IAB mode, so that the working mode of the IAB node can access the network in IAB mode or switch from mobile IAB mode to IAB mode, so as to improve the flexibility of the IAB node in communicating in the IAB network.

[0322] Please refer to FIG4 , which is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0323] S401. The IAB node determines that the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the donor node and the working mode of the IAB node is IAB mode.

[0324] S402. The IAB node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0325] In a possible implementation, in step S402, the IAB node may use locally acquired information as a basis for determining that the working mode is the mobile IAB mode.

[0326] In an implementation example, the energy consumption of the IAB node when operating in the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode may be different. Generally, since the mobile IAB mode supports more features (such as the migration features described in Figures 2f to 2h below), it is possible that the energy consumption corresponding to the mobile IAB mode is higher than the energy consumption corresponding to the IAB mode. To this end, the IAB node can use its own energy status information as a basis for determining whether the working mode is the mobile IAB mode. For example, when the energy status information of the IAB node indicates that the energy load of the IAB node is lower than a certain threshold (or the remaining energy is higher than a certain threshold), the IAB node can determine that the working mode is the mobile IAB mode.

[0327] In another implementation example, the IAB node operates in mobile IAB mode and the node movement corresponding to the IAB mode may be different. Generally, it is possible that the mobile IAB mode supports higher-speed movement, while the IAB mode supports lower-speed movement or no movement (or does not support higher-speed movement). To this end, the IAB node can use its own mobility status information as a basis for determining whether the operating mode is the IAB mode. For example, when the mobility status information of the IAB node indicates that the movement speed of the IAB node is higher than a certain threshold, the IAB node can determine that the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode.

[0328] In another implementation example, the IAB node operates in mobile IAB mode and the parent node corresponding to the IAB mode may be different. For example, some parent nodes only support nodes accessing the mobile IAB mode (referred to as first-type parent nodes), some parent nodes only support nodes accessing the IAB mode (referred to as second-type parent nodes), and some parent nodes support nodes accessing the mobile IAB mode and support nodes accessing the IAB mode (referred to as third-type parent nodes). Generally, the parent node can broadcast indication information of nodes supporting access to the mobile IAB mode in the system broadcast information. For example, the indication information sent by the first-type parent node and / or the third-type parent node can be a mobile IAB-support information element carried by the system information block (SIB) 1, and the indication information sent by the second-type parent node can be an IAB-support information element carried by SIB 1. Since the IAB node may need to provide network services to the child node through the access link, for this reason, the IAB node generally accesses a parent node with better signal quality. Accordingly, the IAB node may use the signal quality information of the second-type parent node as a basis for determining whether the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode. For example, if the signal quality corresponding to the signal quality information of the second-type parent node is lower than a certain threshold, the IAB node may determine that it may not be possible to obtain higher-quality communication services through the IAB mode. To this end, the IAB node may determine that the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode and access the first-type parent node or the third-type parent node to obtain communication services through the first-type parent node or the third-type parent node.

[0329] In a possible implementation, in step S402, the IAB node may determine that the working mode is the IAB mode based on instructions from other nodes.

[0330] In an implementation example, in the technical solution shown in FIG4 , before step S401, the following steps may also be included:

[0331] S400A. The host node sends third indication information to the IAB node. That is, the third indication information may be carried in an access stratum (AS) message.

[0332] In an implementation example, in the technical solution shown in FIG4 , before step S301, the following steps may also be included:

[0333] S400B. The core network device sends third indication information to the donor node.

[0334] S400A. The donor node sends third indication information to the IAB node. That is, the third indication information may be carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

[0335] In other words, in step S402, the IAB node determining that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode includes: the IAB node determining that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode based on the third indication information from the donor node or the third indication information from the core network element;

[0336] The third indication information indicates at least one of the following information D to information F:

[0337] Information D. The mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0338] Information E. The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0339] Information F: The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0340] In an implementation example, taking the third indication information carried in a NAS message as an example, in step S400A, the information A received by the host node can be implemented by taking the value of mobile IAB authorized in the NAS message as authorized (authorized), and the information B received by the host node can be implemented by taking the value of IAB authorized in the NAS message as not authorized (not authorized), and the information C received by the host node can be implemented by a newly added element in the NAS message, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0341] In another implementation example, taking the third indication information carried in an AS message as an example, the donor node may carry at least one of the above information A to information C through an RRC message. In one possible implementation example, the donor node carries the backhaul link configuration information in the RRC message to implicitly indicate to the IAB node that the mobile IAB authorization status is authorized.

[0342] Optionally, when the third indication information is carried in an AS message, the third indication information may be the result of an autonomous decision made by the donor node (such as the implementation shown in FIG5 below), and the third indication information may be the result of a decision made by a core network element (such as the implementation shown in FIG6 below). In the case where the third indication information may be the result of a decision made by the core network element, the core network element may send the decision result of the core network element to the donor node through an NG message (such as an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message or a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message), so that the donor node determines the third indication information based on the decision result.

[0343] Specifically, before step S402, the IAB node may receive third indication information sent by the host node, or the IAB node may receive third indication information from a core network element through the host node, and the third indication information indicates at least one of the aforementioned items, so that the IAB node can determine, based on the at least one aforementioned item, that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode or the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes. In other words, the IAB node may determine that the operating mode is the mobile IAB mode based on the indication information provided by the host node or the core network element.

[0344] In a possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG4 , the method further includes:

[0345] S403. The IAB node sends third information to the donor node, where the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, so that the donor node can determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode based on the third information.

[0346] In a possible implementation, the third information satisfies any one of the following conditions D and E:

[0347] Condition D: The third information includes the mobile IAB node indication information. For example, the third information includes the mobileIAB-NodeIndication information element. In addition, the third information may include the iab-NodeIndication information element or may not include the iab-NodeIndication information element, which is not limited here.

[0348] Condition E: The third information includes fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate a preference for the mobile IAB mode. For example, the third information includes preference information (ie, the fourth indication information), and the preference information is used to indicate a preference for the mobile IAB mode.

[0349] Specifically, the third information may be implemented in the above-mentioned multiple ways, that is, the donor node may determine, based on the above-mentioned multiple ways, that the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0350] Optionally, the first information sent by the IAB node in step S303 may be carried in an RRC message, such as MSG5 or IABOtherInformation.

[0351] In one possible implementation, in the method shown in Figure 4, the method also includes: the IAB node receives fourth information from the host node, the fourth information indicates switching the child node of the IAB node to other network devices, and / or, the fourth information indicates releasing the connection between the IAB node and the first parent node of the IAB node or releasing the connection between the IAB node and the second parent node of the IAB node, wherein the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second parent node via dual connection.

[0352] Specifically, the IAB node may support different communication characteristics in different working modes. For example, when the IAB node works in the IAB mode, the IAB node supports dual connection to two different parent nodes and supports access to child nodes; while when the IAB node works in the mobile IAB mode, the IAB node does not support dual connection to two different parent nodes and does not support access to child nodes. To this end, when the IAB node indicates through the third information that the working mode of the IAB node is switched from the IAB mode to the mobile IAB mode, the host node can indicate through the fourth information that the child node of the IAB node is switched and / or that one of the dual connections is released to adapt to the mobile IAB mode of the IAB node, thereby avoiding communication errors of the child nodes of the IAB node working in the mobile IAB mode and / or avoiding communication errors of the IAB node in the dual connection scenario.

[0353] It should be understood that the child node is another IAB node.

[0354] It should be understood that the first parent node and the second parent node may be different IAB nodes or host nodes. Alternatively, the first parent node and the second parent node may be the same IAB node or host node. Accordingly, the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second parent node via dual connectivity. This can be understood as the IAB node communicating with different cells within the same parent node via dual connectivity.

[0355] Based on the technical solution shown in FIG. 4 , if the IAB node determines in step S401 that it has established an RRC connection with the donor node and that the IAB node is operating in IAB mode, the IAB node may determine in step S402 that the IAB node's operating mode is mobile IAB mode. In other words, if the IAB node has determined that its operating mode is IAB mode, the IAB node may determine that its operating mode is mobile IAB mode. This means that the IAB node can determine the IAB node's operating mode and flexibly select between the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode within the IAB mode. Consequently, an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode is no longer limited to communicating only in the mobile IAB mode. This allows the IAB node to operate in IAB mode while also supporting switching from IAB mode to mobile IAB mode, thereby enhancing the communication flexibility of the IAB node in the IAB network.

[0356] Please refer to FIG5 , which is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0357] S501. A donor node receives indication information from an IAB node indicating that the IAB node supports a mobile IAB mode.

[0358] S502. The host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0359] In one possible implementation, in step S502, the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on at least one item of the following information G to information J.

[0360] Information G. First information from the IAB node. For example, in the method shown in FIG5 , the host node may also receive first information from the IAB node in step S500A. This first information indicates that the IAB node is operating in the IAB mode. For details on how to implement this first information, see the implementation of step S303 above.

[0361] Information H. Third information from the IAB node. For example, in the method shown in FIG5 , the donor node may also receive third information from the IAB node in step S500B. The third information indicates that the IAB node is operating in the mobile IAB mode. The specific implementation of the first information may refer to the implementation of step S403 above.

[0362] Information I. Fifth information from a core network element. For example, in the method shown in FIG5 , the donor node may further receive fifth information from the IAB node in step S500C. The fifth information indicates that the IAB node is operating in one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. For example, the fifth information may be carried in an NG message (e.g., an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST message or a UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST message).

[0363] Information J. Mobility status information of the IAB node. In which, when the host node uses the mobility status information of the IAB node as a basis for determination, after the host node receives the mobility status information from the IAB node, the process of the host node determining the working mode of the IAB node based on the mobility status information can refer to the relevant descriptions of the aforementioned Figures 3 and 4. Optionally, after the mobility status information of the IAB node is determined, the host node can receive an RRC message sent by the IAB node, carrying the mobility status information of the IAB node. For example, the mobility status information of the IAB node can be carried or indicated by a mobility state (mobilityState) information element, and the mobilityState information element can be carried in an RRC recovery complete (RRCResumeComplete) message or an RRC setup complete message (RRCSetupComplete) message.

[0364] Specifically, in the process of the host node determining whether the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode or the IAB mode, the host node may determine based on at least one of the above items to improve the flexibility of the solution implementation.

[0365] In a possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG5 , the method may further include:

[0366] S503. The donor node sends sixth information to the core network element, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Specifically, after the donor node determines in step S502 that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the donor node may further send the sixth information to the core network element, so that the core network element determines the decision result of the donor node based on the sixth information.

[0367] Optionally, when the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the sixth information satisfies any one of the following conditions F to I:

[0368] Condition F: The sixth information includes IAB node indication information but does not include mobile IAB node indication information. For example, the sixth information includes the iab-NodeIndication information element but does not include the mobile IAB-NodeIndication information element.

[0369] Condition G: The sixth information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information. For example, the sixth information includes an iab-NodeIndication information element and a mobileIAB-NodeIndication information element. If, for the donor node and the core network element, it is agreed through configuration or pre-configuration that the sixth information includes both the iab-NodeIndication information element and the mobileIAB-NodeIndication information element, the core network element determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is IAB mode based on the iab-NodeIndication information element.

[0370] Condition H. The sixth information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information, and the first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode. For example, the sixth information includes an iab-NodeIndication information element and preference information (i.e., the first indication information), where the preference information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode.

[0371] Condition I: The sixth information includes the first indication information. For example, the sixth information includes preference information (ie, the first indication information), and the preference information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode.

[0372] Specifically, when the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the sixth information sent by the host node satisfies any of the above items. Accordingly, the core network element can determine, based on any of the items, that the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

[0373] Optionally, the sixth information sent by the donor node in step S503 may be carried in an NG message (such as an uplink non-access stratum transport (UPLINK NAS TRANSPORT) message).

[0374] In a possible implementation, when the host node determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the method further includes at least one of the following items (the implementation process of the at least one of the following items may refer to the description of the above embodiment):

[0375] The donor node sends second information to the IAB node, where the second information includes configuration information of an access link of the IAB node and does not include configuration information of a backhaul link of the IAB node, and / or the second information is used to indicate that both a mobile IAB authorization state and an IAB authorization state of the IAB node are unauthorized;

[0376] The host node sends, to the IAB node, indication information instructing to release the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node;

[0377] The donor node sends second indication information to the IAB node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized, the IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized, and the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0378] Specifically, when the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the host node may further enable subsequent IAB nodes to implement IAB mode communication based on the at least one of the above interactions.

[0379] In a possible implementation, when the donor node determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the method further includes at least one of the following items (the implementation process of the at least one of the following items may refer to the description of the above embodiment):

[0380] The host node sends fourth information to the IAB node, where the fourth information indicates switching a child node of the IAB node to another node, and / or the fourth information indicates releasing a connection between the IAB node and the first parent node or releasing a connection between the IAB node and the second parent node, wherein the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second node through a dual connection;

[0381] The host node sends third indication information to the IAB node, where the third indication information indicates at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized; the IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized; and the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes.

[0382] Specifically, when the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the host node may also enable subsequent IAB nodes to implement mobile IAB mode communication based on the at least one of the above interactions.

[0383] Based on the technical solution shown in FIG5 , the host node can receive, in step S501, indication information from an IAB node indicating that the IAB node supports the mobile IAB mode as its operating mode, and based on this indication information, determine that the IAB node is an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Subsequently, the host node can determine, in step S502, whether the IAB node's operating mode is the mobile IAB mode or the IAB mode. In other words, if the IAB node supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the host node can serve as the determiner of the IAB node's operating mode, flexibly selecting the IAB node's operating mode as either the mobile IAB mode or the IAB mode. Thus, for an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the host node's decision can enable the IAB node's operating mode to be either the mobile IAB mode or the IAB mode, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the IAB node's communication within the IAB network.

[0384] Please refer to FIG6 , which is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0385] S601. The core network element determines that the working mode supported by the IAB node includes the mobile IAB mode.

[0386] S602. The core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0387] It should be noted that in step S601, the core network element can determine that the operating mode supported by the IAB node includes the mobile IAB mode through various methods. For example, the core network element can receive capability information from the IAB node through the donor node, and this capability information can indicate that the IAB node supports the mobile IAB mode. In another example, the core network element can determine that the IAB node supports the mobile IAB mode based on subscription information.

[0388] Optionally, when the working mode supported by the IAB node includes the mobile IAB mode, the working mode supported by the IAB node may also include the IAB mode. In other words, an IAB node that supports the mobile IAB mode may also support the IAB mode.

[0389] In a possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG6 , the core network element may further receive sixth information from the host node in step S600. Accordingly, the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on the sixth information, wherein the sixth information comes from the host node of the IAB node, and the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Specifically, in the process in which the host node determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the host node may determine based on the sixth information from the host node.

[0390] Optionally, the core network element can use the mobility status information of the IAB node as a basis for determination. After the core network element receives the mobility status information from the IAB node through the host node, the process of the core network element determining the working mode of the IAB node based on the mobility status information can refer to the above-mentioned relevant description.

[0391] In a possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG6 , in step S602 , the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including the following mode A and / or mode B.

[0392] Method A. The core network element determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on the current time of the IAB node and at least one of the following: a time range in which the IAB node is allowed to operate in the mobile IAB mode, a time range in which the IAB node is allowed to operate in the IAB mode, a time range in which the IAB node is not allowed to operate in the mobile IAB mode, and a time range in which the IAB node is not allowed to operate in the IAB mode;

[0393] Method B. The core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on the space in which the IAB node is currently located and at least one of the following: the spatial range in which the IAB node is allowed to work in the mobile IAB mode, the spatial range in which the IAB node is allowed to work in the IAB mode, the spatial range in which the IAB node is not allowed to work in the mobile IAB mode, and the spatial range in which the IAB node is not allowed to work in the IAB mode.

[0394] In a possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG6 , the method further includes:

[0395] Step S603: The core network element sends fifth information to the donor node of the IAB node. The fifth information is used to determine whether the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Specifically, after the core network element determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the core network element may further send the fifth information to the donor node, so that the donor node determines the decision result of the donor node based on the fifth information.

[0396] In an implementation example, when the fifth information includes at least one of the following items, the fifth information is used to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode:

[0397] Indication information indicating that the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized;

[0398] Indication information indicating that the mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0399] Indication information indicating the IAB mode of the IAB node.

[0400] Specifically, when the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the fifth information sent by the core network element satisfies any of the above items. Accordingly, the host node can determine based on any of the items that the fifth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

[0401] In another implementation example, when the fifth information includes at least one of the following items, the fifth information is used to determine that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode:

[0402] Indication information indicating that the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized;

[0403] Indication information indicating that the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized;

[0404] Indication information indicating the mobile IAB mode of the IAB node.

[0405] Specifically, when the core network element determines that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the fifth information sent by the core network element satisfies any of the above items. Accordingly, the host node can determine based on any of the items that the fifth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0406] In a possible implementation, when the core network element determines in step S602 that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the method further includes:

[0407] S604. The core network element sends second indication information to the IAB node via the donor node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized, the IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized, and the operating mode of the IAB node is an IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Specifically, if the core network element determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the core network element may further send the second indication information to the IAB node via the donor node, so that the IAB node determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode based on the second indication information.

[0408] It should be noted that the implementation process of the second indication information may refer to the implementation process of step S303 above.

[0409] In a possible implementation, when the core network element determines in step S602 that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the method further includes:

[0410] S605. The core network element sends third indication information to the IAB node via the donor node. The third indication information indicates at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized; the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized; and the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode or the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes. Specifically, if the core network element determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the core network element may further send the third indication information to the IAB node via the donor node, so that the IAB node determines that the operating mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode based on the third indication information.

[0411] It should be noted that the implementation process of the third indication information may refer to the implementation process of step S400 above.

[0412] Based on the technical solution shown in Figure 6, after the core network element determines in step S601 that the IAB node can be an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the core network element can determine in step S602 that the operating mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. In other words, if the IAB node supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the core network element can serve as the determiner of the operating mode of the IAB node and can flexibly select the operating mode of the IAB node as one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode. Thus, for an IAB node that supports both the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, the core network element's decision can enable the IAB node to operate in one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, thereby improving the flexibility of the IAB node's communication in the IAB network.

[0413] Referring to Figure 7 , an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 700. This communication device 700 can implement the functions of the communication device (the communication device being an IAB node, a host node, or a core network element) in the above-described method embodiment, thereby also achieving the beneficial effects of the above-described method embodiment. In this embodiment of the present application, the communication device 700 can be a communication device, or it can be an integrated circuit or component within the communication device, such as a chip.

[0414] In one possible implementation, when the device 700 is used to execute the method executed by the IAB node in the aforementioned Figure 3 and related embodiments, the device 700 includes a processing unit 701; the processing unit 701 is used to determine that the RRC connection between the access and backhaul integrated IAB node and the host node has not been established, or, to determine that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, or, to determine that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node; the processing unit 701 is also used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0415] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further includes a transceiver unit 702, configured to send first information to the donor node, where the first information is configured to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

[0416] In one possible implementation, the first information satisfies any of the following: the first information includes IAB node indication information and the first information does not include mobile IAB node indication information; the first information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information; the first information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information and the first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode; the first information includes the first indication information.

[0417] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 701 is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode among the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit 701 is specifically used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode among the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on the second indication information from the host node or the second indication information from the core network network element; wherein, the second indication information indicates at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized; the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized; the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode among the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0418] In one possible implementation, when the device 700 is used to execute the method executed by the IAB node in the aforementioned Figure 4 and related embodiments, the device 700 includes a processing unit 701; the processing unit 701 is used to determine that the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is IAB mode; the processing unit 701 is also used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is mobile IAB mode.

[0419] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further includes a transceiver unit 702, configured to send third information to the donor node, where the third information is configured to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0420] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 702 is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, including: the transceiver unit 702 is specifically used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode based on the third indication information from the host node or the third indication information from the core network network element; wherein the third indication information indicates at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized; the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized; the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode in the IAB mode.

[0421] In one possible implementation, when the device 700 is used to execute the method executed by the host node in the aforementioned Figure 5 and related embodiments, the device 700 includes a processing unit 701 and a transceiver unit 702; the transceiver unit 702 is used to receive indication information from the IAB node indicating that the IAB node supports a working mode of mobile IAB mode; the processing unit 701 is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0422] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 701 is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit 701 is specifically used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on at least one of the following items, including: first information from the IAB node, third information from the IAB node, fifth information from the core network network element, and mobile status information of the IAB node; wherein, the first information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0423] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 702 is further configured to send sixth information to a core network element, where the sixth information is configured to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0424] In one possible implementation, when the device 700 is used to execute the method executed by the core network network element in any of the aforementioned embodiments, the device 700 includes a processing unit 701; the processing unit 701 is used to determine that the working mode supported by the IAB node includes a mobile IAB mode; the processing unit 701 is also used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0425] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 702 is further configured to send fifth information to the donor node of the IAB node, where the fifth information is used to determine whether the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0426] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 701 is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit 701 is specifically used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on sixth information, wherein the sixth information comes from the host node of the IAB node, and the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0427] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 701 is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, including: the processing unit 701 is specifically used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode; the transceiver unit 702 is also used to send third indication information to the IAB node through the host node, and the third indication information indicates at least one of the following: the mobile IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized; the IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized; the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes.

[0428] It should be noted that, for details on the information execution process of the units of the above-mentioned communication device 700, please refer to the description in the method embodiment shown above in this application, and no further details will be given here.

[0429] Please refer to Fig. 8, which is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device 800 provided in this application. The communication device 800 includes a logic circuit 801 and an input / output interface 802. The communication device 800 may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0430] The transceiver unit 702 shown in FIG7 may be a communication interface, which may be the input / output interface 802 in FIG8 , which may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication interface may be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0431] Optionally, the logic circuit 801 is used to determine that the RRC connection between the access backhaul integrated IAB node and the host node has not been established, or to determine that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, or to determine that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node; the logic circuit 801 is also used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0432] Optionally, the logic circuit 801 is used to determine that the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the donor node and the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode; the logic circuit 801 is also used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

[0433] Optionally, the input / output interface 802 is configured to receive indication information from the IAB node indicating that the IAB node supports the mobile IAB mode; and the logic circuit 801 is configured to determine whether the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode or the IAB mode.

[0434] Optionally, the logic circuit 801 is used to determine that the working mode supported by the IAB node includes the mobile IAB mode; the logic circuit 801 is further used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

[0435] The logic circuit 801 and the input / output interface 802 may also execute other steps executed by the IAB node, the host node or the core network element in any embodiment and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be described in detail here.

[0436] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 701 shown in FIG. 7 may be the logic circuit 801 in FIG. 8 .

[0437] Optionally, the logic circuit 801 may be a processing device, and the functions of the processing device may be partially or entirely implemented by software. The functions of the processing device may be partially or entirely implemented by software.

[0438] Optionally, the processing device may include a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to perform corresponding processing and / or steps in any one of the method embodiments.

[0439] Alternatively, the processing device may include only a processor. A memory for storing the computer program is located outside the processing device, and the processor is connected to the memory via circuits / wires to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory. The memory and processor may be integrated or physically separate.

[0440] Optionally, the processing device may be one or more chips, or one or more integrated circuits. For example, the processing device may be one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system-on-chips (SoCs), central processor units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontroller units (MCUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other integrated chips, or any combination of the above chips or processors.

[0441] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a structural diagram of the communication device 900 involved in the above-mentioned embodiments provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 can specifically be a communication device as a network device such as an IAB node, a host node or a core network element in the above-mentioned embodiments, wherein the structure of the communication device can refer to the structure shown in Figure 9.

[0442] The communication device 900 includes at least one processor 911 and at least one network interface 914. Further optionally, the communication device also includes at least one memory 912, at least one transceiver 913 and one or more antennas 915. The processor 911, the memory 912, the transceiver 913 and the network interface 914 are connected, for example, via a bus. In an embodiment of the present application, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines or buses, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment. The antenna 915 is connected to the transceiver 913. The network interface 914 is used to enable the communication device to communicate with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 914 may include a network interface between the communication device and the core network device, such as an S1 interface, and the network interface may include a network interface between the communication device and other communication devices (such as other network devices or core network devices), such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0443] The transceiver unit 702 shown in FIG7 may be a communication interface, which may be the network interface 914 in FIG9 , which may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the network interface 914 may be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0444] Processor 911 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data, for example, to support the communication device in performing the actions described in the embodiments. The communication device may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit. The baseband processor is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit is primarily used to control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Processor 911 in Figure 9 may integrate the functions of both a baseband processor and a central processing unit. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the baseband processor and the central processing unit may also be independent processors interconnected via a bus or other technology. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a terminal device may include multiple baseband processors to accommodate different network standards, multiple central processing units to enhance its processing capabilities, and various components of the terminal device may be connected via various buses. The baseband processor may also be referred to as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processing unit may also be referred to as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The functionality for processing communication protocols and communication data may be built into the processor or stored in memory as a software program, which is executed by the processor to implement the baseband processing functionality.

[0445] The memory is primarily used to store software programs and data. Memory 912 can exist independently and be connected to processor 911. Alternatively, memory 912 and processor 911 can be integrated together, for example, within a single chip. Memory 912 can store program code for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and execution is controlled by processor 911. The various computer program codes executed can also be considered drivers for processor 911.

[0446] Figure 9 shows only one memory and one processor. In an actual terminal device, there may be multiple processors and multiple memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device. The memory may be a storage element on the same chip as the processor, i.e., an on-chip storage element, or an independent storage element, which is not limited in the present embodiment.

[0447] The transceiver 913 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication device and the terminal, and the transceiver 913 can be connected to the antenna 915. The transceiver 913 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 915 can receive radio frequency signals. The receiver Rx of the transceiver 913 is used to receive the radio frequency signal from the antenna, convert the radio frequency signal into a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal, and provide the digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to the processor 911 so that the processor 911 can further process the digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 913 is also used to receive a modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal from the processor 911, convert the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal into a radio frequency signal, and send the radio frequency signal through one or more antennas 915. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the RF signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal. The order of the down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion processes is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to obtain a RF signal. The order of the up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion processes is adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital intermediate frequency signal may be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0448] The transceiver 913 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. Optionally, a device in the transceiver unit that implements a receiving function may be referred to as a receiving unit, and a device in the transceiver unit that implements a transmitting function may be referred to as a transmitting unit. That is, 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., and the transmitting unit may be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0449] It should be noted that the communication device 900 shown in Figure 9 can be specifically used to implement the steps implemented by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiment and achieve the corresponding technical effects of the network device. The specific implementation methods of the communication device 900 shown in Figure 9 can refer to the description in the aforementioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0450] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method described in the possible implementation methods of the IAB node, host node, or core network element in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0451] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product (or computer program). When the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the method of the possible implementation of the above-mentioned IAB node, host node or core network element.

[0452] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting a communication device to implement the functions involved in the possible implementation methods of the above-mentioned communication device. Optionally, the chip system also includes an interface circuit, which provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor. In one possible design, the chip system may also include a memory, which is used to store the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices, wherein the communication device can specifically be an IAB node, a host node or a core network element in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0453] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes at least two devices among the IAB node, the donor node, or the core network element in any of the above embodiments.

[0454] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0455] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0456] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0457] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above-mentioned method embodiment. When the terminal chip receives information from the base station, it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal chip by these modules. When the terminal chip sends information to the base station, it can be understood that the information is first sent to other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the base station by these modules.

[0458] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to a base station, the base station chip implements the functions of the base station in the above-mentioned method embodiment. When the base station chip receives information from the terminal, it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules in the base station (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the base station chip by these modules. When the base station chip sends information to the terminal, it can be understood that the information is sent to other modules in the base station (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal by these modules.

[0459] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0460] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can 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, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist in a base station or a terminal as discrete components.

[0461] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, 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, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. 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. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0462] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0463] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Determine that the radio resource control RRC connection between the access backhaul integrated IAB node and the host node has not been established, or determine that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, or determine that the IAB node has completed the RRC connection establishment with the host node; The working mode of the IAB node is determined to be the IAB mode among the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending first information to the host node, where the first information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first information satisfies any of the following: The first information includes IAB node indication information and the first information does not include mobile IAB node indication information; The first information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information; The first information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information and first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode; The first information includes the first indication information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving second information from the host node, wherein the second information includes configuration information of an access link of the IAB node and does not include configuration information of a backhaul link of the IAB node, and / or the second information is used to indicate that both a mobile IAB authorization state and an IAB authorization state of the IAB node are unauthorized.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving indication information from the host node indicating to release the RRC connection between the IAB node and the host node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The determining that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode includes: Based on the second indication information from the donor node or the second indication information from the core network element, determining that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode between the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode; The second indication information indicates at least one of the following: The mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized; The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized; The working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode among the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Determining that the IAB node has completed RRC connection establishment with the host node and the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode; Determine that the working mode of the IAB node is a mobile IAB mode.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending third information to the donor node, where the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The third information satisfies any of the following: The third information includes the mobile IAB node indication information; The third information includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a preference for the mobile IAB mode.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive fourth information from the host node, the fourth information indicating switching a child node of the IAB node to other network devices, and / or the fourth information indicating releasing a connection between the IAB node and a first parent node of the IAB node or releasing a connection between the IAB node and a second parent node of the IAB node, wherein the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second parent node via a dual connection.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: Determining that the working mode of the IAB node is a mobile IAB mode includes: Based on the third indication information from the donor node or the third indication information from the core network element, determining that the working mode of the IAB node is a mobile IAB mode; The third indication information indicates at least one of the following: The mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized; The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized; The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving indication information from the IAB node indicating that the IAB node supports a working mode of a mobile IAB mode; The working mode of the IAB node is determined to be one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The determining that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode includes: The working mode of the IAB node is determined to be one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode based on at least one of the following: first information from the IAB node, third information from the IAB node, fifth information from a core network element, and mobility status information of the IAB node; The first information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the third information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending sixth information to a core network element, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that When the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the sixth information satisfies any one of the following items: The sixth information includes IAB node indication information and the sixth information does not include mobile IAB node indication information; The sixth information includes the IAB node indication information and the mobile IAB node indication information; The sixth information includes the IAB node indication information, the mobile IAB node indication information and the first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a preference for the IAB mode; The sixth information includes the first indication information.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that In the case where it is determined that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode, the method further includes at least one of the following: Sending second information to the IAB node, wherein the second information includes configuration information of an access link of the IAB node and does not include configuration information of a backhaul link of the IAB node, and / or the second information is used to indicate that both a mobile IAB authorization state and an IAB authorization state of the IAB node are unauthorized; Sending, to the IAB node, indication information instructing to release the RRC connection between the IAB node and the donor node; Sending second indication information to the IAB node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized, The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized, The IAB node working mode is the IAB mode among the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that: In the case where it is determined that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode, the method further includes at least one of the following: Sending fourth information to the IAB node, the fourth information indicating switching a child node of the IAB node to another node, and / or the fourth information indicating releasing a connection between the IAB node and a first parent node or releasing a connection between the IAB node and a second parent node, wherein the IAB node communicates with the first parent node and the second node through a dual connection; Sending third indication information to the IAB node, where the third indication information indicates at least one of the following: The mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized; The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized; The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Determine that the working modes supported by the IAB node include mobile IAB mode; The working mode of the IAB node is determined to be one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending fifth information to a host node of the IAB node, wherein the fifth information is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The determining that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode includes: Based on the sixth information, it is determined that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode, wherein the sixth information comes from the host node of the IAB node, and the sixth information is used to indicate that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that In a case where the fifth information includes at least one of the following items, the fifth information is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode: Indication information indicating that the IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized; Indication information indicating that the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized; Indication information indicating the IAB mode of the IAB node.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that In a case where the fifth information includes at least one of the following items, the fifth information is used to determine that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode: Indication information indicating that the IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized; Indication information indicating that the mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized; Indication information indicating a mobile IAB mode of the IAB node.

23. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that The determining that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode includes: Determining that the working mode of the IAB node is the IAB mode; The method further comprises: Sending second indication information to the IAB node through the host node, where the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is unauthorized, The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is authorized, The IAB node working mode is the IAB mode among the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that The determining that the working mode of the IAB node is one of the mobile IAB mode and the IAB mode includes: Determining that the working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode; The method further comprises: Sending third indication information to the IAB node through the host node, where the third indication information indicates at least one of the following: The mobile IAB authorization state of the IAB node is authorized; The IAB authorization status of the IAB node is unauthorized; The working mode of the IAB node is the mobile IAB mode and the mobile IAB mode among the IAB modes.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising means for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises at least one processor coupled to a memory; the at least one processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

27. A readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or an instruction, and when the computer program or the instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24 is implemented.

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