Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a first relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information, wherein the routing information is used for determining a second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used for indicating a time-frequency resource for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; and the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node on the basis of the time-frequency resource information, wherein the first relay node is a terrestrial relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a terrestrial relay node or a satellite relay node. When data transmission is carried out between a terminal device and a network device, the data is transmitted at least via two relay nodes (e.g., the first relay node and the second relay node). The method supports dynamic routing change of the relay node, thereby realizing long-distance transmission between the terminal device and the network device, and ensuring the transmission performance.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 29, 2023, with application number 202311626855.0 and invention name “Communication Method and Communication Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), such as satellite communications, have significant advantages such as global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, easy deployment, and freedom from geographical restrictions. They have been widely used in many fields, including maritime communications, positioning and navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting, and earth observation.

[0004] In satellite systems, for example, uplink transmission involves terminal devices sending data to gateway stations / ground stations via the intersatellite link (ISL). The gateway stations then forward the data to the core network / base stations. Information transmitted between terminal devices and network equipment must be forwarded by satellite devices (or relay nodes) within the ISL. Currently, relay nodes forward information using fixed, wide beams, resulting in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Therefore, improving transmission performance between terminal devices and network equipment is a hot topic. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, and provides a multi-hop forwarding mechanism to ensure transmission performance.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first relay node. The first relay node here can refer to the first relay node itself or a processor, module, chip, or chip system in the first relay node that implements the method, and this application does not limit this. The method includes:

[0007] The first relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information, the routing information is used to determine the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, wherein the first relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0008] It should be understood that the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node may include the time-frequency resources for the first relay node to send information to the second relay node, or the time-frequency resources may include the time-frequency resources for the second relay node to receive information from the first relay node, or the time-frequency resources may include the time-frequency resources for the first relay node to send information to the second relay node, and the time-frequency resources for the second relay node to receive information from the first relay node.

[0009] It should also be understood that the data transmission in this application can be uplink transmission or downlink transmission, and this application does not limit it.

[0010] It should also be understood that the path information and time-frequency resource information can be carried in the same message for transmission, or carried in different messages for transmission.

[0011] According to the method provided in the present application, the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the received routing information and time-frequency resource information. The first relay node and the second relay node can both be terrestrial relay nodes or satellite relay nodes. In the technical solution of this method, data transmission between a terminal device and a network device is transmitted through at least two relay nodes (e.g., a first relay node and a second relay node), supports dynamic routing changes of relay nodes, realizes long-distance transmission between the terminal device and the network device, and ensures transmission performance.

[0012] In addition, the first relay node and the second relay node may be ground relay nodes or satellite relay nodes. The method may use ground relay nodes for transmission, thereby reducing the hardware cost and complexity of the satellite.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes a forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node. It should be understood that the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path, that is, the first relay node can determine the forwarding path based on the identification information of the forwarding path, and the first relay node determines the second relay node based on the forwarding path and identification information of the destination node. The destination node may be the destination node of the forwarding path, or other nodes (non-destination nodes) in the forwarding path, which is not limited in this application. For example, the destination node may be the second relay node, and the second relay node is not the destination node of the forwarding path.

[0014] It should also be understood that the routing information includes identification information of the forwarding path, that is, the first relay node can determine the forwarding path based on the identification information of the forwarding path, and determine the next relay node (such as the second relay node) based on the forwarding path and the first relay node.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, the first relay node determines the second relay node according to the content of the routing information. The first relay node can quickly determine the second relay node, thus reducing the delay of data forwarding.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node determines a forwarding mode, and the forwarding mode includes a regeneration forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node based on the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

[0017] It should be understood that the forwarding mode can be represented in the form of a bitmap. For example, when the bit value is "1", it can be used to indicate the regenerative forwarding mode; when the bit value is "0", it can be used to indicate the transparent forwarding mode. Alternatively, when the bit value is "0", it can be used to indicate the regenerative forwarding mode; when the bit value is "1", it can be used to indicate the transparent forwarding mode.

[0018] Based on the above technical solution, when the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node, the first relay node determines whether to use transparent forwarding or regeneration forwarding to transmit data with the second relay node, thereby realizing the indication of the transmission mode between the first relay node and the second relay node.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the first relay node determines the forwarding method, including: the first relay node determines the forwarding method based on first information, and the first information includes the forwarding method; or, the first relay node blindly detects and / or decodes the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding method, and the second information includes transmission information between the network device and the terminal device.

[0020] Based on the above technical solution, the forwarding method can adopt explicit indication or implicit indication. Among them, when the explicit indication method is adopted, for example, the first relay node receives the first information including the forwarding method, and the first information includes the transparent forwarding method or the regeneration forwarding method; when the implicit indication method is adopted, the first information does not include the forwarding method, and the first relay node needs to blindly detect and / or decode the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding method. For example, when the first relay node blindly detects and / or decodes the second information, if the first relay node can blindly detect and / or decode the time-frequency resources of the second information, the first relay node can adopt the regeneration forwarding method to transmit data; if the first relay node fails to blindly detect and / or decode the time-frequency resources of the second information, the first relay node can adopt the transparent forwarding method to transmit data. Determining the forwarding method by blind detection and / or decoding can save signaling overhead compared to the method of indicating the forwarding method through information.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding method and the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, and the transparent forwarding method and / or the regeneration forwarding method.

[0022] The forwarding mode corresponding to the time-frequency resources of the second information may include multiple forwarding modes, that is, a part of the time-frequency resources of the second information adopts a regeneration forwarding mode, and the other part adopts a transparent forwarding mode.

[0023] It should be understood that the forwarding method corresponding to the time-frequency resources of the second information can be one method (for example, a regeneration forwarding method or a transparent forwarding method) or multiple forwarding methods. Among them, when the forwarding method corresponding to the time-frequency resources of the second information is one forwarding method, the second information can be transmitted in a regeneration forwarding method or in a transparent forwarding method; when the forwarding method corresponding to the time-frequency resources of the second information is multiple forwarding methods, for example, two forwarding methods, namely transparent forwarding and regeneration forwarding. Part of the information in the second information (for example, control information) can be transmitted in a regeneration forwarding method, and the other part of the information (for example, data information) can be transmitted in a transparent forwarding method.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation methods, when the forwarding mode is a transparent forwarding mode, the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node transmits the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information; when the forwarding mode is a regeneration forwarding mode, the first relay node transmits the data with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node transmits third information to the second relay node according to the regeneration forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, and the third information is determined based on the second information and the regeneration forwarding mode.

[0025] It should be understood that when the forwarding mode is a transparent forwarding mode, the first relay node can transmit data with the second relay node in a transparent forwarding mode. For example, the first relay node can send the second information to the second relay node in a transparent forwarding mode, or the first relay node receives the second information sent from the second relay node in a transparent forwarding mode. When the forwarding mode is a regenerative forwarding mode, the first relay node can transmit data with the second relay node in a regenerative forwarding mode. For example, the first relay node can determine the third information based on the second information and the regenerative forwarding mode, and then send the third information to the second relay node, or the first relay node receives the third information sent from the second relay node in a regenerative forwarding mode, and the third information is determined based on the second information and the regenerative forwarding mode.

[0026] It should also be understood that the first relay node and the second relay node may have a regeneration forwarding function and / or a transparent forwarding function. Data transmission is performed based on the functions of the first relay node and the second relay node and the determined forwarding mode.

[0027] For example, a first relay node is a relay node for regenerative transmission, and the first relay node includes a regenerative forwarding function. The first relay node transmits data with a second relay node based on a forwarding mode and time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node transmits third information to the second relay node based on the forwarding mode and time-frequency resource information, where the third information is determined based on the second information and the regenerative forwarding mode.

[0028] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the method also includes: the first relay node receives a forwarding direction, which forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

[0029] It should be understood that the first relay node can determine the second relay node based on the forwarding direction and routing information, and perform data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction. When the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction, the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource indicated by the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction corresponding to the time-frequency resource.

[0030] It should be understood that the forwarding direction can be represented in the form of a bitmap. For example, when the bit value is "1", it can be used to indicate the uplink forwarding direction; when the bit value is "0", it can be used to indicate the downlink forwarding direction. Alternatively, when the bit value is "0", it can be used to indicate the uplink forwarding direction; when the bit value is "1", it can be used to indicate the downlink forwarding direction.

[0031] It should be understood that the forwarding direction can be carried in the same information and transmitted together with at least one of the above-mentioned routing information, time-frequency resource information, and first information, or carried in a separate information and transmitted.

[0032] It should also be understood that the forwarding direction may include an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. The uplink and downlink forwarding directions are determined based on whether the data transmitted between the network device and the terminal device is sent by the network device or the terminal device. The forwarding direction may also be determined by instructing the relay node to forward or backward forward. The forward or backward forwarding may be determined based on the direction of the forwarding path.

[0033] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the routing information includes routing information of the first relay node, and the method also includes: the first relay node transmits second information according to the routing information, the time-frequency resources and the forwarding method, and the second information is the transmission information between the terminal device and the network device, wherein the routing information also includes any one of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, index number of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, and angle information of the beam (for example, elevation angle, azimuth angle).

[0034] It should be understood that the routing information includes routing information of the first relay node, wherein the routing information can be used to determine the direction of the receiving beam and / or the direction of the transmitting beam. The direction of the receiving beam and / or the direction of the transmitting beam can be determined based on one or more of the following: the beam position index in the routing information, the location information of the terminal device, the identification information of the terminal device, the index number of the terminal device, the beam index, the reference position, and the angle information of the beam (such as the elevation angle and the azimuth angle). The reference position can be the position of a reference point within the coverage range of the beam.

[0035] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the method also includes: the first relay node receives forwarding frequency information, and the forwarding frequency information is used to indicate the frequency information used by the first relay node when forwarding data transmission; the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, including: the first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency information.

[0036] It should be understood that when the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency information, the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resources indicated by the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency corresponding to the time-frequency resources.

[0037] It should be understood that the frequency at which the first relay node receives the forwarded information may be the same as or different from the frequency at which the forwarded information is sent. For example, the first relay node receives the forwarded information based on the time-frequency resource information at frequency #1, and the first relay node forwards the information based on the time-frequency resource information at frequency #2. The frequency #2 is different from the frequency #1. The frequency #2 may be determined by the first relay node in order to adapt to the link budget requirements of different transmission powers, or the frequency #2 may be determined by the first relay node in order to adapt to the signal transmission capabilities of different hardware. This application does not limit the specific method of determining the frequency.

[0038] It should also be understood that the frequency point #2 may also be pre-configured by the base station or pre-defined by the system.

[0039] Among them, the forwarding frequency information in this application can also be called frequency information, forwarding frequency, frequency, etc.

[0040] Based on the above technical solution, the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information. This may include the first relay node determining the second relay node based on the routing information, and then transmitting data with the second relay node according to the frequency information on the corresponding time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource information and frequency information; or the first relay node determining the second relay node based on the routing information, and then transmitting data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, forwarding mode, and frequency information; or the first relay node determining the second relay node based on the routing information and forwarding direction, and then transmitting data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource, forwarding mode, and frequency information. The first relay node may determine the second relay node based on the routing information, or information such as the routing information and forwarding direction. When the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node, the first relay node may determine the forwarding mode for data transmission, and / or the location of the transmission time-frequency resource, and / or the forwarding frequency, etc., based on one or more of the time-frequency resource, forwarding direction, and frequency information.

[0041] It should be understood that in the present application, the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, wherein the first relay node determines the second relay node based on the above-mentioned routing information, and the first relay node may also transmit data with the second relay node based on one or more of the forwarding direction, forwarding mode, and frequency information. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to determine one or more of the mode of transmitting data between the first relay node and the second relay node, the occupied time-frequency resources, and the occupied frequency based on one or more of the above-mentioned information disclosed in the present application, and the present application will not list them one by one. In conjunction with the first aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit, wherein the MT is used to establish a first link, the first link is used for the MT to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the first link is a control link, the DU is used to establish a second link, the second link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device, the second link is a control link, and the transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

[0042] It should be understood that the first relay node may include an MT, a DU and a transparent forwarding unit. The first relay node has a transparent forwarding function and may also have a regenerative forwarding function.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the first relay node includes an MT and a transparent forwarding unit. The first relay node has a transparent forwarding capability.

[0044] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, wherein the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, and the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the next-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

[0045] It should be understood that the first relay node may include an MT and a DU, that is, the first relay node has a regeneration and forwarding function.

[0046] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementations, the first relay node supports a regeneration and forwarding mode of a radio link control layer RLC; or, the first relay node supports a regeneration and forwarding mode of a MAC layer.

[0047] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second relay node. The second relay node here can refer to the second relay node itself or a processor, module, chip, or chip system in the second relay node that implements the method, and this application does not limit this. The method includes:

[0048] The second relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information, and the routing information is used by the second relay node to determine that the second relay node is the last relay node transmitted between the network device and the terminal device; the second relay node sends second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information, and the second information includes information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device, wherein the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0049] According to the method provided in the present application, assuming that the second relay node serves as the downlink transmission direction or the last relay node in the downlink transmission direction, that is, the second relay node forwards the received data to the terminal device or network device. The second relay node sends second information to the terminal device or network device based on the received routing information and time-frequency resource information, where the second information includes information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device.

[0050] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementations, the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes an end flag for stopping forwarding between relay nodes.

[0051] It should be understood that the identification information of the destination node in the routing information may be the identification information of the second relay node. When the second relay node receives the routing information including its own identification information, or its own location information, or an end flag indicating the end of forwarding between relay nodes, the second relay node determines itself as the last relay transmission node, and sends the information transmitted between the terminal device and the network device to the terminal device or the network device.

[0052] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the method also includes: the second relay node receives a forwarding direction, the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information, including: the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

[0053] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the method also includes: the second relay node receives forwarding frequency information, which is used to indicate the frequency information used by the second relay node when forwarding data transmission; the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information, including: the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency information.

[0054] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the routing information includes the routing information of the first relay node, and the method also includes: the second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device according to the routing information, the time-frequency resources and the forwarding method, and the routing information also includes one or more of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, index number of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, and angle information of the beam (for example, elevation angle, azimuth angle).

[0055] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementations, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU and a transparent forwarding unit, wherein the MT is used to establish a first link, which is used for the MT to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, and the first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, and the second link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device, and the second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide transparent forwarding function.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the second relay node includes an MT and a transparent forwarding unit. The second relay node has a transparent forwarding function.

[0057] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementations, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, wherein the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, and the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the next-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

[0058] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementations, the second relay node supports a regeneration and forwarding method of a radio link control RLC layer; or, the second relay node supports a regeneration and forwarding method of a MAC layer.

[0059] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided, the device including a transceiver unit and a processing unit, the transceiver unit being configured to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, the routing information being used to determine a second relay node, the time-frequency resource information being used to indicate a time-frequency resource for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node;

[0060] A processing unit is used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, wherein the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0061] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes a forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

[0062] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the processing unit is also used to determine a forwarding mode based on the first information, and the forwarding mode includes a regeneration forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; the processing unit is also used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node based on the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

[0063] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the first information includes the forwarding method, and the processing unit is further used to determine the forwarding method based on the first information; or, the processing unit is further used to perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding method, wherein the second information is the information of the data transmission.

[0064] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the processing unit is further used to transmit data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, and the transparent forwarding method and / or the regeneration forwarding method.

[0065] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation methods, when the forwarding mode is a transparent forwarding mode, the processing unit is further used to transmit the second information to the second relay node based on the transparent forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information; when the forwarding mode is a regeneration forwarding mode, the processing unit is further used to transmit the third information to the second relay node based on the regeneration forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, and the third information is determined based on the second information and the regeneration forwarding mode.

[0066] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the transceiver unit is also used to receive a forwarding direction, which includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the processing unit is used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

[0067] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the transceiver unit is also used to receive forwarding frequency information, which is used to indicate the frequency information used by the first relay node when forwarding data transmission; the processing unit is used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency information.

[0068] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the routing information includes routing information of the communication device, and the processing unit is further used to transmit second information based on the routing information, the time-frequency resources and the forwarding method, where the second information is the information of the data transmission, wherein the routing information also includes any one of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, index number of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, and angle information of the beam (such as elevation angle, azimuth angle).

[0069] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device also includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU and a transparent forwarding unit, wherein the MT is used to establish a first link, which is used for the MT to connect to the DU of the upper-level device, and the first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, and the second link is used to provide access for the MT of the lower-level device, and the second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide transparent forwarding function.

[0070] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit.

[0071] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device also includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, wherein the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, and the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

[0072] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device supports a regeneration and forwarding method of a radio link control layer RLC; or, the communication device supports a regeneration and forwarding method of a MAC layer.

[0073] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, the device comprising a transceiver unit and a processing unit, the transceiver unit being configured to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, the routing information being used to determine that the communication device is the last relay node for transmission between a network device and a terminal device;

[0074] A processing unit is used to send second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information, wherein the second information includes information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device, wherein the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0075] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementations, the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes a forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

[0076] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the processing unit is also used to determine a forwarding mode based on the first information, and the forwarding mode includes a regeneration forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; the processing unit is also used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node based on the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

[0077] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the first information includes the forwarding method, and the processing unit is further used to determine the forwarding method based on the first information; or, the processing unit is further used to perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding method, wherein the second information is the information of the data transmission.

[0078] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementations, the processing unit is further used to transmit data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, and the transparent forwarding method and / or the regeneration forwarding method.

[0079] The forwarding method of the time-frequency resources of the second information includes the transparent forwarding method and / or the regeneration forwarding method.

[0080] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementations, when the forwarding mode is a transparent forwarding mode, the processing unit is further configured to transmit the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information;

[0081] When the forwarding mode is a regeneration forwarding mode, the processing unit is further used to transmit third information to the second relay node according to the regeneration forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, and the third information is determined according to the second information and the regeneration forwarding mode.

[0082] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the transceiver unit is also used to receive a forwarding direction, which includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; the processing unit is also used to send second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

[0083] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the transceiver unit is also used to receive forwarding frequency information, which is used to indicate the frequency information used by the first relay node when forwarding data transmission; the processing unit is also used to send second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding frequency information.

[0084] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation methods, the routing information includes routing information of the communication device, and the processing unit is further used to transmit second information based on the routing information, the time-frequency resources and the forwarding method, where the second information is the information of the data transmission, wherein the routing information also includes any one of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, index number of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, and angle information of the beam (such as elevation angle, azimuth angle).

[0085] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device also includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU and a transparent forwarding unit, wherein the MT is used to establish a first link, which is used for the MT to connect to the DU of the upper-level device, and the first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, and the second link is used to provide access for the MT of the lower-level device, and the second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide transparent forwarding function.

[0086] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device further includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit.

[0087] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device also includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, wherein the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, and the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the lower-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

[0088] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some possible implementations, the communication device supports a regeneration and forwarding method of a radio link control layer RLC; or, the communication device supports a regeneration and forwarding method of a MAC layer.

[0089] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor configured to implement the method described in any one of the first and second aspects, or any one of the implementations of the first and second aspects. The processor is coupled to a memory configured to store instructions and data. When the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the method described in any one of the first and second aspects, or any one of the implementations of the first and second aspects, can be implemented.

[0090] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. Optionally, the memory may be coupled to the processor. Optionally, the communication device may further include a communication interface, which is used for the device to communicate with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, hardware circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface.

[0091] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, comprising a first relay node, a second relay node, a terminal device, and at least one of a network device. The first relay node is configured to execute any one of the methods described in the first aspect, and the second relay node is configured to execute any one of the methods described in the second aspect.

[0092] In a seventh aspect, the present application also provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in any one of the implementations of the first to second aspects or the first to second aspects.

[0093] In an eighth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute the method described in any one of the implementations of the first to second aspects or the first to second aspects.

[0094] In the ninth aspect, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is run on a computer, the computer executes the method described in any implementation of the first aspect to the second aspect, or the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0095] In the tenth aspect, the present application also provides a chip, which is used to read the computer program stored in the memory and execute the method described in any implementation of the first aspect to the second aspect, or the first aspect to the second aspect; or, the chip includes a method for executing the method described in any implementation of the first aspect to the second aspect, or the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0096] In the eleventh aspect, the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a device to implement the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect to the second aspect, or any implementation method of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0097] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing programs and data necessary for the device. The chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0098] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0099] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an ATG communication scenario.

[0100] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0101] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0102] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0103] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0104] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0105] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0106] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0107] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0108] FIG11 is another schematic diagram of a network flow provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0109] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of an IAB network.

[0110] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of an IAB user plane protocol stack.

[0111] FIG14 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0112] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0113] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of beam elevation and azimuth angles.

[0114] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of a method for indicating forwarding data provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0115] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0116] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0117] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0118] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0119] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of another control plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0120] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0121] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0122] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of another user panel protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0123] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0124] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of another user panel protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0125] FIG28 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2800 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0126] FIG29 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0127] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0128] The technical solution of the present application can be applied to satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communications, drones and other non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, for example, integrated communication and navigation (IcaN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and ultra-dense low-orbit satellite communication systems.

[0129] Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems. For example, the mobile communication systems may include fourth-generation (4G) communication systems (e.g., long-term evolution (LTE) systems), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems (e.g., new radio (NR) systems), and future mobile communication systems.

[0130] The satellite communication system includes user equipment (UE) and network equipment. User equipment can also be called user terminal, terminal equipment, mobile station, etc. The network equipment may include one or more satellites and ground station equipment, and the ground station equipment can also be called core network equipment. The satellite can be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellite, etc. The satellite can provide communication services, navigation services, positioning services, etc. to the terminal equipment through multiple beams. The satellite uses multiple beams to cover the service area, and different beams can communicate through one or more of time division, frequency division and space division. The satellite communicates wirelessly with the terminal equipment by broadcasting communication signals and navigation signals, etc., and the satellite can communicate wirelessly with the ground station equipment. The satellite mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a satellite base station, and may also include an orbital receiver or repeater for relaying information, or a network-side device carried on the satellite.

[0131] The terminal devices mentioned in the embodiments of the present application include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication functions, and can specifically refer to user equipment, access terminals, user units, user stations, mobile stations, mobile stations, remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, terminals, wireless communication devices, user agents or user devices. The terminal device may also be a satellite phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a wireless modem, a machine type communication device, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a terminal device in a 5G network or a future communication network, etc.

[0132] The ground station equipment is, for example, equipment in the core network (CN) of an existing mobile communication architecture (such as the 3GPP access architecture of a 5G network) or equipment in the core network of a future mobile communication architecture. The core network, as a bearer network, provides an interface to the data network, provides communication connection, authentication, management, policy control, and data service carrying for user equipment (UE). Among them, the CN may further include: access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), authentication server function (AUSF), policy control function (PCF), user plane function (UPF) and other network elements. Among them, the AMF network element is used to manage the access and mobility of the UE, and is mainly responsible for UE authentication, UE mobility management, UE paging and other functions.

[0133] The network device may also include, but is not limited to, an evolved node B (eNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission reception point (TRP). The network device may also be a gNB, TRP, or TP in a 5G system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system. In addition, the network device may also be a network node constituting a gNB or TP, such as a BBU, or a distributed unit (DU). Alternatively, the network device may be a device that performs network-side functions in a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT), an Internet of Vehicles (IoV) communication system, or other communication systems.

[0134] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication scenario applicable to embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 1 , the network equipment in this scenario includes satellite equipment and a gateway (GW). User terminals include IoT terminals, but may also be terminals of other forms and capabilities, such as mobile phones, high-altitude aircraft, etc., which are not limited in this application. The link between the satellite and the user terminal is called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway is called a feeder link.

[0135] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to a multi-satellite communication scenario expanded based on the communication scenario shown in Figure 1, and this application will not list them one by one.

[0136] It should be understood that satellite equipment can be divided into transparent mode (or transparent forwarding mode / mode, or simply transparent transmission) and regenerative mode (or digital forwarding mode / mode) according to the working mode.

[0137] It should be understood that when a device operates in transparent transmission mode, it can be considered an amplify-and-forward (AF) relay device / node. This AF relay node can be used to instruct the relay node to forward the received signal directly to the destination node without decoding or encoding it. This approach is simple and can reduce the forwarding pressure on the relay node. However, when the relay node directly forwards the received signal to the destination node, it also forwards noise to the destination node.

[0138] It should be understood that when a device operates in regeneration-forward mode, it can be considered a decode-and-forward (DF) relay device / node. This regeneration-forward relay node can be used to instruct the relay node to decode the received signal, re-encode the decoded result, and finally forward the re-encoded signal to the destination node. This approach can prevent the relay node from forwarding noise to the destination node, resulting in excessive noise at the destination node. However, the regeneration-forward protocol is relatively complex and places a high computational burden on the relay node.

[0139] When the satellite operates in transparent transmission mode, it performs the relay forwarding function of transparent forwarding mode. Gateway stations have base station functions or partial base station functions, and in this case, the gateway station can be considered a base station. Alternatively, the base station can be deployed separately from the gateway station, in which case the feeder link delay includes both the satellite-to-gateway delay and the gateway-to-gNB delay. The transparent transmission mode in the embodiments of this application is based on the case where the gateway station and gNB are located together or in close proximity. For cases where the gateway station and gNB are far apart, the feeder link delay is the sum of the satellite-to-gateway delay and the gateway-to-gNB delay.

[0140] When a satellite operates in regeneration mode, it possesses data processing capabilities and performs base station functions or partial base station functions. In this case, the satellite can be considered a base station. Furthermore, the gNB is connected to the core network. Similarly, a regeneration forwarding node can also perform base station functions (or partial base station functions) and can be considered a base station.

[0141] It should also be understood that the present application can also be applied to the air-to-ground (ATG) communication scenario shown in Figure 2. In this scenario, the network equipment includes a ground base station, and the user terminal may include a high-altitude aircraft, an onboard handheld terminal, and the like.

[0142] This application proposes to use ground relay equipment and satellite-to-ground forwarding links that can be deployed on demand to replace or supplement the existing inter-satellite link (ISL), reduce the cost of satellite payloads, and improve the economic efficiency of low-orbit satellite network deployment.

[0143] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. After the information of the user terminal (UE for short) reaches the satellite serving the UE, it is transmitted to the satellite near the target node through the ground relay device and the satellite-to-ground link in multiple hops, and then the information is transmitted to the target node through the gateway station near the target node, and vice versa. Among them, the ground relay transfers the signal of a satellite (for example, the first satellite) to one or more satellites (for example, the second satellite), and uses "UE-satellite-ground relay device-satellite-ground relay device-…-satellite-GW-target node" to replace the traditional "UE-satellite-satellite-…-satellite-GW-target node" signal transmission.

[0144] It should be understood that the deployment method shown in Figure 3 above has the following advantages:

[0145] 1. Ground equipment is easier to upgrade than onboard equipment. For example, ground relay equipment can improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the satellite-to-ground link by increasing receive gain or boosting transmit power, while maintaining the same satellite communication payload. Ground relay equipment surrounding the GW can be designed based on aggregate capacity and deployed and upgraded on demand, avoiding capacity waste and shortening upgrade cycles.

[0146] 2. The cost of ground equipment is easier to control than that of onboard equipment. Therefore, the ground relay equipment in the satellite-to-ground link can be designed asymmetrically (strong on the ground, weak on the satellite), reducing the satellite communication payload capacity requirements.

[0147] 3. The ground relay equipment in the satellite-to-ground link can only complete the signal forwarding function between satellites, without the need for direct connection to the core network or the Internet (no need to connect to optical fiber or microwave backhaul), and its deployment location is less restricted than traditional GW.

[0148] It should also be understood that the present application is applicable to scenarios where ISL capacity is limited in hotspot areas of future high-throughput satellite networks and where it is difficult to deploy ground equipment connected to the network in uninhabited areas. For example, the technical solutions in the present application may also be applicable to the following potential scenarios:

[0149] Scenario 1: Using an existing base station as a relay for inter-satellite data transmission. As shown in Figure 4, transceiver equipment capable of relaying satellite signals is deployed on an existing base station to relay signals from one satellite to another. This scenario is applicable to existing terrestrial base stations. The terrestrial relay equipment can serve as a relay for inter-satellite data transmission and also serve UEs in the base station's vicinity.

[0150] Scenario 2: Ground relay equipment used only for inter-satellite signal transmission, as shown in Figure 3, is suitable for scenarios where ground relay equipment is deployed in uninhabited areas on land or in the ocean where there are no users nearby.

[0151] It should be understood that ground relay equipment and satellites can be divided into transparent transmission mode and regeneration mode according to their operating mode. When operating in transparent transmission mode, the device performs RF signal amplification and forwarding, and frequency shifting. When operating in regeneration mode, the device has data processing capabilities (encoding, reassembly, and retransmission functions), and has base station functions or partial base station functions (such as IAB node, gNB-DU, or UE-relay).

[0152] It should also be understood that, based on the processing capabilities of satellite and ground relay equipment, the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to the following potential network architectures:

[0153] Architecture 1: Fully transparent transmission architecture. Both the satellite and ground relay equipment are transparent transmission devices, meaning they have transparent transmission capabilities. They do not perform encoding, reassembly, or retransmission on transmitted data. The base station (BS) perceived by the UE is the BS on the ground, as shown in (1) in Figure 5.

[0154] Architecture 2: Fully regenerative architecture. Both the satellite and the ground relay equipment are regenerative devices, meaning they have regeneration capabilities. Both the satellite and the ground relay equipment can perform encoding, reassembly, and retransmission on the transmitted data. The node perceived by the UE is the satellite serving the UE, as shown in (2) in Figure 5.

[0155] Architecture 3: Partial regeneration and partial transparent transmission architecture. Among satellite and terrestrial relay devices, some devices are transparent transmission nodes, while others are regeneration nodes. Typically, satellites are transparent transmission nodes, while terrestrial relays are regeneration nodes, minimizing payload costs while maintaining similar performance. The node perceived by the UE is the BS node closest to the UE in the multi-hop link, as shown in (3) of Figure 5.

[0156] Based on the above Figures 1 to 5, the communication scenarios and architectures to which the method provided in this application can be applied are exemplarily introduced. Combined with the scenarios and architectures shown in the above Figures 1 to 5, the basic functions and potential network forms of the ground relay equipment will be described in detail below with reference to specific scenario examples.

[0157] Scenario 1: For ground relay equipment (also known as ground forwarding equipment), the signal of a satellite can be forwarded to one or more satellites. Further, based on the number of satellites and ground relay equipment receiving and forwarding satellite signals, it can be divided into the following four potential forms:

[0158] Form 1: As shown in (1) in Figure 6, ground relay equipment can forward a satellite signal to another satellite.

[0159] Form 2: As shown in (2) in Figure 6, ground relay equipment can forward one satellite signal to multiple satellites.

[0160] Form 3: As shown in (3) in Figure 6, ground relay equipment can forward multiple satellite signals to one satellite.

[0161] Form 4: As shown in (4) in Figure 6, the ground relay equipment can forward multiple satellite signals to multiple satellites.

[0162] As shown in Figure 6, the ground relay device can be a single ground device or a group of multiple ground relay devices to perform the satellite signal forwarding function. Similarly, the satellite can be a single device or a group of multiple satellite devices.

[0163] It should be understood that the ground relay equipment can operate in transparent transmission mode, only performing frequency change and RF amplification on the transmission signal; it can also operate in regeneration mode, decoding, recombining, encoding the transmission data signal, and making necessary adjustments to some control information.

[0164] It should also be understood that in this application, ground relay equipment operating in regeneration mode can independently decode, reassemble, and encode signals from multiple satellite nodes before forwarding them, or jointly decode, reassemble, and encode signals from multiple satellite nodes before forwarding them. Ground relay equipment can transparently forward data received from some satellite nodes and regenerate and forward data from the remaining satellite nodes. This provides a low-cost alternative and capacity expansion solution for intersatellite links.

[0165] Scenario 2: This scenario primarily describes the potential characteristics of terrestrial relay device configuration information. The terrestrial relay device must pre-store or receive a time-varying configuration table to frequency-shift and / or combine one or more received signals before forwarding them to one or more other satellites. Due to the dynamic topology of satellite constellations, the satellite nodes connected to the terrestrial relay device at different times, the frequencies used for reception and forwarding, and the routing rules used for forwarding all vary over time. Table 1 shows the potential information contained in the configuration table.

[0166] Table 1 Forwarding configuration table that takes effect on time

[0167] As shown in Figure 7, a ground relay node connected to four satellites can exchange signals from all four satellites. Based on configuration or prior agreement, the ground relay node forwards signals from satellite node #1 to satellite nodes #3 and #4, and simultaneously forwards signals from satellite node #2 to satellite node #3. Because the information from the relay node to satellite node #3 includes information from both satellite nodes #1 and #2, the link bandwidth requires a larger bandwidth, and frequency shifting is required for either satellite node #1 or satellite node #2.

[0168] The link between ground relay equipment and satellites can use extremely narrow beams, so the input and output beams can be reused in the same frequency as much as possible to improve utilization. For scenarios with larger beam widths or close distances between satellite nodes, cross-frequency forwarding can also be used more frequently.

[0169] Ground relay equipment can adaptively adjust the frequency selection of forwarded signals. It is pre-configured with a series of candidate frequencies (and bandwidths). If the signal attenuates significantly at a particular millimeter-wave frequency due to weather conditions, the ground relay equipment can select a frequency with low sensitivity to rain from the candidate frequencies to ensure the stability of the communication link.

[0170] Scenario 3: This scenario uses examples to describe different working modes of ground relay equipment and different network forms corresponding to different incident and forwarding signal types.

[0171] For transparent transmission nodes, the ground relay equipment can be traditional application function (AF), network-controlled repeaters (NCR) equipment, etc. FIG8 exemplarily lists four types of transparent transmission ground relay receiving and transmitting signal forms.

[0172] As shown in (1) in Figure 8, the transparent ground relay device transfers the previous transparent transmission node signal to another transparent transmission node; as shown in (2) in Figure 8, the transparent ground relay device transfers the previous regeneration node signal to a transparent transmission node; as shown in (3) in Figure 8, the transparent ground relay device transfers the previous transparent transmission node signal to a regeneration node; as shown in (4) in Figure 8, the transparent ground relay device transfers the previous regeneration node signal to a regeneration node.

[0173] For regeneration nodes, the terrestrial relay equipment can be a traditional base station, a traditional gNB-DU, an IAB node, a UE-relay, etc. Figure 9 exemplifies four types of transparent transmission terrestrial relay receive and transmit signal forms.

[0174] As shown in (1) in Figure 9, the regenerative ground relay device transfers the previous regenerative node signal to another regenerative node; as shown in (2) in Figure 9, the regenerative ground relay device transfers the previous regenerative node signal to a transparent transmission node; as shown in (3) in Figure 9, the regenerative ground relay device transfers the previous transparent transmission node signal to a regenerative node; as shown in (4) in Figure 9, the regenerative ground relay device transfers the previous transparent transmission node signal to a transparent transmission node.

[0175] Scenario 4: This scenario illustrates how a ground relay device receives operation and maintenance instructions. Operation and maintenance instructions are sent along the route from the previous regeneration node or from the previous level transparent transmission node. For transparent transmission ground relays, a mobile terminal (MT) can be bound to receive operation and maintenance instructions. For regeneration ground relays, they can themselves act as MT nodes to receive operation and maintenance instructions. Operation and maintenance instructions include information such as the node's routing configuration, the frequency of the transmit and receive beams, bandwidth, beam width, pointing direction, scanning pattern, and effective time.

[0176] As shown in (1) in FIG10 , the regenerative ground relay device obtains the operation and maintenance instructions; as shown in (2) in FIG10 , the transparent ground relay device obtains the operation and maintenance instructions by binding to the MT.

[0177] It should be understood that ground relay equipment receives operation and maintenance instructions in an on-link manner. The on-link bandwidth is large and the capacity is high, and operation and maintenance information can be transmitted quickly.

[0178] Scenario 5: This scenario illustrates the operating modes of a terrestrial relay device. A terrestrial relay device with regeneration capabilities can degrade to transparent transmission mode, which means it forwards the received signal directly on the same or shifted frequency without decoding it. The terrestrial relay device monitors the quality of the receive and forward links, and determines whether to operate in regeneration or transparent transmission mode based on the received signal quality and the forwarding link quality.

[0179] As shown in Figure 11, if the difference between the forwarding link quality and the receiving link signal-noise ratio (SNR) exceeds a threshold, the ground relay device forwards the data using transparent transmission. In this case, the combined capacity of the two links of the ground relay device is not affected by noise amplification during the forwarding process. Transparent transmission reduces the power consumption of the ground relay device, which is particularly important for ground relay devices that rely on solar or diesel power. If the difference between the forwarding link quality and the receiving link SNR falls below a threshold, the combined capacity of the two links of the ground relay device is affected by transparent forwarding. Therefore, the ground relay device should forward the data using regeneration mode, which reconstructs the data to avoid capacity loss.

[0180] Optionally, the base station configures the above threshold to the relay device, or the threshold is pre-configured / pre-defined by the system. The size of the threshold is not limited in this application.

[0181] The forwarding link quality and the receiving link SNR may refer to the link quality from the ground relay device to the nearest hop node, or may refer to the equivalent link quality from the ground relay device to the nearest regeneration node.

[0182] Optionally, if the forwarding link quality and the SNR or equivalent SNR of the receiving link are both higher than a certain threshold (the combined capacity of the two links is large enough), the ground relay device can operate in transparent transmission mode even if the SNR difference between the two is smaller than the threshold.

[0183] It should be understood that the above scenario five adaptively adjusts the working mode of the ground relay device according to the channel quality, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0184] Currently, 5G NR technology is evolving from Release 18 to Release 19. NR technology has also moved from standardization to commercial deployment. The original research and development of the NR standard protocol was designed as a wireless communication technology for terrestrial cellular network scenarios, providing users with wireless communication services with ultra-low latency, ultra-reliability, ultra-high speeds, and a high number of connections. However, cellular networks cannot provide seamless global coverage. For example, in areas without terrestrial base stations, such as ocean surfaces, polar regions, and rainforests, voice and data services cannot be provided in these areas without cellular network coverage.

[0185] Compared to terrestrial communications, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) offer wide coverage and flexible networking, enabling seamless global network coverage. NTN networks complement existing terrestrial networks but can also be considered an independent communication system that provides users with global high-speed network access. Currently, research institutes, communications organizations, and telecommunications companies around the world are participating in the research and development of NTN communication technologies and standards, striving to build a unified network for space, air, and ground communications. 3GPP is currently developing the NR-NTN standard, aiming to apply the NR standard to communication scenarios such as satellites and high-altitude platforms.

[0186] Existing integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network technology. IAB supports wireless backhaul and relay links, enabling flexible and very dense deployment of NR cells without the need to proportionally intensify the wired transmission network. The main application scenarios of IAB technology include: high fiber deployment costs, site density, street coverage extension and blind spot filling, indoor coverage extension and blind spot filling, etc.

[0187] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of an IAB network, in which the forwarding-based IAB architecture includes two types of network element nodes: IAB-node and IAB-donor. Among them, IAB-node: supports access and backhaul functions through NR, including IAB-node-MT (also known as IAB-MT) and IAB-node-DU (also known as IAB-DU). IAB-node-mobile terminal (MT): as a normal UE connected to the DU or IAB-donor-DU of its parent node, as a wireless transmission backhaul link; IAB-node-DU: the pole station cell on the access side under the IAB-node, provides blind spot coverage, and provides access for normal UE or lower-level IAB-node-MT.

[0188] IAB-donor: A gNodeB (also called a gNodeB-donor) that supports IAB additional features and is connected to the core network through a non-IAB network, such as fiber. IAB-donor-CU: Provides connectivity for IAB-donor-DUs and IAB-node-DUs. IAB-donor-DU: Provides access for UEs or IAB-MTs. The F1 interface connects the IAB-node-DU to the IAB-donor-CU and inherits the F1 interface between the DU and CU. The Uu interface connects the parent node DU to the IAB-node-MT.

[0189] In a satellite-to-ground forwarding network, if IAB nodes are used, the BAP layer is responsible for forwarding data packets between the IAB-donor-DU and the access IAB-node, implementing routing functions, as shown in Figure 13. The BAP layer primarily provides routing functions in multi-hop scenarios. The BAP routing function enables data to be transmitted from the sender to the receiver via a specified route. The sender adds a BAP header (containing the destination BAP address and BAP path ID) to the upper-layer data. The receiver removes the BAP header and forwards the data to the upper layer.

[0190] It should be understood that the BAP layer routing function requires the receiving end to perform decoding operations on it in order to obtain the BAP header, that is, the BAP layer routing function is not applicable to transparent transmission nodes (transparent transmission nodes do not decode the data sent to the terminal / base station, but transmit it transparently, so the transparent transmission node cannot obtain the destination address and path ID of the BAP layer). It is necessary to design a routing method that is compatible with transparent transmission and regeneration nodes and to simplify the regeneration node function.

[0191] Based on the aforementioned IAB technology, a similar network device, the NCR, is used to amplify and forward base station signals when a UE accesses a base station (parent node). Compared to the IAB, the NCR offers simpler functionality and lowers costs. It can be considered a transparent transmission node.

[0192] The NCR-MT connects to the gNB via the Uu interface, using a control link (C-link) to control the NCR. The NCR receives control information (i.e., side information) from the base station via the control link (Uu interface) to control the backhaul link, backhaul / control link beam direction, NCR on / off, and power control. The NCR forwards data between the gNB and the UE. NCR vendors can provide access link beam characteristics, such as beam direction, width, and coverage. Access link beams support a maximum of 64 beam indications. The base station to which the NCR connects can only indicate a beam index to the NCR, which then controls the beam direction and width of the access link forwarding signal based on the beam index. The NCR transparently forwards uplink or downlink signals between the gNB and the UE via the backhaul link and access link.

[0193] It should be understood that when using NCR nodes in satellite scenarios, for example, satellite NCRs only support 64 predefined beam indicators. To ensure omnidirectional coverage, each of the 64 beams must be wide, resulting in a low access link signal-to-noise ratio. NCRs can only transmit one access link beam at a time. When the NCR needs to forward data in two different directions simultaneously, it cannot send in both beam directions. In other words, the NCR does not support simultaneous multipath forwarding, which increases multipath forwarding latency.

[0194] In addition, the forwarding direction of the current NCR access link is determined according to the UL / DL of the time division duplex (TDD) mode. The forwarding direction refers to downlink forwarding or uplink forwarding. In the TDD mode, the time domain resources are divided into downlink transmission resources and uplink transmission resources. Therefore, when the forwarding information indicates the time domain resources to be forwarded, the NCR can determine the forwarding direction according to the uplink transmission or downlink transmission corresponding to the time domain resources forwarded in the TDD mode. However, in satellite communications, the communication system often uses the frequency division duplex (FDD) mode, and it is impossible to determine whether it is a downlink transmission resource or an uplink transmission resource through the time domain resources. Therefore, in the FDD mode, it is necessary to clarify the forwarding direction through other signaling.

[0195] Terminal devices in a satellite system can forward data to gateways or ground stations via intersatellite links (ISLs), which then establish connections to the core network or the internet. Due to various limitations, satellite operators cannot establish a large number of global gateways or ground stations. This results in the centralized landing of satellite data near the gateways, increasing the pressure on ISL capacity. Satellites located farther from the GW forward data to the GW via ISLs to send data to the core network or establish connections to the internet. Alternatively, they can send core network or internet data to terminal devices via the GW and ISLs.

[0196] Under this inter-satellite forwarding mechanism, satellites closer to the GW will forward more satellite data to the GW. This means that as the number of forwarding levels increases, the amount of data forwarded between satellites increases exponentially, increasing the pressure on inter-satellite forwarding. Furthermore, due to satellite mobility (e.g., LEO satellites), different satellites become closer to the GW in turn. Therefore, almost all satellites must support maximum-capacity inter-satellite forwarding, significantly increasing onboard hardware costs. Based on the above analysis, in satellite communication networks, transmitting and returning data via inter-satellite links will place significant pressure on inter-satellite multi-hop transmission capacity and increase satellite hardware costs.

[0197] Considering that in satellite systems, data transmission between terminal devices and network equipment requires intersatellite links (ISLs), which then pass through relay nodes and gateways / ground stations before reaching the core network / base stations. Information transmitted between terminal devices and network equipment must be forwarded by satellite devices (or relay nodes) within the ISL. Currently, relay nodes forward information using fixed, wide beams, resulting in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Therefore, improving the transmission performance between terminal devices and network equipment is a current research hotspot.

[0198] In view of this, the present application provides a multi-hop forwarding mechanism for a satellite-to-ground forwarding network architecture to ensure transmission performance between network devices and terminal devices. The following describes in detail the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which can be applied to any one or more of the scenarios shown in Figures 1 to 10 above.

[0199] FIG14 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG14 , the method may include the following steps:

[0200] 1401. A first relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information.

[0201] The routing information is used to determine the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node. In one possible implementation, the routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes a forwarding port of the first relay node, where the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

[0202] As an example, assume that the first relay node is represented as relay node #1 and the second relay node is represented as relay node #2. The routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path. The identification information of the destination relay node is used to indicate relay node #3, and the path is identified as path ID 2. The first relay node determines that the next relay node is relay node #2 based on relay node #3 and path ID 2 according to a preconfigured or predefined path table (such as Table 2).

[0203] Table 2

[0204] Based on Table 2, the first relay node can determine the specific forwarding path as relay node #0 → relay node #1 → relay node #2 → relay node #3 according to path ID 2. The first relay node determines the destination node as relay node #3, that is, the next relay node is relay node #2.

[0205] It should be understood that Table 2 may be predefined or preconfigured for each relay node or device, and this application does not limit this.

[0206] It should also be understood that the specific paths in Table 2 above are described using the example of relay node #1 forwarding to the next relay node. Similarly, the path can also be relay node #1 receiving information from the previous relay node. The routing information can be used to indicate which relay node relay node #1 needs to receive information from.

[0207] As another example, assume that the first relay node is represented as relay node #1 and the second relay node is represented as relay node #2. The routing information includes identification information of the second relay node. For example, the identification information of the second relay node is the ID of the second relay node. That is, when the first relay node receives the routing information including the identification information of the second relay node, the first relay node can identify relay node #2. The first relay node can receive information forwarded from relay node #2, or the first relay node can forward information to relay node #2.

[0208] As another example, assume that the first relay node is represented as relay node #1 and the second relay node is represented as relay node #2. The routing information includes the forwarding port number of the first relay node. For example, port #1 of the first relay node corresponds to relay node #0, and port #2 of the first relay node corresponds to relay node #2. The routing information includes that the forwarding port number of relay node #1 is port #2, that is, when the first relay node transmits information, it transmits through port #2. Among them, port #2 corresponds to relay node #2, that is, the first relay node can forward information to relay node #2 through port #2, or the first relay node can receive information forwarded from relay node #2 through port #2.

[0209] As another example, assume that the first relay node is represented as relay node #1 and the second relay node is represented as relay node #2. The routing information includes satellite ephemeris information / position information of the second relay node. For example, the first relay node can determine the second relay node based on the satellite ephemeris information / position information of the second relay node indicated in the routing information, and the first relay node receives information forwarded from the second relay node or forwards information to the second relay node.

[0210] In one possible implementation, the time-frequency resource information may be a time-frequency resource for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource may include one or more of the following time-frequency resources: a time-frequency resource for the first relay node to send information to the second relay node, a time-frequency resource for the second relay node to send information to the first relay node, a time-frequency resource for the first relay node to send information to a third relay node / network device / terminal device, and a time-frequency resource for the first relay node to receive information from the third relay node / network device / terminal device. The third relay node is a node that can perform data transmission with the first relay node, and the third relay node is a node different from the second relay node and the first relay node.

[0211] It should be understood that when configuring multiple time-frequency resources, each time-frequency resource can be configured with at least one of the forwarding mode, forwarding direction, and frequency information corresponding to the time-frequency resource. The time-frequency resources in the time-frequency resource information correspond to one or more of the forwarding mode, forwarding direction, and frequency information. The forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. The frequency information is used to indicate the frequency used when the first relay node and the second relay node transmit data. For a detailed introduction to the forwarding direction and frequency information, please refer to the subsequent detailed introduction and will not be repeated here.

[0212] It should be understood that the above-mentioned one or more time-frequency resources can be configured separately or in the same routing information, and this application does not limit this.

[0213] The data transmission may be uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0214] It should be understood that the routing information and time-frequency resource information can be carried in the same message for transmission, or carried in different messages for separate transmission. For example, the routing information and time-frequency resource information can be carried in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) message, or downlink control information (DCI); for another example, the routing information can be carried in a MAC-CE message, and the time-frequency resource information can be carried in a DCI; or the routing information can be carried in an RRC message, and the time-frequency resource information can be carried in a MAC-CE, etc. This application does not list them one by one.

[0215] It should be understood that the first relay node receives the routing information, which may be that the first relay node receives the routing information from a network device (e.g., a base station) or another relay node (e.g., a fourth relay node), and determines the next relay node to forward the data (e.g., the second relay node) based on the routing information. The first relay node forwards the forwarded data from the node that sends the routing information to the node indicated by the routing information, that is, the first relay node forwards the forwarded data from the base station or the fourth relay node to the second relay node.

[0216] 1402. The first relay node transmits data with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information.

[0217] For example, the first relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information, determines the second relay node according to the routing information, and transmits data with the second relay node according to the resources indicated by the time-frequency resource information.

[0218] It should be understood that the time-frequency resources received by the first relay node may be time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources. Specifically, when the time-frequency resources received by the first relay node include time domain resources but do not include frequency domain resources, the first relay node may determine the frequency domain resources for data transmission with the second relay node based on the default full bandwidth, or the frequency domain resources pre-configured by the system, or the frequency domain resources agreed upon by the protocol. Alternatively, when the time-frequency resources received by the first relay node include frequency domain resources but do not include time domain resources, the first relay node may determine the time domain resources for data transmission with the second relay node based on the time domain resources pre-configured by the system or the time domain resources agreed upon by the protocol.

[0219] It should be understood that the time domain resources in the present application may include one or more time domain units. The time domain unit may be a subframe, a frame, a half subframe, a half frame, a slot, a mini-slot, a partial slot, or an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, etc.; the frequency domain resources in the present application may include one or more frequency domain units. The frequency domain unit may be a resource block (RB), or a subchannel, or a resource pool, or a bandwidth, or a bandwidth part (BWP), or a carrier (CC), or a subcarrier, or a channel, or a resource block (RB), or an interlace RB, etc.

[0220] It should be understood that the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resources. The first relay node may determine based on the time-frequency resource information that it receives information from the second relay node on the time-frequency resources indicated by the time-frequency resource information, or the first relay node may determine based on the time-frequency resource information that it sends information to the second relay node on the time-frequency resources indicated by the time-frequency resource information.

[0221] In a possible implementation, the first relay node determines a forwarding mode, and performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding mode.

[0222] The forwarding mode is determined based on the first information, and the forwarding mode includes transparent forwarding and regenerative forwarding. The first information may be received by the first relay node simultaneously with the routing information and time-frequency resource information in step 1401, or received sequentially. The first relay node simultaneously receives the routing information, time-frequency resource information, and the first information, i.e., the three pieces of information may be carried in the same message or in different messages, which is not limited in this application.

[0223] It should also be understood that the forwarding mode is displayed in the form of an indication indicating the forwarding mode for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node. For example, the first relay node receives first information, and the first information includes the forwarding mode, that is, the first information includes the regenerative forwarding mode or the transparent forwarding mode. The first relay node determines whether to use the regenerative forwarding mode or the transparent forwarding mode for data transmission with the second relay node based on the first information.

[0224] It should also be understood that the forwarding method may not directly indicate the first relay node through information. The first relay node needs to perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the data transmitted (e.g., the second information) to determine the forwarding method. When the first relay node performs blind detection on the time-frequency resources of the second information to obtain information and / or correctly decodes it, the first relay node uses a regenerative forwarding method to transmit data with the second relay node; when the first relay node fails to perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the second information, the first relay node uses a transparent forwarding method to transmit data with the second relay node.

[0225] It should be noted that part of the information transmitted between the first relay node and the second relay node can be transmitted using a regenerative forwarding method, and part can be transmitted using a transparent forwarding method. That is, the forwarding method corresponding to the information transmitted between the first relay node and the second relay node can include multiple forwarding methods at the same time. For example, the control information transmitted between the first relay node and the second relay node can be transmitted using a regenerative forwarding method, and the information transmitted between the first relay node and the second relay node and between the terminal device and the network device can be transmitted using a transparent forwarding method.

[0226] It should also be understood that the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding mode. Taking the example of the first relay node sending forwarding information to the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding mode, the first relay node determines the time-frequency resource for transmitting the forwarding information based on the time-frequency resource information, and determines whether it is necessary to perform decoding, reassembly, and encoding operations on the forwarding information based on the forwarding mode. Assume that the forwarding mode is a transparent forwarding mode, that is, the first relay node does not need to perform decoding, reassembly, and encoding operations on the forwarding information, and can simply send the forwarding information to the second relay node on the corresponding time-frequency resource based on the transparent forwarding mode. Assume that the forwarding mode is a regenerative forwarding mode, that is, the first relay node needs to perform decoding, reassembly, and encoding operations on the forwarding information (e.g., the second information) based on the regenerative forwarding mode to determine third information, and sends the third information to the second relay node on the corresponding time-frequency resource. The third information can be the information determined by the second information based on the regenerative forwarding mode.

[0227] It should also be understood that the first relay node has a regenerative forwarding function and / or a transparent forwarding function. Specifically, when the first relay node has the regenerative forwarding function and the transparent forwarding function, the first relay node can use the transparent forwarding mode and / or the regenerative forwarding mode to transmit data with the second relay node; when the first relay node has the transparent forwarding function, the first relay node can use the transparent forwarding mode to transmit data with the second relay node; when the first relay node has the regenerative forwarding function, the first relay node can use the regenerative forwarding mode to transmit data with the second relay node.

[0228] As an example, assume that a first relay node has both regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding functions. The first relay node includes a mobile terminal (MT), a distributed unit (DU), and a transparent forwarding unit (forwarding). The MT is used to establish a first link, which can be used to connect the MT to the DU of the upper-level device. The first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, which can be used to provide access to the MT of the lower-level device. The second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide transparent forwarding.

[0229] As another example, assume that a first relay node has a transparent forwarding function and includes a mobile terminal (MT) and a transparent forwarding unit. The MT is configured to establish a first link, which can be used to connect the MT to a DU of an upper-level device. The first link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is configured to provide the transparent forwarding function.

[0230] As another example, assume that a first relay node has a regeneration and forwarding function and includes a mobile terminal (MT) and a distributed unit (DU). The MT is used to establish a third link, which can be used to connect the MT to the DU of a higher-level device. The third link is a control link or a backhaul link. The DU is used to establish a fourth link, which can be used to provide access to the MT or terminal device of a lower-level device. The fourth link is a control link, a backhaul link, or an access link.

[0231] It should be understood that when the first relay node has the regeneration forwarding function and the transparent forwarding function, or when the first relay node has the regeneration forwarding function, for a detailed introduction to specific data transmission, please refer to the detailed examples in Figures 17 to 24 and will not be introduced here.

[0232] It should be understood that the second relay node is similar to the first relay node described above, and the second relay node has a transparent forwarding function and / or a regenerative forwarding function. When the second relay node has the regenerative forwarding function and the transparent forwarding function, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit. When the second relay node has the regenerative forwarding function, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU. When the second relay node has the transparent forwarding function, the second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit. The functions of the MT, DU, and transparent forwarding unit are similar to those of the first relay node described above and are not further described here.

[0233] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. Assume that relay node #1 has both regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding functions, relay node #2 has both regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding functions, and relay node #3 has both regenerative forwarding and transparent forwarding functions. Relay node #1 and relay node #3 are satellite relay nodes, and relay node #2 is a terrestrial relay node.

[0234] It should be understood that in the method provided in the present application, the first relay node can be a satellite relay node or a ground relay node; the second relay node can be a satellite relay node or a ground relay node. This application does not make specific limitations. Figure 15 is only an example and does not have any limiting effect on the technical solution in this application.

[0235] According to the method shown in FIG14 , the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the received routing information and time-frequency resource information. The first relay node and the second relay node may both be terrestrial relay nodes or satellite relay nodes. Data transmission between a terminal device and a network device passes through at least one relay node (e.g., the first relay node), and supports dynamic routing changes of the relay node, thereby achieving long-distance transmission between the terminal device and the network device and ensuring transmission performance.

[0236] In addition, the first relay node and the second relay node can be ground relay nodes or satellite relay nodes. When the first relay node and / or the second relay node are ground relay nodes, the hardware cost and complexity of the satellite can be reduced by taking advantage of the low cost and high capability of the ground relay nodes.

[0237] It should be noted that the relay nodes in the method provided in this application (for example, the first relay node and the second relay node) can all be satellite relay nodes, or all be ground relay nodes, or some can be satellite relay nodes and some can be ground relay nodes. This application does not limit this.

[0238] Based on the method shown in FIG14 above, the method may further include the following steps:

[0239] The first relay node receives the forwarding direction.

[0240] The forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. The first relay node can determine the second relay node based on the routing information and the forwarding direction, and transmit forwarded data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction. The first relay node transmits forwarded data with the second relay node based on the forwarding direction on the time-frequency resource corresponding to the forwarding direction. The forwarding direction corresponds to the time-frequency resource.

[0241] It should be understood that the forwarding direction can be carried in the same information and transmitted together with at least one of the routing information, time-frequency resource information, and the first information in the above steps, or carried in a separate information and transmitted.

[0242] It should also be understood that the forwarding direction may include an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. The uplink and downlink forwarding directions are determined based on whether the data transmitted between the network device and the terminal device is sent by the network device or the terminal device. The forwarding direction may also be determined by instructing the relay node to forward or backward. Whether forward or backward forwarding is determined based on the direction of the forwarding path.

[0243] As an example, in combination with the example in Table 2 above, it is assumed that the first relay node is represented as relay node #1 and the second relay node is represented as relay node #2. The routing information includes the identification information of the destination relay node and the identification information of the forwarding path. Among them, the identification information of the destination relay node is used to indicate relay node #3, and the path is identified as path ID 2. The first relay node determines that the next relay node is relay node #2 based on relay node #3 and path ID2 according to the preconfiguration or predefined path table (such as Table 2). When downlink forwarding is indicated, the first relay node forwards the data of relay node #0 to relay node #2. When uplink forwarding is indicated, the first relay node forwards the data of relay node #2 to relay node #0.

[0244] As another example, assume that the first relay node is relay node #2. Relay node #2 is preconfigured with forwarding path 1, which is: relay node #0 → relay node #1 → relay node #2 → relay node #3. Assume that the forwarding direction from relay node #0 to relay node #3 is forward forwarding, and the forwarding direction from relay node #3 to relay node #0 is backward forwarding. The routing information includes routing information of the destination node, the identifier of which indicates relay node #3. Relay node #2 receives a forward forwarding identifier and, based on the forward forwarding direction and the destination relay node (relay node #3), determines to forward the data to relay node #3. The routing information also includes routing information of the destination node, the identifier of which indicates relay node #0. Relay node #2 receives a backward forwarding identifier and, based on the backward forwarding direction and the destination relay node (relay node #0), determines to forward the data to relay node #1.

[0245] It should also be understood that the first relay node receives the forwarding direction, and based on the above step 1401, the first relay node receives routing information, and the routing information may also include the routing information of the first relay node. When the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, it may also include both the routing information of the sending end and the routing information of the receiving end. This enables the receiving end to determine the direction of the receiving beam when receiving data information forwarded from the sending end. When the sending end forwards data information to the receiving end, it can determine the direction of the sending beam. The routing information may also include one or more of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, index number of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, angle information of the beam, and identification information of the second relay node.

[0246] Among them, the beam index is used to indicate the ground beam area, which is divided and numbered by beam (that is, the ground area is divided, and different partitions are called beams), and the beam index is used to indicate the beam for forwarding data transmission, that is, the beam coverage area of ​​the forwarded data can be determined. The location information of the terminal device is used by the relay node to determine the beam direction between its own position and the terminal device, that is, it can determine the beam direction of the forwarded data. The relay node pre-stores the correspondence between the identification information / index number of the terminal device and the location information of the terminal device, determines the location information of the terminal device according to the identification information / index number of the terminal device, and further determines the beam direction of the forwarded data in combination with its own location information. The beam index can be a beam precoding index or a beam index, wherein the beam precoding index indicates the precoding used (the index table of the precoding pre-set or configured by the base station), that is, the relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarded data according to the beam precoding index; the beam index corresponds to the predefined beam direction, beam width, etc., that is, the relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarded data according to the correspondence between the beam index and the predefined beam direction. The relay node can determine the elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ of the beam based on the beam angle information (for example, using its antenna panel as a coordinate system to determine the angles), and determine the beam direction for relaying and forwarding data. The relay node can also determine the beam direction for forwarding data based on the correspondence between the identification information of the second relay node and the location information of the second relay node. The relay node determines the beam direction for forwarding data based on the reference location information and its own location information.

[0247] Based on the method shown in FIG14 above, the method may further include the following steps:

[0248] The first relay node receives frequency information. The frequency information indicates the frequency used by the first relay node to forward data to the second relay node, such as 20 GHz, 30 GHz, and so on. The first relay node can determine the second relay node based on the routing information and, based on the time-frequency resource information and the frequency information, forward data to the second relay node at the frequency indicated by the frequency information and using the time-frequency resources corresponding to the frequency. The time-frequency resources correspond to the frequency.

[0249] It should be understood that the frequency point information can be carried in the same message and transmitted together with at least one of the routing information, time-frequency resource information, first information, and forwarding mode in the above steps, or carried in a separate message and transmitted.

[0250] It should also be understood that the frequencies at which the same relay node receives and sends forwarding information may be the same or different.

[0251] As an example, assuming that both the first relay node and the second relay node are satellite relay nodes, frequency #1 used by the first relay node to send forwarding information to the second relay node and frequency #2 used by the second relay node to send forwarding information to the first relay node can be the same or different. For example, frequency #1 and frequency #2 are both low frequencies, and forwarding at low frequencies has lower propagation loss.

[0252] As another example, when the first relay node is a terrestrial relay node and the second relay node is a satellite relay node, the frequency #1 used by the first relay node to forward information to the second relay node may differ from the frequency #2 used by the second relay node to forward information to the first relay node. Generally, frequency #1 can be a high frequency, and frequency #2 a low frequency. Using a low frequency on a satellite can reduce link propagation loss and save power. When the first relay node is a terrestrial relay node and forwards information to a satellite relay node, a high frequency is generally used. This allows for frequency-division transmission of uplink and downlink data, avoiding interference.

[0253] As described in FIG14 above, the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node based on routing information and time-frequency resource information. Specifically, the first relay node may determine the second relay node based on the routing information, and then transmit data with the second relay node based on the corresponding time-frequency resource and frequency information according to the frequency information; or the first relay node determines the second relay node based on the routing information, and then transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, forwarding mode, and frequency information; or the first relay node determines the second relay node based on the routing information and forwarding direction, and then transmits data with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource, forwarding mode, and frequency information. The first relay node may determine the second relay node based on routing information, or routing information and forwarding direction. When the first relay node transmits data with the second relay node, the first relay node may determine the time-frequency resource, forwarding mode, and / or forwarding frequency for data transmission based on one or more of the time-frequency resource, forwarding mode, and frequency information. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can, based on one or more of the above information disclosed in this application, use different combinations to determine one or more of the data transmission method, transmission time-frequency resources, and frequency information between the first relay node and the second relay node, and this application will not list them one by one.

[0254] It should also be understood that the signaling information in this application, such as routing information, time-frequency resource information, forwarding direction information, first information (forwarding mode), forwarding frequency information, threshold, path table (such as Table 2), etc., can be in at least one of the broadcast information including system information block (SIB) 1, SIB19, other system information (OSI), main system information block (MIB), physical broadcast channel (physical broadcast channel) message, etc. Specifically, it can be broadcast or multicast by the network device to the relay node (the relay node accesses the network device as a terminal device). The network device broadcasts or multicasts the above signaling to the relay node, which can avoid scheduling different resources for different terminal devices in order to send the above signaling, thereby saving the signaling overhead of scheduling resources and reducing the complexity of system scheduling.

[0255] In addition, if the above-mentioned signaling information is sent during the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment phase and subsequent communication processes, the network device may carry the above-mentioned signaling in at least one of the RRC signaling (for example, RRC setup message, RRC reconfiguration signaling, RRC resume signaling, etc.), downlink control information (DCI), group DCI, and media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or indicate the above-mentioned signaling / parameter value to the relay node in a table, or unicast or multicast it to the relay node along with the data transmission or in a separately allocated downlink physical shared control channel (PDSCH). The network device can flexibly control the parameter value of each / each group of relay devices by sending the above-mentioned signaling to the relay nodes individually or in groups, and configure different parameter values ​​to the terminal devices according to the different locations or different areas of the relay nodes to achieve the purpose of optimizing system parameters and optimizing the communication performance of the relay devices / system communication performance. For example, network equipment can configure different routing information, forwarding frequencies, and other information for relay nodes at different locations to optimize the forwarding delay and forwarding link budget of each / each group of relay devices, thereby improving the forwarding and communication efficiency of the relay devices.

[0256] Based on the method shown above, it is assumed that the first relay node receives a MAC CE message including routing information, forwarding direction, forwarding time and frequency resources, and forwarding mode. The routing information includes identification information of the destination node and path identification information.

[0257] As shown in (1) in FIG17 , taking downlink transmission as an example, the first relay node forwards data and sends the forwarded data to the second relay node according to the routing information, forwarding direction, forwarding time-frequency resources and forwarding mode in the received MAC CE message. Taking the routing information including the identification information of the second relay node as an example, the MAC CE message shown in (1) in FIG17 includes address for indicating the identification of the second relay node; DL for indicating downlink transmission; transparent forwarding resource for indicating the transparent forwarding mode; the forwarding time-frequency resources include time domain resources and time-frequency resources, and the indication parameters corresponding to the time domain resources may include: the starting position of the time domain resources (for example, the starting time slot) and the time domain length, and the time domain length may be indicated by the number of continuous time units; the indication parameters corresponding to the frequency domain resources in the forwarding time-frequency resources may include: the starting position of the frequency domain resources (for example, the starting RB index number) and the frequency domain length, and the frequency domain length may be indicated by the number of occupied frequency domain units. Optionally, the starting position of the forwarded time-frequency resources is determined according to the position of the time-frequency resources of the received MAC CE message. For example, the time-frequency resources for forwarding data can be the relative value of the time-frequency resource position where the control signaling is located by the first relay node. Assuming that the time domain resource where the control signaling is located is time slot n, and the frequency domain resource where the control signaling is located is the frequency domain minimum sequence number resource block RB x, then the starting position of the time-frequency resources for forwarding data is time slot n+k, and the starting position of the frequency domain resources is RB x+m. Among them, k and m are both offset values, and the values ​​of k and m can be configured by the base station / system, and the specific size is not limited in this application. Among them, the first relay node determines the starting position of the time-frequency resources for forwarding data, the value of the time domain length, and the value of the frequency domain length, which are not limited in this application.

[0258] It should be understood that, assuming that the forwarding direction indicated in the MAC CE message is uplink transmission, as shown in (2) in FIG. 17 , it is similar to (1) in the above FIG. 17 and will not be repeated here.

[0259] It should also be understood that the above-mentioned MAC CE message may not include one or more of the forwarding direction, forwarding mode, and frequency information. The forwarding direction, forwarding mode, and frequency information can be indicated through separate signaling. The above-mentioned Figure 17 is only an example and does not impose any limitation on the technical solution in this application.

[0260] It should also be understood that the routing information shown in Figure 17 above may also include the identification information and path identification information of the destination node (such as the path identification in Table 2), or the port number of the first relay node (such as port 2), which corresponds to the second relay node, or include the location information / ephemeris information of the second relay node, etc. This application will not give examples one by one.

[0261] It should also be understood that FIG. 17 is introduced using transparent transmission (transparent forwarding) as an example, and this example is also applicable to the regeneration forwarding mode, which will not be described in detail here.

[0262] Based on the description in FIG. 14 , in step 1401, the first relay node receives routing information and forwards the forwarded data from the node that sent the routing information to the node indicated by the routing information. The routing information may also include a first parameter and a second parameter. The first parameter and the second parameter may be used to instruct the first relay node to receive the forwarded data from the node / device indicated by the first parameter and to send the forwarded data to the node / device indicated by the second parameter, respectively. Alternatively, the first parameter and the second parameter may be used to instruct the first relay node to receive the forwarded data from the node / device indicated by the second parameter and to send the forwarded data to the node / device indicated by the first parameter, respectively.

[0263] It should be understood that the first parameter may be used to indicate the node / device / beam direction from which the first relay node receives forwarded data; and the second parameter may be used to indicate the node / device / beam direction from which the first relay node sends forwarded data. Alternatively, the first parameter may be used to indicate the node / device / beam direction from which the first relay node sends forwarded data; and the second parameter may be used to indicate the node / device / beam direction from which the first relay node receives forwarded data.

[0264] As an example, the first parameter and / or the second parameter may be specifically represented by any one or more of the following examples: identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; identification information of the next and / or previous relay node of the first relay node; satellite ephemeris information / position information, forwarding port, beam position index, terminal device position, identification information of the terminal device, beam precoding index (beam index), reference position, beam position angle information, etc. of the next and / or previous relay node. The forwarding port may correspond to the previous and / or next relay node of the first relay node.

[0265] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can determine the transmission process of forwarded data by combining the first parameter and the second parameter included in the above-mentioned routing information with one or more of the forwarding mode, time-frequency resources, forwarding frequency information, and forwarding direction in FIG14 . Specific examples are not listed one by one in this application.

[0266] In one possible implementation, the routing information includes a first parameter and a second parameter. It is assumed that the first parameter is used to indicate relay node #0, the second parameter is used to indicate relay node #2, and the first relay node is relay node #1. The data transmission direction is: relay node #0 → relay node #1 → relay node #2 for uplink transmission, and relay node #2 → relay node #1 → relay node #0 for downlink transmission.

[0267] Assume that the first relay node determines relay node #0 based on the first parameter in the routing information and determines relay node #2 based on the second parameter. The first relay node determines whether to transmit uplink or downlink based on the received forwarding direction, and receives and sends forwarding data on the corresponding time-frequency resources based on the forwarding time-frequency resources. For example, if the first relay node receives the forwarding direction as the uplink transmission method, that is, the first relay node will receive the forwarding data sent from relay node #0 on the corresponding time-frequency resources based on the forwarding time-frequency resources, and send the forwarding data to relay node #2 on the corresponding time-frequency resources; if the first relay node receives the forwarding direction as the downlink transmission method, that is, the first relay node will receive the forwarding data sent from relay node #2 on the corresponding time-frequency resources based on the forwarding time-frequency resources, and send the forwarding data to relay node #0 on the corresponding time-frequency resources.

[0268] It should be understood that the forwarding path can be pre-configured, or agreed upon by protocol, or pre-defined for the first relay node, and this application does not limit this.

[0269] In another possible implementation, the routing information includes a first parameter and a second parameter. Assume that the first parameter indicates relay node #0, the second parameter indicates relay node #2, and the first relay node is relay node #1. The system predefines or preconfigures that the relay node corresponding to the first parameter is a relay node that the first relay node receives and forwards data from, and the relay node corresponding to the second parameter is a relay node that the first relay node sends and forwards data from. Alternatively, the system predefines or preconfigures that the relay node corresponding to the first parameter is a relay node that the first relay node sends and forwards data from, and the relay node corresponding to the second parameter is a relay node that the first relay node receives and forwards data from.

[0270] It should be understood that the system may predefine, preconfigure, or stipulate by protocol that relay node #1 receives forwarded data from relay node #0 and sends the forwarded data to relay node #2; or that relay node #1 receives forwarded data from relay node #1 and sends the forwarded data to relay node #0. The first relay node may determine the node information corresponding to receiving and sending the forwarded data based on the routing information, i.e., there is no need to configure the forwarding direction for the first relay node.

[0271] Assume that the first relay node determines relay node #0 based on the first parameter in the routing information and determines relay node #2 based on the second parameter. The first relay node determines to receive and send forwarded data on the corresponding time-frequency resources based on the forwarding time-frequency resources and the system pre-configured information. Assume that the system pre-configuration or protocol stipulates that relay node #1 receives forwarded data from relay node #0 and sends forwarded data to relay node #2. The first relay node receives forwarded data sent from relay node #0 on the corresponding time-frequency resources based on the forwarding time-frequency resources and sends forwarded data to relay node #2 on the corresponding time-frequency resources. Assume also that the system pre-configured relay node #1 receives forwarded data from relay node #2 and sends forwarded data to relay node #0. The first relay node receives forwarded data sent from relay node #2 on the corresponding time-frequency resources based on the forwarding time-frequency resources and sends forwarded data to relay node #0 on the corresponding time-frequency resources.

[0272] It should be understood that the first relay node determines the corresponding relay node #0 and relay node #2 based on the first parameter and the second parameter in the routing information. The first relay node can receive and / or send forwarding data on the corresponding forwarding time-frequency resources according to the indicated forwarding direction, or the relay node corresponding to the reception / sending of forwarding data pre-configured by the system or agreed upon by the protocol, or the forwarding direction pre-configured by the system or agreed upon by the protocol. In the process of transmitting forwarding data, the first relay node can also transmit the forwarding information according to the forwarding mode and / or frequency information. The forwarding mode adopted by the first relay node can be a regenerative forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode. The forwarding mode can be indicated to the first relay node through signaling, or the first relay node can select a forwarding mode supported by itself to forward the forwarding data according to its own capabilities. For the specific forwarding mode and frequency information, please refer to the specific introduction in Figure 14 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0273] Next, we will introduce specific examples of how a relay node determines the beam direction for receiving / sending forwarded data, combining downlink and uplink transmissions. In this example, the relay node determines the beam direction for downlink transmission, assuming that the relay node is the last relay node in the transmission process. This method determines the beam direction when the relay node sends forwarded data to a terminal device. In the example of uplink transmission, assuming that the relay node is the first relay node in the transmission process, this method determines the beam direction and receives forwarded data from a terminal device.

[0274] It should be understood that the relay node receives information indicating the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, and the information indicating the relay node can come from the above-mentioned routing information. The relay node determines the previous relay node and / or the next relay node of the relay node based on the information indicating the previous relay node and / or the next relay node. The previous relay node of the relay node can be a node that sends forwarding information or routing information to the relay node, and the next relay node of the relay node can be a relay node that receives the forwarding information sent by the relay node. The relay node forwards the forwarded data from the previous relay node to the next relay node.

[0275] For example, the information indicating the previous relay node and / or the next relay node may include one or more items such as identification information of the destination node and identification information of the path, identification information of the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, a forwarding port number, a beam index (beam precoding index, beam index), and satellite ephemeris / position information of the previous relay node and / or the next relay node. The forwarding port number corresponds to the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, the forwarding port corresponds to the beam index corresponding to the previous relay node and / or the next relay node, and the beam direction corresponding to the beam index corresponds to the previous relay node and / or the next relay node.

[0276] It should also be understood that the relay node may also determine a coverage area, where the coverage area is used to indicate the coverage area to which the beam of the relay node for receiving and forwarding data points, and / or the coverage area to which the beam of the relay node for sending and forwarding data points. The relay node receives and / or sends forwarded data based on the coverage area to which the receive beam and / or transmit beam points.

[0277] For example, the relay node may determine the coverage area based on one or more of a beam position index, a UE number or index number, a UE position, a beam precoding index (beam index), a reference position, and beam angle information. The coverage area is used to indicate a coverage area in which the relay node receives forwarded data and / or a coverage area in which the relay node sends the forwarded data.

[0278] It should also be understood that when the relay node receives and / or sends forwarding data, the relay node can transmit the forwarding data based on information such as time-frequency resource information, forwarding direction, and forwarding method. For the introduction of the above-mentioned forwarding direction, time-frequency resource information, and forwarding method, please refer to the introduction in Figure 14 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] Example 1: Assume that the second relay node is the last relay node in the downlink transmission direction, and the second relay node forwards information to the terminal device.

[0280] When the second relay node is the last relay node in the downlink transmission direction, the second relay node may determine that it is the last relay node based on the identification information of the destination relay node included in the routing information being the identification information of the second relay node, or based on the identification information of the second relay node, the location information / satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node, and other information. Alternatively, the routing information may further include an end flag / identifier for stopping relay node forwarding, and the end flag is used by the second relay node to determine that it is the last relay node.

[0281] 1.1) The second relay node may determine the terrestrial waveband region, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource for forwarding the information based on the waveband index, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource information in the routing information. The second relay node may then forward the information to the terminal device based on the terrestrial waveband region, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource.

[0282] The ground is divided and numbered by wave positions, and the second relay node determines the indicated wave position (signal coverage area) to which the forwarding information is to be forwarded according to the wave position index number, that is, the second relay node can determine the beam coverage area to which the forwarding information is sent.

[0283] 1.2) The second relay node may determine the beam direction of the forwarding information according to the UE position, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources corresponding to the forwarding information indicated in the routing information.

[0284] Among them, the second relay node can calculate the beam direction based on the UE location information and the location information of the second relay node, that is, the second relay node can determine the direction of the sending beam.

[0285] 1.3) The second relay node determines a beam direction of the forwarding information according to the UE number or index number, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information.

[0286] Among them, the second relay node pre-stores the correspondence between the UE index number and the UE's location information (or pre-stores the correspondence between the UE index number and the beam coverage area). The second relay node can determine the UE's location or the beam where the UE is located based on the UE's index number, that is, determine the direction of the transmitting beam.

[0287] 1.4) The second relay node determines a beam direction for forwarding the information according to the beam direction, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources indicated in the routing information.

[0288] The beam direction is determined by the precoding used as indicated by the beam precoding index (an index table of precoding preset or configured by the base station).

[0289] Optionally, the second relay node is preconfigured, or a beam precoding list, i.e., a mapping table of indices and precoding parameters, is pre-sent (e.g., via RRC signaling). The beam precoding index is then sent to the second relay node (e.g., via MAC CE or DCI signaling), and the second relay node determines the direction of the transmission beam based on the beam precoding index.

[0290] 1.5) The second relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarding information according to the beam direction, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information.

[0291] The beam direction is determined by a mapping relationship between a beam index and a predefined beam direction, beam width, etc. The mapping relationship between the beam index and the predefined beam direction, beam width is preconfigured or predefined.

[0292] 1.6) The second relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarding information based on the reference position, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources indicated in the routing information. The reference position may be a reference point within the coverage range of the beam.

[0293] The second relay node may calculate the beam direction according to the reference position and the position information of the second relay node, that is, determine the beam direction for forwarding information.

[0294] 1.7) The second relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarded information based on the beam angle information (e.g., elevation angle θ, azimuth angle φ) indicated in the routing information, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources. For example, the second relay node can determine the beam elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ using its antenna panel as a coordinate system, thereby determining the beam direction of the second relay forwarded information. As shown in Figure 16, using the antenna panel as a reference system, the elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ can be defined as shown in the figure, with the boresight of the beam pointing to the elevation angle θ and azimuth φ.

[0295] Example 2: Assume that the first relay node is the first relay node in the uplink transmission direction, and the first relay node receives forwarding information from the terminal device.

[0296] Among them, when the first relay node is the first relay node in the uplink transmission direction, the first relay node can determine the receiving beam direction of the information forwarded by the receiving terminal device based on the routing information of the first relay node in the routing information, as well as the wave position index, the location information of the terminal device, the identification information of the terminal device, the index number of the terminal device, the beam index, the reference position, and one or more of the beam.

[0297] 2.1) The first relay node may determine the terrestrial waveband region, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource for the forwarding information based on the waveband index, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource information in the routing information. The first relay node then receives the forwarding information from the terminal device based on the terrestrial waveband region, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resource information.

[0298] The ground is divided and numbered by wave position, and the first relay node determines to forward the forwarding information of the receiving terminal device to the next relay node (for example, the second relay node) according to the wave position index number.

[0299] 2.2) The first relay node may determine a beam direction for receiving the forwarding information of the terminal device based on the UE position, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources corresponding to the forwarding information indicated in the routing information.

[0300] The first relay node can calculate the beam direction based on the UE location information and the location information of the first relay node, that is, the first relay node can determine the direction of the receiving beam.

[0301] 2.3) The first relay node determines a beam direction for receiving the forwarding information of the terminal device according to the UE number or index number of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources.

[0302] Among them, the first relay node pre-stores the correspondence between the UE index number and the UE's location information (or pre-stores the correspondence between the UE index number and the beam coverage area). The first relay node can determine the UE's location or the beam where the UE is located based on the UE's index number, that is, determine the direction of the receiving beam.

[0303] 2.4) The first relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarding information of the receiving terminal device according to the beam direction, forwarding direction and time-frequency resources indicating the forwarding information in the routing information.

[0304] The beam direction is determined by the precoding used as indicated by the beam precoding index (an index table of precoding preset or configured by the base station).

[0305] Optionally, the first relay node is preconfigured, or a beam precoding list, i.e., a mapping table of indices and precoding parameters, is pre-sent (e.g., via RRC signaling). The beam precoding index is then sent to the first relay node (e.g., via MAC CE or DCI signaling), and the first relay node determines the direction of the receiving beam based on the beam precoding index.

[0306] 2.5) The first relay node determines the beam direction of the forwarding information of the receiving terminal device according to the beam direction, forwarding direction and time-frequency resources of the forwarding information indicated in the routing information.

[0307] The beam direction is determined by a mapping relationship between a beam index and a predefined beam direction, beam width, etc. The mapping relationship between the beam index and the predefined beam direction, beam width is preconfigured or predefined.

[0308] 2.6) The first relay node determines the beam direction for receiving the forwarded information of the terminal device based on the reference position, forwarding direction, and time-frequency resources indicated in the routing information. The reference position may be a reference point within the beam coverage range.

[0309] The first relay node may calculate the beam direction based on the reference position and the position information of the first relay node, that is, determine the beam direction for receiving and forwarding information.

[0310] 2.7) The first relay node determines the beam direction for receiving the forwarded information from the terminal device based on the beam angle information (e.g., elevation angle θ, azimuth angle φ) indicated in the routing information, the forwarding direction, and the time-frequency resources. For example, the first relay node may determine the beam elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ using its antenna panel as a coordinate system, thereby determining the beam direction for receiving the forwarded information by the first relay node, such as by aligning the boresight of the beam at elevation angle θ and azimuth angle φ.

[0311] It should be understood that the present application is introduced by taking the example that in downlink transmission, the second relay node acts as the last relay node, determines the transmission beam and forwards the forwarding information to the terminal device; in uplink transmission, the first relay node acts as the first relay node, determines the receiving beam and receives the forwarding information from the terminal device. Of course, when the first relay node / the second relay node can also be a relay node located in the middle of the transmission during the forwarding process, it is also applicable to the scenario of determining the receiving beam for receiving the forwarding information of the previous relay node, or the transmitting beam for sending the forwarding information to the next relay node, wherein the next relay node in the downlink transmission is equivalent to the terminal device described above; and the previous relay node in the uplink transmission is equivalent to the terminal device. In addition, when the base station sends an instruction to the relay node, the relay node is equivalent to the terminal, and the previous forwarding node of the relay node is equivalent to the last node in the downlink or the first node in the uplink. This application will not list them one by one.

[0312] According to the above-mentioned Example 1 and Example 2, the routing information includes routing information of the first relay node, and the routing information can be used to determine the direction of the receiving beam and / or the direction of the transmitting beam. The direction of the receiving beam and / or the direction of the transmitting beam can be determined based on one or more of the following: a beam position index in the routing information, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, an index number of the terminal device, a beam index, and a reference position.

[0313] Based on the introduction of the above method, the relay node (e.g., the first relay node, the second relay node) includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU, and a transparent forwarding unit; or, when the relay node (e.g., the first relay node, the second relay node) includes a mobile terminal MT and a transparent forwarding unit; or, when the relay node (e.g., the first relay node, the second relay node) includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, a schematic diagram of a specific protocol stack for forwarding data is provided in detail in this application using Figures 17 to 23 as an example. When the relay device includes a mobile terminal MT, it can access the previous parent node as a terminal.

[0314] Wherein, it is assumed that the relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU and a transparent forwarding unit, which are referred to as a network controlled transparent forwarding node (network controlled transparent node) in Figures 17 to 23, and are indicated by NCTN in the embodiment of the present application. The NCTN may also have other names, which are not limited in the present application. The NCTN has the function of regenerative forwarding and the function of transparent forwarding, that is, the NCTN can adopt a regenerative forwarding method or a transparent forwarding method for forwarding data. It is assumed that the relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, which are referred to as a network controlled regenerative forwarding node (network controlled regenerative node) in Figures 18 to 25, and are indicated by NCRN in the embodiment of the present application. The NCRN may also have other names, which are not limited in the present application. The NCRN has the function of regenerative forwarding, that is, the NCRN forwards the forwarded data by regenerative forwarding.

[0315] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the network architecture between NCTN and NCRN provided in an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the F1 interface is used for the connection between gNobeB-donor-CU and NCTN-DU, NCRN-DU, and is inherited from the F1 interface between DU and CU. The Uu air interface is used for the connection between donor-DU and NCTN-MT, the connection between NCTN-DU and NCRN-MT, and the connection between NCRN-DU and NCTN-MT. Among them, the NCTN-MT in relay node #1 as shown in Figure 18 accesses gNobeB as a terminal device and establishes a Uu port connection. The NCRN-MT in relay node #2 accesses the NCTN-DU of relay node #1 as a terminal device and establishes a Uu port connection. The NCTN-MT in relay node #3 accesses the NCRN-DU in relay node #2 as a terminal device and establishes a Uu port connection.

[0316] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack from the perspective of a terminal device, which can be considered a backhaul link. The NCTN in Figure 19 transparently processes (forwards) data transmitted between the UE and the gNB. The NCRN regenerates and forwards data transmitted between the UE and the gNB through the MT and DU, performing operations such as decoding, reassembly, and encoding. During regeneration and forwarding, the NCRN supports forwarding to the RLC layer. The GTP-U, UDP, and IP layers inherit the CU / DU separation and provide a channel for data transmission between the CU and DU.

[0317] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack from the perspective of the NCTN, which can be considered a control link, with the gNB sending control instructions to the NCTN-MT. The protocol stack from the perspective of the NCRN-MT is similar to that in Figure 19.

[0318] As shown in FIG20 , NCTN can establish a connection with the MT of the next node through NCTN-DU, and can use the beam alignment method in the prior art (such as beam scanning at the transmitting end and feedback of the maximum SNR beam index at the receiving end) to support beam alignment with the next node, realize the transmission of a narrow beam, improve the reliability of the control link (improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the control link, and provide HARQ or ARQ retransmission mode for the control link between the next nodes), and improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the backhaul link.

[0319] It should be noted that the forwarding of control information on the control link at the NCTN node can be forwarded to the target NCTN-MT or NCRN-MT by transparent forwarding (hereinafter referred to as method 1). Alternatively, it can be forwarded to the target NCTN-MT or NCRN-MT by NCTN's regenerative forwarding method (i.e., the NCTN-MT or NCRN-MT is regarded as a UE, as shown in Figure 19) (hereinafter referred to as method 2).

[0320] In method 1, the gNB sends control information to the NCTN-MT / NCRN-MT. NCTN transparently forwards the corresponding resources to the next node when passing through the NCTN. In method 2, the gNB sends control information to the NCTN-MT / NCRN-MT when passing through the NCTN. The NCTN-MT decodes the information, regenerates it, and then re-encodes it and forwards it to the next node via the NCTN-DU.

[0321] It can be seen that method 1 is simple to implement and has low complexity. Method 2 has higher reliability in transmitting control information and can reduce retransmission delay.

[0322] Figures 21 and 22 are control plane protocol stacks. Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack from the perspective of a UE provided in an embodiment of the present application. Compared with the user plane protocol stack in Figure 19, the SDAP layer is replaced by the RRC layer, the GTP-U layer is replaced by F1AP, and the UDP layer is replaced by SCTP (only the user plane protocol stack schematic is given in the following embodiments. It is only necessary to replace the above layers to obtain the corresponding control plane protocol stack). Among them, the F1AP, SCTP, and IP layers are inherited from the separation of CU and DU, providing a channel for data transmission between CU and DU.

[0323] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of the control plane protocol stack from the NCTN-MT perspective provided in an embodiment of the present application. Compared with the user plane protocol stack in Figure 19, the SDAP layer is replaced by the RRC layer, the GTP-U layer is replaced by F1AP, and the UDP layer is replaced by SCTP (only the user plane protocol stack schematic is provided in the following embodiments; the corresponding control plane protocol stack can be obtained by simply replacing the above layers). Among them, the F1AP, SCTP, and IP layers are inherited from the CU and DU separation and provide channels for data transmission between the CU and DU.

[0324] It should be understood that FIG19 and FIG20 respectively introduce schematic diagrams of the user plane protocol stack, and FIG21 and FIG22 respectively introduce schematic diagrams of the control plane protocol stack.

[0325] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application. When performing regeneration forwarding, the NCRN supports forwarding to the MAC layer. This indicates that Figure 23 has lower forwarding latency compared to Figure 19. However, Figure 19 supports regeneration forwarding to the RLC layer, which supports ARQ and HARQ retransmissions, resulting in higher reliability. Compared to Figure 19, Figure 23 supports forwarding to the MAC layer, resulting in lower complexity and processing latency.

[0326] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided by an embodiment of the present application. Compared to Figure 20 , NCRN and NCTN support forwarding to the MAC layer during regeneration and forwarding, indicating lower forwarding latency in Figure 24 compared to Figure 20 . However, Figure 20 supports forwarding to the RLC layer, meaning ARQ and HARQ retransmissions are supported, resulting in higher reliability. Compared to Figure 20 , Figure 24 supports forwarding to the MAC layer, resulting in lower complexity and processing latency.

[0327] It can be seen that, as shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 , compared with FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 , during regeneration forwarding at the intermediate node, the data is forwarded to the MAC layer instead of the RLC layer, which can reduce forwarding complexity and delay.

[0328] It should be understood that the relay nodes shown in FIG. 19 to FIG. 24 include NCTN and NCRN. When all relay nodes are NCTN, the schematic diagrams of the user plane protocol stack are shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 .

[0329] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack from the perspective of a terminal device, which can be considered a backhaul link. The NCTN in Figure 25 performs transparent forwarding of data transmitted between the UE and the gNB.

[0330] It should be understood that the NCTN in Figure 25 uses a fully transparent transmission method to transmit data between the UE and the gNB. The method provided in this application is also applicable to the existing NCR scenario, that is, those skilled in the art can easily apply the method provided in this application to NCR.

[0331] Figure 26 shows a detailed network architecture diagram in which all forwarding and relaying utilize NCTN. The F1 interface connects the gNB-donor-CU and the NCTN-DU, inheriting the F1 interface between the DU and the CU. The Uu air interface connects the donor-DU and the NCTN-MT, and the NCTN-DU and the NCTN-MT. As shown in Figure 25, the NCTN-MT in relay node #1 accesses the gNB as a terminal device, establishing a Uu interface connection. The NCTN-MT in relay node #2 accesses the NCTN-DU in relay node #1 as a terminal device, establishing a Uu interface connection. The NCTN-MT in relay node #3 accesses the NCTN-DU in relay node #2 as a terminal device, establishing a Uu interface connection. Relay nodes #1, #2, and #3 transparently forward data between the gNB and the UE.

[0332] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of another user plane protocol stack provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack from the perspective of the NCTN-MT, which can be considered as a control link. The NCTN in Figure 27 performs regeneration and forwarding processing on the data transmitted between the UE (relay device) and the gNB. During regeneration and forwarding, the NCTN supports forwarding to the RLC layer, that is, supports ARQ and HARQ retransmission, which provides higher reliability.

[0333] Figures 19 to 27 above illustrate the forwarding methods for the user plane protocol stack and the control plane protocol stack, respectively. Transparent forwarding relay nodes include MTs, DUs, and transparent forwarding functionality, enabling transparent forwarding and regenerative forwarding. Transparent forwarding nodes and regenerative forwarding nodes can support forwarding to the RLC layer or to the MAC layer. Supporting forwarding to the RLC layer improves control link reliability and the signal-to-noise ratio of the backhaul link. Supporting forwarding to the MAC layer reduces transmission complexity, lowers costs, and reduces transmission latency.

[0334] The method embodiment of the present application is described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The device embodiment of the present application is described below. It can be understood that the description of the method embodiment and the description of the device embodiment can correspond to each other. Therefore, for parts not described, reference can be made to the previous method embodiment.

[0335] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the terminal device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the terminal device, and the methods and operations implemented by the first relay node can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the second relay node.

[0336] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that each network element, such as a transmitting end device or a receiving end device, includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to the execution of each function in order to implement the above functions. Those skilled in the art should be aware that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0337] In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules of the transmitting device or the receiving device can be divided according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following is an example of dividing each functional module according to each function.

[0338] Figure 28 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0339] The device 2800 includes a transceiver unit 2810 and a processing unit 2820, wherein the transceiver unit 2810 can be used to implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 2820 can be used to perform data processing.

[0340] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2810 may also be referred to as a communication interface or communication unit, and may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit. The transceiver unit 2810 may be a transceiver (including a transmitter and / or a receiver), an input / output interface (including an input and / or output interface), a pin, or a circuit. The transceiver unit 2810 may be configured to perform the transmitting and / or receiving steps in the above-described method embodiments.

[0341] Optionally, the processing unit 2820 may be a processor (may include one or more), a processing circuit with processor functions, etc., and may be used to execute other steps except sending and receiving in the above method embodiment.

[0342] Optionally, the apparatus 2800 further includes a storage unit, which may be a memory, an internal storage unit (e.g., a register, a cache, etc.), an external storage unit (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.), etc. The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the processing unit 2820 executes the instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the communication apparatus to perform the above method.

[0343] In one design, the apparatus 2800 may correspond to the first relay node in the above method embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the first relay node.

[0344] The device 2800 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the first relay node in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver unit 2810 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first relay node in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 2820 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the first relay node in the above method embodiment.

[0345] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 2810 is used to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, the routing information is used to determine the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; the processing unit 2820 is used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node based on the time-frequency resource information, wherein the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0346] In another design, the apparatus 2800 may correspond to the second relay node in the above method embodiment, or be a component (such as a chip) of the second relay node.

[0347] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 2810 is used to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, wherein the routing information is used to determine that the communication device is the last relay node transmitted between the network device and the terminal device; the transceiver unit 2810 is used to send second information to the terminal device or the network device based on the time-frequency resource information, wherein the second information includes information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device, wherein the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

[0348] In which, when the device 2800 is used to execute the method in Figures 14 to 27, the transceiver unit 2810 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method; the processing unit 2820 can be used to execute other processing steps in the method except sending and receiving information.

[0349] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0350] It should also be understood that the device 2800 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 2800 can be specifically the first relay node in the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the first relay node in the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, they will not be described here.

[0351] The apparatus 2800 of each of the above-mentioned solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the devices (such as the first relay node and the second relay node) in the above-mentioned methods. This function can be implemented by hardware, or the corresponding software can be implemented by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the sending and receiving operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0352] In addition, the above-mentioned transceiver unit 2810 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it can include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing unit can be a processing circuit.

[0353] It should be noted that the apparatus in FIG28 may be a network element or device in the aforementioned embodiment, or may be a chip or chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit may be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. This is not limited here.

[0354] Figure 29 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2900 shown in Figure 29 includes a processor 2910, a memory 2920, and a transceiver 2930. The processor 2910 is coupled to the memory 2920 and is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 2920 to control the transceiver 2930 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0355] It should be understood that the processor 2910 and memory 2920 can be combined into a processing device, and the processor 2910 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 2920 to implement the above functions. In specific implementations, the memory 2920 can also be integrated into the processor 2910, or independent of the processor 2910. It should be understood that the processor 2910 can also correspond to the various processing units in the aforementioned communication device, and the transceiver 2930 can correspond to the various receiving units and transmitting units in the aforementioned communication device.

[0356] It should also be understood that the transceiver 2930 may include a receiver (or receiver) and a transmitter (or transmitter). The transceiver may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more. The transceiver may also be a communication interface or interface circuit.

[0357] Specifically, the communication device 2900 may correspond to the device (first relay node or second relay node) in Figures 14 to 27 according to the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 2900 may include units of the method performed by the first relay node in Figures 14 to 27, or units of the method performed by the second relay node. It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0358] When the communication device 2900 is a chip, the chip includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; and the processing unit may be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0359] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0360] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0361] The present application also provides a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0362] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0363] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by 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 instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0364] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0365] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0366] 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 through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0367] 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.

[0368] 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.

[0369] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0370] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

[0371] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are used to represent computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and a computing device can be a component. One or more components can reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and a component can be located on a computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media having various data structures stored thereon. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component on a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0372] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information, wherein the routing information is used to determine the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resource for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; The first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, The first relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes a forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first relay node performing the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information includes: The first relay node determines a forwarding mode, where the forwarding mode includes a regenerative forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; The first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first relay node determines the forwarding mode, including: The first relay node determines the forwarding mode according to first information, where the first information includes the forwarding mode; or, The first relay node performs blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding mode, The second information is information of the data transmission.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, including: The first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the transparent forwarding mode and / or the regenerative forwarding mode.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: When the forwarding mode is a transparent forwarding mode, the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, including: The first relay node transmits the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information; When the forwarding mode is a regeneration forwarding mode, the first relay node performs the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, including: The first relay node transmits third information to the second relay node according to the regeneration and forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, where the third information is determined according to the second information and the regeneration and forwarding mode.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first relay node receives a forwarding direction, where the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction, The first relay node performing the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information includes: The first relay node performs data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The routing information includes routing information of the first relay node, and the method further includes: The first relay node transmits second information according to the routing information, the time-frequency resources and the forwarding mode, wherein the second information is information of the data transmission. The routing information may further include any one of the following: a beam position index, location information of a terminal device, identification information of a terminal device, an index number of a terminal device, a beam index, a reference position, and angle information of a beam.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU and a transparent forwarding unit, The MT is used to establish a first link, which is used to connect the MT to the DU of the upper-level device. The first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, which is used to provide access for the MT of the lower-level device. The second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The first relay node includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, Among them, the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the next-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The first relay node supports a regeneration and forwarding mode of a radio link control layer RLC; or the first relay node supports a regeneration and forwarding mode of a MAC layer.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second relay node receives routing information and time-frequency resource information, wherein the routing information is used by the second relay node to determine that the second relay node is the last relay node for transmission between the network device and the terminal device; The second relay node sends second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information, where the second information includes information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device. The second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes an end flag for stopping forwarding between relay nodes.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second relay node receives a forwarding direction, where the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. The second relay node sending the second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information includes: The second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The routing information includes routing information of the first relay node, and the method further includes: The second relay node sends the second information to the terminal device according to the routing information, the time-frequency resources and the forwarding method, and the routing information also includes one or more of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, index number of the terminal device, beam index, reference position, and angle information of the beam.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that The second relay node includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU and a transparent forwarding unit, Among them, the MT is used to establish a first link, which is used to connect the MT to a distributed unit of an upper-level device, and the first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, and the second link is used to provide access for a mobile terminal MT of a lower-level device, and the second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that The second relay node comprises a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, Among them, the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the next-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The second relay node supports a regeneration and forwarding mode of a radio link control RLC layer; or the second relay node supports a regeneration and forwarding mode of a MAC layer.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, wherein the routing information is used to determine the second relay node, and the time-frequency resource information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for data transmission between the first relay node and the second relay node; a processing unit, configured to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information, The communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node, and the second relay node is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes location information of the second relay node; or, the routing information includes a forwarding port of the first relay node, and the forwarding port corresponds to the second relay node.

21. The device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The processing unit is further used to determine a forwarding mode according to the first information, where the forwarding mode includes a regeneration forwarding mode or a transparent forwarding mode; The processing unit is further used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information.

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that The first information includes the forwarding mode, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the forwarding mode according to the first information; or, The processing unit is further configured to perform blind detection and / or decoding on the time-frequency resources of the second information to determine the forwarding mode, The second information is information of the data transmission.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that The processing unit is further used to perform data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the transparent forwarding method and / or the regeneration forwarding method.

24. The device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that When the forwarding mode is a transparent forwarding mode, the processing unit is further configured to transmit the second information to the second relay node according to the transparent forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information; When the forwarding mode is a regeneration forwarding mode, the processing unit is further used to transmit third information to the second relay node according to the regeneration forwarding mode and the time-frequency resource information, and the third information is determined according to the second information and the regeneration forwarding mode.

25. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that The transceiver unit is further used to receive a forwarding direction, where the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction; The processing unit is further used to perform the data transmission with the second relay node according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that The routing information includes routing information of the communication device, The processing unit is further configured to transmit second information according to the routing information, the time-frequency resources and the forwarding mode, wherein the second information is information of the data transmission. The routing information may further include any one of the following: a wave position index, location information of a terminal device, identification information of a terminal device, an index number of a terminal device, a beam index, and a reference position.

27. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 26, characterized in that The communication device also includes a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU and a transparent forwarding unit. The MT is used to establish a first link, which is used to connect the MT to the DU of the upper-level device. The first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, which is used to provide access for the MT of the lower-level device. The second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

28. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 27, characterized in that The communication device also includes a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, Among them, the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the next-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

29. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that The communication device supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the radio link control layer RLC; or the communication device supports the regeneration and forwarding mode of the MAC layer.

30. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive routing information and time-frequency resource information, wherein the routing information is used to determine that the communication device is the last relay node for transmission between the network device and the terminal device; a processing unit, configured to send second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information, wherein the second information includes information transmitted between the network device and the terminal device, Wherein, the communication device is a ground relay node or a satellite relay node.

31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that The routing information includes identification information of the destination relay node and identification information of the forwarding path; or, the routing information includes identification information of the communication device; or, the routing information includes satellite ephemeris information of the communication device; or, the routing information includes location information of the communication device; or, the routing information includes an end flag for stopping forwarding between relay nodes.

32. The device according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a forwarding direction, wherein the forwarding direction includes an uplink forwarding direction or a downlink forwarding direction. The processing unit is further used to send second information to the terminal device or the network device according to the time-frequency resource information and the forwarding direction.

33. The device according to claim 32, characterized in that The routing information includes routing information of the terminal device, The processing unit is also used to send the second information to the terminal device according to the routing information, and the routing information also includes one or more of the following: wave position index, location information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, index number of the terminal device, beam index, and reference position.

34. The device according to any one of claims 30 to 33, characterized in that The communication device comprises a mobile terminal MT, a distributed unit DU and a transparent forwarding unit. Among them, the MT is used to establish a first link, which is used to connect the MT to a distributed unit of an upper-level device, and the first link is a control link. The DU is used to establish a second link, and the second link is used to provide access for a mobile terminal MT of a lower-level device, and the second link is a control link. The transparent forwarding unit is used to provide a transparent forwarding function.

35. The device according to any one of claims 30 to 33, characterized in that The communication device comprises a mobile terminal MT and a distributed unit DU, Among them, the MT is used to establish a third link, the third link is used to connect to the distributed unit of the upper-level device, the third link is a control link, the DU is used to establish a fourth link, the fourth link is used to provide access for the mobile terminal MT of the next-level device or the terminal device, and the fourth link is a control link or an access link.

36. The device according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that The communication device supports a regeneration and forwarding mode of a radio link control RLC layer; or the communication device supports a regeneration and forwarding mode of a MAC layer.

37. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, and the processor is used to call computer program instructions stored in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

38. A chip, characterized in that: It includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive data and / or information and transmit the received data and / or information to the processor, and the processor processes the data and / or information to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-18.

39. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

40. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

Images