Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The communication method applied to a host node of a first relay node comprises: receiving a first data packet from a source node; determining that the first data packet is a target data packet; and sending the first data packet to a target node. The first relay node comprises a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and a second access network node; and the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and is different from the host node. If the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; and if the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202410391267.1, filed on March 29, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of wireless communication, in particular to a communication method, a communication device, a communication equipment, a chip module, a communication system and a readable storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0003] In scenarios such as vehicle mounted relay (VMR), a relay device is required to provide complete access network node functions for a user equipment (UE) and access a host node through wireless backhaul, thereby forming a relay network architecture. There are cases where the access network node in the relay device and the adjacent access network node need to interact with each other. For this case, under the relay network architecture, after the data from the access network node in the relay device is sent to the host node, the host node forwards it to the core network device and then to the adjacent access network node. This has the problems of long data transmission delay and low communication efficiency. Therefore, under the relay network architecture, how to efficiently forward the data exchanged between the access network node in the relay device and the adjacent access network node has become a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication equipment, a chip module, a communication system, a readable storage medium, and a computer program product.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application relates to a communication method applied to a host node of a first relay node, comprising: receiving a first data packet from a source node; determining that the first data packet is a target data packet; and sending the first data packet to a target node.

[0006] The first relay node includes a first mobile terminal and a first access network node. A protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device. The first PDU session provides backhaul functions for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0007] The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and a second access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0008] The source node is the first access network node, and the target node is the second access network node; or the source node is the second access network node, and the target node is the first access network node.

[0009] For example, the source node is the first access network node, and the target node is the second access network node. In this case, the first data packet from the first access network node is sent to the host node. The host node determines that the first data packet is a target data packet and forwards the first data packet to the target node, i.e., the second access network node. Alternatively, the source node is the second access network node, and the target node is the first access network node. In this case, the second access network node can send the first data packet from the second access network node to the host node. The host node determines that the first data packet is a target data packet and forwards the first data packet to the target node, i.e., the first access network node.

[0010] The first access network node and the second access network node can be understood as different access network devices. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The target data packet can also be understood as Xn data or Xn traffic, i.e., a data packet or traffic transmitted through an Xn interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0011] The second access network node can be different from the host node, or the second access network node can be the same as the host node. In the case where the second access network node is the same as the host node, the host node can not perform forwarding after determining that the first data packet is a target data packet.

[0012] According to the communication method of the present application, in a wireless access and backhaul (WAB) network architecture, the first relay node is a WAB node (WAB-node) and includes not only a first access network node but also a first mobile terminal. A protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device. The first PDU session provides backhaul functionality for data transmission of the first access network node. That is, the communication method of the present application triggers the establishment of a backhaul link in the form of a first PDU session by the first mobile terminal, which is suitable for data backhaul in a WAB network architecture.

[0013] In addition, after the user equipment (UE) is connected to the first access network node through the first relay node, the UE data can be transmitted to the host node of the first access network node (hereinafter referred to as the host node of the first access network node) through the first access network node. On the other hand, the first access network node can also generate data for interacting with the second access network node, such as interface level establishment or update data, etc. Here, the "interface" can be understood as the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node, for example, the Xn interface. Therefore, at the host node, the host node can receive the first data packet (according to the above description, the first data packet can include the UE data in the case of UE accessing the first access network device and the data generated by the first access network node for interacting with the second access network node, such as interface level establishment or update, etc.) from the first access network device, and identify the first data packet as the target data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The host node can directly send the first data packet to the second access network node, which makes the communication method according to the present application at least not to send the first data packet to the core network device and the core network device can not send the first data packet to the second access network node to complete the forwarding of the first data packet to the second access network node. Since there is no need to forward the first data packet to the core network device and the core network device does not need to forward the first data packet to the second access network node, the communication method according to the present application has shorter delay in transmitting the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node, and higher communication efficiency.

[0014] Exemplarily, the communication method can further include: receiving first indication information.

[0015] The first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target PDU session, information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information.

[0016] The target PDU session is a PDU session used to carry the target data packet.

[0017] In the case that the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node is the target PDU session, the target PDU session can carry, for example, the transmission of the target data packet. On this basis, the target PDU session can also carry, for example, the interface of the transmission of the target data packet, that is, the Xn interface, which is the interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0018] In the case that the host node receives the indication of the target PDU session type, it can be understood that all the DRBs associated with the target PDU session are the DRBs for transmitting the target data packets of the first access network node, i.e., all the DRBs associated with the target PDU session are the target DRBs, and in this case, the host node can or can not indicate the target DRBs to the first relay node. In the case that the host node does not receive the indication of the target PDU session type, the host node needs to indicate the target DRBs to the first relay node.

[0019] Exemplarily, in the case that the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining the first data packet as the target data packet comprises: determining the first data packet transmitted through the DRB associated with the target PDU session as the target data packet.

[0020] The target QoS flow is a quality of service (QoS) flow for carrying the target data packet.

[0021] Exemplarily, the information for indicating the target QoS flow can comprise at least one of the following: a quality of service class identifier (QCI), a 5G QoS identifier (5QI), and a QoS flow identifier (QFI). For example, the indication of the target QoS flow can be achieved by indicating the type of the DRB, or can also be achieved by indicating a specific QCI / 5QI / QFI.

[0022] Exemplarily, the host node and the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal being the first relay node) can also obtain the indication of the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet in a preconfigured manner. For example, the indication of the control plane type target DRB / control plane type target SRB for transmitting the control plane type or user plane type target data packet can also be obtained in a preconfigured manner.

[0023] Exemplarily, the information of the QoS flow for transmitting the target data packet, such as QCI, 5QI, and QFI, can be carried in the PDU session resource setup request message and indicated to the host node by the first mobile terminal when the first mobile terminal requests to establish the first PDU session, or can be indicated to the host node by the first mobile terminal through the PDU session resource modify request message after the first PDU session is established.

[0024] Exemplarily, in a case that the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining the first data packet as the target data packet comprises: determining the first data packet transmitted through the target QoS flow as the target data packet.

[0025] The target packet header information is packet header information of an Internet Protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet.

[0026] Exemplarily, the target packet header information is used to indicate that the payload of the data packet is the target data packet.

[0027] Exemplarily, the indication information used to indicate the target packet header information can be a specified service type (applicable to Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)), for example, can be a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP), or can be a Flow label, and in a case that the indication information used to indicate the target packet header information is the Flow label, is applicable to IPv6 only.

[0028] Determining the first data packet as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet can be understood as determining the first data packet with the packet header information of the IP packet being the same as the target packet header information as the target data packet.

[0029] Exemplarily, determining the first data packet as the target data packet comprises: parsing the first data packet satisfying a parsing condition to obtain the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, and determining the first data packet as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0030] The parsing condition comprises: the first data packet is a data packet transmitted by the first relay node.

[0031] Exemplarily, for example, the first data packet with a destination IP address that is not an IP address of the core network device can be determined as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, and / or for example, the first data packet with a destination IP address that is an IP address of the second access network node can also be determined as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0032] Exemplarily, in a case that the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining the first data packet as the target data packet comprises: determining the first data packet with the packet header information of the IP packet being the same as the target packet header information as the target data packet.

[0033] Exemplarily, the communication method can further include: sending the second indication information.

[0034] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer (DRB), information of a target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and information of a target packet header.

[0035] The target DRB is a DRB used for transmitting a target data packet, the target SRB is an SRB used for transmitting the target data packet, the target QoS flow is a QoS flow used for carrying the target data packet, and the target packet header is a header of an Internet Protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet.

[0036] Exemplarily, since the DRB establishment depends on the establishment of the first PDU session, the host node can indicate in the RRC message that the target DRB is used for transmitting the target data packet. For example, the host node can indicate the target DRB used for transmitting the target data packet to the first relay node (such as a first mobile terminal WAB-MT of the first relay node) when configuring the associated DRB for the first PDU session through a radio resource control (RRC) message, which enables the target data packet to be transmitted through the target DRB.

[0037] Exemplarily, the host node can directly establish a target SRB specially used for transmitting the target data packet. Since the SRB establishment does not depend on the establishment of the first PDU session, that is, the SRB has no direct correspondence with the first PDU session, the host node can indicate the target SRB used for transmitting the target data packet to the first relay node (such as a first mobile terminal of the first relay node) through an RRC message.

[0038] Exemplarily, the host node can indicate the target DRB / target SRB used for transmitting the target data packet through an RRC reconfiguration message. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message indicating the target DRB / target SRB used for transmitting the target data packet can indicate identification information of the target DRB / identification information of the target SRB.

[0039] Exemplarily, the host node can further indicate that the target DRB / target SRB is used for transmitting the target data packet of a specific data packet type, that is, the target DRB / target SRB not only indicates the transmission of the target data packet, but also indicates the transmission of the target data packet of a specific data packet type.

[0040] Exemplarily, in a case that the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining the first data packet as the target data packet comprises: determining the first data packet transmitted through the target DRB or the target SRB as the target data packet.

[0041] Exemplarily, the host node and the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal being the first relay node) can also obtain the indication of the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet through a preconfigured manner. For example, the indication of the control plane type target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the control plane type or user plane type target data packet can also be obtained through a preconfigured manner.

[0042] Exemplarily, determining the first data packet as the target data packet comprises: determining the first data packet comprising the first message container as the target data packet.

[0043] The target data packet with the data packet type being the control plane is included in the first message container.

[0044] Exemplarily, the communication interface message further comprises: identification information of the second access network node.

[0045] Exemplarily, in a case that the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, the first message container is transmitted through a communication interface message (such as an RRC message) between the first mobile terminal and the host node.

[0046] Exemplarily, in a case that the first mobile terminal sends the first data packet of the control plane to the host node through the SRB, the first data packet of the control plane can be transmitted through the first message container, for example. At this time, the host node can receive the first message container through the RRC message as the communication interface message between the first access network node, and transparently transmit the first message container to the second access network node.

[0047] The RRC message can comprise a first message container XnAP container, the first message container XnAP container comprising the first data packet of the control plane, for example, the first message container XnAP container can be a container comprising an Xn setup request message, and the RRC message can further comprise information of the second access network node.

[0048] Exemplarily, in a case that the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, the first message container is transmitted through a communication interface message (such as an XnAP message) between the first access network node and the host node.

[0049] Exemplarily, the first data packet of the control plane can also be sent by a newly added XnAP message, such as an XnAP Message Transfer message. Still taking the first data packet of the control plane as an example, the XnAP Message Transfer message can include a first message container XnAP container, and the first message container XnAP container can include an XnAP message. On this basis, the XnAP Message Transfer message can also include information of the first access network node, so that the host node can determine that the sender of the first message container is the first access network node according to the information of the first access network node after receiving the XnAP Message Transfer message, and for example, the host node can also forward the XnAP message of the non-host node to the second access network node.

[0050] Exemplarily, the XnAP Message Transfer message can also include information of the second access network node.

[0051] Exemplarily, the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, and in the case of determining that the first data packet is the target data packet, sending the first data packet to the target node includes: sending the first data packet to the second access network node through IP routing; or sending the first data packet to the second access network node through a communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node.

[0052] Exemplarily, sending the first data packet to the second access network node through the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node includes: in the case that the first data packet includes the first message container, transmitting the first message container to the second access network node through the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node.

[0053] Exemplarily, the first data packet will not be transmitted in a general packet radio service (GPRS) user plane tunneling protocol (GTP-U) tunnel associated with the target PDU session.

[0054] Exemplarily, there are the following cases in which the second access network node does not receive the first data packet (it can also be understood that the second access network node determines not to establish the Xn interface): the second access network node belongs to a second relay node, and the second relay node is a same type node as the first relay node. The type of the first relay node can be a wireless access backhaul node, that is, the first relay node has a base station function (the first access network node) and a mobile terminal function (the first mobile terminal), and the second relay node of the same type as the first relay node can be understood as the second relay node including the base station function and the mobile terminal function, which will be referred to as the second access network node and the second mobile terminal below.

[0055] Exemplarily, in the case of determining that the first data packet is the target data packet, the communication method further includes: not sending the first data packet to the target node.

[0056] When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node; wherein the second access network node belongs to a second relay node, and the second relay node is a same type node as the first relay node.

[0057] Exemplarily, the communication method further includes: sending third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the communication interface establishment between the first access network node and the second access network node fails.

[0058] Exemplarily, the third indication information is further used to indicate that the cause value of the communication interface establishment failure is that the node type of the second access network node is the same as that of the first access network node, and the target data packet is used to transmit the establishment request of the communication interface.

[0059] In summary, according to the communication method of the present application, the host node can identify that the first data packet transmitted by the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) via the backhaul link to the second access network node is the target data packet (which can also be understood as Xn data), and then the target data packet can be sent to the second access network node through IP routing or through the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node. The first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node can be forwarded from the core network device serving the first mobile terminal to the second access network node, thereby reducing the delay of the first data packet (i.e. Xn data) interaction between the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) and the second access network node, improving the transmission efficiency of the first data packet, i.e. improving the interaction efficiency of the Xn data and the communication efficiency between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0060] In addition, in the case that the second relay node has the same node type as the first relay node, for example, in the case of applying to a vehicle-mounted mobile relay, the positions of the first relay node and the second relay node move with the position of the vehicle or the like, and the establishment of the Xn interface between the two may cause the complexity problem of exacerbating the maintenance work of the Xn interface. For example, the host node may not receive the first data packet in this case, so as to improve the communication efficiency.

[0061] In a second aspect, the present application relates to a communication method applied to a source node, the source node being a first access network node or a second access network node, the first relay node including the first access network node and a first mobile terminal, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session being established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, the first PDU session providing a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, and the communication method including: receiving second indication information; and sending, according to the second indication information, a target data packet to a host node of the first relay node, or sending, according to a first message container, the target data packet.

[0062] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer (DRB), information of a target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information; the target DRB is a DRB used for transmitting the target data packet, the target SRB is an SRB used for transmitting the target data packet; the target QoS flow is a QoS flow used for carrying the target data packet, and the target packet header information is packet header information of an Internet protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and a second access network node, the second access network node being a neighboring access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node being different from the host node, and the first message container including the target data packet with a control plane type.

[0063] Exemplarily, in the case that the source node is the first access network node, the sending, according to the first message container, of the target data packet includes: transmitting the first message container through a communication interface between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or transmitting the first message container through a communication interface between the first access network node and the host node.

[0064] Exemplarily, the communication interface message further includes identification information of the second access network node.

[0065] Exemplarily, the communication method further includes: receiving third indication information.

[0066] The third indication information is used to indicate a failure in establishing the communication interface, and the target data packet is used for transmitting an establishment request of the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0067] Exemplarily, the third indication information is further used to indicate that a cause value of the communication interface establishment failure is that the second access network node and the first access network node are of the same node type, and the first PDU session is used to carry a request for establishing the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0068] In a third aspect, the present application relates to a communication method applied to a target node, and the communication method comprises the following steps.

[0069] The first relay node comprises a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data of the first access network node; the second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node; and the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0070] According to the communication method, the fifth indication information can be further sent.

[0071] The target node can send the fifth indication information to the host node, and the host node can also forward the fifth indication information to the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node). It should be noted that the content of the fifth indication information can be the same as that of the third indication information, and the different names of the fifth indication information and the third indication information are only used to distinguish the sender of the indication information. For example, the fifth indication information is sent by the target node, and the third indication information is sent by the host node. Therefore, in addition to receiving the third indication information, the source node can also receive the fifth indication information.

[0072] The fifth indication information is used to indicate the communication interface establishment failure, and the target data packet is used to carry a request for establishing the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node. The request for establishing the communication interface comprises the fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first access network node belongs to the first relay node.

[0073] According to the communication method, the fifth indication information is further used to indicate that a cause value of the communication interface establishment failure is that the second access network node and the first access network node are of the same node type.

[0074] In a fourth aspect, the present application relates to a communication device applied to a host node of a first relay node. The communication device comprises a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0075] The transceiver module is configured to receive the first data packet from the source node. The transceiver module is also configured to send the first data packet to the target node, wherein the source node is the first access network node, and the target node is the second access network node, or the source node is the second access network node, and the target node is the first access network node.

[0076] The processing module is configured to determine that the first data packet is the target data packet.

[0077] The source node is the first access network node or the second access network node, the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, and the second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node and is different from the host node.

[0078] In a fifth aspect, the present application relates to a communication device applied to a source node, wherein the source node is a first access network node or a second access network node, and a first relay node includes the first access network node and a first mobile terminal, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. The communication device includes a transceiver module.

[0079] The transceiver module is configured to receive second indication information, and send the target data packet to a host node of the first relay node according to the second indication information, or send the target data packet according to a first message container.

[0080] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer (DRB), information of a target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information. The target DRB is a DRB used for transmitting the target data packet, the target SRB is an SRB used for transmitting the target data packet, the target QoS flow is a QoS flow used for carrying the target data packet, and the target packet header information is header information of an Internet protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, the second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node and is different from the host node, and the target data packet in the first message container is a target data packet of a control plane.

[0081] In a sixth aspect, the present application relates to a communication device applied to a target node. The communication device includes a transceiver module.

[0082] The transceiver module is configured to receive the target data packet from a host node of the first relay node.

[0083] The first relay node includes a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data of the first access network node; the second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node; and the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0084] In a seventh aspect, the present application relates to a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive a signal from another communication device outside the communication device and transmit the signal to the processor or send a signal from the processor to the another communication device outside the communication device, and the processor being configured to implement the communication method of at least one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect by means of a logic circuit or an execution code instruction.

[0085] Exemplarily, the communication device is a chip.

[0086] In an eighth aspect, the present application relates to a chip module, including a transceiver assembly and a chip, and the chip is configured to execute the communication method of at least one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0087] In a ninth aspect, the present application relates to a communication system, including a source node, a host node of a first relay node, and a target node.

[0088] The source node is the first access network node or the second access network node, in the case of the source node being the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; and in the case of the source node being the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node. The first relay node includes a first access network node and a first mobile terminal, a first protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, the second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0089] In a tenth aspect, the present application relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, including: the computer instructions, wherein the computer instructions are executed to cause a computer to execute the communication method of at least one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0090] Exemplarily, the computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory storage medium.

[0091] In an eleventh aspect, the present application relates to a computer program product comprising a computer program stored on a readable storage medium, which, when executed, causes a computer to implement the communication method of at least one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0092] The drawings used in the following description are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0093] FIG. 1A schematically shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle-mounted mobile relay scenario;

[0094] FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C schematically show schematic diagrams of integrated access backhaul (IAB) architecture;

[0095] FIG. 1D schematically shows a schematic diagram of wireless access backhaul (WAB) architecture;

[0096] FIG. 1E schematically shows a layer 3 relay architecture similar to the wireless access backhaul (WAB) architecture in an embodiment;

[0097] FIG. 2 schematically shows a schematic diagram of a wireless access backhaul (WAB) network architecture according to the communication method of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0098] FIG. 3A is an embodiment in which a host node determines a first data packet as a target data packet according to a target DRB / target SRB and forwards the first data packet;

[0099] FIG. 3B is an embodiment in which a host node determines a first data packet as a target data packet according to a target QoS flow and forwards the first data packet;

[0100] FIG. 3C is an embodiment in which a host node determines a first data packet as a target data packet based on target packet header information and forwards the first data packet;

[0101] FIG. 3D is an embodiment in which a host node determines a first data packet as a target data packet based on a destination IP address of an IP packet and forwards the first data packet;

[0102] FIG. 3E is an embodiment in which a host node determines a first data packet as a target data packet of a control plane according to a first message container in an SRB and forwards the first data packet;

[0103] FIG. 4A schematically shows a schematic diagram of a protocol stack corresponding to an IP routing forwarding control plane data packet;

[0104] FIG. 4B schematically shows a schematic diagram of a protocol stack corresponding to an IP routing forwarding user plane data packet;

[0105] FIG. 5A schematically shows a schematic diagram of a first data packet being forwarded to a protocol stack of a second access network node by an XnAP message transfer of a host node in a case that the first data packet is a target data packet of a control plane;

[0106] FIG. 5B schematically shows a schematic diagram of a layer structure of an RRC message;

[0107] FIG. 5C schematically shows a schematic diagram of a layer structure of an XnAP Message Transfer message;

[0108] FIG. 6 schematically shows a schematic diagram of another wireless access backhaul (WAB) network architecture based on an O-RAN architecture according to a communication method of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0109] FIG. 7A schematically shows a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 700A applied to a host node of a first relay node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0110] FIG. 7B schematically shows a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 700B applied to a source node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0111] FIG. 7C schematically shows a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 700C applied to a target node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0112] FIG. 8 schematically shows a block diagram of a communication device that can implement a communication method of an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all the embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0114] The term “and / or” in the present disclosure is only used to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone.

[0115] The terms “first” and “second” and the like in the specification and claims of the embodiments of the present disclosure are used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to describe a specific order of the objects. For example, the first target object and the second target object are used to distinguish different target objects, and are not used to describe a specific order of the target objects.

[0116] In the embodiments of the present application, the word "exemplary" or "for example" is used to mean "an example of" or "an example, only. Any embodiment or design solution described in the embodiments of the present application as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. In fact, the word "exemplary" or "for example" is used to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0117] It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, "A and / or B" can represent three cases: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0118] The related background of the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0119] Vehicle Mounted Relay (VMR)

[0120] FIG. 1A schematically shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle mounted relay scenario. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the vehicle mounted relay scenario, a relay node is deployed in a mobile vehicle such as a vehicle or an airplane, to provide wireless coverage for terminal devices (UEs) in the vehicle, so as to overcome the problem of poor wireless signal in the vehicle. The relay node accesses a macro station (which can also be understood as a donor node) through wireless backhaul.

[0121] The relay node can be an integrated access backhaul node or a wireless access backhaul node.

[0122] Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB)

[0123] FIGS. 1B and 1C schematically show schematic diagrams of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) architecture.

[0124] The integrated access backhaul is based on a centralized unit-distributed unit (CU-DU) separation architecture, an IAB node (IAB-node) includes a mobile terminal (MT) and a distributed unit (DU), when the IAB node faces its parent node, it is regarded as a terminal device, i.e. the role of the mobile terminal MT; when the IAB node faces its child node (the child node can be another IAB node or a UE), it is regarded as a network device, i.e. the role of the distributed unit DU.

[0125] The host node (IAB-donor, also referred to as donor) of the IAB node is an access network element with complete base station (gNB) functions, including a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), and the host node IAB-donor of the IAB node is connected to a core network device (e.g. connected to a 5G core network device) serving the UE.

[0126] Taking uplink transmission as an example, after the UE accesses the IAB-DU, the data of the UE is backhauled to the distributed unit IAB-DU of the last hop IAB node by the mobile terminal IAB-MT belonging to the same IAB node, and the mobile terminal IAB-MT of the last hop IAB node is backhauled to the distributed unit IAB-DU of the last but one hop IAB node, and so on. The wireless backhaul of each hop is completed through the New Radio (NR, i.e. 5G) air interface (Uu), until the distributed unit donor-DU of the host node of the IAB node is reached, and then transmitted to the centralized unit donor-CU of the host node of the IAB node through a wired connection, and then sent to the core network. The downlink transmission is the same.

[0127] The IAB architecture is a layer 2 relay, because the IAB node only has the function of the distributed unit DU of the base station, does not have the function of the centralized unit CU, and only exists below the protocol stack of the packet data convergence layer protocol (PDCP).

[0128] Wireless access and backhaul (WAB)

[0129] FIG. 1D schematically shows a schematic diagram of a wireless access and backhaul (WAB) architecture.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 1D, since the WAB node comprises a base station gNB (also referred to as WAB-gNB) and a mobile terminal MT (also referred to as WAB-MT), the mobile terminal MT faces its upstream node as the role of UE, and because the PDU session is requested to be established by the UE, the mobile terminal MT can also request to establish a PDU session between the core network device serving the mobile terminal MT, i.e., the PDU session for backhaul shown in FIG. 1D, which can backhaul UE data. Thus, the UE accesses the base station WAB-gNB of the WAB node through the air interface Uu, and then the mobile terminal WAB-MT of the WAB node wraps the control plane or user plane data of the UE in the backhaul PDU session of the mobile terminal WAB-MT of the WAB node, and sends it to the user plane function UPF of the core network device serving the mobile terminal MT through the Uu of the mobile terminal WAB-MT of the WAB node, through the N3 tunnel (N3 tunnel is a general packet radio service GPRS user plane tunneling protocol GTP-U tunnel) between the host node (WAB-donor, also referred to as donor) of the WAB node and the user plane function UPF of the core network device serving the mobile terminal MT, to the user plane function UPF of the core network device serving the mobile terminal MT (i.e., the backhaul UPF shown in FIG. 1D), and then the user plane function UPF of the core network device serving the mobile terminal WAB-MT removes the header information of the related data packet of the mobile terminal WAB-MT, exposes the header information of the UE, and sends it to the core network device according to the IP routing. Specifically, for example, to the access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility management Function, AMF) network element of the core network device serving the UE, the session management function (Session Management Function, SMF) network element of the core network device serving the UE, or the user plane function UPF network element of the core network device serving the UE, etc.

[0131] It should be noted that the "WAB node" is only an exemplary name of a relay node comprising base station function and mobile terminal function, and can also be other names such as "mobile WAB node" and the like.

[0132] From a logical point of view, the UE and the AMF of the core network device serving the UE establish a non-access layer connection (Non-Access Stratum, NAS) for transmitting control plane data; the UE and the UPF of the core network device serving the UE establish a PDU session (i.e., the PDU session for access shown in FIG. 1D).

[0133] Compared with each other, in the integrated access backhaul IAB architecture, although the mobile terminal MT backhaul UE data is also mobile terminal MT, the UE data does not need to be packaged in the PDU session of the mobile terminal MT, but is directly carried in the layer 2 logical channel of the mobile terminal MT, and reaches the host node WAB-donor through hop-by-hop logical channel mapping, and the host node donor can identify the UE data. In the wireless access backhaul WAB architecture, the UE data is directly packaged in the PDU session of the mobile terminal WAB-MT, and in the mobile terminal WAB-MT backhaul process, the UE data is regarded as the user plane data of the mobile terminal WAB-MT itself. After the UE data reaches the host node WAB-donor through the wireless bearer such as DRB (Data Radio Bearer) or SRB (Signaling Radio Bearer) of the mobile terminal WAB-MT, the host node WAB-donor identifies the UE data as the data of the mobile terminal WAB-MT, and until the UE data is sent to the user plane function UPF of the core network device serving the mobile terminal WAB-MT, the packet header information related to the mobile terminal WAB-MT is removed, and the UE-related packet header information is exposed, so as to be forwarded to the core network device serving the UE.

[0134] The above illustrates how the UE communicates with the core network device serving the UE in the wireless access backhaul WAB network architecture. The interface level data transmission between the base station WAB-gNB of the WAB node and the core network device (such as the access and mobility management function AMF) serving the UE is also similar, and also needs to be transmitted to the user plane function UPF of the core network device serving the mobile terminal WAB-MT through the PDU session of the mobile terminal WAB-MT, and then routed to the access and mobility management function AMF of the core network device serving the UE.

[0135] Compared with the integrated access backhaul IAB architecture, the advantages of the wireless access backhaul WAB architecture are:

[0136] 1) The WAB node has complete base station gNB functions, and can integrate part of the user plane function UPF functions on the WAB node, so that the WAB node has more service functions (such as edge computing, sensing, etc.).

[0137] 2) The WAB node is a layer 3 architecture, and the access link and the backhaul link can be decoupled, which is more conducive to flexible deployment.

[0138] Figure 1E schematically shows a layer 3 relay architecture similar to a wireless access backhaul (WAB) architecture, as shown in Figure 1E, a relay node (RN) can be understood as being composed of a UE and a base station (eNB), there is an air interface connection between the UE of the relay node (RN-MT) and a donor eNB (also referred to as DeNB), this part of the air interface is referred to as the Un interface (a normal UE accessing a base station eNB is referred to as the Uu interface), there is a logical X2 interface and an S1 interface between the base station eNB of the relay node (RN-eNB) and the donor node DeNB (the S1 interface is an interface between a radio network and a core network in an LTE system, and the X2 interface is an interface between base stations eNB, supporting direct transmission of data and signaling), and the control plane and user plane data on the X2 and S1 interfaces are transmitted by means of data radio bearers (DRBs) on the Un interface between the mobile terminal RN-MT of the relay node and the donor node DeNB. The donor node DeNB is a proxy donor node for the relay node RN, and can be understood as follows: after the base station RN-eNB of the relay node accesses the donor node DeNB, the base station RN-eNB of the relay node is invisible to other neighboring base stations eNB or the core network, and the donor node DeNB can be regarded as a core network device (for the S1 interface) or a base station eNB (for the X2 interface) for the relay node RN. The core network device or other neighboring base stations only update the process of discovering that some cells have been added under the donor node DeNB through the S1 interface / X2 interface of the donor node DeNB, but do not perceive the existence of the base station RN-eNB of the relay node. As for the UE accessing the base station RN-eNB of the relay node, when a UE-related message arrives at the donor node DeNB, the donor node DeNB updates the information of the transmitting and receiving ends of the message. Taking the X2 interface as an example, the base station RN-eNB of the relay node only has a logical X2 interface with the donor node DeNB, and the donor node DeNB can have an X2 interface with other neighboring base stations eNB. When the donor node DeNB receives an X2AP message related to a UE that the base station RN-eNB of the relay node wants to send to the base station eNB1, the donor node DeNB retains the main content of the X2AP message, only modifies the X2AP UE ID, transport layer address and GTP-U TEID of the transmitting end of the message to itself, and sets the X2AP UE ID, transport layer address and GTP TEID of the receiving end to the information of the base station eNB1, so as to forward the X2AP message generated by the base station RN-eNB of the relay node to the base station eNB1 through the X2AP message between the donor node DeNB and the base station eNB1.Similarly, the X2-U data transmitted by the relay node RN to other base stations eNB is transmitted to the host node DeNB through the GTP-U tunnel carried on the Un interface, and then transmitted by the host node DeNB to other base stations eNB through the GTP-U tunnel between the host node DeNB and other base stations eNB. In other words, the host node DeNB maintains the correspondence between the GTP-U tunnels at both ends of the relay node RN and the host node DeNB and the host node DeNB and other base stations eNB. From the perspective of other base stations eNB, only X2-U data from the host node DeNB is received, and the relay node RN is not perceived.

[0139] In the LTE Relay network architecture, the backhaul link is a data radio bearer DRB, which can be directly triggered by the host node donor to establish. Therefore, the host node donor can process the data packets transmitted on the backhaul link. For example, the relay node (such as LTE Relay) is presented to the outside by the host node donor as a proxy, that is, it is invisible to the outside. The neighboring station and the core network see only the host node donor.

[0140] In summary, how to efficiently forward the data exchanged between the access network node in the relay device and the adjacent access network node based on the WAB network architecture has become a technical problem to be solved.

[0141] The following will illustrate a WAB network architecture applying the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which can also be understood as a specific example of a communication system.

[0142] FIG. 2 schematically shows a schematic diagram of a WAB network architecture of the communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 2, the system architecture of the communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include a first access network node, a host node, and a second access network node. The system architecture can also include a UE accessing the first access network node and a core network device serving the UE.

[0144] The first relay node includes the first access network node and the first mobile terminal.

[0145] According to the transmission direction of the first data packet, the source node can be the first access network node or the second access network node. In combination with FIG. 2, for example, the source node is the first access network node, and the target node is the second access network node. At this time, the first data packet from the first access network node is sent to the host node, and the host node determines that the first data packet is the target data packet and forwards the first data packet to the target node, that is, the second access network node. For another example, the source node is the second access network node, and the target node is the first access network node. At this time, the second access network node can send the first data packet from the second access network node to the host node, and the host node determines that the first data packet is the target data packet and forwards the first data packet to the target node, that is, the first access network node. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the source node is the first access network node, and the target node is the second access network node.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 2, under the WAB network architecture, the first relay node can be understood as a WAB node (WAB-node). Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the first relay node and the WAB node can be considered as the same. A protocol data unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device, and the first PDU session provides backhaul functions for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0147] Hereinafter, the communication method performed by the host node according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. According to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication method can be performed by the host node, and the communication method comprises: receiving a first data packet from a source node; determining that the first data packet is a target data packet; and sending the first data packet to a target node.

[0148] The target node can receive the first data packet.

[0149] The first access network node and the second access network node can be understood as different access network devices. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The target data packet can also be understood as Xn data or Xn traffic, that is, a data packet or traffic transmitted through an Xn interface between the first access network node and the second access network node. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the target data packet, the Xn data, and the Xn traffic can be considered as the same. The second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node. The second access network node being a neighboring access network node of the first access network node can be understood as the second access network node being a neighboring station of the first access network node.

[0150] It should be noted that the second access network node can be different from the host node, and the second access network node can also be the same as the host node. In the case where the second access network node is the same as the host node, the host node can not perform forwarding after determining that the first data packet is the target data packet.

[0151] The first access network node can only establish a communication connection with the host node, and the "communication connection" in the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be understood as a "communication interface", that is, the "communication connection" is equivalent to the "communication interface". Further, in the case that the communication connection is established between the first access network node and the host node, the host node can update the cell configuration information to the second access network node through the update message of the communication interface (for example, the update message of the communication interface can be an NG-RAN node configuration update), and optionally, the cell type of the newly added cell can be indicated in the updated cell configuration information to the second access network node as a cell managed by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node), for the second access network node to manage the accessed UE.

[0152] It should be further noted that the host node can receive all data packets sent from the first access network node, and the host node can determine whether each of the data packets from the first access network node is a target data packet, and the embodiments of the present disclosure will not discuss the case that the destination IP address of the data packet from the first access network node is not the second access network node.

[0153] According to the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, under the WAB network architecture, the first relay node acts as a WAB node, and includes not only the first access network node but also the first mobile terminal. The first mobile terminal has established a protocol data unit (PDU) session with the core network device, and the first PDU session provides backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, that is, the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure triggers the establishment of the backhaul link in the form of the first PDU session by the first mobile terminal, and adapts to the data backhaul under the WAB network architecture.

[0154] In addition, after the UE accesses the first access network node through the first relay node, the UE data can be transmitted to the host node of the first access network node (hereinafter referred to as the host node) through the first access network node. In addition, the first access network node can also generate data for interaction with the second access network node, such as interface level establishment or update data, and the like. Here, the "interface" can be understood as the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node, for example, the Xn interface. Therefore, at the host node, the host node can receive the first data packet from the first access network device (according to the above description, the first data packet can include UE data in the case of UE accessing the first access network device and the first access network node generating data for interaction with the second access network node, such as interface level establishment or update data, and the like), and identify that the first data packet is a target data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The host node can directly send the first data packet to the second access network node, which makes the communication method according to the embodiment of the disclosure. The host node can at least not send the first data packet to the core network device, and the core network device can not send the first data packet to the second access network node, and the forwarding of the first data packet to the second access network node can also be completed. Since the first data packet does not need to be forwarded to the core network device, and the core network device does not need to forward the first data packet to the second access network node, the communication method according to the embodiment of the disclosure has shorter delay in transmitting the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node, and higher communication efficiency.

[0155] Similarly, when the source node is the second access network node and the target node is the first access network node, the host node receives the first data packet from the second access network node, and can also determine that the first data packet is a target data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node, and then can forward the first data packet to the first access network node. This makes the communication method according to the embodiment of the disclosure. The first data packet sent by the second access network node can not be forwarded by the core network device, but directly sent to the host node. The host node identifies that the first data packet is a target data packet, and then forwards the first data packet to the first access network node. Therefore, according to the communication method of the embodiment of the disclosure, the delay in transmitting the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node is shorter, and the communication efficiency is higher.

[0156] FIGS. 3A to 3E respectively show schematic diagrams of five different communication methods according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0157] FIG. 3A is an embodiment in which the host node determines that the first data packet is a target data packet according to a target DRB / target SRB and forwards the first data packet.

[0158] The communication method as shown in FIG. 3A can include operation S311 to operation S314.

[0159] In operation S311, a first PDU session is established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node. The first PDU session provides backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0160] The operation S311 can be understood as being performed before the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, so in the example of FIG. 3A, the operation S311 is not shown.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 3A, the first PDU session established by operation S311 enables the establishment of an N3 tunnel between the core network and the donor node, where the N3 tunnel is a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP)-U tunnel.

[0162] Exemplarily, in the case that the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node in operation S311 is a target PDU session (the target PDU session can be understood as a PDU session used to carry target data packets), the target PDU session (the first PDU session) may, for example, carry the target data packets. On this basis, the target PDU session (the first PDU session) may, for example, also carry an interface for transmitting the target data packets, i.e., an Xn interface, which is an interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0163] It should be noted that in the case that the donor node receives an indication of the target PDU session type, it can be understood that all DRBs associated with the target PDU session are DRBs for transmitting target data packets of the first access network node, i.e., all DRBs associated with the target PDU session are target DRBs, at which time the donor node can indicate the target DRBs to the first relay node or can not indicate the target DRBs to the first relay node. In the case that the donor node does not receive an indication of the target PDU session type, the donor node needs to indicate the target DRBs to the first relay node.

[0164] Exemplarily, the donor node can receive indication information inst1 sent by the core network device from the PDU session resource setup request message, where the indication information inst1 indicates that the type of the target PDU session is related to the target data packets. At this time, the donor node and the core network device (e.g., a UPF of a core network device serving the WAB-MT) have established an N3 tunnel for transmitting target data packets related to the target PDU session. Taking the first relay node as a WAB node as an example, the AMF of the core network device serving the WAB-MT may, for example, send the indication information inst1.

[0165] In operation S312, the host node indicates to the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) information of a DRB / SRB for transmitting the target data packet related to the N3 tunnel.

[0166] Exemplarily, since the DRB establishment depends on the PDU session, the host node can indicate in the RRC message that the target DRB is for transmitting the target data packet. For example, the host node can indicate to the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal WAB-MT of the first relay node) the target DRB for transmitting the target data packet when configuring the associated DRB for the PDU session (e.g., the first PDU session) through the radio resource control (RRC) message, which enables the target data packet to be transmitted through the target DRB.

[0167] Exemplarily, the host node can directly establish a target SRB dedicated for transmitting the target data packet. Since the SRB establishment does not depend on the PDU session establishment, i.e., the SRB does not have a direct correspondence with the PDU session (e.g., the first PDU session), the host node indicates to the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) the target SRB for transmitting the target data packet through the RRC message.

[0168] Exemplarily, the host node can indicate the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet through the RRC reconfiguration message. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message indicating the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet can indicate the identification information of the target DRB / identification information of the target SRB.

[0169] Exemplarily, the host node can also indicate that the target DRB / target SRB is for transmitting the target data packet of a specific data packet type, i.e., the control plane or the user plane. That is, the target DRB / target SRB not only indicates the transmission of the target data packet, but also indicates the transmission of the target data packet of a specific data packet type.

[0170] Exemplarily, the host node and the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) can also obtain the indication of the target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet through the pre-configuration. For example, the indication of the control plane type target DRB / target SRB for transmitting the target data packet of the control plane type or the user plane type can also be obtained through the pre-configuration.

[0171] In operation S313, the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) transmits the first data packet through the specified DRB / SRB.

[0172] The "specified DRB / SRB" of operation S313 can include at least one of the following: a target DRB, a target SRB, and all DRBs associated with the target PDU session.

[0173] In operation S314, the host node can determine a first data packet transmitted through the target DRB / target SRB / DRB associated with the target PDU session as a target data packet, and forward the first data packet according to a destination IP address of the first data packet.

[0174] Exemplarily, in a case where the host node receives the first data packet from the target DRB / DRB associated with the target PDU session, i.e., the host node does not receive the first data packet from the target SRB, the host node can not continue to forward the first data packet to the core network device (such as a UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal) in the N3 tunnel corresponding to the target DRB / target PDU session.

[0175] FIG. 3B is an embodiment in which the host node determines a first data packet as a target data packet according to a target QoS flow and forwards the first data packet.

[0176] The communication method shown in FIG. 3B can include operations S321-S324.

[0177] In operation S321, a first PDU session is established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node. The first PDU session provides backhaul functions for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0178] Operation S321 can be understood as being performed before the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, so in the example of FIG. 3B, operation S321 is not shown.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 3B, the first PDU session established by operation S321 enables the establishment of an N3 tunnel between the core network and the host node, and also enables data transmission between the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) and the host node through the DRB associated with the N3 tunnel.

[0180] Similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, in a case where the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node in operation S321 is a target PDU session (the target PDU session can be understood as a PDU session used to carry a target data packet), the target PDU session (the first PDU session) can carry, for example, a target data packet. On this basis, the target PDU session (the first PDU session) can also carry, for example, an interface for transmitting the target data packet, i.e., an Xn interface, which is an interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0181] In operation S322, the host node indicates to the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) information of a QoS flow for transmitting the target data packet. The target QoS flow is a quality of service QoS flow for carrying the target data packet.

[0182] Exemplarily, the information for indicating the target QoS flow can comprise at least one of a quality of service class identifier (QCI), a 5G QoS identifier (5QI), and a QoS flow identifier (QFI). The target QoS flow can be indicated, for example, by indicating a type of DRB, or can also be indicated by indicating a specific QCI / 5QI / QFI.

[0183] Exemplarily, the information of the QoS flow for transmitting the target data packet, such as the QCI, 5QI, and QFI, can be indicated to the host node in a PDU session resource setup request message when the first mobile terminal requests the host node to establish the first PDU session in operation S321, or can be indicated to the host node in a PDU session resource modify request message after the first PDU session is established.

[0184] As shown in FIG. 3B, the information of the QoS flow for transmitting the target data packet can be indicated to the host node by the core network device, and the host node can indicate to the first mobile terminal the information of the target QoS flow for transmitting the target data packet after receiving the information.

[0185] Unlike the example of FIG. 3B, the first mobile terminal can also obtain the information of the QoS flow for transmitting the target data packet, such as the QCI, 5QI, and QFI, from a NAS message sent by the core network device serving the first mobile terminal, such as a PDU session establishment accept message.

[0186] Similarly to the example of FIG. 3A, the host node and the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) can obtain the information of the target QoS flow for transmitting the target data packet in a preconfigured manner. The information of the control plane type target QoS flow for transmitting the control plane type or user plane type target data packet can also be obtained in a preconfigured manner.

[0187] In operation S323, the first relay node (e.g., the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) transmits the first data packet through the target QoS flow.

[0188] At operation S324, the host node can determine the first data packet transmitted through the target QoS flow as the target data packet, and forward the first data packet according to the destination IP address of the first data packet.

[0189] Exemplarily, the host node can not continue to forward the first data packet into the corresponding N3 tunnel to the core network device (such as the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal).

[0190] FIG. 3C is an embodiment in which the host node determines the first data packet as the target data packet based on the target packet header information and forwards the first data packet.

[0191] The communication method shown in FIG. 3C can include operations S331-S334.

[0192] At operation S331, a first PDU session is established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node. The first PDU session provides backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0193] The operation S331 can be understood as being performed before the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, so in the example of FIG. 3C, the operation S331 is not shown.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 3C, the first PDU session established by operation S331 enables the establishment of an N3 tunnel between the core network and the host node, and also enables data transmission between the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) and the host node through the DRB related to the N3 tunnel.

[0195] Similarly to the embodiments of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, in the case where the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node at operation S331 is a target PDU session (the target PDU session can be understood as a PDU session used to carry target data packets), the target PDU session (first PDU session) may, for example, carry the target data packets. On this basis, the target PDU session (first PDU session) may, for example, also carry the interface for transmitting the target data packets, i.e., the Xn interface, which is the interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0196] At operation S332, the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet is target packet header information indicating that the data packet type is a target data packet.

[0197] For example, the first relay node can add target packet header information to the IP packet header of the generated first data packet.

[0198] Exemplarily, the target packet header information is used to indicate that the payload in the IP packet is the target data packet.

[0199] It should be noted that the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure is described by taking IP packets as an example, and in addition to the IP packet header, it can also be based on the packet header of other network layer protocols. Similarly, the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure is also described by taking an IP address as an example, and in addition to the IP address, it can also be an address used to identify a network node or device in other protocols.

[0200] Exemplarily, the target packet header information can be preconfigured to the first relay node (i.e. a WAB node, such as a first access network node of the first relay node) and the host node, and optionally, the target packet header information can also be preconfigured to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal; or any one of the first relay node / the host node / the core network device serving the first mobile terminal determines the target packet header information, and then sends indication information indicating the target packet header information to the other two. For example, the first relay node determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the host node and the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through RRC messages and NAS messages respectively, or the first relay node determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the host node through an RRC message, and then the host node sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through an NGAP (Next Generation Access Protocol) message. For another example, the host node determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the first mobile terminal and the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through RRC messages and NGAP messages respectively, or the host node determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through an NAGP message, and then the core network device serving the first mobile terminal sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the first mobile terminal through a NAS message, or the host node sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the first mobile terminal through an RRC message first, and then the first mobile terminal sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through a NAS message. For another example, the core network device serving the first mobile terminal determines the indication information indicating the target packet header information, and sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the host node and the first mobile terminal through NGAP messages and NAS messages respectively, or the core network device serving the first mobile terminal sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the host node through an NGAP message first, and then the host node sends the indication information indicating the target packet header information to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal through an RRC message.

[0201] Exemplarily, the indication information for indicating the target packet header information can be a specified service type (applicable to Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)), for example, can be a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP), or can be a Flow label, and in the case that the indication information for indicating the target packet header information is the Flow label, is applicable to IPv6 only.

[0202] In operation S333, the first relay node (such as a first mobile terminal of the first relay node) transmits the first data packet through the DRB.

[0203] In operation S334, the host node can determine the first data packet as the target data packet according to the target packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, and forward the first data packet according to the destination IP address of the first data packet.

[0204] Determining the first data packet as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet can be understood as determining the first data packet with the same packet header information of the IP packet as the target packet header information as the target data packet.

[0205] Exemplarily, the first data packet satisfying the analysis condition can be analyzed to obtain the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0206] The analysis condition includes that the first data packet is a data packet sent by the first relay node.

[0207] Exemplarily, the first data packet with the destination IP address being an IP address other than that of the core network device can be determined as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, and / or the first data packet with the destination IP address being an IP address of the second access network node can also be determined as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0208] Exemplarily, the host node can not continue to forward the first data packet to the core network device (such as a UPF of the core network device) in the corresponding N3 tunnel. In a case where the host node is not indicated with the IP address of the second access network node or the host node is not indicated with the identity / type of the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node), the host node can send an IP address request message to the second access network node, or can not process the first data packet of the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) and directly forward to the N3 tunnel. The identity / type of the first relay node can be represented by the WAB node.

[0209] FIG. 3D is an embodiment in which the host node determines the first data packet as the target data packet based on the destination IP address of the IP packet and forwards the first data packet.

[0210] The communication method as shown in FIG. 3D can include operation S341 to operation S344.

[0211] In operation S341, a first PDU session is established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node. The first PDU session provides backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0212] The operation S341 can be understood as being performed before the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, so in the example of FIG. 3D, the operation S341 is not shown.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 3D, the first PDU session established by operation S341 enables the establishment of an N3 tunnel between the core network and the host node, and also enables data transmission between the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) and the host node through the DRB related to the N3 tunnel.

[0214] Similarly to the embodiments of FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, in a case where the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node in operation S341 is a target PDU session (the target PDU session can be understood as a PDU session used to carry target data packets), the target PDU session (the first PDU session) may, for example, carry the target data packets. On this basis, the target PDU session (the first PDU session) may, for example, also carry the interface for transmitting the target data packets, i.e. the Xn interface, which is the interface for transmitting data between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0215] In operation S342, the first data packet generated by the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) is transmitted to the host node via the DRB related to the first PDU session / N3 tunnel between the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) and the host node.

[0216] At operation S343, the host node determines the first data packet as the target data packet according to the destination IP address of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0217] Exemplarily, the host node may, for example, determine the first data packet with the destination IP address not being the IP address of the core network device as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, and / or the host node may, for example, determine the first data packet with the destination IP address being the IP address of the second access network node as the target data packet according to the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet.

[0218] Exemplarily, the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet may, for example, be obtained by parsing the first data packet satisfying a parsing condition. The parsing condition may, for example, include that the first data packet is a data packet sent by the first relay node. It can be understood that the packet header information of the IP packet of the first data packet is obtained by parsing the first data packet from the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node).

[0219] Exemplarily, the host node may not continue to forward the first data packet to the corresponding N3 tunnel to send to the core network device (such as the UPF of the core network device).

[0220] FIG. 3E is an embodiment in which the host node determines the first data packet as the target data packet of the control plane according to the first message container in the SRB and forwards the first data packet.

[0221] The communication method shown in FIG. 3E can include operations S351-S353.

[0222] At operation S351, the host node configures the SRB for the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal) which can be a normal SRB such as SRB0-SRB4 or a target SRB for transmitting the target data packet.

[0223] Exemplarily, the host node may, for example, configure the above-mentioned SRB for the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal) through an RRC message.

[0224] At operation S352, the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) sends the first message container to the host node through the SRB. The first message container can include the target data packet with the data packet type of the control plane.

[0225] Exemplarily, at operation S352, the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) can also send the identification information of the second access network node to the host node through the SRB.

[0226] Exemplarily, the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) can further send, to the host node through the SRB, the node identity of the second access network node, the NR Cell Global Identifier (NCGI) / Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of the managed cell of the second access network node, the Tracking Area Identity (TAI) to which the second access network node belongs, and the IP address.

[0227] Exemplarily, the target data packet of the control plane in the first message container can also be understood as a transmission form of the target data packet of the control plane, and the first message container can be understood as a container for encapsulating the target data packet of the control plane between the first access network node and the second access network node, such as an XnAP container for transparently transmitting an XnAP message.

[0228] In operation S353, the host node sends the first message container according to the information of the second access network node.

[0229] It should be noted that the host node receiving the first message container sent through the SRB can be considered to include the first data packet, and the first data packet is the target data packet.

[0230] Exemplarily, in the case where the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, the first message container is transmitted through a communication interface message (which can be an RRC message in particular) between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or in the case where the first access network node has established a communication connection such as an Xn interface with the host node, the first message container can also be transmitted through a communication interface message (which can be an XnAP message in particular) between the first access network node and the host node.

[0231] Exemplarily, the communication interface message can further include the information of the second access network node, which can be the identification information of the second access network node.

[0232] In combination with the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E, the host node as the execution subject can also perform the operations of receiving the first indication information and / or sending the second indication information.

[0233] The first indication information is used to indicate at least one of: information of the target PDU session (corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, at this time, the first indication information used to indicate the information of the target PDU session can be from the core network device), information of the target quality of service (QoS) flow (corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3B, at this time, the first indication information used to indicate the information of the target QoS flow can be from the core network device), and target packet header information (corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3C, at this time, the first indication information used to indicate the target packet header information can be from the core network device).

[0234] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of: information of the target data radio bearer (DRB) (corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, at this time, the second indication information used to indicate the information of the target PDU session and / or the target DRB can be sent to the first access network node), information of the target signaling radio bearer (SRB) (corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, at this time, the second indication information used to indicate the information of the target SRB can be sent to the first access network node), information of the target quality of service (QoS) flow (corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3B, at this time, the second indication information used to indicate the information of the target QoS flow can be sent to the first access network node), and target packet header information (corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3C, at this time, the second indication information used to indicate the target packet header information can be sent to the first access network node).

[0235] Exemplarily, for the source node, the second indication information can be received, and the target data packet can be sent to the host node of the first relay node according to the second indication information. The specific sending mode can be further understood from the detailed description of FIGS. 3A to 3D, which will not be repeated here. Alternatively, exemplarily, in combination with the embodiment of FIG. 3E, for the source node, the target data packet can be sent by using the first message container. For example, the first message container can be transmitted through the communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or the first message container can be transmitted through the communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node.

[0236] Exemplarily, the communication interface message can further include an identification message of the second access network node.

[0237] Exemplarily, for example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 3A to 3E, the process in which the host node determines that the first data packet is the target data packet after receiving the first data packet is described in detail. The following will take the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) requesting to establish an Xn interface with the second access network node (establishing the Xn interface can also be understood as the process of transmitting the target data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node) as an example to describe the specific example in which the host node forwards the first data packet to the second access network node based on the destination IP address after determining that the first data packet is the target data packet.

[0238] FIG. 4A schematically shows a protocol stack corresponding to IP routing forwarding of a control plane data packet, and FIG. 4B schematically shows a protocol stack corresponding to IP routing forwarding of a user plane data packet.

[0239] Taking FIG. 4A as an example, a first PDU session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device, which enables the first relay node (such as the first mobile terminal of the first relay node) to transmit an Xn setup request message (Xn setup request is an Xn interface establishment request) to be sent by the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) to a neighboring station to the donor node in a wireless backhaul manner such as a DRB or SRB associated with the first PDU session. The donor node can determine the first data packet as a target data packet according to the embodiments of FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E described above, and then determine a destination IP address according to the IP address of the first data packet and / or a second access network node identifier (the second access network node is the second access network node) indicated by the first data packet. The donor node can route the first data packet according to the destination IP address of the first data packet and transmit the first data packet to the second access network node. After receiving the first data packet, the second access network node can understand that the second access network node receives the Xn setup request message sent by the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node). If the second access network node determines that the Xn interface can be established, the second access network node returns an Xn setup response message (Xn setup response is an Xn interface establishment response). The return manner is the same as the receiving manner described above, and will not be described here. By establishing the Xn interface, the transmission of the target data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node can be realized. Therefore, the receiver of the target data packet can receive the target data packet in the case of Xn interface establishment.

[0240] In the communication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node. In the case of determining that the first data packet is a target data packet, the donor node can transmit the first data packet to the target node through a communication interface message between the donor node and the second access network node in addition to the forwarding of the first data packet according to the destination IP address of the first data packet in the above embodiments. Specifically, the method can include operations S51 to S53.

[0241] FIG. 5A schematically shows a protocol stack of the first data packet being a target data packet of a control plane and the first data packet being forwarded to the second access network node through an XnAP message of the donor node.

[0242] Exemplarily, if the first data packet is a target data packet of a control plane, which will be also referred to as an XnAP message below, and the XnAP message is taken as an Xn setup request message as an example below, the first relay node (e.g., a first mobile terminal of the first relay node) can transmit the first data packet (which can be understood as the target data packet after the operation of determining that the first data packet is the target data packet) to the donor node through a wireless backhaul such as a DRB / SRB, and the Xn setup request message requests the first relay node (e.g., a first access network node of the first relay node) to establish a communication interface (Xn interface) with the donor node. In this case, the donor node can act as a proxy node for transmitting the first data packet between the first relay node (e.g., the first access network node of the first relay node) and the second access network node, such as transmitting the first data packet.

[0243] Exemplarily, in the case that the first mobile terminal transmits the first data packet of the control plane to the donor node through an SRB, the first data packet of the control plane can be transmitted through a first message container, for example. At this time, the donor node can receive the first message container through a communication interface message (e.g., an RRC message) between the first access network node and the donor node, and transparently transmit the first message container to the second access network node.

[0244] For the source node, the target data packet can be transmitted by using the first message container, for example. On this basis, the first message container can also be transmitted through a communication interface message (e.g., an RRC message) between the first access network node and the donor node, and the first message container can be transmitted through the RRC message.

[0245] FIG. 5B schematically shows a schematic diagram of a layer structure of the RRC message. As shown in FIG. 5B, the RRC message can include a first message container XnAP container, the first message container XnAP container including the first data packet of the control plane, for example, the first message container XnAP container can be a container including an Xn setup request message, and the RRC message can also include information of the second access network node.

[0246] In operation S51, the first relay node (e.g., a first mobile terminal of the first relay node) transmits an Xn setup request message to be transmitted by the first relay node (e.g., a first access network node of the first relay node) to the second access network node to the donor node through a wireless backhaul such as a DRB / SRB.

[0247] The Xn setup request message can further comprise a cell managed by the first relay node (e.g., a first access network node of the first relay node) and a corresponding Tracking Area Identity (TAI).

[0248] Exemplarily, the Xn setup request message sent to the second access network node can be sent to the donor node through a communication interface (Xn interface) established between the first access network node and the donor node, or can be sent to the donor node in a first message container of an RRC message sent by the first access network node.

[0249] In operation S52, the donor node can determine, according to the above-mentioned embodiments such as FIGS. 3A-3E, that the first data packet sent from the first relay node (e.g., a first access network node of the first relay node) is a first data packet of a control plane type, and then determine the identity of the second access network node according to the destination IP address of the first data packet of the control plane type and / or the information of the second access network node indicated by the first access network node.

[0250] After the donor node determines the identity of the second access network node, at least one of the following implementation manners can be adopted:

[0251] Implementation manner one: the donor node sends, as a proxy node, a message such as an NG-RAN Node Configuration Update message to the second access network node, which comprises a cell managed by the first relay node (e.g., a first access network node of the first relay node) and a corresponding Tracking Area Identity (TAI). For details, please refer to the flow steps involved in FIG. 1E.

[0252] Implementation manner two: the donor node continues to forward the first data packet (Xn setup request message) to the second access network node.

[0253] Exemplarily, the first data packet of the control plane (Xn setup request message) can further comprise information for indicating the first access network node, and the second access network node can learn that the first access network node is the opposite end of the second access network node after receiving the first data packet (Xn setup request message), i.e., the second access network node can learn that the opposite end is not the donor node.

[0254] Exemplarily, the first data packet of the control plane can also be sent by a newly added XnAP message, such as an XnAP Message Transfer message. Still taking the first data packet of the control plane as an example, FIG. 5C schematically shows a hierarchical structure diagram of the XnAP Message Transfer message. As shown in FIG. 5C, for example, the XnAP Message Transfer message can include a first message container XnAP container, and the first message container XnAP container can include an XnAP message. On this basis, the XnAP Message Transfer message can also include information of the first access network node, so that the host node can determine that the sender of the first message container is the first access network node according to the information of the first access network node after receiving the XnAP Message Transfer message, and for example, the host node can also forward the XnAP message of the non-host node to the second access network node.

[0255] For the source node, the target data packet can be sent by using the first message container. On this basis, the first message container can also be transmitted by a communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and the communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node can be an XnAP message, that is, the first message container can be transmitted by the XnAP message.

[0256] Embodiment three: the host node sends the first data packet to the second access network node based on the target IP address of the first data packet after analyzing the first data packet.

[0257] Exemplarily, the XnAP Message Transfer message can also include information of the second access network node.

[0258] Exemplarily, in the case that the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) has established a communication interface (Xn interface) with the host node, the Xn setup request message sent by the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) to the second access network node in operation S51 can also be sent to the host node by an XnAP Message Transfer message (the XnAP Message Transfer message can include the first message container, or the first message container and the information of the second access network node). The subsequent behavior of the host node can refer to the above three embodiments.

[0259] In operation S53, the neighboring access network node (that is, the second access network node) of the first access network node performs the following operation after receiving the data sent by the host node:

[0260] For the above described embodiment one, the host node second access network node sends for example a NG-RAN Node Configuration Update message, the second access network node can reply a NG-RAN Node Configuration Update Acknowledge message to the host node. When the host node receives a UE related XnAP message (such as by finding the destination IP address of the XnAP message is not itself, or by the host node recognizing the UE related XnAP message by the XnAP UE ID for the UE which is assigned by the host node for the first access network node), the host node can modify the XnAP UE ID, transport layer address and GTP-U TEID of the sender of the XnAP message to its own information for example. Similarly, the UE related XnAP message forwarding way from the second access network node to the first access network node is the same, only the object of the two ends of the transceiver is transposed, which is not described here.

[0261] For the above-mentioned embodiment two, the host node continues to forward the first data packet (Xn setup request message) to the second access network node, and after the second access network node receives the first data packet sent by the host node, it can be understood as receiving the Xn setup request message sent by the first access network node. After the second access network node determines that the Xn interface can be established, it sends the Xn setup response message to the host node. Optionally, the Xn setup response message can carry the identification information of the first access network node as the real receiving end indication, and then the host node continues to forward the Xn setup response message to the first access network node. Optionally, the Xn setup response message can also carry the identification information of the second access network node to inform the first access network node that the real sending end is the second access network node. Optionally, similar to the forwarding mode of the XnAP container in the above-mentioned embodiment two, the Xn setup response message replied by the second access network node to the first access network node can be sent to the host node through the XnAP Message Transfer message (the XnAP Message Transfer message can include a first message container, and the first message container can include the Xn setup response. On this basis, the XnAP Message Transfer message can also include the information of the first access network node), and then the host node sends it to the first access network node through the XnAP Message Transfer or RRC message (the XnAP Message Transfer or RRC message can include a first message container, and the first message container can include the Xn setup request message. On this basis, the XnAP Message Transfer or RRC message can also include the information of the second access network node), or the host node parses the XnAP message in the XnAP container and interacts with the first access network node in the manner of the above-mentioned embodiment one.

[0262] It should be noted that in addition to the above embodiments, there are the following second access network node determination not to establish Xn interface cases: the second access network node belongs to the second relay node, and the second relay node is the same type of node as the first relay node. The wireless access backhaul node can be taken as the type of the first relay node, that is, the first relay node has base station function (the first access network node) and mobile terminal function (the first mobile terminal), and the second relay node of the same type as the first relay node can be understood as the second relay node including the base station function and the mobile terminal function, which will be referred to as the second access network node and the second mobile terminal below. For example, there can be the following several implementation manners:

[0263] Implementation manner one: the host node will not forward the first data packet to the second access network node. For example, in the case that the host node forwards the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node, for example, in the case that the host node receives the first data packet from the first access network node and determines that the first data packet is the target data packet, and the second access network node is the same type of node as the first access network node, the host node will not forward the first data packet to the second access network node, which can be understood as that the communication connection establishment between the first access network node and the second access network node fails. Optionally, the host node can send indication information (for example, third indication information) for indicating that the communication interface (the communication interface is the Xn interface) establishment between the first access network node and the second access network node fails to the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node), and the first relay node (such as the first access network node of the first relay node) can accept the third indication information. The indication information (such as the third indication information) can also be used to indicate that the reason for the communication interface establishment failure is that the node type of the second access network node is the same as that of the first access network node. For example, the indication information (such as the third indication information) for indicating the reason for the communication interface establishment failure can be an Xn setup failure message, indicating that the reason for the failure is that the second access network node belongs to the second relay node.

[0264] In the case that the first data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node is routed to the second access network node via the destination IP address of the first data packet after the first data packet reaches the core network device serving the first mobile terminal (such as the UPF serving the core network device of the first mobile terminal) via the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal, if the core network device serving the first mobile terminal determines that the UE sending the first data packet is the first mobile terminal (i.e., the core network device serving the first mobile terminal determines that the node type of the node sending the first data packet is a WAB node), and the first PDU session transmitting the first data packet is dedicated for transmitting the target data packet, the core network device serving the first mobile terminal can determine whether the receiver is also a WAB node based on the destination IP address of the first data packet, and if the receiver is also a WAB node, the first data packet will not be forwarded, the communication interface (Xn interface) is failed to be established, and optionally, indication information indicating that the communication interface (the communication interface is the Xn interface) between the first access network node and the second access network node is failed to be established is sent. The indication information can also be used to indicate that the reason for the failure of the establishment of the communication interface is that the node type of the second access network node is the same as that of the first access network node. In the case that the host node determines that the neighboring access network node (i.e., the second access network node) of the first access network node is also a WAB node, the host node can inform the core network device serving the first mobile terminal of the information of the second access network node, and the core network device serving the first mobile terminal can intercept the first data packet whose destination IP address is the IP address of the second access network node based on the information of the second access network node, terminate the forwarding of the first data packet, and fail to establish the communication interface (the Xn interface), and optionally, send indication information indicating that the communication interface (the communication interface is the Xn interface) between the first access network node and the second access network node is failed to be established. The indication information can also be used to indicate that the reason for the failure of the establishment of the communication interface is that the node type of the second access network node is the same as that of the first access network node.

[0265] In the case that the host node forwards the first data packet, and the second access network node refuses to establish the communication interface (the Xn interface), for example, in the case that the host node receives the first data packet from the first access network node and determines that the first data packet is the target data packet and the second access network node is a node of the same type as the first access network node, the host node can forward the first data packet to the second access network node, and the second access network node can refuse to establish the communication interface (the Xn interface) between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0266] Exemplarily, the second access network node can further send, to the host node, indication information indicating that the communication interface (the communication interface is an Xn interface) between the first access network node and the second access network node fails to be established (for example, the indication information sent by the second access network node to the host node and indicating that the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node fails to be established is fifth indication information, and the host node can further forward the fifth indication information to the first access network node of the first relay node), the fifth indication information can be received by the host node, and the host node can further send the fifth indication information to the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node), and the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) receives the fifth indication information. The indication information (the fifth indication information) can further indicate that the reason for the failure of the communication interface to be established is that the node type of the second access network node is the same as that of the first access network node. For example, the indication information indicating the reason for the failure of the communication interface to be established can be an Xn setup failure message, and the reason for the failure is that the second access network node belongs to the second relay node.

[0267] Exemplarily, the first access network node and the second access network node can transmit the establishment request of the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node by means of a target data packet (in the case that the first data packet is the target data packet, the target data packet is also the first data packet), and the establishment request of the communication interface can include fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first access network node belongs to the first relay node, that is, the fourth indication information indicates that the node type of the second relay node is the same as that of the first relay node. It should be noted that, in the embodiment three, the second access network node rejects to establish the communication interface, and the reason for the rejection is that, from the perspective of the second access network node, the fourth indication information included in the establishment request of the communication interface carried by the first data packet indicates that the first access network node belongs to the first relay node, that is, the first access network node sending the first data packet belongs to the first relay node, and since the second access network node belongs to the second relay node, the node type of the first relay node is the same as that of the second relay node, and therefore the second access network node can reject to establish the Xn interface.

[0268] In the embodiment four, the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal forwards the first data packet, and the second access network node rejects to establish the communication interface (the Xn interface). Different from the embodiment three, in the embodiment four, the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal forwards the first data packet, and the manner of forwarding the first data packet by means of the UPF of the core network device serving the first mobile terminal is similar to that of the embodiment three, and details are not described herein.

[0269] In summary, according to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the host node can identify that the first data packet transmitted by the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) via the backhaul link to the second access network node is the target data packet (also referred to as Xn data), and then the first data packet can be transmitted to the second access network node through IP routing or through the communication interface between the host node and the second access network node. The first data packet can be forwarded from the core network device serving the first mobile terminal to the second access network node without passing through the first PDU session established by the first mobile terminal of the first relay node, thereby reducing the delay of the first data packet (i.e., Xn data) interaction between the first relay node (for example, the first access network node of the first relay node) and the second access network node, improving the transmission efficiency of the first data packet, i.e., improving the interaction efficiency of the Xn data and the communication efficiency between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0270] In addition, in the case that the node type of the second relay node is the same as that of the first relay node, for example, the wireless access node is applied to the case of a vehicle-mounted mobile relay, the positions of the first relay node and the second relay node move with the position of the vehicle or other transportation tool. In this case, the host node can not receive the first data packet to improve the communication efficiency.

[0271] The following will illustrate another wireless access backhaul (WAB) network architecture based on an open radio access network (O-RAN) that applies the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, which can also be understood as another specific example of a communication system.

[0272] FIG. 6 schematically shows a schematic diagram of another WAB network architecture according to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 6, the system architecture of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can include an access network controller RIC, a first relay node WAB, a host node donor, and a second access network node other gNB.

[0274] FIG. 6 also schematically shows a specific example that the first relay node WAB includes a first access network node and a first mobile terminal WAB-MT. FIG. 6 also schematically shows a specific example that the host node donor includes a centralized unit donor-CU and a distributed unit donor-DU, the first access network node includes a centralized unit WAB-CU and a distributed unit WAB-DU, and the second access network node other gNB includes a centralized unit other gNB-CU and a distributed unit other gNB-DU.

[0275] The access network controller is communicatively connected with the first relay node, the second access network node, and the host node via a communication interface. In the example of FIG. 6, the access network controller is communicatively connected with the distributed unit donor-DU of the host node, the centralized unit WAB-CU of the first access network node, the distributed unit WAB-DU of the first access network node, the centralized unit other gNB-CU of the second access network node, and the distributed unit other gNB-DU of the second access network node via the E2 interface as the communication interface.

[0276] Similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 3C, the network architecture as shown in FIG. 6 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can also determine the target header information of the IP header of the first data packet by the first relay node / host node / core network device serving the first mobile terminal. For example, the target header information can also be determined by the access network controller RIC and sent to the centralized unit donor-CU and / or the distributed unit donor-DU of the host node via the E2 interface. The access network controller RIC can also send the target header information to the centralized unit WAB-CU and / or the distributed unit WAB-DU of the first access network node via the E2 interface. Thereafter, the target header information can also be sent to the core network device serving the first mobile terminal by the first access network node, for example.

[0277] The network architecture as shown in FIG. 6 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can also enable the transmission of the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node. For example, the first access network node can forward the first data packet sent to the second access network node to the second access network node via the access network controller RIC via the E2 interface. For another example, the second access network node can forward the first data packet sent to the first access network node to the first access network node via the access network controller RIC via the E2 interface.

[0278] For example, the first relay node can encapsulate the first data packet of the control plane in a first message container such that the first message container includes the first data packet of the control plane. The first relay node can send the first message container to the access network controller RIC via the E2 interface, and the access network controller RIC can send the first message container to the recipient via the E2 interface.

[0279] For example, the access network controller RIC can also indicate the information of the first access network node in the communication interface message, so that the recipient can also know that the sender of the first message container is the first access network node when the access network controller RIC sends the first message container to the recipient via the communication interface.

[0280] According to the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the system architecture that the access network controller communicates with each node through the communication interface can ensure the accurate and efficient transmission of the first data packet between the first access network node and the second access network node. Since the access network controller is used to control the access network node, at least compared with the technical solution that the host node sends the target data packet to the core network device and the core network device forwards it, the transmission delay of the first data packet of the embodiment of the present disclosure is shorter, and the communication efficiency is higher.

[0281] The above is a detailed description of the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure with the host node as the execution subject. Since the communication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure applied to the host node is related to the source node and the target node, the interaction between the host node and the source node and the target node is described in the above embodiment. That is, the communication method executed by the source node and the target node of the embodiment of the present disclosure will not be described here.

[0282] The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a communication device.

[0283] FIG. 7A schematically shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 700A of a host node applied to a first relay node, the first relay node including a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, a protocol data unit first PDU session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device, and the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0284] As shown in FIG. 7A, the communication device 700A of the host node applied to the first relay node includes a transceiver module 710A and a processing module 720A.

[0285] The transceiver module 710A is configured to receive the first data packet from the source node. The transceiver module is also configured to send the first data packet to the target node. When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node. When the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node.

[0286] The processing module 720A is configured to determine that the first data packet is a target data packet.

[0287] The source node is the first access network node or the second access network node, and the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0288] FIG. 7B shows a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 700B applied to a source node, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the source node being a first access network node or a second access network node, the first relay node comprising the first access network node and a first mobile terminal, a first protocol data unit, PDU, session having been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, the first PDU session providing a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node.

[0289] As shown in FIG. 7B, the communication apparatus 700B applied to the source node comprises a transceiver module 710B.

[0290] The transceiver module 710B is configured to receive second indication information, and transmit a target data packet to a host node of the first relay node according to the second indication information, or transmit the target data packet according to a first message container.

[0291] The second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer, DRB, information of a target signaling radio bearer, SRB, information of a target quality of service, QoS, flow, and target packet header information; the target DRB is a DRB used for transmitting the target data packet, the target SRB is an SRB used for transmitting the target data packet; the target QoS flow is a QoS flow used for carrying the target data packet, the target packet header information is packet header information of an Internet Protocol, IP, packet of the target data packet, and the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and a second access network node, the second access network node being a neighboring access network node of the first access network node and different from the host node, and the target data packet in the first message container is a data packet of a control plane.

[0292] FIG. 7C shows a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 700C applied to a target node, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0293] As shown in FIG. 7C, the communication apparatus 700C applied to the target node comprises a transceiver module 710C.

[0294] The transceiver module 710C is configured to receive a target data packet from a host node of the first relay node.

[0295] The first relay node comprises a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, a first protocol data unit, PDU, session having been established between the first mobile terminal and a core network device, the first PDU session providing a backhaul function for data of the first access network node; the second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node and different from the host node, and the target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node.

[0296] It should be understood that the embodiments of the device part of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 7A correspond to the same or similar embodiments of the method part of the present disclosure performed by the host node of the first relay node, the embodiments of the device part of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 7B correspond to the same or similar embodiments of the method part of the present disclosure performed by the source node, the embodiments of the device part of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 7C correspond to the same or similar embodiments of the method part of the present disclosure performed by the target node, the technical problems solved and the technical effects achieved are also the same or similar, and the present disclosure will not be repeated here.

[0297] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also provides a communication device, a chip module, a communication system, a computer readable storage medium and a computer program product.

[0298] A communication device of an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a processor and an interface circuit for receiving a signal from another communication device outside the communication device and transmitting the signal to the processor or sending a signal from the processor to another communication device outside the communication device, and the processor is used for executing the communication method of any one of the above-mentioned embodiments by logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0299] In some embodiments, the instructions are stored in a memory. The memory is communicatively connected or coupled to the processor.

[0300] In some embodiments, the communication device is a chip.

[0301] A chip module of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transceiver assembly and a chip, and the chip is used for executing the communication method of any one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0302] A communication system of an embodiment of the present disclosure (for example, the communication system of an embodiment of the present disclosure can also refer to the system architecture of FIG. 2 and its description), including: a source node, a host node of a first relay node and a target node.

[0303] The source node is a first access network node or a second access network node, and when the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node. The first relay node includes a first access network node and a first mobile terminal, and a protocol data protocol first PDU session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network device, the first PDU session provides backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, the second access network node is a neighboring access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

[0304] FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 that can be used to implement the communication method of embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication device includes various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. The communication device can also include various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, smartphones, wearable devices, and other similar computing devices. The components, their connections, and their functions, as described herein, are meant to be examples only, and are not intended to limit the implementations of the present disclosure described and / or claimed in this document.

[0305] As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 800 includes a computing unit 801 that can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to a computer program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 802 or a computer program loaded from a storage unit 808 into a random access memory (RAM) 803. Various programs and data required for the operation of the communication device 800 can also be stored in the RAM 803. The computing unit 801, the ROM 802, and the RAM 803 are connected to each other through a bus 804. An input / output (I / O) interface 805 is also connected to the bus 804.

[0306] Various components in the communication device 800 are connected to the I / O interface 805, including an input unit 806, such as a keyboard, a mouse, etc.; an output unit 807, such as various types of displays, speakers, etc.; the storage unit 808, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, etc.; and a communication unit 809, such as a network card, a modem, a wireless communication transceiver, etc. The communication unit 809 allows the device 800 to exchange information / data with other devices through computer networks, such as the Internet, and / or various telecommunication networks.

[0307] The computing unit 801 can be various general and / or special purpose processing components with processing and computing capabilities. Some examples of the computing unit 801 include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), various specialized artificial intelligence (AI) computing chips, various computing units running machine learning model algorithms, a digital signal processor (DSP), and any suitable processor, controller, microcontroller, and the like. The computing unit 801 performs various methods and processes described above, such as the communication methods. For example, in some embodiments, the aforementioned methods can be implemented as a computer software program tangibly embodied in a machine-readable medium, such as the storage unit 808. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program can be loaded and / or installed onto the communication device 800 via the ROM 802 and / or the communication unit 809. When the computer program is loaded onto the RAM 803 and executed by the computing unit 801, one or more steps of the communication methods described above can be performed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the computing unit 801 can be configured to perform the communication methods by any other suitable means, such as by means of firmware.

[0308] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described above herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application-specific standard product (ASSP), a system on a chip (SOC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which can be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0309] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code can be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, produces the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code can be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, partially on a machine as a standalone software package, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0310] In the context of the present disclosure, a machine-readable medium can be a tangible medium that contains or stores a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium can be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable medium can include but is not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the machine-readable storage medium will include one or more lines of electrical connections, portable computer disks, hard disk drives, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), optical fibers, portable compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, flash memories, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0311] To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniques described here can be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor) for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[0312] The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a user computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and the Internet.

[0313] The computer system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0314] It should be understood that the various forms of flow shown above can be re-ordered, added to, or deleted from without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the steps recited in the present disclosure can be performed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired results of the present disclosure are achieved, and are not limited herein.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The communication method is applied to a host node of a first relay node, which includes a first mobile terminal and a first access network node. A Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network equipment. This PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node. Receive a first data packet from a source node, wherein the source node is either the first access network node or the second access network node; The first data packet is determined to be a target data packet, which is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node; the second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node; When the first data packet is sent to the target node, if the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; if the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: information of the target PDU session, information of the target Quality of Service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information; The target PDU session is a PDU session used to carry the target data packet; The target QoS flow is a Quality of Service (QoS) flow used to carry the target data packet; the target header information is the header information of the Internet Protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: Send a second indication message, the second indication message being used to indicate at least one of the following: information of the target data radio bearer (DRB), information of the target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of the target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target packet header information; The target DRB is a DRB used to transmit the target data packet, and the target SRB is an SRB used to transmit the target data packet; The target QoS flow is a Quality of Service (QoS) flow used to carry the target data packet, and the target header information is the header information of the Internet Protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, When the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining that the first data packet is the target data packet includes: The first data packet transmitted through the DRB associated with the target PDU session, the target DRB, or the target SRB is identified as the target data packet.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, When the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining that the first data packet is the target data packet includes: The first data packet transmitted through the target QoS stream is identified as the target data packet.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The target header information is used to indicate that the payload of the data packet is the target data packet.

7. The method according to claim 2, 3, or 6, characterized in that, When the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, determining that the first data packet is the target data packet includes: The first data packet whose IP packet header information is the same as the target packet header information is determined as the target data packet.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that, Determining the first data packet as the target data packet includes: The first data packet that meets the parsing conditions is parsed to obtain the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet. The parsing conditions include: the first data packet is a data packet sent by the first relay node. Based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, the first data packet is determined to be the target data packet.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The step of determining the first data packet as the target data packet based on the IP packet header information of the first data packet includes: Based on the header information of the IP packet in the first data packet, the first data packet whose destination IP address is not the IP address of the core network device is identified as the target data packet; and / or Based on the header information of the IP packet of the first data packet, the first data packet with the destination IP address being the IP address of the second access network node is determined as the target data packet.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining that the first data packet is the target data packet includes: The first data packet, which includes a first message container, is identified as the target data packet, wherein the first message container includes the target data packet whose data packet type is control plane.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node, the first message container is transmitted via a communication interface message between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or, the first message container is transmitted via a communication interface message between the first access network node and the host node.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The communication interface message also includes: the identification information of the second access network node.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The source node is the first access network node and the target node is the second access network node. When it is determined that the first data packet is the target data packet, sending the first data packet to the target node includes: The first data packet is sent to the second access network node via IP routing; or... The first data packet is sent to the second access network node through the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Sending the first data packet to the second access network node via the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node includes: If the first data packet includes the first message container, the first message container is transparently transmitted to the second access network node through the communication interface message between the host node and the second access network node.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The first data packet will not be transmitted in the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) User Plane Tunneling Protocol (GTP-U) tunnel associated with the target PDU session.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-15, characterized in that, If the first data packet is determined to be the target data packet, the method further includes: The first data packet is not sent to the target node; When the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; when the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node; wherein, the second access network node is a second relay node, and the second relay node and the first relay node are nodes of the same type.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Also includes: Send a third indication message, which is used to indicate that the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node has failed to be established.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The third indication information is also used to indicate the reason value for the failure of the communication interface establishment: the second access network node and the first access network node have the same node type, and the target data packet is used to transmit the communication interface establishment request.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a source node, which is either a first access network node or a second access network node. The first relay node includes the first access network node and a first mobile terminal. A Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and the core network equipment. This first PDU session provides backhaul functionality for data transmission from the first access network node. The method includes: The system receives second indication information, which indicates at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer (DRB), information of a target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target header information; wherein the target DRB is a DRB used to transmit the target data packet, the target SRB is an SRB used to transmit the target data packet, the target QoS flow is a QoS flow used to carry the target data packet, and the target header information is the header information of the Internet Protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet; The target data packet is sent to the host node of the first relay node according to the second instruction information, or the target data packet is sent according to the first message container. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node and is different from the host node. The first message container includes the target data packet with the data packet type of control plane.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, When the source node is the first access network node, sending the target data packet according to the first message container includes: The first message container is transmitted via the communication interface between the first mobile terminal and the host node, and / or via the communication interface between the first access network node and the host node.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The communication interface message also includes: the identification information of the second access network node.

22. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, Also includes: A third indication message is received, which indicates that the communication interface establishment has failed. The target data packet is used to transmit the request to establish a communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The third indication information is also used to indicate the reason for the failure of the communication interface establishment: the second access network node and the first access network node have the same node type, and the first PDU session is used to carry the establishment request of the communication interface between the first access network node and the second access network node.

24. A communication apparatus applied to a host node of a first relay node, the first relay node comprising a first mobile terminal and a first access network node, wherein a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session has been established between the first mobile terminal and core network equipment, the first PDU session providing a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, the communication apparatus comprising: The transceiver module and the processing module, The transceiver module is used to receive a first data packet from a source node. The processing module is used to determine that the first data packet is a target data packet. The source node is either the first access network node or the second access network node. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node. The transceiver module is also used to send the first data packet to the target node. If the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node. If the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node.

25. A communication device applied to a source node, wherein the source node is a first access network node or a second access network node, a first relay node includes the first access network node and a first mobile terminal, the first mobile terminal and a core network device have established a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, the first PDU session provides a backhaul function for data transmission of the first access network node, the communication device comprising: The transceiver module is configured to receive second indication information and, based on the second indication information, send a target data packet to the host node of the first relay node, or, send the target data packet based on a first message container; the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: information of a target data radio bearer (DRB), information of a target signaling radio bearer (SRB), information of a target quality of service (QoS) flow, and target header information; the target DRB is a DRB used for transmitting the target data packet, and the target SRB is an SRB used for transmitting the target data packet; The target QoS flow is a Quality of Service (QoS) flow used to carry the target data packet. The target header information is the header information of the Internet Protocol (IP) packet of the target data packet. The target data packet is a data packet transmitted between the first access network node and the second access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node. The first message container includes the target data packet whose data packet type is control plane.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device. The processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-18, or the method as described in any one of claims 19-23, through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

27. A chip module, characterized in that, It includes a transceiver component and a chip, the chip being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-18, or the method as described in any one of claims 19-23.

28. A communication system, comprising: The source node, the host node of the first relay node, and the target node, wherein the source node is either a first access network node or a second access network node; if the source node is the first access network node, the target node is the second access network node; if the source node is the second access network node, the target node is the first access network node. The first relay node includes the first access network node and the first mobile terminal. The first mobile terminal has established a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session with the core network equipment. The first PDU session provides backhaul functionality for the data transmission of the first access network node. The second access network node is an adjacent access network node of the first access network node, and the second access network node is different from the host node.

29. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, characterized in that, include: Computer instructions, wherein when executed, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-18, or the method according to any one of claims 19-23.

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