Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a first IAB node receiving a BAP address set, wherein the BAP address set comprises M BAP addresses of the first IAB node, each of the M BAP addresses being associated with one of N host nodes, and M being an integer greater than 1; and on the basis of the BAP address set, the first IAB node managing connection relationships with the N host nodes. A plurality of BAP addresses are configured for a single IAB node, and each BAP address corresponds to a host node, such that the IAB node can use one or more BAP addresses according to requirements, and is connected to a correct host node by means of a corresponding path, thereby improving the effectiveness of topology management.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410594795.7, filed on May 13, 2024, entitled “Communication method and communication apparatus”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] The purpose of integrated access and backhaul (IAB) is to support wireless backhaul and relay links, thus enabling flexible and very dense deployment of new radio (NR) cells without the need to proportionally encrypt wired transport networks. IAB supports multi-hop backhaul, and multi-hop networks involve routing functions between nodes, in order to simplify IAB external interfaces and reduce the impact on fifth generation (5G) networks, a backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) is introduced, which is mainly responsible for the routing function and bearer mapping function of data packets in the IAB network. th

[0004] The current IAB architecture for terrestrial networks (TN) mainly targets two structures of spanning tree (ST) and directed acyclic tree (DAT) within a single IAB-donor, where each IAB-node is generally connected to only one IAB-donor.

[0005] The nodes of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) have high mobility, and the NTN IAB will present a more complex mesh structure, each IAB-node can be connected to multiple IAB-donors, and the connection relationship will change dynamically with the movement of the nodes, the (quasi-) static topology management method of the current terrestrial IAB is no longer applicable. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus for improving the effectiveness of IAB topology maintenance under dynamic and mesh structure.

[0007] ​In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a first IAB node or a chip or circuit configured in the first IAB node, and the present application does not limit this.

[0008] The method comprises: receiving, by the first IAB node, a BAP address set comprising M BAP addresses of the first IAB node, each of the M BAP addresses being associated with one of N donor nodes, M being an integer greater than 1; and managing, by the first IAB node, a connection relationship with the N donor nodes according to the BAP address set.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, multiple BAP addresses are configured for a single IAB node, each BAP address corresponding to a donor node, so that the IAB node can activate one or more BAP addresses as needed and connect to the correct donor node through the corresponding path, thereby improving the effectiveness of topology management in a mesh structure.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the BAP address set comprises a first BAP address of the first IAB node, the first BAP address being associated with a first donor node; and the first IAB node manages a connection relationship with the N donor nodes according to the BAP address set, comprising: the first IAB node manages a connection relationship with the first donor node according to the first BAP address, comprising: when an activation condition is met, the first IAB node activates the first BAP address, the activation condition comprising one or more of the following conditions: a clock of the first IAB node is located in a first time period; a distance between a location of the first IAB node and a first reference location is greater than a first threshold and / or a distance between the location of the first IAB node and a second reference location is less than a second threshold; a traffic load of the first IAB node is greater than a third threshold; a traffic load of a first path between the first IAB node and the first donor node is greater than a fourth threshold; a traffic load of a first link connected by the first IAB node for communication with the first donor node is greater than a fifth threshold; a number of hops of the first path is less than a sixth threshold; a latency of the first path is less than a seventh threshold; an orbit type of the first donor node is the same as that of the first IAB node; and the first donor node is a ground network node.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, the first IAB node can determine whether the activation condition corresponding to each BAP address in the BAP address set is met, thereby determining which BAP addresses to use to connect to the donor node.

[0012] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the first IAB node, geographical location information associated with the first BAP address.

[0013] According to the above technical solution, the associated geographical location information can be carried in the BAP address, so that the first IAB node accesses the corresponding host node or manages the path to the corresponding host node according to the geographical location.

[0014] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the first IAB node, restriction information of the first path associated with the first BAP address, the restriction information of the first path including the sixth threshold and / or the seventh threshold.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the first IAB node, orbit type information of the first host node associated with the first BAP address.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the first IAB node, type information of the first host node associated with the first BAP address, the type of the first host node being a ground network node or a non-ground network node.

[0017] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first IAB node manages the connection relationship with the first host node according to the first BAP address, and further includes: when a deactivation condition is met, the first IAB node does not activate or deactivate the first BAP address, the deactivation condition including one or more of the following conditions: the clock of the first IAB node is not located in a first time period; the distance between the location of the first IAB node and a first reference location is less than a first threshold and / or the distance between the location of the first IAB node and a second reference location is greater than a second threshold; the traffic load of the first IAB node is less than a third threshold; the traffic load of the first path is less than a fourth threshold; the traffic load of the first link is less than a fifth threshold; the hop count of the first path is greater than a sixth threshold; the latency of the first path is greater than a seventh threshold; the orbit type of the first host node is different from the first IAB node; and the first host node is a non-ground network node.

[0018] The second aspect provides a communication method, which can be executed by a network device or a chip or circuit configured in the network device, and the present application does not limit this.

[0019] The method comprises: generating a BAP address set comprising M BAP addresses of a first IAB node, each of the M BAP addresses being associated with one of N donor nodes, M being an integer greater than 1; and sending the BAP address set to the first IAB node.

[0020] It should be understood that the network device can be an IAB-donor or a parent IAB node serving the first IAB node, or a core network device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0021] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: sending geographical location information associated with each BAP address in the BAP address set.

[0022] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: sending path restriction information associated with each BAP address in the M BAP addresses, the path restriction information comprising a maximum number of hops and / or a maximum delay of a path through which the first IAB node connects to a donor node associated with each BAP address.

[0023] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: sending orbital type information of a donor node associated with each BAP address in the M BAP addresses.

[0024] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: sending type information of a donor node associated with each BAP address in the M BAP addresses, the type of the donor node being a ground network node or a non-ground network node.

[0025] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first IAB node or a chip or circuit configured in the first IAB node, which is not limited in the present application.

[0026] The method comprises: a first IAB node sending first control information to a second IAB node, the first control information comprising an identifier of a first donor node to which the first IAB node is connected, the first control information indicating a connection status between the first IAB node and the first donor node.

[0027] Based on the above technical solutions, the indication information of the donor node is carried in the control message between the IAB nodes, that is, the IAB node informs other IAB nodes of the path information, flow control information, link failure information, and the like connected to a certain donor node, thereby assisting other IAB nodes to connect to the correct donor node through the correct path.

[0028] In some implementations of the third aspect, the first control information further includes at least one of the following: path information, flow control information, and link failure information of the first IAB node connecting to the first donor node.

[0029] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the first IAB node, response information of the first control information from a second IAB node, the response information of the first control information including an identification of the first donor node, the response information of the first control information indicating a connection status between the second IAB node and the first donor node.

[0030] In some implementations of the third aspect, the response information of the first control information includes at least one of the following: path information, flow control information, and link failure information of the second IAB node connecting to the first donor node.

[0031] A fourth aspect provides a communication method, which can be performed by a second IAB node, or can also be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the second IAB node, which is not limited in the present application.

[0032] The method includes: receiving, by the second IAB node, first control information, the first control information including an identification of a first donor node to which a first IAB node is connected, the first control information indicating a connection status between the first IAB node and the first donor node.

[0033] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first control information further includes at least one of the following: path information, flow control information, and link failure information of the first IAB node connecting to the first donor node.

[0034] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: sending, by the second IAB node, response information of the first control information to the first IAB node, the response information of the first control information including an identification of the first donor node, the response information of the first control information indicating a connection status between the second IAB node and the first donor node.

[0035] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the response information of the first control information includes at least one of the following: path information, flow control information, and link failure information of the second IAB node connecting to the first donor node.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first IAB node, or can be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the first IAB node, and the present application does not limit this.

[0037] The method includes: the first IAB node sending connection capability information, the connection capability information including at least one of the following information: a number of uplink transmission links and / or a number of downlink transmission links associated with the first IAB node, a number of donor nodes and / or IAB nodes associated with the first IAB node, path information between the first IAB node and associated donor nodes, activation period information and / or utilization information of a communication link between the first IAB node and associated donor nodes.

[0038] Based on the above technical solution, the IAB node reports its own connection capability, thereby assisting the network side in topology management, i.e., the network side determines the connection mode between the donor node and the IAB node according to the connection capability of each IAB node.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a network device, or can be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the network device, and the present application does not limit this.

[0040] The method includes: receiving connection capability information sent by a plurality of IAB nodes, the connection capability information including at least one of the following information: a number of uplink transmission links and / or a number of downlink transmission links associated with each IAB node in the plurality of IAB nodes, a number of donor nodes and / or IAB nodes associated with each IAB node in the plurality of IAB nodes, path information between each IAB node in the plurality of IAB nodes and associated donor nodes, activation period information and / or utilization information of a communication link between each IAB node in the plurality of IAB nodes and associated donor nodes.

[0041] In combination with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the method further includes: managing the connection between the plurality of IAB nodes and the donor nodes according to the connection capability information.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus is configured to perform the method provided in the first aspect, the third aspect, or the fifth aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus can include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in any one of the implementations of the first aspect, the third aspect, or the fifth aspect, such as a processing unit and an obtaining unit.

[0043] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0044] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0045] Eighthly, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the methods provided in the second or sixth aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the methods provided in the second or sixth aspect, such as processing units and acquisition units.

[0046] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0047] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0048] A ninth aspect provides a communication apparatus for performing the method provided in the fourth aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in the fourth aspect, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit.

[0049] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0050] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0051] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a processor for executing the method provided by any of the implementations of the first to sixth aspects described above.

[0052] For the sending and obtaining / receiving operations involved by the processor, if no special description is made, or if it does not conflict with the actual role or internal logic in the related description, it can be understood as the processor output and receiving, input operations, and can also be understood as the sending and receiving operations performed by the radio frequency circuit and the antenna, and the present application does not limit this.

[0053] In an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium storing program code for execution by an apparatus is provided. The program code includes code for performing any of the methods provided by any of the first through sixth aspects.

[0054] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the methods provided by any of the first through sixth aspects.

[0055] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions stored on a memory through the communication interface and executes any of the methods provided by any of the first through sixth aspects.

[0056] Optionally, as an implementation form, the chip further includes a memory. The memory stores a computer program or instructions. The processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored on the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to execute any of the methods provided by any of the first through sixth aspects.

[0057] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes the communication apparatus of the fourth aspect and the communication apparatus of the fifth aspect.

[0058] Optionally, as an implementation form, the communication system further includes the communication apparatus of the sixth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 to which embodiments of the present application are applicable.

[0060] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a transmissive satellite architecture.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a non-transmissive satellite architecture.

[0062] FIG. 4(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams of an IAB architecture.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an IAB topology provided by the present application.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an IAB topology provided by the present application.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by the present application.

[0067] FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by the present application.

[0068] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0069] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 20 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0070] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following points are explained.

[0072] First, in the present application, “for indicating” can include for directly indicating and for indirectly indicating. When describing that certain indication information is for indicating A, it can include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and it does not mean that A must be included in the indication information.

[0073] The information indicated by the indication information is referred to as to-be-indicated information, and there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information in the specific implementation process. The to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately in multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited by the present application. Among them, the sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be pre-defined, for example, pre-defined according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting end device by sending configuration information to the receiving end device.

[0074] Second, in the present application, “at least one” means one or more, and “multiple” means two or more. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, “first”, “second”, and various numbers (such as “#1”, “#2”, etc.) are only for the convenience of description and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of each process below does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the objects thus described can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances in order to describe solutions other than the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the characters “510”, “520”, etc. are only for the convenience of description and are not limited to the order of execution steps.

[0075] Third, in this application, "exemplary" or "for example" is used to represent an example, illustration or description. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Rather, the use of "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner.

[0076] Fourth, the "storage" involved in the embodiments of this application can refer to storage in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separately arranged or integrated in the encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially separately arranged and partially integrated in the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, which is not limited in this application.

[0077] Fifth, the "protocol" involved in the embodiments of this application can refer to a standard protocol in the communication field, which can include, for example, the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied in future communication systems, which are not limited in this application.

[0078] Sixth, in the embodiments of this application, "in the case of", "when", "if" can be used interchangeably, and it should be pointed out that when the distinction is not emphasized, the meanings expressed are consistent.

[0079] Seventh, in the embodiments of this application, each term and English abbreviation, such as radio resource control (RRC), is an exemplary example given for convenience of description, and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms capable of achieving the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0080] Eighth, the term "and / or" in the embodiments of this application is only a description of the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B together, and the existence of B alone. In addition, the character " / " in this paper generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it.

[0081] Ninth, the various message names or device names involved in the embodiments of this application are only examples, and do not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of this application, for example, the message can have different names, as long as it can realize the corresponding function.

[0082] The technical solutions in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0083] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to satellite communication systems, high altitude platform (HAPS) communication, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, such as integrated communication and navigation (IcaN) systems, GNSS, and ultra-dense low-orbit satellite communication systems. Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems. For example, the mobile communication system can be a fourth generation (4G) communication system (e.g., a long term evolution (LTE) system), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a fifth generation (5G) communication system (e.g., a new radio (NR) system), and a future mobile communication system, etc.

[0084] Exemplarily, the satellite communication system can include a user equipment (UE) and a network device.

[0085] The user equipment mentioned in the embodiments of the present application includes various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems with communication functions, and can specifically refer to user equipment, access terminals, user units, user stations, mobile stations, mobile stations, remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, terminals, wireless communication devices, user agents or user devices. Terminal devices can also be satellite phones, cellular phones, smart phones, wireless data cards, wireless modems, machine type communication devices, can be cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication functions, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, vehicle-mounted devices or wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grid, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart city, wireless terminals in smart home, terminal devices in 5G networks or future communication networks, terminal devices in internet of things (IoT) systems, etc.

[0086] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can include one or more satellites and ground station devices.

[0087] The ground station device can be a device in the core network (CN) of an existing mobile communication architecture (such as the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access architecture of the 5th generation (5G) system) or a device in the core network of a future mobile communication architecture.

[0088] Specifically, the core network provides an interface to a data network as a bearer network, provides a user equipment with a communication connection, authentication, management, policy control, and bearer completion for data services. Among them, the CN can further include: an access and mobility management network element (access and mobility management function, AMF), a session management network element (session management function, SMF), an authentication server network element (authentication server function, AUSF), a policy control node (policy control function, PCF), a user plane function network element (user plane function, UPF), and the like. Among them, the AMF network element is used to manage the access and mobility of the UE, and is mainly responsible for the functions of UE authentication, UE mobility management, UE paging, and the like.

[0089] The network device can also include, but is not limited to: an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home evolved NodeB (HeNB), or a home NodeB (HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission and reception point (TRP), and the like. It can also be a gNB or a transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G, such as an NR, system, one or a group of (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node that constitutes a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (DU), and the like. It can also be a device that communicates with a terminal device in a future communication system.

[0090] In some deployments, a gNB can include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB can also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements part of the functions of the gNB, and the DU implements part of the functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, implementing the radio resource control (RRC), and the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing the physical layer protocol and real-time services, implementing the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements part of the physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and related functions of the active antenna. Since the information of the RRC layer eventually becomes the information of the PHY layer, or is transformed from the information of the PHY layer, under this architecture, high-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered as being sent by the DU, or by the DU+AAU. It can be understood that the access network device can be a device including one or more of the CU node, the DU node, and the AAU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into a network device in the radio access network (RAN), or can be divided into a network device in the core network (CN), which is not limited in the present application.

[0091] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the radio access network can also be an open RAN (ORAN) architecture, in which the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the present application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0092] The satellite can be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellite, etc. The satellite is connected to a core network device, and the satellite can provide communication and positioning services to user equipment through multiple beams.

[0093] For ease of understanding, a communication scenario to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is briefly introduced in conjunction with FIG. 1.

[0094] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. The satellite communication system includes a satellite 101, a satellite 102, and a satellite 103. Each satellite can provide communication services, navigation services, and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams. The satellite in this scenario can be a LEO satellite or a MEO satellite, etc. The satellite 103 is connected to a ground station device (for example, a core network device as shown in FIG. 1).

[0095] Exemplarily, the satellite shown in FIG. 1 can cover a service area with multiple beams (for example, the service areas covered by the multiple beams shown in FIG. 1). Different beams can communicate through one or more of time division, frequency division, or space division. The satellite communicates with terminal devices through broadcast communication signals and navigation signals, etc. The satellite can communicate with the ground station device wirelessly.

[0096] The satellite mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a satellite base station, and can also include an orbit receiver or a repeater for relaying information, or a network side device carried on the satellite.

[0097] Exemplarily, at least one of the base station 201, the base station 202, the satellite 101, the satellite 102, or the satellite 103 in FIG. 1 can be an IAB node. The satellite is connected to the base station 201 and / or the base station 202, and receives control information and user data from the base station. In addition, the satellite can work in a gaze (for example, an earth-fixed mode or a quasi-earth fixed mode) or a non-gaze (for example, an earth-moving mode).

[0098] It should be understood that FIG. 1 is only a simplified schematic diagram for ease of understanding, and the satellite communication system can also include other network devices or can also include other terminal devices, which are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0099] For ease of understanding the embodiments of the present application, some basic concepts related to the present application are briefly described.

[0100] 1. Non-terrestrial networks (NTN): including satellite networks, high-altitude platforms, and unmanned aerial vehicles, etc. nodes, with global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, easy deployment, and no geographical conditions restrictions, etc. Significant advantages have been widely used in maritime communication, positioning and navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting, and earth observation, etc. Ground 5G networks and satellite networks are integrated, complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, and together form a global seamless coverage of sea, land, air, sky, and earth integrated communication network, meeting the needs of users everywhere. Various business needs.

[0101] As an important part of NTN, the next generation of satellite networks generally show a super dense and heterogeneous trend: first, the scale of satellite networks has developed from 66 Iridium satellites to 720 OneWeb satellites, and eventually extended to 12000+ Starlink super dense LEO satellite constellations; second, satellite networks show heterogeneous characteristics, from traditional single-layer communication networks to multi-layer communication networks, and the functions of communication satellite networks tend to be complex and diversified, gradually compatible and supporting navigation enhancement, earth observation, multi-dimensional information on-orbit processing, etc.

[0102] 2. Satellite working mode: including transparent mode and non-transparent mode. Among them, the transparent mode is: the signal only performs frequency conversion, signal amplification, etc. on the satellite, and the satellite is transparent to the signal; the non-transparent mode is: the satellite has the function of the base station in the signal transmission process, and the UE can send signals to the 5G core network (CN) through the satellite.

[0103] Optionally, transparent is also called pipe-bending forwarding transmission, that is, the signal only performs frequency conversion, signal amplification, etc. on the satellite, and the satellite is transparent to the signal, as if it does not exist. Non-transparent is also called regenerative (on-satellite access or processing) transmission, that is, the satellite has part or all of the base station functions (such as the satellite corresponds to a complete base station or DU).

[0104] As an example but not limitation, the satellite communication system includes a transmissive satellite architecture and a non-transmissive satellite architecture. In the transmissive satellite architecture, the satellite works in a transmissive mode, and in the non-transmissive satellite architecture, the satellite works in a non-transmissive mode. For ease of understanding, the transmissive satellite architecture and the non-transmissive satellite architecture are briefly introduced in combination with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the transmissive satellite architecture, it can be seen from FIG. 2 that the signal passes through the satellite and the NTN gateway in the transmission process of the UE and the gNB, but the signal only performs frequency conversion, signal amplification and other processes on the satellite, and the satellite is transparent to the signal. As shown in FIG. 2, the satellite and the NTN gateway are equivalent to a remote radio unit (RRU) under the transmissive satellite architecture. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the satellite has the function of a base station in the signal transmission process, and the UE can send signals to the 5G CN through the satellite.

[0105] 3. IAB: The purpose of IAB is to support wireless backhaul and relay links to enable flexible and very dense deployment of NR cells without the need to scale wired transport networks proportionally. Typical deployment scenarios include support for outdoor small cell deployments, indoor small cell deployments, and even mobile relays (e.g., on buses or trains). The functional architecture of IAB is as follows:

[0106] IAB-node: Supports access and backhaul over NR, including a mobile terminal (MT) part and a DU part, wherein when the IAB-node faces its parent node, the IAB-node acts as a terminal device, i.e., the role of MT; when the IAB-node faces its child node (the child node can be another IAB-node or a normal UE), the IAB-node is regarded as a network device, i.e., as a DU role. The MT part can be referred to as IAB-node-MT, and the DU part can be referred to as IAB-node-DU.

[0107] IAB-donor: A gNB supporting IAB functions, including an IAB-donor-DU and an IAB-donor-CU, wherein the IAB-donor-CU provides connection for the IAB-donor-DU and the IAB-node-DU; the IAB-donor-DU provides access for the UE or IAB-MT.

[0108] For ease of understanding, the IAB communication mode is briefly introduced in combination with (a) and (b) in FIG. 4. As shown in (a) in FIG. 4, the IAB communication system includes an IAB-node and an IAB-donor, wherein the transmission link between the UE and the IAB-donor is an access link; the transmission link between the IAB-node and the IAB-donor is a backhaul link; and the transmission link between the UE and the IAB-node is an access link. In addition, the specific architecture of the IAB architecture is shown in (b) in FIG. 4.

[0109] 4. Backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP): In order to support flexible and dense deployment of NR cells, IAB supports multi-hop backhaul, and multi-hop networks involve routing functions between nodes. In order to simplify the IAB external interface and reduce the impact on the 5G network, 3GPP TS 38.340 introduces a new IAB-specific protocol, namely the backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP), which is responsible for the routing function and bearer mapping function of data packets in the IAB network.

[0110] Exemplarily, the BAP involves: the IAB-donor-CU assigns (such as automatically assigns, without additional transmission planning and configuration) a unique layer 2 (L2) address (also referred to as a BAP address) for each IAB-node under its control, which can uniquely identify each IAB-node in the network. In the case of multiple paths, each BAP address can be associated with multiple path IDs. Wherein, the path can be understood as a transmission path from a source node to a destination node. In addition, the IAB-donor-CU configures a routing table for each IAB-node under its control, which includes the next hop identifier of each BAP path ID. The DL and UL directions reserve separate routing tables, and the IAB-node-DU uses the DL table, while the IAB-node-MT uses the UL table. Through the routing table, it can be indicated that the data packet should be forwarded to which child node (if it is DL) or parent node (if it is UL).

[0111] Specifically, the source node (such as the IAB-donor-DU in the downlink (DL) direction and the access IAB-node in the uplink (UL) direction) adds a BAP header in the data packet they are transmitting at their BAP layer, and the BAP header includes a BAP address and a BAP path ID. When the IAB-node receives the data packet, the data packet will be forwarded to a higher layer and processed in the same way as the access IAB-node processes incoming F1-U or F1-C data packets.

[0112] The BAP header includes a 10-bit BAP Address field, a 10-bit BAP Path ID field, a 1-bit flag, and three reserved bits. Among them, the BAP Address field carries the address of the destination IAB-node. The BAP Path ID field carries the path identification for traversing the data packet to the destination IAB-node.

[0113] The above briefly introduces the scenario to which the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied, and introduces the basic concepts that may be involved in the embodiments of the present application, and introduces the IAB architecture and BAP protocol in the basic concepts. The current IAB architecture for terrestrial networks (TN) mainly aims at spanning tree (ST) and directed acyclic tree (DAT) structures within a single IAB-donor, wherein each IAB-node (IAB-node) is generally connected to only one IAB-donor.

[0114] The nodes of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) have high mobility, and the NTN IAB will present a more complex mesh structure, each IAB-node may be connected to multiple IAB-donors, and the connection relationship will change dynamically with the movement of the nodes, and the (quasi-) static topology management method of the current terrestrial IAB is no longer applicable, and the dynamic and mesh structure will bring the following complexity of topology maintenance:

[0115] 1. The IAB node may be connected to different donor nodes.

[0116] 2. The relationship between nodes changes (such as parent nodes) under different donors.

[0117] 3. The topology structure is complex, and a ring structure may appear.

[0118] In order to solve the above problems, the present application provides a communication method to improve the effectiveness of topology maintenance.

[0119] It should be understood that the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a satellite communication system, for example, the satellite communication system shown in FIG. 1. It should also be understood that the embodiments shown below do not particularly limit the specific structure of the subject performing the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, as long as the subject can communicate according to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application by running a program in which the code of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is recorded. For example, the subject performing the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be a device, or a functional module in the device that can invoke and execute the program.

[0120] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0121] S510, the network device generates a BAP address set of the first IAB node, the BAP address set including M BAP addresses of the first IAB node, wherein each of the M BAP addresses is associated with one of the N donor nodes.

[0122] It should be understood that the network device described above can be an IAB-donor or a parent IAB node serving the first IAB node, or a core network device, which is not limited by the present application.

[0123] Optionally, the network device can configure each IAB node within the service range with a corresponding BAP address set.

[0124] By configuring multiple BAP addresses for a single IAB node, each BAP address corresponding to a donor node, the IAB node can activate one or more BAP addresses as needed and connect to the correct donor node through the corresponding path, thereby improving the effectiveness of topology management.

[0125] S520, the network device sends the BAP address set to the first IAB node.

[0126] It should be understood that the network device sending the BAP address set to the first IAB node can be an IAB-donor serving the first IAB node sending the BAP address set to the first IAB node, or a core network device sending the BAP address set to the first IAB node.

[0127] Optionally, the network device also sends corresponding BAP address sets to other IAB nodes within the service range.

[0128] Optionally, the network device carries geographical location information associated with the M BAP addresses in the BAP address set sent to the first IAB node, the geographical location information including but not limited to at least one of the following:

[0129] The geographic position information can include longitude and latitude information of the geographic position, GNSS position information of the geographic position, wave position information of the geographic position, grid information of the geographic position, or TAC of the geographic position, etc. The GNSS position information of the geographic position can be the addressing of the GNSS position of the geographic position, the wave position information of the geographic position can be the wave position number of the geographic position, and the grid information of the geographic position can be the geographic grid number of the geographic position.

[0130] When the first IAB node needs to establish a connection with one or more of the N donor nodes, the first IAB node can determine the path of each hop through the geographic position information associated with each donor node, thereby establishing a connection with the donor node.

[0131] S530, when the activation / deactivation condition is met, the first IAB node activates / deactivates the first BAP address.

[0132] It should be understood that after the first IAB node receives the BAP address set, the first IAB node can manage the connection relationship with the N donor nodes according to the BAP address set.

[0133] For example, for the first BAP address in the BAP address set and the first donor node associated with it, the connection relationship with the first donor node can be managed according to the activation / deactivation condition corresponding to the first BAP address.

[0134] Specifically, when the activation condition corresponding to the first BAP address is met, the first IAB node activates the first BAP address. Wherein, activating the first BAP address can be understood as: establishing or continuing to maintain the connection between the first IAB node and the first donor node; or, in other words, activating the first link between the first IAB node and the first parent node, which is used for the first IAB node to communicate with the first donor node; or, in other words, activating the path between the first IAB node and the first donor node.

[0135] The activation condition corresponding to the first BAP address is introduced below, and it should be understood that the first IAB node can only activate the first BAP address, i.e. establish or maintain the connection with the first donor node, when the activation condition is met. The activation condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0136] 1. Time condition

[0137] Optionally, the first IAB node can only activate the first BAP address when the first IAB node meets the time condition associated with the first BAP address.

[0138] For example, the time condition is that the self clock of the first IAB node is located in a first time period [t1, t2], where t1 is a start time and t2 is an end time or a time offset relative to t1. When the clock of the first IAB node is located in [t1, t2], the first BAP address can be activated, otherwise the first BAP address is not activated or deactivated.

[0139] The first time period can be pre-configured by the network device or the first IAB node or other devices, or can be configured by the network device and carried in the BAP address set.

[0140] 2. Location condition

[0141] Optionally, the first IAB node can activate the first BAP address only when the first IAB node meets the location condition associated with the first BAP address.

[0142] For example, the location condition is that the distance between the location of the first IAB node and a first reference location is greater than a first threshold and / or the distance between the location of the first IAB node and a second reference location is less than a second threshold. When the distance between the location of the first IAB node and the first reference location is greater than the first threshold and / or the distance between the location of the first IAB node and the second reference location is less than the second threshold, the first BAP address can be activated, otherwise the first BAP address is not activated or deactivated.

[0143] The first reference location or the second reference location can be any preset location in the network (such as a cell center location, etc.), and the first reference location and the second reference location are associated with the first donor node. Optionally, the first reference location and the second reference location can be carried in the BAP address set and associated with the first BAP address.

[0144] It should be understood that the above-mentioned first reference location and second reference location can be a geographic location, for example, the following information:

[0145] The latitude and longitude information of the geographic location, the GNSS position information of the geographic location, the wave position information of the geographic location, the grid information of the geographic location, or the TAC of the geographic location, etc. The GNSS position information of the geographic location can be the addressing of the GNSS position of the geographic location, the wave position information of the geographic location can be the wave position number of the geographic location, and the grid information of the geographic location can be the geographic grid number of the geographic location.

[0146] The first threshold and / or the second threshold can be pre-configured by the network device or the first IAB node or other devices, or can be configured by the network device and carried in the BAP address set.

[0147] 3. Load condition

[0148] Optionally, the first IAB node can activate the first BAP address when a load condition associated with the first BAP address is satisfied, the load condition being that a load of a bearer service on a given node / link / path is greater than a given threshold.

[0149] For example, the load condition is that a load of a service of the first IAB node is greater than a third threshold, and / or a load of a service of a first path between the first IAB node and the first donor node is greater than a fourth threshold, and / or a load of a service of a first link connected by the first IAB node is greater than a fifth threshold.

[0150] The first link is used for communication with the first donor node, and can be a communication link between the first IAB node and a parent node, or a communication link between the first IAB node and a child node.

[0151] The third threshold, the fourth threshold, and / or the fifth threshold can be pre-configured by the network device or the first IAB node or other devices, or can be configured by the network device and carried in the BAP address set.

[0152] 4. Transmission path restriction condition

[0153] Optionally, the first IAB node can activate the first BAP address when a transmission path restriction condition associated with the first BAP address is satisfied, the transmission path restriction condition being a restriction on a path between the first IAB node and the first donor node.

[0154] For example, the transmission path restriction condition is that a number of hops of a first path between the first IAB node and the first donor node is less than a sixth threshold, and / or a latency of the first path is less than a seventh threshold. It should be understood that the first BAP address can be activated when the number of hops of the first path is less than the sixth threshold and / or the latency of the first path is less than the seventh threshold, otherwise the first BAP address is not activated or is deactivated.

[0155] The sixth threshold and / or the seventh threshold can be pre-configured by the network device or the first IAB node or other devices, or can be configured by the network device and carried in the BAP address set, for example, the network device sends first path restriction information to the first IAB node, the first path restriction information including the sixth threshold and / or the seventh threshold.

[0156] Optionally, the network device sends path restriction information associated with each BAP address in the M BAP addresses, the path restriction information including a maximum number of hops and / or a maximum latency of a path in which the first IAB node is connected to a donor node associated with each BAP address.

[0157] 5. Orbit type condition

[0158] It should be understood that the M BAP addresses in the BAP address set correspond to M donor nodes, wherein the first IAB node preferentially selects a BAP address associated with a donor node of the same orbit type for data transmission.

[0159] Optionally, the first IAB node activates the first BAP address only when the orbit type of the first donor node is the same as the first IAB node.

[0160] The orbit type includes ascending orbit or descending orbit, wherein the ascending orbit refers to the movement direction of the orbit being from south to north, or the movement component vector of the z-axis being greater than 0; the descending orbit refers to the movement direction of the orbit being from north to south, or the movement component vector of the z-axis being less than 0.

[0161] Optionally, the network device sends the orbit type information of the first donor node associated with the first BAP address to the first IAB node.

[0162] 6, donor node type condition

[0163] It should be understood that the M BAP addresses in the BAP address set correspond to M donor nodes, wherein the first IAB node preferentially selects a BAP address associated with a donor node of the TN type for data transmission.

[0164] Optionally, the first IAB node activates the first BAP address only when the type of the first donor node is the TN node.

[0165] Optionally, the network device sends the type information of the first donor node associated with the first BAP address to the first IAB node, wherein the type of the first donor node is a ground network node or a non-ground network node.

[0166] The above describes the activation condition of the first BAP address, and for other BAP addresses in the BAP address set, the corresponding activation conditions can also be described above, and the corresponding activation conditions can include one or more of the above conditions. The activation conditions of different BAP addresses can be the same or different.

[0167] For example, for a second BAP address in the BAP address set, the activation condition thereof can include a time condition, wherein the time condition associated with the second BAP address is that the clock of the first IAB node is located in a second time period, and the second time period can be the same as or different from the first time period. Optionally, the activation condition of the second BAP address can also include other conditions.

[0168] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an IAB topology structure, and the following takes the IAB node n in FIG. 6 as an example to introduce how the IAB node n activates different BAP addresses under different conditions.

[0169] For example, the IAB node n is configured with BAP addresses BAP#A, BAP#B and BAP#C, and the activation conditions of the three BAP addresses all include time conditions, location conditions and load conditions, wherein BAP#A and BAP#B are associated with donor d1, and BAP#C is associated with donor d2. As shown in Table 1, when the time is time 1, the location of the first IAB node is location 1, and the load of the first IAB node is load 1, the activation condition of BAP#A is met, and then the first IAB node adopts BAP address BAP#A to establish or maintain a connection with the target donor d1; when the time is time 2, the location of the first IAB node is location 2, and the load of the first IAB node is load 2, the activation condition of BAP#B is met, and BAP address BAP#B is adopted to establish or maintain a connection with the target donor d2; when the time is time 3, the location of the first IAB node is location 3, and the load of the first IAB node is load 3, the activation conditions of BAP#A and BAP#C are met, and BAP addresses BAP#A and BAP#C are respectively adopted to establish or maintain a connection with the target donors d1 and d2.

[0170] Table 1

[0171] For example, the IAB node n is configured with BAP addresses BAP#A, BAP#B and BAP#C, wherein the activation condition of BAP#A includes a time condition, the activation condition of BAP#B includes a location condition and an orbit type condition, and the activation condition of BAP#C includes a host node type condition, wherein BAP#A and BAP#B are associated with donor d1, and BAP#C is associated with donor d2. As shown in Table 2, when the time is time 1, the location is location 1, the orbit type of d2 is the same as that of the IAB node n, and the type of d2 is an NTN node, the activation conditions of BAP#A and BAP#B are met, and then the first IAB node respectively adopts BAP addresses BAP#A and BAP#B to establish or maintain a connection with the target donors d1 and d2; when the time is time 2, the orbit type of d2 is different from that of the IAB node n, and the type of d2 is a TN node, the activation condition of BAP#C is met, and BAP address BAP#C is adopted to establish or maintain a connection with the target donor d2.

[0172] Table 2

[0173] The activation condition of the first IAB node for different BAP addresses is introduced above, and it should be understood that the deactivation condition of the BAP address corresponding to the activation condition can be understood as not meeting the corresponding activation condition, i.e., not meeting the time condition, location condition, etc. in the corresponding activation condition.

[0174] Specifically, the deactivation condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0175] 1. Time condition

[0176] Optionally, when the first IAB node does not meet the time condition associated with the first BAP address, the first IAB node does not activate or deactivate the first BAP address.

[0177] For example, the time condition is that the clock of the first IAB node is not located in the first time period [t1, t2], and the first BAP address is not activated or deactivated.

[0178] 2. Location condition

[0179] Optionally, when the first IAB node does not meet the location condition associated with the first BAP address, the first IAB node does not activate or deactivate the first BAP address.

[0180] For example, the location condition is that the distance between the location of the first IAB node and the first reference location is less than the first threshold, or the distance between the location of the first IAB node and the second reference location is greater than the second threshold.

[0181] 3. Load condition

[0182] Optionally, when the load condition associated with the first BAP address is not met, the first IAB node does not activate or deactivate the first BAP address, and the load condition is that the amount of bearer traffic on a given node / link / path is greater than a given threshold.

[0183] For example, the load condition is that the traffic load of the first IAB node is less than a third threshold, and / or the traffic load of the first path between the first IAB node and the first donor node is less than a fourth threshold, and / or the traffic load of the first link connected by the first IAB node is less than a fifth threshold.

[0184] 4. Transmission path restriction condition

[0185] Optionally, when the transmission path restriction condition associated with the first BAP address is not met, the first IAB node does not activate or deactivate the first BAP address.

[0186] For example, the transmission path restriction condition is that the number of hops of the first path between the first IAB node and the first donor node is greater than a sixth threshold, and / or the delay of the first path is greater than a seventh threshold.

[0187] 5. Track type condition

[0188] Optionally, when the track type of the first donor node is different from the first IAB node, the first IAB node does not activate or deactivate the first BAP address.

[0189] 6. Donor node type condition

[0190] Optionally, when the type of the first donor node is an NTN node, the first IAB node does not activate or deactivate the first BAP address.

[0191] Exemplarily, the deactivation condition of the first BAP address is a transmission path limit condition.

[0192] Taking the IAB node n6 in FIG. 7 as the first IAB node as an example, it is assumed that the network side configures the maximum path hop limit of the IAB node n6 to the donor node as 3 (hop-limit = 3), that is, when the transmission path length to the donor node is greater than 3, the BAP address to the donor node and the associated path need to be deactivated.

[0193] For example, the IAB-node n6 judges the path length of itself to different donors and finds that the length to d3 does not meet the requirements (that is, the path length hop = 4), and can place the entire link n6-n7 in an inactive state.

[0194] For another example, the IAB-node n6 judges the path length of itself to different donors and finds that the length to d3 does not meet the requirements (hop = 4), and can place the link n6-n7 used for transmission to d3 in an inactive state, but the link n6-n7 used for transmission to d2 normally operates and is still in an active state.

[0195] Exemplarily, the deactivation condition of the first BAP address is a donor node type condition.

[0196] Taking the IAB node n6 in FIG. 7 as the first IAB node as an example, it is assumed that d1 and d2 are NTN nodes and d3 is a TN node, and then the IAB node n6 deactivates the nodes d1 and d2.

[0197] Through the above scheme, multiple BAP addresses are configured for a single IAB node, each BAP address corresponds to a donor node, so that the IAB node can activate one or more BAP addresses according to the needs, and is connected to the correct donor node through the corresponding path, thereby improving the effectiveness of topology management.

[0198] In addition, the application further provides a communication method, wherein the related information of the host node is carried in the control message between the IAB nodes, that is, the IAB node informs other IAB nodes that the IAB node is connected to a certain host node, so as to assist other IAB nodes to be connected to the correct host node through the correct path, so as to improve the effectiveness of topology maintenance.

[0199] Fig. 8 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the application. The following steps are included:

[0200] S810, the first IAB node sends first control information to the second IAB node, wherein the first control information includes the identification of the first host node connected by the first IAB node, and the first control information indicates the connection between the first IAB node and the first host node.

[0201] Optionally, the first control information further includes at least one of the following information: path information, flow control information and link failure information of the first IAB node connected to the first host node.

[0202] The path information can indicate path length, path delay, etc.

[0203] The flow control information indicates the flow control and transmission rate information of the first IAB node to the first host node, etc.

[0204] The link failure information indicates the communication link failure between the first IAB node and the first host node.

[0205] Optionally, the first control information further includes the identification of other host nodes connected by the first IAB node, and indicates the connection between the first IAB node and the other host nodes.

[0206] S820, the second IAB node sends response information of the first control information to the first IAB node, wherein the response information of the first control information includes the identification of the first host node, and the response information of the first control information indicates the connection between the second IAB node and the first host node.

[0207] Optionally, the response information of the first control information includes at least one of the following information: path information, flow control information and link failure information of the second IAB node connected to the first host node.

[0208] Through the above scheme, the indication information of the host node is carried in the control message between the IAB nodes, that is, the IAB node informs other IAB nodes of the path information, flow control information, link failure information, etc. of the IAB node connected to a certain host node, so as to assist other IAB nodes to be connected to the correct host node through the correct path.

[0209] The path information can indicate a path length, a path delay, etc.

[0210] The flow control information indicates flow control and transmission rate information between the second IAB node and the first donor node.

[0211] The link failure information indicates a communication link failure between the second IAB node and the first donor node.

[0212] Optionally, the first control information further includes an identifier of another donor node to which the second IAB node is connected, and indicates a connection between the second IAB node and the another donor node.

[0213] In addition, the application further provides a communication method, in which an IAB node reports its connection capability, thereby assisting network side topology management, so as to improve the effectiveness of topology maintenance.

[0214] FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the application. The method includes the following steps:

[0215] S910, a first IAB node reports its connection capability information to a network device, interacts with a neighbor IAB node, or broadcasts the connection capability information to a terminal side, the connection capability information including at least one of the following information:

[0216] Parameter x1: a number of uplink transmission links and / or a number of downlink transmission links associated with the first IAB node;

[0217] Parameter x2: a number of donor nodes and / or IAB nodes associated with the first IAB node;

[0218] Parameter x3: path information between the first IAB node and an associated donor node, for example, a number of hops of the path;

[0219] Parameter x4: activation period information and / or utilization information of a communication link between the first IAB node and an associated donor node.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 7, the IAB nodes n1, n2, n3, n4, n5, n6, and n7 can all report their connection capability information, thereby assisting network side topology optimization. The following takes the IAB node n4 in FIG. 7 as an example to introduce the above four kinds of information.

[0221] For parameter x1, the transmission links associated with the IAB node n4 include two uplink and two downlink, in which the two uplink are n1-n4 and n2-n4, and the two downlink are n4-n6 and n4-n7. Therefore, for the IAB node n4, the total number of links x1=4.

[0222] For parameter x2, the number of donor nodes associated with IAB node n4 x2 = 3, i.e. n4 can reach given donor nodes d1, d2 and d3 through different transmission paths. For example, n4 can reach d1 through n1, can reach d2 through n1, and can reach d3 directly.

[0223] For parameter x3, the transmission path information (such as the number of hops) of IAB node n4 to the associated donor x3, for example, the path length to d1 x3 = 2, the path length to d2 x3 = 2, and the path length to d3 x3 = 1.

[0224] For parameter x4, the activation time period information x4 of the communication link between IAB node n4 and the associated donor node. Exemplarily, taking the link n4-n1 as an example, it can transmit for donor nodes d1 and d2, at time [t1, t2], n4-n1 transmits for d1; at time [t3, t4], n4-n1 transmits for d2; at time [t5, t6], n4-n1 transmits for d1 and d2; at time [t7, t8], n4-n1 remains silent, i.e. does not transmit for d1 and d2.

[0225] S920, the network device receives the connection capability information sent by the plurality of IAB nodes, and manages the connection between the plurality of IAB nodes and the donor node according to the connection capability information of the plurality of IAB nodes.

[0226] It should be understood that the above network device can be an IAB-donor serving the first IAB node, or a core network device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0227] The network device receives the connection capability information sent by the plurality of IAB nodes, which can be understood as that the network device receives the connection capability information sent by the IAB nodes within its service range, including the connection capability information sent by the first IAB node.

[0228] Optionally, the network device can perform topology optimization, such as optimizing the length constraint of the transmission path.

[0229] For example, when performing downlink transmission from d1 to n6, the path d1-n3-n6 can be selected instead of the path d1-n1-n4-n6.

[0230] Optionally, the network device can perform load balancing optimization to avoid accessing to nodes with larger x1 values as much as possible.

[0231] For example, when performing downlink transmission from d3 to n7, since the number of links of n4 is large, n4 can be avoided and the path d3-n2-n5-n7 can be selected instead of the path d3-n4-n7.

[0232] Based on the above technical solution, the IAB node reports its own connection capability, thereby assisting the network side in topology management, that is, the network side determines the connection mode between the host node and the IAB node according to the connection capability of each IAB node.

[0233] The combination of the above various embodiments is only an example, and does not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of the present application. New embodiments can also be formed by combination, which are not illustrated here.

[0234] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, the devices in the existing network architecture are mainly exemplarily illustrated (such as IAB-donor, IAB-node, etc.), and it should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. For example, devices that can achieve the same function in the future are also applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0235] It can be understood that in each of the above method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the device (such as IAB-donor, IAB-node) can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) of the device.

[0236] The above, in combination with FIGS. 5 to 9, details the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The above communication method is mainly introduced from the perspective of interaction between IAB nodes or between IAB nodes and network devices. It can be understood that the first IAB node, the second IAB node and the network device contain corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing various functions in order to achieve the above functions.

[0237] Those skilled in the art should be aware that units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is performed by hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on a specific application and design constraint condition of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0238] The communication apparatus provided by the present application is described in detail below in combination with FIGS. 10 to 12. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, the content not described in detail can be referred to the above method embodiment, and part of the content will not be described again for the sake of brevity.

[0239] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of the transmitting end device or the receiving end device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, another division mode can be used. The following will be described taking the division of each functional module according to each function as an example.

[0240] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 12 is configured to perform data processing. In other words, the transceiver module 11 is configured to perform operations related to receiving and sending, and the processing module 12 is configured to perform operations other than receiving and sending. The transceiver module 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0241] Optionally, the apparatus 10 can further include a storage module 13, which can be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the apparatus implements the actions of the device in the foregoing various method embodiments.

[0242] In one design, the apparatus 10 can correspond to the first IAB node in the above method embodiments, or be a component (such as a chip) of the first IAB node.

[0243] The apparatus 10 can implement the steps or processes performed by the first IAB node in the above method embodiments. In this case, the transceiver module 11 can be configured to perform the operations related to receiving and sending of the first IAB node in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 12 can be configured to perform the processing operations of the first IAB node in the above method embodiments.

[0244] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is configured to manage connection relationships with the N donor nodes according to the set of BAP addresses. The transceiver module 11 is configured to receive a set of BAP addresses, the set of BAP addresses including M BAP addresses of the first IAB node, each of the M BAP addresses being associated with one of the N donor nodes, and M being an integer greater than 1.

[0245] When the apparatus 10 is configured to perform the method in FIG. 5, the transceiver module 11 can be configured to perform the steps of receiving and sending information in the method, such as step S520, and the processing module 12 can be configured to perform the processing steps in the method.

[0246] When the apparatus 10 is configured to perform the method in FIG. 8, the transceiver module 11 can be configured to perform the steps of receiving and / or transmitting information in the method; the processing module 12 can be configured to perform the processing steps in the method.

[0247] When the apparatus 10 is configured to perform the method in FIG. 9, the transceiver module 11 can be configured to perform the steps of receiving and / or transmitting information in the method; the processing module 12 can be configured to perform the processing steps in the method.

[0248] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and is not described here for brevity.

[0249] In another design, the apparatus 10 can correspond to a network device in the above method embodiments, or be a component (such as a chip) of a second communication apparatus.

[0250] The apparatus 10 can implement the steps or processes performed by a network device in the above method embodiments, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be configured to perform the transceiving-related operations of the network device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 12 can be configured to perform the processing-related operations of the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0251] In a possible implementation, the processing module 12 is configured to generate a BAP address set, the BAP address set comprising M BAP addresses of a first IAB node, each of the M BAP addresses being associated with one of N donor nodes. The transceiver module 11 is configured to transmit the BAP address set to the first IAB node

[0252] When the apparatus 10 is configured to perform the method in FIG. 5, the transceiver module 11 can be configured to perform the steps of receiving and / or transmitting information in the method, such as step S520; the processing module 12 can be configured to perform the processing steps in the method, such as step S510.

[0253] When the apparatus 10 is configured to perform the method in FIG. 8, the transceiver module 11 can be configured to perform the steps of receiving and / or transmitting information in the method; the processing module 12 can be configured to perform the processing steps in the method.

[0254] When the apparatus 10 is configured to perform the method in FIG. 9, the transceiver module 11 can be configured to perform the steps of receiving and / or transmitting information in the method; the processing module 12 can be configured to perform the processing steps in the method.

[0255] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and is not described here for brevity.

[0256] It should also be understood that the apparatus 10 herein is embodied in the form of a functional block diagram. The term "module" herein can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. In one optional example, the apparatus 10 can be specifically embodied as the first IAB node in the above-described embodiments, and can be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the first IAB node in the above-described method embodiments. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 can be specifically embodied as the network device in the above-described embodiments, and can be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the network device in the above-described method embodiments. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 can be specifically embodied as the second IAB node in the above-described embodiments, and can be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the second IAB node in the above-described method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0257] The apparatus 10 of each of the above-described solutions has the function of performing the corresponding steps of the device (e.g., the IAB-donor, the IAB-node, and the core network element) in the above-described methods. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing module, can be replaced by a processor, which respectively performs the transceiving operations and related processing operations in each of the method embodiments.

[0258] In addition, the above-described transceiver module 11 can also be a transceiver circuit (e.g., which can include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing module can be a processing circuit.

[0259] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 20 provided by the embodiments of the present application. The apparatus 20 includes a processor 21 configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 22 or read data / signaling stored in the memory 22 to perform the methods in the above-described method embodiments. Optionally, the processor 21 is one or more.

[0260] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus 20 further includes the memory 22 configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 can be integrated with the processor 21, or can be separately arranged. Optionally, the memory 22 is one or more.

[0261] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus 20 further includes a transceiver 23 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 21 is configured to control the transceiver 23 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0262] As a scheme, the apparatus 20 is configured to implement operations performed by the first IAB node in the various method embodiments above.

[0263] As another scheme, the apparatus 20 is configured to implement operations performed by the second IAB node in the various method embodiments above.

[0264] As yet another scheme, the apparatus 20 is configured to implement operations performed by the network device in the various method embodiments above.

[0265] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0266] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM). For example, the RAM can be used as an external cache. As an example but not limitation, the RAM includes the following various forms: static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0267] It should be noted that when the processor is a general processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated in the processor.

[0268] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0269] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The chip system 30 (or also can be referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0270] Among them, the logic circuit 31 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 can be coupled to a storage unit, call instructions in the storage unit, so that the chip system 30 can realize the method and function of each embodiment of the present application. The input / output interface 32 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 30, which outputs the information processed by the chip system 30 or inputs the data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0271] As a solution, the chip system 30 is configured to implement operations performed by the first IAB node or the second IAB node or the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0272] For example, the logic circuit 31 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by the first IAB node or the second IAB node or the network device in the above method embodiments; and the input / output interface 32 is configured to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the first IAB node or the second IAB node or the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0273] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer instructions for implementing the method performed by the first IAB node or the second IAB node or the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0274] For example, the computer program, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the method performed by the first IAB node or the second IAB node or the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0275] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, implement the method performed by the first IAB node or the second IAB node or the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0276] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication system comprising the first IAB node or the second IAB node or the network device described above.

[0277] The above-described any one of the devices provides an explanation and beneficial effects of related content, which can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be described here.

[0278] In several embodiments provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There can be another division manner for actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or in other forms.

[0279] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0280] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0281] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0282] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0283] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically independently, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0284] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts that contribute to the prior art or parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0285] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: a first IAB node receiving a BAP address set, the BAP address set comprising M BAP addresses of the first IAB node, each of the M BAP addresses being associated with one of N donor nodes, M being an integer greater than 1; the first IAB node managing a connection relationship with the N donor nodes according to the BAP address set.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The BAP address set comprises a first BAP address of the first IAB node, the first BAP address being associated with a first donor node; the first IAB node managing a connection relationship with the N donor nodes according to the BAP address set, comprising: the first IAB node managing a connection relationship with the first donor node according to the first BAP address, comprising: when an activation condition is met, the first IAB node activates the first BAP address, the activation condition comprising one or more of the following conditions: a clock of the first IAB node is located in a first time period; a distance between a location of the first IAB node and a first reference location is greater than a first threshold and / or a distance between the location of the first IAB node and a second reference location is less than a second threshold; a traffic load of the first IAB node is greater than a third threshold; a traffic load of a first path between the first IAB node and the first donor node is greater than a fourth threshold; a traffic load of a first link connected by the first IAB node for communicating with the first donor node is greater than a fifth threshold; a hop count of the first path is less than a sixth threshold; a latency of the first path is less than a seventh threshold; an orbit type of the first donor node is the same as the first IAB node; the first donor node is a ground network node.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further comprises: the first IAB node receiving geographical location information associated with the first BAP address.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further comprises: the first IAB node receiving restriction information of the first path associated with the first BAP address, the restriction information of the first path comprising the sixth threshold and / or the seventh threshold.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further comprises: the first IAB node receiving orbit type information of the first donor node associated with the first BAP address.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further comprises: the first IAB node receiving type information of the first donor node associated with the first BAP address, the type of the first donor node being a ground network node or a non-ground network node.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The first IAB node managing a connection relationship with the first donor node according to the first BAP address further comprises: when a deactivation condition is met, the first IAB node does not activate or deactivates the first BAP address, the deactivation condition comprising one or more of the following conditions: a clock of the first IAB node is not located in a first time period; a distance between a location of the first IAB node and a first reference location is less than a first threshold and / or a distance between the location of the first IAB node and a second reference location is greater than a second threshold; a traffic load of the first IAB node is less than a third threshold; a traffic load of the first path is less than a fourth threshold; a traffic load of the first link is less than a fifth threshold; a hop count of the first path is greater than a sixth threshold; a latency of the first path is greater than a seventh threshold; an orbit type of the first donor node is different from the first IAB node; the first donor node is a non-terrestrial network node.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: comprising: generating a BAP address set, the BAP address set comprising M BAP addresses of a first IAB node, each of the M BAP addresses being associated with a donor node of N donor nodes, M being an integer greater than 1; sending the BAP address set to the first IAB node.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, the method further comprising: sending geographical location information associated with each BAP address of the BAP address set.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, the method further comprising: sending path restriction information associated with each BAP address of the M BAP addresses, the path restriction information comprising a maximum hop count and / or a maximum latency of a path for the first IAB node to connect to a donor node associated with each BAP address.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, the method further comprising: sending orbit type information of a donor node associated with each BAP address of the M BAP addresses.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, the method further comprising: sending type information of a donor node associated with each BAP address of the M BAP addresses, the type of the donor node being a terrestrial network node or a non-terrestrial network node.

13. A method of communication, comprising: comprising: a first IAB node sending first control information to a second IAB node, the first control information comprising an identity of a first donor node to which the first IAB node is connected, the first control information indicating a connection status between the first IAB node and the first donor node.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, the first control information further comprising at least one of the following: path information, flow control information, and link failure information of the first IAB node to the first donor node.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, the method further comprising: the first IAB node receiving response information of the first control information from the second IAB node, the response information of the first control information comprising an identity of the first donor node, the response information of the first control information indicating a connection status between the second IAB node and the first donor node.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, the response information of the first control information comprising at least one of the following: path information, flow control information, and link failure information of the second IAB node to the first donor node.

17. A method of communication, comprising: comprising: a second IAB node receiving first control information, the first control information comprising an identity of a first donor node to which the first IAB node is connected, the first control information indicating a connection status between the first IAB node and the first donor node.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, the first control information further comprising at least one of the following: path information, flow control information, and link failure information of the first IAB node to the first donor node.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, the method further comprising: The second IAB node sends response information of the first control information to the first IAB node, the response information of the first control information comprising an identity of the first donor node, the response information of the first control information indicating a connection status between the second IAB node and the first donor node.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The response information of the first control information comprises at least one of the following information: path information of the second IAB node connecting to the first donor node, flow control information, and link failure information.

21. A method of communication, comprising: Comprising: The first IAB node sends connection capability information, the connection capability information comprising at least one of the following information: a number of uplink transmission links and / or downlink transmission links associated with the first IAB node, a number of donor nodes and / or IAB nodes associated with the first IAB node, path information between the first IAB node and an associated donor node, activation period information and / or utilization information of a communication link between the first IAB node and an associated donor node.

22. A method of communication, comprising: Comprising: The first IAB node sends connection capability information, the connection capability information comprising at least one of the following information: a number of uplink transmission links and / or downlink transmission links associated with the first IAB node, a number of donor nodes and / or IAB nodes associated with the first IAB node, path information between the first IAB node and an associated donor node, activation period information and / or utilization information of a communication link between the first IAB node and an associated donor node.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The method further comprises: managing connections between the plurality of IAB nodes and donor nodes according to the connection capability information.

24. A communications device, characterized by Comprising: one or more functional modules for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or one or more functional modules for performing the method of any one of claims 8 to 12, or one or more functional modules for performing the method of any one of claims 13 to 16, or one or more functional modules for performing the method of any one of claims 17 to 20, or one or more functional modules for performing the method of claim 21, or one or more functional modules for performing the method of claim 22 or 23.

25. A communications device, characterized by Comprising: a processor configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory, so that the apparatus performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or so that the apparatus performs the method of any one of claims 8 to 12, or so that the apparatus performs the method of any one of claims 13 to 16, or so that the apparatus performs the method of any one of claims 17 to 20, or so that the apparatus performs the method of claim 21, or so that the apparatus performs the method of claim 22 or 23.

26. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises instructions for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: comprises: The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program; the computer program, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 23.

28. A chip, characterized by The chip is installed in a communication device, the chip comprises a processor and a communication interface, the processor reads instructions through the communication interface and runs, so that the communication device performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 23.

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