Communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

A communication method, an apparatus, a storage medium and a computer program product, used for configuring an address capable of being associated with a plurality of donor apparatuses, so as to reduce the number of addresses, thereby reducing resource overhead. A first apparatus receives information used for indicating a first address, wherein the first address may be associated with a single donor apparatus or may be associated with a plurality of donor apparatuses; when the first address is associated with the plurality of donor apparatuses, the first apparatus determines a path from the plurality of donor apparatuses associated with the first address to the first apparatus; when the first apparatus needs to establish an association relationship with the plurality of donor apparatuses, there is no need for each donor apparatus to independently allocate one address for the first apparatus, a first donor apparatus configures one address for the first apparatus, and the first apparatus can be associated with the plurality of donor apparatuses by using the address. The present solution can reduce the number of addresses, thus reducing storage space, and saving resource overhead.

Description

A communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410643816.X, filed on May 23, 2024, entitled “A communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product. BACKGROUND

[0004] Currently, the 5th generation (5G) new radio (NR) technology is evolving from R18 version to R19 version. At the same time, the NR technology has also entered the commercial deployment stage from the standardization stage. The NR standard protocol is originally a wireless communication technology designed for terrestrial cellular network scenarios, which can provide users with ultra-low latency, ultra-reliability, ultra-high rate, and ultra-quantity connection wireless communication services. Compared with terrestrial communication, non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication has the characteristics of large coverage area and flexible networking, and can achieve global network seamless coverage. NTN communication includes networking using unmanned aerial vehicles, high-altitude platforms, satellites, and other devices to provide data transmission, voice communication, and other services for user equipment (UE).

[0005] In some scenarios of terrestrial networks (TN) and NTN, from the perspective of wide coverage demand, or considering the deployment cost of network devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) technology provides a solution to the above problems. The IAB network can include an access link and a backhaul link.

[0006] In the IAB network, the relay node (RN), also known as the IAB node, can provide wireless access services for user equipment (UE), and the traffic data of the UE is transmitted by one or more IAB nodes through a wireless backhaul link to an IAB donor.

[0007] In the discussion of the existing routing mechanism of IAB, each IAB donor configures an address for its associated IAB node, so that the subsequent IAB node uses the address to communicate with the IAB donor. In the non-terrestrial communication scenario, the network topology may tend to be complex, showing a dynamic, mesh structure. How to reduce the resource overhead in the application scenario of IAB technology has become a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0008] The present application provides a communication method, device, storage medium and computer program product, which is used for configuring an address that can be associated with multiple host devices, thereby reducing the number of addresses and resource overhead.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first device. The first device can include a network device or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the network device. For example, the network device can be a satellite device or a network device deployed on the ground (such as a ground station, etc.), for example, the network device can be an IAB-node. The type of the first device can also be changed, for example, it can be changed from an IAB-node to an IAB-donor.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first device receives information indicating a first address. The first address can be associated with a single host device, or can be associated with multiple host devices. In the case where the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first device determines the paths of the multiple host devices associated with the first address to reach the first device. Taking the first path and the second path associated with the first address as an example, the first address belongs to the address used to identify the first device in the first path and the second path. The first path includes the path between the first host device and the first device, and the second path includes the path between the second host device and the first device.

[0011] It can be seen from the scheme that the first host device can configure an address for the first device. When the first device needs to establish an association relationship with multiple host devices, the scheme provided in the present application embodiment does not need to allocate an address for the first device for each host device, but configures an address for the first device by the host device (for example, the first host device, or other host devices), and the first device uses the one address to associate with multiple host devices. The scheme can reduce the number of addresses, thereby reducing the storage space and saving resource overhead.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first address can also be associated with a single host device. In this case, the first address is associated with one host device, for example, the first host device, and cannot be associated with the second host device. In this case, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a path of the single host device to the first device. For example, the first address is an address used to identify the first device in at least one first path. Each first path includes a path of the first host device to the first device. It can be seen that the scheme provided in the present application can also be used to assign an address to a device associated with a single host device, so that each device can be provided with personalized services, and an address more suitable for the situation of each device is provided, so that the address is more matched with the actual demand.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first device receives information indicating the host devices associated with the first address. The host devices associated with the first address include the second host device. In this way, the first device can know which host devices are associated with the first address, and then establish the association relationship between the first address and the host devices, and then use the first address to communicate with the host devices. The first device can establish an association relationship between one address and multiple host devices, so as to reduce the number of association relationships that need to be maintained, thereby saving storage resources and reducing resource overhead.

[0014] The first device can determine the type of the first address in various implementations.

[0015] Example one, the first device receives information indicating the address type of the first address. In the case where the address type of the first address belongs to a first type, the first device determines that the first address is associated with multiple host devices, and the address of the first type is associated with multiple host devices. Or, in the case where the address type of the first address belongs to a second type, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a single host device, and the address of the second type is associated with a single host device. Through this scheme, the first device can determine the type of the first address through the received information, and the scheme can reduce the complexity of the scheme on the first device side.

[0016] In the second example, the information indicating the first address is carried in the first message. The first device determines a bit region occupied by the information indicating the first address in the first message. The first device determines that the first address is associated with multiple host devices in a case that the information indicating the first address occupies a first bit region in the first message, the information carried in the first bit region indicating an address associated with multiple host devices. Or, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a single host device in a case that the information indicating the first address occupies a second bit region in the first message, the information carried in the second bit region indicating an address associated with a single host device. In this way, the first device can determine the type of the first address according to the bit region occupied by the received information, and the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0017] In the third example, the first device determines an address set to which the first address belongs. The first device determines that the first address is associated with multiple host devices in a case that the first address belongs to a first set, the addresses in the first set being associated with multiple host devices. Or, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a single host device in a case that the first address belongs to a second set, the addresses in the second set being associated with a single host device. For example, the number of bits occupied by each address in the first set is different from the number of bits occupied by each address in the second set. In this way, the first device can determine the type of the first address according to the received information, the signaling overhead can be reduced, and the difference between the first address set and the second address set can be implemented.

[0018] In a possible implementation, in a case that the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first device receives information indicating a first condition. The first device determines that the first address is in an active state in a case that the first condition is satisfied. For example, the first condition includes at least one of the following: a distance between the first device and at least one of the first host device, a reference position corresponding to the first host device, the second host device or a reference position corresponding to the second host device is less than (or not greater than) a first threshold; a distance between the first device and at least one of the first host device, a reference position corresponding to the first host device, the second host device or a reference position corresponding to the second host device is greater than (or not less than) a second threshold; or, a current time belongs to a first time period. In this way, the first address of the first type can be set with some active conditions, and the first device can enable the first address of the first type when the conditions are satisfied. In this way, the time and the scenario of enabling the first address of the first type can be flexibly set, and the flexibility of the scheme can be improved.

[0019] The device type of the first device can change, for example, from a relay device to a host device. The relay device in this application can be a relay equipment or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the relay equipment. For example, the relay equipment can be an IAB-node. In this scenario, the first device can perform the following example one or example two.

[0020] Example one, the first device receives information indicating a second address. The second address is used to identify the first device which changes from a relay device to a host device.

[0021] Example two, the first device receives information indicating that the device type associated with a first address changes from a relay device to a host device. The first device changes the device type associated with the first address from a relay device to a host device, and the first address is used to identify the first device which changes to a host device. In this scheme, there is no need to reconfigure a new address for the first device, but the original first address is used. By changing the device type associated with the first address, the first device can continue to use the first address. This scheme can reduce the number of address configurations, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0022] The type of the address of the first device can change, for example, from a first type to a second type, or from a second type to a first type. In this scenario, the first device can perform the following example one or example two.

[0023] Example one, the first device receives information indicating a third address. In the case where the host device associated with the first device changes from a plurality of host devices to a single host device, the first device determines that the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path, and the third path includes a path between the third host device and the first device. Or, in the case where the host device associated with the first device changes from a single host device to a plurality of host devices, the first device determines that the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path and a fourth path, and the third path includes a path between the third host device and the first device, and the fourth path includes a path between the fourth host device and the first device.

[0024] In example one, in a possible implementation, the first device can further receive information indicating the address type of the third address. In the case where the address type of the third address belongs to a first type, the first device determines that the third address is associated with a plurality of host devices, and the first type of address is associated with a plurality of host devices. Or, in the case where the address type of the third address belongs to a second type, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a single host device, and the second type of address is associated with a single host device.

[0025] In Example 2, the first device receives information indicating that the address type of the first address changes from the first type to the second type, and the first device releases or deactivates the second path associated with the first address. Alternatively, the first address is originally of the second type, and the first device establishes an association between the first address and the first path. After the first device receives information indicating that the address type of the first address changes from the second type to the first type, the first device can establish an association between the first address and the second path. In this scheme, the first device does not need to be reconfigured with a new address, but can continue to use the original first address by changing the address type associated with the first address. This scheme can reduce the number of address configurations, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0026] In a possible implementation, at least one of the information received by the first device (e.g., the information indicating the second address, the information indicating the third address, the information indicating the address type of the third address, the information indicating that the address type of the first address changes from the first type to the second type, the information indicating that the address type of the first address changes from the second type to the first type, and the information indicating that the device type associated with the first address changes from the relay device to the host device) is carried in at least one of the following: F1 interface application information (F1 application, F1AP) information, radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration information, downlink control information (DCI) information, media access control (MAC) control element (CE) information, or BAP control information.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the first device receives indication information of a communication device on the path associated with the first address. The first device determines the communication device on the path associated with the first address according to the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with the first address. The first device can determine the node on the path based on the information, for example, the first device can determine the node satisfying the requirement of the indication information as the next-hop node.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the communication device on the first address-associated path comprises a satellite device. The indication information of the communication device on the first address-associated path comprises at least one of the following: an orbit type in which the satellite device on the first address-associated path is located; an orbit identifier in which the satellite device on the first address-associated path is located; a layer number of the orbit in which the satellite device on the first address-associated path is located; or information of the satellite device on the first address-associated path. The information of the satellite device on the first address-associated path comprises at least one of the following: an identifier of the satellite device on the first address-associated path, ephemeris information, position information, or identifier information of an associated cell. Through the information, the first device can determine the communication devices on the first address-associated path to meet the requirements of the indication information, and then establish a path that better meets the requirements.

[0029] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first host device. The first host device can comprise a network device or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the network device. For example, the network device can be a satellite device or a network device deployed on the ground (such as a ground station, etc.), for example, the network device can be an IAB-donor.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first host device obtains a first address. The first host device sends information for indicating the first address. In a case where the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the first address is an address used for identifying the first device in a first path and a second path, the first path comprises a path between the first host device and the first device, and the second path comprises a path between a second host device and the first device.

[0031] The first host device can configure an address for the first device. In a case where the first device needs to establish an association relationship with a plurality of host devices, the scheme provided in the embodiments of the present application does not need to allocate an address for the first device by each host device, but configures a first type of address for the first device by a host device (for example, the first host device, or other host devices), and the first device can be associated with a plurality of host devices by using the one address. The scheme can reduce the number of addresses, and then reduce the storage space and save resource overhead.

[0032] In a possible implementation, in a case where the first address is associated with a single host device, the first address is an address used for identifying the first device in the first path. The first address is not associated with a host device other than the first host device, for example, the first address is not associated with a second host device (and a second path).

[0033] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating the first address to the second host device in a case that the first address belongs to an address used to identify the first device in the second path.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating the first address associated host devices to the second host device, the first address associated host devices including the first host device and the second host device.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends state information of the first address associated resource. The state information of the resource includes: a first state, a second state or a third state. The resource in the first state belongs to an active state. The resource in the second state belongs to a deactivated state. The resource in the third state is in the active state when the first device receives information activating the resource, otherwise in the deactivated state.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends state information of the first address associated resource to the second host device in a case that the first address belongs to an address used to identify the first device in the second path, so that the second host device uses the first address associated resource based on the state information.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating the address type of the first address. Wherein, in a case that the address type of the first address belongs to a first type, it is determined that the first address is associated with multiple host devices, and the address of the first type is associated with multiple host devices. Or, in a case that the address type of the first address belongs to a second type, it is determined that the first address is associated with a single host device, and the address of the second type is associated with a single host device.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating the first condition. The related content of the first condition can refer to the related description of the possible implementation of the foregoing first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating the first condition to the second host device in a case that the first address belongs to an address used to identify the first device in the second path, so that the second host device determines when the first address is in the active state.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating the second address, the second address being used to identify the first device changed from a relay device to a host device.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating that the first address associated device type is changed from a relay device to a host device.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating the third address.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating the address type of the third address.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type.

[0046] In a possible implementation, in the case where the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type, if the first address is associated with the second host device, the first host device can further send information indicating the first address to the second host device, so that the second host device uses the first address.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the first host device sends indication information of a communication device on a path associated with the first address.

[0048] The related description in the possible implementation of the second aspect can be referred to the related description of the foregoing first aspect, and will not be described herein again.

[0049] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second host device. The second host device can include a network device or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the network device. For example, the network device can be a satellite device or a network device deployed on the ground (such as a ground station, etc.), for example, the network device can be an IAB-donor.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the second host device receives information indicating the first address. The second host device communicates with the first device according to the first address. Wherein, the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the first address is an address used for identifying the first device in a first path and a second path, the first path includes a path between the first host device and the first device, and the second path includes a path between the second host device and the first device.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the second host device receives information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type, and releases or deactivates the first address.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the second host device receives information indicating the first condition, and determines that the first address is in the active state in a case where the first condition is satisfied.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the first condition comprises at least one of: a distance between the first device and the first host device or the second host device is less than a first threshold; or a current time belongs to a first time period.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the second host device receives information indicating a host device associated with the first address. The host device associated with the first address comprises the first host device and the second host device.

[0055] The descriptions of the possible implementations of the third aspect can be referred to the descriptions of the second aspect, and will not be repeated.

[0056] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the first device, the first host device, or the second host device. The communication apparatus can comprise a communication unit and a processing unit to perform any of the first aspect to the third aspect, or perform any of the possible implementations of the first aspect to the third aspect. The communication unit is configured to perform functions related to transmitting and receiving. The communication unit can be referred to as a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication unit comprises a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. In one design, the communication apparatus is a communication chip, and the processing unit can be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit can be input / output circuits, input / output interfaces, or antenna ports of the communication chip.

[0057] In another design, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0058] Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises various modules configured to perform any of the first aspect to the third aspect, or perform any of the possible implementations of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0059] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the first device, the first host device, or the second host device. The communication apparatus can comprise a processor and a memory to perform any of the first aspect to the third aspect, or perform any of the possible implementations of the first aspect to the third aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a transceiver. The memory is configured to store a computer program or instructions. The processor is configured to invoke and run the computer program or instructions in the memory. When the processor executes the computer program or instructions in the memory, the communication apparatus performs any of the first aspect to the third aspect, or performs any of the possible implementations of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0060] Optionally, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

[0061] Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory is disposed separately from the processor.

[0062] Optionally, the transceiver can include a transmitter (transmitter) and a receiver (receiver).

[0063] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the first apparatus, the first host apparatus or the second host apparatus. The communication apparatus can include a processor to perform any of the first aspect to the third aspect, or perform any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect. The processor is coupled to a memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0064] In an implementation form, when the communication apparatus is the first apparatus, the first host apparatus or the second host apparatus, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0065] In yet another implementation form, when the communication apparatus is a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module), the communication interface can be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or related circuit on the chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module). The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0066] In a seventh aspect, a system is provided, which includes the first apparatus.

[0067] In a possible implementation form, the system can further include the first host apparatus and the second host apparatus.

[0068] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the first aspect to the third aspect, or perform any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0069] In a ninth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the first aspect to the third aspect, or perform any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0070] In a tenth aspect, a processing apparatus is provided, comprising: an interface circuit and a processing circuit. The interface circuit can comprise an input circuit and an output circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal via the input circuit and transmit a signal via the output circuit, such that any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, or any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect is implemented.

[0071] In a specific implementation, the processing apparatus can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a flip-flop, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The specific implementation of the processor and various circuits is not limited in the present application.

[0072] In an implementation, when the communication apparatus is the first apparatus, the first host apparatus, or the second host apparatus. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the first apparatus, the first host apparatus, or the second host apparatus, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the first apparatus, the first host apparatus, or the second host apparatus.

[0073] In another implementation, the communication apparatus can be part of a device in the first apparatus, the first host apparatus, or the second host apparatus, such as a system chip or a communication chip, etc. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or a related circuit on the chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module), etc. The processing circuit can be a logic circuit on the chip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0074] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0075] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0076] FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0077] FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0078] FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0079] FIG. 1F is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0080] FIG. 1G is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0081] FIG. 1H is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0082] FIG. 1I is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0083] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0084] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0085] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0087] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0088] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0089] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] Figure 1A illustrates an exemplary architecture of a communication system 1000 to which embodiments of the present application can be applied. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system includes a radio access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 can further include an Internet 300. The radio access network 100 can include at least one radio access network device (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 1A) and at least one terminal device (e.g., 120a-120j in Figure 1A). The terminal devices are connected to the radio access network devices by wireless means, and the radio access network devices are connected to the core network by wireless or wired means. The core network devices and the radio access network devices can be independent and different physical devices, or can be integrated into the same physical device with the functions of the core network devices and the logical functions of the radio access network devices, or can be a physical device integrated with part of the functions of the core network devices and part of the functions of the radio access network devices. The terminal devices and the terminal devices, and the radio access network devices and the radio access network devices can be connected to each other by wired or wireless means. Figure 1A is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system can further include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1A.

[0092] The network device involved in the embodiments of the present application, for example, includes a radio access network (RAN) device. The radio access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite-ground integrated network, a future satellite-ground integrated network, an NTN network, a TN network, a network integrating NTN and TN, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc.; it can also be a module or unit that completes part of the functions of a base station, for example, it can be a central unit (CU), or a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The CU here completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete part or all of the functions of the physical layer. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, the CU, DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings.For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, the CU can also be referred to as an open-CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open-DU (O-DU), and the RU can also be referred to as an open-RU (O-RU). Any of the CU (or CU control plane (CU-CP), CU user plane (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. The CU-CP can also be referred to as an open-CU-CP (O-CU-CP), and the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open-CU-UP (O-CU-UP).

[0093] FIG. IB exemplarily shows a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. The O-RAN system in the embodiment provided in the present application can include other components in addition to the components shown in FIG. IB. As shown in FIG. IB, an access network device (RAN, which can be an eNB or a gNB or a next-generation access network device, for example) communicates with a core network (CN) through a backhaul and communicates with a user equipment (UE) through an air interface. For example, a baseband unit (BBU) in the access network device communicates with the core network through a backhaul, and a radio unit (RU) in the access network device communicates with at least one UE through an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a front-haul, and the BBU and the RU can be co-located or can not be co-located. The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate through at least one mid-haul. In the embodiment of the present application, the third communication device can configure information of the auxiliary communication device to the terminal device (such as the UE), and can also send signaling for activating or deactivating one or more communication devices to the terminal device, and the sending of the signaling can be performed by the CU and / or the DU in the third communication device to the terminal device.

[0094] The radio access network device can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in FIG. 1A), a micro base station or an indoor station (e.g., 110b in FIG. 1A), a relay node or a donor node, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the radio access network device. For ease of description, the following describes the base station as an example of the radio access network device.

[0095] The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal device, etc. The terminal device can be widely applied to various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, a sensor, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the terminal device.

[0096] The terminal device can establish a connection with the operator network through an interface (e.g., N1, etc.) provided by the operator network, and use data and / or voice services provided by the operator network. The terminal device can also access the domain name system (DNS) through the operator network, use operator services deployed on the DNS, and / or services provided by a third party. The third party can be a service provider other than the operator network and the terminal device, and can provide services such as data and / or voice services to the terminal device. The specific form of the third party can be determined according to the actual application scenario, which is not limited herein.

[0097] The base station and the terminal device can be fixed in position or movable. The base station and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can be deployed on the water surface; and can be deployed on an airplane, a balloon, and a man-made satellite in the air. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the terminal device.

[0098] The roles of the base station and the terminal device can be relative. For example, the helicopter or the drone 120i in FIG. 1A can be configured as a mobile base station, and for the terminal device 120j that accesses the wireless access network 100 through the 120i, the terminal device 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the 120i is a terminal device, that is, the 110a and the 120i communicate through a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, the 110a and the 120i can also communicate through a base station-to-base station interface protocol, and in this case, the 120i is also a base station relative to the 110a. Therefore, the base station and the terminal device can be collectively referred to as a communication device, and the 110a and the 110b in FIG. 1A can be referred to as a communication device with a base station function, and the 120a-120j in FIG. 1A can be referred to as a communication device with a terminal device function.

[0099] The base station and the terminal device, the base station and the base station, and the terminal device and the terminal device can communicate through a licensed frequency spectrum, an unlicensed frequency spectrum, or both. They can communicate through a frequency spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), a frequency spectrum above 6 GHz, or both. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the frequency spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0100] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the base station can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the base station or a control subsystem containing base station functions. The control subsystem containing base station functions herein can be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The functions of the terminal device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal device or a device containing terminal device functions.

[0101] In the present application, the base station sends a downlink signal or downlink information to the terminal device, and the downlink information is carried on a downlink channel; the terminal device sends an uplink signal or uplink information to the base station, and the uplink information is carried on an uplink channel. The terminal device needs to establish a wireless connection with a cell controlled by the base station in order to communicate with the base station. The cell that establishes a wireless connection with the terminal device is called a service cell of the terminal device. When the terminal device communicates with the service cell, it will also be interfered by signals from neighboring cells.

[0102] The core network involved in the embodiments of the present application can include network devices for processing and forwarding signaling and data of a user. For example, it can include core network devices such as an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane gateway, a positioning management device, and the like. The user plane gateway can be a server having functions of mobility management, routing, forwarding, and the like for user plane data, and is generally located at the network side, such as a serving gateway (SGW), a packet data network gateway (PGW), a user plane function (UPF), or the like. The AMF and the SMF are equivalent to a mobility management entity (MME) in a long term evolution (LTE) system. The AMF is mainly responsible for admission, and the SMF is mainly responsible for session management. Of course, other network elements can also be included in the core network, which are not listed one by one here.

[0103] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram, and the wireless communication system can also include other devices, such as core network devices, wireless relay devices, and / or wireless backhaul devices, and the like, which are not shown in FIG. 1A.

[0104] FIGS. 1C and 1D exemplarily show network architecture diagrams of several communication systems to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. The communication system can include satellites, network devices, and terminal devices, and the like. The communication system can also include gateways and core network devices. FIGS. 1C and 1D exemplarily show a fusion network architecture of an NTN and a terrestrial network. The following will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0105] The satellite can be a highly elliptical orbiting (HEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, and a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the working mode of the satellite. For example, the working mode of the satellite can be a transparent mode or a regenerative mode. FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram taking the working mode of the satellite as the transparent mode as an example, and FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram taking the working mode of the satellite as the regenerative mode as an example.

[0106] When the satellite works in a transparent mode, the satellite has a transparent forwarding function of relaying. The gateway has a function of a network device (such as a base station) or a partial function of a network device (such as a base station), and the gateway can be regarded as a network device (such as a base station) at this time. Alternatively, the network device (such as a base station) can be deployed separately from the gateway, and the time delay of the feeder link includes the time delays of the satellite to the gateway and the gateway to the gNB. The transparent mode discussed later is taken as an example in which the gateway and the gNB are together or close to each other, and for the case in which the gateway is far away from the gNB, the time delay of the feeder link is the sum of the time delays of the satellite to the gateway and the gateway to the gNB.

[0107] When the satellite works in a regenerative mode, the satellite has a data processing capability, a function of a network device (such as a base station) or a partial function of a network device (such as a base station), and the satellite can be regarded as a network device (such as a base station) at this time.

[0108] The satellite can perform wireless communication with the terminal through a broadcast communication signal, a navigation signal and the like. Optionally, each satellite can provide communication services, navigation services and positioning services and the like for the terminal device through multiple beams. For example, each satellite covers a service area by using multiple beams, and the relationship between different beams can be one or more of time division, frequency division and space division.

[0109] The gateway (or ground station, earth station, gateway station, gateway) can be used to connect the satellite and the network device on the ground (such as the base station on the ground). One or more satellites can be connected to one or more network devices on the ground (such as the base station on the ground) through one or more gateways, which is not limited herein. The link between the satellite and the terminal is called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway is called a feeder link. The network device can be deployed separately from the gateway, and the time delay of the feeder link can include the time delays of the satellite to the gateway and the gateway to the network device.

[0110] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can include a network device (such as a satellite base station) deployed on a satellite, can include a network device deployed on a gateway, and can include a network device (such as a ground base station) deployed on the ground. For example, the network device can be a radio access network (RAN) node shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a RAN node in an O-RAN system and the like. For related content, refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0111] A core network (CN) device is a device that is set on the ground and can communicate with an NTN device in an NTN system. For example, the CN can be the CN involved in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, and the related content is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0112] The terminal can be the terminal involved in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, and the related content is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0113] The embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to other communication system architectures, such as an air to ground (ATG) communication system, which includes at least one network device and at least one high-altitude terminal. The high-altitude terminal includes, for example, a high-altitude aircraft and an on-board terminal, etc. The satellite in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D above can also be replaced by other relay devices, such as other NTN devices such as high altitude platform stations (HAPS), etc. The communication system shown in FIG. 1C or FIG. 1D is an example and does not limit the communication system to which the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is applicable.

[0114] Based on the content shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D and the above-mentioned other content, FIG. 1E exemplarily shows an architecture schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application. FIG. 1E takes an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication system architecture as an example for illustration.

[0115] The purpose of IAB is to support wireless backhaul and relay links, thereby enabling flexible and very dense deployment of NR cells without the need to scale up wired transport networks. Typical deployment scenarios include supporting outdoor small cell deployments, indoor small cell deployments, and even mobile relays (e.g., on buses or trains).

[0116] As shown in FIG. 1E, the communication system includes a UE and a network device. The UE in FIG. 1E can be the terminal device or the chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the terminal device involved in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D. For example, the network device can include an IAB-donor and an IAB-node. The IAB-donor is a gNodeB supporting IAB additional functions, connected to the core network through a non-IAB connection, and can provide access for a UE or an IAB-node (for example, providing access through a backhaul link or an access link). The IAB-node can support through NR access (for example, through an access link) and backhaul (for example, through a backhaul link). In the embodiments of the present application, the host can be written as donor, and the node can be written as node. The corresponding IAB-donor can be written as IAB-donor, and the IAB-node can also be written as IAB-node. The replacement method of other words is similar, and the description is not repeated at other positions. Any one of the IAB-donor and the IAB-node shown in FIG. 1E can be the satellite device or the chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the satellite device involved in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, and can also be the network device (such as a ground base station) or the chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the network device (such as a ground base station) involved in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D.

[0117] FIG. 1F exemplarily shows a communication system architecture diagram to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. The network architecture shown in FIG. 1F can be the network architecture involved in the IAB-donor and the IAB-node in FIG. 1E, and the related content can also be referred to the description in the foregoing FIG. 1E.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 1F, the communication system includes a UE and a 5G core network (5GC). The 5GC / base station / parent node / gNB can be the network device shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D or FIG. 1E. As shown in FIG. 1F, the communication system also includes a base station (such as gNobeB), a host (the host is exemplarily shown as an IAB-donor in FIG. 1F, and the IAB-donor can also be written as IAB-donor), and a node (the node is exemplarily shown as an IAB-node in FIG. 1F, and the IAB-node can also be written as IAB-node).

[0119] As shown in FIG. 1F, the IAB-node can support both NR access and backhaul functions, and can include an IAB-node-mobile termination (MT) (IAB-node-MT can also be referred to as IAB-node-MT) and an IAB-node-DU (IAB-node-DU can also be referred to as IAB-node-DU). Among them, the IAB-node-MT can be connected to the CU or DU of its parent node or host as a normal terminal device, as a control link. The IAB-node-MT sends or receives beam direction information of the control backhaul / control link / access link, switches and forwards the transmitted information, routing related information, etc. The IAB-node-DU can provide a pole station cell for the access side of the IAB-node, provide access for normal UEs or subordinate IAB-node-MT to establish subordinate control links.

[0120] The IAB-donor can support the gNodeB (also referred to as gNodeB-donor) with the additional functions of the IAB-node, and can be connected to the core network (for example, connected to the core network through a non-IAB connection), such as a fiber. The IAB-donor can include an IAB-host-CU (also referred to as an IAB-donor-CU) and an IAB-host-DU (also referred to as an IAB-donor-DU). Among them, the IAB-donor-CU can provide connections for the IAB-donor-DU and the IAB-node-DU. The IAB-donor-CU can be connected to other base stations (such as through an Xn-C interface), the base station accesses the 5GC, or the IAB-donor-CU directly accesses the 5GC (such as through an NG interface). The base station accesses the 5GC (such as through an NG interface). The IAB-donor-DU can provide a pole station cell for the access side of the IAB-donor, provide access for normal UEs or IAB-nodes to establish subordinate control links.

[0121] Among them, the F1 interface is used for connection between the IAB-node-DU and the IAB-donor-CU, and completely inherits the F1 interface between the DU and the CU. The Uu interface (such as the NR Uu interface) is used for connection between the IAB-donor-DU and the IAB-node-MT. It can also be used for connection between the IAB-node and the UE. As shown in FIG. 1F, the IAB-node accesses the IAB-donor as a terminal device and establishes a Uu interface connection. The UE can be connected to the IAB-node, and in turn access the IAB-donor-DU.

[0122] FIG. 1G and FIG. 1H exemplarily show several communication system architecture diagrams applicable to embodiments of the present application. In FIG. 1G, D#1 in the NTN network system architecture provides backhaul service as an IAB-donor node and accesses the core network. N#3 and N#4 in the NTN network system architecture and N#1 and N#2 in the TN network architecture provide access service as IAB-node nodes for UEs and / or other network nodes.

[0123] In FIG. 1H, D#1 and D#2 in the TN network architecture provide backhaul service as IAB-donor nodes and access the core network. N#1, N#2 and N#3 in the NTN network system architecture provide access service as IAB-node nodes for UEs and / or other network nodes.

[0124] There are various scenarios applicable to embodiments of the present application. In addition to the above scenarios, the NTN / TN nodes can also be flexibly configured as one or more of the IAB donor in the NTN network system architecture, the IAB node in the NTN network system architecture, the IAB donor in the TN network system architecture and the IAB node in the TN network system architecture according to requirements. The solutions provided by embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to inter-satellite links and feeder links, which can also be transmitted through existing IAB backhaul mechanisms or dedicated / private mechanisms.

[0125] The IAB-donor-CU can assign a backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) address for the IAB-node it controls (or is associated with). The BAP is a newly introduced protocol layer in the IAB network, and its main function is to complete routing and bearer mapping in the IAB network. One possible protocol architecture is shown in FIG. II. There is a BAP layer on both the DU side of the IAB-donor and the MT side of the IAB-node. The BAP layer is above the RLC protocol layer. In addition, the MT and DU of the IAB-node (e.g., IAB-node #1 in FIG. II) can share one backhaul adaptation layer entity, or the MT and DU can each have a separate backhaul adaptation layer entity. As shown in FIG. II, using a data plane protocol architecture as an example, on the UE side, there can be a physical (PHY) layer, a MAC layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a PDCP layer, and an SDAP layer. IAB-node #2 provides access services for the UE, and IAB-node #2 can include, for example, a PHY layer, a MAC layer, and an RLC layer. IAB-node #2 can access IAB-node #1, and IAB-node #2 can include, for example, a PHY layer, a MAC layer, an RLC layer, a BAP layer, an internet protocol (IP) layer, a user datagram protocol (UDP), and a general packet radio service (GTP)-user (U). IAB-node #1 can include, for example, a PHY, a MAC, an RLC, and a BAP. The IAB-donor can provide access services for the IAB-node, and can include, for example, a PHY, a MAC, an RLC, a BAP, an IP, a UDP, a GTP-U, a PDCP, and an SDAP. The IAB-donor can access a core network, and the IAB-donor can also include, for example, a layer 1 (L1), a layer 2 (L2), and an IP.

[0126] Based on the content shown in at least one of FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H or FIG. 1I and other content described above, FIG. 2A exemplarily shows a system architecture diagram applicable to two embodiments of the present application. FIG. 2A takes the IAB-node included in the communication system as a satellite device as an example for illustration. The IAB-node can also be other devices, such as the network equipment deployed on the ground shown in the foregoing FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G and FIG. 1H. The satellite device in the embodiments of the present application can be a satellite device or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the satellite device.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 2A, the base station D#1 and the satellite device D#0 are taken as the IAB-donor (the IAB-donor is identified as the IAB-donor in FIG. 2B) in the communication system as an example for illustration, and the satellite device N#1, the satellite device N#2, the satellite device N#3, the satellite device N#4, the satellite device N#5, the satellite device N#6, the satellite device N#7, the satellite device N#8 and the satellite device N#9 are taken as the IAB-node as an example for illustration in FIG. 2A. Three satellite orbits are shown in FIG. 2A, in which the satellite device N#1, the satellite device N#2 and the satellite device D#0 are located in the orbit #1, the satellite device N#3, the satellite device N#4, the satellite device N#5 and the satellite device N#6 are located in the orbit #2, and the satellite device N#7, the satellite device N#8 and the satellite device N#9 are located in the orbit #3.

[0128] The IAB-donor-CU can assign a backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) address (the BAP address can also be referred to as an L2 address) to the IAB-node controlled (or associated) by the IAB-donor-CU, and the BAP address can be used to identify the IAB-node. The source node (for example, the IAB-donor-DU in the downlink direction, or the access IAB-node in the uplink (UL) direction) adds a BAP header in the data packet at the BAP layer. The BAP header includes a destination BAP address and a BAP path identity (ID). The IAB-node queries a routing table to find out the address of the next hop (for example, the BAP address of the next hop) according to the destination BAP address and the BAP path ID for routing.

[0129] FIG. 2B exemplarily shows a possible network topology relationship between the IAB-donor and the IAB-node in FIG. 2A. There can be other link relationship network topologies between the IAB-donor and the IAB-node in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2B is an example. In FIG. 2B, some IAB-nodes are associated with one IAB-donor, and some IAB-nodes are associated with multiple IAB-donors. In FIG. 2B, IAB-node N#1 and IAB-node N#6 are taken as examples to be associated with IAB-donor D#0 and IAB-donor D#1 respectively, and the remaining IAB-nodes are associated with the respective IAB-donors having the connection relationship.

[0130] Taking IAB-node N#1 as an example, since IAB-node N#1 is associated with IAB-donor D#0 and IAB-donor D#1 respectively, IAB-donor D#0 needs to assign an address to IAB-node N#1, for example, address #A0, and IAB-donor D#1 also needs to assign an address to IAB-node N#1, for example, address #A1. IAB-node N#1 needs to maintain the routes of address #A0 and address #A1 respectively, IAB-node N#1 needs to use address #A0 to communicate with IAB-donor D#0, and IAB-node N#1 needs to use address #A1 to communicate with IAB-donor D#1. It can be seen that in this scheme, the IAB-node associated with multiple IAB-donors needs to maintain multiple addresses, which leads to a large amount of address space being occupied, resulting in a large resource overhead.

[0131] To solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a possible implementation. In this implementation, one address of an IAB-node can be associated with a single host device, or can be associated with multiple host devices. When one address of an IAB-node is associated with multiple host devices, the IAB-node can use the one address to communicate with multiple IAB-donors. This implementation can reduce the number of addresses of the IAB-node associated with multiple host devices, thereby saving storage space and resources. The scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with the drawings.

[0132] Based on the content shown in at least one of FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B and other content described above, FIG. 3 exemplarily shows a possible flow diagram of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. For the convenience of understanding, the interaction of the first device, the first host device and the second host device is taken as an example for introduction in FIG. 3.

[0133] The first device, the first host device and the second host device can be network devices or chips (or chip systems or processors or circuits or functional modules) inside the network devices involved in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. Exemplarily, the network device can be a satellite device or a network device deployed on the ground.

[0134] For example, the first device can be a relay device, which can be a relay device or a chip (or chip system) inside the relay device. The relay device can be, for example, an IAB-node involved in FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. The first device can be, for example, an IAB-node or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the IAB-node. The device type of the first device can change in the embodiments of the present application, for example, the device type of the first device can change from an IAB-node (or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the IAB-node) to an IAB-donor (or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the IAB-donor). The IAB-donor can be, for example, an IAB-donor involved in FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. For example, the first host device can be, for example, an IAB-donor or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the IAB-donor involved in FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. For example, the second host device can be, for example, an IAB-donor or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the IAB-donor involved in FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.

[0135] The embodiments of the present application are applicable to the NTN network system architecture, and can also be applicable to the TN network system architecture, and can also be applicable to the fusion architecture of NTN network and TN network. The types of the first host device, the second host device and the first device are not specifically limited, for example, any two of the first host device, the second host device and the first device can be: a satellite device; or a network device deployed on the ground; or a satellite device and a network device deployed on the ground respectively. For another example, all of the first host device, the second host device and the first device can be a network device deployed on the ground. For another example, at least one of the first host device, the second host device and the first device is a satellite device. For ease of understanding, the system architecture shown in FIG. 2A and / or FIG. 2B is taken as an example for introduction in the embodiments of the present application, for example, the first host device can be the IAB-donor D#0 in FIG. 2A and / or FIG. 2B, and the second host device can be the IAB-donor D#1 in FIG. 2A and / or FIG. 2B.

[0136] The following will be introduced in combination with FIG. 3.

[0137] In step 301, the first host device acquires a first address.

[0138] The first address can be, for example, a BAP address. The first address can be used to identify a device in the IAB network architecture. The description of the BAP address can be referred to the foregoing content, and will not be repeated here.

[0139] In step 302, the first host device sends information for indicating the first address.

[0140] Correspondingly, the first device receives the information for indicating the first address.

[0141] The information for indicating the first address can include / be: the first address, or an index of the first address. The first device can determine the first address indicated by the index of the first address according to the received index of the first address and the association relationship between the acquired address index and the address.

[0142] In the scheme provided in steps 301 and 302, the first device can be an IAB-node or a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) inside the IAB-node involved in FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. The first host device can allocate an address to the first device, which is referred to as the first address for distinction.

[0143] In step 303, the first device determines the address type of the first address.

[0144] In the case that the first address belongs to the second type, step 304 is performed.

[0145] In the case that the first address belongs to the first type, step 305 is performed.

[0146] In the embodiments of the present application, in order to distinguish addresses, the first type and the second type are defined.

[0147] (1) The first type.

[0148] Each address in the first type is associated with a plurality of host devices. Each address in the first type can be applicable to a plurality of host devices. If the address of the first address belongs to the first type, the first device can use the first type to communicate with the plurality of host devices.

[0149] The first device can also establish an association relationship between the first address and a plurality of paths. Two paths in the plurality of paths can be paths to different host devices respectively. For example, the first device establishes and maintains a routing table between the first address and a plurality of host devices.

[0150] The first host device can allocate an address of the first type to one IAB-node, or can allocate an address of the first type to a plurality of IAB-nodes. For example, the first host device allocates an address #A0 of the first type to the first device, and allocates an address #B0 of the first type to the second device. The plurality of host devices associated with the address #A0 and the plurality of host devices associated with the address #B0 can have no intersection, or can be partially the same, or can be completely the same.

[0151] The first type can be replaced by other names, such as a public address type, a first address set, a first address set, or a first address combination.

[0152] (2) The second type.

[0153] Each address in the second type is associated with a single host device. Each address in the second type can be applicable to a single host device. For example, if the address of the first address belongs to the second type, the first device can use the second type to communicate with the first host device. For another example, if the address of the first address belongs to the second type, the first device cannot use the second type to communicate with a host device other than the first host device (for example, a second host device).

[0154] The first device can establish an association relationship between the first address and a plurality of paths, and each path in the plurality of paths includes a path from the first host device to the first device.

[0155] The second type can be replaced by other names, such as a private address type, a second address set, a second address set, or a second address combination.

[0156] The step 303 of determining the address type of the first address by the first device can be replaced by: determining by the first device whether the first address is associated with a single host device or a plurality of host devices. For example, the step 303 can be replaced by: performing by the first device the step 304 if the first address is associated with a single host device; and performing by the first device the step 305 if the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices.

[0157] The first device can determine the address type of the first address by various embodiments. Embodiments A1, A2 and A3 are provided as examples. In the embodiment A1, the first host device can send information to the first device to indicate the address type of the first address. In other words, in the embodiment A1, the first device can determine the address type of the first address by an explicit way. In the embodiments A2 and A3, the first host device does not need to send information to the first device to indicate the address type of the first address, and the first device can determine the address type of the first address according to some information. In other words, in the embodiments A2 and A3, the first device can determine the address type of the first address by some implicit ways. For example, in the embodiment A2, the first device can determine the address type of the first address according to the carrying position of the information indicating the first address. In the embodiment A3, the first device can determine the address type of the first address according to the specific value of the first address.

[0158] In the embodiment A1, the first host device can send information to the first device to indicate the address type of the first address.

[0159] In the embodiment A1, the first host device can send information to the first device to indicate the address type of the first address.

[0160] For example, the information indicating the address type of the first address occupies 1 bit. When the value of the bit is 0, it indicates that the value carried by the bit indicates the first type, and the first device can determine the address type of the first address as the first type according to the information. When the value of the bit is 1, it indicates that the value carried by the bit indicates the second type, and the first device can determine the address type of the first address as the second type according to the information. For example, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices if the address type of the first address belongs to the first type, and the first type of address is associated with a plurality of host devices. For another example, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a single host device if the address type of the first address belongs to the second type, and the second type of address is associated with a single host device.

[0161] In an embodiment A2, the first device can determine the address type by a location of the information indicating the first address.

[0162] For example, the information indicating the first address is carried in the first message. The first message comprises a first bit area (e.g. 10th bit to 20th bit of the first message) and a second bit area (e.g. 20th bit to 30th bit of the first message). The information carried in the first bit area indicates an address associated with multiple host devices. The information carried in the second bit area indicates an address associated with a single host device. If the address type of the first address is the first type, the first host device can carry the information indicating the first address in the first bit area. If the address type of the first address is the second type, the first host device can carry the information indicating the first address in the second bit area. The first device determines the bit area occupied by the information indicating the first address in the first message. For example, the first device determines that the first address is associated with multiple host devices (or determines that the first address is of the first type) if the information indicating the first address occupies the first bit area in the first message. For another example, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a single host device (or determines that the first address is of the second type) if the information indicating the first address occupies the second bit area in the first message.

[0163] In an embodiment A3, the first device can determine the address type of the first address according to a specific value of the first address.

[0164] In the embodiment A3, the addresses of the first type can be different from the addresses of the second type. For example, there are two address sets (or address pools, or address libraries), the addresses of the first type belong to the first set, and the addresses of the second type belong to the second set. If the first host device allocates an address of the first type to the first device, the first address can be selected from the first set. If the first host device allocates an address of the second type to the first device, the first address can be selected from the second set. After receiving the first address, the first device can determine the address set to which the first address belongs. For example, the first device determines that the first address is associated with multiple host devices if the first address belongs to the first set, and the addresses in the first set are associated with multiple host devices. For another example, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a single host device if the first address belongs to the second set, and the addresses in the second set are associated with a single host device.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the number of bits occupied by each address in the first set is different from the number of bits occupied by each address in the second set.

[0166] For example, each address in the first set occupies N1 bits (e.g., N1 is 3), and each address in the second set occupies N2 bits (e.g., N2 is 6). N1 can be equal to, greater than, or less than N2.

[0167] In one possible implementation, if the number of devices of the first type that need to be configured is greater than a first threshold, or greater than the number of devices of the second type that need to be configured, N1 can be set to be larger, for example, N1 can be greater than N2, so that more devices of the first type can be used, and thus the demand can be better satisfied.

[0168] In another possible implementation, if the number of devices of the second type that need to be configured is greater than the first threshold, or greater than the number of devices of the first type that need to be configured, N2 can be set to be larger, for example, N2 can be greater than N1, so that more devices of the second type can be used, and thus the demand can be better satisfied.

[0169] In the embodiments of the present application, the host device (e.g., the first host device and / or the second host device) can configure the first type or the second type of address for the IAB-node. An example of a network topology architecture is shown in the following with reference to FIG. 4. For example, the IAB-nodes associated with the IAB-donor D#1 are N#1, N#2, N#3, N#5, and N#7, respectively. The IAB-nodes associated with the IAB-donor D#2 are N#2, N#3, N#4, N#6, and N#8, respectively. The first host device can need to allocate the first type of address for N#2 and N#3, and the first device can need to allocate the second type of address for N#1, N#5, N#7, N#4, N#6, and N#8. In the embodiments of the present application, a device can determine whether it is an IAB-donor or an IAB-node based on its own capability information, which can be informed by signaling sent by other devices, or configured manually, or determined according to network topology information, or determined according to pre-configured information. In the embodiments of the present application, which IAB-nodes need to be configured with the first type of address can also be determined by the host device based on the network topology, or informed by signaling sent by other devices.

[0170] In step 304, the first device determines that the first address is the address used to identify the first device in the first path in the case where the first address is associated with a single host device.

[0171] In the embodiments of the present application, "in the case of" can also be replaced by "if", "if", or "when". For example, "in the case of the first address being associated with the single host device" can also be replaced by "if the first address is associated with the single host device", "if the first address is associated with the single host device", or "when the first address is associated with the single host device". Similar descriptions at other positions can be referred to the examples here, and the step is repeated.

[0172] The first path includes a path between the first host device and the first device. The first device determines the first address for communication with the first host device, for example, the first device identifies itself using the first address when communicating with the first host device. In step 304, in the case of the first address being associated with the single host device, the first address can be associated with one path or multiple paths. For example, the first address is associated with at least one (one or more) first path. In the embodiments of the present application, each first path includes a path between the first host device and the first device. For example, the first device can connect to the first host device through multiple paths, and each path in the multiple paths can be referred to as a first path.

[0173] For another example, in step 304, the first device determines that the first address is not associated with a path from a host device other than the first host device to the first device. For example, the first device determines that the first address is not associated with a second path, and the second path includes a path between a second host device and the first device.

[0174] In step 304, the first device determines that the first address is the address used to identify the first device in the first path can be replaced by: the first device establishes an association between the first address and at least one first path, or the first device establishes a routing table corresponding to the first address and at least one first path. Table 1 shows a possible example of a routing table established by the first device. As shown in Table 1, the first address is associated with the first host device, and the first address is associated with two first paths, namely first path #1 and first path #2. The routing table also includes the identification of the next hop device of each path. After receiving the data packet, the first device can determine the identification of the next hop device according to the information in the data packet (such as the target BAP address and the path identification), and then route the data packet to the next hop device. In Table 1, two first paths are associated with the first address as an example, and in actual application, the first address can be associated with one first path or more than two paths, which will not be described here.

[0175] Table 1 Routing table established by the first device for the first address association

[0176] For example, in step 304, the first host device can communicate with the first device using the first address. For example, the first host device needs to send a data packet through the first path #11, and the previous hop of the first device in the first path #11 is the next hop address of the first device based on the destination BAP address and the identifier of the first path #11, and then routes the data packet to the first device. The first address is only associated with the second host device, so the first device cannot use the first address to associate with other host devices (such as the second host device) other than the first host device in this case.

[0177] In step 305, the first device determines that the first address belongs to the address used to identify the first device in the first path and the second path in the case that the first address is associated with multiple host devices.

[0178] For example, "in the case that the first address is associated with multiple host devices" can also be replaced by "if the first address is associated with multiple host devices", "if the first address is associated with multiple host devices", or "when the first address is associated with multiple host devices".

[0179] In step 305, the first device determines that the first address is associated with the path of the multiple host devices to the first device in the case that the first address is associated with multiple host devices. For example, step 305 can be replaced by: in the case that the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first address belongs to the address used to identify the first device in the first path and at least one path of the other host devices except the first host device to the first device. The other host devices except the first host device may, for example, include the second host device, and may, for example, include the second host device and the third host device. The number of host devices associated with the first address can be two or more. In the embodiments of the present application, the first host device and the second host device associated with the first address are taken as examples for description. The above-mentioned first path includes the path between the first host device and the first device. The second path includes the path between the second host device and the first device. The related scheme for the other host devices except the first host device associated with the first address can be referred to the related description of the second host device, and will not be described here.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the first host device and the first device can include one or more paths. In order to distinguish, each path between the first host device and the first device is referred to as the first path. The second host device and the first device can include one or more paths. In order to distinguish, each path between the second host device and the first device is referred to as the second path. Step 305 can also be replaced by: the first device determines that the first address belongs to the address used to identify the first device in at least one first path and at least one second path in the case that the first address is associated with multiple host devices.

[0181] In step 305, the first device determines that the first address is an address that can be used to identify the first device in the first path and the second path. The determination can be replaced by that the first device establishes an association between the first address and at least one first path and at least one second path, or by that the first device establishes a routing table corresponding to the at least one first path and the at least one second path. Table 2 shows an example of a routing table established by the first device. As shown in Table 2, the first address is associated with the first host device and the second host device, the first address is associated with two first paths, i.e., the first path #11 and the first path #12, and the first address is also associated with three second paths, i.e., the second path #21, the second path #22 and the second path #23. The routing table also includes the identification of the next-hop device of each path. After receiving a data packet, the first device can determine the identification of the next-hop device according to the information in the data packet, such as the target BAP address and the path identification, and then route the data packet to the next-hop device. In Table 2, the first address is associated with two first paths and three second paths. In actual application, the first address can be associated with more or fewer first paths and second paths, and the first address can be associated with more host devices, and the related examples are similar and will not be described herein.

[0182] Table 2 Routing table established by the first device

[0183] For example, in step 305, the first host device can communicate with the first device using the first address. The second host device can also communicate with the first device using the first address. For example, the first host device needs to send a data packet through the first path #11, and the previous-hop of the first device in the first path #11 finds the next-hop address of the first device based on the target BAP address and the identification of the first path #11, and then routes the data packet to the first device. For another example, the second host device needs to send a data packet through the second path #21, and the previous-hop of the first device in the second path #21 finds the next-hop address of the first device based on the target BAP address and the identification of the second path #21, and then routes the data packet to the first device. It can be seen that in the process of transmitting data packets by the first host device and the second host device, the first device is identified by using the first address.

[0184] In the case where the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first host device can further perform step 306:

[0185] In step 306, the first host device sends information indicating the host devices associated with the first address to the first device.

[0186] Correspondingly, the first device receives information indicating the host device associated with the first address.

[0187] The information indicating the host device associated with the first address can include identification information (e.g., gNB ID, cell ID, or station (STA) ID, etc.) of the host device associated with the first address, or an index of the host device associated with the first address. The first device can determine the host device indicated by the received index of the host device according to the received index of the host device and the association relationship between the obtained index of the host device and the host device.

[0188] Through step 306, the first device can know which host devices the first address needs to be associated with. For example, the host devices associated with the first address include a first host device and a second host device. The first device can establish the association relationship between the first address and the first host device and the second host device.

[0189] In the embodiments of the present application, the first device establishing the association relationship between the address (e.g., the first address) and the host device (e.g., the first host device and the second host device) can include / stipulate that the first device stores a routing table corresponding to the address, and the address is used to identify the first device in the path from the host device to the first device.

[0190] Step 306 can also not be performed. In FIG. 3, step 306 is marked as a dashed line, indicating that step 306 is an optional step. In this case, the first device can know the information of the host devices associated with the first address through other ways. For example, the first device receives information indicating the host devices associated with the first address from a device other than the first host device (e.g., the second host device or other devices). Or the first device determines the host devices associated with the first address according to a preset rule. Or the first device infers the host devices associated with the first address according to other information. For example, the first device determines the host devices associated with the first device based on the received information, and then determines these host devices as the host devices to which the first address needs to be associated.

[0191] In the case where the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first host device can also perform step 307:

[0192] Step 307, the first host device sends information indicating the first condition to the first device.

[0193] Correspondingly, the first device receives information indicating the first condition.

[0194] The first condition is a condition under which the first address is in an active state. The first device can determine that the first address is in the active state if the first condition is satisfied. The first device determining that the first address is in the active state can be replaced by the first device activating the first address. In embodiments of the present application, activating can include / replaced by: enabling or enabling. If the first address is in the active state, the first device can use the first address to communicate with a host device associated with the first address, or can use the first address to identify the first device.

[0195] For another example, the first device can determine that the first address is in a deactivated state if the first condition is not satisfied. The first device determining that the first address is in the deactivated state can be replaced by the first device deactivating the first address. In embodiments of the present application, deactivating can include / replaced by: disabling or disabling. If the first address is in the deactivated state, the first device can not use the first address to communicate with a host device associated with the first address, or can not use the first address to identify the first device. Taking the above FIG. 2A as an example, for example, IAB-nodeN#1 and IAB-nodeN#6 to IAB-donor in the above FIG. 2A are relatively close, the possibility of their addresses being configured as the first type is relatively large, and therefore the conditions corresponding to the addresses of these nodes can be configured so that these nodes activate the first type of address if the conditions are satisfied,

[0196] The first condition associated with the first address can include at least one of: a distance between the first device and a host device (or a reference position corresponding to the host device) associated with the first address is less than (or not greater than) a first distance threshold associated with the first address; a distance between the first device and a host device (or a reference position corresponding to the host device) associated with the first address is greater than (or not less than) a second distance threshold associated with the first address; an elevation angle of a host device associated with the first address belongs to an elevation angle range associated with the first address; an orbital angle of a host device associated with the first address belongs to an orbital angle range associated with the first address; or, a current time belongs to a time period associated with the first address.

[0197] For example, the first condition comprises at least one of the following: the distance between the first device and at least one of the first host device, the reference position corresponding to the first host device, the second host device or the reference position corresponding to the second host device is less than (or not greater than) a first threshold value; the distance between the first device and at least one of the first host device, the reference position corresponding to the first host device, the second host device or the reference position corresponding to the second host device is greater than (or not less than) a second threshold value; the elevation angle of the first host device belongs to a first elevation angle range; the elevation angle of the first host device belongs to a first track angle range, and the elevation angle of the second host device belongs to a second elevation angle range; the elevation angle of the second host device belongs to a second track angle range, or the current time belongs to a first time period.

[0198] In another possible implementation, different first distance threshold values and / or second distance threshold values can be set for each host device in the first condition. For example, the first condition comprises at least one of the following: the distance between the first device and the first host device (or the reference position corresponding to the first host device) is less than (or not greater than) a first distance threshold value corresponding to the first host device, and the distance between the first device and the second host device (or the reference position corresponding to the second host device) is less than (or not greater than) a first distance threshold value corresponding to the second host device; or the distance between the first device and the first host device (or the reference position corresponding to the first host device) is greater than (or not less than) a second distance threshold value corresponding to the first host device, and the distance between the first device and the second host device (or the reference position corresponding to the second host device) is greater than (or not less than) a first distance threshold value corresponding to the second host device. The first distance threshold value corresponding to the first host device can be the same as or different from the first distance threshold value corresponding to the second host device. The second distance threshold value corresponding to the first host device can be the same as or different from the second distance threshold value corresponding to the second host device. In the embodiments of the present application, “not greater than” can be replaced by “less than and equal to”, or by “less than or equal to”. In the embodiments of the present application, “not less than” can be replaced by “greater than and equal to”, or by “greater than or equal to”.

[0199] The elevation angle in the embodiments of the present application can be formed by two lines. The elevation angle can be replaced by “communication elevation angle”. For example, the elevation angle corresponding to a host device can be formed by the angle between a line passing through the host device and the projection of the line on a plane. For example, the elevation angle can comprise the angle between the line from the terminal device (or the ground reference point) to the first host device and the projection of the line on the horizontal plane. The value range of the elevation angle in the embodiments of the present application can be [0°, 90°]. The elevation angle can also be used to describe the position of the host device (for example, a satellite device) above the terminal device (or the ground reference point) at a certain time, for example, the elevation angle of 90° can represent that the communication device (for example, a satellite device) is directly above the terminal device (or the ground reference point).

[0200] The angle in the angle range of the orbit interval in the embodiments of the present application can include: a line passing through a host device (for example, a satellite device) and a center of an orbit of the host device (for example, a satellite device), and an included angle between the line and a line connecting a reference point of the orbit of the host device (for example, a satellite device) and the center of the orbit of the host device (for example, a satellite device). The value range of the angle used to indicate the orbit interval in the embodiments of the present application can be [0°, 360°]. The reference points of the orbits of different host devices (for example, satellite devices) can be different in the embodiments of the present application. The reference points in the embodiments of the present application can include an orbit plane intersection of an ascending orbit and a communication device (for example, a satellite device), or an ecliptic plane intersection of an ascending orbit.

[0201] The information used to indicate the first condition can include / be: information of the first condition, index information of the first condition, or at least one of parameters in the first condition (for example, a first distance threshold associated with the first address, a second distance threshold, and / or a time period associated with the first address). The first device can determine the first condition according to the received information used to indicate the first condition. For example, the first device can find an association between a first condition index and the first condition according to the received index information of the first condition, and find the first condition indicated by the received index information of the first condition. For another example, the first device can determine the first condition according to the received parameters in the first condition. For example, the first device receives a distance threshold associated with the first address, and then the first device can determine that the first condition includes: a distance between the first device and a host device associated with the first address is less than the distance threshold associated with the first address. For another example, the first device receives a time period associated with the first address, and then the first device can determine that the first condition includes: a current time belongs to the time period associated with the first address. The time period associated with the first address can be defined by a start time and an end time of the time period. Alternatively, the time period associated with the first address can be defined by [UTC_t0, UTC_offset], where UTC_t0 represents the start time of the time period, and UTC_offset represents a time length of the time period, where UTC is an abbreviation of coordinated universal time.

[0202] The first conditions associated with different addresses can be the same or different. The content in the first conditions associated with different addresses can be different. Or, the content in the first conditions associated with different addresses can be the same, but the distance threshold and / or time period associated with different addresses can be the same or different. For example, the first host device configures IAB-node N#2 with address #A0, and address #A0 is associated with first condition #A0. The first host device configures IAB-node N#3 with address #B0, and address #B0 is associated with first condition #B0. The first condition #A0 can be the same as or different from the first condition #B0. For example, the first condition #A0 includes that the current time belongs to the time period 8:00-8:10, and the first condition #B0 includes that the current time belongs to the time period 9:00-9:08. For another example, the first condition #A0 includes that the distance between the first device and the second host device is less than 1000 meters, and the first condition #B0 includes that the current time belongs to the time period 9:00-9:08.

[0203] The above step 307 can also not be performed, and step 307 is marked as a dashed line in FIG. 3 to indicate that step 307 is an optional step. In one possible implementation, the first address of the first type configured by the first host device for the first device can be in the active state by default, and in another possible implementation, the first host device can indicate through some signaling whether the first address is in the active state or the deactivated state.

[0204] In the case where the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first host device can further perform step 308:

[0205] Step 308: The first host device sends the first address associated resource state information to the first device.

[0206] Correspondingly, the first device receives the first address associated resource state information.

[0207] The resource state information includes: a first state, a second state, or a third state.

[0208] The first state can be represented by the first letter H of hard. For example, the resource in the first state is in the active state. Or, the resource state information H can mean that the resource (such as the time domain / frequency domain / polarization domain / space domain resource) can be used by the first device (such as the DU of the first device).

[0209] The second state can be represented by the first letter NA of not available. For example, the resource in the second state is in the deactivated state. Or, the resource state information NA can mean that the resource (such as the time domain / frequency domain / polarization domain / space domain resource) cannot be used by the first device (such as the DU of the first device).

[0210] The third state can be denoted as the initial letter S of soft. For example, the resource in the third state is in the active state when the first device receives the information of activating the resource, otherwise, it is in the deactivated state. Alternatively, the state information S of the resource can mean that the availability of the resource (e.g., the resource in the time domain / frequency domain / polarization domain / space domain) can be explicitly or implicitly dynamically indicated by the parent node of the first device, and the first device judges whether the resource can be used based on the received indication. In this way, the activation and deactivation states of the resource can be configured through external signaling, so that other devices can better set the activation and deactivation states of the resource according to the actual situation, thereby making the state of the resource more matched with the actual demand.

[0211] In the embodiments of the present application, by setting multiple states of the resource, the flexibility of the scheme can be improved, and the present application can be more compatible with the prior art.

[0212] The above step 308 can also not be performed, and step 308 is marked as a dashed line in FIG. 3, indicating that step 308 is an optional step. In one possible implementation, the resource associated with the first address can be in a state that can be used by default.

[0213] In the embodiments of the present application, when the first address belongs to the first type of address, since the first address needs to be used for communication with multiple host devices, the multiple host devices also need to know the first address for subsequent identification of the first device using the first address. In another possible implementation, when the first address belongs to the second type of address, since the first address only needs to be associated with a single host device, in this case, the first host device does not need to notify other host devices of the related content of the first address, thereby reducing the signaling overhead. In the following, the first address belonging to the first type of address is taken as an example for introduction. In this case, the first host device can send some information associated with the first address to the second host device. For example, when the first address belongs to the first type of address, the first host device can perform step 309:

[0214] Step 309, the first host device sends information for indicating the first address to the second host device.

[0215] Correspondingly, the second host device receives the information for indicating the first address.

[0216] The second host device can communicate with the first device according to the first address. Alternatively, the second host device can communicate with the first device using the first address. Alternatively, the first address is used to identify the first device in the path between the second host device and the first device. The example of the second host device transmitting a data packet using the first address of the first device can be referred to the foregoing content, and will not be described here.

[0217] Step 309 can also not be performed, and step 309 is identified as a dashed line in FIG. 3 to indicate that step 309 is an optional step. In this case, the second host device can obtain the first address by other manners. For example, the second host device can determine the first address by using the same strategy as the first host device. Alternatively, a device other than the first host device (e.g., the first device or another network device) sends information indicating the first address to the second host device to inform the second host device of the first address.

[0218] In the case where the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first host device can further perform step 310:

[0219] In step 310, the first host device sends information indicating the host devices associated with the first address to the second host device.

[0220] Correspondingly, the second host device receives the information indicating the host devices associated with the first address.

[0221] The information indicating the host devices associated with the first address can include identification information of the host devices associated with the first address, or an index of the host devices associated with the first address. The second host device can determine the host device indicated by the received index of the host device according to the received index of the host device and the association relationship between the obtained index of the host device and the host device.

[0222] Through step 310, the second host device can know which host devices the first address needs to be associated with. For example, the host devices associated with the first address include the first host device and the second host device. Therefore, the second host device can not allocate the first address to other devices when subsequently allocating addresses for devices (e.g., IAB-nodes), thereby avoiding the occurrence of address conflict.

[0223] Step 310 can also not be performed, and step 310 is identified as a dashed line in FIG. 3 to indicate that step 310 is an optional step. In this case, the second host device can not necessarily know which other host devices the first address is also associated with. Alternatively, the second host device can know the information of the host devices associated with the first address through other means. For example, the first device receives information indicating the host devices associated with the first address from a device other than the first host device (e.g., the first device or another device). Alternatively, the second host device determines the host devices associated with the first address according to a preset rule. Alternatively, the second host device infers the host devices associated with the first address according to other information. For example, the second host device determines the host devices associated with the first device based on the received information, and then determines these host devices as the host devices to which the first address is to be associated. For example, the second host device determines the host devices associated with the first device based on at least one of the visibility of each device in the network, the relative speed of movement of each device in the network, the type of orbit, whether there is a link, or the available time of the link, and then determines these host devices as the host devices to which the first address is to be associated.

[0224] In the case where the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first host device can further perform step 311:

[0225] Step 311: The first host device sends information indicating the first condition to the second host device.

[0226] Correspondingly, the second host device receives the information indicating the first condition.

[0227] The first condition is a condition under which the first address is in an active state. The second host device can determine that the first address is in the active state in the case where the first condition is satisfied. For another example, the second host device can determine that the first address is in a deactivated state in the case where the first condition is not satisfied. The related content of the second host device activating or deactivating the first address, the first address, and the information indicating the first condition can be referred to the related description of step 307 described above, and will not be described again.

[0228] The above step 311 can also not be performed, and step 311 is identified as a dashed line in FIG. 3 to indicate that step 311 is an optional step. In one possible implementation, the first address of the first type can be in the active state by default. In another possible implementation, the first host device can indicate through some signaling whether the first address is in the active state or the deactivated state.

[0229] In the case where the first address is associated with multiple host devices, the first host device can further perform step 312:

[0230] At step 312, the first host device sends the status information of the resource associated with the first address to the second host device.

[0231] Correspondingly, the second host device receives the status information of the resource associated with the first address.

[0232] The status information of the resource can indicate that the resource is in a first state, a second state or a third state. For details, refer to the foregoing description.

[0233] The step 312 can also not be performed. In FIG. 3, the step 312 is marked as a dashed line, indicating that the step 312 is an optional step. In one possible implementation, the resource associated with the first address can be in a state that can be used by default.

[0234] As can be seen from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in the scheme provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first host device can configure an address for the first device. When the first device needs to be associated with a single host device, the first host device can configure a second type of address for the first device. When the first device needs to establish an association relationship with multiple host devices, the scheme provided in the embodiments of the present application does not need to allocate an address for the first device by each host device, but configures a first type of address for the first device by a host device (for example, the first host device, or other host devices), and the first device can be associated with multiple host devices by using the one address. This scheme can reduce the number of addresses, and in turn reduce the storage space and save resource overhead.

[0235] The multiple pieces of information (for example, information for indicating the first address, information for indicating the host device associated with the first address, information for indicating the first condition, and the status information of the resource associated with the first address) sent by the first host device to the first device in the embodiments of the present application can be carried in multiple messages, or can be carried in one message.

[0236] The multiple pieces of information (for example, information for indicating the first address, information for indicating the host device associated with the first address, information for indicating the first condition, and multiple items in the status information of the resource associated with the first address) sent by the first host device to the second host device in the embodiments of the present application can be carried in multiple messages, or can be carried in one message.

[0237] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the type of a device can be changed in the embodiments of the present application, for example, a device can be changed from an IAB-node to an IAB-donor, or from an IAB-donor to an IAB-node. The information of the address of a device (for example, can include the type of the address, and / or the host device associated with the address) can also be changed, for example, a device can need to use a first type of address at one time, and can need to use a second type of address at another time. The word "change" in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as including / replaced by: "update", "change" or "update" and the like.

[0238] FIG. 5 exemplarily introduces a possible communication architecture diagram. As shown in FIG. 5, at time T1, D#1 and D#2 are IAB-donors, N#2 and N#3 are IAB-nodes that need to be configured with a first type of address, and N#1, N#4, N#5, N#6, N#7 and N#8 are IAB-nodes that need to be configured with a second type of address. At time T2, N#1 and N#2 are IAB-donors, N#3 and N#6 are IAB-nodes that need to be configured with a first type of address, and N#4, N#5, N#7, N#8, N#9 and N#10 are IAB-nodes that need to be configured with a second type of address. As can be seen, the types of N#1 and N#2 are changed from IAB-nodes to IAB-donors. The host devices associated with the first type of address of N#3 are changed to N#1 and N#2. The type of the address of N#6 is changed from the second type to the first type.

[0239] The embodiments of the present application provide several possible implementations below for handling the above cases. The embodiments B and C are introduced below. In the embodiments B and C, the first device is exemplarily introduced. When the type of a device is changed (for example, N#1 and N#2 in FIG. 5), the related description in the embodiment B can be referred to, and when the information of the address of a device is changed (for example, N#6 and N#3 in FIG. 5), the related description in the embodiment C can be referred to.

[0240] Embodiment B, the type of the device associated with the first address is changed from a relay device to a host device.

[0241] In the embodiment B, the type of the device to which the first address of the first device is applicable can be modified (see the embodiment B1 below), or the first device uses a new address as the address after the change of the type of the device (see the embodiment B2 below).

[0242] Embodiment B1, the first device modifies the type of the device to which the first address is applicable.

[0243] For example, in embodiment B1, the first device can receive information indicating that the device type associated with the first address is changed from a relay device to a host device. The information indicating that the device type associated with the first address is changed from a relay device to a host device can be sent by the first host device or by another device. The first address is used to identify the first device that is changed to a host device.

[0244] The first device changes the device type associated with the first address from a relay device to a host device. The first address is used to identify the first device that is changed to a host device. It can be seen from this solution that when the type of the first device is changed, the first device does not need to be reconfigured with an address, but the device type associated with the address is modified, so that the address can be used as the address of the host device subsequently. This solution can reduce the number of configurations of addresses, and can reduce the signaling overhead caused by address updates, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0245] In a possible implementation, the first device receives information indicating a network topology associated with the first device. The information of the network topology can be sent by the first host device or by another device to the first device. The network topology information may, for example, include at least one of the following: visibility between devices in the network, track type corresponding to the devices, relative motion speed between the devices, distance between the devices, whether there is an effective link, existence time of the effective link, or number of links that can be maintained by the device, and the like. In the embodiments of the present application, the devices of the network can be replaced by the nodes of the network, and the devices of the network can be IAB-donor or IAB-node.

[0246] Embodiment B2, the first device uses a new address as the address of the first device after the change of the device type.

[0247] For example, in embodiment B2, the first device can obtain a second address. The second address is used to identify the first device that is changed from a relay device to a host device. The second address can be different from the first address. The first device can generate the second address by itself, or receive information indicating the second address from the first host device or from another device. The information indicating the second address can include the second address or an index of the second address.

[0248] In embodiment B2, since the device type of the first device is changed, the first device can use a new address. Therefore, this solution supports the scheme in which the addresses of the host devices and the relay devices are different. For example, the lengths of the addresses of the host devices and the relay devices are different.

[0249] Embodiment C, the information of the first address is changed.

[0250] In the embodiments of the present application, the information of the address can also be referred to as attribute information of the address. The information of the address may, for example, include a type of the address and / or a host device associated with the address.

[0251] Embodiment C1: The first device modifies attribute information of the first address.

[0252] Example C1.1: The first address is changed from a first type to a second type.

[0253] For example, the first device can receive information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type. The information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type can be sent by the first host device or sent by another device.

[0254] The first device can originally be associated with multiple paths, and subsequently be associated with only one path. In this case, the first device can release the path that is no longer associated with the first address, and only keep the path that is still associated with the first address. For example, the first device is associated with a first path, but is no longer associated with a second path. In this case, the first device can release or deactivate the second path associated with the first address.

[0255] In the embodiments of the present application, releasing the second path associated with the first address can include or be: deleting the association between the first address and the second path in a routing table, or deleting the association between the first address and the second path from the routing table. Deactivating the second path associated with the first address can include or be: disabling or not enabling the association between the first address and the second path in the routing table, but the association between the second address and the second path is still retained on the first device side, so that if the association between the second address and the second path is used later, the association between the second address and the second path can be activated or enabled through some information.

[0256] In example C1.1, since the first address is originally of the first type, the first address is also applicable to the multiple host devices. When the first address is changed to the second type, the first address is no longer applicable to the multiple host devices, and thus the first address is already unusable for some host devices, in which case, these host devices also need to know the information about the type change of the first address, so as to subsequently no longer use the first address of the second type. For example, the second host device can receive information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type. The information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type can be sent by the first host device or by another device. Based on the information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type, the second host device can release or deactivate the second path associated with the first address. For details, refer to the foregoing solution in which the first device releases or deactivates the second path associated with the first address, and no further repetition is provided herein.

[0257] In example C1.2, the first address is changed from the second type to the first type.

[0258] For example, the first device can receive information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type. The information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type can be sent by the first host device or by another device.

[0259] For example, the first device can receive information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type. The information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type can be sent by the first host device or by another device.

[0260] In example C1.2, since the first address is originally of the second type, the first address is applicable to a single host device. When the first address is changed to the first type, the first address is applicable to multiple host devices, and thus the first address needs to be notified to these host devices, so as to be used by the host devices subsequently. For example, the first address is originally applicable to the first host device but not applicable to the second host device. After the type of the first address is changed, the first address is also applicable to the second host device. The second host device can receive information indicating the first address. The information indicating the first address can be sent by the first host device or by another device. Based on the information indicating the first address, the second host device establishes an association between the first address and the second path. For details, refer to the foregoing content about the second host device receiving the first address of the first type, and no further repetition is provided herein.

[0261] Example C1.3, the host device associated with the first address is changed.

[0262] For example, the first device can receive information indicating that the host device associated with the first address is changed. The information indicating that the host device associated with the first address is changed can be sent by the first host device or by another device.

[0263] The type of the first address of the first device can be changed or not. For example, the first address is still a first type of address. However, the host device associated with the first address is changed, for example, N#3 in the foregoing FIG. 5, the type of the address allocated at time T1 is not changed, and the associated host device is changed from D#1 and D#2 to N#1 and N#2. The first device can modify the host device associated with the first address in the routing table, and can also modify the path associated with the first address.

[0264] In example C1.3, since the host device originally associated with the first address is changed, the device (for example, the first host device or another device) also needs to notify the host device to which the first address originally applies, so that these host devices release or deactivate the first address. In another possible implementation, the device (for example, the first host device or another device) can also notify the host device to which the first address later applies, so that these host devices use the first address.

[0265] Implementation C2, the first device uses a new address as the address of the first device after the address information is changed.

[0266] For example, the first device receives information indicating a third address. The information indicating the third address can be sent by the first host device or by another device.

[0267] The first device can originally configure the first address of a first type, the address type of the first device is changed to a second type, and the configured third address is of the second type. For example, the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path, and the third path includes a path between the third host device and the first device.

[0268] Alternatively, the first device can originally configure the first address of a second type, the address type of the first device is changed to a first type, and the configured third address is of the first type. For example, the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path and a fourth path, the third path includes a path between the third host device and the first device, and the fourth path includes a path between the fourth host device and the first device.

[0269] Alternatively, the first device can originally be configured with a first address of a first type, and the first address is associated with a first host device and a second host device. The address type of the first device is still the first type, but the first device is associated with a third host device and a fourth host device, and thus a third address configured is of the first type, but the third address is associated with the third host device and the fourth host device. The host devices associated with the third address can be partially different (or partially the same) from the host devices associated with the first address, or completely different.

[0270] In yet another possible implementation, the first device can further receive information indicating an address type of the third address. The information indicating the address type of the third address can be sent by the first host device or another device. The first device determines that the third address is associated with a plurality of host devices if the address type of the third address belongs to the first type, and the addresses of the first type are associated with the plurality of host devices. Or, the first device determines that the first address is associated with a single host device if the address type of the third address belongs to the second type, and the addresses of the second type are associated with the single host device.

[0271] In the implementation C2, the first device can use the new address after the address information is changed. Therefore, in this scheme, the addresses with different attribute information can be set in different resource pools, for example, the lengths of the addresses of the first type and the second type are different. In this way, each device can determine the attribute information of the address according to the specific value of the address.

[0272] In the implementation shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the first host device can send indication information of a communication device on a path associated with the first address to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with the first address. Then, the first device determines the communication device on the path associated with the first address according to the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with the first address.

[0273] The communication device on the path associated with the first address includes a satellite device. The indication information of the communication device on the path associated with the first address includes at least one of the following: a type of an orbit in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; an orbit identifier (for example, an orbit ID) of the orbit in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; a number of shells (or layers) of the orbit in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; or information of the satellite device on the path associated with the first address.

[0274] In a possible implementation, the orbit type class in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located can include at least one of LEO, MEO, GEO, ascending orbit, or descending orbit. In a possible implementation, the information of the satellite device on the path associated with the first address includes at least one of an identifier of the satellite device on the path associated with the first address, ephemeris information, position information, or identifier information of an associated cell. The ephemeris information may, for example, include speed information of the satellite device, motion trajectory information of the satellite device, position information of the satellite device, and time information corresponding to the position information of the satellite device.

[0275] Taking FIG. 2A as an example, FIG. 2A includes three orbits, namely orbit #1, orbit #2, and orbit #3, and each orbit includes different numbers of satellites. For example, the network side (for example, the first host device) configures N#1 with indication information of a communication device on a path associated with address #1, for example, the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with address #1 indicates orbit #2, and N#1 needs to maintain a path / link from N#1 to at least one IAB-node in the orbit #2, for example, N#1 maintains a link from N#1 to N#5, which meets the requirement of the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with address #1.

[0276] For another example, the network side (for example, the first host device) configures N#6 with indication information of a communication device on a path associated with address #6, for example, the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with address #6 indicates orbit #3, and N#6 needs to maintain a path / link from N#6 to at least one IAB-node in the orbit #3, for example, N#6 maintains a link from N#6 to N#8, which meets the requirement of the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with address #6.

[0277] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in another possible implementation, for the first type of address, a distributed manner is preferably used to update the route in order to reduce signaling overhead of address update and route update. For the second type of address, a semi-static or static configuration manner can be used for allocation and update, for example, the first host device can uniformly allocate the second type of address to the IAB-node associated with the first host device.

[0278] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture to which embodiments of the present application can be applied. As shown in FIG. 6, D#1, D#2 and D#3 are three IAB-donors. N#1, N#2, N#3, N#4, N#5 and N#6 are IAB-nodes. For example, IAB-node N#2 is closer to the IAB-donor, and the address of IAB-node N#2 is more likely to be configured as the first type of address. Since the first type of address is associated with multiple IAB-donors, it is easier to update the topology, and the distributed update mode can be used to update the topology and routing, thereby reducing unnecessary updates of other nodes on the entire transmission path. For example, the first device receives information indicating an updated first path from a second device, and the second device belongs to a relay device, for example, the second device is a neighboring node of the first device. The first device updates the first path according to the information indicating the updated first path.

[0279] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the information (for example, one or more of the information indicating the first address, the information indicating the host device associated with the first address, the information indicating the first condition, the status information of the resource associated with the first address, the information indicating that the device type associated with the first address is changed from a relay device to a host device, the information indicating the second address, the information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type, the information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type, the information indicating that the host device associated with the first address is changed, the information indicating the third address, or the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with the first address) sent by the first host device in the embodiments of the present application can be carried in at least one of the following: F1AP information, RRC reconfiguration information, DCI information, MAC CE information, or BAP control information.

[0280] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the first device, the first host device and the second host device can include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing respective functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application scenarios and design constraints of the technical solutions.

[0281] Based on the same concept, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are structural diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatuses shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 can be used to implement the functions of the first device, the first host device and the second host device in the method embodiments described above, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the method embodiments described above. In embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be a network device (such as a satellite device, or a network device deployed on the ground) as shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, and can also be a chip (or chip system or processor or circuit or functional module) applied to the terminal device or network device shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, FIG. 1H, FIG. 1I, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.

[0282] As shown in FIG. 7, the communication apparatus 1300 includes a processing unit 1310 and a transceiver unit 1320. The communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first device, the first host device and the second host device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 3 described above. The transceiver unit 1320 can also be referred to as a communication unit. The transceiver unit 1320 can include a sending unit and a receiving unit.

[0283] When the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver unit 1320, information indicating the first address; in a case where the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the first address is an address used to identify the first device in a first path and a second path, the first path including a path between the first host device and the first device, and the second path including a path between the second host device and the first device.

[0284] When the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: in a case where the first address is associated with a single host device, determine that the first address is an address used to identify the first device in the first path.

[0285] When the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver unit 1320, information indicating a host device associated with the first address.

[0286] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver 1320, information indicating an address type of the first address; determine that the first address is associated with multiple host devices in a case where the address type of the first address belongs to a first type, and the addresses of the first type are associated with multiple host devices; or determine that the first address is associated with a single host device in a case where the address type of the first address belongs to a second type, and the addresses of the second type are associated with a single host device.

[0287] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: determine a bit area occupied by the information indicating the first address in the first message; determine that the first address is associated with multiple host devices in a case where the information indicating the first address occupies a first bit area in the first message; or determine that the first address is associated with a single host device in a case where the information indicating the first address occupies a second bit area in the first message.

[0288] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: determine an address set to which the first address belongs; determine that the first address is associated with multiple host devices in a case where the first address belongs to a first set; or determine that the first address is associated with a single host device in a case where the first address belongs to a second set.

[0289] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver 1320, information indicating a first condition; and determine that the first address is in an active state in a case where the first condition is satisfied.

[0290] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver 1320 is configured to: receive information indicating a second address.

[0291] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver 1320, information indicating that a device type associated with the first address is changed from a relay device to a host device; and change the device type associated with the first address from the relay device to the host device.

[0292] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to: receive information indicating that the type of the first device is changed from a relay device to a host device.

[0293] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver unit 1320, information indicating the third address; in a case where the host device associated with the first device is changed from a single host device to multiple host devices, determine that the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path, the third path including a path between the third host device and the first device; or, in a case where the host device associated with the first device is changed from multiple host devices to a single host device, determine that the third address belongs to addresses used to identify the first device in a third path and a fourth path, the third path including a path between the third host device and the first device, and the fourth path including a path between the fourth host device and the first device.

[0294] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver unit 1320, information indicating the address type of the third address; in a case where the address type of the third address belongs to a first type, determine that the third address is associated with multiple host devices, and the first type of address is associated with multiple host devices; or, in a case where the address type of the third address belongs to a second type, determine that the first address is associated with a single host device, and the second type of address is associated with a single host device.

[0295] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver unit 1320, information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from a first type to a second type, and release or deactivate the second path associated with the first address.

[0296] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver unit 1320, information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from a second type to a first type, and establish an association relationship between the first address and the second path.

[0297] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver 1320, the indication information of the communication apparatus on the path associated with the first address; and determine the communication apparatus on the path associated with the first address according to the indication information of the communication apparatus on the path associated with the first address.

[0298] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: obtain the first address; and send, by the transceiver 1320, the information indicating the first address.

[0299] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: in the case that the first address belongs to the address used to identify the first device in the second path, send, by the transceiver 1320, the information indicating the first address to the second host device.

[0300] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver 1320 is configured to send the information indicating the host device associated with the first address.

[0301] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver 1320 is configured to send the state information of the resource associated with the first address.

[0302] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver 1320 is configured to send the information indicating the address type of the first address.

[0303] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver 1320 is configured to send the information indicating the first condition.

[0304] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver 1320 is configured to send the information indicating the second address.

[0305] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver 1320 is configured to send the information indicating that the device type associated with the first address is changed from a relay device to a host device.

[0306] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to send information indicating that the type of the first device is changed from a relay device to a host device.

[0307] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to send information indicating the third address.

[0308] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to send information indicating the address type of the third address.

[0309] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to send information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type.

[0310] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to send information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type.

[0311] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the first host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to send indication information of the communication apparatus on the path associated with the first address.

[0312] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the second host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver unit 1320, information indicating the first address; and communicate with the first device according to the first address.

[0313] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the second host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive, by the transceiver unit 1320, information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type, and release or deactivate the first address.

[0314] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the second host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is configured to: receive information indicating the first condition through the transceiver unit 1320; and determine that the first address is in the active state in the case that the first condition is satisfied.

[0315] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the second host device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to receive information indicating the host device associated with the first address.

[0316] For more detailed description of the processing unit 1310 and the transceiver unit 1320, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0317] As shown in FIG. 8, the communication apparatus 1400 includes a processor 1410 and an interface circuit 1420. The processor 1410 and the interface circuit 1420 are coupled to each other. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1400 can further include a memory 1430 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1410 or storing input data required by the processor 1410 to run instructions or storing data generated after the processor 1410 runs instructions. When the communication apparatus 1400 is configured to implement the method shown in FIG. 3, the processor 1410 is configured to implement the function of the processing unit 1310 described above, and the interface circuit 1420 is configured to implement the function of the transceiver unit 1320 described above.

[0318] The processing system in the communication apparatus 1400 can be implemented in a bus architecture, which is generally represented by a bus. The bus can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system and overall design constraints. The bus communicatively couples various circuitry, including one or more processors (generally represented by the processor), memory, and computer-readable media (generally represented by the computer-readable media). The bus can also link various other circuitry, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuitry, which are well-known in the art, and therefore, will not be further described. A bus interface provides an interface between the bus and a transceiver and between the bus and an interface.

[0319] The interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The input / output interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the output can be understood as sending, and the input can be understood as receiving. The input / output interface can also be replaced by a transceiver. The transceiver provides a communication interface or device for communicating with various other devices through a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver can be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and the antenna array can be used together to communicate with the corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or device for communication through an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0320] The processor is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium. The software, when executed by the processor, causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular apparatus. The functions of the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium can include one or more of encoding, decoding, rate matching, de-rate matching, scrambling, de-scrambling, modulating, demodulating, layer mapping, fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), inverse discrete fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, channel equalization, de-RE mapping, digital beam forming (BF), adding a cyclic prefix (CP), de-CP, and the like.

[0321] The signaling (such as the information sent by the first host device to the first device or the second host device) involved in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by the processor, the memory, and the computer-readable medium.

[0322] When the communication device (for example, the communication device shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8) is a chip applied to an IAB-node or an IAB-donor, the chip implements the functions of the IAB-node or the IAB-donor in the method embodiments. The chip receives information, which can be understood as the information being received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) of the communication device first, and then sent to the chip by the modules. The chip sends information, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) of the communication device first, and then sent by the modules.

[0323] In this application, the sending of information from entity A to entity B can be directly from A to B, or indirectly from A to B via other entities. Similarly, the receiving of information from entity A by entity B can be directly from A by B, or indirectly from A by B via other entities. The entities A and B can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules within RAN nodes or terminals. The sending and receiving of information can be the information exchange between RAN nodes and terminals, e.g., the information exchange between base stations and terminals; the sending and receiving of information can also be the information exchange between two RAN nodes, e.g., the information exchange between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information can also be the information exchange between different modules within one apparatus, e.g., the information exchange between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or the information exchange between a base station chip and other modules of the base station.

[0324] It can be understood that the processor (e.g., the processor 1410 in FIG. 8) 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, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0325] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware, or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a base station or a terminal.

[0326] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions of the embodiments are performed. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment or other programmable apparatus. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transferred from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center through wired or wireless manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center and the like integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media, such as floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape; optical media, such as digital video disc; semiconductor media, such as solid state disk. The computer readable storage medium can be volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0327] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0328] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The "and / or" describes the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the literal description of the present application, the character " / ", generally represents that the front and rear associated objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character " / ", represents that the front and rear associated objects are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B or C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C.

[0329] It can be understood that various numbers (such as the numerical numbers "first", "second", such as the letter numbers "embodiment A1", "embodiment A2", etc.) involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of differentiation in description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving information indicating a first address; in a case where the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the first address is an address in a first path and a second path for identifying a first device, the first path comprising a path between a first host device and the first device, and the second path comprising a path between a second host device and the first device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: in a case where the first address is associated with a single host device, the first address is an address in a first path for identifying the first device.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving information indicating a host device associated with the first address, the host device associated with the first address comprising the second host device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving information indicating an address type of the first address; in a case where the address type of the first address belongs to a first type, determining that the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the address of the first type being associated with a plurality of host devices; or, in a case where the address type of the first address belongs to a second type, determining that the first address is associated with a single host device, the address of the second type being associated with a single host device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The information indicating the first address is carried in a first message; The method further comprises: determining a bit area occupied by the information indicating the first address in the first message; in a case where the information indicating the first address occupies a first bit area in the first message, determining that the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the information carried in the first bit area indicating an address associated with a plurality of host devices; or, in a case where the information indicating the first address occupies a second bit area in the first message, determining that the first address is associated with a single host device, the information carried in the second bit area indicating an address associated with a single host device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The method further comprises: determining an address set to which the first address belongs; in a case where the first address belongs to a first set, determining that the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the addresses in the first set being associated with a plurality of host devices; or, in a case where the first address belongs to a second set, determining that the first address is associated with a single host device, the addresses in the second set being associated with a single host device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The number of bits occupied by each address in the first set is different from the number of bits occupied by each address in the second set.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, in a case where the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the method further comprises: receiving information indicating a first condition; in a case where the first condition is satisfied, determining that the first address is in an active state.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first condition comprises at least one of: a distance between the first device and at least one of the first host device, a reference position corresponding to the first host device, the second host device, or a reference position corresponding to the second host device is less than a first threshold value; The distance between the first device and at least one of the first host device, a reference position corresponding to the first host device, the second host device, or a reference position corresponding to the second host device is greater than a second threshold; or, The current time belongs to a first time period.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The method further includes: receiving information indicating a second address, the second address being used to identify the first device changing from a relay device to a host device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The method further includes: receiving information indicating that the device type associated with the first address changes from a relay device to a host device; changing the device type associated with the first address from a relay device to a host device, the first address being used to identify the first device changing to a host device.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein, The method further includes: receiving information indicating a third address; in a case where the host device associated with the first device changes from a plurality of host devices to a single host device, determining that the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path, the third path including a path between a third host device and the first device; or, in a case where the host device associated with the first device changes from a single host device to a plurality of host devices, determining that the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path and a fourth path, the third path including a path between a third host device and the first device, and the fourth path including a path between a fourth host device and the first device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further includes: receiving information indicating an address type of the third address; in a case where the address type of the third address belongs to a first type, determining that the third address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the address of the first type being associated with a plurality of host devices; or, in a case where the address type of the third address belongs to a second type, determining that the first address is associated with a single host device, the address of the second type being associated with a single host device.

14. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein, in a case where the address type of the first address is the first type and the address of the first type is associated with a plurality of host devices: The method further includes: receiving information indicating that the address type of the first address changes from the first type to a second type, the address of the second type being associated with a single host device; releasing the second path associated with the first address, or deactivating the second path associated with the first address.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein, in a case where the address type of the first address is the second type and the address of the second type is associated with a single host device, the first address being an address used to identify the first device in a first path, the first path including a path between a first host device and the first device: The method further includes: receiving information indicating that the address type of the first address changes from the second type to the first type, the address of the first type being associated with a plurality of host devices; establishing an association relationship between the first address and a second path, the first address being an address used to identify the first device in the second path, the second path including a path between a second host device and the first device.

16. The method of any one of claims 14-15, wherein the information indicating a change in address type of the first address from a first type to a second type and / or information indicating a change in address type of the first address from a second type to a first type is carried in at least one of the following: F1 interface application information (F1AP information), radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration information, downlink control information (DCI) information, medium access control control element (MAC CE) information, or backhaul adaptation protocol layer (BAP) control information. The method further comprises:

17. The method of any one of claims 1-16, wherein, receiving indication information of a communication device on a path associated with the first address; determining the communication device on the path associated with the first address according to the indication information of the communication device on the path associated with the first address. The communication device on the path associated with the first address comprises a satellite device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The indication information of the communication device on the path associated with the first address comprises at least one of the following: a type of orbit in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; an orbit identifier in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; a number of layers of the orbit in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; or information of the satellite device on the path associated with the first address. The method comprises:

19. A method of communication, comprising: obtaining a first address; sending information indicating the first address; wherein, in a case where the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the first address is an address used to identify a first device in a first path and a second path, the first path comprising a path between a first host device and the first device, and the second path comprising a path between a second host device and the first device. In a case where the first address is associated with a single host device, the first address is an address used to identify the first device in the first path.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The method further comprises:

21. The method of claim 19, wherein, in a case where the first address is an address used to identify the first device in the second path, sending information indicating the first address to the second host device. The method further comprises:

22. The method of any one of claims 19-21, wherein, sending information indicating a host device associated with the first address, the host device associated with the first address comprising the first host device and the second host device. The method further comprises:

23. The method of any one of claims 19-22, wherein, sending state information of a resource associated with the first address; the state information of the resource comprising: a first state, a second state, or a third state; wherein the resource in the first state is in an activated state; the resource in the second state is in a deactivated state; the resource in the third state is in an activated state when the first device receives information activating the resource, and is in a deactivated state otherwise. The sending of the state information of the resource associated with the first address comprises:

24. The method of any one of claims 19-23, wherein, in a case where the first address is an address used to identify the first device in the second path, sending state information of a resource associated with the first address to the second host device. The method further comprises:

25. The method of any one of claims 19-24, wherein, sending information indicating an address type of the first address; ​ In a case where an address type of the first address belongs to a first type, the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, and an address of the first type is associated with a plurality of host devices. Or, in a case where an address type of the first address belongs to a second type, the first address is associated with a single host device, and an address of the second type is associated with a single host device.

26. The method of any one of claims 19-25, wherein, In a case where the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the method further includes: sending information indicating a first condition, the first condition being a condition that the first address is in an active state.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein, The first condition includes at least one of: a distance between the first device and the first host device or the second host device is less than a first threshold; or, a current time belongs to a first time period.

28. The method of any one of claims 19-27, wherein, The method further includes: sending information indicating a second address, the second address being used to identify the first device that changes from a relay device to a host device.

29. The method of any one of claims 19-27, wherein, The method further includes: sending information indicating that a device type associated with the first address changes from a relay device to a host device, the first address being used to identify the first device that changes to a host device.

30. The method of any one of claims 19-29, wherein, The method further includes: sending information indicating a third address; In a case where a host device associated with the first device changes from a plurality of host devices to a single host device, the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path, the third path including a path between a third host device and the first device; or, In a case where a host device associated with the first device changes from a single host device to a plurality of host devices, the third address is an address used to identify the first device in a third path and a fourth path, the third path including a path between a third host device and the first device, and the fourth path including a path between a fourth host device and the first device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein, The method further includes: sending information indicating an address type of the third address; In a case where an address type of the third address belongs to a first type, the third address is associated with a plurality of host devices, and an address of the first type is associated with a plurality of host devices; or, In a case where an address type of the third address belongs to a second type, the first address is associated with a single host device, and an address of the second type is associated with a single host device.

32. The method of any one of claims 19-29, wherein, In a case where the address type of the first address is the first type and the address of the first type is associated with a plurality of host devices: The method further includes: sending information indicating that the address type of the first address changes from the first type to a second type, and an address of the second type is associated with a single host device.

33. The method of any one of claims 19-29, wherein, In a case where the address type of the first address is the second type, the address of the second type is associated with a single host device, and the first address is an address used to identify the first device in a first path, the first path including a path between a first host device and the first device: The method further includes: The method further includes: sending information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type, the first type of address being associated with a plurality of host devices.

34. The method of any of claims 32-33, wherein, the information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type, and / or the information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the second type to the first type is carried in at least one of the following:

35. The method of any one of claims 19-34, wherein, F1 interface application information (F1AP information), radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration information, downlink control information (DCI) information, medium access control control element (MAC CE) information, or backhaul adaptation protocol layer (BAP) control information. The method further includes:

36. The method of claim 35, wherein, sending indication information of a communication device on a path associated with the first address. The communication device on the path associated with the first address includes a satellite device; The indication information of the communication device on the path associated with the first address includes at least one of the following: a type of orbit in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; an orbit identifier in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; a number of layers of the orbit in which the satellite device on the path associated with the first address is located; or 37. A method of communication, the method comprising: information of the satellite device on the path associated with the first address. The method includes: receiving information indicating the first address; communicating with a first device according to the first address; 38. The method of claim 37, wherein, wherein the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the first address belongs to a first path and a second path for identifying the first device, the first path includes a path between a first host device and the first device, and the second path includes a path between a second host device and the first device. The method further includes: receiving information indicating that the address type of the first address is changed from the first type to the second type, the second type of address being associated with a single host device; 39. The method of any one of claims 37-38, wherein, releasing the first address, or deactivating the first address. In the case that the first address is associated with a plurality of host devices, the method further includes: receiving information indicating a first condition; 40. The method of claim 39, wherein, determining that the first address is in an active state in the case that the first condition is satisfied. The first condition includes at least one of the following: a distance between the first device and the first host device or the second host device is less than a first threshold; or 41. The method of any one of claims 37-40, wherein, a current time belongs to a first time period. The method further includes:

42. The method of any one of claims 37-41, wherein, sending information indicating a host device associated with the first address, the host device associated with the first address including the first host device and the second host device. The method further includes: sending state information of a resource associated with the first address; the state information of the resource includes: a first state, a second state, or a third state; wherein the resource in the first state belongs to an active state; the resource in the second state belongs to a deactivated state; the resource in the third state is in an active state when the first device receives information activating the resource, and is in a deactivated state otherwise.

43. A communications device, characterized by comprising means for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 18, or comprising means for performing the method of any one of claims 19 to 36, or comprising means for performing the method of any one of claims 37 to 42.

44. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor and interface circuitry for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to other communication devices, the processor being configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 18, or the method of any one of claims 19 to 36, or the method of any one of claims 37 to 42, by logic circuitry or executable code instructions.

45. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The storage medium has stored therein a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 18, or the method of any one of claims 19 to 36, or the method of any one of claims 37 to 42.

46. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product stores a computer program comprising program instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 18, or the method of any one of claims 19 to 36, or the method of any one of claims 37 to 42 to be implemented.

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