Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and an apparatus. The method comprises: a donor node can determine and send first information, wherein the first information can be used for indicating: a first duplex mode corresponding to an MT of an IAB node and a second duplex mode corresponding to a DU of the IAB node, the first duplex mode being different from the second duplex mode, and at least one of the donor node and the IAB node being an NTN node. In the method, when at least one of the donor node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of an IAB network.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410737171.6, filed on June 6, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] In some scenarios of terrestrial network (TN) and non-terrestrial network (NTN), from the perspective of wide coverage demand, or considering the deployment cost, the integrated access and backhaul (IAB) technology is introduced. The IAB technology can support access link and backhaul link, thereby realizing flexible and dense deployment of new radio (NR) cells.

[0005] In the IAB network, the IAB node (IAB node or IAB-node) can include: a mobile termination (MT) of the IAB node (which can be referred to as IAB-node-MT or IAB-node-MT) and a distribute unit (DU) of the IAB node (which can be referred to as IAB-node-DU or IAB-node-DU). The IAB-DU can provide access services for terminals, and the IAB-MT can access to the DU of the parent node or the DU of the IAB donor. In this way, the terminal can communicate with the IAB donor through one or more IAB nodes.

[0006] At present, how to improve the resource utilization of the IAB network needs further research. SUMMARY

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve the resource utilization of the IAB network.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a host node. The host node can be an access network device or a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication function (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in the access network device, or can also be a logical node, a logical module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method can include: the host node can determine and send first information. The first information can be used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node, and a second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node. The first duplex mode and the second duplex mode can be different. At least one of the host node and the IAB node can be an NTN node.

[0009] Through the method, in the case that at least one of the host node and the IAB node is an NTN node, and the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode are different, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes, so that the resource utilization of the IAB network can be improved, and the interference between different nodes can be inhibited. For example, if the host node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode, the NTN node can communicate with the MT of the IAB node through the FDD mode, so that the resource utilization of the NTN node in the IAB network can be improved. For another example, if the IAB node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode, the NTN node can communicate with the terminal served by the NTN node and / or the next level IAB node through the FDD mode, so that the resource utilization of the NTN node in the IAB network can be improved.

[0010] In a possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to the host node. Through the design, the IAB node can determine the first duplex mode corresponding to the host node according to the first information, so that the IAB node can communicate with the host node according to the first duplex mode.

[0011] In a possible design, when the host node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode can be a time division duplex (TDD) mode, and the second duplex mode can be a frequency division duplex (FDD) mode. In this way, the DU of the IAB node can communicate with the terminal served by the IAB node and / or the MT of the next-level IAB node through the FDD mode, so that the resource utilization of the NTN node as the IAB node can be improved. Alternatively, when the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is a TN node, the first duplex mode can be an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode can be a TDD mode. In this way, the host node can communicate with the MT of the IAB node through the FDD mode, so that the resource utilization of the NTN node as the host node can be improved.

[0012] In a possible design, when the host node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first information can further be used to indicate the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node. With this design, the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node can be dynamically configured on demand, so that the dynamic coordination efficiency of the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can be improved. In addition, in this design, the host node can only configure the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node, and can not configure the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node, so that the signaling overhead can be reduced. Alternatively, when the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first information can further be used to indicate the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node. With this design, the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node can be configured on demand, so that the dynamic coordination efficiency of the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can be improved. In addition, in this design, the host node can only configure the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node, and can not configure the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node, so that the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0013] In a possible design, when the host node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the resource of the IAB node on the access link is in the same frequency range as the downlink resource of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node. In this way, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node, and the first information can not indicate the attribute of the resource of the uplink time unit of the MT of the IAB node, so that the signaling overhead can be saved.

[0014] In one possible design, the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the method can further include that the host node can receive first capability information. The first capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the host node can learn the capability of the IAB node, and thus can set the properties of the resources of the MT of the IAB node for the IAB node according to the capability of the IAB node.

[0015] In one possible design, if the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node. In this way, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node, and the first information can not indicate the properties of the resources of the downlink time unit of the MT of the IAB node, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0016] In one possible design, the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the method can further include that the host node can receive second capability information. The second capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the host node can learn the capability of the IAB node, and thus can set the properties of the resources of the MT of the IAB node for the IAB node according to the capability of the IAB node.

[0017] In one possible design, if the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the DU of the IAB node, and the first information can not indicate the properties of the resources of the downlink time unit of the DU of the IAB node, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0018] In a possible design, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, and the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, the method can further include that the host node can receive third capability information, the third capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the host node can learn the capability of the IAB node, and thus can set, for the IAB node, the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node that is adapted to the capability of the IAB node.

[0019] In a possible design, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the downlink resource of the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the downlink resource of the DU of the IAB node, and the first information can not indicate the attribute of the resource of the uplink time unit of the DU of the IAB node, so that signaling overhead can be saved.

[0020] In a possible design, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, and the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, the method can further include that the host node can receive fourth capability information, the fourth capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the host node can learn the capability of the IAB node, and thus can set, for the IAB node, the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node that is adapted to the capability of the IAB node.

[0021] In a possible design, the first information can further be used to indicate an activation condition of the first information. In this way, in a case where the activation condition is met, the MT of the IAB node corresponds to the first duplex mode, and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to the second duplex mode, so that the IAB node can communicate by using the hybrid duplex mode on demand, and resource utilization of the IAB network can be improved.

[0022] In a possible design, the activation condition of the first information can include at least one of the following: a time condition for activating the first information; or a location condition for activating the first information. This design shows various possible examples of the activation condition, and is more flexible.

[0023] In a possible design, the method can further include that the host node can receive second information. The second information can be used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node have the capability of corresponding different duplex modes; the duplex mode that can be supported by the MT of the IAB node and the duplex mode that can be supported by the DU of the IAB node; a time period during which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes; a location range in which the IAB node is located when the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes; or the duplex modes that can be supported by the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node. With this design, the IAB node can report the second information, which can be used to assist the network side (for example, the core network device or the host node) to optimize the resource coordination decision. For example, the host node can manage the resources of the IAB according to the second information, thereby improving the resource coordination efficiency.

[0024] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to an IAB node. The IAB node can be an access network device or a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in an access network device, or can also be a logical node, a logical module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method can include that the IAB node can receive first information. The first information can be used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node, and a second duplex mode corresponding to the IAB node. The first duplex mode and the second duplex mode can be different; and the host node of the IAB node and at least one of the IAB node are NTN nodes. Then, the IAB node can communicate according to the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode.

[0025] In a possible design, the first information can be further used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to the host node of the IAB node.

[0026] In a possible design, in the case that the host node of the IAB node is a terrestrial network TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode can be a TDD mode and the second duplex mode can be an FDD mode; or in the case that the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is a TN node, the first duplex mode can be an FDD mode and the second duplex mode can be a TDD mode.

[0027] In a possible design, in the case where the donor node of the IAB node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first information can further be used to indicate the properties of resources of the MT of the IAB node; or in the case where the donor node is an NTN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first information can further be used to indicate the properties of resources of the DU of the IAB node.

[0028] In a possible design, in the case where the donor node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the downlink resources of the MT of the IAB node.

[0029] In a possible design, in the case where the donor node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, the method can further include that the IAB node can send first capability information. The first capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node.

[0030] In a possible design, in the case where the donor node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node.

[0031] In a possible design, in the case where the donor node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, the method can further include that the IAB node can send second capability information. The second capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node.

[0032] In one possible design, if the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the DU of the IAB node.

[0033] In one possible design, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the method further can include that the IAB node can transmit third capability information. The third capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or, the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node.

[0034] In one possible design, if the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the downlink resources of the DU of the IAB node.

[0035] In one possible design, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, and the method further includes that the IAB node can transmit fourth capability information. The fourth capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or, the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node.

[0036] In one possible design, the first information can be further used to indicate an activation condition of the first information.

[0037] In one possible design, the activation condition of the first information can include at least one of the following: a time condition for activating the first information; or, a location condition for activating the first information.

[0038] In a possible design, the method further includes that the IAB node can send second information, and the second information can be used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node have the capability of corresponding different duplex modes; duplex modes that the MT of the IAB node can support and duplex modes that the DU of the IAB node can support; a time period during which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes; a location range in which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes; or, the duplex modes that the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can support.

[0039] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus can be an access network device or a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions, a chip system or a processor) in an access network device, or can also be a logic node, a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The communication apparatus has the functions of implementing the first aspect or the second aspect. For example, the communication apparatus includes a module or a unit or a means corresponding to the operations related to the first aspect or the second aspect, which can be implemented by software or by hardware, and can also be implemented by hardware to execute corresponding software.

[0040] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit can be used to transceive signals to implement communication between the communication apparatus and other apparatuses, and the processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication apparatus. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations related to the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0041] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor. The processor can execute computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication apparatus implements the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0042] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor and a memory, and the memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions related to the first aspect or the second aspect. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication apparatus implements the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0043] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other apparatuses through the interface circuit, and perform the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which can include a host node and an IAB node. The host node can perform the communication method provided in the first aspect, and the IAB node can perform the communication method provided in the second aspect.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method in any possible design of any one of the first aspect to the second aspect is implemented.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code, and when the computer program code is run, the method in any possible design of any one of the first aspect to the second aspect is implemented.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to execute the method in any possible design of any one of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0048] The technical effects that can be achieved by any one of the second aspect to the seventh aspect can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any one of the possible designs of the first aspect, and the repeated parts will not be discussed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0049] FIGS. 1A to 1I are architecture diagrams of several communication systems provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a resource attribute provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a first communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIGS. 4A to 4F are schematic diagrams of several application scenarios provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0053] FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as an NR system) or a future communication system. The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a terrestrial network communication system or an NTN communication system. The NTN communication system may, for example, be a satellite communication system, or may include a drone, a high altitude platform station (HAPS), and other aerial access network devices, which are not limited in the present application.

[0056] The present application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around a system that can include a plurality of devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system can include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or can not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In addition, combinations of these solutions can also be used.

[0057] FIG. 1A shows an architecture of an NTN communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. The communication system can include a terminal, a first access network device and a second access network device. Among them, the communication link between the first access network device and the second access network device is a feedback link (or called a feeder link); the communication link between the second access network device and the terminal is a service link.

[0058] The first access network device can be a gateway (or called a ground station, an earth station, a gateway station, a gateway or a gateway station), or a base station.

[0059] The second access network device can be a satellite (or called a satellite base station) or a high altitude platform station (HAPS), etc. Among them, the satellite can include at least one of the following: a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite (or called a geosynchronous orbit satellite) or a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO). The non-geostationary earth orbit satellite can include at least one of the following: a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite. This is not limited here.

[0060] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication mode of the second access network device can include two modes, i.e., a regenerative mode and a transparent mode (also referred to as a transparent mode). When the communication mode of the second access network device is the regenerative mode, the second access network device can have all or part of the functions of a base station and can be regarded as a base station. In this case, the second access network device can support functions such as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, demodulation / decoding, encoding / modulation, and can perform operations such as error detection, correction and recovery on signals, so as to improve the signal quality. For example, the second access network device can include a next generation NodeB (gNB) or a DU, etc. When the communication mode of the second access network device is the transparent mode, the second access network device can perform frequency conversion and forwarding of signals.

[0061] It should be understood that FIG. 1A only shows one first access network device and one second access network device, and in actual use, an architecture with multiple first access network devices and / or multiple second access network devices can be adopted as needed. Each second access network device can provide services to one or more terminals, each second access network device can correspond to one or more first access network devices, and each first access network device can correspond to one or more second access network devices, which are not specifically limited in the present application.

[0062] The satellite communication system shown in the present application can have various possible architectures, for example, any one of architectures one to three.

[0063] Architecture one: FIG. 1B shows a satellite communication system in a transparent mode suitable for the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1B, the terminal and the ground base station can communicate through an air interface (for example, a Uu interface), and the satellite and the NTN gateway can be regarded as a radio frequency remote unit (RRU) of the ground base station and can implement transparent forwarding of signals. The ground base station and the core network (for example, a 5G core network (CN)) can communicate through a next generation (NG) interface. The core network and the data network (DN) can communicate through an N6 interface. The satellite supports functions such as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, and does not change the waveform of the signal; that is, the satellite can act as an analog radio frequency repeater (RF repeater) or a layer 1 (L1) relay, which regenerates the physical layer signal.

[0064] Architecture two: FIG. 1C shows a satellite communication system in a regenerative mode to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in FIG. 1C, the satellite has part or all of the functions of the access network device, which can be referred to as a satellite base station. The satellite can provide wireless access services and schedule wireless resources for terminal devices accessing the network through the satellite. The terminal and the satellite can communicate through an air interface (for example, a Uu interface), the satellite and the core network can communicate through an NG interface, and the core network and the DN can communicate through an N6 interface. Optionally, in the process of communication between the satellite and the core network, the satellite can communicate with the core network through an NTN gateway. Specifically, the satellite and the NTN gateway can communicate through an NG interface, and the NTN gateway and the core network can communicate through an NG interface. The NTN gateway can connect network segments of different protocols. The NG interface between the satellite and the NTN gateway can be deployed on a satellite radio interface (SRI). Optionally, in this architecture, there is no inter-satellite link (ISL) between the satellites.

[0065] Architecture three: FIG. 1D shows another satellite communication system in a regenerative mode to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in FIG. 1D, the satellite has part or all of the functions of the access network device, which can be referred to as a satellite base station. The satellite can provide wireless access services and schedule wireless resources for terminal devices accessing the network through the satellite. The terminal and the satellite can communicate through an air interface (for example, a Uu interface), the satellite and the core network can communicate through an NG interface, and the core network and the DN can communicate through an N6 interface. The satellites can communicate through an Xn interface, which can be deployed on an ISL. The specific content of the communication between the satellite and the core network through the NG interface can be referred to the description of architecture two, which will not be repeated here.

[0066] In the present application, the terminal can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user apparatus.

[0067] The terminal can be a device providing a wireless communication function, for example, a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. with a wireless connection function. Currently, some examples of the terminal are: a mobile phone, a satellite mobile terminal, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, etc.), a vehicle-mounted device (for example, a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, etc.), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery or telemedicine or telehealth services, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home (for example, a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, etc.), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with a wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a flight device (for example, a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), a terminal in a 5G network, or a terminal in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. As an example but not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal can also be a mobile termination (MT) in an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.When the IAB node faces its parent node, it can be regarded as a terminal, at this time, the IAB node plays the role of MT.

[0068] Embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal, and the device for implementing the function of the terminal can be a terminal; or can be a device capable of supporting the terminal to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal or used with the terminal. In embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0069] In the present application, the access network device is a device that provides wireless communication function for the terminal, and the terminal can communicate with the core network device through the access network device. The access network device, as a node in the radio access network, can also be called a base station, a radio access network (RAN) node (or device), an access point (AP). The communication system can include multiple access network devices, which can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network device and the terminal are relative, for example, network element #A can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station, access the RAN through network element #B, for those terminals that access the RAN through network element #A, network element #A is a base station; but for network element #B, network element #A is a terminal.

[0070] In a possible scenario, the access network device can be a base station (BS), a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP), a base station in a future mobile system, a satellite, an IAB node, a mobile switching center, a high-altitude platform, or a satellite, etc. The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud RAN (CRAN) scenario. The access network device can also be a device that plays the role of a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, unmanned aerial vehicle communication, and machine communication. Optionally, the access network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0071] In another possible scenario, a terminal is assisted by multiple access network devices to implement wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of functions of a base station. For example, an access network device can be a central unit (CU), a DU, a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, for example, in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, for example, in an RRU, an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). Among them, the CU can implement functions of a radio resource control (RRC) layer and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer of the base station, and can also implement functions of a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer; the DU can implement functions of a radio link control (RLC) layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete part or all of functions of a physical layer. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned protocol layers, refer to relevant technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). It can be understood that the access network device can be a CU, or a DU, or a device including a CU and a DU. In addition, the CU can be divided into an access network device in an access network, or the CU can be divided into an access network device in a CN, which is not limited here. For example, as shown in FIG. 1E, the access network device includes a CU and at least one DU, the CU can be connected with the DU through an F1 interface, and can control at least one DU.

[0072] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an 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), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0073] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the access network device is not limited, and the device for implementing the function of the access network device can be the access network device; or it can be a device capable of supporting the access network device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in combination with the access network device.

[0074] The access network device and the terminal can be fixed in position or movable. The access network device and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface; and can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network device and the terminal.

[0075] Based on the content shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E and the above other content, FIG. 1F shows an architecture diagram of another communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 1F takes the communication system architecture of IAB as an example for illustration.

[0076] The purpose of IAB is to support wireless backhaul and relay links, so as to realize flexible and very dense deployment of NR cells without the need to scale up wired transport networks. Typical deployment scenarios of IAB include outdoor small base station deployment, indoor small base station deployment and even mobile relays (for example, on buses or trains).

[0077] As shown in FIG. 1F, the communication system can include a terminal, an IAB donor, and an IAB node. The terminal in FIG. 1F can be the terminal involved in any one of FIGs. 1A-1E. The IAB donor can be a gNodeB supporting IAB additional functions, and can be connected to a core network through a non-IAB connection, and provide access (e.g., provide access through a backhaul link or an access link) for a terminal or an IAB node. The IAB node can support access through NR (e.g., through an access link) and backhaul (e.g., through a backhaul link). Any one of the IAB donor and the IAB node shown in FIG. 1F can be the access network device (e.g., the first access network device, the second access network device, the satellite, the NTN gateway, or the ground base station) involved in any one of FIGs. 1A-1E.

[0078] FIG. 1G shows a structure diagram of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. The network architecture shown in FIG. 1G can include the network architecture involved in the IAB donor and the IAB node in FIG. 1F, and related content can be referred to the foregoing description of FIG. 1F.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 1G, the communication system includes a terminal, a 5G core network (5GC), an IAB donor, and one or more IAB nodes (two IAB nodes are shown in the figure as an example). Optionally, the communication system further includes a base station (such as a gNodeB). It should be understood that the core network is taken as an example of 5GC in the figure, and the core network can also be other core networks, such as the core network in a future communication system.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 1G, the IAB node can include an MT of the IAB node and a DU of the IAB node. The MT of the IAB node can be connected to the DU of the parent node or the DU of the IAB donor as a normal terminal. The DU of the IAB node can be a pole station cell on the access side of the IAB node, and can provide blind coverage and provide access for a normal terminal or the MT of a subordinate IAB node. When an IAB node provides access for the MT of a subordinate IAB node, the IAB node can be referred to as the parent node of the subordinate IAB node.

[0081] The IAB donor can be a gNodeB supporting IAB node attachment functions, and can be connected to a core network, for example, connected to the core network by a non-IAB technology, such as optical fiber. The IAB donor can include a CU of the IAB host (also referred to as an IAB host-CU or an IAB-donor-CU) and a DU of the IAB host (also referred to as an IAB host-DU or an IAB-donor-DU). Among them, the CU of the IAB host can be connected to the DU of the IAB host and the DU of the IAB node through an F1 interface. The CU of the IAB host can be connected to other base stations (such as through an Xn-C interface) as a base station, and the other base stations can access the 5GC; or the CU of the IAB host can directly access the 5GC (such as through an NG interface). The DU of the IAB host can provide blind coverage for the access side of the IAB host, and provide access for ordinary terminals or IAB nodes.

[0082] FIGS. 1H and 1I show architecture diagrams of communication systems to which embodiments of the present application are applicable.

[0083] In FIG. 1H, the NTN node D#1 provides backhaul services as an IAB donor and accesses the core network. The NTN nodes N#3 and N#4 and the TN nodes N#1 and N#2 provide access services for terminals and / or other network nodes as IAB nodes.

[0084] In FIG. 1I, the TN nodes D#1 and D#2 provide backhaul services as IAB donors and access the core network. The NTN nodes N#1, N#2, and N#3 provide access services for terminals and / or other network nodes as IAB nodes.

[0085] There are various scenarios applicable in embodiments of the present application. In addition to the above scenarios, the NTN / TN nodes can 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 in the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to inter-satellite links and feeder links, and these links can also be transmitted through existing IAB backhaul mechanisms or dedicated / private mechanisms.

[0086] In this application, the NTN node can be the second access network device in FIG. 1A or an apparatus (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor) in the second access network device; and / or, the NTN node can be the satellite in FIG. 1B to FIG. 1D or an apparatus (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor) in the satellite. The TN node can be an access network device located on the ground or an apparatus (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor) in the access network device.

[0087] The related terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are to make the embodiments of the present application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0088] 1. Duplex mode of IAB node:

[0089] Currently, IAB in TN is mainly applied to a millimeter wave (mmWave) scenario. The duplex mode in the mmWave scenario is usually TDD, and therefore, when the TN node is an IAB node, the access link and the backhaul link of the IAB node communicate in a half-duplex manner. In this way, the TN node as an IAB node cannot transmit and receive at the same time. For example, when the DU of the IAB node is transmitting data, the MT of the IAB node cannot receive data. Also for example, when the DU of the IAB node is receiving data, the MT of the IAB node cannot transmit data. Also for example, when the MT of the IAB node is transmitting data, the DU of the IAB node cannot receive data. Also for example, when the MT of the IAB node is receiving data, the DU of the IAB node cannot transmit data.

[0090] 2. Attribute of resource of IAB node:

[0091] Currently, the parent node or IAB donor of the IAB node can configure the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node, and the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node can be used to determine whether the resource configured for the MT of the IAB node is available.

[0092] The attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node can comprise at least one of the following: hard (H), soft (S), and not available (NA). This is explained below.

[0093] (1) If the attribute of a certain resource of the DU of the IAB node is hard, the DU of the IAB node can always use the resource in the transmission direction configured by the resource, without the IAB node needing to consider the impact of the resource on the MT side of the IAB node. In this case, the resource is not available at the MT side of the IAB node; or in other words, the MT of the IAB node cannot use the resource to transmit signals. For example, FIG. 2, row 2, shows the resources configured for the DU of the IAB node. The period of the resources configured for the DU of the IAB node is 5 slots; and within each period, the resources configured for the DU of the IAB node can comprise DDD FU, where D is a downlink slot, F is a flexible slot, and U is an uplink slot. FIG. 2, row 1, shows the attributes of the resources of the DU of the IAB node, where H is hard, S is soft, and NA is not available. The attributes of the resources of slots 2-5 and 8-9 are hard. Therefore, the DU of the IAB node can use the resources of slots 2-5 and 8-9 to transmit signals, and the MT of the IAB node cannot use the resources of slots 2-5 and 8-9 to transmit signals. For example, the DU of the IAB node can use the resources of at least one of slots 2, 3, and 8 to transmit signals, and / or the DU of the IAB node can use the resources of slot 5 to receive signals, and / or the DU of the IAB node can use the resources of at least one of slots 4 and 9 to transmit or receive signals.

[0094] (2) If the attribute of a certain resource of the DU of the IAB node is soft, the DU of the IAB node can use the resource to transmit signals without affecting the signal transmission at the MT side of the IAB node.

[0095] In some examples, the attribute of a certain resource of the DU of the IAB node is soft. If the resource is configured as uplink at the MT side of the IAB node, but there is no uplink data to be transmitted at the MT side of the IAB node, or the MT of the IAB node is not scheduled the resource, the DU of the IAB node can use the resource to transmit signals. Still taking FIG. 2 as an example, the attribute of the resource of slot 10 is soft. If the resource of slot 10 is configured as uplink at the MT side of the IAB node, but there is no uplink data to be transmitted at the MT side of the IAB node, or the MT of the IAB node is not scheduled the resource of slot 10, the DU of the IAB node can use the resource of slot 10 to receive signals.

[0096] In some examples, the attribute of a certain resource of the DU of the IAB node is a soft resource. In a case where the DU of the IAB node and the MT of the IAB node are allowed to transmit signals simultaneously, the DU of the IAB node can transmit signals on the configured soft resource. For example, the attribute of the resources of the 6th, 7th, and 10th slots in FIG. 2 is a soft resource. In a case where the DU of the IAB node and the MT of the IAB node are allowed to transmit signals simultaneously, the DU of the IAB node can transmit signals using the resources of the 6th, 7th, and 10th slots. For example, the DU of the IAB node can transmit signals using the resources of at least one of the 6th and 7th slots, and / or the DU of the IAB node can receive signals using the resources of the 10th slot.

[0097] (3) In a case where the attribute of a certain resource of the DU of the IAB node is an unavailable resource, the DU of the IAB node cannot transmit signals using the resource, or in other words, the DU of the IAB node cannot use the resource in the configured transmission direction. For example, the attribute of the resources of the 1st slot in FIG. 2 is an unavailable resource. The DU of the IAB node cannot transmit signals using the resources of the 1st slot.

[0098] 3、In this application, the signals transmitted by the MT of the IAB node and / or the signals received by the DU of the IAB node can be referred to as uplink signals. Optionally, the uplink signals can include at least one of the following: uplink channels, uplink reference signals, or uplink control information. The uplink channels may, for example, include uplink data channels and / or uplink control channels. For example, the uplink signals can include at least one of the following: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a narrowband physical uplink shared channel (NPUSCH), a narrowband physical uplink control channel (NPUCCH), a physical random access channel (PRACH), a sounding reference signal (SRS), an uplink demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or uplink control information (UCI).

[0099] The signal received by the MT of the IAB node and / or the signal transmitted by the DU of the IAB node can be referred to as a downlink signal, which can include at least one of a downlink channel, a downlink reference signal, or a downlink control information. The downlink channel can include, for example, a downlink data channel and / or a downlink control channel. For example, the downlink signal can include at least one of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a narrowband physical downlink shared channel (NPDSCH), a narrowband physical downlink control channel (NPDCCH), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a downlink DMRS, downlink control information (DCI), a synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB), a paging signal, a weak up signal (WUS), a paging early information (PEI), or a low power weak up signal (LP-WUS).

[0100] In this application, transmission can be understood as sending and / or receiving. Optionally, the signal in this application can be transmitted through at least one of the following transmission media: radio wave, visible light, laser, infrared light, optical fiber, etc.

[0101] 4. The unit of the time domain resource can be a time unit. For example, the time unit can include at least one of a system frame, a subframe, a millisecond (ms), a slot, a symbol, etc. The symbol can be a time domain symbol (e.g., an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol), etc.

[0102] The unit of the frequency domain resource can be a frequency unit. Exemplarily, the frequency unit can include at least one of a subcarrier, a resource element (RE), a resource block (RB), a resource block group (RBG), and the like.

[0103] 5、In this application, "indicate" or "for indicating" can include explicit indication (or direct indication) and implicit indication (or indirect indication). When describing that a certain information is used to indicate A, it can include that the information explicitly indicates A or implicitly indicates A, and does not mean that A must be carried in the information.

[0104] The indication mode involved in the embodiments of the present application should be understood as covering various methods that can enable the to-be-indicated party to know the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately into multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be the same or different, which is not limited.

[0105] The "information" in the embodiments of the present application can be explicitly indicated, that is, directly indicated through signaling, or obtained according to the parameters indicated by the signaling, in combination with other rules or in combination with other parameters or through derivation. It can also be implicitly indicated, that is, obtained according to rules or relationships, or according to other parameters, or through derivation. It is not limited.

[0106] 6、In this application, the communication between different devices can mean direct communication between different devices (that is, without the need for other devices to transfer or forward), or can mean communication between different devices through other devices (that is, with the need for other devices to transfer or forward), or can mean that a functional unit inside a device communicates with other devices through another functional unit. Exemplarily, "sending information to (a terminal)" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal, and can include directly or indirectly sending information to the terminal. "Receiving information from (a terminal)" can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal, and can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the terminal. The information can be processed as necessary between the source and the destination of the information sending, for example, format conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, filtering and the like, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly, which will not be described here.

[0107] 7、In this application, any two of programs, instructions and codes can be replaced with each other.

[0108] 8、In this application, a node corresponding to a duplex mode can be understood as that the node can use the duplex mode. For example, the host node corresponding to the first duplex mode can be understood as that the host node can use the first duplex mode.

[0109] Currently, the IAB technology is mainly applied to TN networks, and the multiplexing mode between the MT of the IAB and the DU of the IAB is a time division multiplexing (TDM) mode. If the IAB technology is applied to networking involving NTN, since the NTN node can support FDD, if the MT of the IAB and the DU of the IAB in the networking involving NTN are still time division multiplexed, the resource utilization of the NTN node will be reduced.

[0110] How to improve the resource utilization in the IAB network needs to be further discussed.

[0111] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In order to facilitate understanding, FIG. 3 takes the interaction between a host node and an IAB node as an example for introduction.

[0112] The host node and the IAB node can be an access network device or an apparatus (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor) in the access network device shown in any one of FIGS. 1A-1E. For example, the host node and the IAB node can be an IAB donor and an IAB node respectively, and the specific content can be referred to the description of FIGS. 1F-1H above, which will not be repeated. For another example, the host node and the IAB node can be a parent node of an IAB node and an IAB node respectively, and the specific content can be referred to the description of FIGS. 1F-1H above, which will not be repeated. In this example, the host node in the following can be replaced by a first IAB node, and the IAB node in the following can be replaced by a second IAB node.

[0113] Embodiments of the present application can be applicable to the system architecture of NTN, and can also be applicable to the system architecture of the fusion of NTN and TN. At least one of the host node and the IAB node can be an NTN node. For example, the host node can be the NTN node D#1 in FIG. 1H, and the IAB node can be at least one of the TN node N#1, the TN node N#2, the NTN node N#3 or the NTN node N#4 in FIG. 1H. For another example, the host node can be the TN node D#1 in FIG. 1I, and the IAB node can be the NTN node N#2 in FIG. 1I. For another example, the host node can be the TN node D#2 in FIG. 1I, and the IAB node can be the NTN node N#3 in FIG. 1I. For another example, the host node can be the NTN node N#2 in FIG. 1I, and the IAB node can be the NTN node N#1 in FIG. 1I.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 3, the method includes:

[0115] S301: The host node determines first information.

[0116] The first information can be used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node, and a second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node; or the first information can indicate: the first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node, and the second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node. The specific content of the first information indicating the first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node and the second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node is not limited.

[0117] In some possible manners, the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode are different.

[0118] In some implementations, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode. For example, if the host node is D#1 in FIG. 1H and the IAB node is N#1 or N#2 in FIG. 1H, the first duplex mode can be an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode can be a TDD mode. Through this implementation, in the case where the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is a TN node, the host node can communicate with the MT of the IAB node through the FDD mode, thereby improving the resource utilization of the NTN node as the host node.

[0119] In other implementations, the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode. For example, if the host node is D#1 in FIG. 1I and the IAB node is N#2 in FIG. 1I, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode. For another example, if the host node is D#2 in FIG. 1I and the IAB node is N#3 in FIG. 1I, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode. Through this implementation, in the case where the host node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the DU of the IAB node can communicate with the MT of the terminal and / or the next-level IAB node served by the IAB node through the FDD mode, thereby improving the resource utilization of the NTN node as the IAB node.

[0120] In yet some implementations, the host node and the IAB node are both NTN nodes, the first duplex mode is FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is TDD mode. For example, in the case that the host node is D#1 in FIG. 1H and the IAB node is N#3 or N#4 in FIG. 1H, the first duplex mode can be FDD mode, and the second duplex mode can be TDD mode. With this implementation, in the case that the host node and the IAB node are both NTN nodes, the host node can communicate with the MT of the IAB node using FDD mode, thereby improving the resource utilization of the NTN node as the host node and reducing the overhead of the guard resources (e.g., guard slots) required for the NTN node to adopt TDD mode.

[0121] In yet some implementations, the host node and the IAB node are both NTN nodes, the first duplex mode is TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is FDD mode. For example, in the case that the host node is D#1 in FIG. 1H and the IAB node is N#3 or N#4 in FIG. 1H, the first duplex mode can be TDD mode, and the second duplex mode can be FDD mode. With this implementation, in the case that the host node and the IAB node are both NTN nodes, the DU of the IAB node can communicate with the MT of the terminal served by the IAB node and / or the next-level IAB node using FDD mode, thereby improving the resource utilization of the NTN node as the IAB node.

[0122] In yet some implementations, the host node and the IAB node are both NTN nodes, the first duplex mode is TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is FDD mode. For example, in the case that the host node is D#1 in FIG. 1H and the IAB node is N#3 or N#4 in FIG. 1H, the first duplex mode can be TDD mode, and the second duplex mode can be FDD mode. With this implementation, in the case that the host node and the IAB node are both NTN nodes, the DU of the IAB node can communicate with the MT of the terminal served by the IAB node and / or the next-level IAB node using FDD mode, thereby improving the resource utilization of the NTN node as the IAB node.

[0123] In some possible manners, the first information can further indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to the host node; or the first information can further indicate that the host node corresponds to the first duplex mode; or the first information can further indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to a DU of the host node; or the first information can further indicate that the DU of the host node corresponds to the first duplex mode. For example, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, and the first duplex mode is an FDD mode. After receiving the first information, the TN node as the IAB node can determine to communicate with the host node according to the FDD mode. For another example, the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, and the first duplex mode is a TDD mode. After receiving the first information, the NTN node as the IAB node can determine to communicate with the host node according to the TDD mode. In this way, the IAB node can determine the first duplex mode corresponding to the host node according to the first information, and can communicate with the host node according to the first duplex mode.

[0124] Optionally, in this manner, if the host node is an IAB donor, the first duplex mode corresponding to the host node can be notified to the host node by a core network device; or if the host node is a parent node of the IAB node, the first duplex mode corresponding to the host node can be notified to the parent node of the IAB node by the IAB donor.

[0125] S302: The host node sends first information; correspondingly, the IAB node can receive the first information.

[0126] For example, the DU of the host node sends the first information; correspondingly, the MT of the IAB node receives the first information.

[0127] Optionally, the host node can send the first information when the IAB node accesses the host node or after the IAB node accesses the host node; correspondingly, the IAB node can receive the first information. For example, the DU of the host node can send the first information when the IAB node accesses the host node or after the IAB node accesses the host node; correspondingly, the MT of the IAB node can receive the first information.

[0128] The first information can be carried in a conventional message or a new message, without limitation. For example, the first information can be carried in an RRC message, a MAC control element (MAC CE), or a control message (for example, DCI). The first information can have other names, such as configuration information, duplex mode configuration information, or hybrid duplex mode configuration information, as long as it has the same function, which is within the protection scope of the present application.

[0129] S303: The IAB node communicates according to the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode.

[0130] For example, the MT of the IAB node can communicate with the donor node according to the first duplex mode; and / or the DU of the IAB node can communicate with the terminal served by the IAB node and / or the next-level IAB node according to the second duplex mode.

[0131] Optionally, before communicating according to the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode, the IAB node can further configure the duplex mode of the MT of the IAB node and the duplex mode of the DU of the IAB node, for example, the IAB node configures the duplex mode of the MT of the IAB node as the first duplex mode and configures the duplex mode of the DU of the IAB node as the second duplex mode.

[0132] According to the method shown in FIG. 3, in the case that at least one of the donor node and the IAB node is an NTN node and the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode are different, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes, thereby improving the resource utilization of the IAB network and suppressing interference between different nodes. For example, if the donor node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode, the NTN node can communicate with the MT of the IAB node through the FDD mode, thereby improving the resource utilization of the NTN node in the IAB network. For another example, if the IAB node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode, the NTN node can communicate with the terminal served by the IAB node and / or the next-level IAB node through the FDD mode, thereby improving the resource utilization of the NTN node in the IAB network.

[0133] In some possible manners, the donor node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, and the first information can further be used to indicate the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node. Optionally, in this manner, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode. Optionally, after receiving the first information, the IAB node can configure the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node according to the first information. The attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node can include at least one of the following: hard resource (H), soft resource (S), and unavailable resource (NA). For specific content, refer to the description of the hard resource (H), the soft resource (S), and the unavailable resource (NA) in the above term explanation part, and the DU of the IAB node and the MT of the IAB node are exchanged, which will not be described herein again. Through this manner, the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node can be dynamically configured as needed, thereby improving the dynamic coordination efficiency of the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node. Moreover, in this manner, the donor node can only configure the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node, and can not configure the attribute of the resource of the DU of the IAB node, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0134] The manner is described below in connection with case a1 to case a3.

[0135] Case a1: the host node is a TN node, and the IAB node is an NTN node. The resource of the IAB node on the access link is in the same frequency range as the downlink resource of the IAB node on the backhaul link; in other words, the access link of the IAB node and the downlink resource of the backhaul link of the IAB node are in the same frequency. Optionally, in case a1, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode.

[0136] In case a1, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node. For example, in case a1, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of all the resources of the MT of the IAB node. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the host node is a TN node D#1, and the IAB node is an NTN node N#2. The DU of the host node corresponds to a TDD mode, the MT of the IAB node corresponds to a TDD mode, and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to an FDD mode. The downlink resource of the DU of the IAB node is in the same frequency range as the resource of the MT of the IAB node. The first information can indicate the attribute of the resource of all the time slots of the MT of the IAB node.

[0137] In some implementations, in case a1, if the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node. Wherein, “the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node” can be replaced by: the IAB node supports simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node. For example, the downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node can include the resource corresponding to the MT side downlink and / or flexible time unit (e.g., time slot and / or symbol) of the IAB node. Still taking FIG. 4A as an example. If the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can indicate the attribute of the resource corresponding to the downlink time slot and the flexible time slot of the MT of the IAB node. In this way, in case a1, if the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node, and the first information can not indicate the attribute of the resource of the uplink time unit of the MT of the IAB node, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0138] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the MT of the IAB node can transmit a signal according to the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node. The DU of the IAB node can determine whether to transmit a signal on the resource according to the attribute of the resource on the downlink and / or flexible time unit of the MT of the IAB node. For details, refer to the description of hard resource (H), soft resource (S) and non-available resource (NA) in the term explanation section above, except that the DU of the IAB node and the MT of the IAB node are interchanged, which will not be repeated here.

[0139] In some implementations, in case a1, the method shown in FIG. 3 can further include step A1:

[0140] Step A1: The IAB node transmits first capability information; correspondingly, the host node receives the first capability information.

[0141] The first capability information is used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of transmitting a signal through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node at the same time; or the capability of receiving a signal through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting a signal through the DU of the IAB node at the same time. Alternatively, the first capability information is used to indicate whether the IAB node supports at least one of the following: transmitting a signal through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node at the same time; or receiving a signal through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting a signal through the DU of the IAB node at the same time.

[0142] For example, the MT of the IAB node transmits the first capability information; correspondingly, the DU of the host node receives the first capability information.

[0143] Optionally, the IAB node transmits the first capability information when the IAB node accesses the host node or after the IAB node accesses the host node; correspondingly, the host node receives the first capability information. For example, the MT of the IAB node transmits the first capability information when the IAB node accesses the host node or after the IAB node accesses the host node; correspondingly, the DU of the host node receives the first capability information.

[0144] The first capability information can be carried in a conventional message or a new message, without limitation. For example, the first capability information can be carried in an RRC message, a MAC CE or a control message (e.g., UCI). The first capability information can have other names as long as it has the same function and is within the protection scope of the present application.

[0145] In some examples, the transmission of the first capability information can be before the transmission of the first information, i.e., step A1 can be before S302. For example, when or after the IAB node accesses the donor node, the IAB node can report all the capabilities it supports to the donor node, and then the donor node can determine and send the first information according to the capabilities of the IAB node, the first information can indicate: the first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node, the second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node, and the attribute of the downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node.

[0146] In some other examples, the transmission of the first capability information can be before the transmission of part of the information in the first information. For example, information #1 in the first information can be used to indicate: the first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node, and the second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node. Information #2 in the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node. Information #1 and information #2 can be carried in different messages. The IAB node can send the first capability information after receiving information #1, and then the IAB node can receive information #2, which can be determined according to the first capability information.

[0147] Through this step, the IAB node can report to the donor node whether it has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the donor node can set the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node for the IAB node according to the capability of the IAB node.

[0148] Case a2: the donor node is a TN node, and the IAB node is an NTN node. The frequency range of the resource of the IAB node on the access link is the same as the uplink resource of the IAB node on the backhaul link; in other words, the access link of the IAB node and the uplink resource of the backhaul link of the IAB node are the same frequency. Optionally, in case a2, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode.

[0149] In case a2, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of the resource of the MT of the IAB node. For example, in case a2, the first information can be used to indicate the attribute of all resources of the MT of the IAB node. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the donor node is TN node D#1, and the IAB node is NTN node N#2. The DU of the donor node corresponds to a TDD mode, the MT of the IAB node corresponds to a TDD mode, and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to an FDD mode. The uplink resource of the DU of the IAB node is the same as the frequency range of the resource of the MT of the IAB node. The first information can indicate the attribute of the resource of all time slots of the MT of the IAB node.

[0150] In some implementations, in case a2, if the IAB node has the capability of receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node. Wherein, the “IAB node has the capability of receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously” can be replaced by: the IAB node supports receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously. For example, the uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node can include the resources corresponding to the MT side uplink and / or flexible time units (e.g., slots and / or symbols) of the IAB node. Still taking FIG. 4B as an example, if the IAB node has the capability of receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously, the first information can indicate the properties of the resources corresponding to the uplink slots and flexible slots of the MT of the IAB node. In this way, in case a2, if the IAB node has the capability of receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node, and the first information can not indicate the properties of the resources of the downlink time units of the MT of the IAB node, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0151] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the MT of the IAB node can transmit signals according to the properties of the resources of the MT of the IAB node; and the DU of the IAB node can determine whether to transmit signals on the resources according to the properties of the resources on the uplink and / or flexible time units of the MT of the IAB node. For details, reference can be made to the description of hard resources (H), soft resources (S) and unavailable resources (NA) in the term explanation section above, except that the DU of the IAB node and the MT of the IAB node are interchanged, which will not be repeated here.

[0152] In some implementations, in case a2, the method shown in FIG. 3 can further include step B1:

[0153] Step B1: The IAB node sends second capability information; and correspondingly, the host node receives the second capability information.

[0154] Wherein, the second capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously; or the capability of transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node simultaneously. Alternatively, the second capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node supports at least one of the following: receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously; or transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node simultaneously.

[0155] The specific content of step B1 can refer to step A1, except that the first capability information is replaced by the second capability information, which will not be repeated here.

[0156] Through this step, the IAB node can report to the host node whether it has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the host node can set the properties of the resources of the MT of the IAB node according to the capabilities of the IAB node.

[0157] Case a3: the host node is a TN node, and the IAB node is an NTN node. The resources of the IAB node on the access link are frequency division multiplexed (FDM) with the resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link; or the multiplexing mode between the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node is FDM; or the resources of the IAB node on the access link do not overlap in the frequency domain with the resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link. Optionally, in case a3, the first duplex mode is a TDD mode, and the second duplex mode is an FDD mode.

[0158] In case a3, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the resources of the MT of the IAB node. For example, in case a3, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of all resources of the MT of the IAB node. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the host node is a TN node D#1, and the IAB node is an NTN node N#2. The DU of the host node corresponds to a TDD mode, the MT of the IAB node corresponds to a TDD mode, and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to an FDD mode. The resources of the DU of the IAB node are FDM with the resources of the MT of the IAB node, for example, the frequency of the resources of the MT of the IAB node is f1, the frequency of the resources of the DU of the IAB node is f2, and f1 and f2 are different. The first information can indicate the properties of the resources of all time slots of the MT of the IAB node.

[0159] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the MT of the IAB node can transmit signals according to the properties of the resources of the MT of the IAB node; the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node can be hard resources, that is, the DU of the IAB node can transmit signals on the resources of the DU of the IAB node.

[0160] In some other possible manners, the first information can be further used to indicate the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node, in the case that the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is a TN node. Optionally, in this manner, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode. Optionally, after receiving the first information, the IAB node can configure the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node according to the first information. The properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node can include at least one of the following: hard resources (H), soft resources (S), and non-available resources (NA). The specific content can refer to the descriptions of the hard resources (H), the soft resources (S), and the non-available resources (NA) in the above term explanation part, which will not be repeated here. In this manner, the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node can be configured as needed, so that the dynamic coordination efficiency of the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can be improved. Moreover, in this manner, the host node can only configure the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node, and can not configure the properties of the resources of the MT of the IAB node, so that the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0161] The manner will be described below in combination with the case b1 to the case b3.

[0162] Case b1: The host node is an NTN node, and the IAB node is a TN node. The resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link; in other words, the access link of the IAB node and the uplink resources of the backhaul link are in the same frequency. Optionally, in the case b1, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode.

[0163] In the case b1, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node. For example, in the case b1, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of all the resources of the DU of the IAB node. For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, the host node is an NTN node D#1, and the IAB node is a TN node N#1. The first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode. The DU of the host node corresponds to the FDD mode, the MT of the IAB node corresponds to the FDD mode, and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to the TDD mode. The resources of the DU of the IAB node are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node. The first information can indicate the properties of the resources of all the time slots of the DU of the IAB node.

[0164] In some implementations, in case b1, if the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the DU of the IAB node. Wherein, the “IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node” can be replaced by: the IAB node supports simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node. For example, the uplink resources of the DU of the IAB node can include the resources corresponding to the DU-side uplink and / or flexible time units (e.g., slots and / or symbols) of the IAB node. Still taking FIG. 4D as an example, if the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the resources corresponding to the uplink slots and flexible slots of the DU of the IAB node. In this way, in case b1, if the IAB node has the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the uplink resources of the DU of the IAB node, and the first information can not indicate the properties of the resources of the downlink time units of the DU of the IAB node, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0165] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the DU of the IAB node can transmit signals according to the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node; and the MT of the IAB node can determine whether to transmit signals on the resources on the uplink and / or flexible time units of the DU of the IAB node according to the properties of the resources. For details, reference can be made to the description of hard resources (H), soft resources (S) and unavailable resources (NA) in the term explanation section above, which will not be repeated here.

[0166] In some implementations, in case b1, the method shown in FIG. 3 can further include step C1:

[0167] Step C1: The IAB node transmits third capability information; and correspondingly, the host node receives the third capability information.

[0168] Wherein, the third capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node. Alternatively, the third capability information is used to indicate whether the IAB node supports at least one of the following: simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node.

[0169] For details of step C1, reference can be made to step A1, except that the first capability information is replaced by the third capability information, which will not be repeated here.

[0170] Through this step, the IAB node can report to the donor node whether it has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the donor node can set the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node for the IAB node according to the capabilities of the IAB node.

[0171] Case b2: the donor node is an NTN node, and the IAB node is a TN node. The resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link; in other words, the access link of the IAB node and the downlink resources of the backhaul link of the IAB node are in the same frequency. Optionally, in case b2, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode.

[0172] In case b2, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node. For example, in case b2, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of all resources of the DU of the IAB node. For example, as shown in FIG. 4E, the donor node is an NTN node D#1, and the IAB node is a TN node N#1. The first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode. The DU of the donor node corresponds to the FDD mode, the MT of the IAB node corresponds to the FDD mode, and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to the TDD mode. The resources of the DU of the IAB node are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node. The first information can indicate the properties of the resources of all time slots of the DU of the IAB node.

[0173] In some implementations, in case b2, if the IAB node has the capability of receiving signals through both the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the downlink resources of the DU of the IAB node. Wherein, the “IAB node has the capability of receiving signals through both the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously” can be replaced by: the IAB node supports receiving signals through both the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously. For example, the downlink resources of the DU of the IAB node can include the resources corresponding to the DU-side downlink and / or flexible time units (e.g., slots and / or symbols) of the IAB node. Still taking FIG. 4E as an example, if the IAB node has the capability of receiving signals through both the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the resources corresponding to the downlink slots and flexible slots of the DU of the IAB node. In this way, in case b2, if the IAB node has the capability of receiving signals through both the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the downlink resources of the DU of the IAB node, and the first information can not indicate the properties of the resources of the uplink time units of the DU of the IAB node, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0174] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the DU of the IAB node can transmit signals according to the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node; and the MT of the IAB node can determine whether to transmit signals on the resources on the downlink and / or flexible time units of the DU of the IAB node according to the properties of the resources. For details, reference can be made to the description of hard resources (H), soft resources (S) and unavailable resources (NA) in the term explanation section above, which will not be repeated here.

[0175] In some implementations, in case b2, the method shown in FIG. 3 can further include step D1:

[0176] Step D1: The IAB node sends fourth capability information; and correspondingly, the host node receives the fourth capability information.

[0177] Wherein, the fourth capability information can be used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of receiving signals through both the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously; or the capability of receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node simultaneously. Alternatively, the fourth capability information is used to indicate whether the IAB node supports at least one of the following: receiving signals through both the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node simultaneously; or receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node simultaneously.

[0178] For details of step D1, reference can be made to step A1, except that the first capability information is replaced by the fourth capability information, which will not be repeated here.

[0179] It should be understood that at least two of the first capability information, the second capability information, the third capability information, or the fourth capability information can be carried in the same message, or can be carried in different messages, without limitation.

[0180] Through this step, the IAB node can report to the host node whether it has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node. In this way, the host node can set the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node for the IAB node according to the capabilities of the IAB node.

[0181] Case b3: the host node is an NTN node, and the IAB node is a TN node. The resources of the IAB node on the access link and the resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link are FDM; or the multiplexing mode between the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node is FDM; or the resources of the IAB node on the access link and the resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link do not overlap in the frequency domain. Optionally, in case b3, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode.

[0182] In case b3, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node. For example, in case b3, the first information can be used to indicate the properties of all resources of the DU of the IAB node. For example, as shown in FIG. 4F, the host node is an NTN node D#1, and the IAB node is a TN node N#1. The first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode. The DU of the host node corresponds to the FDD mode, the MT of the IAB node corresponds to the FDD mode, and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to the TDD mode. The resources of the DU of the IAB node and the resources of the MT of the IAB node are FDM, for example, the frequency of the resources of the MT of the IAB node is f1, the frequency of the resources of the DU of the IAB node is f2, and f1 and f2 are different. The first information can indicate the properties of the resources of all time slots of the DU of the IAB node.

[0183] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the DU of the IAB node can transmit signals according to the properties of the resources of the DU of the IAB node; the properties of the resources of the MT of the IAB node can be hard resources, that is, the MT of the IAB node can transmit signals on the resources of the MT of the IAB node.

[0184] In some possible manners, the first information further indicates an activation condition. The activation condition can be an activation condition of the first information; or, can be an activation condition that the MT of the IAB node corresponds to the first duplex mode and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to the second duplex mode. The activation condition can be replaced by other names such as an effective condition, as long as it has the same function and is within the protection scope of the present application. In this way, when the activation condition is met, the MT of the IAB node corresponds to the first duplex mode and the DU of the IAB node corresponds to the second duplex mode, so that the IAB node can communicate by using the hybrid duplex mode as needed, and the resource utilization of the IAB network is improved.

[0185] For example, the activation condition can include at least one of the following condition 1 and condition 2:

[0186] Condition 1, a time condition for activating the first information: optionally, the time condition for activating the first information can include that the time of the clock of the IAB node belongs to an activation time period. The activation time period can be replaced by other names such as an effective time period, as long as it has the same function and is within the protection scope of the present application. For example, the activation time period is [T1, T2].

[0187] There are various ways for the first information to indicate the activation time period. For example, the first information can indicate the start time T1 of the activation time period and the end time T2 of the activation time period. After receiving the first information, the IAB node can determine that the activation time period is [T1, T2]. For another example, the first information can indicate the start time T1 of the activation time period and the length L1 of the activation time period. After receiving the first information, the IAB node can determine that the activation time period is [T1, T1+L1]. For another example, the first information can indicate the end time T2 of the activation time period and the length L1 of the activation time period. After receiving the first information, the IAB node can determine that the activation time period is [T2-L1, T2]. Optionally, one or more of T1, T2 and L1 can be represented by universal time coordinate (UTC).

[0188] Condition 2, a location condition for activating the first information: optionally, the location condition for activating the first information can include that the IAB node is located in a first location range.

[0189] Optionally, the first location range can be determined according to a reference location.

[0190] In some examples, the first location range can be determined according to a reference location #1, e.g., a reference point within the coverage of the host node (e.g., a cell center point of the host node). For example, the first location range can be a region with the reference location #1 as the center and d as the radius, d being a positive number; or in other words, the location condition for activating the first information can include that the location of the IAB node is within a distance of less than (or less than or equal to) d from the reference location #1. Optionally, in this example, the first information can indicate d, and the reference location #1 can be pre-configured, e.g., specified by a protocol; or the first information can indicate both d and the reference location #1. For another example, any point within the first location range is within a distance of greater than (or greater than or equal to) a first threshold from the reference location #1; or in other words, the location condition for activating the first information can include that the location of the IAB node is within a distance of greater than (or greater than or equal to) the first threshold from the reference location #1. Optionally, in this example, the first information can indicate the first threshold, and the reference location #1 can be pre-configured, e.g., specified by a protocol; or the first information can indicate both the first threshold and the reference location #1.

[0191] In other examples, the first location range can be determined according to a reference location #1 and a reference location #2, e.g., a reference point within the coverage of the host node (e.g., a cell center point of the host node) and a reference point within the coverage of a next host node (or target host node) (e.g., a cell center point of the next host node). For example, any point within the first location range is within a distance of greater than (or greater than or equal to) a first threshold from the reference location #1 and within a distance of less than (or less than or equal to) a second threshold from the reference location #2; or in other words, the location condition for activating the first information can include that the location of the IAB node is within a distance of greater than (or greater than or equal to) the first threshold from the reference location #1 and within a distance of less than (or less than or equal to) the second threshold from the reference location #2. Optionally, in this example, the reference location #1 and the reference location #2 can be pre-configured, e.g., specified by a protocol, and the first information can indicate both the first threshold and the second threshold; or the first information can indicate the first threshold, the second threshold, the reference location #1, and the reference location #2.

[0192] In some examples, the first location range can be determined according to a reference location #2, e.g., a reference point (e.g., a cell center point of the next host node) within a coverage of the next host node (or referred to as a target host node). For example, any point within the first location range is less than (or less than or equal to) a second threshold value from the reference location #2; or in other words, the location condition for activating the first information can comprise that the IAB node is less than (or less than or equal to) the second threshold value from the reference location #2. Optionally, in this example, the reference location #2 is pre-configured, e.g., specified by a protocol, and the first information can indicate the second threshold value; or the first information can indicate the second threshold value and the reference location #2.

[0193] This way shows various possible examples of the activation condition, which is more flexible.

[0194] In some possible ways, the first information can further indicate a multiplexing pattern between the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the first information can further indicate a multiplexing pattern of the access link and the backhaul link (including uplink and / or downlink resources) of the IAB node. The multiplexing pattern is, for example, at least one of: TDM, FDM, spatial division multiplexing (SDM), or polarization multiplexing. For example, if the first information indicates TDM, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can use resources of different time units. For another example, if the first information indicates FDM, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can use resources of different frequency units. For another example, if the first information indicates SDM, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can use different directional beams. For another example, if the first information indicates polarization multiplexing, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can use different polarization manners. For example, the MT of the IAB node uses left-hand circular polarization, and the DU of the IAB node uses right-hand circular polarization.

[0195] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the IAB node can set the multiplexing pattern between the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node according to the multiplexing pattern, so as to communicate according to the multiplexing pattern.

[0196] In some possible manners, the first information is further used to indicate at least one of the following configuration information: time domain resource information, frequency domain resource information, or polarization information of the IAB node and / or the donor node. For example, the time domain resource information includes a time unit (e.g., one or more of a frame, a subframe, a slot, or a symbol) in which the time domain resource is located; the frequency domain resource information includes at least one of the following: carrier information, operating frequency information, or bandwidth information; and the polarization information includes at least one of the following: linear polarization, left-hand circular polarization, right-hand circular polarization, or elliptical polarization. For example, the time domain resource information of the IAB node indicates a time unit in which the time domain resource of the IAB node is located, the carrier information of the IAB node indicates an operating carrier of the IAB node, the operating frequency information of the IAB node indicates an operating frequency range and / or a frequency center point of the IAB node, the bandwidth information of the IAB node indicates a bandwidth of the frequency domain resource of the IAB node, and the polarization information of the IAB node indicates a polarization mode of the IAB node. For example, the time domain resource information of the donor node indicates a time unit in which the time domain resource of the donor node is located, the carrier information of the donor node indicates an operating carrier of the donor node, the operating frequency information of the donor node indicates an operating frequency range and / or a frequency center point of the donor node, the bandwidth information of the donor node indicates a bandwidth of the frequency domain resource of the donor node, and the polarization information of the donor node indicates a polarization mode of the donor node.

[0197] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the IAB node can perform communication according to the configuration information. For example, the IAB node can perform cell measurement on a corresponding carrier according to the carrier information. For another example, the IAB node can perform cell measurement on a corresponding frequency according to the operating frequency information. For yet another example, the IAB node can perform cell measurement on a corresponding polarization according to the polarization.

[0198] Table 1 shows a possible example of the first information. After receiving the first information, if the activation condition is met, the IAB node can perform communication according to the duplex mode, the multiplexing mode, and the configuration information indicated by the first information. For details, refer to the description of the first information above, which will not be repeated here. It should be understood that in actual application, the first information can include more or less information.

[0199] Table 1

[0200] In some possible manners, the method can further include:

[0201] S304: The IAB node sends second information; and correspondingly, the donor node receives the second information.

[0202] For example, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following capabilities 1 to 5:

[0203] Capability 1, whether the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node have the capability to correspond to different duplex modes. For example, if the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can only support the TDD mode or can only support the FDD mode, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node do not have the capability to correspond to different duplex modes. For another example, if the MT of the IAB node can support the TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node can support the FDD mode, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node do not have the capability to correspond to different duplex modes. For yet another example, if the MT of the IAB node can support the FDD mode and the DU of the IAB node can support the TDD mode, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node do not have the capability to correspond to different duplex modes. For still another example, if the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can support the FDD mode and the TDD mode, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node do not have the capability to correspond to different duplex modes.

[0204] Capability 2, the duplex mode that the MT of the IAB node can support and the duplex mode that the DU of the IAB node can support. For example, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can support the TDD mode. For another example, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can support the FDD mode. For yet another example, the MT of the IAB node can support the TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node can support the FDD mode. For still another example, the MT of the IAB node can support the FDD mode and the DU of the IAB node can support the TDD mode. For still another example, the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can support the FDD mode and the TDD mode.

[0205] Capability 3, the time period during which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes. For example, during the time period 1, the MT of the IAB node can correspond to the TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to the FDD mode. For another example, during the time period 4, the MT of the IAB node can correspond to the FDD mode and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to the TDD mode.

[0206] Capability 4, the location range in which the IAB node is located when the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes. For example, in the location range 1, the MT of the IAB node can correspond to the TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to the FDD mode. For another example, in the location range 4, the MT of the IAB node can correspond to the FDD mode and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to the TDD mode.

[0207] Capability 5, the multiplexing mode that the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can support. The multiplexing mode is, for example, at least one of the following: TDM, FDM, SDM or polarization multiplexing.

[0208] The capability indicated by the second information can be used to determine the first information. This is exemplified below.

[0209] In some examples, the capability 1 and the capability 2 indicated by the second information can be used to determine the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode indicated by the first information. For example, if the capability 1 indicated by the second information is that the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node have the capability of corresponding to different duplex modes, and the capability 2 indicated by the second information is that the MT of the IAB node is capable of supporting a TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node is capable of supporting an FDD mode, the first duplex mode indicated by the first information can be the TDD mode, and the second duplex mode indicated by the first information can be the FDD mode.

[0210] In other examples, the capability 3 and / or the capability 4 indicated by the second information can be used to determine the activation condition indicated by the first information. The capability 3 indicated by the second information can be used to determine a time condition in the activation condition, and the capability 4 indicated by the second information can be used to determine a location condition in the activation condition. For example, if the capability 3 indicated by the second information is that, within a time period 1, the MT of the IAB node is capable of corresponding to a TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node is capable of corresponding to an FDD mode, the time condition in the activation condition can include that the time of the clock of the IAB node belongs to the time period 1. For another example, if the capability 4 indicated by the second information is that, within a location range 1, the MT of the IAB node is capable of corresponding to a TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node is capable of corresponding to an FDD mode, the location condition in the activation condition can include that the IAB node is located in the location range 1. For yet another example, if the capability 3 indicated by the second information is that, within a time period 1, the MT of the IAB node is capable of corresponding to a TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node is capable of corresponding to an FDD mode, and the capability 4 indicated by the second information is that, within a location range 1, the MT of the IAB node is capable of corresponding to a TDD mode and the DU of the IAB node is capable of corresponding to an FDD mode, the time condition in the activation condition can include that the time of the clock of the IAB node belongs to the time period 1, and the location condition in the activation condition can include that the IAB node is located in the location range 1.

[0211] In yet other examples, the capability 5 indicated by the second information can be used to determine the multiplexing mode indicated by the first information. The multiplexing mode indicated by the first information can belong to the multiplexing modes that the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node are capable of supporting. For example, if the capability 5 indicated by the second information includes FDM and TDM, the multiplexing mode indicated by the first information can include FDM and / or TDM. For another example, if the capability 5 indicated by the second information includes TDM and SDM, the multiplexing mode indicated by the first information can include TDM and / or SDM.

[0212] The second information can be carried in a conventional message or a new message without limitation. For example, the second information can be carried in an RRC message, a MAC CE or a control message (e.g., UCI). The second information can have other names, such as capability information, capability reporting information, etc., as long as it has the same function and is within the protection scope of the present application.

[0213] Optionally, S304 can be before S301.

[0214] In this way, the IAB node can report the second information, which can be used to assist the network side (e.g., the core network device or the host node) to optimize the resource coordination decision. For example, the host node can manage the resources of the IAB according to the second information, thereby improving the resource coordination efficiency.

[0215] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a corresponding communication device, which can be used to perform the functions of the related steps in the above method embodiments. The functions can be implemented by hardware, software or hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal, or a module (such as a circuit or a chip) in the terminal, or a logic node, a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal functions; or the communication device can be a first core network device or a module (such as a circuit or a chip) in the first core network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first core network device; or the communication device can be an access network device or a module (such as a circuit or a chip) in the access network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0216] In one possible implementation, the structure of the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in FIG. 5, which includes a processing unit 502. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface unit 501. The functions of each unit in the communication device 500 are introduced below.

[0217] The interface unit 501 is configured to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by received information, and the output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting the information, the interface unit 501 can output the information to other devices outside the communication apparatus 500, or output the information to other units in the communication apparatus 500. In some manners, the interface unit 501 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other manners, the interface unit 501 can be implemented by an interface circuit, for example, a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), and the like.

[0218] The processing unit 502 can be configured to support the communication apparatus 500 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 502 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor 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.

[0219] In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 500 is applied to the donor node in the embodiments of the present application shown in FIG. 3. The specific functions of the processing unit 502 in this embodiment are introduced as follows.

[0220] The processing unit 502 is configured to: determine first information, the first information being used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node, and a second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node, the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode being different; at least one of the donor node and the IAB node being an NTN node; and transmit the first information through the interface unit 501.

[0221] In some possible implementation, the processing unit 502 is further configured to: in the case that the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, and the frequency range of the resource of the IAB node on the access link is the same as the frequency range of the uplink resource of the IAB node on the backhaul link, receive, by the interface unit 501, first capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals by the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals by the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals by the DU of the IAB node.

[0222] In some other possible implementation, the processing unit 502 is further configured to: in the case that the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, and the frequency range of the resource of the IAB node on the access link is the same as the frequency range of the uplink resource of the IAB node on the backhaul link, receive, by the interface unit 501, second capability information, the second capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals by the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals by the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals by the DU of the IAB node.

[0223] In some other possible implementation, the processing unit 502 is further configured to: in the case that the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, and the frequency range of the resource of the IAB node on the access link is the same as the frequency range of the uplink resource of the IAB node on the backhaul link, receive, by the interface unit 501, third capability information, the third capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals by the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals by the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals by the DU of the IAB node.

[0224] In some other possible implementation, the processing unit 502 is further configured to: in the case that the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, and the frequency range of the resource of the IAB node on the access link is the same as the frequency range of the uplink resource of the IAB node on the backhaul link, receive, by the interface unit 501, fourth capability information, the fourth capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals by the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals by the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals by the DU of the IAB node.

[0225] Optionally, the processing unit 502 is further configured to receive, through the interface unit 501, second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node have the capability of corresponding to different duplex modes; the duplex mode that the MT of the IAB node can support and the duplex mode that the DU of the IAB node can support; the time period during which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes; the location range of the IAB node when the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes; or the duplex mode that the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can support.

[0226] In another embodiment, the communication apparatus 500 is applied to the IAB node in the embodiment of the present application shown in FIG. 3. The specific functions of the processing unit 502 in this embodiment are introduced as follows.

[0227] The processing unit 502 is configured to receive, through the interface unit 501, first information, the first information being used to indicate: the first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node and the second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node, the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode being different; at least one of the host node of the IAB node and the IAB node is an NTN node; and perform communication according to the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode.

[0228] In some possible manners, the processing unit 502 is further configured to, in the case that the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, and the frequency range of the resource on the access link of the IAB node is the same as that of the downlink resource on the backhaul link of the IAB node, send, through the interface unit 501, first capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node.

[0229] In other possible manners, the processing unit 502 is further configured to, in the case that the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, and the frequency range of the resource on the access link of the IAB node is the same as that of the uplink resource on the backhaul link of the IAB node, send, through the interface unit 501, second capability information, the second capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: the capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or the capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node.

[0230] In yet another possible implementation, the processing unit 502 is further configured to, in the case that the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, and the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the uplink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, send, via the interface unit 501, third capability information indicating whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals via the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals via the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals via the DU of the IAB node.

[0231] In yet another possible implementation, the processing unit 502 is further configured to, in the case that the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, and the resources of the IAB node on the access link are in the same frequency range as the downlink resources of the IAB node on the backhaul link, send, via the interface unit 501, fourth capability information indicating whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals via the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals via the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals via the DU of the IAB node.

[0232] Optionally, the processing unit 502 is further configured to send, via the interface unit 501, second information indicating at least one of the following: whether the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node have the capability of corresponding to different duplex modes; duplex modes that the MT of the IAB node can support and duplex modes that the DU of the IAB node can support; time periods during which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes; a range of locations in which the IAB node is located when the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can correspond to different duplex modes; or duplex modes that the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node can support.

[0233] In one possible implementation, when the communication apparatus 500 is an access network device or a communication module in an access network device, the functions of the processing unit 502 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can include a modem chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip including a modem core. The functions of the interface unit 501 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit.

[0234] In a possible design, when the communication apparatus 500 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in an access network device, such as a modem chip or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip including a modem core, the function of the processing unit 502 can be implemented by circuitry including one or more processors or processor cores in the chip. The function of the interface unit 501 can be implemented by interface circuitry or data transceiver circuitry on the chip.

[0235] More detailed descriptions about the processing unit 502 and the interface unit 501 can be directly obtained with reference to the related descriptions in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0236] It should be noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments is illustrative, and is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. In addition, the function units in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or can be physically separated, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software function unit.

[0237] When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application, essentially or in other words, the part that contributes to the prior art or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0238] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in FIG. 6, and the communication apparatus 600 includes a processor 602. Optionally, the communication apparatus 600 further includes an interface circuit 601 and a memory 603. The interface circuit 601, the processor 602, and the memory 603 are coupled with each other.

[0239] Optionally, the interface circuit 601, the processor 602 and the memory 603 are coupled to each other through a bus 604. The bus 604 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 6, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0240] The interface circuit 601 is configured to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by received information, and the output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting the information, the interface circuit 601 can output the information to other devices outside the communication apparatus 600, or output the information to other units in the communication apparatus 600. For example, the interface circuit 601 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc.

[0241] The processor 602 can be configured to support the communication apparatus 600 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When the communication apparatus 600 is configured to implement the above method embodiments, the processor 602 can also be configured to implement the functions of the above processing unit 502. The processor 602 can be a CPU, and can also be other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs 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.

[0242] In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 600 is applied to the host node in the embodiments of the present application shown in FIG. 3. The specific functions of the processor 602 in this embodiment are described below.

[0243] The processor 602 is configured to: determine first information, the first information being used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to the MT of the IAB node, and a second duplex mode corresponding to the DU of the IAB node, the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode being different; at least one of the host node and the IAB node being an NTN node; and transmit the first information through the interface circuit 601.

[0244] In another embodiment, the communication apparatus 600 is applied to the IAB node in the embodiments of the present application shown in FIG. 3. The specific functions of the processor 602 in this embodiment are described below.

[0245] The processor 602 is configured to: receive first information through the interface circuit 601, the first information being used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to an MT of an IAB node, and a second duplex mode corresponding to a DU of the IAB node, the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode being different; at least one of a host node of the IAB node and the IAB node being an NTN node; and perform communication according to the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode.

[0246] The specific functions of the processor 602 can refer to the descriptions of the communication method provided by the embodiments and examples of the present application, and the specific function descriptions of the communication device 500 in the embodiments of the present application shown in FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0247] The memory 603 is configured to store program instructions and / or data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions can include program codes including computer operation instructions. The memory 603 can include RAM, and can also include non-volatile memory such as at least one disk memory. The processor 602 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 603 and uses the data stored in the memory 603 to realize the above functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided by the above embodiments of the present application. The memory 603 can be integrated with the processor 602, or can be a memory outside the communication device.

[0248] It is to be appreciated that the memory 603 in Figure 6 of the present application can be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile memory. In one example, the non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be RAM, which acts as external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are suitable, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It is to be appreciated that the memory 603 of the system and method described herein is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0249] Based on the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product including computer executable instructions, when the computer program product is executed, the method provided by the above embodiment is executed.

[0250] Based on the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium stores a computer program, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided by the above embodiment.

[0251] The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or any other

[0252] Based on the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory, and implementing the method provided by the above embodiment.

[0253] Based on the above embodiments, the chip system provided in the embodiments of the present application includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions related to the devices in the above embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing the necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0254] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions in 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.

[0255] The present application is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems) and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combination of the flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0256] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory capable of guiding the computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific way, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce a product including instruction devices, which implement the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0257] These computer program instructions can also be loaded into a computer or other programmable data processing device, so that a series of operation steps are performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0258] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of the present application, the character " / ", generally represents that the front and rear associated objects have an "or" relationship.

[0259] It can be understood that various digital numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only distinguished for convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

[0260] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application belong to the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Applied to a host node, the method comprises: determining first information, the first information being used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to a mobile terminal (MT) of an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, and a second duplex mode corresponding to a distribution unit (DU) of the IAB node, the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode being different; at least one of the host node and the IAB node being a non-terrestrial network (NTN) node; sending the first information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information is also used to indicate the first duplex mode corresponding to the host node.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, In a case where the host node is a terrestrial network (TN) node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode is a time division duplex (TDD) mode, and the second duplex mode is a frequency division duplex (FDD) mode; or In a case where the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is a TN node, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, In a case where the host node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first information is also used to indicate a property of a resource of the MT of the IAB node; or In a case where the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first information is also used to indicate a property of a resource of the DU of the IAB node.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, If the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, a frequency range of a resource of the IAB node on an access link is the same as that of a downlink resource of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information is used to indicate a property of a downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein, In a case where the host node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, a frequency range of a resource of the IAB node on an access link is the same as that of a downlink resource of the IAB node on a backhaul link, the method further comprises: receiving first capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein, If the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, a frequency range of a resource of the IAB node on an access link is the same as that of an uplink resource of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information is used to indicate a property of an uplink resource of the MT of the IAB node.

8. The method of claim 4 or 7, wherein, In a case where the host node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, a frequency range of a resource of the IAB node on an access link is the same as that of an uplink resource of the IAB node on a backhaul link, the method further comprises: receive second capability information, the second capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein, if the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in a same frequency range as uplink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information is used to indicate a property of uplink resources of the DU of the IAB node.

10. The method of claim 4 or 9, wherein, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in a same frequency range as uplink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the method further comprises: receiving third capability information, the third capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein, if the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in a same frequency range as downlink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information is used to indicate a property of downlink resources of the DU of the IAB node.

12. The method of claim 4 or 11, wherein, the host node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in a same frequency range as downlink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the method further comprises: receiving fourth capability information, the fourth capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, the first information is further used to indicate an activation condition of the first information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, the activation condition of the first information comprises at least one of the following: a time condition for activating the first information; or a location condition for activating the first information.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, further comprising: receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node have capabilities corresponding to different duplex modes; a duplex mode that the MT of the IAB node is capable of supporting and a duplex mode that the DU of the IAB node is capable of supporting; a time period during which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node are capable of corresponding to different duplex modes; a location range in which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node correspond to different duplex modes; or a duplex mode supported by the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node.

16. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, and the method comprises: receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate: a first duplex mode corresponding to a mobile terminal (MT) of the IAB node, and a second duplex mode corresponding to a distribution unit (DU) of the IAB node, the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode being different; at least one of a host node of the IAB node and the IAB node being a non-terrestrial network (NTN) node; communicating according to the first duplex mode and the second duplex mode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The first information is further used to indicate: the first duplex mode corresponding to the host node of the IAB node.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, In a case where the host node of the IAB node is a terrestrial network (TN) node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first duplex mode is a time division duplex (TDD) mode, and the second duplex mode is a frequency division duplex (FDD) mode. Or In a case where the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is a TN node, the first duplex mode is an FDD mode, and the second duplex mode is a TDD mode.

19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein, In a case where the host node of the IAB node is a TN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first information is further used to indicate a property of a resource of the MT of the IAB node. Or In a case where the host node is an NTN node and the IAB node is an NTN node, the first information is further used to indicate a property of a resource of the DU of the IAB node.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, If the host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, a frequency range of a resource of the IAB node on an access link is the same as that of a downlink resource of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information is used to indicate a property of a downlink resource of the MT of the IAB node.

21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein, The host node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, a frequency range of a resource of the IAB node on an access link is the same as that of a downlink resource of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the method further comprises: sending first capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein, If the donor node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in the same frequency range as uplink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information is used to indicate properties of uplink resources of the MT of the IAB node.

23. The method of claim 19 or 22, wherein, The donor node is a TN node, the IAB node is an NTN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in the same frequency range as uplink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the method further comprises: sending second capability information, the second capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein, If the donor node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in the same frequency range as uplink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information is used to indicate properties of uplink resources of the DU of the IAB node.

25. The method of claim 19 or 24, wherein, The donor node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in the same frequency range as uplink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the method further comprises: sending third capability information, the third capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously transmitting signals through the MT of the IAB node and receiving signals through the DU of the IAB node.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein, If the donor node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in the same frequency range as downlink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the IAB node has a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, the first information is used to indicate properties of downlink resources of the DU of the IAB node.

27. The method of claim 19 or 26, wherein, The donor node is an NTN node, the IAB node is a TN node, resources of the IAB node on an access link are in the same frequency range as downlink resources of the IAB node on a backhaul link, and the method further comprises: transmit fourth capability information, the fourth capability information being used to indicate whether the IAB node has at least one of the following capabilities: a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node; or a capability of simultaneously receiving signals through the MT of the IAB node and transmitting signals through the DU of the IAB node.

28. The method of any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein, The first information is further used to indicate an activation condition of the first information.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein, The activation condition of the first information comprises at least one of the following: a time condition for activating the first information; or a location condition for activating the first information.

30. The method of any one of claims 16 to 29, wherein, Further comprising: transmitting second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node have capabilities corresponding to different duplex modes; a duplex mode that the MT of the IAB node is capable of supporting and a duplex mode that the DU of the IAB node is capable of supporting; a time period during which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node are capable of corresponding to different duplex modes; a location range in which the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node are capable of corresponding to different duplex modes; or a duplex mode that the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node are capable of supporting.

31. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises means for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-30.

32. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions, so that the apparatus performs the method according to any one of claims 1-30.

33. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1-30 is implemented.

34. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer program code, when the computer program code is run, the method according to any one of claims 1-30 is implemented.

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