Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method allows for a relay node, after receiving a handover command carrying first indicating information (indicating a target cell), to determine whether the target cell satisfies a condition, and if the target cell is determined as not satisfying the condition, the relay node triggers a base station unit to switch an operating frequency, so that the target cell into which a mobile terminal unit of the relay node is handed over meets the condition. This helps reduce interference after the mobile terminal unit of the relay node accesses the target cell.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202411381727.9 filed on September 29, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and communication apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication, in particular to a communication method and communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] Relay nodes are generally deployed in areas with poor signal coverage to expand or improve network coverage. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is discussing a new type of relay node: a wireless access backhaul (WAB) node (also referred to as a WAB device). The WAB node includes a base station (e.g., a next generation node B (gNB)) unit (referred to as a WAB-gNB) and a mobile terminal (MT) unit (referred to as a WAB-MT). In a handover scenario, the operating frequency of the WAB-gNB is configured by a network management device, and the operating frequency of the WAB-MT is the frequency of the accessed cell.

[0004] In the case where the operating frequency of the WAB-gNB is the same as the operating frequency of the WAB-MT, if the WAB-gNB and the WAB-MT work at the same time, interference may occur. Therefore, how to reduce the probability of generating the aforementioned interference has become a hot topic in the industry. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and communication apparatus for improving the flexibility of the gNB part of the relay node and / or the UE part of the relay node in determining the operating frequency, and reducing the probability of the relay node generating interference.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a relay node or a component (e.g., a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the relay node. For example, the relay node receives a handover command from a source backhaul access node, the handover command comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell of a mobile terminal unit of the relay node; and in a case where it is determined that the target cell does not meet a condition, the relay node triggers a base station unit of the relay node to switch a working frequency. The condition comprises at least one of the following: the target cell has a different frequency from the working frequency of the base station unit; or the target cell has the same frequency as the working frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0007] In this aspect, after receiving the handover command carrying the first indication information (indicating the target cell), the relay node can determine whether the target cell meets the condition, and in a case where it is determined that the target cell does not meet the condition, the relay node triggers the base station unit to switch the working frequency, so that the target cell to which the mobile terminal unit of the relay node switches meets the condition, thereby facilitating to reduce the interference of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node after accessing the target cell.

[0008] In a possible implementation, before the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives the handover command from the source backhaul access node, the method further comprises: the relay node sending the working frequency of the base station unit to the source backhaul access node.

[0009] In this embodiment, the source backhaul access node is facilitated to send the working frequency of the base station unit to the target backhaul access node, and the target backhaul access node is facilitated to determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on the working frequency of the base station unit and the frequency of the target cell.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the handover command further comprises second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination. The method further comprises: in a case where the target cell has the same frequency as the working frequency of the base station unit, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition. It can be understood that the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit after switching is the same as the working frequency of the base station unit, at this time, the backhaul access node needs to perform resource coordination to reduce the interference of the relay node, however, the target cell does not support resource coordination, which leads to that the mobile terminal unit switching the target cell may introduce interference, therefore, the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0011] In this embodiment, the backhaul access node indicates whether the target cell supports resource coordination through the second indication information, and provides the mobile terminal unit with a basis for judging whether the target cell meets the condition in the case of intra-frequency (i.e., the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit). This is conducive to the relay node accurately determining whether the target cell meets the condition, and thus is conducive to the relay node deciding whether to modify the operating frequency of the base station unit.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the handover command further includes third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition; and the method further includes: in the case where the third indication information indicates that the target cell does not meet the condition, the relay node determining that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0013] In this embodiment, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the third indication information only, and does not need to determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on the frequency (e.g., the frequency of the target cell and the frequency of the base station unit). This is conducive to reducing the complexity of the relay node and saving the energy consumption of the relay node.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the relay node determining whether the target cell meets the condition based on the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit.

[0015] In an example, the condition includes that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit. If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition. If the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit, the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition.

[0016] In another example, the condition includes that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination. If the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition. If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition.

[0017] In another example, the conditions include condition 1 and condition 2, wherein condition 1 is that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, condition 2 is that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination. That is, when the target cell satisfies any one of the aforementioned condition 1 and condition 2, the target cell is a conditional cell. For example, if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node determines that the target cell is conditional; or if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell is conditional. In addition, when the target cell does not satisfy condition 1 and does not satisfy condition 2, the target cell is a non-conditional cell. For example, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell is non-conditional.

[0018] In this embodiment, the relay node can determine whether the target cell is conditional based on the known conditions, the frequency of the target cell, and the operating frequency of the base unit. Even if the relay node does not receive the indication information (e.g., the second indication information and / or the third indication information), the relay node can determine whether the target cell is conditional, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of the relay node in determining whether the target cell is conditional.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the base unit of the relay node switches the operating frequency of the base unit, including: the base unit switches the first operating frequency of the base unit to a second operating frequency, and the target cell is conditional with the second operating frequency.

[0020] In this embodiment, the base unit of the relay node is configured with at least two operating frequencies, so that the base unit can autonomously switch to another operating frequency when it is determined that the current operating frequency is not suitable, which is beneficial to the base unit of the relay node to quickly and efficiently switch the operating frequency, thereby improving the efficiency of switching the operating frequency.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the base unit of the relay node switches the operating frequency of the base unit, including: the base unit of the relay node sends a first message to the network management device, the first message includes fourth indication information, the fourth indication information is used to request the network management device to configure a third operating frequency for the base unit, the third operating frequency is different from the first operating frequency; then, the base unit of the relay node receives a second message from the network management device, the second message includes the third operating frequency; then, the base unit of the relay node switches the first operating frequency to the third operating frequency.

[0022] In the embodiment, when the base station unit needs to switch the operating frequency, the base station unit can request the network management device to allocate a new operating frequency for the base station unit, so that the base station unit can switch to the new operating frequency, and the interference caused by the mobile terminal unit accessing the target cell can be reduced.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first message further comprises the frequency of the target cell. If the first operating frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell, the third operating frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell; or if the first operating frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell, the third operating frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell.

[0024] In the embodiment, since the operating frequency used by the mobile terminal unit of the relay node after performing the cell switching is the frequency of the target cell, the relay node providing the frequency of the target cell to the network management device can indirectly indicate the operating frequency of the mobile terminal unit after the cell switching. In addition, the first message is used to request the network device to allocate a new operating frequency for the base station unit, and the network management device knows the first operating frequency currently used by the base station unit, so that the frequency of the target cell (i.e., the operating frequency of the mobile terminal unit after the cell switching) provided by the relay node to the network management device can reflect the desired operating frequency of the base station unit to some extent. The network management device can allocate the desired operating frequency of the base station unit for the base station unit of the relay node based on the frequency of the target cell.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: switching, by the mobile terminal unit, to the target cell; and sending, by the relay node, the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base station unit to a backhaul access node corresponding to the target cell, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit belong to the same relay node.

[0026] In the embodiment, after switching to the target cell, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node can send the first association relationship to the target backhaul access node, so that the target backhaul access node can determine the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit constituting the relay node based on the first association relationship, and the target backhaul access node can determine the resource configuration of the base station unit constituting the relay node in each time domain unit (e.g., each time slot) based on the resource configuration information of the base station unit, so that the target backhaul access node can determine whether to schedule the mobile terminal unit in each time domain unit, so that the base station unit of the relay node and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node work in different time domain units as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference caused by the relay node.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a backhaul access node (e.g., a target backhaul access node) or a component (e.g., a processor, a chip or a chip system) of the backhaul access node (e.g., the target backhaul access node). Taking the target backhaul access node as an example, the target backhaul access node receives a handover request message from a source backhaul access node, the handover request message comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell of a mobile terminal unit of a relay node; then, the target backhaul access node sends a handover request response message to the source backhaul access node, the handover request response message comprising second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0028] In the present aspect, after receiving the handover request message carrying the first indication information (indicating the target cell) from the source backhaul access node, the target backhaul access node can send the second indication information (indicating whether the target cell supports resource coordination) to the source backhaul access node, which is conducive to the source backhaul access node sending the second indication information to the relay node, so as to facilitate the relay node determining whether the target cell meets the condition based on the second indication information. This is conducive to improving the accuracy of the relay node determining whether the target cell meets the condition.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the handover request message further comprises an operating frequency of a base station unit of the relay node. Before the target backhaul access node sends the handover request response message to the source backhaul access node, the method further comprises: the target backhaul access node determining whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base station unit; wherein the condition comprises at least one of the following: the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit; or the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the condition comprises: the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination. The target backhaul access node determining whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base station unit comprises: if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell supports resource coordination; or if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the handover command further includes third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell meets a condition; and the target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit, including: the condition includes that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or, the condition only includes that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the target backhaul access node receiving, from the relay node, first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the base unit, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to the same relay node.

[0033] It should be noted that the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the present aspect are similar to those of some of the implementation modes of the previous aspects, and specific reference can be made to the specific implementation and beneficial effects of each aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0034] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a backhaul access node (for example, a target backhaul access node) or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the backhaul access node (for example, a target backhaul access node). Taking the target backhaul access node as an example, the target backhaul access node receives a handover request message from a source backhaul access node, the handover request message including first indication information and an operating frequency of a base unit of a relay node, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell of a mobile terminal unit of the relay node; then, the target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets a condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit; then, the target backhaul access node sends a handover request response message to the source backhaul access node, the handover request response message including second indication information and / or third indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination, and the third indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition; and the condition includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit; or, the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0035] In the aspect, after receiving the first indication information (indicating the target cell) and the operating frequency of the base unit from the source backhaul access node, the target backhaul access node can determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on the frequency of the target cell and the frequency of the base unit, and then send information (for example, the second indication information and / or the third indication information) reflecting whether the target cell meets the condition to the source backhaul access node, which is conducive to the source backhaul access node sending the second indication information and / or the third indication information to the relay node, so that the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the second indication information and / or the third indication information. It is beneficial to improve the accuracy of the relay node determining whether the target cell meets the condition.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit, including: if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell supports resource coordination; or, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit, including: if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination; or, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the target backhaul access node receives the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base unit from the relay node, and the first association relationship is used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to the same relay node.

[0039] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the aspect are similar to some of the implementation modes of the previous aspects, and specific reference can be made to the specific implementation and advantages of each aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0040] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a relay node or a component (e.g., a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the relay node. For example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives measurement configuration information from a source backhaul access node, the measurement configuration information comprising frequency information of at least one neighbor cell; then, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives a system broadcast message of the at least one neighbor cell, the system broadcast message comprising capability information of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell indicating whether the neighbor cell supports resource coordination; then, the relay node sends a measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell to the source backhaul access node based on the frequency information of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell and an operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node, the measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell comprising a measurement result of a high-priority neighbor cell.

[0041] In the present aspect, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node can not only obtain the frequency information of the at least one neighbor cell, but also acquire the capability information of the at least one neighbor cell through the system broadcast message of the neighbor cell, and further determine the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell based on the frequency information of the at least one neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node, and preferentially send the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell to the source backhaul access node. This is conducive to the source backhaul access node determining a more suitable target cell for the mobile terminal unit of the relay node based on the measurement result of the high-priority cell, and reducing the probability of interference after the mobile terminal unit switches to the target cell.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell comprises a measurement result of a neighbor cell meeting a condition; and the condition comprises at least one of the following: the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit; or the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0043] In the present embodiment, after measuring the at least one neighbor cell, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node can determine the measurement result of the neighbor cell meeting the condition based on the frequency information of the at least one neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node, and preferentially send the measurement result of the neighbor cell meeting the condition to the source backhaul access node. This is conducive to increasing the probability of the target cell determined by the source backhaul access node being the cell meeting the condition, and thus reducing the probability of interference after the mobile terminal unit switches to the target cell.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: the relay node receiving first indication information from the source backhaul access node, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell, the target cell being one of the at least one neighbor cell; and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node switching to the target cell.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the relay node sending the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base unit to a backhaul access node corresponding to the target cell, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to the same relay node.

[0046] In this embodiment, after the mobile terminal unit of the relay node switches to the target cell, the mobile terminal unit can send the first association relationship to the target backhaul access node, which is beneficial for the target backhaul access node to determine the mobile terminal unit and the base unit constituting the relay node based on the first association relationship, and is also beneficial for the target backhaul access node to determine the resource configuration of the base unit constituting the relay node in each time domain unit (for example, each time slot) based on the resource configuration information of the base unit, so that the target backhaul access node can determine whether to schedule the mobile terminal unit in each time domain unit, so that the base unit of the relay node and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node work in different time domain units as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference generated by the relay node.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the system broadcast message includes a master information block (MIB), and the capability information of the neighbor cell is carried in the MIB; or the system broadcast message includes a system information block 1 (SIB1), and the capability information of the neighbor cell is carried in the SIB1.

[0048] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the present aspect are similar to those of some of the above aspects, and specific reference can be made to the specific implementation and advantages of each aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0049] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a relay node or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the relay node. Taking the relay node as an example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node measures at least one neighbor cell; the mobile terminal unit of the relay node determines a first cell based on a frequency corresponding to a measurement result of the neighbor cell and an operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node, the first cell being a cell to be camped on or accessed by the mobile terminal unit, the first cell being one of the at least one neighbor cell, and the first cell being a high-priority cell; and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node camps on or accesses the first cell.

[0050] In the aspect, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node is capable of measuring at least one neighbor cell, and determining a cell with high priority as a cell to be camped on or accessed based on a frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell and an operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node. This is conducive to increasing the probability of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node camping on or accessing the cell with high priority, thereby reducing the probability of interference caused by the mobile terminal unit after camping on or accessing the cell.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the cell with high priority comprises a cell meeting a condition; and the condition comprises at least one of the following: the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit; or the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0052] In the embodiment, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node is capable of preferentially determining a cell meeting a condition as a cell to be camped on or accessed based on a frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell and an operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node. This is conducive to increasing the probability of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node camping on or accessing the cell meeting the condition, thereby reducing the probability of interference caused by the mobile terminal unit after camping on or accessing the cell.

[0053] In a possible implementation, before the mobile terminal unit of the relay node measures the at least one neighbor cell, the method further comprises: receiving, by the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, a system broadcast message from the cell camped on, wherein the system broadcast message comprises capability information of the at least one neighbor cell and a frequency of the at least one neighbor cell, and the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates whether the neighbor cell supports resource coordination.

[0054] For example, the system broadcast message comprises a system information block 3 (SIB3) or a system information block 4 (SIB4), and the capability information of the at least one neighbor cell is carried in the SIB3 or the SIB4.

[0055] In the embodiment, the mobile terminal unit is capable of obtaining the capability information and the frequency information of the at least one neighbor cell through the system broadcast message of the cell camped on, which is conducive to quickly and efficiently obtaining the information of the neighbor cell (for example, the capability information of the neighbor cell and the frequency information of the neighbor cell) by the mobile terminal unit, thereby shortening the time delay consumed by the mobile terminal unit in determining the cell to be measured.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: sending, by the relay node, first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the base station unit to a backhaul access node corresponding to the first cell, wherein the first association relationship is used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit belong to the same relay node.

[0057] In this embodiment, after the mobile terminal unit of the relay node switches to the target cell, the mobile terminal unit can send the first association relationship to the target backhaul access node, which is beneficial for the target backhaul access node to determine the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit constituting the relay node based on the first association relationship, and is also beneficial for the target backhaul access node to determine the resource configuration of the base station unit constituting the relay node in each time domain unit (for example, each time slot) based on the resource configuration information of the base station unit, and then the target backhaul access node can determine whether to schedule the mobile terminal unit in each time domain unit mentioned above, so that the base station unit of the relay node and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node work in different time domain units as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference generated by the relay node.

[0058] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a backhaul access node (for example, a source backhaul access node) or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the backhaul access node (for example, the source backhaul access node). Taking the source backhaul access node as an example, the source backhaul access node receives the working frequency of the base station unit of the relay node; then, the source backhaul access node receives the measurement report from the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, and the measurement report includes the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell; then, the source backhaul access node determines the target cell based on the frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell and the working frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell is the cell after the mobile terminal unit switches.

[0059] In this aspect, the source backhaul access node can determine the cell (that is, the target cell) after the mobile terminal unit switches based on the frequency of the at least one neighbor cell and the working frequency of the base station unit. Compared with the target cell determined based on only the measurement result of the neighbor cell in the prior art, the embodiment considers the frequency information of the base station unit and can determine the target cell more suitable for the mobile terminal unit of the relay node. This is beneficial for reducing the probability of interference generated after the mobile terminal unit switches to the target cell.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the target cell is a high-priority cell. The high-priority cell is a neighbor cell meeting a condition; wherein the condition includes: the frequency of the cell is different from the working frequency of the base station unit of the relay node; or the frequency of the cell is the same as the working frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0061] In this embodiment, the source backhaul access node can obtain the frequency information and capability information of the neighbor cell, and preferentially determine the neighbor cell meeting the condition as the target cell based on the frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the neighbor cell and the working frequency of the base station unit of the relay node. This is beneficial for improving the probability of the target cell determined by the source backhaul access node being the cell meeting the condition, so as to reduce the probability of interference generated after the mobile terminal unit switches to the target cell.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the source backhaul access node acquiring capability information of at least one neighboring cell, the capability information of the neighboring cell indicating whether the neighboring cell supports resource coordination; and the source backhaul access node determining the target cell based on frequencies of the at least one neighboring cell and an operating frequency of the base unit, including: the source backhaul access node determining the target cell based on the capability information of the at least one neighboring cell, measurement results of the at least one neighboring cell, and the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0063] It should be noted that the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the present aspect are similar to those of some of the implementation modes of the previous aspects, and specific reference can be made to the specific implementation and beneficial effects of each aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0064] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be the relay node in the foregoing embodiments, or a chip in the relay node. The communication apparatus can include a module, unit or means for performing the method of the relay node in any one of the implementation modes of the foregoing aspects. The communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication apparatus is the relay node, the processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be a transceiver. The communication apparatus can further include a storage module, which can be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method of the relay node in any one of the implementation modes of the foregoing aspects. When the communication apparatus is a chip in the relay node, the processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be an input / output interface, a pin, a circuit or the like. The processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method of the relay node in any one of the implementation modes of the foregoing aspects. The storage module can be a storage module (for example, a register, a cache or the like) in the chip, or a storage module (for example, a read-only memory, a random access memory or the like) outside the chip in the relay node.

[0065] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a backhaul access node (a source backhaul access node or a target backhaul access node) in the foregoing embodiments, or a chip in the backhaul access node (the source backhaul access node or the target backhaul access node). The communication apparatus can include a module, unit or means for performing the method of the backhaul access node in any of the foregoing embodiments. The communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication apparatus is the backhaul access node, the processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be a transceiver. The communication apparatus can further include a storage module, which can be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module, so that the communication apparatus performs the method of the backhaul access node in any of the foregoing embodiments. When the communication apparatus is a chip in the backhaul access node, the processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be an input / output interface, a pin, a circuit or the like. The processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module, so that the communication apparatus performs the method of the backhaul access node in any of the foregoing embodiments. The storage module can be a storage module (for example, a register, a cache or the like) in the chip, or a storage module (for example, a read-only memory, a random access memory or the like) outside the chip in the backhaul access node.

[0066] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip can include a module, unit or means for performing the method introduced in any of the foregoing embodiments. The integrated circuit chip includes a processor. The processor is coupled with a memory, and the memory is configured to store a program or instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication apparatus to perform the method introduced in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0067] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method introduced in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0068] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method introduced in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0069] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the relay node performing the first aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect, and the target backhaul access node performing the second aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the second aspect; or the relay node performing the first aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect, and the target backhaul access node performing the third aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the third aspect.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the source backhaul access node and the relay node performing the fourth aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the fourth aspect.

[0071] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the backhaul access node and the relay node performing the fifth aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the fifth aspect.

[0072] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the relay node and the backhaul access node performing the sixth aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the sixth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0073] FIG. 1A is an example diagram of a system architecture of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0074] FIG. 1B is another example diagram of a system architecture of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0075] FIG. 1C is another example diagram of a system architecture of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0076] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0077] FIG. 3 is another flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0078] FIG. 4 is another flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0079] FIG. 5 is another flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0080] FIG. 6 is another flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0081] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by the present application;

[0082] FIG. 8 is another schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by the present application;

[0083] FIG. 9 is another schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely in the present application with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments.

[0085] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and the like (if any) in the specification and claims of the present application and the above drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily indicate a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units does not necessarily limit to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0086] It should be understood that the term "and / or" herein is only a description of the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, where A and B can be single or multiple. In addition, the character " / " herein generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. In addition, "at least one of the following" or similar expressions herein are used to represent any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and (or) C can represent the following six cases: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist together, B and C exist together, A and C exist together, A, B and C exist together, where A, B and C can be single or multiple.

[0087] For ease of understanding, the system architecture and application scenarios of the communication method proposed in the present application will be introduced first as follows:

[0088] The communication method proposed in the present application can be applied to the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) system and future communication systems, which is not limited by the present application.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 1A, the communication system at least includes a terminal device 01, a relay node 02, a backhaul access node 03, a core network device 04 and a network management device 05.

[0090] The terminal device 01 refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity for a user. For example, the terminal device 01 includes a handheld device having wireless connection capabilities or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device 01 can communicate with a core network (e.g., a 5th generation core (5GC)) via a radio access network (RAN), and can exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal device 01 can also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a wireless terminal device, a mobile terminal (MT) device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), a mobile, a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, or a user device, etc. In addition, the terminal device 01 can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. It should be understood that the terminal device 01 in the present application can be any of the above devices or chips, and in the present and subsequent embodiments, the terminal device is taken as an example for introduction.

[0091] The relay node 02, also referred to as a relay device, is generally deployed in areas with poor signal coverage to expand or improve network coverage. The relay node 02 in the present application mainly includes an MT unit 021 and a gNB unit 022. The MT unit 021 has the functions of a general terminal device, i.e., the MT unit 021 has the protocol stack of a general terminal device, so that the relay node with the MT unit 021 can access the access node (e.g., backhaul access node) as a terminal device, obtain authorization of the core network, and establish a PDU session. The gNB unit 022 can implement at least one layer three function (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) layer function), and one or more layer two functions (e.g., packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer function, radio link control (RLC) layer function, media access control (MAC) layer function, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer function, etc.). For example, the gNB unit 022 can be a gNB, or a combination of a centralized unit (CU) (also referred to as a control unit) and a distributed unit (DU). In addition, the relay node 02 further includes an RU unit 023. The RU unit 023 is used to process intermediate frequency signals or radio frequency signals, and can perform amplification and forwarding operations on received radio frequency signals. The RU unit 023 can be configured independently of the antenna device (e.g., antenna line device (ALD) (also referred to as antenna linear device)), or can be integrated with the antenna device. For example, in a 5G NR system, the aforementioned RU unit 023 can be an active antenna unit (AAU), i.e., a processing unit integrated with a remote radio unit (RRU) (or remote radio head (RRH)) and an antenna device. It should be understood that each functional module (e.g., the MT unit 021, the gNB unit 022, and the RU unit 023 shown in FIG. 1A) in the relay node 02 can be a module implemented by hardware or a logical module implemented by software, and the present application is not limited. The relay node 02 in the present application is mainly a layer three relay node, i.e., a relay node capable of implementing at least one layer three function.Exemplarily, the relay node 02 in the present application can be a wireless access backhaul (WAB) node node (also referred to as a WAB device), can also be other relay nodes containing base station functions and mobile terminal functions, and can also be other relay nodes with layer three functions, and the present application is not limited. In subsequent embodiments, the relay node is mainly taken as an example for introduction, and the relay node in the present application mainly includes a base station unit (for example, a WAB-gNB, a WAB-CU or a WAB-DU) and a mobile terminal unit (for example, a WAB-MT), and the base station unit can also be referred to as a base station module or entity, and the mobile terminal unit can also be referred to as a mobile terminal module or entity.

[0092] The backhaul access node 03 is an access node providing wireless backhaul (BH) function for the relay node 02, and is capable of connecting the relay node 02 accessing the backhaul access node 03 to the core network device 04 and / or the network management device 05 serving the relay node 02. The backhaul access node 03 also has the function of a common access node. For example, the backhaul access node 03 is configured with a base band unit (BBU) and has base band signal processing function. For another example, the backhaul access node 03 has wireless transceiving function, wireless link maintenance function, wireless resource management function, part of mobility management function, and other air interface related functions. Exemplarily, the backhaul access node 03 can be a gNB with backhaul function, or a RAN device with backhaul function including a centralized unit (CU) (also referred to as a control unit) and / or a distributed unit (DU). The RAN device including the CU and the DU splits the protocol layers of the gNB in the NR system, and the functions of part of the protocol layers are placed in the CU for centralized control, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU. Multiple DUs can share one CU. The splitting of the CU and the DU can be according to the protocol stack. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, one possible way is to deploy the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers in the CU, and the remaining radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical (PHY) layer in the DU. The CU and the DU are connected through the F1 interface. The CU represents the gNB to connect to the core network through the NG interface, and to connect to other gNBs through the Xn interface, and can also represent the gNB to connect to other backhaul access nodes (for example, other gNBs or eNBs) through the X2 interface to perform dual connectivity operation.It should be noted that the backhaul access node 03 in the present application at least includes an access node capable of providing backhaul services for a layer three relay node (for example, a WAB), or a backhaul access node supporting resource negotiation or resource coordination or resource multiplexing for relay nodes working in an in-band mode (for example, WAB-gNB and WAB-MT work in the same frequency, or the frequency used by the access link and the backhaul link is the same). In the present application, resource coordination and resource multiplexing have the same meaning, which means that the backhaul access node sets the multiplexing rules of the MT and the gNB of the relay node on the same physical resource (for example, frequency) based on the duplexing capability of the relay node, to avoid mutual interference between the MT and the gNB. For example, the backhaul access node (BH gNB or BH-RAN-NODE) defined by 3GPP in R19, hereinafter referred to as BH node. The backhaul access node 03 in the present application can be any of the above devices or chips, and in the present embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the backhaul access node is taken as an example for introduction.

[0093] The core network device 04 refers to a device in the core network (CN) that provides service support for the relay node 02. At present, some common examples of the core network device 04 are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, etc., which are not listed one by one here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for access management and mobility management of the relay node 02; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment of users, etc.; the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting external networks. It should be noted that the entity in the present application can also be referred to as a network element or a functional entity. For example, the AMF entity can also be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity; for another example, the UPF entity can also be referred to as a UPF network element or a UPF functional entity, etc. It should be noted that the core network device in the present application at least includes an AMF entity.

[0094] A network management device 05 is configured to manage and maintain the relay node 02. The network management device can be an operation administration and maintenance (OAM). Alternatively, the network management device 05 can be a functional network element located in the 5GC, or a functional network element deployed in a backbone network behind the 5GC, or a functional network element deployed in other locations, which are not limited in the present application. The network management device 05 is capable of configuring information for the relay node 02. For example, the network management device 05 configures a working frequency for the gNB part of the relay node 02, and / or configures a working frequency for the MT part of the relay node 02.

[0095] It should be understood that the communication method provided by the present application can also be applied to an architecture of an open RAN (O-RAN) as shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1B, the architecture of the O-RAN mainly includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC), a gNB-CU supporting O-RAN functions, and a gNB-DU supporting O-RAN functions. The RIC is configured to collect network information and perform necessary optimization tasks. The RIC communicates with the gNB-CU through an E2 interface, and communicates with the gNB-DU through an E2 interface. The RIC can directly control the gNB-DU, or control the gNB-DU through the gNB-CU. The gNB-CU supporting O-RAN functions includes a BH-RAN-NODE-CU and a WAB-CU, and the gNB-DU supporting O-RAN functions includes a BH-RAN-NODE-DU and a WAB-DU. The BH-RAN-NODE-CU and the BH-RAN-NODE-DU constitute a backhaul access node, and the WAB-MT, the WAB-CU and the WAB-DU constitute a relay node.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 1C, taking the WAB device in layer three relay node as an example, there is an air interface connection (for example, Un interface connection) between the UE part (that is, WAB-MT) of the WAB device and the backhaul access node (for example, BH-RAN-NODE-gNB); there is an air interface (for example, Un interface connection) between the gNB part (that is, WAB-gNB) of the relay node and the terminal device (that is, UE) accessing the WAB-gNB; and there is a communication interface (for example, Xn interface and NG interface) between the WAB-gNB and other backhaul access nodes (for example, other BH-RAN-NODE-gNB) (or other access nodes (for example, other-gNB)). The WAB-MT communicates with the core network device of the MT (for example, UPF of the MT, AMF of the MT, etc.) through the BH-RAN-NODE-gNB, the BH-RAN-NODE-gNB is connected with the UPF of the MT through the N3 interface, and the BH-RAN-NODE-gNB is connected with the AMF of the MT through the N2 interface. The UE communicates with the core network device of the UE (for example, UPF of the UE, AMF of the UE / WAB, etc.) through the WAB-gNB, the WAB-gNB is connected with the UPF of the UE through the N3 interface, and the WAB-gNB is connected with the AMF of the UE / WAB through the N2 interface. In addition, the WAB-MT can also be connected with the network management device (for example, OAM).

[0097] In a conventional handover scenario, the operating frequency of the base station unit (for example, WAB-gNB) of the relay node is configured by the network management device, and the operating frequency of the mobile terminal unit (for example, WAB-MT) of the relay node is the frequency of the accessed cell (for example, the frequency of the target cell after the handover determined by the source backhaul access node for the WAB-MT). Since the operating frequency of the WAB-gNB and the operating frequency of the WAB-MT are determined by different devices, the operating frequency of the WAB-gNB and the operating frequency of the WAB-MT can be the same or different. In the case where the operating frequency of the WAB-gNB and the operating frequency of the WAB-MT are the same, if the WAB-gNB and the WAB-MT work at the same time, interference can be generated. For example, when the frequency of the cell to which the WAB-MT switches is the same as the frequency of the WAB-gNB, the communication between the WAB-gNB and the UE accessing the WAB-gNB and the communication between the WAB-MT and the backhaul access node can interfere with each other.

[0098] To this end, the present application provides a communication method for solving the foregoing problem, which reduces the probability of interference generated by the relay node by improving the flexibility of determining the operating frequency of the WAB-gNB and / or the operating frequency of the WAB-MT.

[0099] The communication method provided by the present application will be described below in combination with FIG. 2:

[0100] As shown in FIG. 2, a flow chart of one embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application is shown. The communication method can be applied to signaling interaction between a relay node and a backhaul access node (including a source backhaul access node and a target backhaul access node). It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the relay node; the actions of the backhaul access node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the backhaul access node, which are not specifically limited in the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0101] In step 201, the source backhaul access node sends a handover command to the mobile terminal unit of the relay node; correspondingly, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives the handover command from the source backhaul access node.

[0102] The handover command includes first indication information, which is used to indicate the target cell, i.e., the target cell after the handover of the mobile terminal unit. For example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node accesses a cell in the source backhaul access node, when the mobile terminal unit of the relay node needs to hand over the cell, the source backhaul access node can determine the target cell after the handover of the mobile terminal unit for the mobile terminal unit, and indicate the target cell to the mobile terminal unit of the relay node through the handover command. Correspondingly, after receiving the handover command, the mobile terminal unit can determine the target cell to be handed over based on the first indication information. It should be understood that the frequency of the target cell is the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit after accessing the target cell.

[0103] Optionally, the handover command further comprises second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination. The resource coordination (also referred to as resource negotiation or resource multiplexing) refers to whether or when the backhaul access node can schedule the mobile terminal unit of the relay node based on the resource configuration decision of the base station unit of the relay node, so as to reduce the probability of interference between the base station unit and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node. For example, in the case where the relay node determines to work in the in-band mode, i.e., the working frequency of the base station unit of the relay node is the same as the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, in order to avoid interference between the base station unit and the mobile terminal unit due to simultaneous working, the backhaul access node offsets the working time slot of the mobile terminal unit from the working time slot of the base station unit. For example, the backhaul access node does not schedule the mobile terminal unit in the time slot in which the base station unit works, and schedules the mobile terminal unit in the time slot in which the base station unit does not work. Optionally, if the cell supports resource coordination, when the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit is the same as the working frequency of the base station unit, the mobile terminal unit is allowed to access the cell, and the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell can schedule the mobile terminal unit based on the resource configuration decision of the base station unit, so as to offset the working time slot of the base station unit from the working time slot of the mobile terminal unit. If the cell does not support resource coordination, the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell cannot schedule the mobile terminal unit based on the resource configuration decision of the base station unit, or the cell is a cell of a traditional base station.

[0104] It should be noted that the not supporting resource coordination can be that the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell does not have the capability of resource coordination. For example, the cell is a cell of a traditional base station, and the cell of the traditional base station cannot realize resource coordination. In addition, the not supporting resource coordination can also be not allowing resource coordination, which can be understood as that the cell has the capability of resource coordination but the backhaul access node does not allow enabling the function of resource coordination in the cell. For example, the cell 1 and the cell 2 are both cells of BH nodes, and each cell under the BH node has the capability of resource coordination, but the BH node does not enable the function of resource coordination in the cell 1 and enables the function of resource coordination in the cell 2. The BH node can broadcast not-support or barred in the cell 1 to indicate the MT in the cell 1 that the cell 1 does not allow to provide the function of resource coordination. The BH node can broadcast support in the cell 2 to indicate the MT in the cell 2 that the cell 2 allows to provide the function of resource coordination. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, the description about the cell “supporting” or “not supporting” a certain service or capability can be replaced by “allowing” or “not allowing” a certain service or capability. In the embodiments and subsequent embodiments, the description is mainly introduced by “supporting” or “not supporting”.

[0105] Optionally, the handover command further includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition. The “condition” and “whether the condition is met” will be introduced in the following step 202, and details are not described herein.

[0106] Compared with the prior art, in the embodiments of the present application, after the mobile terminal unit learns the target cell, the mobile terminal unit does not immediately switch to the target cell, but needs to determine whether the target cell meets the condition, so as to reduce the influence of the mobile terminal unit on the normal work due to switching to an inappropriate cell. Specifically, the mobile terminal unit will perform step 202.

[0107] In step 202, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition.

[0108] The condition includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the target cell is different from the working frequency of the base station unit; or the frequency of the target cell is the same as the working frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0109] The working frequency of the base station unit can be a working frequency currently used by the base station unit, or a working frequency to be activated by the base station unit, which is not limited here. For example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node is in a connected state (for example, an RRC_connected state), the base station unit of the relay node has been activated and creates a cell at frequency 1, and the working frequency of the base station unit is frequency 1. For another example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node is in an inactive state (for example, an RRC_inactive state) or an idle state (for example, an RRC_idle state), the base station unit of the relay node is not activated, but the base station unit will create a cell at frequency 2 after being activated, and the working frequency of the base station unit is frequency 2.

[0110] It should be noted that the target cell meets the condition means that the target cell meets one of the two conditions. The target cell meeting the condition can include a cell meeting any one of the two conditions, or only a cell meeting the condition.

[0111] Specifically, the relay node can determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on any of the following manners:

[0112] In a possible implementation, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the received second indication information. For example, the handover command includes the first indication information and the second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination. The relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the capability of the target cell indicated by the second indication information (that is, the capability of the target cell supporting resource coordination or not), the frequency of the target cell (that is, the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit after handover), and the working frequency of the base station unit.

[0113] In an example, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the working frequency of the base station unit, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition. It can be understood that the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit after handover is the same as the working frequency of the base station unit, at this time, the access node needs to be backhauled for resource coordination to reduce the interference of the relay node, however, the target cell does not support resource coordination, which may introduce interference when the mobile terminal unit switches to the target cell, and therefore, the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0114] In another example, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit and the second indication information indicates that the target cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition. It can be understood that the operating frequency of the mobile unit after the handover is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and at this time, the backhaul access node needs to be accessed for resource coordination to reduce the interference of the relay node. Since the target cell supports resource coordination, the target cell meets the condition.

[0115] In this embodiment, the backhaul access node indicates whether the target cell supports resource coordination through the second indication information, and provides the mobile unit with a basis for judging whether the target cell meets the condition in the case of the same frequency (i.e., the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit). This is conducive to the relay node accurately determining whether the target cell meets the condition, thereby facilitating the relay node to decide whether to modify the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0116] It should be noted that since the relay node does not need resource coordination when operating in an out-band mode, i.e., the frequency of the target cell is not the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node can not be able to determine whether the target cell meets the condition when the frequency of the target cell is not the same as the operating frequency of the base unit based on the second indication information alone. In this case, the relay node can determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on other embodiments.

[0117] In another possible embodiment, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on received third indication information. Specifically, the handover command further includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition.

[0118] In one example, if the third indication information indicates that the target cell does not meet the condition, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0119] In another example, if the third indication information indicates that the target cell meets the condition, the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition.

[0120] In this embodiment, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the third indication information alone, without the need to determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on the frequency (e.g., the frequency of the target cell and the frequency of the base unit). This is conducive to reducing the complexity of the relay node and saving the energy consumption of the relay node.

[0121] In another possible embodiment, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0122] In one example, the condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit. If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition. If the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition.

[0123] In another example, the condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination. If the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition. If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition.

[0124] In another example, the condition comprises condition 1 and condition 2, wherein condition 1 is that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, and condition 2 is that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination. That is, when the target cell meets any one of the foregoing condition 1 and condition 2, the target cell is a cell meeting the condition. For example, if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition; or if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition. In addition, when the target cell does not meet condition 1 and does not meet condition 2, the target cell is a cell not meeting the condition. For example, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0125] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the relay node can determine whether the target cell supports resource coordination based on the received second indication information, which can be obtained by the mobile terminal unit of the relay node from the handover command, or obtained by the relay node through the backhaul access node through other messages (such as system broadcast message, etc.), which is not limited here.

[0126] In this embodiment, the relay node can determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on the known condition, the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base unit. Even if the relay node does not receive the indication information (such as the second indication information and / or the third indication information), the relay node can determine whether the target cell meets the condition, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of the relay node in determining whether the target cell meets the condition.

[0127] It should be noted that the step can be performed by the mobile terminal unit of the relay node or by the base station unit of the relay node, and the embodiment is not limited. In one example, after receiving the handover command, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the content carried by the handover command, and then informs the base station unit of the relay node whether the target cell meets the condition. In another example, after receiving the handover command, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node transmits the content carried by the handover command to the base station unit of the relay node, and the base station unit of the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the content carried by the handover command.

[0128] In the case where the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition, the base station unit of the relay node will perform step 203. In the case where the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition, the base station unit of the relay node does not need to perform step 203.

[0129] Step 203: In the case where it is determined that the target cell does not meet the condition, the relay node switches the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node.

[0130] In one possible implementation, the base station unit of the relay node switches the operating frequency of the base station unit by itself. For example, the network management device (e.g., OAM) configures the base station unit of the relay node with at least two frequencies, including a first operating frequency and a second operating frequency. If the currently used operating frequency of the base station unit is the first operating frequency, after it is determined that the target cell does not meet the condition, the base station unit switches the first operating frequency to the second operating frequency, which is different from the first operating frequency. After the base station unit switches the operating frequency, the base station unit creates a cell with the second operating frequency to provide services for the ordinary terminal device.

[0131] Optionally, the target cell meets the condition with the second operating frequency, which can be understood as that the target cell meets the condition when the operating frequency of the base unit is the second operating frequency. In an example, the condition includes that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, however, the frequency of the target cell is the same as the first operating frequency of the base unit, and thus the base unit switches the first operating frequency to the second operating frequency which is different from the first operating frequency. Since the base unit operates at the second operating frequency after the switching, the second operating frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell, and thus the target cell meets the condition. In another example, the condition includes that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, however, the frequency of the target cell supporting the resource coordination is different from the first operating frequency of the base unit, and thus the base unit switches the first operating frequency to the second operating frequency which is different from the first operating frequency. Since the base unit operates at the second operating frequency after the switching, the second operating frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell, and the target cell supports the resource coordination, and thus the target cell meets the condition. In actual applications, the base unit can also select the second operating frequency based on other criteria, so that the target cell meets the condition or the interference of the mobile unit is small after the mobile unit switches to the target cell when the base unit operates at the second operating frequency after the switching. Examples are not listed one by one here.

[0132] In the embodiment, the base unit of the relay node is configured with at least two operating frequencies, and thus the base unit can autonomously switch to another operating frequency when it is determined that the current operating frequency is not suitable, which is beneficial to the base unit of the relay node to quickly and efficiently switch the operating frequency, so as to improve the efficiency of switching the operating frequency.

[0133] In another possible embodiment, the base unit of the relay node requests the network management device (for example, OAM) to allocate a new operating frequency. Specifically, the base unit sends a first message to the network management device, and the first message includes fourth indication information for requesting the network management device to configure a new operating frequency for the base unit. After receiving the fourth indication information in the first message, the network management device will configure a new operating frequency (i.e. a frequency different from the first operating frequency currently used by the base unit, hereinafter referred to as the third operating frequency) for the base unit. Then, the network device sends a second message carrying the third operating frequency to the base unit, and correspondingly, the base unit receives the second message carrying the third operating frequency. Then, the base unit switches the first operating frequency of the base unit to the third operating frequency.

[0134] Optionally, the first message further comprises the frequency of the target cell. Since the working frequency used by the mobile terminal unit of the relay node after performing the cell handover is the frequency of the target cell, the relay node providing the frequency of the target cell to the network device can indirectly indicate the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit after the cell handover. Since the first message is used to request the network device to allocate a new working frequency for the base station unit, and the network device is aware of the first working frequency currently used by the base station unit, the frequency of the target cell (i.e., the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit after the cell handover) provided by the relay node to the network device can reflect the desired working frequency of the base station unit to some extent. This is beneficial for the network device to allocate the desired working frequency of the base station unit for the base station unit of the relay node based on the frequency of the target cell.

[0135] In an example, if the first working frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell, i.e., the first working frequency currently used by the base station unit is the same as the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit after the cell handover, the desired working frequency of the base station unit is different from the frequency of the target cell, otherwise the base station unit will not request the network device to allocate a new working frequency through the first message. Therefore, the third working frequency carried in the second message by the network device is different from the frequency of the target cell.

[0136] In another example, if the first working frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell, i.e., the first working frequency currently used by the base station unit is different from the working frequency of the mobile terminal unit after the cell handover, the desired working frequency of the base station unit is the same as the frequency of the target cell, otherwise the base station unit will not request the network device to allocate a new working frequency through the first message. Therefore, the third working frequency carried in the second message by the network device is the same as the frequency of the target cell.

[0137] It should be noted that before sending the first message, the relay node in the embodiment can only store one working frequency (i.e., the first working frequency), or can store two or more working frequencies, but the two or more working frequencies are not the working frequency used by the base station unit after the desired handover. For example, the base station unit of the relay node is configured with frequency 1, frequency 2 and frequency 3, the working frequency currently used by the relay node is frequency 1, and the frequency of the target cell is frequency 4. If the condition includes that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the frequency of the base station unit, the desired working frequency of the base station unit is frequency 4. Since the network device has not configured frequency 4 for the base station unit before sending the first message, the base station unit still needs to request the network device to allocate a new frequency (e.g., frequency 4) for the base station unit even if the base station unit has been configured with multiple frequencies.

[0138] In this embodiment, the base station unit can request the network management device to allocate a new operating frequency for the base station unit when it is necessary to switch the operating frequency, so that the base station unit can switch to the new operating frequency, which is conducive to reducing the interference caused by the mobile terminal unit accessing the target cell.

[0139] It should be noted that, under the O-RAN architecture, the function of the network management device in this embodiment can be implemented by an access network control device, that is, the "network management device" in this step can be replaced by "access network control device". The access network control device can be a controller that controls the access network devices (such as CU and / or DU) in the access network. For example, the access network control device can be a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC).

[0140] For example, the base station unit can send the fourth indication information and the frequency of the target cell to the RIC through an E2 message. After receiving the E2 message carrying the fourth indication information, the RIC can send the third operating frequency to the base station unit through an E2 message. The implementation of the E2 message is similar to the Xn interface, and it also needs to pass through the PDU session of the mobile terminal unit. The RIC communicates with the mobile terminal unit through the UPF of the mobile terminal unit, so as to interact with the base station unit through the E2 message.

[0141] In this embodiment, after receiving the handover command carrying the first indication information (indicating the target cell), the relay node can determine whether the target cell meets the condition, and when it is determined that the target cell does not meet the condition, trigger the base station unit to switch the operating frequency, so that the target cell to which the mobile terminal unit of the relay node switches meets the condition, thereby facilitating to reduce the interference of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node after accessing the target cell.

[0142] It should be noted that the frequencies (such as the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node, the operating frequency of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, etc.) involved in this embodiment and subsequent embodiments can be frequency points or frequency ranges (such as frequency bands or frequency bands), which are not limited by the present application. This embodiment and subsequent embodiments only take frequency as an example for introduction. Those skilled in the art should understand that in some scenarios, the "frequency" in the embodiments of the present application can be replaced by "frequency point", "frequency band" or "frequency band".

[0143] It should be noted that the source backhaul access node in the foregoing embodiments can be a BH node or a traditional base station. The method of the source backhaul access node and the method of the target backhaul access node will be introduced below in combination with FIG. 3.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 3, a flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application is shown. The communication method can be applied to signaling interaction between a relay node and a backhaul access node. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the relay node; the actions of the backhaul access node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the backhaul access node, which are not limited in the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0145] In step 301, the relay node sends the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node to the source backhaul access node; correspondingly, the source backhaul access node receives the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node.

[0146] The operating frequency of the base unit can be the operating frequency currently used by the base unit, or the operating frequency to be activated by the base unit, which are not limited herein. The operating frequency of the base unit is explained in the foregoing step 202, which is not repeated here. The source backhaul access node is the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell accessed by the mobile unit of the relay node.

[0147] Specifically, the relay node can send the operating frequency of the base unit to the source backhaul access node in any of the following embodiments.

[0148] In a possible embodiment, the base unit of the relay node establishes an Xn connection with the source backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the source backhaul access node). The base unit of the relay node sends an Xn application protocol (XnAP) message to the source backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the source backhaul access node), and the XnAP message includes the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0149] In another possible embodiment, the mobile unit of the relay node establishes an RRC connection with the source backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the source backhaul access node). The mobile unit of the relay node sends an RRC message to the source backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the source backhaul access node), and the RRC message includes the operating frequency of the base unit. For example, the RRC message can be an RRC connection setup complete (RRC Setup Complete) message (also referred to as msg5), or a terminal capability report (UE capability report) message.

[0150] In another possible implementation, a MAC layer connection is established between the mobile terminal unit of the relay node and the source backhaul access node (e.g., a DU of the source backhaul access node). The mobile terminal unit of the relay node sends a MAC CE to the source backhaul access node (e.g., a DU of the source backhaul access node), and the MAC CE includes the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node.

[0151] It should be noted that when the step is performed by the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, the mobile terminal unit can send the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node to the source backhaul access node when accessing a cell of the source backhaul access node, or can trigger sending the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node to the source backhaul access node when the mobile terminal unit has a handover requirement. The embodiment is not limited thereto. Step 301 can be performed before step 302.

[0152] In the embodiment, step 301 is an optional step. For example, when the source backhaul access node is a traditional base station, the relay node can not send the operating frequency of the base station unit to the source backhaul access node. It should be noted that even if the traditional base station receives the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node, the traditional base station will discard the operating frequency of the base station unit because it cannot identify the operating frequency of the base station unit. Therefore, when the mobile terminal unit of the relay node accesses a cell of the traditional base station, the relay node can not send the operating frequency of the base station unit to the source backhaul access node.

[0153] In step 302, the source backhaul access node sends a handover request message to the target backhaul access node. Correspondingly, the target backhaul access node receives the handover request message from the source backhaul access node.

[0154] The handover request message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a target cell of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, i.e., a target cell after handover determined by the source backhaul access node for the mobile terminal unit. The handover request message is used to request the target backhaul access node to allow the mobile terminal unit to access the target cell in a subsequent process.

[0155] Optionally, the handover request message includes the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node. In one implementation, if the source backhaul access node is a BH node, the BH node performs step 301, i.e., the BH node can obtain the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node from the relay node. In this case, the handover request message carries the operating frequency of the base station unit. In another implementation, if the source backhaul access node is a traditional base station, the traditional base station cannot obtain the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node from the relay node because of the traditional technology, and therefore, the handover request message does not carry the operating frequency of the base station unit.

[0156] At step 303, the target backhaul access node sends a handover request acknowledge message to the source backhaul access node; correspondingly, the source backhaul access node receives the handover request acknowledge message from the target backhaul access node.

[0157] The handover request acknowledge message comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the target cell. The handover request acknowledge message carrying the first indication information is used to indicate that the target backhaul access node allows the mobile terminal unit of the relay node to switch to the target cell in the subsequent process.

[0158] Optionally, the handover request acknowledge message further comprises second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination. For example, the handover request acknowledge message comprises the first indication information and the second indication information. The resource coordination, the support of resource coordination and the non-support of resource coordination are explained in the related introduction in step 201, and will not be described here.

[0159] Specifically, in the following implementation, the handover request acknowledge message carries the second indication information:

[0160] In one implementation, the target backhaul access node does not receive the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node. For example, the source backhaul access node is a traditional base station, and the relay node does not report the operating frequency of the base station unit to the source backhaul access node, so that the handover request message sent by the source backhaul access node to the target backhaul access node does not carry the operating frequency of the base station unit, but only carries the first indication information (indicating the target cell). In this case, the target backhaul access node cannot determine whether the target cell meets the condition because of the absence of the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node. Therefore, in order for the relay node to determine whether the target cell meets the condition, the target backhaul access node carries the second indication information in the handover request acknowledge message sent to the source backhaul access node, and the second indication information only reflects whether the target cell supports resource coordination, but does not reflect whether the target cell meets the condition.

[0161] In another implementation, the target backhaul access node can receive the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node. For example, the source backhaul access node is a BH node, and the relay node reports the operating frequency of the base station unit to the source backhaul access node, and the handover request message sent by the source backhaul access node to the target backhaul access node carries the operating frequency of the base station unit and the first indication information (indicating the target cell). In this case, the target backhaul access node can determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node and the frequency of the target cell, and then indirectly indicates whether the target cell meets the condition through the second indication information.

[0162] Exemplarily, the conditions include: the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination. If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the conditions, and the target backhaul access node indicates that the target cell supports resource coordination through the second indication information carried in the handover request response message. That is, the target backhaul access node indirectly indicates that the target cell meets the conditions by indicating that the target cell supports resource coordination through the second indication information. If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the conditions, and the target backhaul access node indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination through the second indication information carried in the handover request response message. That is, the target backhaul access node indirectly indicates that the target cell does not meet the conditions by indicating that the target cell does not support resource coordination through the second indication information.

[0163] Optionally, the handover request response message further includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate whether the target cell meets the conditions. For example, the handover request response message includes the first indication information and the third indication information; or the handover response message includes the first indication information, the second indication information and the third indication information.

[0164] Specifically, the target backhaul access node can receive the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node. For example, the source backhaul access node is a BH node, the relay node reports the operating frequency of the base unit to the source backhaul access node, and the source backhaul access node sends the handover request message to the target backhaul access node, which carries the operating frequency of the base unit and the first indication information (indicating the target cell). In this case, the target backhaul access node can determine whether the target cell meets the conditions based on the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node and the frequency of the target cell, and then directly indicate whether the target cell meets the conditions through the third indication information.

[0165] The conditions include at least one of the following:

[0166] Condition 1: the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0167] Condition 2: the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0168] For the meaning of each condition, please refer to the relevant introduction in the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0169] In one example, the conditions only include condition 1 (i.e., the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit). If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the conditions, and the target backhaul access node carries the third indication information in the handover request response message to indicate that the target cell does not meet the conditions. If the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the conditions, and the target backhaul access node carries the third indication information in the handover request response message to indicate that the target cell meets the conditions.

[0170] In another example, the conditions only include condition 2 (i.e., the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination). If the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the conditions, and the target backhaul access node carries the third indication information in the handover request response message to indicate that the target cell does not meet the conditions. If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the conditions, and the target backhaul access node carries the third indication information in the handover request response message to indicate that the target cell meets the conditions.

[0171] In another example, the conditions include condition 1 and condition 2, where condition 1 is that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, and condition 2 is that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination. That is, when the target cell meets any one of the foregoing condition 1 and condition 2, the target cell is a cell that meets the conditions. For example, if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the conditions; or if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the conditions. In the case where the target cell meets the conditions, the target backhaul access node carries the third indication information in the handover request response message to indicate that the target cell meets the conditions. In addition, when the target cell does not meet condition 1 and does not meet condition 2, the target cell is a cell that does not meet the conditions. For example, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the conditions. In the case where the target cell does not meet the conditions, the target backhaul access node carries the third indication information in the handover request response message to indicate that the target cell does not meet the conditions.

[0172] It should be noted that the handover request response message further comprises configuration information of the target cell. The configuration information of the target cell comprises time-frequency resources determined by the target backhaul access node, channel information, location information of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and a reference signal, etc.

[0173] At step 304, the source backhaul access node sends a handover command to the mobile terminal unit of the relay node; correspondingly, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives the handover command from the source backhaul access node.

[0174] The handover command comprises first indication information. The handover command is used to trigger the mobile terminal unit of the relay node to perform cell handover.

[0175] Optionally, the handover command further comprises second indication information. For example, if the handover request response message comprises the second indication information, the handover command also comprises the second indication information.

[0176] Optionally, the handover command further comprises third indication information. For example, if the handover request response message comprises the third indication information, the handover command also comprises the third indication information.

[0177] It should be noted that after receiving the handover command, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node will perform steps 307 and 305-306.

[0178] At step 305, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition.

[0179] In one possible implementation, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the received second indication information.

[0180] In another possible implementation, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the received third indication information.

[0181] In another possible implementation, the relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit.

[0182] The above three implementations are described in detail in step 202 of the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 2. For details, please refer to the related description in step 202, which will not be repeated here.

[0183] In the case where the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition, the base station unit of the relay node will perform step 306. In the case where the relay node determines that the target cell meets the condition, the base station unit of the relay node does not need to perform step 306.

[0184] At step 306, the relay node switches the operating frequency of the base station unit in the case where it is determined that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0185] For details, please refer to the relevant description in step 203 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0186] In step 307, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node switches to the target cell.

[0187] It should be noted that there is no time sequence restriction between step 307 and steps 305 to 306. The relay node can first perform step 307 and then perform steps 305 to 306, or first perform steps 305 to 306 and then perform step 307, or simultaneously perform step 307 and steps 305 to 306, which will not be repeated here.

[0188] In step 308, the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base station unit to the target backhaul access node; correspondingly, the target backhaul access node receives the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base station unit from the relay node.

[0189] In this embodiment, step 308 is an optional step. For example, in the case that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the working frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base station unit to the backhaul access node corresponding to the target cell (i.e., the target backhaul access node). In one example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base station unit to the target backhaul access node through an RRC message (e.g., msg5 message). In another example, the base station unit of the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base station unit to the target backhaul access node through an Xn message.

[0190] The first association relationship is used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit belong to the same relay node. Optionally, the relay node can carry the identification information of the mobile terminal unit and / or the identification information of the base station unit in the message sent to the target backhaul access node, so as to indicate to the target backhaul access node that the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit belong to the same relay node. In one example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node sends the identification information (e.g., the ID of the base station unit and / or the IP address of the base station unit) of the base station unit of the relay node to the target backhaul access node through an RRC message (e.g., msg5 message). In another example, the base station unit of the relay node sends the identification information (e.g., the C-RNTI of the mobile terminal unit) of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node to the target backhaul access node through an Xn message.

[0191] The resource configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0192] Downlink / Uplink / Flexible (DUF) information of the base station unit of the relay node, or Hard / Soft / Non-Available (HSNA) information of the base station unit of the relay node, or multiplexing information of the relay node.

[0193] The multiplexing information of the relay node is used to indicate a duplex mode of the relay node, i.e., whether the base station unit of the relay node and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node support simultaneous operation. For example, the multiplexing information of the relay node indicates whether the base station unit of the relay node receiving is supported at the same time as the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receiving; or whether the base station unit of the relay node transmitting is supported at the same time as the mobile terminal unit of the relay node transmitting; or whether the base station unit of the relay node receiving is supported at the same time as the mobile terminal unit of the relay node transmitting; or whether the base station unit of the relay node transmitting is supported at the same time as the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receiving.

[0194] The DUF information and the HSNA information are configured in time domain units as granularity, and the DUF information and / or the HSNA information of different time domain units can be different. Optionally, the time domain unit can be a slot, for example, the DUF information is configured in a slot as granularity, and the HSNA information is also configured in a time domain unit as granularity. With the development of communication technology, the DUF information and the HSNA information provided in the application can also be configured in other time domain units (such as a symbol, etc.) as granularity, which is not limited here. In this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, only the granularity of the slot is introduced.

[0195] The DUF information (also referred to as D / U / F information) is used to indicate that the transmission resource of one or more slots is used for Downlink (D) transmission, Uplink (U) transmission, or flexible (Uplink, U) scheduling. Wherein, D means that the slot is used for downlink transmission; U means that the slot is used for uplink transmission; F means that the slot is used for downlink transmission or uplink transmission which can be decided by the communication device based on scheduling requirements. The DUF information of the base unit of the relay node is used to indicate that when the base unit of the relay node communicates with the UE (for example, the UE accessing the cell of the base unit), the transmission resource of one or more slots of the cell is used for downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or flexible scheduling. For example, if the DUF information of the base unit of the relay node indicates that slot 1 is D, slot 2 is U, and slot 3 is F, it means that slot 1 is used for the base unit of the relay node to perform downlink transmission with the UE accessing the cell of the base unit, i.e., the base unit of the relay node transmits data to the UE; slot 2 is used for the base unit of the relay node to perform uplink transmission with the UE accessing the cell of the base unit, i.e., the UE transmits data to the base unit of the relay node; and slot 3 is used for downlink transmission or uplink transmission which can be decided by the base unit of the relay node, i.e., the base unit of the relay node determines whether slot 3 is used to transmit data to the UE or receive data from the UE based on the current scheduling requirements. Optionally, the DUF information of the base unit of the relay node includes the DUF transmission periodicity of the base unit of the relay node and the DUF slot configuration list of the base unit of the relay node.

[0196] The HSNA information (also referred to as H / S / NA information) is used to indicate whether the transmission resource of a time slot or multiple time slots is a hard (H) resource, a soft (S) resource, or a non-available (NA) resource. The HSNA information of the base unit of the relay node is used to indicate whether the transmission resource of one or more time slots of the cell of the base unit of the relay node is a hard resource, a soft resource, or a non-available resource when the base unit of the relay node communicates with the UE accessing the cell of the base unit. A hard resource means that the base unit of the relay node strictly works according to the DUF information of the time slot. For example, if the DUF information of time slot 1 is D and the HSNA information of time slot 1 is a hard resource, the base unit of the relay node transmits downlink data to the UE (e.g., the UE accessing the cell of the base unit of the relay node) in time slot 1, and cannot receive uplink data from the UE. If the duplex mode of the relay node is not to support the base unit of the relay node transmitting while the mobile terminal unit of the relay node is transmitting or receiving, the base unit of the relay node does not avoid the mobile terminal unit of the relay node in time slot 1, i.e., the base unit of the relay node does not transmit downlink data in time slot 1 because of the demand of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node transmitting or receiving in time slot 1. A soft resource means that whether the base unit of the relay node works according to the configuration of the DUF information of the time slot depends on the working mode of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node and the duplex mode of the relay node. For example, if the DUF information of time slot 2 is U and the HSNA information of time slot 2 is a soft resource, and the duplex mode of the relay node is not to support the base unit of the relay node receiving while the mobile terminal unit of the relay node is transmitting or receiving, when the host node schedules the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, the base unit of the relay node avoids the mobile terminal unit of the relay node in time slot 2, i.e., the base unit of the relay node does not receive uplink data in time slot 2 because of the demand of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node transmitting or receiving in time slot 2. Optionally, the HSNA information of the base unit of the relay node includes the HSNA transmission periodicity of the base unit of the relay node and the HSNA slot configuration list of the base unit of the relay node.

[0197] After the target backhaul access node receives the first association relationship from the relay node, the target backhaul access node can determine the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit constituting the relay node based on the first association relationship. After the target backhaul access node receives the resource configuration information of the base station unit from the relay node, the target backhaul access node can determine the resource configuration of the base station unit constituting the relay node in each time domain unit (for example, each time slot) based on the resource configuration information of the base station unit, and then the target backhaul access node can determine whether to schedule the mobile terminal unit in each time domain unit mentioned above, so that the base station unit of the relay node and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node work in different time domain units as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference generated by the relay node.

[0198] In the embodiment, in the case that the target backhaul access node only receives the first indication information (indicating the target cell) from the source backhaul access node without receiving the working frequency of the base station unit, the target backhaul access node can transmit the second indication information to the relay node through the source backhaul access node to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination; or in the case that the target backhaul access node receives the first indication information (indicating the target cell) from the source backhaul access node and the working frequency of the base station unit, the target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the working frequency of the base station unit, and transmits the third indication information to the relay node through the source backhaul access node to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition. It is beneficial for the relay node to accurately determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on the second indication information and / or the third indication information, and then decide whether the base station unit of the relay node switches the frequency. When the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition, the base station unit of the relay node will switch the working frequency to make the target cell meet the condition, thereby reducing the interference of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node after accessing the target cell.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 4, it is a flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application. The communication method can be applied to the signaling interaction between the relay node and the backhaul access node. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by the device or module in the relay node; the actions of the backhaul access node involved in the communication method can also be performed by the device or module in the backhaul access node, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0200] In step 401, the source backhaul access node sends measurement configuration information to the mobile terminal unit of the relay node; correspondingly, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives the measurement configuration information from the source backhaul access node.

[0201] For example, before determining the target cell after handover for the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, the source backhaul access node needs to know the channel state, signal quality and the like of the neighboring cell of the location where the mobile terminal unit is located. At this time, the source backhaul access node can send the measurement configuration information to the mobile terminal unit to instruct the mobile terminal unit to measure at least one neighboring cell.

[0202] The measurement configuration information comprises frequency information of the at least one neighboring cell. Optionally, the measurement configuration information further comprises beam information or physical cell identifier (PCI) information and the like. The neighboring cell refers to the neighboring cell of the cell currently accessed by the mobile terminal unit, and the cell currently accessed by the mobile terminal unit is a cell of the source backhaul access node. The neighboring cell can be a cell of the source backhaul access node or a cell of another backhaul access node, which is not limited in the embodiment. The at least one neighboring cell can be a cell under the same backhaul access node, or a cell under different backhaul access nodes, or a cell under different DUs of the same CU, which is not limited in the embodiment.

[0203] After receiving the measurement configuration information from the source backhaul access node, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node will measure the at least one neighboring cell indicated by the measurement configuration information to obtain the measurement result of the at least one neighboring cell. For example, the measurement result comprises the channel state of the neighboring cell, the signal quality of the neighboring cell and the like, and the embodiment is not limited to the content of the measurement result.

[0204] In addition, after receiving the measurement configuration information, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node will also perform step 402.

[0205] Step 402, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives the system broadcast message of the at least one neighboring cell.

[0206] For example, after receiving the measurement configuration information (comprising the frequency information of the neighboring cell), the mobile terminal unit of the relay node can determine which neighboring cells need to be measured and which system broadcast messages of the neighboring cells need to be listened to based on the frequency information of the frequency.

[0207] The system broadcast message of the neighboring cell comprises the capability information of the neighboring cell, and the capability information of the neighboring cell is used to indicate whether the neighboring cell supports resource coordination. The resource coordination and whether the resource coordination is supported are explained in the foregoing step 201, which is not repeated here.

[0208] For example, the system broadcast message comprises a master information block (MIB), and the capability information of the neighbor cell can be carried in the MIB; or the system broadcast message comprises a system information block 1 (SIB1), and the capability information of the neighbor cell can be carried in the SIB1.

[0209] In step 403, the relay node sends the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell to the source backhaul access node based on the frequency information of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell, and the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node, wherein the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell comprises the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell.

[0210] For example, the relay node determines the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell based on the frequency information of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell, and the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node. The measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell can be the measurement result of one neighbor cell or comprise the measurement results of multiple neighbor cells. Then, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node reports the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell to the source backhaul access node, wherein the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell comprises the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell.

[0211] Optionally, the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell comprises the measurement result of the eligible neighbor cell.

[0212] The condition comprises at least one of the following:

[0213] The frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit; or the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0214] For the meaning of each condition, please refer to the relevant description in the foregoing, which will not be repeated here.

[0215] Specifically, the relay node can determine whether the neighbor cell is an eligible neighbor cell based on the frequency information of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell, and the operating frequency of the base unit. If the neighbor cell is an eligible neighbor cell, the measurement result of the neighbor cell is the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell, which needs to be reported to the source backhaul access node in priority. If the neighbor cell is an ineligible neighbor cell, the measurement result of the neighbor cell is not the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell, which does not need to be reported to the source backhaul access node in priority. It can be understood that the priority of the measurement result of the eligible neighbor cell is higher than the priority of the measurement result of the ineligible neighbor cell, and therefore, the mobile terminal unit needs to report the measurement result of the eligible neighbor cell to the source backhaul access node in priority.

[0216] The following will be described in combination with specific examples:

[0217] In one example, the conditions only include condition 1 (i.e. the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit). If the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell meets the conditions, and further determines that the measurement result of the neighbor cell is a high-priority measurement result. If the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell does not meet the conditions, and further determines that the measurement result of the neighbor cell is not a high-priority measurement result.

[0218] In another example, the conditions only include condition 2 (i.e. the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the neighbor cell supports resource coordination). If the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates that the neighbor cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell meets the conditions, and further determines that the measurement result of the neighbor cell is a high-priority measurement result. If the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates that the neighbor cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell does not meet the conditions, and further determines that the measurement result of the neighbor cell is not a high-priority measurement result.

[0219] In another example, the conditions include condition 1 and condition 2, wherein condition 1 is that the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, and condition 2 is that the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the neighbor cell supports resource coordination. That is, when the neighbor cell meets any one of the aforementioned condition 1 and condition 2, the neighbor cell is a cell meeting the conditions. For example, if the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell meets the conditions, and further determines that the measurement result of the neighbor cell is a high-priority measurement result; or if the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates that the neighbor cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell meets the conditions, and further determines that the measurement result of the neighbor cell is a high-priority measurement result. In addition, when the neighbor cell does not meet condition 1 and does not meet condition 2, the neighbor cell is a cell not meeting the conditions. For example, if the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates that the neighbor cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell does not meet the conditions, and further determines that the measurement result of the neighbor cell is not a high-priority measurement result.

[0220] It should be noted that the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell sent by the mobile terminal unit to the source backhaul access node can only include the measurement result of a high-priority neighbor cell (i.e. the measurement result of a neighbor cell meeting the conditions); or can include the measurement result of a high-priority neighbor cell and part of the measurement result of a lower-priority neighbor cell.

[0221] Step 404: The source backhaul access node determines a target cell based on the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell.

[0222] The measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell includes a measurement result of a high-priority neighbor cell, and the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell includes a measurement result of a qualified neighbor cell.

[0223] Optionally, the source backhaul access node determines the target cell based on the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell. For example, the source backhaul access node selects a neighbor cell with the best signal quality indicated in the measurement result of the high-priority neighbor cell as the target cell.

[0224] Optionally, the source backhaul access node determines the target cell based on the measurement result of the qualified neighbor cell. For example, the source backhaul access node selects a neighbor cell with the best signal quality indicated in the measurement result of the qualified neighbor cell as the target cell.

[0225] After determining the target cell, the source backhaul access node further sends a handover request message to a target backhaul access node corresponding to the target cell (i.e., a target backhaul access node), where the handover request message includes first indication information indicating the target cell after the handover of the mobile terminal unit. If the target backhaul access node allows the mobile terminal unit to access the target cell, the target backhaul access node sends a handover request response message to the source backhaul access node. After receiving the handover request response message, the source backhaul access node sends a handover command to the mobile terminal unit, where the handover command includes the first indication information to indicate the target cell to which the mobile terminal unit is switched. Then, the mobile terminal unit triggers a handover procedure and switches to the target cell.

[0226] Optionally, after the relay node switches to the target cell, the relay node sends first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the base station unit to the target backhaul access node, where the first association relationship is used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit belong to the same relay node. The first association relationship and the resource configuration information of the base station unit are explained in the related description of step 308, which will not be repeated here.

[0227] In this embodiment, after the mobile terminal unit of the relay node performs measurement on the at least one neighbor cell, the mobile terminal unit can determine the measurement result of the qualified neighbor cell based on the frequency information of the at least one neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell, and the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node, and preferentially send the measurement result of the qualified neighbor cell to the source backhaul access node. This is advantageous to improve the probability that the target cell determined by the source backhaul access node is a qualified cell, thereby reducing the probability of interference caused after the mobile terminal unit switches to the target cell.

[0228] As shown in FIG. 5, a flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application is shown. The communication method can be applied to the signaling interaction between a relay node and a backhaul access node. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the relay node; the actions of the backhaul access node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the backhaul access node, which are not limited in the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication method comprises the following steps:

[0229] In step 501, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives a system broadcast message from a camped cell.

[0230] The system broadcast message of the camped cell comprises information of at least one neighboring cell. The neighboring cell can be a cell of the backhaul access node corresponding to the camped cell, or a cell of another backhaul access node, which are not limited in the embodiment. The at least one neighboring cell can be a cell under the same backhaul access node, or a cell under different backhaul access nodes, or a cell under different DUs of the same CU, which are not limited in the embodiment. In one example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node camps in a cell, and the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell can obtain the information of the cells of other backhaul access nodes, and carry the information of the cells of other backhaul access nodes in the system broadcast message of the backhaul access node. The mobile terminal unit camping in the cell of the backhaul access node can receive the information of the cells of other backhaul access nodes. In this example, the information of the neighboring cell is mainly the information of the cells of other backhaul access nodes. In another example, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node camps in a cell (referred to as cell 1), and the system broadcast message broadcasted by the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell 1 comprises the information of other cells (for example, cell 2, cell 3, etc.) of the backhaul access node. The mobile terminal unit camping in the cell of the backhaul access node can receive the information of the other cells of the backhaul access node. In this example, the information of the neighboring cell is mainly the information of the other cells of the backhaul access node corresponding to the camped cell. In another example, the information of the neighboring cell comprises the information of the cells of other backhaul access nodes and the information of the other cells of the backhaul access node corresponding to the camped cell.

[0231] Optionally, the information of the neighboring cell comprises the capability information of the neighboring cell and the frequency of the neighboring cell. The capability information of the neighboring cell indicates whether the neighboring cell supports resource coordination. The resource coordination and whether the neighboring cell supports resource coordination are explained in the foregoing step 201, which is not repeated here.

[0232] It should be noted that the information of the neighboring cell sent by the source backhaul access node through the system broadcast message is from the corresponding backhaul access node of the neighboring cell. For example, the source backhaul access node obtains the information of the cell (i.e., the information of the neighboring cell) of the other backhaul access node through the Xn interface between the source backhaul access node and the other backhaul access node.

[0233] Optionally, the system broadcast message includes a system information block 3 (SIB3) or a system information block 4 (SIB4), and the capability information of the at least one neighboring cell is carried in the SIB3 or the SIB4. Since, in the prior art, the SIB3 and the SIB4 are commonly used to carry the information related to the neighboring cell, the embodiment carries the information of the neighboring cell to the SIB3 or the SIB4, and the compatibility is high.

[0234] It should be noted that, in the embodiment, the step 501 is an optional step. For example, the mobile terminal unit in the idle state can determine which neighboring cells need to be measured through the manner introduced in the step 501, or can determine the frequency information of the at least one neighboring cell for measurement through other manners, and the embodiment is not limited.

[0235] In step 502, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node measures the at least one neighboring cell to obtain a measurement result of the at least one neighboring cell.

[0236] In step 503, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node determines a first cell based on the frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the neighboring cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node.

[0237] The first cell is a cell to be camped on or accessed by the mobile terminal unit, and the first cell is one of the at least one neighboring cell. It can be understood that the mobile terminal unit determines which cell in the at least one neighboring cell is to be camped on or accessed based on the frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the neighboring cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node.

[0238] Optionally, the first cell is a high-priority cell. The high-priority cell includes a cell meeting a condition.

[0239] The condition includes at least one of the following:

[0240] The frequency of the neighboring cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit, or the frequency of the neighboring cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0241] For the meaning of each condition, please refer to the related description in the foregoing, which will not be described here.

[0242] Specifically, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node determines whether the neighbor cell is a qualified neighbor cell based on a frequency corresponding to a measurement result of the neighbor cell (hereinafter referred to as a frequency of the neighbor cell) and an operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node. If the neighbor cell is a qualified neighbor cell, the neighbor cell is a high-priority neighbor cell, and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node preferentially selects the qualified neighbor cell when selecting a cell to camp on or access. If the neighbor cell is an unqualified neighbor cell, the neighbor cell is not a high-priority neighbor cell, and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node can not camp on the cell or preferentially camp on the cell. It can be understood that the priority of the frequency of the qualified cell in the at least one neighbor cell is higher than the priority of the frequency of the unqualified cell in the at least one neighbor cell, and the mobile terminal unit of the relay node preferentially determines the qualified cell as a cell to camp on or access. It can also be understood that the priority of the mobile terminal unit camping on or accessing the qualified cell is higher than the priority of the mobile terminal unit camping on or accessing the unqualified cell.

[0243] The following will be described in conjunction with specific examples:

[0244] In one example, the conditions only include condition 1 (i.e., the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit). If the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell is qualified, and further determines that the neighbor cell is a high-priority neighbor cell. If the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell is unqualified, and further determines that the neighbor cell is not a high-priority neighbor cell.

[0245] In another example, the conditions only include condition 2 (i.e., the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the neighbor cell supports resource coordination). If the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates that the neighbor cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell is qualified, and further determines that the neighbor cell is a high-priority neighbor cell. If the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit, or the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates that the neighbor cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the neighbor cell is unqualified, and further determines that the neighbor cell is not a high-priority neighbor cell.

[0246] In another example, the conditions include condition 1 and condition 2, wherein condition 1 is that the frequency of the neighboring cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, condition 2 is that the frequency of the neighboring cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the neighboring cell supports resource coordination. That is, when the neighboring cell satisfies any one of the aforementioned condition 1 and condition 2, the neighboring cell is a cell meeting the conditions. For example, if the frequency of the neighboring cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the relay node determines that the neighboring cell meets the conditions, and further determines that the neighboring cell is a high-priority neighboring cell. Or, if the frequency of the neighboring cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the capability information of the neighboring cell indicates that the neighboring cell supports resource coordination, the relay node determines that the neighboring cell meets the conditions, and further determines that the neighboring cell is a high-priority neighboring cell. In addition, when the neighboring cell does not satisfy condition 1 and does not satisfy condition 2, the neighboring cell is a cell not meeting the conditions. For example, if the frequency of the neighboring cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the capability information of the neighboring cell indicates that the neighboring cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the neighboring cell does not meet the conditions, and further determines that the neighboring cell is not a high-priority neighboring cell.

[0247] In step 504, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node camps on or accesses the first cell.

[0248] Optionally, after the relay node switches to the first cell, the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base unit to the backhaul access node corresponding to the first cell, and the first association relationship is used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to the same relay node. The first association relationship and the resource configuration information of the base unit are explained in the foregoing step 308, and details are not described herein.

[0249] In this embodiment, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node can obtain the frequency information and the capability information of the neighboring cell through the system broadcast message of the currently camped cell, and based on the frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the neighboring cell and the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node, the cell meeting the conditions is determined as the cell to be camped on or accessed. This is advantageous to improve the probability of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node camping on or accessing the cell meeting the conditions, thereby reducing the probability of interference after the mobile terminal unit camps on or accesses the cell.

[0250] As shown in FIG. 6, it is a flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application. The communication method can be applied to the signaling interaction between the relay node and the backhaul access node. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by the device or module in the relay node, and the actions of the backhaul access node involved in the communication method can also be performed by the device or module in the backhaul access node, which are not limited in this embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0251] At step 601, the relay node sends the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node to the source backhaul access node; correspondingly, the source backhaul access node receives the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node.

[0252] The operating frequency of the base unit can be the operating frequency currently used by the base unit, or the operating frequency to be activated by the base unit, which is not limited herein. For the explanation of the operating frequency of the base unit, please refer to the relevant introduction in step 202, which will not be repeated here. The source backhaul access node is the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell accessed by the mobile terminal unit of the relay node.

[0253] Specifically, the relay node can send the operating frequency of the base unit to the source backhaul access node in any of the following embodiments.

[0254] In one possible embodiment, the base unit of the relay node establishes an Xn connection with the source backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the source backhaul access node). The base unit of the relay node sends an Xn application protocol (XnAP) message to the source backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the source backhaul access node), and the XnAP message includes the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0255] In another possible embodiment, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node establishes an RRC connection with the source backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the source backhaul access node). The mobile terminal unit of the relay node sends an RRC message to the source backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the source backhaul access node), and the RRC message includes the operating frequency of the base unit. For example, the RRC message can be an RRC connection setup complete (RRC Setup Complete) message (also referred to as msg5), or a terminal capability report (UE capability report) message.

[0256] In another possible embodiment, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node establishes a MAC layer connection with the source backhaul access node (e.g., the DU of the source backhaul access node). The mobile terminal unit of the relay node sends a MAC CE to the source backhaul access node (e.g., the DU of the source backhaul access node), and the MAC CE includes the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0257] At step 602, the relay node sends the measurement report of the mobile terminal unit to the source backhaul access node; correspondingly, the source backhaul access node receives the measurement report of the mobile terminal unit of the relay node.

[0258] The measurement report includes measurement results of at least one neighboring cell. For example, the source backhaul access node sends measurement configuration information to the mobile terminal unit of the relay node, the measurement configuration information including frequency information of at least one neighboring cell. Then, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node performs measurement based on the frequency information of at least one neighboring cell to obtain measurement results of at least one neighboring cell. Then, the mobile terminal unit of the relay node sends a measurement report to the source backhaul access node, the measurement report including the measurement results of at least one neighboring cell. Optionally, the measurement report also includes frequency information of each neighboring cell.

[0259] It should be noted that before sending the measurement configuration information, the source backhaul access node can obtain frequency information and capability information of cells of other backhaul access nodes through an Xn interface between the source backhaul access node and the other backhaul access nodes. Then, the source backhaul access node determines the measurement configuration information based on the obtained information of the neighboring cells.

[0260] In step 603, the source backhaul access node determines a target cell based on the measurement results of at least one neighboring cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit.

[0261] The target cell is a cell to which the mobile terminal unit of the relay node is switched.

[0262] In one possible implementation, the source backhaul access node determines the target cell based on the measurement results of at least one neighboring cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit, the target cell being a cell of high priority.

[0263] Optionally, the cell of high priority is a cell of at least one neighboring cell that meets a condition.

[0264] The condition includes:

[0265] The frequency of the cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node; or

[0266] The frequency of the cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0267] For the meaning of each condition, please refer to the relevant description in the foregoing, which will not be repeated here.

[0268] Specifically, the source backhaul access node determines whether the neighbor cell is a qualified neighbor cell based on the frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the neighbor cell (hereinafter referred to as the frequency of the neighbor cell) and the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node. If the neighbor cell is a qualified neighbor cell, the neighbor cell is a high-priority neighbor cell, and the source backhaul access node preferentially selects a qualified cell as a target cell. If the neighbor cell is an unqualified neighbor cell, the neighbor cell is not a high-priority neighbor cell, and the source backhaul access node does not select an unqualified cell as a target cell, or does not preferentially select an unqualified cell as a target cell. It can be understood that the priority of a qualified neighbor cell as a target cell is higher than that of an unqualified neighbor cell as a target cell.

[0269] The following will be described in conjunction with specific examples:

[0270] In one example, the conditions only include condition 1 (i.e., the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit). If the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the source backhaul access node determines that the neighbor cell is qualified, and further determines that the neighbor cell is a high-priority neighbor cell. If the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the source backhaul access node determines that the neighbor cell is unqualified, and further determines that the neighbor cell is not a high-priority neighbor cell.

[0271] In another example, the conditions only include condition 2 (i.e., the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the neighbor cell supports resource coordination). If the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates that the neighbor cell supports resource coordination, the source backhaul access node determines that the neighbor cell is qualified, and further determines that the neighbor cell is a high-priority neighbor cell. If the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates that the neighbor cell does not support resource coordination, the source backhaul access node determines that the neighbor cell is unqualified, and further determines that the neighbor cell is not a high-priority neighbor cell.

[0272] In another example, the conditions include condition 1 and condition 2, wherein condition 1 is that the frequency of the neighboring cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, condition 2 is that the frequency of the neighboring cell is same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the neighboring cell supports resource coordination. That is, when the neighboring cell satisfies any one of the aforementioned condition 1 and condition 2, the neighboring cell is a cell meeting the conditions. For example, if the frequency of the neighboring cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the source backhaul access node determines that the neighboring cell meets the conditions, and further determines that the neighboring cell is a high-priority neighboring cell. Or, if the frequency of the neighboring cell is same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the capability information of the neighboring cell indicates that the neighboring cell supports resource coordination, the source backhaul access node determines that the neighboring cell meets the conditions, and further determines that the neighboring cell is a high-priority neighboring cell. In addition, when the neighboring cell does not satisfy condition 1 and does not satisfy condition 2, the neighboring cell is a cell not meeting the conditions. For example, if the frequency of the neighboring cell is same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the capability information of the neighboring cell indicates that the neighboring cell does not support resource coordination, the source backhaul access node determines that the neighboring cell does not meet the conditions, and further determines that the neighboring cell is not a high-priority neighboring cell.

[0273] In this embodiment, the source backhaul access node can obtain the frequency information and the capability information of the neighboring cell, and preferentially determines the neighboring cell meeting the conditions as the target cell based on the frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the neighboring cell and the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node. This is advantageous to improve the probability that the target cell determined by the source backhaul access node is a cell meeting the conditions, thereby reducing the probability of interference generated after the mobile terminal unit switches to the target cell.

[0274] As shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment provides a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 70. The relay node in the method embodiments corresponding to the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 can be based on the structure of the communication apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 7 in this embodiment. Or, the backhaul access node (source backhaul access node or target backhaul access node) in the method embodiments corresponding to the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 can also be based on the structure of the communication apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 7 in this embodiment.

[0275] The communication apparatus 70 includes at least one processor 701, at least one transceiver 702 and one or more antennas 703. The processor 701 is connected with the transceiver 702 through a connection apparatus, and the antenna 703 is connected with the transceiver 702. Wherein, the foregoing connection apparatus can include various interfaces, transmission lines or buses, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment.

[0276] When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a relay node (e.g., a layer three relay node), the transceiver 702 can be configured to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication apparatus 70 and a terminal device, and can also be configured to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication apparatus 70 and a backhaul access node. When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a backhaul access node (e.g., a backhaul access node of a layer three relay node), the transceiver 702 can be configured to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication apparatus 70 and a relay node (e.g., a WAB-MT). The transceiver 702 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 703 can receive radio frequency signals, and the receiver Rx of the transceiver 702 can be configured to receive the radio frequency signals from the antennas 703 and forward the radio frequency signals after amplification processing. When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a layer three relay node (e.g., a WAB), the transceiver 702 can also be configured to convert the received radio frequency signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals to the processor 701, so that the processor 701 can further process the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, such as demodulation processing and decoding processing. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 702 can also be configured to receive modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals from the processor 701, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals into radio frequency signals, and transmit the radio frequency signals through one or more antennas 703.

[0277] In addition, the aforementioned processor 701 is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication apparatus 70, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs, such as for supporting the communication apparatus 70 to perform the actions described in the foregoing embodiments. When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a MT of a relay node, the processor 701 can establish an RRC connection or a MAC connection with a backhaul access node according to the protocol stack of a terminal device. When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a gNB of a relay node, or the function of a backhaul access node, the processor 701 further includes a baseband processor and a central processor, wherein the baseband processor is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor is mainly configured to control the entire communication apparatus 70, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs. The processor 701 in FIG. 7 can integrate the functions of the baseband processor and the central processor, and those skilled in the art can understand that the baseband processor and the central processor can also be independent processors interconnected by a bus or the like. The communication apparatus 70 can include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and the communication apparatus 70 can include multiple central processors to enhance its processing capability. The various components of the communication apparatus 70 can be connected by various buses.

[0278] Optionally, the communication apparatus 70 further includes at least one memory 704. The memory 704 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The memory 704 can exist independently, and is connected with the processor 701. Alternatively, the memory 704 can be integrated with the processor 701, for example, integrated in one or more chips. The memory 704 can store program codes for implementing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 701. The executed computer programs of various types can also be regarded as the driver of the processor 701. It should be understood that FIG. 7 in the embodiments only shows one memory and one processor, but in actual applications, the communication apparatus 70 can have multiple processors or multiple memories, which are not limited here. In addition, the memory 704 can also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory 704 can be a storage element on the same chip as the processor (i.e., an on-chip storage element), or an independent storage element, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0279] Optionally, the communication apparatus 70 further includes at least one network interface 705. The network interface 705 is used to connect the communication apparatus 70 with other communication apparatuses through a communication link. Specifically, the network interface 705 can include a network interface between the communication apparatus 70 and a core network element, for example, an NG interface; the network interface 705 can also include a network interface between the communication apparatus 70 and other network devices (for example, other backhaul access nodes or core network elements), for example, an X2 or Xn interface.

[0280] In one design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the relay node in the corresponding embodiments of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The transceiver 702 is configured to receive a handover command from a source backhaul access node, the handover command including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell of a mobile terminal unit; the processor 701 is configured to determine that the target cell does not meet a condition in a case that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0281] The condition includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit; or the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0282] In one possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is further configured to send the operating frequency of the base station unit to the source backhaul access node.

[0283] In one possible implementation, the handover command further includes second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination. The processor 701 is configured to determine that the target cell does not meet the condition in a case that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination.

[0284] In a possible implementation, the handover command further comprises third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition. The processor 701 is configured to determine that the target cell does not meet the condition if the third indication information indicates that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0285] In a possible implementation, the processor 701 is configured to determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on a frequency of the target cell and an operating frequency of the base unit.

[0286] In a possible implementation, if the condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, the processor 701 is specifically configured to determine that the target cell does not meet the condition if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit; or, if the condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit and the target cell supports resource coordination, the processor 701 is specifically configured to determine that the target cell does not meet the condition if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination; or, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the processor 701 is specifically configured to determine that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0287] In a possible implementation, the processor 701 is configured to switch the first operating frequency of the base unit to a second operating frequency, and the target cell meets the condition in relation to the second operating frequency.

[0288] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to send, to the network management device, a first message, the first message comprising fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to request the network management device to configure a third operating frequency for the base unit, the third operating frequency being different from the first operating frequency; and receive, from the network management device, a second message, the second message comprising the third operating frequency; and the processor 701 is configured to switch the first operating frequency to the third operating frequency.

[0289] Optionally, the first message further comprises the frequency of the target cell.

[0290] If the first operating frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell, the third operating frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell; or, if the first operating frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell, the third operating frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell.

[0291] In a possible implementation, the processor 701 is configured to trigger the communication apparatus 70 to switch to a target cell; and the transceiver 702 is configured to send, to a backhaul access node corresponding to the target cell, first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the base unit, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to a same relay node.

[0292] In another design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the relay node in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 4. Specifically, the transceiver 702 is configured to receive measurement configuration information from a source backhaul access node, the measurement configuration information including frequency information of at least one neighbor cell; and receive a system broadcast message of the at least one neighbor cell, the system broadcast message including capability information of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell indicating whether the neighbor cell supports resource coordination. The processor 701 is configured to send, to the source backhaul access node, measurement results of the at least one neighbor cell based on the frequency information of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell, and an operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node, the measurement results of the at least one neighbor cell including measurement results of a high-priority neighbor cell.

[0293] Optionally, the measurement results of the high-priority neighbor cell include measurement results of a neighbor cell that meets a condition.

[0294] The condition includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit; or the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0295] In another design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the relay node in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 5. Specifically, the processor 701 is configured to measure at least one neighbor cell; and determine a first cell based on a frequency corresponding to a measurement result of the neighbor cell and an operating frequency of a base unit of the relay node, the first cell being a cell to be camped on or accessed by the mobile terminal unit, the first cell being one of the at least one neighbor cell, and the first cell being a high-priority cell; and camp on or access the first cell.

[0296] Optionally, the high-priority cell includes a cell that meets a condition.

[0297] The condition includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit; or the frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0298] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to receive a system broadcast message from a camped cell, the system broadcast message including capability information of at least one neighbor cell and a frequency of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell indicating whether the neighbor cell supports resource coordination.

[0299] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the embodiment can refer to the method of the relay node in the above embodiment, which will not be described here.

[0300] In another design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the backhaul access node (e.g., the target backhaul access node) in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The transceiver 702 is configured to receive a handover request message from the source backhaul access node, the handover request message comprising first indication information indicating a target cell of a mobile terminal unit of the relay node; and send a handover request response message, the handover request response message comprising second indication information indicating whether the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0301] In a possible implementation, the handover request message further comprises an operating frequency of a base station unit of the relay node. The processor 701 is configured to determine whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base station unit; wherein the condition comprises at least one of the following: the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit; or the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0302] In a possible implementation, the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination. In the case that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the processor 701 is configured to determine that the target cell meets the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell supports resource coordination; or in the case that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the processor 701 is configured to determine that the target cell does not meet the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination.

[0303] In a possible implementation, the handover command further comprises third indication information indicating whether the target cell meets the condition. In the case that the condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, the processor 701 determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or in the case that the condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the processor 701 determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the processor 701 determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0304] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 receives a first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the base unit from the relay node, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to the same relay node.

[0305] In another design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the backhaul access node (e.g., the target backhaul access node) in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The transceiver 702 is configured to receive a handover request message from a source backhaul access node, the handover request message comprising first indication information and an operating frequency of a base unit of a relay node, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell of a mobile terminal unit of the relay node; the processor 701 is configured to determine whether the target cell meets a condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit; the transceiver 702 is configured to send a handover request response message to the source backhaul access node, the handover request response message comprising second indication information and / or third indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination, and the third indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition. The condition comprises at least one of the following: the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit; or the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0306] In a possible implementation, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the processor 701 determines that the target cell meets the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell supports resource coordination; or if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the processor 701 determines that the target cell does not meet the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination.

[0307] In a possible implementation, the condition only comprises that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the processor 701 determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or the condition only comprises that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the processor 701 determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the processor 701 determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

[0308] In another design, the communication device 70 is configured to perform the method of the backhaul access node (e.g., target backhaul access node) in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 6. The transceiver 702 is configured to receive the operating frequency of the base unit from the relay node; and receive the measurement report of the mobile terminal unit from the relay node, the measurement report including the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell; and the processor 701 is configured to determine the target cell based on the corresponding frequency of the measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell and the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0309] In a possible implementation, the target cell is a high priority cell, and the high priority cell is the eligible neighbor cell; wherein the condition includes: the frequency of the cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node; or the frequency of the cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

[0310] In a possible implementation, the source backhaul access node acquires the capability information of the at least one neighbor cell, and the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates whether the neighbor cell supports resource coordination; and the processor 701 is configured to determine the target cell based on the capability information of the at least one neighbor cell, the measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell and the operating frequency of the base unit.

[0311] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the embodiment can refer to the method of the backhaul access node in the above embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0312] As shown in FIG. 8, it is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 80 provided by the present application. The network management device in the method embodiment can be based on the structure of the communication device 80 shown in FIG. 8 in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 80 can include a processor 801, a memory 803 and a communication interface 802. Wherein, the processor 801 is coupled with the memory 803, and the processor 801 is coupled with the communication interface 802.

[0313] Wherein, the communication interface 802 is connected with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the communication interface 802 can include a network interface between the backhaul access node (e.g., the communication device 80 shown in FIG. 8), such as S1 interface.

[0314] The processor 801 can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. The processor 801 can refer to one processor or can include a plurality of processors, which is not limited herein.

[0315] In addition, the memory 803 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The memory 803 can exist independently and be connected to the processor 801. Alternatively, the memory 803 can be integrated with the processor 801, for example, integrated in one or more chips. The memory 803 can store program codes for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application and be controlled to execute by the processor 801. Various computer programs executed can also be regarded as a driver of the processor 801. The memory 803 can include a volatile memory such as a random-access memory (RAM), and can also include a non-volatile memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD). The memory 803 can also include a combination of the above-mentioned memories. The memory 803 can refer to one memory or can include a plurality of memories. The memory 803 is used to store various data.

[0316] In one design, the communication device 80 is configured to perform the method of the network management device in the corresponding embodiments of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6. For example, the communication interface 802 is configured to receive a first message from the base unit of the relay node, and the first message includes fourth indication information, which is used to request to configure a new operating frequency (e.g., a third operating frequency) for the base unit. The processor 801 configures a new operating frequency (i.e., a third operating frequency different from the first operating frequency currently used by the base unit) for the base unit. The communication interface 802 sends a second message carrying the third operating frequency to the base unit. Optionally, the first message further includes a frequency of the target cell. If the first operating frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell, the third operating frequency carried in the second message generated by the processor 801 is different from the frequency of the target cell. If the first operating frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell, the third operating frequency carried in the second message generated by the processor 801 is the same as the frequency of the target cell.

[0317] It is to be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the embodiments can refer to the method of the network management device described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0318] As shown in FIG. 9, the present application further provides a communication device 90. The communication device 90 can be a relay node, a backhaul access node, or a network management device, or a component (e.g., an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.) of the relay node, the backhaul access node, or the network management device. The communication device 90 can also be a communication module for implementing the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0319] The communication device 90 can include a processing module 901 (or a processing unit). Optionally, it can also include an interface module 902 (or a transceiving unit or a transceiving module) and a storage module 903 (or a storage unit). The interface module 902 is configured to implement communication with other devices. The interface module 902 can be a transceiving module or an input / output module, for example.

[0320] In one possible design, one or more modules in FIG. 9 can be implemented by one or more processors, or by one or more processors and memories; or by one or more processors and transceivers; or by one or more processors, memories, and transceivers, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The processor, the memory, and the transceiver can be separately arranged or integrated.

[0321] The communication apparatus 90 is configured to implement the functions of the backhaul access node described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the communication apparatus 90 includes modules or units or means corresponding to the steps involved in the backhaul access node described in the embodiments of the present application, which are implemented by the backhaul access node. The functions or units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. Further details can be referred to the corresponding description in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, please refer to the communication apparatus 70 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0322] Alternatively, the communication apparatus 90 is configured to implement the functions of the relay node described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the communication apparatus 90 includes modules or units or means corresponding to the steps involved in the relay node described in the embodiments of the present application, which are implemented by the relay node. The functions or units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. Further details can be referred to the corresponding description in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, please refer to the communication apparatus 70 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0323] Alternatively, the communication apparatus 90 is configured to implement the functions of the network management device described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the communication apparatus 90 includes modules or units or means corresponding to the steps involved in the network management device described in the embodiments of the present application, which are implemented by the network management device. The functions or units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. Further details can be referred to the corresponding description in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, please refer to the communication apparatus 80 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 8.

[0324] Further, the present application provides a computer program product including one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are wholly or partially generated. For example, the method related to the backhaul access node in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is implemented. For another example, the method related to the relay node in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is implemented. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (for example, coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (for example, infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be used to store by the computer or data storage device such as server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available medium sets. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (for example, floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, digital versatile disc (DVD)) or a semiconductor medium (for example, solid state disk (SSD)) and the like.

[0325] Further, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, which is executed by a processor to implement the method related to the backhaul access node in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0326] Further, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, which is executed by a processor to implement the method related to the relay node in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0327] It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to their functions and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0328] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-mentioned system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

Claims

1. A communication method performed by a relay node or a chip in a relay node, characterized by, Comprising: The mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives a handover command from a source backhaul access node, the handover command comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell of the mobile terminal unit; In a case where it is determined that the target cell does not meet the condition, the base station unit of the relay node switches an operating frequency of the base station unit; Wherein, the condition comprises at least one of: The frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit; or, The frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives the handover command from the source backhaul access node, the method further comprises: The relay node sends the operating frequency of the base station unit to the source backhaul access node.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The handover command further comprises second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination; The method further comprises: In a case where the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The handover command further comprises third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition; The method further comprises: In a case where the third indication information indicates that the target cell does not meet the condition, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The relay node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit, comprising: The condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit, if the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit are the same, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; Or, The condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, if the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit are different, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; Or, If the frequency of the target cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit are the same, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the relay node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The base station unit of the relay node switches the operating frequency of the base station unit, comprising: The base station unit switches a first operating frequency of the base station unit to a second operating frequency, the target cell and the second operating frequency meet the condition.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The base station unit of the relay node switches the operating frequency of the base station unit, comprising: The base station unit sends a first message to a network management device, the first message comprising fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to request the network management device to configure a third operating frequency for the base station unit, the third operating frequency being different from the first operating frequency; The base station unit receives a second message from the network management device, the second message comprising the third operating frequency; The base station unit switches the first operating frequency to the third operating frequency.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first message further comprises a frequency of the target cell; If the first operating frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell, the third operating frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell; Or, If the first operating frequency is different from the frequency of the target cell, the third operating frequency is the same as the frequency of the target cell.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The mobile terminal unit switches to the target cell; The relay node sends first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the base station unit to a backhaul access node corresponding to the target cell, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit belong to the same relay node. 11.A communication method, performed by or for a chip in a target backhaul access node, comprising: Comprise: A target backhaul access node receives a handover request message from a source backhaul access node, the handover request message comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell of a mobile terminal unit of a relay node; The target backhaul access node sends a handover request response message to the source backhaul access node, the handover request response message comprising second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The handover request message further comprises an operating frequency of a base station unit of the relay node; Before the target backhaul access node sends the handover request response message to the source backhaul access node, the method further comprises: The target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets a condition based on the operating frequency of the base station unit; The condition comprises at least one of the following: The frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit; or The frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The condition comprises: the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination; The target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets a condition based on the operating frequency of the base station unit, comprising: If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell supports resource coordination; or If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The switching command further comprises third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell meets a condition; The target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit, comprising: The condition comprises that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or, The condition only comprises that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or, If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The target backhaul access node receives the first association relationship from the relay node and / or the resource configuration information of the base unit, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to the same relay node. 16.A communication method, performed by or for a chip in a target backhaul access node, comprising: Comprise: The target backhaul access node receives a switching request message from a source backhaul access node, the switching request message comprising first indication information and the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node, the first indication information being used to indicate a target cell of a mobile terminal unit of the relay node; The target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets a condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit; The target backhaul access node sends a switching request response message to the source backhaul access node, the switching request response message comprising second indication information and / or third indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell supports resource coordination, and the third indication information being used to indicate whether the target cell meets the condition; The condition comprises at least one of the following: The frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit; or The frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein The target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit, comprising: If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell meets the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell supports resource coordination; or, If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition, and the second indication information indicates that the target cell does not support resource coordination.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein, The target backhaul access node determines whether the target cell meets the condition based on the operating frequency of the base unit, comprising: The condition only includes that the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, and if the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or, The condition only includes that the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination, and if the frequency of the target cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit, or the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition; or, If the frequency of the target cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell does not support resource coordination, the target backhaul access node determines that the target cell does not meet the condition.

19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein, The method further comprises: The target backhaul access node receives the first association relationship from the relay node and / or the resource configuration information of the base unit, and the first association relationship is used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to the same relay node.

20. A communication method performed by a relay node or a chip in a relay node, the method comprising: Comprising: The mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives the measurement configuration information from the source backhaul access node, and the measurement configuration information comprises the frequency information of at least one neighbor cell; The mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives the system broadcast message of the at least one neighbor cell, and the system broadcast message comprises the capability information of the neighbor cell, and the capability information of the neighbor cell indicates whether the neighbor cell supports resource coordination; The relay node sends the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell to the source backhaul access node based on the frequency information of the neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell and the operating frequency of the base unit of the relay node, and the measurement result of at least one neighbor cell comprises the measurement result of the neighbor cell with high priority.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The measurement result of the neighbor cell with high priority comprises the measurement result of the neighbor cell meeting the condition; The condition comprises at least one of the following: The frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base unit; or, The frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein, The method further comprises: The relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the base unit to the backhaul access node corresponding to the target cell, and the first association relationship is used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base unit belong to the same relay node.

23. A communication method performed by a relay node or a chip in a relay node, the method comprising: Comprising: The mobile terminal unit of the relay node measures at least one neighbor cell; The mobile terminal unit determines a first cell based on a frequency corresponding to a measurement result of the neighbor cell and an operating frequency of a base station unit of the relay node, the first cell being a cell to be camped on or accessed by the mobile terminal unit, the first cell being one of the at least one neighbor cell, the first cell being a high priority cell; The mobile terminal unit camps on or accesses the first cell.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, The high priority cell includes a cell meeting a condition; The condition includes at least one of the following: The frequency of the neighbor cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit; or The frequency of the neighbor cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein, Before the mobile terminal unit of the relay node performs the measurement on the at least one neighbor cell, the method further includes: The mobile terminal unit of the relay node receives a system broadcast message from a camped cell, the system broadcast message including capability information of at least one neighbor cell and a frequency of the at least one neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell indicating whether the neighbor cell supports resource coordination.

26. The method of any one of claims 23-25, wherein, The method further includes: The relay node sends a first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the base station unit to a backhaul access node corresponding to the first cell, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the mobile terminal unit and the base station unit belong to the same relay node. 27.A communication method, performed by or for a chip in a source backhaul access node, comprising: It includes: A source backhaul access node receives an operating frequency of a base station unit of a relay node; The source backhaul access node receives a measurement report from a mobile terminal unit of the relay node, the measurement report including a measurement result of at least one neighbor cell; The source backhaul access node determines a target cell based on a frequency corresponding to the measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell and the operating frequency of the base station unit.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein, The target cell includes a high priority cell, the high priority cell being a neighbor cell meeting a condition; The condition includes: The frequency of the cell is different from the operating frequency of the base station unit of the relay node; or The frequency of the cell is the same as the operating frequency of the base station unit, and the target cell supports resource coordination.

29. The method of claim 27 or 28, wherein, The method further includes: The source backhaul access node obtains capability information of the at least one neighbor cell, the capability information of the neighbor cell indicating whether the neighbor cell supports resource coordination; The source backhaul access node determines a target cell based on a frequency of the at least one neighbor cell and an operating frequency of the base station unit, including: The source backhaul access node determines the target cell based on the capability information of the at least one neighbor cell, the measurement result of the at least one neighbor cell, and the operating frequency of the base station unit.

30. A communications device, characterized by It includes a processor and a memory; The memory stores a computer program; The processor invokes the computer program to enable the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 10; or, to perform the method of any one of claims 20 to 22; or, to perform the method of any one of claims 23 to 26.

31. A communications device, characterized by It includes a processor and a memory; The memory stores a computer program; The processor invokes the computer program to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 11 to 15; or, perform the method of any one of claims 16 to 19; or, perform the method of any one of claims 27 to 29.

32. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The instructions, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 29.

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