Method for selecting a terminal for reach or positioning of a lateral link, first terminal, and central network device

Description

64 METHOD FOR SELECTING A TERMINAL FOR REACH OR POSITIONING OF A LATERAL LINK, FIRST TERMINAL, AND CENTRAL NETWORK DEVICE FIELD OF TECHNIQUE

[001] The description refers to the field of wireless communication technologies and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for selecting a terminal for lateral link (SL) range or positioning, a device and a storage medium. FUNDAMENTALS

[002] To support direct communication between terminals, a side link (SL) communication mode is introduced. A terminal may not connect directly to a base station, but may communicate with the base station via a relay function from another terminal. Range refers to determining a distance between two or more terminals or a direction from one terminal to another via a PC5 interface. The PC5 interface refers to a communication interface between terminals, for example, a short-range direct communication interface between vehicles, pedestrians, and road infrastructure. SL positioning refers to estimating the position of a target terminal based on an SL. For example, the range or SL positioning of the target terminal may be performed based on information from a terminal (e.g., a user-located equipment (UE) or a located terminal).A referenced terminal can be, for example, an SL reference terminal whose position is known or can be known within the SL range or positioning.

[003] Thus, it is necessary to select a terminal precisely for SL range or positioning. SUMMARY

[004] The modalities of description provide a method and a Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 7 / 154 / 64 device for selecting a terminal for lateral link (SL) range or positioning, a device, a chip system, a storage medium, a computer program and a computer program product, which can be applied in the field of communication technologies and can achieve precise terminal selection for SL range or positioning.

[005] In a first aspect, the modalities of the description provide a method for selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning. The method is performed by a first terminal which includes: sending first request information, wherein the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, wherein the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform the SL reach or positioning of the first terminal.

[006] In a second aspect, the modalities of the description provide a method for selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning. The method is performed by a central network device that includes: receiving first request information, wherein the first request information requests that the central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to a first terminal, wherein the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[007] In a third aspect, the description modalities provide a method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning. The method is performed by a third terminal which includes: sending first Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 8 / 154 / 64 request information, wherein the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to a first terminal, wherein the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[008] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the disclosure provide a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus has the function of performing some or all of the functions of the first terminal in the method described in the first aspect. For example, the communication device may have functions in some or all of the embodiments in the description, or it may have the function of implementing any of the embodiments in the description independently. The functions may be performed by hardware or by hardware running the corresponding software. Hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[009] Optionally, in one embodiment of the description, a communication apparatus structure may include a transceiver module and a processing module. The processing module is configured to support the communication apparatus in performing the functions described in the method above. The transceiver module is configured to support communications between the communication apparatus and other apparatus. The communication apparatus may additionally include a storage module coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, which stores the computer programs and data required for the communication apparatus.

[0010] For example, the processing module can be a processor, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module can be memory.

[0011] In a fifth aspect, the modalities of description provide Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 9 / 154 / 64 other communication device. The communication device has the function of performing some or all of the functions of the central network device in the method described in the second aspect. For example, the communication device may have the functions in some or all of the embodiments in the description, or it may have the function of implementing any of the embodiments in the description independently. The functions may be performed by hardware or by hardware running the corresponding software. Hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0012] Optionally, in one embodiment of the description, a communication apparatus structure may include a transceiver module and a processing module. The processing module is configured to support the communication apparatus in performing the functions described in the method above. The transceiver module is configured to support communications between the communication apparatus and other apparatus. The communication apparatus may additionally include a storage module coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, which stores the computer programs and data necessary for the communication apparatus.

[0013] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments described provide another communication device. The communication device has the function of performing some or all of the functions of the third terminal in the method described in the third aspect. For example, the communication device may have the functions in some or all of the embodiments described, or it may have the function of implementing any of the embodiments described independently. The functions may be performed by hardware or by hardware running the corresponding software. Hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0014] Optionally, in a version of the description, a Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 10 / 154 / 64 The structure of the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module. The processing module is configured to support the communication device in performing the functions described above. The transceiver module is configured to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may additionally include a storage module coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, which stores the computer programs and data necessary for the communication device.

[0015] In a seventh aspect, the modalities of the description provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor. When the processor calls a computer program from memory, the method described in the first aspect is performed.

[0016] In an eighth aspect, the modalities of the description provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor. When the processor calls a computer program from memory, the method described in the second aspect is performed.

[0017] In a ninth aspect, the modalities of the description provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor. When the processor calls a computer program from memory, the method described in the third aspect is performed.

[0018] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the description provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program; and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in memory, so that the communication device performs the method as described in the first aspect.

[0019] In an eleventh aspect, the modalities of description provide a communication device. The communication device Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 11 / 154 / 64 includes a processor and memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program; and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in memory, so that the communication device performs the method as described in the second aspect.

[0020] In a twelfth aspect, the embodiments of the description provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program; and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in memory, so that the communication device performs the method as described in the third aspect.

[0021] In a thirteenth aspect, the embodiments of the description provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor; and the processor is configured to execute the code instructions, so that the communication device performs the method as described in the first aspect.

[0022] In a fourteenth aspect, the embodiments of the disclosure provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor; and the processor is configured to execute the code instructions, so that the communication device performs the method as described in the second aspect.

[0023] In a fifteenth aspect, the modalities of revelation provide a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 12 / 154 / 64 configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor; and the processor is configured to execute the code instructions, so that the communication device performs the method as described in the third aspect.

[0024] In a sixteenth aspect, the modalities of the description provide a communication system. The system includes the communication device described in the fourth aspect, the communication device described in the fifth aspect and the communication device described in the sixth aspect, or the system includes the communication device described in the seventh aspect, the communication device described in the eighth aspect and the communication device described in the ninth aspect, or the system includes the communication device as described in the tenth aspect, the communication device as described in the eleventh aspect and the communication device as described in the twelfth aspect, or the system includes the communication device as described in the thirteenth aspect, the communication device as described in the fourteenth aspect and the communication device as described in the fifteenth aspect.

[0025] In a seventeenth aspect, the modalities of the description provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store instructions used by the first terminal, the central network device, and the third terminal. When the instructions are executed, the first terminal, the central network device, and the third terminal perform the method described above.

[0026] In an eighteenth aspect, the modalities of the description provide a computer program product that includes a computer program. When the computer program is being run on a computer, the computer is led to perform the method described above. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 13 / 154 / 64

[0027] In a nineteenth aspect, the embodiments of the description provide a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor and at least one interface, and is configured to support the first terminal to perform functions involved in the first aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of the data or information involved in the methods above.

[0028] In one possible design, the chip system additionally includes memory. The memory is configured to save a computer program and data needed for the terminal. The chip system may consist of a single chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0029] In a twentieth aspect, the embodiments of the description provide a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor and at least one interface and is configured to support the central network device to perform functions involved in the second aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of the data or information involved in the methods above.

[0030] In one possible design, the chip system additionally includes memory. The memory is configured to save a computer program and data required for the terminal. The chip system may consist of a single chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0031] In a twenty-first aspect, the embodiments of the description provide a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor and at least one interface, and is configured to support the third terminal to perform functions involved in the third aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of the data or information involved in the methods above.

[0032] In one possible design, the chip system includes Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 14 / 154 / 64 additionally a memory. The memory is configured to save a computer program and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system may consist of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0033] In a twenty-second aspect, the modalities of the description provide a computer program. When the computer program is being executed on a computer, the computer is led to perform the method described above.

[0034] In summary, the method and apparatus for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning, the device, the storage medium, the computer program and the product of the computer program provided in the embodiments of the description can achieve the following technical effects.

[0035] Since the candidate terminal can be a terminal related to the information of the first terminal, and the first terminal can request the central network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, in order to perform SL reach or positioning of the first terminal based on the information of the second terminal, precise selection of a terminal for SL reach or positioning can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The attached drawings for the description will be briefly introduced below.

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram that illustrates a communication system architecture according to a modality of the description.

[0038] Figure 2 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for selecting a terminal for lateral link (SL) reach or placement according to an embodiment of the description.

[0039] Figure 3a is a flowchart that illustrates a method for Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 15 / 154 / 64 select a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a modality of the description.

[0040] Figure 3b is a flowchart that illustrates a method for selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning according to a description embodiment.

[0041] Figure 4 is a flowchart that illustrates another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment.

[0042] Figure 5 is a flowchart that illustrates another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment.

[0043] Figure 6 is a flowchart that illustrates another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment.

[0044] Figure 7 is a flowchart that illustrates another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment.

[0045] Figure 8 is a flowchart that illustrates yet another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment.

[0046] Figure 9 is a flowchart that illustrates yet another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment.

[0047] Figure 10 is a flowchart that illustrates yet another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment.

[0048] Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating a communication device according to one embodiment of the description.

[0049] Figure 12 is a block diagram that illustrates a Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 16 / 154 / 64 communication device according to a modality of the description.

[0050] Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating a chip according to an embodiment of the description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, the same numerals in different accompanying drawings refer to the same or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the embodiments described. Rather, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments described as described in the accompanying claims.

[0052] The terms used in the description modalities are for the purpose of describing specific modalities only and are not intended to limit the modalities of the description. As used in the description modalities and the appended claims, the singular forms “a / an” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the description clearly states otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or,” as used herein, refers to and includes all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0053] It should be understood that, although the description modalities may use the terms first, second, third, etc. to describe various pieces of information, the information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish between information of the same type. For example, without going outside the scope of the description modalities, the first piece of information can also be called the second piece of information, and similarly, the second piece of information can also be called the first. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 17 / 154 / 64 information. Depending on the context, the word “if” and “in the case”, as used here, can be interpreted as “in a case that” or “when” or “in response to a determination”.

[0054] In order to better understand the method of selecting a terminal for lateral link (SL) reach or positioning in the modes described, a communication system to which the modes described are applicable is described below.

[0055] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system architecture according to one embodiment of the description. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, a network device and two terminals, wherein the terminals are connected via an SL. The number and forms of the devices illustrated in Figure 1 are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation of the embodiments of the description, and two or more network devices and two or more terminals may be included in practical applications. As an example, the communication system illustrated in Figure 1 includes a network device 11 and two terminals 12 and 13, wherein terminal 12 and terminal 13 are connected via an SL.

[0056] In the description, terminal 12 may be a transmit end, and terminal 13 may be a pair terminal, in which case terminal 13 may be one or more, which is not limited in the description. Alternatively, terminal 13 may be a transmit end, and terminal 12 may be a pair terminal, in which case terminal 12 may be one or more, which is not limited in the description.

[0057] It should be noted that the technical solutions in the modalities of the description are applicable to various communication systems, for example, a long-term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a 5G new radio (NR) system, or other future new mobile communication systems. It should also be noted that the SL Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 18 / 154 / 64 in the modalities of the description can also be called a side link or a direct link.

[0058] It should also be noted that network device 11 in the embodiments of the description is an entity on one side of a network for transmitting or receiving signals. Network device 11 can be a core network device or an access network device. The core network device can be, for example, a location management function (LMF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, or similar. The access network device can be, for example, an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmit-receive point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system.A specific technology adopted by the network device and a specific device form adopted by the network device are not limited to the modalities of the description.

[0059] The terminal in embodiments of the description is a user-side entity for receiving or transmitting a signal, for example, a mobile phone. The terminal may be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), and the like. The terminal may be a device with a communication function, such as a vehicle, a smart vehicle, an Internet of Vehicles device, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart network, a wireless terminal in Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 19 / 154 / 64 transport security, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, or similar. A specific technology adopted by the terminal and a specific device form adopted by the terminal are not limited to embodiments of the description.

[0060] It should be understood that the communication system described in the description modalities is intended to explain the technical solutions of the description modalities more clearly and does not constitute a limitation to the technical solutions provided by the description modalities. Those skilled in the art may know that, with the evolution of a system architecture and the emergence of a new business scenario, the technical solutions provided by the description modalities are also applied to similar technical problems.

[0061] The method and apparatus for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning provided by the description are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to an embodiment of the description. The method is performed by a first terminal. The method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning in this embodiment can be applied to the first terminal. The first terminal can be, for example, a terminal to be within range or to be positioned in SL. The first terminal can be, for example, a mobile phone or a device with a communication function, such as a tablet, a smartwatch, a smart car, an Internet of Vehicles device or similar, which is not limited here.

[0062] As shown in Figure 2, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following step S201.

[0063] In S201: the first request information is sent, in which the first request information requests that a network device Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 20 / 154 / 64 central select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform the SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be, for example, a terminal that is within range or positioned in SL, which is not limited here.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second terminal refers to a terminal whose position is known or can be known and which can be used to perform SL ranging or positioning, which is not limited here.

[0066] In some modes, the SL range or positioning of the first terminal can be performed based on information from the second terminal selected and determined, which is not limited to here.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first request information refers to information to request that the central network device select the second terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[0068] In some modes, the first request information may be, for example, information related to the network selection (NW) of the second terminal. That is, the modes described support selecting an ideally located terminal with reference to the information related to the NW selection of the second terminal, which is not limited to this.

[0069] In some modes, if the SL range or positioning is performed on the first terminal, the first terminal can send the first request information to request that the central network device select and determine a second ideal terminal for the first terminal, which is not limited here. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 21 / 154 / 64

[0070] In some embodiments, SL range or positioning may be authorized for the first terminal, and an SL range or positioning strategy or parameter may be allocated to the first terminal, such that the first terminal determines one or more candidate terminals, which is not limited here.

[0071] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may refer to a candidate terminal whose position is known or can be known and which can be used to perform SL reaching or positioning, which is not limited herein.

[0072] In some embodiments, one or more candidate terminals may be determined by the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[0073] In some embodiments, taking a UE1 as the first terminal and a UE2 and a UE3 as candidate terminals as an example, UE1 can discover UE2 and UE3, which is not limited here.

[0074] In some embodiments, taking a target UE1 as the first terminal and localized terminals, including UE2 and UE3 as candidate terminals as an example, which is not limited here.

[0075] In some modes, the target UE1 decides to obtain its own position by means of network-assisted SL positioning and can discover candidate located terminals, for example UE2 and UE3, via PC5, which are not limited here.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first terminal may, based on the first request information, request that the central network device select an ideal candidate terminal for the first terminal. The ideal candidate terminal may be an optional instance of the second terminal, which is not limited here.

[0077] In some embodiments, the first terminal may also, based on the first request information, request that the central network device assign an ideal candidate terminal to the first terminal. The Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 22 / 154 / 64 ideal candidate terminal may be an optional example of the second terminal, which is not limited here.

[0078] In some embodiments, first terminal information may refer to information describing an area near the first terminal. First terminal information is, for example, an area where the first terminal is located, cell information serving the first terminal, or similar, which is not limited to here.

[0079] In some embodiments, the fact that the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal means that the candidate terminal can be determined based on the information of the first terminal. For example, the candidate terminal is a terminal in the area where the first terminal is located that can participate in the SL range or positioning, which is not limited here.

[0080] In some embodiments, if the central network device has the ability to learn about at least one candidate terminal, the central network device may, based on the first request information from the first terminal, select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal. If the central network device does not have the ability to learn about at least one candidate terminal, the central network device may, based on the first request information, assign the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[0081] Thus, since the candidate terminal can be a terminal related to the information of the first terminal, and the first terminal can request the central network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, in order to perform SL reach or positioning of the first terminal based on the information of the second terminal, the precise selection of a terminal for SL reach or positioning can be achieved. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 23 / 154 / 64

[0082] In the method for selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning described, the first request information includes at least one of the following: quality of service (QoS) required for positioning; terminal preference; a list of candidate terminals, in which the candidate terminal list is empty; a second list of candidate terminals, in which the second list of candidate terminals includes information from at least one candidate terminal; first indication information, in which the first indication information instructs the central network device to select the second terminal; or second indication information, in which the second indication information instructs the central network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal. This further enhances the flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first list of candidate terminals may be empty, which may indicate that a target terminal (an optional example of the first terminal) does not discover a candidate located terminal (an optional example of a candidate terminal) and may request that the network assign a located terminal to be used (an optional example of the second terminal), whereby some terminals may be assigned by the network as located terminals in a location, which is not limited here.

[0084] In some embodiments, the second list of candidate terminals may include information from one or more candidate terminals. The candidate terminal information may be, for example, a candidate terminal identifier or any information that can be used to represent the corresponding candidate terminal, which is not limited to herein.

[0085] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal information may include at least one of: a candidate terminal identifier; or terminal capability information, wherein the terminal capability information includes at least one capability of Petition 870250109260, of 11 / 28 / 2025, page 24 / 154 / 64 positioning supported by the candidate terminal, which is not limited here.

[0086] In some modalities, the candidate terminal identifier is used to identify the candidate terminal, which is not limited here.

[0087] In some embodiments, terminal capability information is used to represent information relating to a terminal capability possessed by the candidate terminal, which is not limited here.

[0088] In some embodiments, terminal capability information includes at least the placement capability supported by the candidate terminal. Terminal capability information may also include capabilities of any other possible forms, which is not limited here.

[0089] In some embodiments, the second list of candidate terminals may include information from one or more candidate terminals. The candidate terminal information may additionally include terminal capability information, such as a placement method supported by the corresponding candidate terminal, which is not limited to herein.

[0090] In some modes, the first list of candidate terminals and / or the second list of candidate terminals may be a new parameter or may also reuse information from existing located terminals, which is not limited to here.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first indication information instructs the central network device to select the second terminal. For example, the first indication information may indicate that the first terminal requests an indication from the UE located on a specific network, which is not limited to this.

[0092] In some modes, the QoS required for positioning may be, for example, the QoS required for location, Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 25 / 154 / 64, that is, the QoS required for positioning and / or location, which is not limited here.

[0093] In some embodiments, terminal preference may be used to describe a first terminal preference situation for located UEs, which is not limited here.

[0094] In some modalities, the terminal preference may be, for example, EU preference, which is not limited here.

[0095] In some modalities, the terminal preference may be, for example, that UE1 prefers UE2, or UE1 prefers UE3, which is not limited here.

[0096] In some modes, terminal preference may also be, for example, that the terminal prefers a terminal with an established connection, or a terminal belonging to the same cell, which is not limited to here.

[0097] In some embodiments, a preference pattern or a preference condition may be predefined, and the terminals that satisfy the preference pattern or the preference condition may be determined, which is not limited to here.

[0098] Terminal preference can also be, for example, any other possible forms of preferences, which is not limited here.

[0099] In some embodiments, if the first request information includes the first list of candidate terminals and does not include the second list of candidate terminals, it may implicitly instruct the network to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited to here.

[00100] In some modes, if the first request information does not include the first list of candidate terminals and includes the second list of candidate terminals, it may implicitly instruct the network to select the second terminal, which is not limited to here. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 26 / 154 / 64

[00101] In some modes, the first request information may also directly include the second indication information, which instructs the network, based on the second indication information, to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[00102] In some forms, the first indication information and the second indication information may be different indication information, or they may be the same indication information, which is not limited to here.

[00103] In some embodiments, if the first indication information and the second indication information are the same indication information, the central network device may be instructed, based on the same indication information, to select the second terminal and assign the second terminal to the first terminal. The strategy for determining the second terminal, such as selecting the second terminal or assigning the second terminal, may be determined based on whether the list of candidate terminals carried in the first indication information is empty, which is not limited here.

[00104] In some embodiments, the network side may activate a localized terminal role for a relevant terminal by updating the relevant terminal's service authorization to assign the localized terminal role as the second terminal, which is not limited to herein.

[00105] In the method of selecting a terminal for the SL range or positioning of the description, the first terminal can, if at least one candidate terminal is determined based on the information from the first terminal, send the first request information and request, based on the first request information, the central network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal, so that the central network device can accurately select the second terminal for the first terminal. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 27 / 154 / 64

[00106] In some embodiments, if the first terminal has the ability to discover a candidate located terminal (an optional example of a candidate terminal), the second list of candidate terminals can be configured based on the information of the candidate located terminal, and the second list of candidate terminals can be included in the first request information and sent to the central network device to instruct the central network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal, which is not limited here.

[00107] In some embodiments, if the first terminal has the ability to discover a candidate located terminal (an optional example of a candidate terminal), the candidate located terminal information can be configured in the second candidate terminal list, and the second candidate terminal list and the first indication information to instruct the central network device to select the second terminal can be included in the first request information and sent to the central network device to instruct the central network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal, which is not limited here.

[00108] In the method of selecting a terminal for the SL range or positioning of the description, the first terminal may, in the event that the candidate terminal is not determined based on the information from the first terminal, send the first request information and request, based on the first request information, the central network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, so that the central network device can accurately assign the second terminal to the first terminal.

[00109] In some modes, if the first terminal fails to discover a located candidate terminal (an optional example of a candidate terminal), the first list of candidate terminals (which is empty) Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 28 / 154 / 64 can be configured and the first list of candidate terminals (which is empty) can be included in the first request information and sent to the central network device to instruct the central network device to assign the second terminal, which is not limited here.

[00110] In some embodiments, if the first terminal fails to discover a located candidate terminal (an optional example of a candidate terminal), the first list of candidate terminals (which is empty) may be configured, and the first list of candidate terminals (which is empty) and the second indication information to instruct the central network device to assign the second terminal may be included in the first request information and sent to the central network device to instruct the central network device to assign the second terminal, which is not limited here.

[00111] Figure 3a is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning according to a description embodiment. The method is performed by a first terminal.

[00112] As shown in Figure 3a, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following step S301a.

[00113] In S301a: the first request information is sent to a central network device, in which the first request information requests that the central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[00114] This mode can be applied in a scenario where a NAS (non-accessible stratum) connection between the first terminal and a network is available, which is not limited to this case. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 29 / 154 / 64

[00115] In some modalities, the scenario may be, for example, that a NAS connection between a target terminal (UE1) and the network is available, which is not limited to here.

[00116] In some modes, the first terminal can directly send the initial request information to the central network device to request the selection or assignment of the second terminal, which is not limited to this.

[00117] In some embodiments, the central network device is, for example, an AMF network element and / or an LMF network element, which is not limited to here.

[00118] In some embodiments, the first terminal may send at least one of the QoS required for placement, terminal preference, a first list of candidate terminals, a second list of candidate terminals, first indication information or second indication information to the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element, to request that the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element determine an ideal second terminal based on at least one of the above information types, which is not limited herein.

[00119] In some embodiments, the first request information may be carried in a mobile-originated location request (MO-LR) range / positioning service request message. The MO-LR range / positioning service request message may be sent to the central network device, so that the central network device may analyze the first request information from the MO-LR range / positioning service request message, which is not limited herein.

[00120] In some modes, MO-LR stands for location request originating from mobile devices, which is not limited to here.

[00121] In this way, the first terminal can send the first Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 30 / 154 / 64 request information for the central network device, in which the first request information asks the central network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal. The candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or placement on the first terminal, which can be effectively applied in the scenario where the NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available and can improve the flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL reach or placement.

[00122] Figure 3b is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning according to a description embodiment. The method is performed by a first terminal.

[00123] As shown in Figure 3b, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following step S301b.

[00124] S301b: the first request information is sent to a third terminal, in which the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[00125] This method can be applied in a scenario where a NAS connection between the first terminal and a network is available, which is not limited to this case.

[00126] In some modalities, the scenario may be, for example, that a NAS connection between a target terminal (UE1) and the network is available, which is not limited to here. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 31 / 154 / 64

[00127] In some embodiments, the first terminal may send the first request information to the third terminal to request that the third terminal send the first request information to the central network device, which is not limited here.

[00128] In the description modalities, the first request information is sent by the third terminal; “send” can be specifically, for example, direct forwarding or reconstructed forwarding, which is not limited here.

[00129] In the method of selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning as described, the third terminal includes at least one of the following: a candidate terminal, in which a NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the central network device; or a UE for network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of forwarding the first request information.

[00130] In some embodiments, the third terminal may be any one of one or more candidate terminals, and the NAS connection between the third terminal and the central network device is available, or the third terminal is the UE for network relay, which is not limited here.

[00131] In some embodiments, the central network device is, for example, an AMF network element and / or an LMF network element, which is not limited to here.

[00132] In some embodiments, the first terminal may send the first request information to the third terminal to trigger the third terminal to send (directly forwarded or reconstructed) at least one of the QoS necessary for placement, terminal preference, a first list of candidate terminals, a second list of candidate terminals, first indication information or second indication information to the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element, request the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element to Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 32 / 154 / 64 determination of a second ideal terminal based on at least one of the types of information mentioned above, which is not limited to here.

[00133] In some embodiments, a NAS connection between a target terminal UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal) and the network is not available. The interaction between the target terminal and the network can be completed via the UE to the network relay or from one of the terminals located with a NAS connection (an optional example of the third terminal), which is not limited here.

[00134] In some embodiments, the target terminal first interacts with the network via a localized UE2 (localized terminal 2, which may be an optional example of the third terminal). Based on a network determination result, if UE2 is not selected as the localized terminal (e.g., UE2 is not selected as the second terminal), the target terminal may use a selected second optimal terminal (e.g., localized terminal 3, localized UE3) for SL reach or positioning, which is not limited here.

[00135] In some embodiments, a message transmitted between UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal) and UE2 (an optional example of the third terminal) may be, for example, a specific PC5 message to request network-assisted SL positioning, or an MO-LR message for location service (LCS), or an enhanced MO-LR message for enhanced LCS (eLCS), which is not limited to herein.

[00136] In this way, the first terminal may send the first request information to the third terminal to trigger the third terminal to send the first request information to the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element, in which the first request information requests that the central network device select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal. The candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 33 / 154 / 64 terminal, and the information from the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal, which can be effectively applied in scenarios where the NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is unavailable and can improve flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning.

[00137] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment. The method is performed by a first terminal.

[00138] As shown in Figure 4, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S401 to S402 below.

[00139] In S401: the first request information is sent, in which the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[00140] In S402: the first response information related to the first request information is received, in which the first response information indicates the information of the second terminal selected by the central network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by the central network device to the first terminal.

[00141] In some modes, the first response information may be generated in response to the first request information, which is not limited to here.

[00142] In some modes, the first response information may indicate the information of the second terminal selected by the central network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 34 / 154 / 64 central network device to the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[00143] In some embodiments, the second terminal information may be, for example, information to identify the second terminal, or may also include position information of the second terminal, range information (distance and / or direction) between the first terminal and the second terminal, or similar, which is not limited to herein.

[00144] In some embodiments, the information of the second terminal may be determined by an AMF network element and / or an LMF network element, which is not limited here.

[00145] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element may determine a second selected terminal or a second assigned terminal and send the information from the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited to herein.

[00146] In some modes, information from the second terminal is used to perform SL range or positioning on the first terminal, which is not limited to here.

[00147] In some embodiments, the first response information may be carried in an SL MO-LR range / positioning service response message. The SL MO-LR range / positioning service response message may be sent to the first terminal, so that the first terminal may analyze the first response information of the SL MO-LR range / positioning service response message, which is not limited herein.

[00148] In some modes, MO-LR stands for location request originating from mobile devices, which is not limited to here.

[00149] In this way, the first terminal can additionally receive information indicating the second terminal selected by the central network device or the second terminal assigned by the central network device to the first terminal, in order to learn the information from Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 35 / 154 / 64 second terminal for SL reach or positioning.

[00150] In the method of selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning described, the first terminal can receive the first response information sent by the central network device, which is applicable in a scenario where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available and can improve the flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning.

[00151] In some embodiments, the first terminal may receive information from the second terminal forwarded by the AMF network element. The information from the second terminal may be selected or assigned by the LMF network element, which is not limited here.

[00152] In some embodiments, the LMF network element sends the selected or assigned local UE (an optional example of the second terminal) to a UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal) via the AMF network element, which is not limited here.

[00153] In some embodiments, the first terminal may also receive the selected or assigned localized UE (an optional example of the second terminal) sent by the LMF network element, which is not limited here.

[00154] In some embodiments, the first terminal may also receive the first response information sent (forwarded directly or reconstructed) by a third terminal, which can be effectively applied in a scenario where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is not available and can improve flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL reach or placement.

[00155] In the method for selecting a terminal for SL range or placement as described, the third terminal includes at least one of the following: a candidate terminal, in which a NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the central network device; or a UE for Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 36 / 154 / 64 network retransmission, thus effectively improving the success rate of forwarding the first request information.

[00156] In some embodiments, the third terminal may be any one of one or more candidate terminals, and the NAS connection between the third terminal and the central network device is available, or the third terminal is the UE for network relay, which is not limited here.

[00157] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating another method for selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning according to a description embodiment. The method is performed by a first terminal.

[00158] As shown in Figure 5, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S501 to S502 below.

[00159] In S501: the first request information is sent, in which the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[00160] In S502: the second request information sent by the central network device is received, where the second request information indicates the information of the second terminal selected by the central network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by the central network device to the first terminal.

[00161] In some embodiments, the first terminal may directly receive the second request information sent by the central network device to clarify the information of the second terminal selected by the central network device or the information of the second terminal assigned to the first terminal, which is not limited here. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 37 / 154 / 64

[00162] In some embodiments, the central network device may select or assign the second terminal. After the central network device selects or assigns the second terminal, the central network device may inform the first terminal of the information of the second terminal that the central network device selected or assigned, which is not limited here.

[00163] In some embodiments, after clarifying that the second terminal is selected as the located terminal, the first terminal may additionally, in response to network activation, determine range information (distance and / or direction) between a UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal) and a selected located UE (the second terminal) to perform SL range or positioning, which is not limited herein.

[00164] In this way, the first terminal can additionally receive the second request information sent by the central network device and clarify the information of the second terminal selected by the central network device or the information of the second terminal assigned to the first terminal based on the second request information, thus effectively improving the flexibility of indicating the information of the second terminal, making the information suitable for customized positioning scenarios and improving the flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning.

[00165] It should be noted that, in the following embodiments, descriptions of terms and method steps that are the same as or correspond to those of the embodiments above may be referred to in the embodiments above, and the details are not repeated here.

[00166] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment. The method is performed by a central network device.

[00167] As shown in Figure 6, the method may include, however Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 38 / 154 / 64 without limitation, step S601 follows.

[00168] In S601: the first request information is received, in which the first request information requests that the central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to a first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform the SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[00169] In some modes, the first request information refers to information for requesting the selection of the second terminal or assigning the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited to here.

[00170] In some modes, the first request information may be, for example, information related to the NW selection of the second terminal. That is, the modes described support selecting an ideally located terminal with reference to information related to the NW selection of the second terminal, which is not limited to this.

[00171] In some embodiments, if the SL range or positioning is performed on the first terminal, the first terminal can send the first request information and the central network device can receive the first request information to select and determine a second ideal terminal for the first terminal based on the first request information, which is limited here.

[00172] In some embodiments, SL range or positioning may be authorized for the first terminal, and an SL range or positioning strategy or parameter may be allocated to the first terminal, such that the first terminal determines one or more candidate terminals, which is not limited herein. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 39 / 154 / 64

[00173] In some embodiments, the central network device may select an ideal candidate terminal from one or more candidate terminals determined by the first terminal as the second terminal, which is not limited here.

[00174] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may refer to a candidate terminal whose position is known or can be known and which can be used for SL range or positioning, which is not limited herein.

[00175] In some embodiments, one or more candidate terminals may be determined by the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[00176] In some embodiments, if the first terminal fails to discover a candidate terminal, the first terminal may request that the central network device assign the second terminal; then, the central network device may, based on the first terminal's initial request information, assign a second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited to here.

[00177] In some embodiments, the central network device may be, for example, an LMF network element. The LMF network element may select or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[00178] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may send a selected or assigned localized UE (an optional example of the second terminal) to a UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal) via the AMF network element, which is not limited here.

[00179] In some embodiments, the LMF network element can directly send the selected or assigned local UE (an optional example of the second terminal) to UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal), which is not limited here.

[00180] In some embodiments, the central network device may Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 40 / 154 / 64, for example, an AMF network element. The AMF network element can select or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[00181] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can directly send the selected or assigned local UE (an optional example of the second terminal) to UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal), which is not limited here.

[00182] Thus, in this mode, the central network device can receive the first request information, in which the first request information asks the central network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal, thus obtaining the precise selection of a terminal for SL reach or positioning.

[00183] In the method of selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning described, the central network device can receive the first request information sent by the first terminal, which is applicable in a scenario where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available and can improve the flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning.

[00184] In some embodiments, if the NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available and the first terminal directly sends the first request information to the central network device, the central network device may receive the first request information sent by the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[00185] In the method of selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning description, the central network device can receive the first request information sent by a third terminal, which is Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 41 / 154 / 64 applicable in a scenario where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is not available and may improve flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL reach or placement.

[00186] In some embodiments, the first terminal may send the first request information to the third terminal to trigger the third terminal to send at least one of the QoS required for placement, terminal preference, a first list of candidate terminals, a second list of candidate terminals, first indication information or second indication information to the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element, request the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element to determine an ideal second terminal based on at least one of the above-mentioned information types, which is not limited herein.

[00187] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element may receive at least one of the QoS required for placement, terminal preference, first list of candidate terminals, second list of candidate terminals, first indication information or second indication information sent by the third terminal, to determine the ideal second terminal based on at least one of the above information types, which is not limited here.

[00188] In the method of selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning as described, the third terminal includes at least one of the following: a candidate terminal, in which a NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the central network device; or a UE for network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of forwarding the first request information.

[00189] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to an embodiment of the description. The method is performed by a device of Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 42 / 154 / 64 central network.

[00190] As shown in Figure 7, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S701 to S702 below.

[00191] In S701: the first request information is received, in which the first request information requests that the central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to a first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform the SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[00192] In S702: the second terminal is selected from at least one candidate terminal based on the first request information; or the second terminal is assigned to the first terminal based on the first request information.

[00193] In some embodiments, the central network device may, based on the content indicated by the first request information, select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[00194] In some embodiments, an AMF network element and / or an LMF network element may, based on the content indicated by the first request information, select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, which is not limited to herein.

[00195] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element may additionally collaborate with a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) to select or assign the second terminal, which is not limited to herein.

[00196] In some modalities, the first request information may be, for example, information related to the selection of Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 43 / 154 / 64 NW of the second terminal. That is, the description options support selecting an ideally located terminal with reference to information related to the NW selection of the second terminal, which is not limited to this.

[00197] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and / or the LMF network element may, based on a received candidate terminal (an optional example of a candidate terminal) from a target UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal), then, based on an area of ​​interest, position information and related resources, terminal configuration information, terminal preference and / or QoS required for placement, determine an ideal located terminal (an optional example of the second terminal) for network-assisted SL placement. When performing terminal determination, the central network device may also consider other information available to the central network, for example, network connection status of relevant terminals, and select a terminal with an existing connection to reduce system overhead while meeting a service requirement, which is not limited herein.

[00198] In some embodiments, determining the ideal located terminal for network-assisted SL positioning may involve selecting an ideal candidate terminal from one or more candidate terminals as the ideal located terminal in combination with the content of the first request information mentioned above, which is not limited to herein.

[00199] In some embodiments, determining the ideal located terminal for network-assisted SL positioning may also assign an ideal candidate terminal to the first terminal as the ideal located terminal in combination with the content of the first request information mentioned above, which is not limited here.

[00200] In this way, the central network device receives the first Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 44 / 154 / 64 request information, in which the first request information requests that the central network device select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal, and selects the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal based on the first request information, or assigns the second terminal to the first terminal based on the first request information, thus additionally achieving the precise selection of a terminal for SL reach or positioning.

[00201] In the method of selecting a terminal for the SL range or positioning of the description, the central network device may send first response information related to the first request information, where the first response information indicates the information of the second terminal selected by the central network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by the central network device to the first terminal, achieving timely and effective indication of the information of the second terminal selected or assigned.

[00202] In the method of selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning description, the central network device can send the first response information related to the first request information to the first terminal, which is applicable in a scenario where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available and can improve the flexibility and accuracy in indicating the information of the second terminal.

[00203] In some modes, the AMF network element can forward information from the second terminal to the first terminal. The information from the second terminal can be selected or assigned by Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 45 / 154 / 64 LMF network element, which is not limited here.

[00204] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may send a selected or assigned localized UE (an optional example of the second terminal) to a UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal) via the AMF network element, which is not limited here.

[00205] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may send the selected or assigned local UE (an optional example of the second terminal) to the first terminal, which is not limited here.

[00206] In some embodiments, the third terminal can also send the first response information to the first terminal. The third terminal can receive the first response information determined and sent by the central network device, which can be effectively applied in a scenario where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is not available and can improve the flexibility and accuracy in indicating the information from the second terminal.

[00207] In the method of selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning as described, the third terminal includes at least one of the following: a candidate terminal, in which a NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the central network device; or a UE for network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of forwarding the first request information.

[00208] In some embodiments, the third terminal may be any one of one or more candidate terminals, and the NAS connection between the third terminal and the central network device is available, or the third terminal is the UE for network relay, which is not limited here.

[00209] In the method of selecting a terminal for the SL range or positioning description, the central network device can send a second request information to the first terminal, where the second request information indicates the information of the second terminal. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 46 / 154 / 64 selected by the central network device or the second terminal information assigned by the central network device to the first terminal, thus effectively improving the flexibility of indicating the second terminal information, making the information suitable for custom positioning scenarios and improving the flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning.

[00210] In some embodiments, the central network device may send the second request information to the first terminal. After clarifying that the second terminal is selected as the located terminal, the first terminal may also, in response to the network trigger, determine the range information (distance and / or direction) between UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal) and the selected located UE (the second terminal) to perform SL range or positioning, which is not limited here.

[00211] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a description embodiment. The method is performed by a third terminal.

[00212] As shown in Figure 8, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following step S801.

[00213] In S801: the first request information is sent, in which the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

[00214] In the method for selecting a terminal for SL reach or positioning as described, the third terminal includes at least one of the following: a candidate terminal on which a NAS connection is available. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 47 / 154 / 64 between the applicant terminal and the central network device; or a UE for network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of forwarding the first request information.

[00215] In some embodiments, the third terminal may be any one of one or more candidate terminals, and the NAS connection between the third terminal and the central network device is available, or the third terminal is the UE for network relay, which is not limited here.

[00216] In some embodiments, the third terminal may receive the first request information sent by the first terminal and forward the first request information to the central network device, which is not limited here.

[00217] In some embodiments, the third terminal may carry the first request information in an SL MO-LR range / positioning service request message and send the SL MO-LR range / positioning service request message to the central network device, so that the central network device can analyze the first request information from the SL MO-LR range / positioning service request message, which is not limited to herein.

[00218] In some modes, MO-LR stands for location request originating from mobile devices, which is not limited to here.

[00219] In some embodiments, a message transmitted between a UE1 (an optional example of the first terminal) and a UE2 (an optional example of the third terminal) may be, for example, a PC5-specific message to request network-assisted SL positioning, or an MO-LR message for LCS, or an enhanced MO-LR message for eLCS, which is not limited to here.

[00220] In some embodiments, UE1 may carry the first request information in the message above and send the message to UE2. UE2 may carry the first request information in Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 48 / 154 / 64 SL MO-LR range / positioning service request message and send the message to the central network device, which is not limited here.

[00221] In this way, the third terminal can send the first request information, in which the first request information requests that the central network device select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform the SL range or positioning on the first terminal, thus achieving the precise selection of a terminal for the SL range or positioning.

[00222] In the method of selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning described, the third terminal can receive the first request information sent by the first terminal and send the information received from the first request to the central network device, which can be effectively applied in a scenario where a NAS connection between the first terminal and a network is not available and can improve the flexibility and accuracy in selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning.

[00223] In the method of selecting a terminal for the SL range or positioning of the description, the third terminal can send first response information related to the first request information to the first terminal, where the first response information indicates the information of the second terminal selected by the central network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by the central network device to the first terminal, which can be effectively applied in a scenario where the NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is not available and can improve the flexibility and accuracy in indicating the information of the second terminal.

[00224] Figure 9 is a flowchart that illustrates yet another method. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 49 / 154 / 64 to select a terminal for SL range or positioning according to a modality of the description. The modality shown in Figure 9 illustrates an interaction diagram between a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a central network device, which is not limited here.

[00225] In this mode, a terminal with an available NAS connection is positioned via network-assisted SL positioning (an optional example of the first terminal), which is not limited to this.

[00226] In this mode, a NAS connection between a target terminal (UE1 is an optional example of the first terminal) and a network is available; and the interaction between the target terminal and the network is completed directly by the target terminal in the following process.

[00227] As shown in Figure 9, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[00228] 0. Service authorization policy / parameter provisioning.

[00229] In some modalities, this step may be, for example, provisioning of service authorization policy / parameter, which is not limited to here.

[00230] In some embodiments, this step can be implemented in collaboration with a PCF and an AMF network element, which is not limited here.

[00231] 1. EU discovery located.

[00232] In some embodiments, a localized terminal is discovered, in which the localized terminal is an optional example of a candidate terminal, which is not limited here.

[00233] In some embodiments, a target UE1 can discover a located UE2 and a located UE3. The target UE1 is an optional example of the first terminal, and the located UE2 and located UE3 are examples Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 50 / 154 / 64 optional candidate terminals, which are not limited here.

[00234] 2. Request for SL MOLR reach / positioning service (UE located candidates).

[00235] In some modes, the target UE1 sends an SL MO-LR range / positioning service request message, which may indicate a located candidate UE (an optional example of candidate terminals), which is not limited here.

[00236] 3. Determine the localized UEs to be used.

[00237] In some modes, the AMF / LMF determines the local terminal to be used (an optional example being the second terminal), which is not limited to here.

[00238] 4. SL MO-LR range / positioning service response (selected localized UE).

[00239] In some modes, the AMF / LMF sends an SL MO-LR range / positioning service response message, which may indicate a selected located terminal (an optional example of the second terminal), which is not limited here.

[00240] 5a. Procedure for positioning located UEs.

[00241] In some embodiments, a positioning procedure is based on localized terminals (localized UEs).

[00242] In some modes, the location information of the selected terminal can be obtained through an existing mechanism, which is not limited to here.

[00243] In some modes, the location information of the selected located terminal can be obtained, for example, through a mobile terminal location request procedure (MT_LR), which is not limited to here.

[00244] In some modes, this step can be performed immediately after determining the located terminal, which is not limited Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 51 / 154 / 64 here.

[00245] 6. SL reach / positioning procedure.

[00246] In some modes, an SL reach / positioning procedure may be performed, which is not limited to here.

[00247] In some embodiments, the target UE1 can perform SL reaching / positioning with localized terminals (localized UE2 and localized UE3), for example, using long-term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) or SL positioning protocol (SLPP) for measurement and result calculation, which is not limited here.

[00248] 7. Request for SL MOLR reach / positioning service (located UEs, SL assistant information).

[00249] In some embodiments, the target UE1 may initiate an MO-LR procedure to request NW-assisted SL reach / processing. The request may include SL reach / positioning assistance data obtained in step 6 and related localized terminal information (e.g., globally unique temporary UE identity (GUTI) 5G), which is not limited herein.

[00250] 5b. Procedure for positioning located UEs.

[00251] In some embodiments, a positioning procedure for localized terminals (localized UEs) may be performed after obtaining SL assistance information between UE1 and the localized terminals.

[00252] 8. Determination of target UE1 location.

[00253] In some modes, the UE1 target position information can be determined, which is not limited to here.

[00254] In some modes, the LMF determines the position of the target UE1 based on the SL range / positioning assistance data and the position information of the located terminals (located UEs) obtained in step 5a or 5b, which is not limited here. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 52 / 154 / 64

[00255] 9. SL MO-LR range / positioning service response (target UE location).

[00256] In some modes, the target UE1 position information is sent to the target UE1 via the SL MO-LR range / positioning service response message, which is not limited to here.

[00257] In step 2 or 4 above, the interaction between the target UE1 requesting the determination of localized terminals (localized UEs) and the LMF can be implemented through an MO-LR procedure with specific parameters, or it can be implemented through a specific procedure to request the determination of localized terminals (localized UEs), which is not limited here.

[00258] In some embodiments, after determining the located terminals, the network may also send a request message to trigger the target UE1 to determine the range information (distance and / or direction) between the target UE1 and the selected located terminals (located UEs). The target UE performs SL range / positioning with the located terminals (located UEs) and responds to the network with related information. After the central network determines the target UE1's position information in step 8 above based on the SL range / positioning assistance data and the position information of the located terminals (located UEs), the target UE1's position information is sent to the target UE1 as a response to the request in step 2 above, which is not limited here.

[00259] Figure 10 is a flowchart that illustrates yet another method for selecting a terminal for SL range or positioning according to an embodiment of the description. The embodiment shown in Figure 10 illustrates an interaction diagram between a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a central network device, which is not limited here. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 53 / 154 / 64

[00260] In this mode, a terminal with an unavailable NAS connection is positioned via network-assisted SL positioning (an optional example of the first terminal), which is not limited to this.

[00261] In this mode, a NAS connection between a target terminal (UE1 is an optional example of the first terminal, e.g., a target UE1) and a network is not available; the interaction between the target terminal and the network is accomplished via a UE for network relay or one of the located terminals with a NAS connection (an optional example of the third terminal). The target terminal first interacts with the network via a located UE2 (an optional example of the third terminal). Based on a network determination result, if the located UE2 is not selected as the located terminal, a located UE3 can be subsequently used for SL reach or positioning, which is not limited here.

[00262] As shown in Figure 10, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[00263] 0. Service authorization policy / parameter provisioning.

[00264] 1. EU discovery located.

[00265] 2. Request for SL MOLR reach / positioning service (EU located candidates).

[00266] In some embodiments, a target UE1 sends an SL MO-LR ranging / positioning service request message to a located UE2. The located UE2 sends an SL MO-LR ranging / positioning service request message to an AMF / LMF, which may indicate candidate located UEs (an optional example of candidate terminals). The interaction between the target UE1 and the located UE2 is conducted by a PC5 interface using a protocol that supports an SL ranging / positioning service. The interface between the located UE2 and an AMF is Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 54 / 154 / 64 conducted through an N1 interface using a NAS protocol, which is not limited to here.

[00267] 3. Determine the localized UEs to be used.

[00268] 4. SL MO-LR range / positioning service response (selected localized UE).

[00269] In some modes, the AMF / LMF sends an SL MO-LR range / positioning service reply message to the located UE2. The located UE2 sends an SL MO-LR range / positioning service reply message to the target UE1, which may indicate a selected located terminal (an optional example of the second terminal), which is not limited here.

[00270] 5a. Procedure for positioning located UEs.

[00271] 6. SL reach / positioning procedure.

[00272] 7. Request for SL MOLR reach / positioning service (located UEs, SL assistant information).

[00273] In some embodiments, the target UE1 may initiate an MO-LR procedure to request NW-assisted SL range / positioning processing. The request may include SL range / positioning assistance data obtained in step 6 and related localized terminal information (e.g., 5G GUTI), which is not limited herein.

[00274] In some embodiments, the target UE1 sends the MO-LR SL range / positioning service request message to the localized UE3. The localized UE3 sends (e.g., forwards directly or sends reconstructed) the MO-LR SL range / positioning service request message to the AMF / LMF, which may indicate SL range / positioning assistance data, which is not limited herein.

[00275] 5b. Procedure for positioning located UEs.

[00276] 8. Determination of target UE1 location. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 55 / 154 / 64

[00277] 9. SL MO-LR range / positioning service response (target UE location).

[00278] In some modes, the AMF / LMF sends an SL MO-LR range / positioning service reply message to the located UE3. The located UE3 sends the SL MO-LR range / positioning service reply message to the target UE1, which may indicate a location of the target UE1, which is not limited here.

[00279] In some embodiments, for an alternative way for the network to initiate a procedure to retrieve range information (distance and / or direction) between the target UE and the selected localized UE(s), the interaction is sent to the selected localized UE(s) (e.g., localized UE3) on behalf of the target UE, which is not limited to herein.

[00280] Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating a communication apparatus 110 according to one embodiment of the description. The apparatus 110 illustrated in Figure 11 may include a transceiver module 1101 and a processing module 1102. The transceiver module 1101 may include a transmitter module and / or a receiver module, the transmitter module is intended to perform a transmission function and the receiver module is intended to perform a reception function, and the transceiver module may perform the transmission function and / or the reception function.

[00281] The communication device 110 can be a network device (such as the central network device in the embodiments of the method above), a device within the network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the network device. The communication device 110 can also be a terminal (such as the first terminal or the third terminal in the embodiments of the method above), a device within the terminal, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal.

[00282] If the 110 device is configured on the first side Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 56 / 154 / 64 of the terminal, device 110 may include a transceiver module 1101.

[00283] The 1101 transceiver module is configured to send first request information, where the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL range or positioning on the first terminal.

[00284] In this mode, since the candidate terminal can be a terminal related to the information of the first terminal, and the first terminal can request the central network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal, in order to perform SL reach or positioning of the first terminal based on the information of the second terminal, precise selection of a terminal for SL reach or positioning can be achieved.

[00285] If device 110 is configured on the core network device side, device 110 may include a 1101 transceiver module.

[00286] The 1101 transceiver module is configured to receive first request information, where the first request information requests that the central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to a first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL range or positioning on the first terminal.

[00287] In this mode, the central network device can receive the first request information, in which the first request information asks the central network device to select the second Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 57 / 154 / 64 terminal of at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal. The candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reaching or positioning on the first terminal, thus achieving the precise selection of a terminal for SL reaching or positioning.

[00288] If device 110 is configured on the third side of the terminal, device 110 may include a transceiver module 1101.

[00289] The 1101 transceiver module is configured to send first request information, where the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL range or positioning on the first terminal.

[00290] In this mode, the third terminal can send the first request information, in which the first request information requests that the central network device select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign the second terminal to the first terminal. The candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal, thus achieving the precise selection of a terminal for SL reach or positioning.

[00291] Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating another communication device 120 according to an embodiment of the description. The communication device 120 can be a network device (such as the central network device in the embodiments of the method above), a terminal (such as the first terminal or the third terminal in the embodiments of the method above), a chip, a system-on-a-chip, or a processor that supports the Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 58 / 154 / 64 network device to implement the above method, or a chip, a system-on-a-chip, or a processor that supports the terminal to implement the above method. The communication device 120 can be configured to implement the methods described in the method embodiments, which may refer to the descriptions in the method embodiments.

[00292] The communication device 120 may include one or more processors 1201. The processor 1201 may include a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, the processor may be a baseband processor or a central processor. The baseband processor may be configured to process a communication protocol and communication data, and the central processor may be configured to control a communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a DU, etc.), to execute a computer program and process computer program data.

[00293] Optionally, the communication device 120 may additionally include one or more memories 1202 with a stored computer program 1204. The processor 1201 may store a computer program 1203. The computer program 1204 and / or the computer program 1203 is executed so that the communication device 120 performs the method as described in the embodiments of the method above.

[00294] Optionally, memory 1202 can additionally store data. Communication device 120 and memory 1202 can be independently configured or integrated.

[00295] Optionally, the communication device 120 may additionally include a transceiver 1205 and an antenna 1206. The transceiver 1205 may be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver circuit, which may be configured to achieve a transceiver function. The Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 59 / 154 / 64 transceiver 1205 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be called a receiving unit or a receiving circuit, etc., to implement a receiving function; the transmitter may be called a transmitting unit or a transmitting circuit, etc., to implement a transmitting function.

[00296] Optionally, the communication device 120 may additionally include one or more interface circuits 1207. The interface circuit 1207 is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor 1201. The code instructions are executed by the processor 1201 so that the communication device 120 performs the method as described in the embodiments of the method above.

[00297] In one implementation, the 1201 processor may include a transceiver configured to implement both reception and transmission functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, the interface, or the interface circuit configured to implement reception and transmission functions may be separate or integrated with each other. The transceiver circuit, the interface, or the interface circuit may be configured to read and write codes / data, or the transceiver circuit, the interface, or the interface circuit may be configured to transmit or deliver a signal.

[00298] Optionally, processor 1201 can store computer program 1203. Computer program 1203 is executed on processor 1201 so that communication device 120 performs the method as described in the embodiments of the method above. Computer program 1203 can be embedded in processor 1201, in which case processor 1201 can be implemented by hardware.

[00299] In one implementation, the communication device 120 may include a circuit that can implement a transmission function or Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 60 / 154 / 64 reception or communication in the modalities of the method above. The processor and transceiver described in the description can be implemented in integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can be further manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), nMetal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

[00300] The communication device described in the embodiments above may be a network device (such as the central network device in the embodiments of the method above) or a terminal (such as the first terminal or the third terminal in the embodiments of the method above), but the scope of the communication device described in the description is not limited to this, and a communication device structure cannot be limited by Figure 12. The communication device may be a standalone device or it may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be the following: (1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a system-on-a-chip or a subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which may optionally also include a storage component for storing data and a computer program; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal, a smart terminal device, a mobile phone, a wireless device, a handset, a Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 61 / 154 / 64 mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network-side device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others and so on.

[00301] If the communication device is a chip or a system-on-a-chip, a block diagram of a chip shown in Figure 13 may be referred to. Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating the chip according to one embodiment of the description. The chip shown in Figure 13 includes a processor 1301 and an interface 1302. There may be one or more processors 1301 and there may be a plurality of interfaces 1302.

[00302] If the chip is configured to implement terminal functions (such as the first terminal or the third terminal in the above method embodiments) in the embodiments described, processor 1301 is configured to implement the steps in Figure 2 to Figure 5 and the steps in Figure 8 to Figure 10.

[00303] If the chip is configured to implement network device functions (such as the central network device in the above method embodiments) in the embodiments described, processor 1301 is configured to implement the steps in Figures 6 to 7 and the steps in Figures 9 to 10.

[00304] Optionally, the chip additionally includes a 1303 memory, configured to save the computer program and necessary data.

[00305] Those skilled in the related art may understand that various illustrative logic blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the description may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of electronic hardware and computer software. Whether the function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific applications and design requirements for a Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 62 / 154 / 64 general system. Those skilled in the art may implement the functions using various methods for each specific application, but such implementation should not be understood as going beyond the scope of protection of the modalities of the description.

[00306] One embodiment of the description further provides a communication system. The system includes a communication device that functions as a network device (like the central network device in the embodiments of the method above), and a communication device that functions as a terminal (like the first terminal or the third terminal in the embodiments of the method above) in the aforementioned embodiment, or the system includes a communication device that functions as a network device (like the central network device in the embodiments of the method above) in the aforementioned embodiment of Figure 12, and a communication device functioning as a terminal (like the first terminal or the third terminal in the embodiments of the method above) in the aforementioned embodiment of Figure 12.

[00307] A readable storage medium with stored instructions is additionally provided in the description. When the instructions are executed by a computer, the steps of either of the method's embodiments are implemented.

[00308] A computer program product is additionally provided in the description. The computer program product implements functions of the embodiment of any of the above methods when executed by a processor.

[00309] In the above embodiments, the functions may be implemented wholly or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, the functions may be implemented wholly or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes a Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 63 / 154 / 64 or more computer programs. Procedures or functions according to the modalities of the description are wholly or partially generated when the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program may be transmitted from one web site, computer, server, or data center to another via wire (such as a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wirelessly (such as infrared, wireless, microwave).Computer-readable storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server that integrates one or more of the available media and a data center. Computer-readable media can be magnetic media (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, and magnetic tape), optical media (such as a digital video disc (DVD)), semiconductor media (such as a solid-state drive (SSD)), or similar.

[00310] Those skilled in the art may understand that several numbers, such as the first and second involved in the description, are distinguished only for convenience of the description and are not intended to limit the scope of the description's modalities, but neither to indicate a sequence order.

[00311] The phrase “at least one” in the description can also be described as one or more, and the phrase “a plurality of” can refer to two, three, four, or more, which is not limited in the description. In the description modalities, for a type of technical resource, the technical resources of the type of technical resource are distinguished by “first”, “second”, “third”, “A”, Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 64 / 154 / 64 “B”, “C” and “D”, and there is no order of sequence or magnitude among the technical resources described in “first”, “second”, “third”, “A”, “B”, C and D.

[00312] The corresponding relationships indicated by the tables in the description can be configured or predefined. An information value in a table is only an example and can be configured as other values, which is not limited to the description. When the corresponding relationships between information and parameters are configured, it is not always necessary to configure all the corresponding relationships indicated in the tables. For example, in the tables in the description, the corresponding relationships indicated by some rows may not be configured. For another example, appropriate transformations and adjustments, such as splitting and merging, can be made based on the tables above. The parameter names shown in the table headers can be other names understandable by the communication device, and the parameter values ​​or representations can be other values ​​or representations understandable by the communication device.When the tables above are implemented, other data structures can be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash maps.

[00313] Predefined in the description can be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-triggered.

[00314] The modalities described are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some modalities, and should not be interpreted as specific limitations to the scope of protection of the description. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a given modality may be implemented as an independent modality, and the steps Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 65 / 154 / 64 can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution obtained by removing some steps from a given modality can also be implemented as an independent modality. The order of steps in a given modality can be arbitrarily changed. Furthermore, optional implementations in a given modality can be arbitrarily combined. Additionally, modalities can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps from different modalities can be arbitrarily combined, and a given modality can be arbitrarily combined with optional implementations from other modalities.

[00315] In the description modalities, unless otherwise specified and except in the case of a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the modalities are consistent and may refer to each other. Technical resources in different modalities may be combined to form a new modality based on their inherent logical relationships.

[00316] The terms used in the description modalities are intended for the purpose of describing specific modalities only and are not intended to limit the description.

[00317] In descriptive modalities, unless otherwise indicated, elements expressed in the singular, such as “um”, “uma”, “o”, “a”, “o dito”, “a dita”, “acima”, “supracitado”, “esse”, etc., may mean “one and only one” or may mean “one or more”, “at least one”, etc. For example, when using articles such as “um”, “uma”, “o” or “a” in translation, a noun following the article may be understood as a singular or plural form.

[00318] In descriptive modalities, “a plurality of” means two or more.

[00319] In some modalities, terms such as “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 66 / 154 / 64

[00320] In some modalities, expressions such as “at least one of A and B”, “A and / or B”, “in one case A, in another case B”, “in response to case A, in response to another case B”, etc. may include the following technical solution based on real circumstances: in some modalities, A (performing A independently of B); in some modalities, B (performing B independently of A); in some modalities, selecting between A and B (A and B are performed selectively); in some modalities, A and B (both A and B are performed). The same applies when there are more ramifications, such as A, B, C, etc.

[00321] In some modalities, expressions such as “A or B” may include the following technical solutions based on real circumstances: in some modalities, A (performing A independently of B); in some modalities, B (performing B independently of A); in some modalities, selecting between A and B (A and B are performed selectively). The same applies when there are more ramifications, such as A, B, C, etc.

[00322] Prefixes such as “first,” “second,” etc., in description modalities are used only to distinguish different described objects and do not limit the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the described objects. The description of the objects refers to the claims or context in the modalities and should not be interpreted as an unnecessary limitation due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the described object is a “field,” the ordinal numbers before “field” in “first field” and “second field” do not limit a position or order among the fields, and “first” and “second” do not limit whether the modified “fields” are in the same message, and “first” and “second” do not limit a sequence of “first field” and “second field.” Another example: if the described object is a “level,” the ordinal numbers before “level” in “first level” and “second level” do not limit a priority among the levels. Another example: a quantity of the described objects is not Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 67 / 154 / 64 limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the quantity of "devices" can be one or more. Additionally, objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the described object is a "device," "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Another example: if the described object is "information," "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[00323] In some forms, “containing A”, “including A”, “to indicate A”, “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[00324] In some modalities, terms such as “in response to...”, “in response to the determination...”, “in the event of...”, “when...”, “if...”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[00325] In some modalities, terms such as “greater than”, “greater than or equal to”, “not less than”, “more than”, “more than or equal to”, “not less than”, “greater than”, “greater than or equal to”, “not less than”, “above”, etc., may be used interchangeably. Terms such as “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not greater than”, “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not greater than”, “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not greater than”, “below”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[00326] In some embodiments, terms such as “terminal”, “terminal device”, “UE”, “user terminal”, “mobile station (MS)”, “mobile terminal (MT)”, “subscriber station”, “mobile unit”, “subscriber unit”, “wireless unit”, “remote unit”, “mobile device”, “wireless device”, “wireless communication device”, “remote device”, “mobile subscriber station”, “access terminal”, “mobile terminal”, “wireless terminal”, “remote terminal”, “handset”, “agent of Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 68 / 154 / 64 Terms like “user”, “mobile client”, “client”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[00327] In some embodiments, an access network device, a central network device, or a network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the embodiments described can also be applied to a structure in which communication between an access network device, a central network device, or a network device and a terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., which can also be called device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the terminal may have all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as “uplink” and “downlink” can be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., “SL”). For example, an uplink channel or a downlink channel can be replaced by an SL channel, and an uplink or downlink can be replaced by an SL.

[00328] In some embodiments, a terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a central network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the central network device, or the network device may have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[00329] In some modalities, “determine” can be interpreted as, but not limited to, judging, deciding, awarding, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, researching, searching, retrieving, inquiring, ascertaining, receiving, transmitting, inserting, issuing, accessing, resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, “assuming”, “expecting”, “considering”, transmitting by broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, assigning, etc.

[00330] Those versed in the related technique may realize that the Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 69 / 154 / 64 units and steps of the algorithm of modalities described in the modalities of the description, may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of electronic hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on a specific application and a design constraint of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may adopt different methods for each specific application to implement the described functions, but such implementation should not be considered as going beyond the scope of the description.

[00331] Those skilled in the related art can clearly understand that a specific work process of a system, apparatus, and unit described above may refer to a corresponding process in the embodiments of the method above, which will not be repeated here.

[00332] The above are merely implementations of the description. However, the scope of protection of the description is not limited here. Modifications and substitutions that can be easily considered by those skilled in the art should be contained within the scope of protection of the description. Thus, the scope of protection of the description will be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 70 / 154

Claims

1 / 7 CLAIMS 1. Method for selecting a terminal for lateral link (SL) reach or placement, characterized in that the method is performed by a first terminal and comprises: sending (S201, S401, S501) the first request information, wherein the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform the SL reach or placement on the first terminal.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first request information comprises at least one of: quality of service (QoS) required for placement; terminal preference; a first list of candidate terminals, wherein the first list of candidate terminals is empty; a second list of candidate terminals, wherein the second list of candidate terminals comprises information from at least one candidate terminal; first indication information, wherein the first indication information instructs the central network device to select the second terminal; or second indication information, wherein the second indication information instructs the central network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal; wherein the candidate terminal information comprises at least one of the following: Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p.71 / 154 2 / 7 an identifier of the candidate terminal; or terminal capability information, wherein the terminal capability information comprises at least one placement capability supported by the candidate terminal.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission (S201, S401, S501) of the first request information comprises one of the following: in the case where at least one candidate terminal is determined based on the information of the first terminal, sending the first request information, wherein the first request information requests the main network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal; or in the case where the candidate terminal is not determined based on the information of the first terminal, sending the first request information, wherein the first request information requests the main network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission (S201, S401, S501) of the first request information comprises one of the following: sending the first request information to the main network device; or sending the first request information to a third terminal; wherein the third terminal comprises at least one of the following: a candidate terminal, wherein a non-access stratum (NAS) connection between the candidate terminal and the central network device is available; or a user equipment (UE) for network relay.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving (S402) the first response information related to the first request information, wherein the first response information indicates the information of the second terminal selected by the main network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by the main network device to the first terminal.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the receipt (S402) of the first response information related to the first request information comprises one of the following: receiving the first response information sent by the central network device; or receiving the first response information sent by a third terminal; wherein the third terminal comprises at least one of the following: a candidate terminal, wherein a non-access stratum (NAS) connection between the candidate terminal and the central network device is available; or a user equipment (UE) for network relay.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving (S502) the second request information sent by the main network device, wherein the second request information indicates the information of the second terminal selected by the main network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by the main network device to the first terminal. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 73 / 154 4 / 7 8. Method for selecting a terminal for lateral link (SL) reach or placement, characterized in that the method is performed by a central network device and comprises: receiving (S601, S701) the first request information, wherein the first request information requests that the central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to a first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform the SL reach or placement on the first terminal.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the first request information comprises at least one of: quality of service (QoS) required for placement; terminal preference; a first list of candidate terminals, wherein the first list of candidate terminals is empty; a second list of candidate terminals, wherein the second list of candidate terminals comprises information from at least one candidate terminal; first indication information, wherein the first indication information instructs the central network device to select the second terminal; or second indication information, wherein the second indication information instructs the central network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal; wherein the candidate terminal information comprises at least one of the following: a candidate terminal identifier; or Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p.74 / 154 5 / 7 terminal capability information, wherein the terminal capability information comprises at least one positioning capability supported by the candidate terminal.

10. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the receipt (S601, S701) of the first request information comprises one of the following: receiving the first request information sent by the central network device; or receiving the first request information sent by a third terminal; wherein the third terminal comprises at least one of the following: a candidate terminal, wherein a non-access stratum (NAS) connection between the candidate terminal and the central network device is available; or a user equipment (UE) for network relay.

11. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the method further comprises one of the following: selecting the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal based on the first request information; or assigning the second terminal to the first terminal based on the first request information.

12. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the method further comprises: sending the first response information related to the first request information, wherein the first response information indicates the information of the second terminal selected by the main network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by the main network device to the first terminal. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 75 / 154 6 / 7 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that sending the first response information related to the first request information comprises one of the following: sending the first response information to the first terminal; or sending the first response information to a third terminal; wherein the third terminal comprises at least one of the following: a candidate terminal, wherein a non-access stratum (NAS) connection between the candidate terminal and the central network device is available; or a user equipment (UE) for network relay.

14. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the method further comprises: sending a second request information to the first terminal, wherein the second request information indicates the information of the second terminal selected by the main network device or the information of the second terminal assigned by the main network device to the first terminal.

15. First terminal, comprising: a processor; and a memory configured to store instructions executable by a processor, characterized in that the processor is configured to: send the first request information, wherein the first request information requests that a central network device select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is related to the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal is used to perform SL reach or positioning on the first terminal.

16. Central network device, characterized in that it comprises: a processor; a memory configured to store instructions executable by a processor; wherein the processor is configured to implement the method for selecting a terminal for lateral link (SL) reach or placement as defined in claim 8. Petition 870250109260, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, p. 77 / 154

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