Communication method and device based on relay terminal, communication equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication method and device of a relay terminal, communication equipment and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: a target relay terminal can receive a U2U relay discovery request comprising a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier, and if the target relay terminal does not process the U2U relay discovery request and the sending hop count of the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop count threshold value, the target relay terminal receives the U2U relay discovery request; and if yes, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request. By adopting the method, the signaling storm caused by the fact that the relay terminal in the same broadcast domain receives the U2U relay discovery request and transmits the U2U relay discovery request can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, communication equipment and storage medium based on a relay terminal. Background Art

[0002] In Proximity-based Services (PACS), the UE to UE (U2U) relay solution refers to communication between remote UEs (remote User Equipment) via U2U relay.

[0003] In traditional technology, a remote UE usually broadcasts a U2U relay discovery request. The U2U relay that receives the discovery request broadcasts the discovery request. When the target terminal UE determines that the destination identifier in the discovery request is itself, it replies with a U2U relay discovery response, and the U2U relay sends the U2U relay discovery response to the remote UE.

[0004] However, for U2U relays in the same broadcast domain, a U2U relay discovery request broadcast by a U2U relay can be received by U2U relays in the next broadcast domain as well as by U2U relays in the same broadcast domain. Therefore, a U2U relay in the same broadcast domain receiving and transmitting the U2U relay discovery request can easily cause a signaling storm. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium based on a relay terminal, which can avoid signaling storms caused by relay terminals in the same broadcast domain receiving and transmitting U2U relay discovery requests.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method based on a relay terminal, the method comprising:

[0007] The target relay terminal receives the U2U relay discovery request; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier; if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0008] In one embodiment, the method further includes: if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, or the number of sending hops of the U2U relay discovery request reaches the preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery request.

[0009] In one of the embodiments, the method further includes: the target relay terminal determining, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery request; the method further includes: the target relay terminal determining, based on the first transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, the U2U relay discovery request also includes a first relay identification list, and the first relay identification list includes the identification of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery request passes; the method also includes: the target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request based on whether the identification of the target relay terminal is included in the first relay identification list.

[0012] In one embodiment, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request, including: the target relay terminal adds the identifier of the target relay terminal to the first relay identifier list and then broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, the method further includes: the target relay terminal determining the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a hop count parameter, and the method further includes: the target relay terminal determining the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the hop count parameter.

[0015] In one embodiment, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request, including: the target relay terminal updates the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request and then broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0016] In one of the embodiments, the method further includes: the target relay terminal receives a U2U relay discovery response; the U2U relay discovery response includes the source terminal identifier and the target terminal identifier; if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal sends the U2U relay discovery response.

[0017] In one of the embodiments, the method further includes: if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal discarding the U2U relay discovery response.

[0018] In one of the embodiments, the method further includes: the target relay terminal determining, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0019] In one of the embodiments, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery response; the method further includes: the target relay terminal determining, based on the second transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0020] In one of the embodiments, the U2U relay discovery response also includes a second relay identification list, and the second relay identification list includes the identification of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery response passes; the method also includes: the target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response based on whether the identification of the target relay terminal is included in the second relay identification list.

[0021] In one embodiment, the target relay terminal sends the U2U relay discovery response, including: the target relay terminal adds the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list and then sends the U2U relay discovery response.

[0022] In a second aspect, a communication device based on a relay terminal is provided, the device comprising:

[0023] The first receiving module is used for the target relay terminal to receive the U2U relay discovery request; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier; the broadcasting module is used for the target relay terminal to broadcast the U2U relay discovery request if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold.

[0024] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0025] The first discarding module is configured to, if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, or if the number of sending hops of the U2U relay discovery request reaches the preset hop threshold, cause the target relay terminal to discard the U2U relay discovery request.

[0026] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0027] The first determining module is configured to determine, by the target relay terminal, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to the source terminal identifier.

[0028] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery request; and the apparatus further includes:

[0029] The second determining module is configured to determine, by the target relay terminal, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to the first transaction identifier.

[0030] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first relay identifier list, where the first relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery request passes; the apparatus further includes:

[0031] The third determining module is configured to determine, by the target relay terminal, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to whether the first relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0032] In one embodiment, the broadcast module includes:

[0033] The first broadcasting unit is configured to broadcast the U2U relay discovery request after the target relay terminal adds the identifier of the target relay terminal to the first relay identifier list.

[0034] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0035] The fourth determining module is configured to enable the target relay terminal to determine the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

[0036] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a hop count parameter, and the apparatus further includes:

[0037] A fifth determining module is configured to enable the target relay terminal to determine the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the hop parameter.

[0038] In one embodiment, the broadcast module includes:

[0039] The second broadcasting unit is configured to broadcast the U2U relay discovery request after the target relay terminal updates the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request.

[0040] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0041] The second receiving module is used for the target relay terminal to receive the U2U relay discovery response; the U2U relay discovery response includes the source terminal identifier and the target terminal identifier; the sending module is used for the target relay terminal to send the U2U relay discovery response if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0042] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0043] The second discarding module is configured to, if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, cause the target relay terminal to discard the U2U relay discovery response.

[0044] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0045] A sixth determining module is configured to enable the target relay terminal to determine, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0046] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery response; and the apparatus further includes:

[0047] A seventh determining module is configured to determine, by the target relay terminal, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response according to the second transaction identifier.

[0048] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second relay identifier list, where the second relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery response passes; the apparatus further includes:

[0049] An eighth determining module is configured to determine, by the target relay terminal, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response according to whether the second relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0050] In one embodiment, the sending module includes:

[0051] The sending unit is configured to send the U2U relay discovery response after the target relay terminal adds the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list.

[0052] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a memory, a processor and a transceiver, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, it controls the transceiver to implement the steps of the packet loss method of any one of the above-mentioned first aspects.

[0053] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the packet loss method of any one of the above-mentioned first aspects.

[0054] In a fifth aspect, the present application further provides a chip, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and which, when running, implements the steps of any one of the packet loss methods of the first aspect.

[0055] In a sixth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the packet loss method of any one of the above-mentioned first aspects are implemented.

[0056] In the communication method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium of the relay terminal described above, a target relay terminal can receive a U2U relay discovery request including a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier. If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request. For relay terminals in the same broadcast domain, the U2U relay discovery request broadcast by the relay terminal can be received by relay terminals in the next broadcast domain, as well as by relay terminals in the same broadcast domain. Receiving and transmitting the U2U relay discovery request by relay terminals in the same broadcast domain can easily cause a signaling storm. In an embodiment of the present application, the U2U relay discovery request is broadcast only when the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request has not reached the preset hop threshold. That is, before the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request, a judgment is made as to whether the broadcast is required. Therefore, the signaling storm caused by the relay terminals in the same broadcast domain receiving the U2U relay discovery request and transmitting it can be avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is an application environment diagram of a communication method of a relay terminal in one embodiment;

[0058] Figure 2 1 is a flow chart of a conventional communication method in one embodiment;

[0059] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of broadcast domain division in one embodiment;

[0060] Figure 4 FIG1 is a flow chart of a communication method of a relay terminal in one embodiment;

[0061] Figure 5 FIG2 is a second flow chart of a communication method of a relay terminal in one embodiment;

[0062] Figure 6 FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method for a relay terminal in one embodiment;

[0063] Figure 7 FIG4 is a fourth flow chart of a communication method of a relay terminal in one embodiment;

[0064] Figure 8 FIG5 is a fifth flow chart of a communication method of a relay terminal in one embodiment;

[0065] Figure 9 FIG6 is a sixth flow chart of a communication method of a relay terminal in one embodiment;

[0066] Figure 10 is a structural block diagram of a communication device of a relay terminal in one embodiment;

[0067] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device in an embodiment;

[0068] Figure 12 It is a schematic structural diagram of the chip of an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application more clear, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0070] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a relay terminal communication provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, in this scenario, there is a source terminal 100 and a target relay terminal 200. If the target terminal sought by the source terminal 100 is not the target relay terminal 200, the target relay terminal can be used as the target terminal.

[0071] In traditional technologies, such as Figure 2 As shown, a remote terminal is usually used to broadcast a U2U relay discovery request. The U2U relay that receives the discovery request broadcasts the discovery request. When the target terminal determines that the destination identifier in the discovery request is itself, it replies with a U2U relay discovery response, and the U2U relay sends the U2U relay discovery response to the remote terminal.

[0072] However, if Figure 3As shown in the figure, for U2U relay terminals in the same broadcast domain, the U2U relay discovery request broadcast by the U2U relay can be received by the U2U relay in the next broadcast domain, as well as by the U2U relay in the same broadcast domain. Therefore, the U2U relay in the same broadcast domain receiving and transmitting the U2U relay discovery request can easily cause a signaling storm.

[0073] Based on the above-mentioned traditional technology, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method based on a relay terminal. By broadcasting the U2U relay discovery request only when the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request has not reached a preset hop threshold, it is possible to avoid signaling storms caused by relay terminals in the same broadcast domain receiving and transmitting the U2U relay discovery request.

[0074] It should be noted that the beneficial effects or technical problems solved by the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this one, but may also include other implicit or related problems. For details, please refer to the description of the following embodiments.

[0075] The following specific embodiments describe in detail the technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0076] In one embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, a communication method of a relay terminal is provided, and the method is applied to Figure 1 The relay terminal in the example is used to illustrate, including the following steps:

[0077] Step 401: The target relay terminal receives a U2U relay discovery request; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier.

[0078] The U2U relay discovery solicitation may include a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier. The source terminal identifier may be the identifier information corresponding to the source terminal Resource UE that initiates the U2U relay discovery request, for example, user info id of discover, which refers to the identity information of the source terminal. The target terminal identifier may be the identifier information corresponding to the target terminal Target UE with which the terminal wants to communicate, for example, user info id of discover, which refers to the identity information corresponding to the target terminal.

[0079] Optionally, the target relay terminal receives a U2U relay discovery request broadcast by the source terminal, where the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier.

[0080] Optionally, the target relay terminal receives a U2U relay discovery request broadcast by other relay terminals, where the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier.

[0081] Step 402: If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0082] The U2U relay discovery request may further include a first relay identifier list and / or a hop count parameter. The first relay identifier list may store identifiers of relay terminals along which the U2U relay discovery request is routed. The hop count parameter may record the current number of hops sent. Whether the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop count threshold may be determined based on the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list and / or the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request. Whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request may be determined based on the relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

[0083] Optionally, the target relay terminal may check whether the target terminal identifier in the U2U relay discovery request is consistent with its own terminal identifier. If not, the target relay terminal may check whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery request before. If the target relay terminal has not processed a U2U relay discovery request before, the target relay terminal may further check whether the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop threshold. If the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request does not reach the preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal may broadcast a U2U relay discovery request.

[0084] If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request, it further checks whether the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request reaches the preset hop threshold. If the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request reaches the preset hop threshold, the U2U relay discovery request may be discarded.

[0085] If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, the U2U relay discovery request may be discarded.

[0086] In addition, if the target relay terminal checks that the target terminal identifier in the U2U relay discovery request is consistent with its own terminal identifier, it may unicast or broadcast a U2U relay discovery response.

[0087] In the above-mentioned relay terminal communication method, the target relay terminal can receive a U2U relay discovery request including a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier. If the target relay terminal has not processed a U2U relay discovery request before, and the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request. For relay terminals in the same broadcast domain, the U2U relay discovery request broadcast by the relay terminal can be received by relay terminals in the next broadcast domain as well as by relay terminals in the same broadcast domain. Receiving and transmitting the U2U relay discovery request by relay terminals in the same broadcast domain can easily cause a signaling storm. In an embodiment of the present application, the U2U relay discovery request is broadcast only when the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request has not reached the preset hop threshold. That is, before the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request, a judgment is made as to whether the broadcast is required. Therefore, the signaling storm caused by the relay terminals in the same broadcast domain receiving the U2U relay discovery request and transmitting it can be avoided.

[0088] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0089] If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, or the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery request.

[0090] In this embodiment, when determining whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery request, if the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery request, the target relay terminal may discard the U2U relay discovery request. If the target relay terminal has not processed a U2U relay discovery request, but the number of hops required to send the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal may discard the U2U relay discovery request. This prevents excessive U2U relay discovery requests from being transmitted in the network, potentially exceeding the processing capacity of various network signaling resources.

[0091] When determining whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, there are three optional ways: For the first optional way, in one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0092] The target relay terminal determines, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0093] Optionally, when determining whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery request, if the source terminal identifier of the target relay terminal is found to have been processed within a preset time period, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery request. Conversely, if the source terminal identifier of the target relay terminal is found not to have been processed within the preset time period, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0094] For example, the target relay terminal may query data stored in an internal memory, which includes processed terminal identifiers. If the processed terminal identifiers include the source terminal identifier, it may be determined that the source terminal identifier of the target relay terminal has been processed within a preset time period.

[0095] For the second optional manner, in one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request also includes a first transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery request; the method also includes: the target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request based on the first transaction identifier.

[0096] The first transaction identifier is, for example, a transaction ID, that is, a transaction identification number. The first transaction identifier can identify the U2U relay discovery request.

[0097] Optionally, when determining whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery request, if the U2U relay discovery request also includes a first transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery request, then if it is found that the first transaction identifier has been processed within a preset time period, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery request. Conversely, if it is found that the first transaction identifier has not been processed within the preset time period, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0098] For the third optional method, in one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request also includes a first relay identification list, and the first relay identification list includes the identification of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery request passes; the method also includes: the target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request based on whether the identification of the target relay terminal is included in the first relay identification list.

[0099] The first relay identification list is, for example, a user info id of U2U relay list, that is, a list storing relay identification information.

[0100] Optionally, when determining whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery request, if the U2U relay discovery request also includes a first relay identifier list for storing the identifier of at least one relay terminal passed through, then when the target relay terminal discovers that its own identifier is included in the first relay identifier list, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery request. Conversely, if it discovers that its own identifier is not included in the first relay identifier list, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0101] The above three optional methods for determining whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request can improve the accuracy of determining whether the U2U relay discovery request has been processed. Furthermore, by determining whether to continue broadcasting based on the result of whether it has been processed and the number of hops sent, signaling storms can be reduced.

[0102] In one embodiment, the target relay terminal broadcasts a U2U relay discovery request, including: the target relay terminal adds an identifier of the target relay terminal to a first relay identifier list and then broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0103] The first relay identifier list may include identifiers of relay terminals that have passed through before the U2U relay discovery request. Each time before broadcasting the U2U relay discovery request, the identifier of the current relay terminal may be added to the first relay identifier list.

[0104] Optional, such as Figure 5 As shown, when it is determined that the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request does not reach the preset hop threshold, the identifier of the target relay terminal can be added to the first relay identifier list, and the target relay terminal can broadcast the U2U relay discovery request. Otherwise, the U2U relay discovery request is discarded.

[0105] By adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the first relay identifier list and then broadcasting the U2U relay discovery request, after other relay terminals receive the U2U relay discovery request, they can determine whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request based on the relay terminal identifier included in the first relay identifier list in the U2U relay discovery request.

[0106] When determining the number of sending hops of the U2U relay discovery request, there are the following two optional methods: For the first optional method, in one embodiment, the method also includes: the target relay terminal determines the number of sending hops of the U2U relay discovery request based on the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

[0107] In this embodiment, since the first relay identifier list includes the relay terminal identifier, when judging whether the number of sending hops of the U2U relay discovery request reaches the preset hop threshold, the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list of the U2U relay discovery request received by the target relay terminal can be used as the number of sending hops of the U2U relay discovery request.

[0108] For the second optional manner, in one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a hop count parameter, and the method further includes:

[0109] The target relay terminal determines the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the hop number parameter.

[0110] The hop count parameter, for example, hop, records the current hop count of the U2U relay discovery request.

[0111] It should be noted that, in the U2U relay discovery request broadcast by the source terminal and received by the target relay terminal, the hop count parameter is 0.

[0112] In this embodiment, since the U2U relay discovery request may also include a hop count parameter, when determining whether the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop count threshold, the value of the hop count parameter may be used as the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request.

[0113] The method for determining the number of hops to be sent is based on the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list and the hop count parameter. Since multiple methods for determining the number of hops to be sent are provided, the flexibility of determining whether the number of hops to be sent of the U2U relay discovery request reaches the preset hop count threshold is improved.

[0114] In one embodiment, the target relay terminal broadcasts a U2U relay discovery request, including:

[0115] After the target relay terminal updates the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request, it broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0116] The updating of the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request may be the hop count parameter plus 1.

[0117] Optionally, the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request broadcast by the source terminal is 0. After the target relay terminal receives the U2U relay discovery request, it can determine whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request and whether the number of hops sent in the U2U relay discovery request has reached a preset hop count threshold. If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent in the U2U relay discovery request has not reached the preset hop count threshold, the target relay terminal can update the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request. After the target relay terminal updates the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0118] In one embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the method further includes:

[0119] Step 601: The target relay terminal receives a U2U relay discovery response; the U2U relay discovery response includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier.

[0120] The U2U relay discovery response u2u relay discovery rsp may include a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier.

[0121] Optionally, the target relay terminal receives a U2U relay discovery response broadcast or unicast by the target terminal, where the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier.

[0122] Optionally, the target relay terminal receives a U2U relay discovery response broadcast or unicast by other relay terminals, where the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier.

[0123] Step 602: If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal sends a U2U relay discovery response.

[0124] The U2U relay discovery response may further include a second relay identifier list. The second relay identifier list may include the relay terminal identifiers through which the U2U relay discovery response passed. Whether the relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response may be determined based on the relay terminal identifiers in the second relay identifier list.

[0125] Optionally, the target relay terminal may check whether the source terminal identifier in the U2U relay discovery response is consistent with its own terminal identifier. If not, the target relay terminal may check whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response. If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal may further check whether the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery response reaches a preset hop threshold. The target relay terminal may then broadcast or unicast the U2U relay discovery response.

[0126] If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, the U2U relay discovery response may be discarded.

[0127] In addition, if the target relay terminal checks the U2U relay and finds that the source terminal identifier in the response is consistent with its own terminal identifier, it can determine that the target relay terminal is the source terminal and then select a relay terminal to initiate a PC5 (Proximity Communication) connection. The connection is then established hop by hop.

[0128] Optionally, when selecting a relay terminal to initiate PC5 connection establishment, the relay terminal that sends a U2U relay discovery response to the source terminal may be selected to initiate PC5 connection establishment.

[0129] In this embodiment, a U2U relay discovery response, including a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier, is received by the target relay terminal. If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal then sends the U2U relay discovery response. Because the U2U relay discovery response is broadcast only when the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, that is, a determination is made before the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery response whether a broadcast is necessary. This avoids signaling storms caused by relay terminals in the same broadcast domain receiving and transmitting the U2U relay discovery response.

[0130] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0131] If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery response.

[0132] In this embodiment, in the process of determining whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal can discard the U2U relay discovery response, thereby avoiding excessive U2U relay discovery responses being transmitted in the network, which exceeds the processing capacity of various network signaling resources.

[0133] Three optional methods are provided for determining whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0134] First, in one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0135] The target relay terminal determines, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0136] Optionally, when determining whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery response, if the source terminal identifier of the target relay terminal is found to have been processed within a preset time period, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, and the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery response. Conversely, if the source terminal identifier of the target relay terminal is found to have not been processed within the preset time period, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, and the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery response.

[0137] Second, in one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery response; and the method further includes:

[0138] The target relay terminal determines, according to the second transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0139] The second transaction identifier may identify the U2U relay discovery response.

[0140] Optionally, when determining whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery response, if the U2U relay discovery response also includes a second transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery response, then if it is found that the second transaction identifier has been processed within a preset time period, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, and the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery response. Conversely, if it is found that the second transaction identifier has not been processed within the preset time period, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, and the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery response.

[0141] Third, in one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second relay identifier list, where the second relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery response passes; and the method further includes:

[0142] The target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response according to whether the second relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0143] The second relay identifier list may be a list storing relay identifier information of the U2U relay discovery response.

[0144] Optionally, when determining whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery response, if the U2U relay discovery response also includes a second relay identifier list for storing the identifier of at least one relay terminal passed through, then when the target relay terminal discovers that its own identifier is included in the second relay identifier list, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, and the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery response. Conversely, if it discovers that its own identifier is not included in the second relay identifier list, it can be determined that the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, and the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery response.

[0145] The above three optional methods for determining whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response can improve the accuracy of determining whether the U2U relay discovery response has been processed. Furthermore, by determining whether to continue broadcasting / unicasting based on the result of whether it has been processed, signaling storms can be reduced.

[0146] In one embodiment, the target relay terminal sends a U2U relay discovery response, including:

[0147] After adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list, the target relay terminal sends a U2U relay discovery response.

[0148] Optionally, the second relay identifier list may include relay terminal identifiers passed before the U2U relay discovery response, and each time before sending a U2U relay discovery response, the current relay terminal identifier may be added to the second relay identifier list.

[0149] Optional, such as Figure 7 As shown, when it is determined that the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the identifier of the target relay terminal can be added to the second relay identifier list, and the target relay terminal can broadcast / unicast the U2U relay discovery response. Otherwise, the U2U relay discovery response is discarded.

[0150] By adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list and then broadcasting the U2U relay discovery response, after other relay terminals receive the U2U relay discovery response, they can determine whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response based on the relay terminal identifier included in the second relay identifier list in the U2U relay discovery response.

[0151] Optional, such as Figure 8 As shown, if the source terminal does not receive a U2U relay discovery response after a period of time after sending the U2U relay discovery request, it can re-initiate the U2U relay discovery response after a period of time. If a U2U relay discovery response is received after a period of time, a relay terminal can be selected as the next one to initiate PC5 connection establishment.

[0152] In one embodiment, Figure 9 A signaling interaction flow chart for communication of a relay terminal is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0153] Step 901: The source terminal broadcasts a U2U relay discovery request, which includes a terminal identifier, a target terminal identifier, a first transaction identifier, and a hop count parameter.

[0154] In step 902, after receiving the U2U relay discovery request, target relay terminal A determines that the target terminal identifier is not itself, that it has not processed any U2U relay discovery requests before, and that the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request does not reach the preset hop threshold. Then, target relay terminal A broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request. The U2U relay discovery request also includes the first relay identifier list. During the broadcast, the target relay terminal A updates the number of hops sent and adds its own identifier to the first relay identifier list.

[0155] In step 903, after receiving the U2U relay discovery request broadcast by target relay terminal A, target relay terminal B determines that the target terminal identifier is not itself, that target relay terminal B has not processed this U2U relay discovery request, and that the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request does not reach the preset hop threshold. Then, target relay terminal B broadcasts a U2U relay discovery request. During the broadcast, it updates the number of hops sent and adds its own identifier to the first relay identifier list.

[0156] In step 904, after receiving the U2U relay discovery request broadcast by the target relay terminal B, the target relay terminal C determines that the target terminal identifier is itself, then determines itself as the target terminal, and broadcasts or unicasts a U2U relay discovery response. The U2U relay discovery response includes the terminal identifier, the target terminal identifier, the second transaction identifier, and the hop count parameter.

[0157] In step 905, target relay terminal B receives a U2U relay discovery response broadcast or unicast by the target terminal (target relay terminal C). Upon determining that the source terminal identifier is not itself and that target relay terminal B has not processed this U2U relay discovery response, it broadcasts or unicasts a U2U relay discovery response that also includes a second relay identifier list. During the broadcast or unicast, the target relay terminal adds its own identifier to the second relay identifier list.

[0158] Step 906: The source terminal receives the U2U relay discovery response broadcast or unicast by the target relay terminal B, determines that the source terminal identifier is its own identifier, and then initiates PC5 establishment.

[0159] It should be understood that although Figure 4-Figure 9The steps in the flowchart are shown in sequence as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified in this document, there is no strict order restriction for the execution of these steps, and these steps can be executed in other orders. In addition, Figure 4-Figure 9 At least part of the steps may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily performed at the same time, but can be performed at different times. The order of execution of these steps or stages is not necessarily one by one, but can be performed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least part of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0160] In one embodiment, Figure 10 As shown, a communication device of a relay terminal is provided. The communication device 1000 of the relay terminal includes: a first receiving module 1001 and a broadcasting module 1002, wherein:

[0161] The first receiving module 1001 is used for the target relay terminal to receive the U2U relay discovery request; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier; the broadcasting module 1002 is used for the target relay terminal to broadcast the U2U relay discovery request if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold.

[0162] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0163] The first discarding module is configured to discard the U2U relay discovery request if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request or the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop threshold.

[0164] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0165] The first determining module is used for the target relay terminal to determine whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to the source terminal identifier.

[0166] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery request; and the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0167] The second determining module is configured to enable the target relay terminal to determine, based on the first transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0168] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first relay identifier list, where the first relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery request passes; and the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0169] The third determining module is configured for the target relay terminal to determine whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to whether the first relay identifier list contains the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0170] In one embodiment, the broadcast module 1002 includes:

[0171] The first broadcast unit is configured to broadcast a U2U relay discovery request after the target relay terminal adds the identifier of the target relay terminal to the first relay identifier list.

[0172] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0173] The fourth determining module is configured for the target relay terminal to determine the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

[0174] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a hop count parameter, and the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0175] The fifth determining module is used for the target relay terminal to determine the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the hop parameter.

[0176] In one embodiment, the broadcast module 1002 includes:

[0177] The second broadcasting unit is configured to broadcast the U2U relay discovery request after the target relay terminal updates the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request.

[0178] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0179] The second receiving module is used for the target relay terminal to receive the U2U relay discovery response; the U2U relay discovery response includes the source terminal identifier and the target terminal identifier; the sending module is used for the target relay terminal to send the U2U relay discovery response if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0180] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0181] The second discarding module is configured to cause the target relay terminal to discard the U2U relay discovery response if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0182] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0183] The sixth determining module is configured for the target relay terminal to determine, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0184] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery response; and the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0185] The seventh determining module is configured to enable the target relay terminal to determine, based on the second transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery response.

[0186] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second relay identifier list, where the second relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery response passes; and the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0187] An eighth determining module is configured for the target relay terminal to determine whether the target relay terminal has processed a U2U relay discovery response according to whether the second relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0188] In one embodiment, the sending module includes:

[0189] The sending unit is configured to send a U2U relay discovery response after the target relay terminal adds the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list.

[0190] Figure 11 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device in an embodiment. The communication device may include a transceiver 1101, a memory 1102, a processor 1103, and at least one communication bus 1104. The communication bus 1104 is used to implement communication connections between components. The memory 1102 may include a high-speed RAM memory, and may also include a non-volatile storage NVM, such as at least one disk memory. Various programs can be stored in the memory 1102 to perform various processing functions and implement the method steps of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the transceiver 1101 can be a radio frequency processing module or a baseband processing module in the communication device, which is provided in the target relay terminal. The transceiver 1101 can be coupled to the processor 1103, which can implement the receiving or transmitting action under the instruction or control of the processor 1103.

[0191] In this embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to receive a U2U relay discovery request; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier; if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold, the U2U relay discovery request is broadcast.

[0192] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to prohibit discarding PDUs in the second PDU Set when the current network congestion meets the first packet loss trigger condition; wherein the second PDU Set is a PDU Set marked as not allowing packet loss.

[0193] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to discard the U2U relay discovery request if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request or the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop threshold.

[0194] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to determine, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0195] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to determine, according to the first transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0196] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to determine whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to whether the first relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0197] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to add the identifier of the target relay terminal to the first relay identifier list and then broadcast a U2U relay discovery request.

[0198] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to determine the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

[0199] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to determine the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to a hop parameter.

[0200] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to update the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request and then broadcast the U2U relay discovery request.

[0201] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to receive a U2U relay discovery response; the U2U relay discovery response includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier; if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the U2U relay discovery response is sent.

[0202] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to discard the U2U relay discovery response if the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0203] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to determine, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0204] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to determine, according to the second transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0205] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to determine whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response according to whether the second relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0206] In one embodiment, the processor 1103 controls the transceiver 1101 to add the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list and then sends a U2U relay discovery response.

[0207] In one embodiment, a chip is provided. Figure 12 It is a schematic structural diagram of the chip of an embodiment of the present application. Figure 12 The chip 1200 shown includes a processor 1201, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0208] Alternatively, as Figure 12 As shown, the chip 1200 may further include a memory 1202. The processor 1201 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 1202 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application. The memory 1202 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1201 or may be integrated into the processor 1201.

[0209] Optionally, the chip 1200 may further include an input interface 1203. The processor 1201 may control the input interface 1203 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, to obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips. Optionally, the chip 1200 may further include an output interface 1204. The processor 1201 may control the output interface 1204 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, to output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0210] Optionally, the chip 1200 can be applied to the communication device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip 1200 can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the communication device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0211] It should be understood that the chip 1200 mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a system-on-chip, system-on-chip, system-on-chip, or system-on-chip. It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, the various steps of the above-mentioned method embodiments may be performed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or by software instructions. The aforementioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented and executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium well-known in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0212] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0213] The target relay terminal receives the U2U relay discovery request; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier;

[0214] If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0215] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0216] If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, or the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery request.

[0217] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0218] The target relay terminal determines, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0219] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery request; and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0220] The target relay terminal determines, according to the first transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0221] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first relay identifier list, where the first relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery request passes; and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0222] The target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to whether the first relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0223] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0224] After adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the first relay identifier list, the target relay terminal broadcasts a U2U relay discovery request.

[0225] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0226] The target relay terminal determines the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

[0227] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a hop count parameter, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0228] The target relay terminal determines the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the hop number parameter.

[0229] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0230] After the target relay terminal updates the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request, it broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0231] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0232] The target relay terminal receives the U2U relay discovery response; the U2U relay discovery response includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier;

[0233] If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal sends a U2U relay discovery response.

[0234] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0235] If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery response.

[0236] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0237] The target relay terminal determines, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0238] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery response; and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0239] The target relay terminal determines, according to the second transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0240] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second relay identifier list, where the second relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery response passes; and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0241] The target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response according to whether the second relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0242] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0243] After adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list, the target relay terminal sends a U2U relay discovery response.

[0244] The present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0245] The target relay terminal receives the U2U relay discovery request; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier;

[0246] If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0247] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0248] If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, or the number of hops sent for the U2U relay discovery request reaches a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery request.

[0249] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0250] The target relay terminal determines, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0251] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery request; and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0252] The target relay terminal determines, according to the first transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

[0253] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a first relay identifier list, where the first relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery request passes; and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0254] The target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to whether the first relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0255] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0256] After adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the first relay identifier list, the target relay terminal broadcasts a U2U relay discovery request.

[0257] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0258] The target relay terminal determines the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

[0259] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery request further includes a hop count parameter, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0260] The target relay terminal determines the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the hop number parameter.

[0261] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0262] After the target relay terminal updates the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request, it broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

[0263] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0264] The target relay terminal receives the U2U relay discovery response; the U2U relay discovery response includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier;

[0265] If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal sends a U2U relay discovery response.

[0266] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0267] If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery response.

[0268] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0269] The target relay terminal determines, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0270] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery response; and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0271] The target relay terminal determines, according to the second transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

[0272] In one embodiment, the U2U relay discovery response further includes a second relay identifier list, where the second relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery response passes; and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0273] The target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response according to whether the second relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

[0274] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0275] After adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list, the target relay terminal sends a U2U relay discovery response.

[0276] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the processes in the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the computer program can include the processes of the above-described method embodiments. Any reference to memory, storage, database, or other media used in the embodiments provided herein may include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, or optical storage. Volatile memory may include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0277] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0278] The above embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art could make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method based on a relay terminal, characterized in that: The method comprises: The target relay terminal receives the U2U relay discovery request; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier; If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request, and the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request, or the number of sending hops of the U2U relay discovery request reaches the preset hop threshold, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery request.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The target relay terminal determines, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The U2U relay discovery request further includes a first transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery request; and the method further includes: The target relay terminal determines, according to the first transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The U2U relay discovery request further includes a first relay identifier list, where the first relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery request passes; the method further includes: The target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery request according to whether the first relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request, including: After adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the first relay identifier list, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The target relay terminal determines the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the number of relay terminal identifiers in the first relay identifier list.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The U2U relay discovery request further includes a hop count parameter, and the method further includes: The target relay terminal determines the number of hops for sending the U2U relay discovery request according to the hop number parameter.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request, including: After updating the hop count parameter in the U2U relay discovery request, the target relay terminal broadcasts the U2U relay discovery request.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The target relay terminal receives a U2U relay discovery response; the U2U relay discovery response includes the source terminal identifier and the target terminal identifier; If the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal sends the U2U relay discovery response.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response, the target relay terminal discards the U2U relay discovery response.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: The target relay terminal determines, according to the source terminal identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The U2U relay discovery response further includes a second transaction identifier for identifying the U2U relay discovery response; and the method further includes: The target relay terminal determines, according to the second transaction identifier, whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The U2U relay discovery response further includes a second relay identifier list, where the second relay identifier list includes an identifier of at least one relay terminal through which the U2U relay discovery response passes; and the method further includes: The target relay terminal determines whether the target relay terminal has processed the U2U relay discovery response according to whether the second relay identifier list includes the identifier of the target relay terminal.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The target relay terminal sends the U2U relay discovery response, including: After adding the identifier of the target relay terminal to the second relay identifier list, the target relay terminal sends the U2U relay discovery response.

16. A communication device based on a relay terminal, characterized in that: The device comprises: A first receiving module is configured to receive a U2U relay discovery request at a target relay terminal; the U2U relay discovery request includes a source terminal identifier and a target terminal identifier; The broadcast module is configured to broadcast the U2U relay discovery request by the target relay terminal if the target relay terminal has not processed the U2U relay discovery request and the number of hops sent by the U2U relay discovery request does not reach a preset hop threshold.

17. A communication device comprising a transceiver, a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, wherein: When the processor executes the computer program, the processor controls the transceiver to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 are implemented.

19. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 are implemented.

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