A relay communication method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a relay communication method and device, which relates to the field of communication technology, and solves the problem that the relay UE selected by the remote UE in the existing relay communication forwards data, resulting in the inability to meet the performance of the communication system. The method includes: a network device obtains a measurement report including the signal quality of the sidelink (SL) between a first user device and at least one second user device, and a wireless network identifier of at least one second user device, and the network device selects a target relay user device of the first user device from at least one second user device according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to a relay communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] At present, in order to improve the performance of network systems, such as coverage enhancement and system capacity, a mechanism for cooperative communication between user equipment (UE) is introduced in the fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) system. For example, an operator can deploy multiple cooperative user equipment (CUE), each CUE has strong capabilities, each CUE can be equipped with more receiving antennas and transmitting antennas, and CUE can assist the target user equipment (TUE) in transferring data. For example, TUE can find and select a suitable CUE from multiple CUEs, establish a connection with the selected CUE, send data to the network device through the CUE or receive data sent by the network device, thereby improving coverage and system capacity.

[0003] Among them, in the prior art, the process of TUE discovering and selecting CUE includes: TUE sends a discovery request message to multiple CUEs, and after each CUE receives the discovery request message, it sends a response message to TUE, TUE receives and measures the response messages sent by multiple CUEs, obtains the signal quality between each CUE and TUE, and selects a CUE for data transfer from multiple CUEs according to the signal quality between each CUE and TUE, and communicates with the network device through the CUE.

[0004] As can be seen from the above, in the existing process of TUE discovering and selecting CUE, TUE selects CUE according to the signal quality between TUE and CUE, and transfers data through the selected CUE. However, since TUE can only monitor the channel conditions between it and CUE, the information relied on when selecting CUE is relatively limited, resulting in the performance of the selected CUE is not good enough, and data transfer through the CUE selected by TUE cannot meet the performance requirements of the network system. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a relay communication method and apparatus to solve the problem that in the existing relay communication, a relay UE selected by a remote UE forwards data, resulting in failure to meet the communication system performance.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a relay communication method, the method comprising: a network device obtains a measurement report including the signal quality of a sidelink (SL) between a first user device and at least one second user device, and a wireless network identifier of at least one second user device, and the network device selects a target relay user device for the first user device from at least one second user device based on the measurement report and auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device.

[0008] Based on the method described in the first aspect, the network device can select a suitable target relay user device based on the signal quality of the SL between the first user device and the second user device and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device, and inform the first user device of the selected relay user device. After the first user device receives the selection result of the network device, it triggers it to establish a SL connection with the selected relay user device, and communicates with the network device through the relay user device with which the SL connection is established. In this way, the network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network such as the communication conditions between the first user device and the second user device and other auxiliary selection information, and selects a suitable relay user device by comprehensively considering the performance of the entire network system, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission by remote user devices through relay user devices and improving the performance requirements of the network system.

[0009] In one possible implementation, in combination with the first aspect, the auxiliary selection information includes: one or more of the following information: subscription information of the second user equipment, air interface signal quality of the second user equipment, air interface signal quality of the first user equipment, load information of the second user equipment, and interference information.

[0010] Based on this possible implementation, parameter information affecting communication between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, parameter information affecting air interface communication between the second user equipment and the network device, etc. can be used as auxiliary selection information for the network device to select a suitable relay user equipment. In this way, the factors affecting relay communication can be considered more comprehensively and systematically, and the accuracy of the selected relay user equipment and the system performance can be improved.

[0011] In one possible implementation, in combination with the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the network device obtains a measurement report, including: the network device receives a measurement report from the first user device through an air interface between the network device and the first user device; or, the network device receives a measurement report from a second user device selected by the first user device from at least one second user device; or, the network device receives a signal quality of a side link between the second user device and the first user device and a wireless network identifier of the second user device from each second user device through an air interface between the network device and each second user device.

[0012] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can directly receive the measurement report sent by the first user device, or receive the measurement report sent by the first user device through the relay user device, and can also receive the signal quality between itself and the first user device and its own wireless network identifier sent by each second user device, and include the information sent by each second user device in the measurement report. In this way, the network device obtains the measurement report in a variety of possible ways, improving the flexibility and diversity of obtaining the measurement report.

[0013] In one possible implementation, in combination with the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the network device obtains a side link identifier of at least one second user device for SL communication between the first user device and the second user device.

[0014] Based on this possible implementation method, the network device can obtain the side link identifier of each second user device, so that the network device sends the obtained side link identifier of the second user device to the first user device, and the first user device establishes a SL connection with the second user device according to the side link identifier of the second user device, and uses the side link identifier of the second user device as the destination address for SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0015] In one possible implementation, in combination with the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the network device sends a wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment and / or a side link identifier of the target relay user equipment to the first user equipment.

[0016] Based on this possible implementation method, the network device can send one or more of the wireless network identifier and side link identifier of the target relay user equipment to the first user equipment, so that the first user equipment can establish a SL connection with the second user equipment according to the received information and perform SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0017] In one possible implementation, in combination with the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the network device obtains the wireless network identifier of the first user device and / or the side link identifier of the first user device; wherein the wireless network identifier of the first user device is allocated by the network device; the side link identifier of the first user device is used for SL communication between the first user device and at least one second user device.

[0018] Based on this possible implementation method, the network device can obtain the wireless network identifier and side link identifier of the first user device, so that the network device sends the obtained wireless network identifier and / or side link identifier of the first user device to the second user device, and the second user device establishes a SL connection with the first user device according to the side link identifier of the first user device, and uses the side link identifier of the first user device as the destination address for SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0019] In one possible implementation, in combination with the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the network device sends a notification message to the target relay user device to trigger the establishment of an SL connection between the target relay user device and the first user device, and the notification message includes the wireless network identifier of the first user device and / or the side link identifier of the first user device.

[0020] Based on this possible implementation method, the network device can notify the selected target relay user device of one or more of the wireless network identifier and side link identifier of the first user device, so that the target relay user device can initiate the establishment of a SL connection with the first user device based on the wireless network identifier and one or more of the side link identifier of the first user device, and perform SL communication through the established SL, which is simple and easy.

[0021] In one possible implementation, in combination with the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the network device sends group scheduling information for scheduling data for communication between the first user device and the network device to the target relay user device, the group scheduling information including a group radio network temporary identifier (group radio network temporary identifier, G-RNTI) of the group scheduling and time-frequency domain information of the group scheduling.

[0022] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can send the group scheduling information to the selected target relay user equipment, so that the relay user equipment monitors the corresponding G-RNTI on the time domain resources and frequency domain resources indicated by the time-frequency domain information, and receives the data forwarded to the first user equipment. In this way, the network device can multicast the data of the first user equipment to multiple relay user equipments, so that multiple relay user equipments transfer data for the first user equipment at the same time, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of data transmission.

[0023] In one possible implementation, in combination with the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the network device configures a trigger condition for the first user equipment to trigger the first user equipment to send a discovery request message to at least one second user equipment.

[0024] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can configure a trigger condition for the first user device to trigger the first user device to initiate a discovery process, so that the first user device can send a discovery request message to the second user device under the trigger condition, and limit the initiation time limit of the discovery process, so that the first user device initiates the discovery process only under appropriate trigger conditions, thereby avoiding the problem of high power consumption caused by the first user device initiating the discovery process at any time.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, in combination with the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the trigger condition includes that the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0026] Based on this possible implementation method, the air interface signal quality of the first user device can be set as less than or equal to the first threshold as a trigger condition for the first user device to initiate the discovery process, so that the first user device can initiate the discovery process when the air interface signal quality is poor and a relay user device is required for data transfer, thereby improving data transmission reliability.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a network device or a chip or system on chip in a network device, or a functional module in a network device for implementing the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. The communication device may implement the functions performed by the network device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the communication device includes: an acquisition unit and a selection unit.

[0028] The acquisition unit is used to acquire a measurement report including the signal quality of the SL between the first user equipment and at least one second user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the at least one second user equipment.

[0029] The selection unit is configured to select a target relay user equipment for the first user equipment from at least one second user equipment according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user equipment.

[0030] Among them, the specific implementation method of the communication device can refer to the behavioral function of the network device in the relay communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0031] Based on the device described in the second aspect, the communication device can select a suitable target relay user device based on the signal quality of the SL between the first user device and the second user device and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device, and inform the first user device of the selected relay UE. After the first user device receives the selection result of the communication device, it triggers it to establish a SL connection with the selected relay user device, and communicates with the communication device through the relay user device with which the SL connection is established. In this way, the communication device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network, such as the communication conditions between the first user device and the second user device and other auxiliary selection information, and selects a suitable relay user device by comprehensively considering the performance of the entire network system, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission by remote user devices through relay user devices and improving the performance requirements of the network system.

[0032] In one possible implementation, in combination with the second aspect, the auxiliary selection information includes: one or more of the subscription information of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment, the load information of the second user equipment, and the interference information.

[0033] Based on this possible implementation, parameter information affecting communication between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, parameter information affecting air interface communication between the second user equipment and the communication device, etc. can be used as auxiliary selection information for the communication device to select a suitable relay user equipment. In this way, the factors affecting relay communication can be considered more comprehensively and systematically, and the accuracy of the selected relay user equipment and the system performance can be improved.

[0034] In one possible implementation, in combination with the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, the acquisition of measurement is specifically used to: receive a measurement report from a first user device through an air interface between the communication device and the first user device; or, receive a measurement report from a second user device selected by the first user device from at least one second user device; or, receive the signal quality of the side link between the second user device and the first user device and the wireless network identifier of the second user device from each second user device through the air interface between the communication device and each second user device.

[0035] Based on this possible implementation, the communication device can directly receive the measurement report sent by the first user equipment, or can receive the measurement report sent by the first user equipment through the relay user equipment, and can also receive the signal quality between itself and the first user equipment and its own wireless network identifier sent by each second user equipment, and include the information sent by each second user equipment in the measurement report. In this way, the communication device obtains the measurement report in a variety of possible ways, improving the flexibility and diversity of obtaining the measurement report.

[0036] In a possible implementation manner, in combination with the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the acquisition unit is further used to obtain a side link identifier of at least one second user equipment for SL communication between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0037] Based on this possible implementation method, the communication device can obtain the side link identifier of each second user equipment, so that the communication device sends the obtained side link identifier of the second user equipment to the first user equipment, and the first user equipment establishes a SL connection with the second user equipment according to the side link identifier of the second user equipment, and uses the side link identifier of the second user equipment as the destination address for SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0038] In one possible implementation, in combination with the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: a sending unit, used to send the wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment and / or the side link identifier of the target relay user equipment to the first user equipment.

[0039] Based on this possible implementation method, the communication device can send one or more of the wireless network identifier and side link identifier of the target relay user equipment to the first user equipment, so that the first user equipment can establish a SL connection with the second user equipment according to the received information and perform SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0040] In one possible implementation, in combination with the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, the acquisition unit is also used to acquire the wireless network identifier of the first user device and / or the side link identifier of the first user device; wherein the wireless network identifier of the first user device is allocated by the communication device; the side link identifier of the first user device is used for SL communication between the first user device and at least one second user device.

[0041] Based on this possible implementation method, the communication device can obtain the wireless network identifier and side link identifier of the first user equipment, so that the communication device sends the obtained wireless network identifier and / or side link identifier of the first user equipment to the second user equipment, and the second user equipment establishes a SL connection with the first user equipment according to the side link identifier of the first user equipment, and uses the side link identifier of the first user equipment as the destination address for SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0042] In one possible implementation, in combination with the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, the method also includes: a sending unit, used to send a notification message to the target relay user equipment to trigger the establishment of an SL connection between the target relay user equipment and the first user equipment, the notification message including the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment and / or the side link identifier of the first user equipment.

[0043] Based on this possible implementation method, the communication device can notify the selected target relay user equipment of one or more of the wireless network identifier and side link identifier of the first user equipment, so that the target relay user equipment can initiate the establishment of a SL connection with the first user equipment according to one or more of the wireless network identifier and side link identifier of the first user equipment, and perform SL communication through the established SL connection, which is simple and easy.

[0044] In one possible implementation, in combination with the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, the method also includes: a sending unit, used to send group scheduling information for scheduling data for communication between the first user equipment and the communication device to the target relay user equipment, the group scheduling information including a group radio network temporary identifier (group radio network temporary identifier, G-RNTI) of the group scheduling and time-frequency domain information of the group scheduling.

[0045] Based on this possible implementation, the communication device can send the group scheduling information to the selected target relay user equipment, so that the relay user equipment monitors the corresponding G-RNTI on the time domain resources and frequency domain resources indicated by the time-frequency domain information, and receives the data forwarded to the first user equipment. In this way, the communication device can multicast the data of the first user equipment to multiple relay user equipments, so that multiple relay user equipments transfer data for the first user equipment at the same time, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of data transmission.

[0046] In one possible implementation, in combination with the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: a configuration unit, configured for configuring a trigger condition for the first user device to trigger the first user device to send a discovery request message to at least one second user device.

[0047] Based on this possible implementation, the communication device can configure a trigger condition for the first user device to trigger the first user device to initiate a discovery process, so that the first user device can send a discovery request message to the second user device under the trigger condition, and limit the initiation time limit of the discovery process, so that the first user device can initiate the discovery process only under appropriate trigger conditions, thereby avoiding the problem of high power consumption caused by the first user device initiating the discovery process at any time.

[0048] In a possible implementation manner, in combination with the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the trigger condition includes that the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0049] Based on this possible implementation method, the air interface signal quality of the first user device can be set as less than or equal to the first threshold as a trigger condition for the first user device to initiate the discovery process, so that the first user device can initiate the discovery process when the air interface signal quality is poor and a relay user device is required for data transfer, thereby improving data transmission reliability.

[0050] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a network device or a chip or system on chip in the network device. The communication device may implement the functions performed by the network device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware, such as: In one possible design, the communication device may include: a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used to obtain a measurement report including the signal quality of the SL between the first user device and at least one second user device and the wireless network identifier of at least one second user device through the transceiver, and the network device selects a target relay user device of the first user device from at least one second user device according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device. In another possible design, the communication device may also include a memory, which is used to store computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the communication device. When the communication device is running, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the relay communication method described in the above first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0051] In a fourth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which may be a readable non-volatile storage medium, and which stores computer instructions or programs. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer executes the relay communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the above aspects.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the relay communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the above aspects.

[0053] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a network device or a chip or system on chip in a network device, and the communication device includes one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store computer program codes, and the computer program codes include computer instructions, and when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the communication device executes the relay communication method of the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0054] In the seventh aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising one or more processors and one or more memories; the one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and computer program codes or computer instructions are stored in the one or more memories; when the one or more processors execute the computer program codes or computer instructions, the chip system executes the relay communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0055] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the third to seventh aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0056] In the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another relay communication method, the method comprising: a first user device sends a measurement report including the signal quality of the side link between the first user device and at least one second user device and the wireless network identifier of at least one second user device to a network device, receives the wireless network identifier of a target relay user device from the network device, and the target relay user device is a second user device selected from at least one second user device; the first user device establishes a side link SL connection with the target relay user device according to the wireless network identifier of the target relay user device, and communicates with the network device through the target relay user device.

[0057] Based on the method described in aspect 8, the first user device can send the signal quality between it and one or more second user devices to the network device, so that the network device selects a suitable target relay user device based on the signal quality of the SL between the first user device and the second user device and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device, and informs the first user device of the selected relay user device. After the first user device receives the selection result of the network device, it triggers it to establish a SL connection with the selected relay user device, and communicates with the network device through the relay user device with which the SL connection is established. The network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network, such as the communication conditions between the first user device and the second user device and other auxiliary selection information, and selects a suitable relay user device by comprehensively considering the performance of the entire network system, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission by remote user devices through relay user devices and improving the performance requirements of the network system.

[0058] In a possible implementation, in combination with the eighth aspect, the first user device sends a measurement report to the network device, including: the first user device sends the measurement report to the network device through the air interface between the first user device and the network device; or, the first user device sends the measurement report to the network device through an initial relay user device; wherein the initial relay user device establishes an SL connection with the first user device, and the initial relay user device is a second user device selected by the first user device from at least one second user device.

[0059] Based on this possible implementation, the first user equipment can directly send the measurement report to the network device through the air interface, or send the measurement report to the network device through a preliminarily selected relay user equipment. In this way, the first user equipment can send the measurement report to the network device in multiple possible ways, thereby improving the flexibility and diversity of sending the measurement report.

[0060] In one possible implementation, in combination with the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect, if the initial relay user equipment is different from the target relay user equipment, before the first user equipment establishes an SL connection with the target relay user equipment, the method also includes: the first user equipment releases the SL connection between the first user equipment and the initial relay user equipment.

[0061] Based on this possible implementation method, when the first user device sends a measurement report to the network device through the preliminarily selected relay user device, if the relay user device selected by the network device is different from the preliminarily selected relay user device, the first user device releases the established SL connection, establishes a SL connection with the relay user device selected by the network device, and adjusts the SL in time to solve the problem of the first user device selecting a relay user device when there is no network device coverage.

[0062] In one possible implementation, in combination with the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the method further includes: the first user device sends a side link identifier of at least one second user device for SL communication between the first user device and the second user device to the network device.

[0063] Based on this possible implementation method, the first user device can send the side link identifier of each second user device to the network device, so that the network device selects one or more information of the side link identifier of the second user device for transferring data and sends it to the first user device, so that the first user device can establish a SL connection with the second user device according to the received information and perform SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0064] In one possible implementation, in combination with the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the method also includes: the first user device sends the wireless network identifier of the first user device and / or the side link identifier of the first user device to the network device; wherein the wireless network identifier of the first user device is assigned by the network device; the side link identifier of the first user device is used for SL communication between the first user device and at least one second user device.

[0065] Based on this possible implementation method, the first user device can send any one or more of the wireless network identifier and the side link identifier of the first user device to the network device, so that the network device sends the acquired wireless network identifier and / or side link identifier of the first user device to the second user device selected for transferring data. The second user device establishes a SL connection with the first user device according to the side link identifier of the first user device, and uses the side link identifier of the first user device as the destination address for SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0066] In one possible implementation, in combination with the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the method also includes: when a trigger condition is met, the first user device sends a discovery request message to at least one second user device, receives a response message from at least one second user device, measures the signal quality of the side link between the first user device and the at least one second user device, and obtains a measurement report.

[0067] Based on this possible implementation, the first user device sends a discovery request message to the second user device when triggered by the trigger condition, which limits the time limit for initiating the discovery process. This allows the first user device to initiate the discovery process only under appropriate trigger conditions, thereby avoiding the problem of high power consumption caused by the first user device initiating the discovery process at any time.

[0068] In one possible implementation, in combination with the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the trigger condition includes that the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment is less than or equal to the first threshold; the trigger condition is configured by the network device to the first user equipment.

[0069] Based on this possible implementation method, the air interface signal quality of the first user device can be set as less than or equal to the first threshold as a trigger condition for the first user device to initiate the discovery process, so that the first user device can initiate the discovery process when the air interface signal quality is poor and a relay user device is required for data transfer, thereby improving data transmission reliability.

[0070] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a first user device or a chip or system on chip in the first user device, or a functional module in the first user device for implementing the method described in the eighth aspect or any possible design of the eighth aspect. The communication device may implement the functions performed by the first user device in the eighth aspect or the eighth possible design, and the functions may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the communication device may include: a sending unit, a receiving unit, and an establishing unit;

[0071] The sending unit is used to send a measurement report including the signal quality of the side link between the first user equipment and at least one second user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the at least one second user equipment to the network equipment.

[0072] The receiving unit is used to receive a wireless network identifier of a target relay user equipment from a network device, where the target relay user equipment is a second user equipment selected from at least one second user equipment.

[0073] The establishing unit is used to establish a side link SL connection with the target relay user equipment according to the wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment, and communicate with the network device through the target relay user equipment.

[0074] Based on the method described in aspect 9, the communication device can send the signal quality between it and one or more second user devices to the network device, so that the network device can select a suitable target relay user device based on the signal quality of the SL connection between the communication device and the second user device and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device, and inform the communication device of the selected relay user device. After receiving the selection result of the network device, the communication device triggers it to establish an SL connection with the selected relay user device, and communicates with the network device through the relay user device with which the SL connection is established. The network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network, such as the communication conditions between the communication device and the second user device and other auxiliary selection information, and selects a suitable relay user device by comprehensively considering the performance of the entire network system, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission by remote user devices through relay user devices and improving the performance requirements of the network system.

[0075] In one possible implementation, in combination with the ninth aspect, the sending unit is used to send a measurement report to the network device through the air interface between the communication device and the network device; or, the communication device sends a measurement report to the network device through an initial relay user device; wherein the initial relay user device establishes an SL connection with the communication device, and the initial relay user device is a second user device selected by the communication device from at least one second user device.

[0076] Based on this possible implementation, the communication device can send the measurement report to the network device directly through the air interface, or send the measurement report to the network device through a preliminarily selected relay user equipment. In this way, the communication device can send the measurement report to the network device in a variety of possible ways, thereby improving the flexibility and diversity of sending the measurement report.

[0077] In one possible implementation, in combination with the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect, if the initial relay user equipment is different from the target relay user equipment, before the communication device establishes an SL connection with the target relay user equipment, the communication device also includes: a release unit for releasing the SL connection between the communication device and the initial relay user equipment.

[0078] Based on this possible implementation method, when the communication device sends a measurement report to the network device through the preliminarily selected relay user equipment, if the relay user equipment selected by the network device is different from the preliminarily selected relay user equipment, the communication device releases the established SL connection, establishes a SL connection with the relay user equipment selected by the network device, and adjusts the SL in time to solve the selection of the relay user equipment by the communication device when there is no network device coverage.

[0079] In one possible implementation, in combination with the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect, the sending unit is used to send a side link identifier of at least one second user device for SL communication between the communication device and the second user device to the network device.

[0080] Based on this possible implementation method, the communication device can send the side link identifier of each second user equipment to the network device, so that the network device can send one or more of the side link identifiers of the second user equipment selected for transferring data to the communication device, so that the communication device can establish a SL connection with the second user equipment according to the received information and perform SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0081] In one possible implementation, in combination with the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect, the sending unit is also used to send the wireless network identifier of the communication device and / or the side link identifier of the communication device to the network device; wherein the wireless network identifier of the communication device is assigned by the network device; and the side link identifier of the communication device is used for SL communication between the communication device and at least one second user device.

[0082] Based on this possible implementation method, the communication device can send any one or more of the wireless network identifier and side link identifier of the communication device to the network device, so that the network device can send the acquired wireless network identifier and / or side link identifier of the communication device to the second user device selected for transferring data. The second user device establishes a SL connection with the communication device according to the side link identifier of the communication device, and performs SL communication using the side link identifier of the communication device as the destination address, which is simple and easy.

[0083] In one possible implementation, in combination with the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect, the sending unit is specifically used to send a discovery request message to at least one second user device when a trigger condition is met, and the receiving unit is also used to receive a response message from at least one second user device. The communication device also includes: a measuring unit, used to measure the signal quality of the side link between the communication device and at least one second user device to obtain a measurement report.

[0084] Based on this possible implementation, the communication device sends a discovery request message to the second user equipment when triggered by the trigger condition, which limits the time limit for initiating the discovery process, so that the communication device initiates the discovery process only under appropriate trigger conditions, thereby avoiding the problem of high power consumption caused by the communication device initiating the discovery process at any time.

[0085] In one possible implementation manner, in combination with the ninth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, the trigger condition includes that the air interface signal quality of the communication device is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0086] Based on this possible implementation method, the air interface signal quality of the communication device can be set as less than or equal to the first threshold as a trigger condition for the communication device to initiate the discovery process, so that the communication device can initiate the discovery process when the air interface signal quality is poor and a relay user device is required for data transfer, thereby improving data transmission reliability.

[0087] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a first user device or a chip or system on chip in the first user device. The communication device may implement the functions performed by the first user device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware, such as: In one possible design, the communication device may include: a processor and a transceiver. The processor sends a measurement report including the signal quality of the side link between the first user device and at least one second user device and the wireless network identifier of at least one second user device to the network device through the transceiver, receives the wireless network identifier of the target relay user device from the network device, establishes a side link SL connection with the target relay user device according to the wireless network identifier of the target relay user device, and communicates with the network device through the target relay user device. In another possible design, the communication device may also include a memory, which is used to store computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the communication device. When the communication device is running, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the relay communication method described in the eighth aspect or any possible design of the eighth aspect.

[0088] In the eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which may be a readable non-volatile storage medium, and which stores computer instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer can execute the relay communication method described in the eighth aspect or any possible design of the above aspects.

[0089] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the relay communication method described in the eighth aspect or any possible design of the above aspects.

[0090] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a first user device or a chip or a system on chip in the first user device, and the communication device includes one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store computer program codes, and the computer program codes include computer instructions, and when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the communication device performs the relay communication method described in the eighth aspect or any possible design of the eighth aspect.

[0091] In the fourteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising one or more processors and one or more memories; the one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories store computer program codes or computer instructions; when the one or more processors execute the computer program codes or computer instructions, the chip system executes the relay communication method described in the above-mentioned eighth aspect or any possible design of the eighth aspect.

[0092] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the ninth to fourteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0093] In a fifteenth aspect, a relay communication method is provided, the method comprising: a second user device receives a discovery request message from a first user device, measures a signal quality of a side link between the second user device and the first user device according to the discovery request message, and sends a wireless network identifier of the second user device used by the network device to uniquely identify the second user device, the signal quality of the side link between the second user device and the first user device.

[0094] Based on the method described in aspect 15, the second user device can measure the signal quality between itself and the first user device and report it to the network device, so that the network device can select a suitable target relay user device based on the signal quality of the SL between the first user device and the second user device and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device, and inform the first user device of the selected relay user device, triggering the first user device to establish an SL connection with the selected relay user device, and communicate with the network device through the relay user device with which the SL connection is established. In this way, the network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network such as the communication conditions between the first user device and the second user device and other auxiliary selection information, selects a suitable relay user device by comprehensively considering the performance of the entire network system, improves the reliability of data transmission by remote user devices through relay user devices, and improves the performance requirements of the network system.

[0095] In one possible implementation, in combination with the fifteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifteenth aspect, the method further includes: the second user device sends a side link identifier of the second user device used for SL communication between the first user device and the second user device to the network device.

[0096] Based on this possible implementation method, the second user device can send its own side link identifier to the network device, so that the network device sends the acquired side link identifier of the second user device to the first user device. The first user device establishes a SL connection with the second user device according to the side link identifier of the second user device, and uses the side link identifier of the second user device as the destination address for SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0097] In one possible implementation, in combination with the fifteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifteenth aspect, if the second user device is a target relay user device, the method also includes: the second user device receives a notification message from a network device for triggering establishment of a side link SL connection between the target relay user device and the first user device, the notification message includes the wireless network identifier of the first user device and / or the side link identifier of the first user device.

[0098] Based on this possible implementation, the second user equipment can establish a SL connection with the first user equipment when the second user equipment is used as a data transfer device, which is simple and easy.

[0099] In one possible implementation, in combination with the fifteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifteenth aspect, the method also includes: the second user device receives group scheduling information from the network device for scheduling data for communication between the first user device and the network device, the group scheduling information including the group scheduling G-RNTI and the group scheduling time and frequency domain information.

[0100] Based on this possible implementation method, the second user device can receive group scheduling information from the network device, monitor the corresponding G-RNTI on the time domain resources and frequency domain resources indicated by the time and frequency domain information, receive data forwarded by the network device to the first user device, and send the received data to the first user device, thereby improving data transmission efficiency and reliability.

[0101] In the sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a second user device or a chip or system on chip in the second user device, or a functional module in the second user device for implementing the method described in the fifteenth aspect or any possible design of the fifteenth aspect. The communication device may implement the functions performed by the second user device in the possible designs of the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, and the functions may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the communication device includes: a receiving unit, a measuring unit, and a sending unit;

[0102] A receiving unit, configured to receive a discovery request message from a first user equipment;

[0103] A measuring unit, configured to measure and obtain a signal quality of a sidelink between the second user equipment and the first user equipment according to the discovery request message;

[0104] The sending unit is used to send the signal quality of the side link between the second user equipment and the first user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment used by the network equipment to uniquely identify the second user equipment to the network equipment.

[0105] Based on the method described in aspect 15, the communication device can measure the signal quality between it and the first user equipment and report it to the network device, so that the network device can select a suitable target relay user equipment based on the signal quality of the SL between the first user equipment and the communication device and the auxiliary selection information associated with each communication device, and inform the first user equipment of the selected relay user equipment, triggering the first user equipment to establish an SL connection with the selected relay user equipment, and communicate with the network device through the relay user equipment with which the SL is established. In this way, the network device selects a suitable relay user equipment based on the communication conditions of the first user equipment and the communication device, as well as other auxiliary selection information and the communication conditions of the entire network, and selects a suitable relay user equipment by comprehensively considering the performance of the entire network system, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission by remote user equipment through the relay user equipment and improving the performance requirements of the network system.

[0106] In one possible implementation, in combination with the fifteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifteenth aspect, the sending unit is also used to send a side link identifier of a communication device used for SL communication between a first user device and a communication device to a network device.

[0107] Based on this possible implementation method, the communication device can send its own side link identifier to the network device, so that the network device sends the acquired side link identifier of the communication device to the first user device. The first user device establishes a SL connection with the communication device according to the side link identifier of the communication device, and uses the side link identifier of the communication device as the destination address for SL communication, which is simple and easy.

[0108] In one possible implementation, in combination with the fifteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifteenth aspect, if the communication device is a target relay user equipment, the receiving unit is also used to receive a notification message from a network device for triggering establishment of a side link SL connection between the target relay user equipment and the first user equipment, the notification message including the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment and / or the side link identifier of the first user equipment.

[0109] Based on this possible implementation, the communication device can establish a SL connection between itself and the first user equipment when the communication device acts as a data transfer device, which is simple and easy.

[0110] In one possible implementation, in combination with the fifteenth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifteenth aspect, the receiving unit is also used to receive group scheduling information from a network device for scheduling data for communication between a first user device and the network device, the group scheduling information including a group-scheduling G-RNTI and group-scheduling time-frequency domain information.

[0111] Based on this possible implementation method, the communication device can receive group scheduling information from the network device, monitor the corresponding G-RNTI on the time domain resources and frequency domain resources indicated by the time and frequency domain information, receive data forwarded by the network device to the first user device, and send the received data to the first user device, thereby improving data transmission efficiency and reliability.

[0112] In the seventeenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a network device or a chip or system on chip in the network device. The communication device can implement the functions performed by the network device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions can be implemented by hardware, such as: In one possible design, the communication device may include: a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used to receive a discovery request message from a first user device through a transceiver, measure the signal quality of the side link between the second user device and the first user device according to the discovery request message, and send the signal quality of the side link between the second user device and the first user device and the wireless network identifier of the second user device used by the network device to uniquely identify the second user device to the network device through the transceiver. In another possible design, the communication device may also include a memory, which is used to store computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the communication device. When the communication device is running, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the relay communication method described in the fifteenth aspect or any possible design of the fifteenth aspect.

[0113] In the eighteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which may be a readable non-volatile storage medium, and which stores computer instructions or programs. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer executes the relay communication method described in the fifteenth aspect or any possible design of the above aspects.

[0114] In the nineteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the relay communication method described in the fifteenth aspect or any possible design of the above aspects.

[0115] In a twentieth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a network device or a chip or system on chip in a network device, and the communication device includes one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store computer program codes, and the computer program codes include computer instructions, and when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the communication device executes the relay communication method of the fifteenth aspect or any possible design of the fifteenth aspect.

[0116] In the twenty-first aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising one or more processors and one or more memories; the one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories store computer program codes or computer instructions; when the one or more processors execute the computer program codes or computer instructions, the chip system executes the relay communication method described in the fifteenth aspect or any possible design of the fifteenth aspect.

[0117] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method from the seventeenth to the twenty-first aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned fifteenth aspect or any possible design of the fifteenth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0118] In aspect 22, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, comprising: a network device including a communication device as described in any aspect from aspect 2 to aspect 7, a first user device including a communication device as described in any aspect from aspect 9 to aspect 14, and a second user device including a communication device as described in any aspect from aspect 16 to aspect 21. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0119] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an existing process of discovering a relay UE;

[0120] Figure 2 It is another schematic diagram of an existing discovery relay UE;

[0121] Figure 3 A simplified schematic diagram of a system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0122] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0123] Figure 5 A flowchart of a relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0124] Figure 6A flowchart of another relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] Figure 7 A flowchart of another relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0126] Figure 8 A flowchart of another relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0127] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 90 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0128] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0129] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 110 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0130] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0131] At present, in cooperative communication between user equipment (UE), in order to communicate with network equipment, the remote UE needs to discover relay UEs, select a relay UE from among them, send a PC5 sidelink (PC5-S) message to the selected relay UE, trigger the connection establishment and direct communication between the remote UE and the selected relay UE, and communicate with the network equipment through the relay UE to improve data transmission performance. Among them, the network equipment can be a base station, and the existing methods of discovering the remote UE and discovering the relay UE are as follows: Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown:

[0132] like Figure 1 As shown, the existing method for discovering relay UEs may include: the relay UE sends a notification message to its surroundings, and after the remote UE monitors the notification message, the remote UE measures the signal quality of the monitored notification message and selects the relay UE with good signal quality as the relay UE that finally needs to be connected.

[0133] like Figure 2As shown, another existing method for discovering relay UE may include: the remote UE sends a request message to its surroundings, such as: solicitation, and after the relay UE listens to the request message, it returns a response message to the remote UE, the remote UE receives the response message, measures the signal quality of the received response message, and selects the relay UE with good signal quality as the relay UE that finally needs to be connected.

[0134] In order to enable the remote UE to select the relay UE, Figure 1 or Figure 2 Before the method shown, the network device broadcasts two thresholds to the relay UE through the air interface, such as: the network device broadcasts threshold 1 and threshold 2 to the relay UE, and the relay UE measures the air interface signal quality. Only the relay UE whose air interface signal quality is within the range of these two thresholds sends Figure 1 The notification message shown or Figure 2 Similarly, the network device broadcasts a threshold to multiple remote UEs through the air interface, such as: the network device broadcasts threshold3 to the remote UE, the remote UE measures the air interface signal quality, and only the remote UE whose measured air interface signal quality is lower than the threshold can send Figure 2 The request message shown.

[0135] As can be seen from the above, in the prior art, the remote UE and relay UE for inter-UE cooperative communication need to be screened based on a preset threshold, and the screened remote UE can be selected using the above Figure 1 or Figure 2 The method shown selects a relay UE from a relay UE screened based on a preset threshold, establishes a connection with the selected relay UE, and communicates with the network device through the relay UE. Since the screening of remote UE and relay UE based on the preset threshold is loose control, the information relied on when selecting the relay UE is relatively limited, resulting in the selected relay UE being inaccurate, and data transfer through the relay UE selected by the remote UE cannot meet the performance requirements of the network system.

[0136] In order to solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a relay communication method, in which a network device obtains a measurement report including the signal quality of the sidelink (SL) between a first user device and at least one second user device and the wireless network identifier of at least one second user device, and selects a target relay user device for the first user device from at least one second user device based on the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device. This method allows the network device to comprehensively consider the performance of the entire network system to select a suitable relay user device, so that the selected relay user device has better performance, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission by the remote user device through the relay user device and improving the performance requirements of the network system. Specifically, this method can refer to the following Figures 5 to 8 The method shown is described in the corresponding embodiment.

[0137] The relay communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with the drawings of the specification.

[0138] The relay communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used in a communication system supporting cooperative communication between UEs, such as: it can be applied to the fourth generation (4 th The present invention is applicable to any of the following systems: 4G (first generation), LTE (long term evolution), 5G (fifth generation), NR (new radio), NR-vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, and other next generation communication systems, without limitation. Figure 3 Taking the communication system shown as an example, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described.

[0139] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 3As shown, the communication system may include a network device and multiple user devices, and the multiple user devices may include a cooperation UE (CUE) and a target UE (TUE), such as CUE1 to CUE3 and TUE1 to TUE3. The CUE may be located within the coverage of the network device, establish a wireless connection with the network device, and communicate with the network device through an air interface; the TUE may also be located within the coverage of the network device, establish a wireless connection with the network device, and communicate with the network device through an air interface. It may also establish a SL connection with the CUE selected by the method described in the embodiment of the present application, and communicate with the network device through the CUE, such as the TUE may send uplink data to the CUE through the SL, and after the CUE receives the uplink data, the CUE sends the uplink data to the network device through the air interface, and the network device may send downlink data to the CUE, and after the CUE receives the downlink data, the CUE sends the downlink data to the TUE through the SL.

[0140] Among them, the network equipment is mainly used to implement physical layer functions, resource scheduling and management, terminal access control and mobility management and other functions. The network equipment can be a device that supports wired access or a device that supports wireless access. Exemplarily, the network equipment can be an access network (AN) / radio access network (RAN), which is composed of multiple 5G-AN / 5G-RAN nodes. The 5G-AN / 5G-RAN nodes can be: access point (AP), base station (nodeB, NB), enhanced base station (enhance nodeB, eNB), next generation base station (NR nodeB, gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), transmission point (TP) or some other access node. In the embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a device that can support the network device to realize the function, such as a chip system.

[0141] Among them, the user equipment can be a terminal equipment (terminal equipment) or a mobile station (mobilestation, MS) or a mobile terminal (mobile terminal, MT), etc. Specifically, the terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer or a computer with wireless transceiver function, and can also be a virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) terminal, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a smart home, a vehicle-mounted terminal, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the functions of CUE and TUE can be a terminal, or it can be a device that can support the terminal to realize the function, such as a chip system.

[0142] It should be noted that Figure 3 The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only. Figure 3 The number of nodes included is unlimited, except Figure 3 In addition to the functional nodes shown, the communication system may also include other nodes, such as core network equipment, gateway equipment, application servers, etc., without limitation. Figure 3 The TUE and CUE in the figure are exemplary names. Specifically, the TUE can also be named as a remote UE or a first user device, and the CUE can be named as a relay UE or a second user device, without limitation. The following takes TUE as the first user device and CUE as the second user device as an example to describe the relay communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0143] in, Figure 3 The network elements shown, such as CUE, TUE, and network equipment, can be used Figure 4 The structure shown may include Figure 4 Parts shown. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as: when the communication device 400 has the function of the network device described in the embodiment of the present application, the communication device 400 can be a network device or a chip or system on chip in the network device. When the communication device 400 has the function of the user equipment (such as the first user equipment or the second user equipment) described in the embodiment of the present application, the communication device 400 can be a user equipment or a chip or system on chip in the user equipment.

[0144] like Figure 4As shown, the communication device 400 may include a processor 401, a communication line 402, and a transceiver 403. Further, the communication device 400 may also include a memory 404. The processor 401, the memory 404, and the transceiver 403 may be connected via the communication line 402.

[0145] The processor 401 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 401 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules.

[0146] The communication line 402 is used to transmit information between the components included in the communication device 400.

[0147] The transceiver 403 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network may be Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. The transceiver 403 may be a radio frequency module or any device capable of achieving communication. The embodiment of the present application is only described by taking the transceiver 403 as a radio frequency module as an example, wherein the radio frequency module may include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, etc., and the radio frequency circuit may include a radio frequency integrated chip, a power amplifier, etc.

[0148] The memory 404 is used to store instructions, where the instructions may be computer programs.

[0149] Among them, the memory 404 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and / or instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and / or instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, and the optical disc storage includes a compressed optical disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, etc.

[0150] It should be noted that the memory 404 can exist independently of the processor 401, or can be integrated with the processor 401. The memory 404 can be used to store instructions or program codes or some data, etc. The memory 404 can be located in the communication device 400, or can be located outside the communication device 400, without limitation. The processor 401 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 404 to implement the relay communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0151] In one example, the processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 4 CPU0 and CPU1 in.

[0152] As an optional implementation, the communication device 400 includes multiple processors, for example, Figure 4 In addition to the processor 401, a processor 407 may also be included.

[0153] As an optional implementation, the communication device 400 further includes an output device 405 and an input device 406. Exemplarily, the input device 406 is a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone or a joystick, and the output device 405 is a device such as a display screen and a speaker.

[0154] It should be noted that the communication device 400 can be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system or a Figure 4 In addition, Figure 4 The structure shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, except Figure 4 In addition to the components shown, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0155] In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0156] Combine the following Figure 3 The communication system shown in the figure describes the relay communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Among them, each device in the following embodiment may have Figure 4 The components shown. Among them, the actions, terms, etc. involved in the various embodiments of the present application can refer to each other without limitation. The message name or parameter name in the message exchanged between the various devices in the embodiments of the present application is only an example, and other names can also be used in the specific implementation without limitation.

[0157] Figure 5 A relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 5 As shown, the method may include:

[0158] Step 501: The network device obtains a measurement report.

[0159] The network device can be Figure 3 The network devices in the system shown can also be Figure 3 The functional modules, chips, or systems on chips in the network devices shown are not limited.

[0160] The measurement report may include the signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and at least one second user equipment and the wireless network identifier of at least one second user equipment. The first user equipment may be Figure 3 In any TUE or functional module or chip or system on chip in the TUE in the system shown, the first user equipment may be located in the coverage area of ​​the network device or may not be located in the coverage area of ​​the network device. The second user equipment may be Figure 3 The system shown supports a CUE or a functional module or a chip or a system on a chip in the CUE that directly communicates with the first user equipment.

[0161] Among them, the signal quality of the side link between the first user equipment and the second user equipment can be determined based on the reference signal receiving power (reference signal receiving power, RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (reference signal receiving quality, RSRQ), signal to interference plus noise ratio (signal to interference plus noise ratio, SINR) or received signal strength indication (received signal strength indication, RSSI) transmitted on the side link.

[0162] The wireless network identifier of the second user equipment can be used by the network device to uniquely identify the second user equipment. The wireless network identifier of the second user equipment can be configured to the second user equipment by the network device. Exemplarily, the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment can be a radio access network identifier (RANID), which can be composed of a cell identifier (cell ID) and a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RANTI). The wireless network identifiers of different second user equipment are different. For example, Figure 3 As shown, assuming that the second user equipments are CUE1, CUE2 and CUE3, the wireless network identifiers of the three second user equipments may be UE ID1, UE ID2 and UE ID3 respectively, and the wireless network identifiers of the three terminals are different.

[0163] Exemplarily, the network device may obtain the measurement report in the following manner (1) or manner (2) or manner (3):

[0164] Mode (1): The measurement report is obtained by measuring the first user equipment, and the network device receives the measurement report reported by the first user equipment via the air interface between the network device and the first user equipment.

[0165] Specifically, the implementation process of method (1) can refer to Figure 6 As described in the corresponding embodiments.

[0166] Mode (2): The measurement report is obtained by the first user equipment through measurement and sent to the initial relay user equipment; the network device receives the measurement report reported by the initial relay user equipment.

[0167] The initial relay user equipment is a second user equipment selected by the first user equipment from at least one second user equipment, and an SL connection is established between the first user equipment and the initial relay user equipment.

[0168] Specifically, the implementation process of method (2) can refer to Figure 7 As described in the corresponding embodiments.

[0169] Method (3), each second user device measures the signal quality of the side link between it and the first user device, and the network device receives the signal quality of the side link between the second user device and the first user device and the wireless network identifier of the second user device from each second user device through the air interface between the network device and each second user device.

[0170] Specifically, the implementation process of method (3) can refer to Figure 8 As described in the corresponding embodiments.

[0171] Step 502: The network device selects a target relay user equipment for the first user equipment from at least one second user equipment according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user equipment.

[0172] The auxiliary selection information may include: one or more of the following information: the subscription information of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment, the load information of the second user equipment, and the interference information. For example, the auxiliary selection information includes the subscription information of the second user equipment; or, the auxiliary selection information includes the air interface signal quality of the second user equipment; or, the auxiliary selection information includes the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment; or, the auxiliary selection information includes the subscription information of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment, and the like.

[0173] The subscription information of the second user equipment may refer to the subscription information of the second user equipment when it joins the network, and may include the service type and quality of service (QoS) requirements supported by the second user equipment.

[0174] Among them, the air interface signal quality of the second user equipment may refer to the signal quality on the air interface between the second user equipment and the network device, such as: RSRP, RSRQ, SINR or RSSI on the air interface between the second user equipment and the network device. In an embodiment of the present application, the air interface may be referred to as a Uu port, etc., without limitation.

[0175] The air interface signal quality of the first user equipment may refer to the signal quality on the air interface between the first user equipment and the network device, such as RSRP, RSRQ, SINR or RSSI on the air interface between the first user equipment and the network device.

[0176] The load information of the second user equipment may include the amount of data forwarded by the second user equipment.

[0177] The interference information of the second user equipment may include information of other user equipments that cause interference to the second user equipment forwarding data.

[0178] The target relay user equipment may be one or more user equipments selected by the network device and used to transfer data for the first user equipment.

[0179] Exemplarily, taking the auxiliary selection information including the air interface signal quality of the second user equipment as an example, the network device selects a target relay user equipment of the first user equipment from at least one second user equipment according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user equipment, including:

[0180] The network device selects a second user equipment with better air interface signal quality among several second user equipments with higher sidelink signal quality among the at least one second user equipment as a target relay user equipment.

[0181] Exemplarily, taking the auxiliary selection information including the load information of the second user equipment as an example, the network device selects a target relay user equipment of the first user equipment from at least one second user equipment according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user equipment, including:

[0182] The network device selects a second user equipment with a smaller load among several second user equipments with higher signal quality of the side link in the at least one second user equipment as a target relay user equipment.

[0183] Similarly, taking the auxiliary selection information including the subscription information of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment, the load information of the second user equipment and the interference information as an example, the network device selects the second user equipment with higher QoS requirements, better air interface signal quality, smaller load and smaller interference among several second user equipments with higher side link signal quality among at least one second user equipment as the target relay user equipment.

[0184] based on Figure 3 In the method shown, the network device selects a suitable target relay user device based on the signal quality of the SL between the first user device and the second user device and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user device, and informs the first user device of the selected relay user device. After the first user device receives the selection result of the network device, it triggers it to establish an SL connection with the selected relay user device, and communicates with the network device through the relay user device with which the SL connection is established. In this way, the network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network such as the communication conditions between the first user device and the second user device and other auxiliary selection information, and selects a suitable relay user device by comprehensively considering the performance of the entire network system, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission by remote user devices through relay user devices and improving the performance requirements of the network system.

[0185] Further optionally, in order for the first user equipment to establish a SL connection between itself and the target relay user equipment, Figure 3The method shown also includes: the network device obtains the side link identifier of each second user device, sends the wireless network identifier of the target relay user device and / or the side link identifier of the target relay user device to the first user device, the first user device establishes a SL connection with the target relay user device based on the wireless network identifier of the target relay user device and / or the side link identifier of the target relay user device, and forwards data through the target relay user device, that is, the first user device initiates the establishment of the SL connection with the target relay user device.

[0186] The side link identifier of each second user equipment is used for side link SL communication between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, such as: when the first user equipment and the second user equipment establish an SL connection, it is included in the media access control (MAC) layer of the first user equipment as a target address. The side link identifier of the second user equipment can be called SL ID or Layer 2 ID.

[0187] It should be understood that the MAC layer data packet sent by the first user equipment includes the sidelink identifier of the first user equipment and the sidelink identifier of the second user equipment, where the sidelink identifier of the first user equipment is the source address and the sidelink identifier of the second user equipment is the target address.

[0188] Alternatively, the network device may also notify the target relay user device to establish a SL connection with the first user device. For example, the network device may also obtain the wireless network identifier of the first user device and / or the side link identifier of the first user device, and send a notification message containing the wireless network identifier of the first user device and / or the side link identifier of the first user device to the target relay user device, triggering the establishment of a SL connection between the target relay user device and the first user device.

[0189] The wireless network identifier of the first user equipment is allocated by the network equipment, and the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment is used by the network equipment to uniquely identify the first user equipment. The relevant description of the first user equipment can refer to the relevant description of the second user equipment, and will not be repeated here.

[0190] The sidelink identifier of the first user equipment can be used for SL communication between the first user equipment and at least one second user equipment, such as being included in the MAC layer of the second user equipment as a target address when the first user equipment and the second user equipment establish a SL connection. The sidelink identifier of the first user equipment can also be called an SL ID or a layer 2 identifier (Layer2 ID), and the sidelink identifier of the first user equipment is different from the sidelink identifier of the second user equipment.

[0191] Further, in Figure 3 In the method shown, the method also includes: the network device sends group scheduling information for scheduling data for communication between the first user device and the network device to the target relay user device, so that the target relay user device monitors the corresponding G-RNTI on the time domain resources and frequency domain resources indicated by the time and frequency domain information, and receives the data sent by the network device to the first user device.

[0192] The group scheduling information includes the G-RNTI of the group scheduling and the time-frequency domain information of the group scheduling. The G-RNTI can be used to scramble the data sent by the network device to the first user device. The time-frequency domain information can be used to indicate the time domain resources, frequency domain resources, etc. occupied by the data sent by the network device to the first user device.

[0193] Combine the following Figure 6 to Figure 8 The corresponding embodiment is Figure 5 The method shown is described in detail:

[0194] Figure 6 A relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes sending a measurement report from a first user device to a network device via an air interface. Figure 6 As shown, the method may include:

[0195] Step 601: A first user equipment broadcasts a discovery request message to multiple second user equipments.

[0196] The first user equipment and the second user equipment may be pre-configured or network-defined UEs for inter-UE collaborative communication. The first user equipment may be Figure 3 In any TUE or functional module or chip or system on chip in the TUE in the system shown, the first user equipment may be located in the coverage area of ​​the network device. The second user equipment may be Figure 3 In the system shown, a CUE or a functional module or a chip or a system on a chip in the CUE supports direct communication with the first user equipment. For example, the first user equipment may be Figure 3 In TUE1 or TUE2 or TUE3, the plurality of second user equipments may include Figure 3 It should be noted that the present application does not limit the number of second user equipments, which may be two, three or more than three, without limitation.

[0197] The discovery request message may be replaced by a solicitation message, and the discovery request message may be used to discover relay UEs around the first user equipment. Exemplarily, the first user equipment may send a discovery request message to multiple second user equipments when a trigger condition is met, that is, once the trigger condition is met, the first user equipment sends a discovery request message to multiple second user equipments.

[0198] Among them, the trigger condition may include that the air interface signal quality between the first user device and the network device is less than or equal to the first threshold. The first threshold can be set as needed. When the air interface signal quality between the first user device and the network device is less than or equal to the first threshold, it means that the air interface quality between the first user device and the network device is poor, and it is not suitable to transmit data through the air interface; when the air interface signal quality between the first user device and the network device is greater than the first threshold, it means that the air interface quality between the first user device and the network device is good, and data can be directly transmitted to the network device through the air interface.

[0199] Exemplarily, the trigger condition may be configured by the network device to the first user equipment before executing step 601. For example, before step 601, the first user equipment receives a radio resource control (RRC) message from the network device, the RRC message carries the trigger condition, and the first user equipment obtains the trigger condition from the RRC message.

[0200] It should be noted that the trigger condition can also be named CUE discovery configuration or other names, etc., without limitation.

[0201] Step 602: The second user equipment receives the discovery request message and sends a response message to the first user equipment.

[0202] The response message corresponds to the discovery request message, and the response message can be used to indicate that the second user equipment is around the first user equipment. The response message can include a wireless network identifier of the second user equipment, a sidelink identifier of the second user equipment, and other information, without limitation.

[0203] The relevant description of the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment and the side link identifier of the second user equipment can be referred to Figure 5 The corresponding embodiments are described in detail and will not be repeated here.

[0204] The wireless network identifier of the second user equipment can be executed Figure 6Before the method shown, the network device configures the second user equipment. For example, before executing step 602, the second user equipment receives an RRC message from the network device, the RRC message carries the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment, the second user equipment obtains the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment from the RRC message, and carries it in a response message to the first user equipment.

[0205] Exemplarily, the second user equipment may send a response message to the first user equipment in a unicast manner.

[0206] Step 603: The first user equipment receives the response message sent by each second user equipment, measures the response message sent by each second user equipment, and obtains the signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0207] Among them, the first user equipment can measure one or more information such as RSRP, RSRQ, SINR or RSSI of the response message sent by the second user equipment to obtain the signal quality of the side link between the first user equipment and the second user equipment. For example, taking RSRP as an example, if the RSRP of the response message is larger, the signal quality of the side link between the first user equipment and the second user equipment is higher, and vice versa, if the RSRP of the response message is smaller, the signal quality of the side link between the first user equipment and the second user equipment is lower.

[0208] Step 604: The first user equipment sends a measurement report to the network equipment.

[0209] Among them, the measurement report may include the signal quality of response messages sent by multiple second user devices and the wireless network identifiers of multiple second user devices, and may also include other information, such as: the side link identifier of the first user device, the side link identifier of the second user device, etc., without limitation.

[0210] It should be noted that the signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and the second user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment are correspondingly included in the measurement report. Exemplarily, the signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and the second user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment can be correspondingly included in the measurement report in the form of an array. For example: assuming that the second user equipment includes CUE1, CUE2 and CUE3, and the wireless network identifiers of the three second user equipment are UE ID1, UE ID2 and UE ID3, the measurement report can be {UE ID1, signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and CUE1}, {UE ID2, signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and CUE2}, {UEID3, signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and CUE3}.

[0211] In one example, the first user equipment may send a measurement report to the network device via an air interface.

[0212] In another example, the first user equipment may select a second user equipment from multiple second user equipments as the initial relay user equipment, and establish an SL connection with the initial relay user equipment, and send a measurement report to the initial relay user equipment through the SL, so that the initial relay user equipment sends the measurement report to the network device through the air interface. Specifically, this implementation method can refer to Figure 7 As described in the corresponding embodiments.

[0213] In another example, the first user device may, based on the signal quality of the response messages sent by multiple second user devices, select a second user device that sends a response message with high signal quality as the initial relay user device; or may randomly select one second user device from multiple second user devices as the initial relay user device without restriction.

[0214] Step 605: The network device receives the measurement report, and selects a target relay user equipment for the first user equipment from a plurality of second user equipments according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user equipment.

[0215] Among them, step 605 can refer to step 502 and will not be described in detail.

[0216] Step 606: The network device sends the wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment to the first user equipment.

[0217] In an example, when the first user equipment sends a measurement report to the network equipment through an air interface, the network equipment sends a wireless network identifier of a target relay user equipment to the first user equipment through the air interface.

[0218] In another example, when the first user device sends a measurement report to the network device through the initial relay user device selected by it, the network device may send the wireless network identifier of the target relay user device to the first user device through the initial relay user device, or may directly send the wireless network identifier of the target relay user device to the first user device through the air interface.

[0219] Further, in the case where the measurement report includes side link identifiers of multiple second user equipment, in addition to sending the wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment to the first user equipment, the network device may also send the side link identifier of the target relay user equipment to the first user equipment, so that the first user equipment can establish a SL connection with the target relay user equipment based on the side link identifier of the target relay user equipment.

[0220] Step 607: The first user equipment receives the wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment, establishes an SL connection with the target relay user equipment, and communicates with the network device through the target relay user equipment.

[0221] Among them, when the first user equipment establishes a SL connection with the initial relay user equipment and sends a measurement report to the network equipment through the initial relay user equipment, if the target relay user equipment finally selected by the network equipment is the same as the initial relay user equipment, the first user equipment still maintains its SL connection with the initial relay user equipment and communicates with the network equipment through the initial relay user equipment; conversely, if the target relay user equipment finally selected by the network equipment is not the same as the initial relay user equipment, the first user equipment releases / disconnects its SL connection with the initial relay user equipment, establishes a SL connection with the target relay user equipment through the existing SL establishment process, and communicates with the network equipment through the target relay user equipment.

[0222] For example, assuming that the first user equipment is Figure 3 In TUE 2, multiple second user equipments are Figure 3 Among CUE1~CUE 3 in the figure, when executing step 604, TUE2 selects CUE2 from CUE1~CUE3 as the initial relay user equipment, establishes a SL connection with CUE2, and sends a measurement report to the network device through CUE2. Subsequently, if the network device selects CUE1 as the target relay user equipment from CUE1~CUE3, that is, TUE2 eventually needs to communicate with the network device through CUE1, then after TUE2 receives the selection result of the network device, it releases the SL connection between it and CUE2, establishes a SL connection with CUE1, and communicates with the network device through CUE1. If the network device selects CUE2 as the target relay user equipment from CUE1~CUE3, that is, TUE2 eventually needs to communicate with the network device through CUE2, then after TUE2 receives the selection result of the network device, it maintains the SL connection between it and CUE2 and communicates with the network device through CUE2.

[0223] Further, in Figure 6 In the first implementation of the method shown, after executing step 604, the method further includes: the network device dispatches information to the target relay user equipment group.

[0224] The relevant description of group scheduling information can be found in Figure 5 The corresponding embodiments are described in detail and will not be repeated here.

[0225] based on Figure 6The method shown can be used by the network device to select a suitable relay user device based on the signal quality of the SL between the first user device and the second user device and other auxiliary selection information, and inform the first user device of the selected relay user device. After the first user device receives the selection result of the network device, it triggers it to establish a SL connection with the selected relay user device, and then communicates with the network device through the relay user device with which the SL is established. In this way, the network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network, improves the reliability of data transmission by the remote user device through the relay user device, and improves the performance requirements of the network system.

[0226] In the following, it is taken as an example that the first user equipment selects the initial relay user equipment and sends a measurement report to the network equipment through the initial relay user equipment. Figure 6 The method shown is described in detail:

[0227] Figure 7 A relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 7 As shown, the method may include:

[0228] Step 701: A network device configures a wireless network identifier for a first user equipment and a second user equipment that can be used for cooperative communication between UEs.

[0229] The relevant description of the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment can be referred to Figure 5 The corresponding embodiments are described in detail and will not be repeated here.

[0230] Step 702: The network device configures a trigger condition for the first user equipment.

[0231] The description of trigger conditions can be found in Figure 5 The corresponding embodiments are described in detail and will not be repeated here.

[0232] Exemplarily, the network device may configure the trigger condition for the first user equipment through an RRC message, such as: the network device may send an RRC message to the first user equipment, and the RRC message may carry the trigger condition.

[0233] Step 703: When a trigger condition is met, the first user equipment sends a discovery request message to multiple second user equipments.

[0234] Among them, step 703 can refer to step 601 and will not be described in detail.

[0235] Step 704: The second user equipment receives the discovery request message and returns a response message to the first user equipment.

[0236] Among them, step 704 can refer to step 602 and will not be described in detail.

[0237] Step 705: The first user equipment receives response messages returned by multiple second user equipments, measures the response message returned by each second user equipment, and obtains the signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0238] Among them, step 705 can refer to step 603 and will not be described in detail.

[0239] Step 706: The first user equipment selects an initial relay user equipment from a plurality of second user equipments according to the measured signal quality.

[0240] The initial relay user equipment can be Figure 7 The second user device 3 in.

[0241] Exemplarily, the first user equipment may randomly select a second user equipment from a plurality of second user equipments as the initial relay user equipment, or may select a second user equipment with better signal quality as the initial relay user equipment.

[0242] Step 707: The first user equipment establishes a SL connection with the initial relay user equipment, and sends a measurement report to the network device through the initial relay user equipment.

[0243] Among them, the way in which the first user device establishes a SL connection with the initial relay user device can refer to the existing SL connection establishment process and will not be described in detail. Exemplarily, the first user device sending a measurement report to the network device through the initial relay user device may include: the first user device sends a measurement report to the initial relay user device through SL, the initial relay user device receives the measurement report, and sends the measurement report to the network device through the air interface.

[0244] Step 708: The network device receives the measurement report, and selects a target relay user equipment from a plurality of second user equipments according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information.

[0245] The target relay user equipment can be Figure 7 The second user device 1 in.

[0246] Among them, step 708 can refer to step 604 and will not be described in detail.

[0247] Step 709: The network device sends group scheduling information to the second user equipment 1 .

[0248] The relevant description of group scheduling information can be found in Figure 6 The first embodiment has been described and will not be described in detail.

[0249] Step 710: The network device sends the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment 1 to the first user equipment.

[0250] Among them, step 710 can refer to step 605 and will not be described in detail.

[0251] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of step 709 and step 710. Step 709 may be executed first, or step 710 may be executed first, or step 710 may be executed first and then step 709. Step 709 and step 710 may be executed simultaneously without limitation.

[0252] Step 711: the first user device receives the wireless network identifier of the second user device 1, releases the SL connection between the first user device and the second user device 3, establishes a SL connection with the second user device 1, and communicates with the network device through the second user device 1.

[0253] Among them, step 711 can refer to step 606 and will not be described in detail.

[0254] based on Figure 7 According to the method shown, the first user device can send a measurement report including the signal quality of the sidelink between the first user device and multiple second user devices to the network device through the relay user device selected by it independently. The network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the measurement report and other auxiliary selection information, and informs the first user device of the selected relay user device. After the first user device receives the selection result of the network device, it triggers it to establish an SL connection with the selected relay user device. Subsequently, the relay user device with which the SL connection is established communicates with the network device. In this way, the network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network, improves the reliability of data transmission by the remote UE through the relay user device, and improves the performance requirements of the network system.

[0255] Above Figure 6 , Figure 7 Only the example of the first user equipment sending a measurement report to the network equipment is described. Alternatively, the second user equipment can also report the signal quality of the side link between itself and the first user equipment to the network equipment, so that the network equipment can select a suitable relay user equipment according to the signal quality of the side links reported by multiple second user equipments and the auxiliary selection information. Figure 8 shown.

[0256] Figure 8 A relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 8 As shown, the method may include:

[0257] Step 801: A network device configures a wireless network identifier for a first user equipment and a second user equipment that can be used for cooperative communication between UEs.

[0258] Among them, step 801 can refer to step 701 and will not be described in detail.

[0259] Step 802: The network device configures a trigger condition for the first user equipment.

[0260] Among them, step 802 can refer to step 702 and will not be described in detail.

[0261] Step 803: When a trigger condition is met, the first user equipment sends a discovery request message to multiple second user equipments.

[0262] Among them, step 803 can refer to step 703 and will not be described in detail.

[0263] Step 804: Each second user equipment receives the discovery request message, measures the discovery request message sent by the first user equipment, and obtains the signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0264] Exemplarily, the second user equipment may measure one or more information such as RSRP, RSRQ, SINR or RSSI of the discovery request message sent by the first user equipment to obtain the signal quality of the side link between the first user equipment and the second user equipment. For example, taking RSRP as an example, if the RSRP of the discovery request message is larger, the signal quality of the side link between the first user equipment and the second user equipment is higher, and conversely, if the RSRP of the discovery request message is smaller, the signal quality of the side link between the first user equipment and the second user equipment is lower.

[0265] Step 805: Each second user equipment sends the signal quality of the sidelink channel between the second user equipment and the first user equipment to the network device. Furthermore, the sidelink identifier of the second user equipment is also sent to the network device.

[0266] Step 806: The network device receives the signal quality of the side link between each second user device and the first user device, and selects a target relay user device from the multiple second user devices based on the signal quality of the side link between the multiple second user devices and the first user device and the auxiliary selection information, such as the second user device 1.

[0267] The process of selecting the target relay user equipment by the network device can be referred to Figure 6 The above steps are described in step 607 and will not be described in detail here.

[0268] Step 807: The network device sends group scheduling information to the second user equipment 1.

[0269] The relevant description of group scheduling information can be found in Figure 6 The first embodiment has been described and will not be described in detail.

[0270] Step 808: The network device sends a notification message to the second user equipment 1.

[0271] The notification message may be used to notify or trigger the second user equipment 1 to establish a SL connection with the first user equipment.

[0272] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of step 807 and step 808. Step 807 can be executed first, or step 808 can be executed first, or step 808 can be executed first and then step 807, or step 807 and step 808 can be executed simultaneously without limitation.

[0273] Step 809: A SL connection is established between the second user equipment 1 and the first user equipment.

[0274] Exemplarily, the establishment of the SL connection between the second user equipment 1 and the first user equipment may refer to the existing SL connection establishment process, which will not be described in detail. Subsequently, the first user equipment may communicate with the network device through the second user equipment 1.

[0275] based on Figure 8 In the method shown, multiple second user devices can send to the network device the signal quality of the side link between the first user device and the second user device. The network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the signal quality of the side link between the first user device and multiple second user devices and other auxiliary selection information, and informs the first user device of the selected relay user device. After the first user device receives the selection result of the network device, it triggers it to establish an SL connection with the selected relay user device. Subsequently, the relay user device with which the SL connection is established communicates with the network device. In this way, the network device selects a suitable relay user device based on the communication conditions of the entire network, improves the reliability of data transmission by the remote UE through the relay user device, and improves the performance requirements of the network system.

[0276] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that in order to realize the above functions, each communication device, such as: network equipment, first user equipment, and second user equipment, includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easy for those skilled in the art to realize that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0277] The embodiment of the present application can divide the network device, the first user device, and the second user device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0278] In the case of dividing each functional module into corresponding functional modules, Fig. 9 A structural diagram of a communication device 90 is shown. The communication device 90 may be a network device or a chip or a system on chip in a network device. The communication device 90 may be used to execute the functions of the network device involved in the above embodiments. Fig. 9 The communication device 90 shown includes: an acquisition unit 901 and a selection unit 902 .

[0279] The acquisition unit 901 is configured to acquire a measurement report including a signal quality of a SL between a first user equipment and at least one second user equipment and a wireless network identifier of at least one second user equipment. For example, the acquisition unit 901 may support the communication device 90 to execute steps 501, 605, 708, and 806.

[0280] The selection unit 902 is configured to select a target relay user equipment of the first user equipment from at least one second user equipment according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user equipment. For example, the selection unit can support the communication device 90 to perform steps 502, 605, 708, and 806.

[0281] The specific implementation of the communication device can be referred to Figures 5 to 8 The behavioral functions of the network devices in the illustrated method.

[0282] As another possible way to achieve this, Fig. 9 The acquisition unit 901 and the selection unit 902 in the embodiment can be replaced by a processor, and the processor can integrate the functions of the acquisition unit 901 and the selection unit 902. Fig. 9 The communication device 90 shown may also include a memory. Fig. 9 When the acquisition unit 901 and the selection unit 902 in the embodiment are replaced by a processor, the communication device 90 involved in the embodiment of the present application can be Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0283] Fig.10The structure diagram of a communication device 100 is shown. The communication device 100 may be a second user device or a chip or a system on chip in the second user device. The communication device 100 may be used to perform the functions of the second user device involved in the above embodiments. As an implementation method, Fig.10 The communication device 100 shown includes: a sending unit 1001, a receiving unit 1002, and an establishing unit 1003;

[0284] The sending unit 1001 is configured to send a measurement report including the signal quality of the sidelink between the first user equipment and at least one second user equipment and the wireless network identifier of at least one second user equipment to the network device. For example, the sending unit 1001 can support the communication device 100 to perform step 604 and step 707.

[0285] The receiving unit 1002 is configured to receive a wireless network identifier of a target relay user equipment from a network device, where the target relay user equipment is a second user equipment selected from at least one second user equipment. For example, the receiving unit 1002 may support the communication device 100 to execute steps 606, 709, and 807.

[0286] The establishing unit 1003 is used to establish a side link SL connection with the target relay user equipment according to the wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment, and communicate with the network device through the target relay user equipment. For example, the establishing unit 1003 can be used to support the communication device 100 to perform step 607, step 711, and step 809.

[0287] The specific implementation of the communication device 100 can be referred to Figure 6 or Figure 8 The behavior function of the second user equipment in the relay communication method is shown.

[0288] As another possible way to achieve this, Fig.10 The sending unit 1001 and the receiving unit 1002 in the embodiment can be replaced by a transceiver or a transceiver unit, and the transceiver can integrate the functions of the sending unit 1001 and the receiving unit 1002. Fig.10 The communication device 100 shown may also include a processor and a memory. When the sending unit 1001 and the receiving unit 1002 are replaced by a transceiver or a transceiver unit, the communication device 100 involved in the embodiment of the present application may be Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0289] Fig.11The structure diagram of a communication device 110 is shown. The communication device 110 may be a second user device or a chip or a system on chip in the second user device. The communication device 110 may be used to perform the functions of the second user device involved in the above embodiments. As an implementation method, Fig.11 The communication device 110 shown includes: a receiving unit 1101, a measuring unit 1102, and a sending unit 1103;

[0290] The receiving unit 1101 is configured to receive a discovery request message from a first user equipment. For example, the receiving unit 1101 may support the communication device 110 to perform step 803 .

[0291] The measuring unit 1102 is configured to measure and obtain the signal quality of the sidelink between the second user equipment and the first user equipment according to the discovery request message. For example, the measuring unit 1102 may support the communication device 110 to perform step 804 .

[0292] The sending unit 1103 is configured to send the signal quality of the sidelink between the second user equipment and the first user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment for the network equipment to uniquely identify the second user equipment to the network equipment. For example, the sending unit 1103 can support the communication device 110 to perform step 805.

[0293] The specific implementation of the communication device 110 can be referred to Figure 6 or Figure 8 The behavior function of the second user equipment in the relay communication method is shown.

[0294] As another possible way to achieve this, Fig.11 The sending unit 1103 and the receiving unit 1101 in the embodiment can be replaced by a transceiver or a transceiver unit, and the transceiver can integrate the functions of the sending unit 1103 and the receiving unit 1101. Fig.11 The communication device 110 shown may also include a processor and a memory. When the sending unit 1103 and the receiving unit 1101 can be replaced by a transceiver or a transceiver unit, the communication device 110 involved in the embodiment of the present application may be Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0295] Fig.12 A structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Fig.12 As shown, the system may include: a first user equipment 120 , a second user equipment 121 and a network device 122 .

[0296] Among them, the network device 122 has Fig. 9 The first user equipment 120 has the functions of the communication device 90 shown. Fig.10The second user equipment 121 has the functions of the communication device 100 shown. Fig.11 The functions of the communication device 110 are not described in detail.

[0297] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be completed by a computer program to instruct the relevant hardware, and the program can be stored in the above computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the communication device (including the data sending end and / or the data receiving end) of any of the above embodiments, such as a hard disk or memory of the communication device. The above computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the above communication device, such as a plug-in hard disk equipped on the above communication device, a smart memory card (smart media card, SMC), a secure digital (secure digital, SD) card, a flash card (flash card), etc. Further, the above computer-readable storage medium can also include both the internal storage unit of the above communication device and an external storage device. The above computer-readable storage medium is used to store the above computer program and other programs and data required by the above communication device. The above computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.

[0298] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0299] It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0300] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0301] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0302] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple different places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

[0303] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0304] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions to enable a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks or optical disks.

[0305] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A relay communication method, applied to a network device, or a chip in the network device, characterized in that: The method comprises: Obtaining a measurement report from a first user equipment through an initial relay user equipment; wherein the initial relay user equipment establishes a SL connection with the first user equipment, and the initial relay user equipment is a second user equipment selected by the first user equipment from at least one second user equipment; the measurement report includes the signal quality of the SL between the first user equipment and the at least one second user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the at least one second user equipment; the wireless network identifier of the second user equipment is used by the network device to identify the second user equipment; Selecting, according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each of the second user equipments, a target relay user equipment of the first user equipment from the at least one second user equipment; the auxiliary selection information comprising: one or more of the subscription information of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment, and the interference information of the second user equipment; If the target relay user equipment is the same as the initial relay user equipment, maintaining the SL connection between the first user equipment and the initial relay user equipment, and communicating with the first user equipment through the initial relay user equipment; If the target relay user equipment is different from the initial relay user equipment, the SL connection between the first user equipment and the initial relay user equipment is released, the target relay user equipment establishes an SL connection with the first user equipment, and communicates with the first user equipment through the target relay user equipment.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The auxiliary selection information further includes: one or more of air interface signal quality of the second user equipment and load information of the second user equipment.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Obtain a SL identifier of the at least one second user equipment; wherein the SL identifier of each second user equipment is used for SL communication between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send the wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment and / or the SL identifier of the target relay user equipment to the first user equipment.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Obtain the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment and / or the SL identifier of the first user equipment; wherein the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment is allocated by the network equipment; the SL identifier of the first user equipment is used for SL communication between the first user equipment and the at least one second user equipment.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: A notification message is sent to the target relay user equipment, where the notification message is used to trigger the establishment of a SL connection between the target relay user equipment and the first user equipment; wherein the notification message includes the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment and / or the SL identifier of the first user equipment.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A trigger condition is configured for the first user equipment; wherein the trigger condition is used to trigger the first user equipment to send a discovery request message to the at least one second user equipment.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The trigger condition includes that the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment is less than or equal to a first threshold.

9. A relay communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first user equipment sends a measurement report to the network device through the initial relay user equipment; wherein the initial relay user equipment establishes a SL connection with the first user equipment, and the initial relay user equipment is a second user equipment selected by the first user equipment from at least one second user equipment; the measurement report includes the signal quality of the SL between the first user equipment and the at least one second user equipment and the wireless network identifier of the at least one second user equipment; the wireless network identifier of each second user equipment is used by the network device to uniquely identify the second user equipment; The first user equipment receives a wireless network identifier of a target relay user equipment from the network equipment; wherein the target relay user equipment is a second user equipment selected from the at least one second user equipment according to the measurement report and the auxiliary selection information associated with each second user equipment; the auxiliary selection information includes: one or more of the subscription information of the second user equipment, the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment, and the interference information of the second user equipment; If the target relay user equipment is the same as the initial relay user equipment, the first user equipment maintains the SL connection with the initial relay user equipment and communicates with the network device through the initial relay user equipment; If the target relay user equipment is different from the initial relay user equipment, the first user equipment releases the SL connection with the initial relay user equipment, establishes an SL connection with the target relay user equipment according to the wireless network identifier of the target relay user equipment, and communicates with the network device through the target relay user equipment.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first user equipment sends the SL identifier of the at least one second user equipment to the network device; wherein the SL identifier of each second user equipment is used for SL communication between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first user equipment sends the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment and / or the SL identifier of the first user equipment to the network equipment; wherein the wireless network identifier of the first user equipment is allocated by the network equipment; and the SL identifier of the first user equipment is used for SL communication between the first user equipment and the at least one second user equipment.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When a trigger condition is met, the first user equipment sends a discovery request message to the at least one second user equipment; wherein the trigger condition is used to trigger the first user equipment to send a discovery request message to the at least one second user equipment; The first user equipment receives a response message from the at least one second user equipment; The first user equipment measures the signal quality of the SL between the first user equipment and at least one second user equipment to obtain the measurement report.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The trigger condition includes that the air interface signal quality of the first user equipment is less than or equal to a first threshold; and the trigger condition is configured by the network device to the first user equipment.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes one or more processors; one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, the one or more memories being used to store instructions; When the one or more processors execute the instructions, the communication device executes the relay communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, and when the computer instructions or programs are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the relay communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

16. A chip system, characterized in that: include: The chip system includes a processor and a memory, wherein instructions are stored in the memory; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the relay communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 is implemented.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes one or more processors; one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, the one or more memories being used to store instructions; When the one or more processors execute the instructions, the communication device executes the relay communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, and when the computer instructions or programs are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the relay communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

19. A chip system, characterized in that: include: The chip system includes a processor and a memory, wherein instructions are stored in the memory; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the relay communication method as described in any one of claims 9 to 13 is implemented.

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