Relay communication method and system and related user equipment and access network equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a relay communication method and system, and related user equipment and access network equipment, and relates to the field of mobile communication. A relay user equipment sends first information to a user equipment, the first information being used to indicate cell identification information of an access network equipment which the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding; the relay user equipment forwards set information of the first information received from the user equipment to the access network equipment, so that the access network equipment sends a control message according to the set information of the first information, the set information of the first information being determined according to the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment; the relay user equipment forwards the control message received from the access network equipment to the user equipment, so that the user equipment establishes a connection with a cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment. The user equipment indirectly communicates with the access network equipment through the relay of the relay user equipment which can communicate with the access network equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of mobile communications, and in particular to a relay communication method and system, as well as related user equipment and access network equipment. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of mobile communication networks and the increasing demand for mobile data, mobile networks have become an indispensable part of current social development, technological progress, and the improvement of quality of life, and have become a new type of national infrastructure.

[0003] Currently, user equipment (UEs) accesses mobile networks via base stations for mobile communication. However, if a UE cannot access a base station, how it can conduct mobile communication becomes a problem. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure proposes a relay communication scheme in which a user equipment indirectly communicates with an access network device through a relay user equipment that is capable of communicating with the access network device.

[0005] This disclosure provides a relay communication method in some embodiments, including:

[0006] The relay user equipment sends first information to the user equipment, wherein the first information is used to indicate the cell identification information of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding;

[0007] The relay user equipment forwards the set of first information received from the user equipment to the access network device, so that the access network device sends a control message based on the set of first information to instruct the user equipment to establish cell information for establishing a connection with the access network device. The set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment.

[0008] The relay user equipment forwards the control message received from the access network device to the user equipment, so that the user equipment can establish a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment.

[0009] In some embodiments, the relay user equipment further sends second information to the user equipment, so that the user equipment determines the set information of the first information by combining the second information obtained by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. The second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding.

[0010] In some embodiments, the relay user equipment also forwards the set of second information received from the user equipment to the access network device, so that the access network device also sends a control message in conjunction with the set of second information to instruct the user equipment to establish cell information, or cell information and network information, and the set of second information is determined based on the second information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment and which the user equipment can access.

[0011] In some embodiments, the relay user equipment further sends third information to the user equipment, wherein the third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment; the relay user equipment also forwards the set information of the third information received from the user equipment to the access network device, so that the access network device further sends a control message in conjunction with the set information of the third information, for indicating the cell information and the relay user equipment to establish a connection between the user equipment and the access network device, wherein the set information of the third information is determined according to the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment; the relay user equipment forwards the control message received from the access network device to the user equipment, so that the user equipment establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

[0012] In some embodiments, if there is only one cell with the same network identifier in the aggregate information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device. If there are multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish multi-connection or single connection with the access network device.

[0013] In some embodiments, the set of first information, the set of second information, and the set of third information are transmitted through a first message, which includes a connection establishment request or a measurement report.

[0014] In some embodiments, the relay user equipment sends the first information, the second information, and the third information to the user equipment via the PSBCH or PSSCH.

[0015] In some embodiments, a relay user equipment obtains first information and second information through broadcast messages from an access network device.

[0016] This disclosure provides a relay communication method in some embodiments, including:

[0017] The user equipment receives first information sent by each relay user equipment, wherein the first information is used to indicate the cell identification information of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding.

[0018] The user equipment transmits the set of first information to the access network device via relay user equipment, so that the access network device sends a control message based on the set of first information to instruct the user equipment to establish cell information for connection with the access network device. The set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment.

[0019] User equipment receives the control messages sent by access network devices via relay user equipment, and establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control messages via relay user equipment.

[0020] In some embodiments, the user equipment further receives second information sent by each relay user equipment, wherein the second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding; the user equipment determines the set information of the first information by combining the second information obtained by the user equipment from each relay user equipment.

[0021] In some embodiments, the user equipment transmits the set of second information to the access network device via a relay user equipment relay, so that the access network device also sends a control message in conjunction with the set of second information to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device, either cell information, or cell information and network information. The set of second information is determined based on the second information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment and which the user equipment can access.

[0022] In some embodiments, the user equipment further receives third information sent by each relay user equipment, wherein the third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment; the user equipment relays the set information of the third information to the access network device through the relay user equipment, so that the access network device also sends a control message in conjunction with the set information of the third information, for instructing the user equipment to establish a connection with the cell information and the relay user equipment, wherein the set information of the third information is determined based on the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment; the user equipment receives the control message sent by the access network device through the relay user equipment, and establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

[0023] In some embodiments, if there is only one cell with the same network identifier in the set information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the connection configuration information is single-connection configuration information, and the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device. The user equipment establishes a single connection with the cell indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment. If there are multiple cells with the same network identifier in the set information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device. The user equipment establishes multiple connections with the multiple cells indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment, or the user equipment establishes a single connection with the cell indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment.

[0024] In some embodiments, a user equipment transmits a first message to an access network device via a relay user equipment relay. The first message carries a set of first information, a set of second information, and a set of third information. The first message includes a connection establishment request or a measurement report.

[0025] In some embodiments, the user equipment receives first information, second information, and third information sent by each relay user equipment via PSBCH or PSSCH.

[0026] This disclosure provides a relay communication method in some embodiments, including:

[0027] The access network device receives a set of first information sent by the user equipment via relay user equipment. The set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. The first information is used to indicate the cell identifier information of the access network equipment that the relay user equipment can access and that supports information forwarding.

[0028] The access network device sends a control message based on the set information of the first information. The control message is relayed to the user equipment through the relay user equipment. The control message is used to indicate the cell information for the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device.

[0029] In some embodiments, the access network device further receives a set of second information sent by a user equipment via relay user equipment. The set of second information is determined based on second information received by the user equipment from various relay user equipments and accessible by the user equipment. The second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and that supports information forwarding. The access network device also sends a control message in conjunction with the set of second information. The control message is relayed to the user equipment via relay user equipment. The control message is used to indicate the cell information, or cell information and network information, for establishing a connection between the user equipment and the access network device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the access network device further receives a set of third information sent by a user equipment via relay user equipment, wherein the set of third information is determined based on the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment, and the third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment; the access network device further sends a control message in conjunction with the set of third information, the control message being relayed to the user equipment via relay user equipment, the control message being used to indicate the cell information and relay user equipment for the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device, so that the user equipment establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message via the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

[0031] In some embodiments, if there is only one cell with the same network identifier in the aggregate information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device. If there are multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish multi-connection or single connection with the access network device.

[0032] Some embodiments of this disclosure provide a relay user equipment, including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to perform a relay communication method based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0033] Some embodiments of this disclosure provide a user equipment including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to perform a relay communication method based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0034] Some embodiments of this disclosure provide an access network device, including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute a relay communication method based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0035] This disclosure provides some embodiments of a relay communication system, including: a relay user equipment, a user equipment, and an access network device.

[0036] Some embodiments of this disclosure propose a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of a relay communication method. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. This disclosure can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0039] Figure 1 A network diagram illustrating relay communication according to some embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0040] Figure 2A This illustration shows a flowchart of a relay communication method in a scenario where the access network device of some embodiments of this disclosure does not specify a relay user equipment to establish a connection with a user equipment.

[0041] Figure 2B This illustration shows a flowchart of a relay communication method in a scenario where the access network device of some embodiments of this disclosure does not specify a relay user equipment to establish a connection with a user equipment.

[0042] Figure 2C This illustration shows a flowchart of a relay communication method in a scenario where the access network device of some embodiments of this disclosure does not specify a relay user equipment to establish a connection with a user equipment.

[0043] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a relay communication method in a scenario where an access network device designates a relay user equipment to establish a connection with a user equipment, according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a relay user equipment according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0047] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a relay communication system according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Unless otherwise stated, the terms "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure are used to distinguish different objects and are not used to indicate size or sequence.

[0050] User equipment generally refers to user equipment that can establish communication connections with network access devices and conduct communication.

[0051] A relay user equipment can establish a communication connection with an access network device and can forward data between the user equipment and the access network device, that is, forward the communication data of other user equipment to the access network device, and forward the communication data of the access network device to other user equipment.

[0052] Access network equipment refers to equipment on the network side that is responsible for receiving communication requests from user equipment, establishing communication connections with user equipment, and completing communication between user equipment and the network, such as base stations.

[0053] In relay communication scenarios, relay user equipment (UFE) and access network equipment can establish a communication connection. UFE communicates indirectly with access network equipment through the relay of the relay UFE, which is capable of communicating with the access network equipment. Figure 1 As shown.

[0054] To enable relay communication, two new functions have been added.

[0055] New Feature 1: The relay user equipment sends first, second, and third information to the user equipment, wherein the second and third information can be sent or not. The first information indicates the cell identifier information of the access network devices that the relay user equipment can access and that support information forwarding. The cell identifier information can be a physical cell identifier (PhysCellId) or a logical cell identifier (CellIdentity). The second information indicates the network identifier information of the cells of the access network devices that the relay user equipment can access and that support information forwarding. Network identifier information can be, for example, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) ID, a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) ID, a Public Network Integrated Non-Public Network (PNI-NPN) ID, or a personal network identifier or enterprise network identifier. The third information indicates the identifier of the relay user equipment. Relay user equipment can transmit the first, second, and third information to user equipment via a broadcast channel, such as PSBCH (physical sidelink broadcast channel) or PSSCH (physical sidelink shared channel). The relay user equipment obtains the first and second information through broadcast messages from the access network equipment.

[0056] New Feature 2: User equipment (UE) sends a set of first information, a set of second information, and a set of third information to the access network device via a first message. The set of second and third information can be sent or not. The set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the UE from each relay UE. The set of first information can be all or part of the first information received by the UE from each relay UE. For example, the set of first information can be the first information received by the UE from each relay UE that the UE can access. The set of second information is determined based on the second information received by the UE from each relay UE that the UE can access. The set of third information is determined based on the third information received by the UE from each relay UE. The set of third information can be all or part of the third information received by the UE from each relay UE. The first message may include, for example, a connection establishment request or a measurement report initiated by the UE to the network side. A connection establishment request may be, for example, an RRC connection establishment request message (such as an RRCSetupRequest message). A measurement report may be, for example, a measurement result reporting message (such as a MeasurementReport message).

[0057] Based on the newly added features, the following describes two relay communication methods in different scenarios: one where the access network device does not specify a relay user device to establish a connection with a user device, and the other where the access network device specifies a relay user device to establish a connection with a user device.

[0058] Figure 2A This illustration shows a flowchart of a relay communication method in a scenario where the access network device of some embodiments of this disclosure does not specify a relay user equipment to establish a connection with a user equipment.

[0059] like Figure 2A As shown, the relay communication method in this embodiment includes the following steps.

[0060] Step A210: Each relay user equipment obtains the first information and the second information. The relay user equipment obtains the first information and the second information through broadcast messages from the access network devices. That is, the relay user equipment obtains the cell identifier information and corresponding network identifier information of the cells of the access network devices it can access and that support information forwarding.

[0061] Step A220: Each relay user equipment sends the first information to the user equipment.

[0062] Step A230: The user equipment determines the set information of the first information based on the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. For example, the set information of the first information may be all the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment.

[0063] Step A240: The user equipment transmits the collection information of the first information to the access network device via the relay user equipment relay.

[0064] Step A250: The access network device sends a control message based on the set information of the first information to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device for the cell information.

[0065] For example, the access network device selects the cell that the user equipment can access from the set of first information and instructs the user equipment through a control message.

[0066] The access network device can also send control messages based on the user equipment's capability information. If the user equipment reports only one cell with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device and to establish a single connection with one cell. If the user equipment reports multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device, and to establish multiple connections with multiple cells or a single connection with one cell.

[0067] Step A260: The access network device transmits the control message to the user equipment via a relay user equipment relay.

[0068] Step A270: The user equipment autonomously selects a relay user equipment and establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment.

[0069] The user equipment can establish a single connection with one cell indicated by the control message, or it can establish multiple connections with multiple cells indicated by the control message.

[0070] For example, the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 1 are (P1-PLMN1, P2-PLMN2); the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 2 are (P3-PLMN3, P2-PLMN2); and the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 3 are (P4-PLMN2, P5-PNI-NPN#1). Where P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 are cell IDs, PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3 are public network identifiers, and PNI-NPN#1 is a private network identifier. The first information sent by relay user equipment 1, 2, and 3 to user equipment 1 is (P1, P2), (P3, P2), and (P4, P5) respectively. Therefore, the set of first information reported by user equipment 1 to the access network device can be (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5). Assuming user equipment 1 is a PLMN#2 user, the access network device will subsequently select at least one cell from P2 and P4 to instruct user equipment 1 to access.

[0071] The above embodiments, by adding new functions, enable user equipment to communicate indirectly with access network devices through relays of relay user equipment that can communicate with access network devices, in scenarios where access network devices do not specify relay user equipment to establish a connection with user equipment.

[0072] Figure 2B This illustration shows a flowchart of a relay communication method in a scenario where the access network device of some embodiments of this disclosure does not specify a relay user equipment to establish a connection with a user equipment.

[0073] like Figure 2B As shown, the relay communication method in this embodiment includes the following steps.

[0074] Step B210: Each relay user equipment obtains the first and second information. The relay user equipment obtains the first and second information through broadcast messages from the access network devices. That is, the relay user equipment obtains the cell identifier information and corresponding network identifier information of the cells of the access network devices it can access and that support information forwarding.

[0075] Step B220: Each relay user equipment sends the first information and the second information to the user equipment.

[0076] Step B230: The user equipment determines the set information of the first information based on the first information and the second information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. For example, the set information of the first information may be the first information that the user equipment can access according to the second information from the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment.

[0077] Step B240: The user equipment transmits the collection information of the first information to the access network device via the relay user equipment relay.

[0078] For example, the first information obtained by relay user equipment 1 is (P1-PLMN1, P2-PLMN2); the first information obtained by relay user equipment 2 is (P3-PLMN3, P2-PLMN2); and the first information obtained by relay user equipment 3 is (P4-PLMN2, P5-PNI-NPN#1). Where P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 are cell IDs, PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3 are public network identifiers, and PNI-NPN#1 is a private network identifier. Assuming user equipment 1 is a PLMN#2 user, the set of first information reported by user equipment 1 to the access network device can be (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5). Subsequently, the access network device selects at least one of cells P2 and P4 to instruct user equipment 1 to access the network.

[0079] Step B250: The access network device sends a control message based on the set information of the first information to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device for the cell information.

[0080] For example, the access network device selects the cell that the user equipment can access from the set of first information and instructs the user equipment through a control message.

[0081] The access network device can also send control messages based on the user equipment's capability information. If the user equipment reports only one cell with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device and to establish a single connection with one cell. If the user equipment reports multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device, and to establish multiple connections with multiple cells or a single connection with one cell.

[0082] Step B260: The access network device transmits the control message to the user equipment via a relay user equipment relay.

[0083] Step B270: The user equipment autonomously selects a relay user equipment and establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment.

[0084] The user equipment can establish a single connection with one cell indicated by the control message, or it can establish multiple connections with multiple cells indicated by the control message.

[0085] For example, the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 1 are (P1-PLMN1, P2-PLMN2); the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 2 are (P3-PLMN3, P2-PLMN2); and the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 3 are (P4-PLMN2, P5-PNI-NPN#1). Among them, P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 are cell IDs, PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3 are public network identifiers, and PNI-NPN#1 is a private network identifier. The first and second information sent by relay user equipment 1, 2 and 3 to user equipment 1 are (P1-PLMN1, P2-PLMN2), (P3-PLMN3, P2-PLMN2), and (P4-PLMN2, P5-PNI-NPN#1), respectively. Assuming that user equipment 1 is a PLMN#2 user, the set of first information reported by user equipment 1 to the access network device can be (P2, P4). Subsequently, the access network device selects at least one cell from P2 and P4 to instruct user equipment 1 to access.

[0086] The above embodiments, by adding new functions, enable user equipment to communicate indirectly with access network devices through relays of relay user equipment that can communicate with access network devices, in scenarios where access network devices do not specify relay user equipment to establish a connection with user equipment.

[0087] Figure 2C This illustration shows a flowchart of a relay communication method in a scenario where the access network device of some embodiments of this disclosure does not specify a relay user equipment to establish a connection with a user equipment.

[0088] like Figure 2C As shown, the relay communication method in this embodiment includes the following steps.

[0089] Step C210: Each relay user equipment obtains the first and second information. The relay user equipment obtains the first and second information through broadcast messages from the access network devices. That is, the relay user equipment obtains the cell identifier information and corresponding network identifier information of the cells of the access network devices it can access and that support information forwarding.

[0090] Step C220: Each relay user equipment sends the first information and the second information to the user equipment.

[0091] Step C230: The user equipment determines the set information of the first information based on the first information and the second information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. For example, the set information of the first information may be the first information that the user equipment can access according to the second information from the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment.

[0092] Step C240: The user equipment transmits the set information of the first information and the set information of the corresponding second information to the access network device through the relay user equipment. That is, the user equipment transmits the cell identifier information and network identifier information of the cell that the user equipment can access from the first information received from each relay user equipment according to the second information.

[0093] Step C250: The access network device sends a control message based on the first set of information and the second set of information, to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device using cell information, or cell information and network information.

[0094] For example, the access network device selects the cell that the user equipment can access from the set of first information based on the set of second information, and instructs the user equipment on the cell information and network information of the selected cell through a control message.

[0095] The access network device can also send control messages based on the user equipment's capability information. If the user equipment reports only one cell with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device and to establish a single connection with one cell. If the user equipment reports multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device, and to establish multiple connections with multiple cells or a single connection with one cell.

[0096] Step C260: The access network device transmits the control message to the user equipment via a relay user equipment relay.

[0097] Step C270: The user equipment autonomously selects a relay user equipment and establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment.

[0098] The user equipment can establish a single connection with one cell indicated by the control message, or it can establish multiple connections with multiple cells indicated by the control message.

[0099] For example, the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 1 are (P1-PLMN1, P2-PLMN2); the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 2 are (P3-PLMN3, P2-PLMN2); and the first and second information obtained by relay user equipment 3 are (P4-PLMN2, P5-PNI-NPN#1). Among them, P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 are cell IDs, PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3 are public network identifiers, and PNI-NPN#1 is a private network identifier. The first and second information sent by relay user equipment 1, 2, and 3 to user equipment 1 are (P1-PLMN1, P2-PLMN2), (P3-PLMN3, P2-PLMN2), and (P4-PLMN2, P5-PNI-NPN#1), respectively. Assuming that user equipment 2 is a user of PLMN#2 and PNI-NPN#1, the set of the first and second information reported by user equipment 2 to the access network device can be (P2-PLMN2, P4-PLMN2, P5-PNI-NPN#1). Subsequently, the access network device selects at least one cell from P2, P4, and P5 to instruct user equipment 2 to access.

[0100] The above embodiments, by adding new functions, enable user equipment to communicate indirectly with access network devices through relays of relay user equipment that can communicate with access network devices, in scenarios where access network devices do not specify relay user equipment to establish a connection with user equipment.

[0101] The following describes the application of 5G NR system in conjunction with Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. Figure 2C The implementation process of the illustrated embodiment.

[0102] Example 1

[0103] Step 1: Relay user equipment R1,…,RN obtains the cell ID information (such as all CellIdentity information contained in the SIB1 message) contained in the broadcast message of base station B1,…,BM, or relay user equipment R1,…,RN obtains the physical cell ID (PCI) and network identification information (such as all PLMN-Identity information and NPN-IdentityInfo-r16 information contained in the SIB1 message) based on the base station SSB measurement.

[0104] SSB stands for Synchronization Signal and PBCH block, which consists of three parts: Primary Synchronization Signals (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signals (SSS), and PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel).

[0105] Step 2: Based on the cell identifier and network identifier obtained from the base station B1,…,BM, the relay user equipment R1,…,RN sends J cell ID information (CellIdentity[1],…,CellIdentity[J] information) or J physical cell IDs (PCI[1],…,PCI[J]) and I network identifier information (all PLMN-Identity[1],…,PLMN-Identity[I] information and / or NPN-IdentityInfo-r16[1],…,NPN-IdentityInfo-r16[I] information) to the user equipment via the broadcast channel (PSBCH) or data channel (PSSCH).

[0106] In some embodiments, the cell ID information and network identification information sent by the relay user equipment to the user equipment are not all the information obtained from the base station, but rather the network and cell that the relay user equipment can access, and the cell supports information forwarding, that is, forwarding information sent by other user equipment to the base station and forwarding information sent by the base station to other user equipment.

[0107] Step 3: User Equipment A obtains the cell ID and network identification information of the relay user equipment that supports relay forwarding through the broadcast channel (PSBCH) or data channel (PSSCH) of the connectable relay user equipment R1,...,RN. Then, it selects the network and cell that the user equipment can access and initiates a connection establishment request to the base station. The connection establishment request message can be sent to a connected relay user equipment Rn. The connection establishment request information (RRCSetupRequest) of user equipment A may include: the cell ID and network identification information of all cells that user equipment A can access and supports information forwarding.

[0108] Step 4: Relay user equipment Rn forwards the base station connection establishment request message of user equipment A to the base station.

[0109] Step 5: After receiving the connection establishment request message from User Equipment A, the base station configures connection parameters for User Equipment A based on the cell ID information, network identifier information, and capability information reported by User Equipment A, such as multi-connection support capability. If User Equipment A reports only one cell ID under the same network identifier, the base station configures single-connection parameters for User Equipment A. If User Equipment A reports more than one cell ID under the same network identifier, and User Equipment A has multi-connection capability, the base station can perform multi-connection configuration for the user. This configuration includes multiple physical cell PCI information, and the multi-connection configuration type includes dual-connection DC or carrier aggregation CA configuration.

[0110] Step 6: The base station forwards the connection configuration information (single connection configuration or multiple connection configuration) to user equipment A through relay user equipment Rn.

[0111] Step 7: User equipment A, based on the base station configuration, uses at least one independently selected relay user equipment R′1,…,R′ n Establish a connection with the base station. If it is a single-connection configuration, establish a single connection; if it is a multi-connection configuration, establish multiple connections.

[0112] Example 2

[0113] Step 1: Relay user equipment R1,…,RN obtains the cell ID information (such as all CellIdentity information contained in the SIB1 message) contained in the broadcast message of base station B1,…,BM, or relay user equipment R1,…,RN obtains the physical cell ID (PCI) and network identification information (such as all PLMN-Identity information and NPN-IdentityInfo-r16 information contained in the SIB1 message) based on the base station SSB measurement.

[0114] Step 2: Based on the cell identifier and network identifier obtained from the base station B1,…,BM, the relay user equipment R1,…,RN sends J cell ID information (CellIdentity[1],…,CellIdentity[J] information) or J physical cell IDs (PCI[1],…,PCI[J]) and I network identifier information (all PLMN-Identity[1],…,PLMN-Identity[I] information and / or NPN-IdentityInfo-r16[1],…,NPN-IdentityInfo-r16[I] information) to the user equipment via the broadcast channel (PSBCH) or data channel (PSSCH).

[0115] In some embodiments, the cell ID information and network identification information sent by the relay user equipment to the user equipment are not all the information obtained from the base station, but rather the network and cell that the relay user equipment can access, and the cell supports information forwarding, that is, forwarding information sent by other user equipment to the base station and forwarding information sent by the base station to other user equipment.

[0116] Step 3: User equipment A obtains the cell ID and network identification information that relay user equipment R1,...,RN supports for relay forwarding through the broadcast channel (PSBCH) or data channel (PSSCH) of the connectable relay user equipment R1,...,RN, then establishes a data connection with relay user equipment Rn and sends a connection establishment request message with the base station to relay user equipment Rn.

[0117] Step 4: Relay user equipment Rn forwards the base station connection establishment request message of user equipment A to the base station.

[0118] Step 5: After receiving the connection establishment request message from user equipment A, the base station sends a connection establishment configuration message to user equipment A through relay user equipment Rn, thereby establishing a data connection between user equipment A and the base station through relay user equipment Rn.

[0119] Step 6: User Equipment A sends a measurement reporting message (such as a MeasurementReport message) to the base station through the relay user equipment Rn. The measurement reporting message contains: cell ID information and network identification information of all cells that user equipment A can access and supports information forwarding.

[0120] Step 7: After receiving the connection establishment request message from User Equipment A, the base station configures connection parameters for User Equipment A based on the cell ID information, network identifier information, and capability information of User Equipment A reported by User Equipment A, such as multi-connection support capability. If User Equipment A reports only one cell ID under the same network identifier, then it configures single-connection parameters for User Equipment A. If User Equipment A reports more than one cell ID under the same network identifier, and User Equipment A has multi-connection capability, then the base station can perform multi-connection configuration for the user, including dual-connection DC or carrier aggregation CA configuration, which includes multiple physical cell PCI information.

[0121] Step 8: The base station forwards the connection configuration information (single connection configuration or multiple connection configuration) to user equipment A through relay user equipment Rn.

[0122] Step 9: User equipment A, based on the base station configuration, uses at least one independently selected relay user equipment R′1,…,R′ nEstablish a connection with the base station. If it is a single-connection configuration, establish a single connection; if it is a multi-connection configuration, establish multiple connections.

[0123] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a relay communication method in a scenario where an access network device designates a relay user equipment to establish a connection with a user equipment, according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0124] like Figure 3 As shown, the relay communication method in this embodiment includes the following steps.

[0125] Step 310: The relay user equipment obtains the first information and the second information.

[0126] Step 320: The relay user equipment sends the first information, the second information, and the third information (i.e., the identifier of the relay user equipment) to the user equipment, wherein the second information may or may not be sent.

[0127] Step 330: The user equipment determines the set information of the first information, the set information of the second information, and the set information of the third information based on the first information, the second information, and the third information obtained by the user equipment from each relay user equipment.

[0128] The methods for determining the first and second sets of information are as described above. The third set of information is determined based on the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. The third set of information may be all or part of the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. For example, the third set of information may be the identifier of the relay user equipment with the better signal among the relay user equipment.

[0129] Step 340: The user equipment sends the first set of information, the second set of information, and the third set of information to the access network device through the relay of the relay user equipment. The second set of information can be sent or not.

[0130] Step 350: The access network device sends a control message based on the first set of information, the second set of information (optional), and the third set of information, to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device using cell information and relay user equipment, or cell information, network information, and relay user equipment.

[0131] For example, the access network device selects the cell that the user equipment can access from the set of first information based on the set of second information, selects the relay user equipment for relay based on the set of third information, and instructs the user equipment on the cell information and network information (optional) of the selected cell and the selected relay user equipment through a control message.

[0132] The access network device can also send control messages based on the user equipment's capability information. If the user equipment reports only one cell with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device and to establish a single connection with one cell. If the user equipment reports multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device, and to establish multiple connections with multiple cells or a single connection with one cell.

[0133] Step 360: The access network device transmits the control message to the user equipment via a relay user equipment relay.

[0134] Step 370: The user equipment establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

[0135] The user equipment can establish a single connection with one cell indicated by the control message, or it can establish multiple connections with multiple cells indicated by the control message.

[0136] The above embodiments, by adding new functions, enable user equipment to communicate indirectly with access network devices through the relay of a relay user equipment that can communicate with access network devices when a connection is established between a designated relay user equipment and a user equipment.

[0137] The following describes the application of 5G NR systems in conjunction with Embodiments 3 and 4. Figure 3 The implementation process of the illustrated embodiment.

[0138] Example 3

[0139] Step 1: Relay user equipment R1,…,RN obtains the cell ID information (such as all CellIdentity information contained in the SIB1 message) contained in the broadcast message of base station B1,…,BM, or relay user equipment R1,…,RN obtains the physical cell ID (PCI) and network identification information (such as all PLMN-Identity information and NPN-IdentityInfo-r16 information contained in the SIB1 message) based on the base station SSB measurement.

[0140] Step 2: Based on the cell identifier and network identifier obtained from the base station B1,…,BM, the relay user equipment R1,…,RN sends (1) J cell ID information (CellIdentity[1],…,CellIdentity[J] information) or J physical cell IDs (PCI[1],…,PCI[J]), (2) I network identifier information (all PLMN-Identity[1],…,PLMN-Identity[I] information and / or NPN-IdentityInfo-r16[1],…,NPN-IdentityInfo-r16[I] information) to the user equipment and (3) the relay user equipment identifier to the user equipment.

[0141] In some embodiments, the cell ID information and network identification information sent by the relay user equipment are not all the information obtained from the base station, but rather the networks and cells that the relay user equipment can access, and the cell holds information forwarding, that is, forwarding information sent by other user equipment to the base station and forwarding information sent by the base station to other user equipment.

[0142] Step 3: User Equipment A obtains the cell ID information, network identification information, and relay user equipment identifier that the relay user equipment supports relay forwarding through the broadcast channel (PSBCH) or data channel (PSSCH) of the connectable relay user equipment R1,...,RN. Then, it selects the network and cell that the user equipment can access and initiates a connection establishment request to the base station. It can send the connection establishment request message to a connected relay user equipment Rn. The connection establishment request RRCSetupRequest information of user equipment A includes: the cell ID information, network identification information, and relay user equipment identifier of all cells that user equipment A can access and supports information forwarding.

[0143] Step 4: Relay user equipment Rn forwards the base station connection establishment request message of user equipment A to the base station.

[0144] Step 5: After receiving the connection establishment request message from User Equipment A, the base station configures connection parameters for User Equipment A based on the cell ID information, network identifier information, relay user identifier information, and capability information of User Equipment A reported by User Equipment A, such as multi-connection support capability. If User Equipment A reports only one cell ID under the same network identifier, then it configures single-connection parameters for User Equipment A. If User Equipment A reports more than one cell ID under the same network identifier, and User Equipment A has multi-connection capability, then the base station can perform multi-connection configuration for the user. The multi-connection configuration includes multiple physical cell PCI information and relay user equipment identifiers. The multi-connection configuration type includes dual-connection DC or carrier aggregation CA configuration.

[0145] Step 6: The base station forwards the connection configuration information (single connection configuration or multiple connection configuration) to user equipment A through relay user equipment Rn.

[0146] Step 7: User equipment A, according to the base station configuration, connects to at least one relay user equipment R′1,…,R′ as specified by the base station. n Establish a connection with the base station. If it is a single-connection configuration, establish a single connection; if it is a multi-connection configuration, establish multiple connections.

[0147] Example 4

[0148] Step 1: Relay user equipment R1,…,RN obtains the cell ID information (such as all CellIdentity information contained in the SIB1 message) contained in the broadcast message of base station B1,…,BM, or relay user equipment R1,…,RN obtains the physical cell ID (PCI) and network identification information (such as all PLMN-Identity information and NPN-IdentityInfo-r16 information contained in the SIB1 message) based on the base station SSB measurement.

[0149] Step 2: Based on the cell identifier and network identifier obtained from the base station B1,…,BM, the relay user equipment R1,…,RN sends (1) J cell ID information (CellIdentity[1],…,CellIdentity[J] information) or J physical cell IDs (PCI[1],…,PCI[J]), (2) I network identifier information (all PLMN-Identity[1],…,PLMN-Identity[I] information and / or NPN-IdentityInfo-r16[1],…,NPN-IdentityInfo-r16[I] information) to the user equipment through the broadcast channel (PSBCH) or data channel (PSSCH), and (3) the relay user equipment identifier to the user equipment.

[0150] In some embodiments, the cell ID information and network identification information sent by the relay user equipment are not all the information obtained from the base station, but rather the networks and cells that the relay user equipment can access, and the cell holds information forwarding, that is, forwarding information sent by other user equipment to the base station and forwarding information sent by the base station to other user equipment.

[0151] Step 3: User equipment A obtains the cell ID information, network identification information, and relay user equipment identifier that the relay user equipment supports relay forwarding through the broadcast channel (PSBCH) or data channel (PSSCH) of the connectable relay user equipment R1,...,RN. Then, it establishes a data connection with the relay user equipment Rn and sends a connection establishment request message with the base station to the relay user equipment Rn.

[0152] Step 4: Relay user equipment Rn forwards the base station connection establishment request message of user equipment A to the base station.

[0153] Step 5: After receiving the connection establishment request message from user equipment A, the base station sends a connection establishment configuration message to user equipment A through relay user equipment Rn, thereby establishing a data connection between user equipment A and the base station through relay user equipment Rn.

[0154] Step 6: User Equipment A sends a Measurement Report message to the base station. The Measurement Report message contains: cell ID information, network identification information, and relay user equipment identification information of all cells that User Equipment A can access and supports information forwarding.

[0155] Step 7: After receiving the measurement reporting message from User Equipment A, the base station configures connection parameters for User Equipment A based on the cell ID, network identifier, relay user identifier, and capability information reported by User Equipment A, such as multi-connection support capability. If User Equipment A reports only one cell ID under the same network identifier, the base station configures single-connection parameters for User Equipment A. If User Equipment A reports more than one cell ID under the same network identifier, and User Equipment A has multi-connection capability, the base station can configure multi-connection for the user. The multi-connection configuration includes multiple physical cell PCI information and relay user equipment identifiers. The multi-connection configuration type includes dual-connection DC or carrier aggregation CA configuration.

[0156] Step 8: The base station forwards the connection configuration information (single connection configuration or multiple connection configuration) to user equipment A through relay user equipment Rn.

[0157] Step 9: User equipment A, according to the base station configuration, connects to at least one relay user equipment R′1,…,R′ as specified by the base station. nEstablish a connection with the base station. If it is a single-connection configuration, establish a single connection; if it is a multi-connection configuration, establish multiple connections.

[0158] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a relay user equipment according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0159] like Figure 4 As shown, the relay user equipment 400 in this embodiment includes a memory 410 and a processor 420 coupled to the memory 410. The processor 420 is configured to execute the relay communication method performed by the relay user equipment in any of the foregoing embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory 410.

[0160] For example, a relay user equipment (TUE) sends first information to a user equipment (UE), wherein the first information indicates cell identification information of an access network device that the TUE can access and that supports information forwarding; the TUE forwards a set of first information received from the UE to the access network device, so that the access network device sends a control message based on the set of first information, indicating the cell information for establishing a connection between the UE and the access network device, wherein the set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the UE from each TUE; the TUE forwards the control message received from the access network device to the UE, so that the UE establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the TUE.

[0161] For example, the relay user equipment also sends second information to the user equipment so that the user equipment can determine the set information of the first information based on the second information obtained by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. The second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding.

[0162] For example, the relay user equipment will also forward the set of second information received from the user equipment to the access network device, so that the access network device can also send a control message in conjunction with the set of second information to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device, either cell information, or cell information and network information. The set of second information is determined based on the second information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment and supported by the user equipment.

[0163] For example, the relay user equipment also sends third information to the user equipment, wherein the third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment; the relay user equipment also forwards the set information of the third information received from the user equipment to the access network device, so that the access network device also sends a control message in combination with the set information of the third information, which is used to indicate the cell information and relay user equipment for the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device, and the set information of the third information is determined according to the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment; the relay user equipment forwards the control message received from the access network device to the user equipment, so that the user equipment establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

[0164] For example, the collection information of the first information, the collection information of the second information, and the collection information of the third information are transmitted through a first message, which includes a connection establishment request or a measurement report.

[0165] For example, a relay user equipment sends the first information, the second information, and the third information to a user equipment via PSBCH or PSSCH.

[0166] For example, a relay user equipment obtains the first and second information by accessing broadcast messages from network devices.

[0167] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0168] like Figure 5 As shown, the user equipment 500 of this embodiment includes a memory 510 and a processor 520 coupled to the memory 510. The processor 520 is configured to execute the relay communication method executed by the user equipment in any of the foregoing embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory 510.

[0169] For example, a user equipment (UE) receives first information sent by various relay UEs, wherein the first information is used to indicate the cell identifier information of an access network device that the relay UE can access and supports information forwarding; the UE relays the set information of the first information to the access network device through the relay UEs, so that the access network device sends a control message based on the set information of the first information, which is used to indicate the cell information for establishing a connection between the UE and the access network device, wherein the set information of the first information is determined based on the first information received by the UE from each relay UE; the UE relays the control message sent by the access network device through the relay UEs, and establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay UEs.

[0170] For example, the user equipment also receives second information sent by each relay user equipment, wherein the second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding; the user equipment determines the set information of the first information based on the second information obtained by the user equipment from each relay user equipment.

[0171] For example, a user equipment (UE) transmits a set of second information to an access network device via a relay UE, so that the access network device can also send a control message in conjunction with the set of second information to instruct the UE to establish a connection with the access network device using cell information, or cell information and network information. The set of second information is determined based on second information received by the UE from each relay UE and supported by the UE.

[0172] For example, the user equipment also receives third information sent by each relay user equipment, wherein the third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment; the user equipment relays the set information of the third information to the access network device through the relay user equipment, so that the access network device also sends a control message in combination with the set information of the third information, which is used to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the cell information and the relay user equipment, and the set information of the third information is determined according to the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment; the user equipment receives the control message sent by the access network device through the relay user equipment, and establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

[0173] For example, if the user equipment reports only one cell with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the connection configuration information is single-connection configuration information. The control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device, and the user equipment establishes a single connection with the cell indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment. If the user equipment reports multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device. The user equipment establishes multiple connections with the multiple cells indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment, or the user equipment establishes a single connection with the cell indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment.

[0174] For example, a user equipment sends a first message to an access network device via a relay user equipment relay. The first message carries a set of first information, a set of second information, and a set of third information. The first message includes a connection establishment request or a measurement report.

[0175] For example, user equipment receives first information, second information, and third information sent by various relay user equipment via PSBCH or PSSCH.

[0176] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0177] like Figure 6 As shown, the access network device 600 of this embodiment includes a memory 610 and a processor 620 coupled to the memory 610. The processor 620 is configured to execute the relay communication method executed by the access network device in any of the foregoing embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory 610.

[0178] For example, the access network device receives a set of first information sent by a user equipment via relay user equipment. The set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. The first information is used to indicate the cell identifier information of the access network equipment that the relay user equipment can access and that supports information forwarding. The access network device sends a control message based on the set of first information. The control message is relayed to the user equipment via relay user equipment. The control message is used to indicate the cell information for establishing a connection between the user equipment and the access network equipment.

[0179] For example, the access network device also receives a set of second information sent by a user equipment via relay user equipment. The set of second information is determined based on second information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment and supported by the user equipment. The second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and that supports information forwarding. The access network device also sends a control message in conjunction with the set of second information. The control message is relayed to the user equipment via relay user equipment. The control message is used to indicate the cell information, or cell information and network information, for the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device.

[0180] For example, the access network device also receives a set of third information sent by user equipment via relay user equipment, wherein the set of third information is determined based on the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment, and the third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment; the access network device also sends a control message in conjunction with the set of third information, the control message being relayed to the user equipment via relay user equipment, the control message being used to indicate the cell information and relay user equipment for the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device, so that the user equipment establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control message via the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

[0181] If the user equipment reports only one cell with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device. If the user equipment reports multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information to the access network device and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message instructs or suggests that the user equipment establish either a multi-connection or a single connection with the access network device.

[0182] The memory components 410, 510, and 610 may include, for example, system memory, fixed non-volatile storage media, etc. The system memory may store, for example, the operating system, application programs, a boot loader, and other programs.

[0183] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a relay communication system according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0184] like Figure 7 As shown, the relay communication system 700 in this embodiment includes: a relay user equipment 400, a user equipment 500, and an access network device 600.

[0185] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this disclosure can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this disclosure can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer program code.

[0186] This disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create a machine for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0187] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0188] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0189] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure should be included within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A relay communication method, characterized in that, include: The relay user equipment sends first information to the user equipment, wherein the first information is used to indicate the cell identification information of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding; The relay user equipment forwards the set of first information received from the user equipment to the access network device, so that the access network device sends a control message based on the set of first information to instruct the user equipment to establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device and the cell information for establishing the connection. The set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment and the first information that the user equipment can access. The relay user equipment forwards the control message received from the access network device to the user equipment, so that the user equipment can establish a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The relay user equipment also sends second information to the user equipment, so that the user equipment can combine the second information obtained by the user equipment from each relay user equipment to determine the set information of the first information. The second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The relay user equipment also forwards the set of second information received from the user equipment to the access network device, so that the access network device can also send a control message in conjunction with the set of second information to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device, either cell information, or cell information and network information. The set of second information is determined based on the second information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment and which the user equipment can access.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The relay user equipment also sends third information to the user equipment, wherein the third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment; The relay user equipment also forwards the set of third information received from the user equipment to the access network equipment, so that the access network equipment can also send a control message in conjunction with the set of third information to instruct the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network equipment, and the set of third information is determined according to the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. The relay user equipment forwards the control message received from the access network device to the user equipment, so that the user equipment can establish a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, If the user equipment reports only one cell with the same network identifier to the access network device in the aggregate information, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device. If there are multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message indicates or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first set of information, the second set of information, and the third set of information are transmitted through a first message, which includes a connection establishment request or a measurement report.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The relay user equipment sends the first information, the second information, and the third information to the user equipment via PSBCH or PSSCH.

8. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The relay user equipment obtains the first and second information through the broadcast messages of the access network equipment.

9. A relay communication method, characterized in that, include: The user equipment receives first information sent by each relay user equipment, wherein the first information is used to indicate the cell identification information of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding. The user equipment (UE) relays the set of first information to the access network device via a relay UE, so that the access network device sends a control message based on the set of first information to instruct the UE to establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device and to provide cell information for the connection. The set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the UE from each relay UE and which the UE can access. User equipment receives the control messages sent by access network devices via relay user equipment, and establishes a connection with the cell indicated by the control messages via relay user equipment.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The user equipment also receives second information sent by each relay user equipment, wherein the second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network device that the relay user equipment can access and supports information forwarding. The user equipment (UE) determines the set information of the first information by combining the second information obtained by the UE from each relay UE.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The user equipment (UE) relays the set of second information to the access network device via a relay UE, so that the access network device can also send a control message in conjunction with the set of second information to instruct the UE to establish a connection with the access network device using cell information, or cell information and network information. The set of second information is determined based on the second information received by the UE from each relay UE that the UE can access.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The user equipment also receives third information sent by each relay user equipment, wherein the third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment; The user equipment transmits the set of third information to the access network device via relay user equipment, so that the access network device can also send control messages in conjunction with the set of third information to instruct the user equipment to establish cell information and relay user equipment for connection with the access network device. The set of third information is determined based on the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. User equipment receives control messages sent by access network devices via relay user equipment, and establishes a connection between the relay user equipment indicated by the control message and the cell indicated by the control message.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, If there is only one cell with the same network identifier in the collection information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, then the connection configuration information is single-connection configuration information. The control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device, and the user equipment establishes a single connection with a cell indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment. If there are multiple cells with the same network identifier in the set information reported by the user equipment to the access network device and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message indicates or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device. The user equipment establishes multiple connections with the multiple cells indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment, or the user equipment establishes a single connection with the cell indicated by the control message through a relay user equipment.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The user equipment transmits the first message to the access network device via a relay user equipment relay. The first message carries a set of first information, a set of second information, and a set of third information. The first message includes a connection establishment request or a measurement report.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, User equipment receives the first, second, and third information sent by each relay user equipment via PSBCH or PSSCH.

16. A relay communication method, characterized in that, include: The access network device receives a set of first information sent by the user equipment via relay user equipment. The set of first information is determined based on the first information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment and which the user equipment can access. The first information is used to indicate the cell identifier information of the access network equipment that the relay user equipment can access and that supports information forwarding. The access network device sends a control message based on the set information of the first information. The control message is relayed to the user equipment through the relay user equipment. The control message is used to instruct the user equipment to establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device and to provide information on the cell where the connection is established.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The access network device also receives a set of second information sent by the user equipment relayed by the relay user equipment. The set of second information is determined based on the second information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment and which the user equipment can access. The second information is used to indicate the network identification information of the cell of the access network equipment that the relay user equipment can access and that supports information forwarding. The access network device also sends a control message in conjunction with the collection information of the second information. The control message is relayed to the user equipment through the relay user equipment. The control message is used to indicate the cell information, or cell information and network information, for the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The access network device also receives a set of third information sent by the user equipment relayed by the relay user equipment. The set of third information is determined based on the third information received by the user equipment from each relay user equipment. The third information is used to indicate the identifier of the relay user equipment. The access network device also sends a control message in conjunction with the collection information of the third information. The control message is relayed to the user equipment through the relay user equipment. The control message is used to indicate the cell information and the relay user equipment for the user equipment to establish a connection with the access network device, so that the user equipment can establish a connection with the cell indicated by the control message through the relay user equipment indicated by the control message.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, If the user equipment reports only one cell with the same network identifier to the access network device in the aggregate information, or if the user equipment does not have multi-connection capability, the control message instructs the user equipment to establish a single connection with the access network device. If there are multiple cells with the same network identifier in the aggregate information reported by the user equipment to the access network device, and the user equipment has multi-connection capability, the control message indicates or suggests that the user equipment establish multiple connections or a single connection with the access network device.

20. A relay user equipment, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the relay communication method of any one of claims 1-9 based on instructions stored in the memory.

21. A user equipment, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the relay communication method of any one of claims 10-15 based on instructions stored in the memory.

22. An access network device, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the relay communication method of any one of claims 16-19 based on instructions stored in the memory.

23. A relay communication system, comprising: The relay user equipment as described in claim 20, The user equipment as claimed in claim 21, and The access network device as described in claim 22.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the relay communication method according to any one of claims 1-19.

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