Method for sidelink relay communication under dual connectivity

Abstract

A wireless communication method for use in a first wireless terminal is disclosed. The wireless communication method includes sending assistance information related to a second wireless terminal to a first wireless network node and receiving a configuration message from the first wireless network node, the configuration message configuring the first wireless terminal to forward data traffic for the second wireless terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to New Radio (NR) wireless communications. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of wireless multimedia services, the demand for high data rate services has increased significantly. This places higher demands on the system capacity and coverage of conventional cellular networks. On the other hand, applications such as public safety, social networks, short-range data sharing, and local advertising are also driving the demand for proximity services that allow people to meet or communicate with nearby people or objects. However, conventional cellular networks have significant limitations in supporting high data rate and proximity services. Therefore, device-to-device (D2D) communication technology has been proposed to meet these needs. By adopting D2D technology, the burden on cellular networks can be reduced, user equipment power consumption can be decreased, data rates can be increased, and the robustness of network infrastructure can be improved to meet the demands of high data rate services and proximity services. D2D technology is also known as ProSe or sidelink communication, and the interface between devices is called the PC5 interface.

[0003] To support a wider range of applications and services, a sidelink-based relay communication approach is proposed to extend network coverage and improve power consumption. For example, sidelink-based relay communication can be applied to indoor relay communication, smart agriculture, smart factories, and public safety services. Figure 1 The scenario illustrating the application of sidelink-based relay communication includes:

[0004] 1) UE to network relay (in Figure 1 Mode 1 shown in the diagram): Mode 1 relay communication is designed for user equipment (UE) in areas with weak or no coverage (e.g., Figure 1 (UE1 shown in the image). In this case, UE1 is allowed to connect to the network via a nearby UE2 that is covered by the network (e.g., UE1). Figure 1 The network communicates with the base station (BS) shown in the diagram. Therefore, the network coverage is extended and the network capacity is increased. Note that in this scenario, UE2 is referred to as a UE-to-network relay, while UE1 is referred to as a remote UE.

[0005] 2) UE to UE relay ( Figure 1 Mode 2) shown: During emergency situations (e.g., earthquakes), cellular networks may malfunction or the network's sidelink communication range may need to be extended. Therefore, relay communication is designed to allow UEs to communicate with each other via relay UEs. (As shown in...) Figure 1As shown, UE3 is transmitted via UE5 (or multiple relay UEs) in Figure 1 (not shown in the image) communicates with UE4, where UE5 is referred to as UE-to-UE relay in this scenario.

[0006] Note that the interface between the UE and the BS is called the Uu interface.

[0007] In Long Term Evolution (LTE), two technical solutions are provided for UE-to-network relay communication: one based on the Internet Protocol (IP) layer (Layer 3) and the other based on the access layer (Layer 2). Layer 3-based relay forwards data based on the UE's IP information (e.g., IP address or IP port number). Layer 2-based relay routes and forwards user plane and control plane data at the access layer, allowing network operators (i.e., core network and / or BS) to manage remote UEs more effectively. Because the mechanisms of NR sidelink communication differ significantly from those of LTE sidelink communication (e.g., in frame structure, Quality of Service (QoS) handling, bearer configuration, and bearer establishment), the sidelink technical solutions proposed in LTE may not be suitable for NR systems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for performing sidelink relay communication in dual connectivity, and more particularly to methods, systems, and apparatus for allowing a remote UE to connect to a network via a Layer 2 relay UE in dual connectivity and to perform data transmission through the Layer 2 relay UE.

[0009] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in a first wireless terminal. The wireless communication method includes:

[0010] Send auxiliary information related to the second wireless terminal to the first wireless network node, and

[0011] The first wireless terminal receives a configuration message from the first wireless network node, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal.

[0012] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0013] Preferably, the first wireless terminal is in a dual wireless connection with the first wireless node and the second wireless node, wherein the configuration message includes at least one of the following: a connection indication, which indicates that the second wireless terminal is connected to the first wireless network node or the second wireless network node; a path indication, which indicates the path for forwarding the data service to the second wireless network node; a primary cell group (MCG) backhaul bearer configuration; or a secondary cell group (SCG) backhaul bearer configuration.

[0014] Preferably, the auxiliary information includes the Uu Radio Access Technology (RAT) of the second wireless terminal.

[0015] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes receiving RAT information from the second wireless terminal, wherein the RAT information includes the Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal.

[0016] Preferably, the RAT information is received in one of the following: PC5-S signaling, PC5 Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, or an adaptation header of an adaptation packet data unit containing a connection request message.

[0017] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes sending dual connection information related to the dual connection of the first wireless terminal to the second wireless terminal.

[0018] Preferably, the dual connectivity information includes at least one of the following: the RAT of the first wireless network node, the RAT of the second wireless network node, a dual connectivity indication, at least one cell global identifier of at least one serving cell, or a wireless dual connectivity (MR-DC) type.

[0019] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in a first wireless network node. The wireless communication method includes:

[0020] Send a secondary node request to a second wireless network node connected to the first wireless terminal, the first wireless terminal being connected to the first wireless network node; and

[0021] The second wireless network node receives a secondary node bearer configuration, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal.

[0022] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0023] Preferably, the secondary node request includes at least one of the following: a list of requested secondary cell group (SCG) backhaul bearers, an SCG backhaul bearer indication, a relay backhaul bearer indication, a radio bearer type indication, a Uu RB identifier (ID), a Uu RB priority, or the second-level ID of the second radio terminal.

[0024] Preferably, the auxiliary node bearer configuration includes at least one of the following: SCG backhaul bearer ID, Uu RB ID that can be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, Uu RB priority that can be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, SCG backhaul bearer priority, logical channel ID, radio link control sequence number (RLC SN) length, or maximum number of retransmissions.

[0025] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) transmission message between the first wireless network node and the second wireless network node to the second wireless network node, wherein the RRC transmission message includes at least one of the following: the Layer 2 ID of the second wireless terminal, the Uu Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) ID of the second wireless terminal, or an RRC container encapsulating at least one control message of the second wireless terminal.

[0026] Preferably, the RRC transmission message is sent via signaling associated with the first wireless terminal.

[0027] Preferably, the auxiliary node request and the auxiliary node bearer configuration are sent via signaling associated with the first wireless terminal.

[0028] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes receiving auxiliary information related to the second wireless terminal from the first wireless terminal.

[0029] The auxiliary information includes the Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal.

[0030] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes sending a configuration message to the first wireless terminal, the configuration message configuring the first wireless terminal to forward the data service for the second wireless terminal.

[0031] Preferably, the configuration message includes at least one of the following: a connection indication indicating that the second wireless terminal is connected to the first wireless network node or the second wireless network node; a path indication indicating the path for forwarding the data service; a primary cell group (MCG) backhaul bearer configuration; or an SCG backhaul bearer configuration.

[0032] Preferably, the MCG or SCG backhaul bearer configuration includes at least one of the following: cell group ID, backhaul bearer indication, backhaul bearer ID, Uu RB ID that can be mapped to the backhaul bearer, Uu RB priority that can be mapped to the backhaul bearer, backhaul bearer priority, backhaul logical channel ID, or radio link control (RLC) configuration.

[0033] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in a second wireless network node. The wireless communication method includes:

[0034] The first wireless terminal receives a secondary node request from a first wireless network node connected to the first wireless terminal, and the first wireless terminal connects to the second wireless network node.

[0035] Send a secondary node bearer configuration to the first wireless network node, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal.

[0036] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0037] Preferably, the secondary node request includes at least one of the following: a list of requested secondary cell group (SCG) backhaul bearers, an SCG backhaul bearer indication, a relay backhaul bearer indication, a radio bearer type indication, a Uu RB identifier (ID), a Uu RB priority, or a Layer 2 ID of the first radio terminal.

[0038] Preferably, the auxiliary node bearer configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0039] SCG backhaul bearer ID, Uu RB ID allowed to be mapped to this SCG backhaul bearer, Uu RB priority allowed to be mapped to this SCG backhaul bearer, SCG backhaul bearer priority, logical channel ID, Radio Link Control Sequence Number (RLC SN) length, or maximum number of retransmissions.

[0040] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) transmission message between the first wireless network node and the second wireless network node.

[0041] The RRC transmission message includes at least one of the following: the Layer 2 ID of the second wireless terminal, the Uu Signaling Resource Bearer (SRB) ID of the second wireless terminal, or an RRC container encapsulating at least one control message of the second wireless terminal.

[0042] Preferably, the RRC transmission message is sent via signaling associated with the first wireless terminal.

[0043] Preferably, the auxiliary node request and the auxiliary node bearer configuration are sent via signaling associated with the first wireless terminal.

[0044] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in a third wireless network node. The wireless communication method includes:

[0045] Send configuration related to the third wireless terminal to the fourth wireless network node, the third wireless terminal being connected to the third wireless network node via the fourth wireless terminal, and

[0046] Receive a response message from the fourth wireless network node.

[0047] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0048] Preferably, the fourth wireless terminal is in a dual wireless connection with the third wireless network node and the fourth wireless network node, and the configuration and the response message are sent via signaling associated with the fourth wireless terminal.

[0049] Preferably, the configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0050] The Layer 2 identifier (ID) of the third wireless terminal, the mapping between the Uu data radio bearer (DRB) of the third wireless terminal and the PC5 backhaul bearer, the configuration of the Uu DRB of the third wireless terminal, the mapping between the Uu DRB of the third wireless terminal and the relay backhaul bearer used by the fourth wireless terminal to relay data between the third wireless terminal and the third wireless network node, the configuration of the relay backhaul bearer, or the mapping between the PC5 backhaul bearer and the relay backhaul bearer.

[0051] Preferably, the configuration of the relay backhaul bearer includes at least one of the following: bearer ID, bearer quality of service (QoS), bearer type, uplink configuration, transport network layer (TNL) information of the third radio network node, PC5 backhaul bearer mapped to the relay backhaul bearer, Uu DRB mapped to the relay backhaul bearer, or the required sidelink DRB ID.

[0052] Preferably, the response message includes at least one of the following: a list of SCG BH bearers that have been configured, a list of SCG BH bearers that have failed to be configured, or a reason for failure.

[0053] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in a fourth wireless network node. The wireless communication method includes:

[0054] Receive configuration related to a third wireless terminal from a third wireless network node, the third wireless terminal being connected to the third wireless network node via a fourth wireless terminal; and

[0055] Send a response message to the third wireless network node.

[0056] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0057] Preferably, the fourth wireless terminal is in a dual wireless connection with the third wireless network node and the fourth wireless network node, and the configuration and the response message are sent via signaling associated with the fourth wireless terminal.

[0058] Preferably, the configuration includes at least one of the following: the Layer 2 identifier (ID) of the third wireless terminal, the mapping between the Uu data radio bearer (DRB) and the PC5 backhaul bearer of the third wireless terminal, the configuration of the Uu DRB, the mapping between the Uu DRB of the third wireless terminal and the relay backhaul bearer used by the fourth wireless terminal to relay data between the third wireless terminal and the third wireless network node, the configuration of the relay backhaul bearer, or the mapping between the PC5 backhaul bearer and the relay backhaul bearer.

[0059] Preferably, the configuration of the relay backhaul bearer includes at least one of the following: bearer ID, bearer quality of service (QoS), bearer type, uplink configuration, transport network layer (TNL) information of the third wireless network node, mapping between the PC5 backhaul bearer and the relay backhaul bearer, mapping between the Uu DRB and the relay backhaul bearer, or the required sidelink DRB ID.

[0060] Preferably, the response message includes at least one of the following: a list of SCG BH bearers that have been configured, a list of SCG BH bearers that have failed to be configured, or a reason for failure.

[0061] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in a fifth wireless network node. The wireless communication method includes:

[0062] Send a secondary node addition request message for the fifth wireless terminal to the sixth wireless network node.

[0063] The auxiliary node add request message includes at least one of the following: remote wireless terminal indication, the Layer 2 identifier of the fifth wireless terminal, information of the sixth wireless terminal used by the fifth wireless terminal to connect to the fifth wireless network node, or the mapping between the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal and the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal.

[0064] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0065] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes:

[0066] The relay-related information is sent to the sixth wireless network node. This relay-related information is used to configure the relay backhaul bearer used by the sixth wireless terminal to forward data from the fifth wireless terminal.

[0067] Receive a response message from the sixth wireless network node.

[0068] The relay-related information and the response message are sent via signaling associated with the sixth wireless terminal.

[0069] Preferably, the relay-related information includes at least one of the following: relay UE type indication, L2 ID of the sixth wireless terminal, list of served remote UEs, mapping between the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal and the relay BH bearer, and relay backhaul bearer configuration involving the sixth wireless network node.

[0070] Preferably, the response message includes at least one of the following: bearer ID, bearer QoS, bearer type, uplink configuration, transport network layer (TNL) information, PC5 backhaul bearer mapped to the trunk backhaul bearer, Uu DRB mapped to the trunk backhaul bearer, RRC container containing the configuration associated with the trunk backhaul bearer, or the required sidelink DRB ID.

[0071] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes:

[0072] The data received from the sixth wireless terminal via the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal, which terminates at the sixth wireless network node, is transmitted from the fifth wireless terminal to the sixth wireless terminal.

[0073] Map this data to the transmission bearer associated with the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal or the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal, and

[0074] The data is sent to the sixth wireless network node via the transport bearer.

[0075] Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes:

[0076] The data received from the fifth wireless terminal at the fifth wireless network node via the transmission bearer is terminated by the Uu DRB at the fifth wireless network node.

[0077] The transmission bearer is associated with the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal or the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal.

[0078] This disclosure relates to a first wireless terminal, which includes:

[0079] The communication unit is configured as follows:

[0080] Send auxiliary information related to the second wireless terminal to the first wireless network node, and

[0081] The first wireless terminal receives a configuration message from the first wireless network node, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal.

[0082] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0083] Preferably, the first wireless terminal further includes a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any of the foregoing methods.

[0084] This disclosure relates to a first wireless network node, which includes:

[0085] The communication unit is configured as follows:

[0086] A secondary node request is sent to a second wireless network node connected to the first wireless terminal, and the first wireless terminal is connected to the first wireless network node.

[0087] The second wireless network node receives a secondary node bearer configuration, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal.

[0088] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0089] Preferably, the first wireless network node further includes a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any of the foregoing methods.

[0090] This disclosure relates to a second wireless network node, which includes:

[0091] The communication unit is configured as follows:

[0092] The first wireless terminal receives a secondary node request from a first wireless network node connected to the first wireless terminal, and the first wireless terminal connects to the second wireless network node.

[0093] Send a secondary node bearer configuration to the first wireless network node, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal.

[0094] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0095] Preferably, the second wireless network node further includes a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any of the foregoing methods.

[0096] This disclosure relates to a third wireless network node, which includes:

[0097] The communication unit is configured as follows:

[0098] Sending configuration related to a third wireless terminal to a fourth wireless network node, the third wireless terminal being connected to the third wireless network node via the fourth wireless network node; and

[0099] Receive a response message from the fourth wireless network node.

[0100] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0101] Preferably, the third wireless network node further includes a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any of the foregoing methods.

[0102] This disclosure relates to a fourth wireless network node, which includes:

[0103] The communication unit is configured as follows:

[0104] Receive configuration related to a third wireless terminal from a third wireless network node, the third wireless terminal being connected to the third wireless network node via a fourth wireless terminal; and

[0105] Send a response message to the third wireless network node.

[0106] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0107] Preferably, the fourth wireless network node further includes a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any of the foregoing methods.

[0108] This disclosure relates to a fifth wireless network node, which includes:

[0109] The communication unit is configured as follows:

[0110] Send a secondary node addition request message for the fifth wireless terminal to the sixth wireless network node.

[0111] The auxiliary node add request message includes at least one of the following: remote wireless terminal indication, the Layer 2 identifier of the fifth wireless terminal, information of the sixth wireless terminal used by the fifth wireless terminal to connect to the fifth wireless network node, or the mapping between the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal and the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal.

[0112] Various embodiments can preferably achieve the following features:

[0113] Preferably, the fifth wireless network node further includes a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any of the foregoing methods.

[0114] This disclosure relates to a computer program product including computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the wireless communication method in any of the foregoing methods.

[0115] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are intended to provide features that will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Exemplary systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed herein according to various embodiments. However, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example rather than limitation, and that various modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of this disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art who read this disclosure.

[0116] Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Furthermore, the specific order and / or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein are merely exemplary. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed methods or processes may be rearranged while still remaining within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or actions in an exemplary order, and unless otherwise expressly stated, this disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. Attached Figure Description

[0117] The above and other aspects and their implementations are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, description and claims.

[0118] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of side link relay communication is shown.

[0119] Figure 2 An example of a schematic diagram of a wireless terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0120] Figure 3 An example of a schematic diagram of a wireless network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0121] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0122] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0123] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0124] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0125] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0126] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0127] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0128] Figure 11 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0129] Figure 12 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0130] Figure 13 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0131] Figure 14 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0132] Figure 15 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0133] Figure 16 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0134] Figure 17 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0135] Figure 18 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0136] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram relating to a wireless terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless terminal 20 may be a user equipment (UE), mobile phone, laptop computer, tablet computer, e-book reader, or portable computer system, and is not limited thereto. The wireless terminal 20 may include a processor 200 (such as a microprocessor or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), a storage unit 210, and a communication unit 220. The storage unit 210 may be any data storage device storing program code 212 accessed and executed by the processor 200. Embodiments of the storage unit 212 include, but are not limited to, a subscriber identity module (SIM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), hard disk, and optical data storage devices. The communication unit 220 may be a transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or data packets) according to the processing results of the processor 200. In an embodiment, the communication unit 220 is connected via... Figure 2 At least one antenna 222 shown transmits and receives signals.

[0137] In this embodiment, storage unit 210 and program code 212 may be omitted, and processor 200 may include storage unit with stored program code.

[0138] The processor 200 may implement any of the steps in the exemplary embodiment on the wireless terminal 20, for example, by executing program code 212.

[0139] The communication unit 220 may be a transceiver. Alternatively or as a supplement, the communication unit 220 may combine a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, which are configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from a wireless network node (e.g., a base station), respectively.

[0140] Figure 3 This diagram relates to a wireless network node 30 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless network node 30 may be a satellite, base station (BS), network entity, mobility management entity (MME), serving gateway (S-GW), packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), radio access network (RAN), next-generation RAN (NG-RAN), data network, core network controller, or radio network controller (RNC), and is not limited herein. Additionally, the wireless network node 30 may include (perform) at least one network function, such as access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), policy control function (PCF), application function (AF), etc. The wireless network node 30 may include a processor 300, such as a microprocessor or ASIC, a storage unit 310, and a communication unit 320. The storage unit 310 may be any data storage device storing program code 312 accessed and executed by the processor 300. Examples of storage units 312 include, but are not limited to, SIM, ROM, flash memory, RAM, hard disk, and optical data storage devices. The communication unit 320 can be a transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or data packets) based on the processing results of the processor 300. In this example, the communication unit 320 is connected via... Figure 3 At least one antenna 322 shown transmits and receives signals.

[0141] In this embodiment, the storage unit 310 and the program code 312 may be omitted. The processor 300 may include a storage unit containing stored program code.

[0142] The processor 300 may implement any of the steps described in the exemplary embodiments on the wireless network node 30, for example, by executing program code 312.

[0143] The communication unit 320 may be a transceiver. Alternatively or as a supplement, the communication unit 320 may combine a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, which are configured to transmit signals to a wireless terminal (e.g., a user equipment) and receive signals from the wireless terminal, respectively.

[0144] In this disclosure, QoS refers to Quality of Service.

[0145] In this disclosure, 5QI stands for 5G QoS identifier.

[0146] In this disclosure, QFI stands for QoS Flow Identifier.

[0147] In this disclosure, PFI stands for PC5 QoS Flow Identifier.

[0148] In this disclosure, PQI stands for PC5 5QI.

[0149] In this disclosure, BH stands for Postback.

[0150] In this disclosure, SL denotes a side link.

[0151] In this disclosure, DRB stands for Data Radio Bearer.

[0152] In this disclosure, SRB stands for Signaling Radio Bearer.

[0153] In this embodiment, a remote UE accesses one of two network nodes (BS1 and BS2) via a relay UE. In this embodiment, the relay UE is in a dual-connectivity (MR-DC) configuration with both BS1 and BS2, where BS1 can be the primary node (MN) and BS2 can be the secondary node (SN) for the relay UE. The following examples illustrate how a remote UE connects to the network (e.g., BS1 or BS2) via a dual-connectivity relay UE and how the remote UE performs data transmission (e.g., transmitting control signaling / control plane data and / or one or more data services / user plane data) through the relay UE.

[0154] In an embodiment, on the Uu interface (i.e., the interface between the relay UE and BS1 / BS2), the relay UE can report the Uu Radio Access Technology (RAT) of the remote UE to BS1 and receive the RRC configuration and associated backhaul (BH) bearer configuration from BS1. The RRC configuration indicates which path the relay UE will use to forward the RRS messages of the remote UE.

[0155] In this embodiment, on the Xn interface (i.e., the interface between BS1 and BS2), BS1 and BS2 can negotiate the secondary cell group (SCG) BH bearer configuration and relay RRC transmission information.

[0156] In this embodiment, on the PC5 interface (i.e., the interface between the remote UE and the relay UE), the relay UE can learn the Uu RAT of the remote UE.

[0157] In this embodiment, the remote UE connects to a single BS (e.g., one of BS1 and BS2) via a relay UE. In this embodiment, BS1 and BS2 negotiate a relay BH bearer via relay UE-associated Xn signaling, wherein the relay UE uses the relay BH bearer to relay the services of the remote UE.

[0158] In this embodiment, when a remote UE connects to BS1 (i.e., the MN of the relay UE) via a relay UE, BS1 configures the mapping between the remote UE's data resource bearer (DRB) and the relay BH bearer. When the SCG relay BH bearer is needed, BS1 requests BS2 to configure the SCG relay BH bearer and indicates the associated Xn transport bearer transport network layer (TNL) information.

[0159] In an embodiment, when a remote UE connects to BS2 (e.g., the SN of the relay UE) via a relay UE, BS2 configures the mapping between the remote UE Uu DRB and the relay BH bearer. When a primary cell group (MCG) relay BH bearer is needed, BS2 requests BS1 to configure the MCG relay BH bearer and indicates the associated Xn transport bearer TNL information. Alternatively or supplementarily, BS2 notifies BS1 of the remote UE Uu DRB configuration, and BS1 configures the mapping between the remote UE Uu DRB and the relay BH bearer.

[0160] In an embodiment, the remote UE enters the MR-DC via a relay UE, and the remote UE has the same MN (e.g., BS1) and SN (e.g., BS2) as the relay UE.

[0161] In this embodiment, BS1 and BS2 negotiate the remote UE Uu DRB via remote UE associated Xn signaling.

[0162] In this embodiment, BS1 and BS2 negotiate the trunk BH bearer (and optional mapping configuration) to be used by the trunk UE via the trunk UE-associated Xn signaling.

[0163] In an embodiment, for a remote UE bearer terminated by the SN, when remote UE data is received from a relay BH bearer, the MN maps the remote UE data to the remote UE Uu DRB associated Xn transport bearer for transmission to the SN, or maps it to the relay BH bearer associated Xn transport bearer for transmission to the SN.

[0164] Example 1:

[0165] Next-generation radio access networks (NG-RAN) support MR-DC, where multiple UEs with Rx / Tx capabilities can be configured to utilize resources provided by two different network nodes (e.g., BS) via a non-ideal backhaul connection. In an embodiment, one network node can provide New Radio (NR) access, while the other can provide Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) or NR access. Furthermore, one network node acts as the MN, and the other acts as the SN. The MN and the SN are connected via a network interface (i.e., the Xn interface), and at least the MN is connected to the core network.

[0166] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4 In this configuration, the relay UE resides in the MR-DC and is connected to BSs (BS1 and BS2), where BS1 acts as the MN and BS2 acts as the SN. In this embodiment, BS1 can be a next-generation Node B (gNB), and BS2 can be an evolved Node B (enB). The relay UE supports Layer 2 (L2-based) sidelink (SL) relay communication, and the remote UE selects the relay UE to connect to the network and to send / receive data (services) to / from the network via the relay UE.

[0167] For remote UEs accessing the network via L2-based relay UEs, the following implementation examples can be considered:

[0168] 1. A remote UE accesses BS1 via a relay UE (e.g., establishing an RRC connection with BS1):

[0169] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 In the process, the remote UE can know the MN RAT of the relay UE (i.e., Figure 5 The relay UE determines whether it supports the MN RAT and generates an RRC message for the corresponding RAT. Specifically, the relay UE can send at least one of the following information to the remote UE: MN RAT (e.g., LTE RAT or NR RAT), SN RAT, relay dual connectivity indication, all serving cells including NCGI / ECGI (NR cell group identifier / E-UTRAN cell group identifier), and MR-DC type (such as EN-DC (E-UTRAN NR-dual connectivity), NE-DC (NR E-UTRAN-dual connectivity), NGEN-DC (NG-RAN E-UTRA dual connectivity), or NR-DC (NR dual connectivity)). In embodiments, the relay UE can carry the above information in discovery announcement / attachment / response messages, direct communication request / acceptance messages, or PC5 RRC messages.

[0170] 2. Remote UE accesses BS2 via relay UE:

[0171] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6In this embodiment, the remote UE connects to BS2 via a relay UE. In this embodiment, BS2 serves the remote UE as a separate BS. For example, the remote UE only supports LTE Uu, the relay UE's MN (i.e., BS1) is an NR BS, and the relay UE's SN (i.e., BS2) is an LTE BS. In this case, the remote UE can access only the LTE BS (i.e., BS2) via the relay UE.

[0172] In an embodiment, the relay UE learns that the remote UE supports / currently uses / prefers to use the Uu RAT, and forwards the remote UE's RRC connection request to the BS of the same RAT.

[0173] More specifically, a remote UE can send RAT information including its Uu RAT in the following manner: (Note that NR PC5 can be used between a remote UE and a relay UE)

[0174] A) The remote UE can send RAT information to the relay UE via PC5-S signaling (such as direct communication request / accept, L2 unicast link establishment message, discovery-related message) or PC5-RRC signaling (such as UE capability exchange message). In an embodiment, the RAT information indicates to the relay UE (e.g., including) the Uu RAT that the remote UE supports / currently uses / prefers to use;

[0175] B) The adaptation header of the introduced PC5 adaptation layer carries RAT information related to the remote UE. In this embodiment, the RAT information indicates the Uu RAT of the remote UE. Specifically, the remote UE generates a Uu RRC connection request message and submits it to the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer. After PDCP processing, the processed packet is submitted to the PC5 adaptation layer. The remote UE constructs an Adapted Packet Data Unit (PDU) using the adaptation header containing the Uu RAT of the RRC connection request message and submits the PDU to a lower layer for transmission to the relay UE via the PC5 interface. That is, the RAT information is carried in the adaptation header containing the RRC connection request message of the adaptation PDU.

[0176] In this embodiment, after learning the remote UE's Uu RAT (e.g., LTE RAT), the relay UE can forward the remote UE's RRC connection request message to BS2 via the default SCG BH bearer (if a default SCG BH bearer is configured). In this embodiment, the relay UE can report auxiliary information related to the remote UE to its MN (i.e., BS1) via a sidelink UE information message or other RRC messages. BS1 and BS2 then negotiate to determine which path the relay UE will use to forward the remote UE's RRC connection request message to BS2. The auxiliary information may include the remote UE's Uu RAT. As presented in the above embodiments, the relay UE can learn the remote UE's Uu RAT via the PC5 interface.

[0177] In this embodiment, it is determined that the relay UE will use the direct SCG path. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7 In this embodiment, the relay UE forwards remote UE RRC messages via a direct SCG path (i.e., a path directly to BS2). When deciding to use the direct SCG path, BS1 requests BS2 to configure an SCG BH bearer for the relay UE to forward remote UE RRC messages (i.e., RRC messages of the remote UE). Specifically, BS1 sends an SN request (e.g., an SCG BH bearer request) to BS2. In this embodiment, the SN request may include at least one of the following: a list of requested SCG BH bearers; an SCG BH bearer indication; a relay bearer indication: indicating that the requested bearer is used to forward / relay traffic of the remote UE; a radio bearer type indication (e.g., signaling radio bearer or data radio bearer): indicating that the requested bearer is used to forward Uu SRB or DRB packets of the remote UE; a Uu RB ID: indicating that the requested bearer is used to forward packets with the Uu RB ID of the remote UE; a Uu RB priority: indicating which bearer priority of the remote UE the requested bearer is used to forward packets; or the L2 ID of the remote UE.

[0178] In this embodiment, the SCG BH bearer has no associated PDU session and NG tunnel. In this embodiment, SCG BH bearer request information can be sent via SN modification request messages or other Xn messages. In this embodiment, the BH bearer (also known as a Radio Link Control (RLC) bearer, RLC channel) only has an associated RLC entity, logical channel, some MAC configuration, and optional adaptation entities (e.g., no PDCP or SDAP entities compared to a regular radio bearer).

[0179] Next, BS2 may return a response message (e.g., SN request acknowledgment (Ack)), which may include at least one of the following: a list of SCG BH bearers that have been configured, a list of SCG BH bearers that have failed to be configured, or a reason for failure.

[0180] In an embodiment, each SCG BH bearer configuration (also referred to as SN bearer configuration) may further include at least one of the following: cell group ID, BH bearer indication, Uu RB ID that is allowed to be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, Uu RB priority that is allowed to be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, SCG backhaul bearer priority, BH logical channel ID, or radio link control (RLC) configuration.

[0181] In this embodiment, the response message can be sent via SN modification request confirmation, rejection message, or other Xn messages.

[0182] Upon receiving a response message from BS2, BS1 can send an RRC reconfiguration message to the relay UE. This RRC reconfiguration message includes a list of accepted SCG BH bearer configurations (i.e., SN bearer configurations) received from BS2. The relay UE establishes an SCG BH bearer based on the SN bearer configuration and can use the established SCG BH bearer to forward remote UE RRC messages (e.g., RRC connection setup requests) to BS2. BS2 can also use the SCG BH bearer to send RRC messages for remote UEs via the relay UE.

[0183] In the embodiment, it is determined that an indirect path (i.e., a path forwarded to the SN via the MN) will be used. Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 8 In this process, an indirect path via BS1 to BS2 is determined. In this case, BS1 is configured with an MCG BH bearer, wherein the MCG BH bearer has no associated PDU sessions and NG tunnels. The MCG BH bearer configuration may include at least one of the following: cell group ID (e.g., MCG bearer ID), Uu RB ID allowed to be mapped to the MCG backhaul bearer, Uu RB priority allowed to be mapped to the MCG backhaul bearer, backhaul bearer priority, backhaul logical channel ID, or radio link control (RLC) length.

[0184] In this embodiment, BS1 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the relay UE to indicate which path the relay UE will use and the associated BH bearer configuration. Specifically, the RRC reconfiguration message may include at least one of the following: a connection indication indicating that the remote UE is connected to BS1 or BS2, a path indication (direct path, indirect path, MCG BH bearer, SCG BH bearer), an MCG BH bearer configuration, or an SCG BH bearer configuration.

[0185] exist Figure 8 In the downlink direction, upon receiving an RRC reconfiguration message, the relay UE establishes an MCG BH bearer based on the configuration. Subsequently, the relay UE can use the established MCG BH bearer to forward remote UE RRC messages to BS1, and BS1 forwards the message to BS2 via an Xn interface RRC transmission / relay RRC transmission message or other Xn messages. In the downlink direction, when an RRC message for a remote UE is generated, BS2 sends the generated RRC message to BS1 via an RRC transmission / relay RRC transmission message, and BS1 forwards the generated RRC message to the remote UE via the relay UE. Specifically, the relay RRC transmission message in both directions (from BS1 to BS2 or from BS2 to BS1) may include at least one of the following: the remote UE's L2 ID, SRBID (e.g., the remote UE's Uu SRB ID), and an RRC container (containing a PDCP-C PDU or an adaptation PDU encapsulating the remote UE's RRC message).

[0186] In this embodiment, the relay UE can blindly forward RRC connection request messages from a remote UE to its MN / BS1 or SN / BS2 via a default MCG BH bearer or a default SCG BH bearer (if configured). For example, the relay UE forwards one or more remote UE RRC messages to BS1 via the default MCG BH bearer. When BS1 recognizes that the RAT of the remote UE RRC message is different from its own RAT but the same as the RAT of BS2, BS1 can forward one or more RRC messages from the remote UE to BS2 via an Xn interface RRC transmission / relay RRC transmission message or other Xn messages. BS2 parses the remote UE RRC messages and serves the remote UE. Relay RRC transmission information in both directions (from BS1 to BS2 or from BS2 to BS1) may include at least one of the following: remote UE L2 ID, SRB ID (the remote UE's Uu SRB ID), and RRC container (containing a PDCP-CPDU or an adaptation PDU encapsulating the remote UE's RRC message).

[0187] In this embodiment, the relay UE forwards the RRC connection request message of the remote UE to both its MN / BS1 and SN / BS2 via the default MCG BH bearer and the default SCG BH bearer.

[0188] In this embodiment, when BS1 determines that the Uu RAT of the remote UE RRC message is different from its own RAT, BS1 discards the remote UE's RRC message. When BS2 successfully parses the remote UE RRC message (i.e., the Uu RAT of the remote UE RRC message is the same as BS2's Uu RAT), BS2 serves the remote UE.

[0189] In an embodiment, after the remote UE successfully accesses BS2 (e.g., BS2 receives an RRC connection setup complete message from the remote UE), BS2 notifies BS1 of the remote UE (e.g., the L2 ID of the remote UE) via Xn signaling associated with the relay UE (e.g., SN modification required message or Xn signaling for carrying a newly defined sidelink / relay related configuration).

[0190] Example 2:

[0191] In this embodiment, the remote UE has established an RRC connection with BS2 via a relay UE. The following section discusses how data is forwarded between the remote UE and BS2 via the relay UE (and optionally BS1).

[0192] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 9 In this process, the remote UE and BS2 maintain end-to-end PDCP. That is, the PDCP entity corresponding to the remote UE terminates at BS2. Similar to the relay UE's own services, the relay UE can use SCG BH bearers (i.e., path P1), MCG BH bearers (SN terminated) (i.e., path P2), or segmented BH bearers (SN terminated) (path not in BS2). Figure 9 (As shown in the diagram) forwards the remote UE's service to BS2. SCG BH bearers, MCG BH bearers (SN-terminated), and segmented BH bearers (SN-terminated) are also referred to as relay BH bearers. In this embodiment, a relay BH bearer (also referred to as a relay RLC bearer) only has the associated RLC entity, logical channel, some MAC configuration, and an optional adaptive entity (unlike a regular radio bearer, it lacks a PDCP or SDAP entity).

[0193] In this embodiment, BS2 configures the Uu DRB and the mapping between the Uu DRB and the PC5 BH bearer for the remote UE. Since the remote UE's service is forwarded by the relay UE in the MR-DC, BS2 notifies BS1 of the remote UE-related configuration via the relay UE-associated Xn signaling to determine the path / BH bearer used by the relay UE to relay the remote UE's service. Specifically, the remote UE-related configuration may include at least one of the following: the remote UE's L2 ID, the mapping between the PC5 BH bearer and the (remote UE's) Uu DRB, the Uu DRB configuration, the mapping between the relay BH bearer and the (remote UE's) Uu DRB, the relay BH bearer configuration, and the mapping between the PC5 BH bearer and the relay BH bearer.

[0194] In an embodiment, the mapping between Uu DRB and PC5 BH bearer may include at least one of the following: mapping one or more Uu DRB IDs to PC5 BH bearer, mapping one or more priorities of Uu DRB to one or more priorities of PC5 BH bearer, mapping one or more priorities of Uu DRB logical channels to one or more priorities of PC5 BH bearer logical channels, mapping 5QI / QFI to PC5 BH bearer, mapping 5QI / QFI to PQI / PFI, and mapping QCI to PC5 BH bearer.

[0195] In an embodiment, the Uu DRB configuration may include at least one of the following: DRB ID or DRB QoS.

[0196] In an embodiment, the trunk BH bearer configuration may include at least one of the following: bearer ID, bearer QoS, bearer type (SCG BH bearer, SN-terminated MCG BH bearer, or SN-terminated segmented BH bearer), UL configuration (indicating UL usage at SN / BS2), SN TNL information (Xn transport bearer of one or more SN node endpoints of the trunk BH bearer), PC5 BH bearer mapped to the trunk BH bearer (e.g., mapping between PC5 BH bearer and trunk BH bearer), Uu DRB mapped to the trunk BH bearer (e.g., mapping between Uu DRB and trunk BH bearer), SN to MN container containing RLC / LCH / MAC configuration associated with the trunk BH bearer, and the required SL DRB ID.

[0197] In an embodiment, the mapping between PC5 BH bearers and trunk BH bearers may include at least one of the following: mapping one or more PC5 BH bearer IDs to trunk BH bearers, mapping one or more priorities of PC5 BH bearers to one or more priorities of trunk BH bearers, mapping one or more priorities of PC5 BH bearer logical channels to one or more priorities of trunk BH bearer logical channels, mapping PQI / PFI to trunk BH bearers, and mapping PQI / PFI to 5QI or QCI.

[0198] In an embodiment, the mapping between Uu DRB and trunk BH bearer may include at least one of the following: mapping one or more Uu DRB ID priorities to trunk BH bearer, mapping Uu DRB priorities (e.g., QCI or 5QI) to trunk BH bearer, mapping one or more priorities of Uu DRB to one or more priorities of trunk BH bearer, mapping one or more priorities of PC5 BH bearer logical channel to one or more priorities of trunk BH bearer logical channel, QCI mapping, 5QI mapping, QCI to 5QI mapping, and 5QI to QCI mapping.

[0199] In this embodiment, remote UE-related configurations can be sent via a message requiring modification of the SN associated with the relay UE or via newly defined Xn signaling to carry sidelink / relay-related configurations.

[0200] In this embodiment, upon receiving the remote UE-related configuration, BS1 sends a response message to BS2 if the relay UE can apply all configured relay BH bearers. Specifically, the response message may include at least one of the following: a list of allowed and / or not allowed relay BH bearers to be configured, and each allowed relay BH bearer may also include at least one of the following: bearer ID, MN TNL information (Xn transport bearer of one or more SN node endpoints of the relay BH bearer), and LCID (LCID used for the primary path in the case of application of segmentation or duplication). This response message may be sent via a relay UE-associated SN modification confirmation message or a newly defined Xn signaling message to carry sidelink / relay-related configurations.

[0201] In this embodiment, BS2 may only notify BS1 of the remote UE's Uu DRB configuration (e.g., DRB QoS), and BS1 determines the path / relay BH bearer used by the relay UE to relay the remote UE's services. That is, BS1 determines the relay BH bearer configuration and the mapping between the (remote UE's) Uu DRB and the relay BH bearer, and sends this to BS2. In this embodiment, the interaction information between BS1 and BS2 is carried through relay UE-associated Xn signaling.

[0202] Example 3:

[0203] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 10 In this configuration, the remote UE accesses BS1 via a relay UE, and BS1 adds BS2 as the remote UE's SN. That is, the remote UE enters the MR-DC via a relay UE and has the same MN (BS1) and SN (BS2) as the relay UE.

[0204] In this embodiment, independent MR-DC operations for remote UEs are managed between BS1 and BS2. In other words, dedicated remote UE-associated Xn signaling procedures are maintained. Therefore, a remote UE can be configured with both MN-terminated and SN-terminated remote UE bearers. Furthermore, the MN / SN can also directly transmit data from the MN / SN-terminated remote UE bearer to the core network.

[0205] In this embodiment, BS1 initiates the SN addition process for a remote UE as a regular UE by the following modifications. BS1 sends an SN addition request message to BS2, and the SN addition request message may also include at least one of the following: remote UE indication (indicating that the UE is a remote UE), remote UE L2 ID, associated relay UE information, and mapping between the remote UE Uu DRB and the (relay UE's) relay BH bearer.

[0206] In this embodiment, for a remote UE bearer that terminates with an SN involving an MN or a remote UE bearer that terminates with an MN involving an SN, a corresponding Xn transport bearer is configured. When receiving a service from a remote UE via a relay UE's relay BH bearer, BS1 / MN identifies the remote UE's Uu bearer, maps the remote UE's service to the Xn transport bearer associated with the remote UE's Uu bearer, and sends the Xn transport bearer to BS2 / SN.

[0207] In this embodiment, for remote UE bearers that terminate with SN involving MN or remote UE bearers that terminate with MN involving SN, no Xn transport bearer associated with the remote UE is configured. When a service from a remote UE is received via the relay BH bearer of a relay UE, BS1 / MN maps the service to the Xn transport bearer associated with the relay BH bearer and sends the Xn transport bearer to BS2 / SN.

[0208] In an embodiment, the associated relay UE information may include at least one of the following: relay UE L2ID, relay UE XnAP ID at MN, and relay UE XnAP ID at SN. The mapping between remote UE Uu DRBs and relay BH bearers may include at least one of the following: mapping the bearer ID / priority / bearer type / QCI / 5QI of the relay BH bearer to a Uu DRB; mapping one or more Uu DRB IDs to one or more relay BH bearer IDs; mapping one or more Uu DRB ID priorities to the relay BH bearer; mapping Uu DRB priorities (e.g., QCI or 5QI) to the relay BH bearer; mapping one or more priorities of the Uu DRB to one or more priorities of the relay BH bearer; mapping one or more priorities of the PC5 BH bearer logical channel to one or more priorities of the relay BH bearer logical channel; QCI mapping; 5QI mapping; bearer type mapping (e.g., mapping remote UE MCG bearers to MCG relay BH bearers, mapping remote UE SCG bearers to SCG relay BH bearers, mapping the bearer of remote UE MN termination to MCG BH bearers, mapping the bearer of remote UE SN termination to SCG BH bearers); and the bearer type of the mapped relay BH bearer (e.g., MCG BH bearers, SCG bearers). Bh bearer, segmented BH bearer).

[0209] In this embodiment, since the services of the remote UE are forwarded by the relay UE, BS1 can separately negotiate with BS2 the path / relay BH bearer used by the relay UE to relay the services of the remote UE. Specifically, BS1 can send relay-related information to BS2 via relay UE-associated Xn signaling (e.g., SN modification request).

[0210] In this embodiment, the relay-related information may include at least one of the following: a relay UE type indication (indicating that the UE is a relay UE), a relay UE L2 ID, a list of served remote UEs, a mapping between the remote UE Uu DRB and the (relay UE's) relay BH bearer, and a relay BH bearer configuration related to BS2. For each served remote UE, the relay-related information may also include at least one of the following: a remote UE L2 ID, a remote UE XnAP ID at the MN, and a remote UE XnAP ID at the SN. The relay BH bearer configuration related to BS2 may include at least one of the following: BS1 / MN TNL information (Xn transport bearer of one or more SN node endpoints of the MCG relay BH bearer terminated by the SN), and bearer QoS. The bearer QoS may also include at least one of the following: QCI, 5QI, and a remote UE QoS flow mapped to the relay BH bearer.

[0211] In this embodiment, BS2 sends a relay BH bearer setup response to BS1 via Xn signaling associated with the relay UE (e.g., an SN modification request confirmation message or other message). In this embodiment, the relay BH bearer setup response information may include at least one of the following: bearer ID, bearer QoS, bearer type (SCG BH bearer, SN-terminated MCG BH bearer, or SN-terminated segmented BH bearer), UL configuration (indicating UL usage at SN / BS2), SN TNL information (Xn transport bearer of one or more SN node endpoints of the relay BH bearer), PC5 BH bearer mapped to the relay BH bearer (e.g., mapping between PC5 BH bearer and relay BH bearer), Uu DRB mapped to the relay BH bearer (e.g., mapping between Uu DRB and relay BH bearer), SN-MN container containing the RLC / LCH / MAC configuration associated with the relay BH bearer, and the required SL DRBID.

[0212] In an embodiment, BS2 can initiate a modification of the relay BH bearer used by the relay UE via relay UE-associated Xn signaling (e.g., SN modification request / acknowledgment message).

[0213] Figure 11 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 11 The process shown can be used in a first wireless terminal (e.g., a relay UE) and includes the following steps:

[0214] Step 1100: Send auxiliary information related to the second wireless terminal (e.g., remote UE) to the first wireless network node (e.g., BS1).

[0215] Step 1102: Receive a configuration message from the first wireless network node, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal.

[0216] More specifically, the first wireless terminal may send auxiliary information related to the second wireless terminal to obtain a configuration message, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services (e.g., control messages or user plane data) for the second wireless terminal.

[0217] In this embodiment, the first wireless terminal is in a dual wireless connection with the first wireless node and the second wireless node.

[0218] In an embodiment, the configuration message includes at least one of the following: a connection indication indicating that the second wireless terminal is connected to the first wireless network node or the second wireless network node; a path indication indicating a path for forwarding data services to the second wireless network node; a primary cell group (MCG) backhaul bearer configuration; or a secondary cell group (SCG) backhaul bearer configuration.

[0219] In this embodiment, the auxiliary information includes the Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal.

[0220] In one embodiment, the first wireless terminal can receive RAT information from the second wireless terminal, wherein the RAT information includes the Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal.

[0221] In an embodiment, the RAT information is received in one of PC5-S signaling, PC5 Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, or an adaptation header of an adaptation packet data unit containing a connection request message.

[0222] In one embodiment, the first wireless terminal sends dual-connection information related to the dual-connection of the first wireless terminal to the second wireless terminal.

[0223] In an embodiment, the dual connectivity information includes at least one of the following: the RAT of the first wireless network node, the RAT of the second wireless network node, a dual connectivity indication, at least one cell global identifier of at least one serving cell, or an MR-DC type.

[0224] Figure 12 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 12 The process shown can be used in a second wireless terminal (e.g., a remote UE) and includes the following steps:

[0225] Step 1200: Send RAT information related to the second radio terminal to the first radio terminal (e.g., relay UE), and

[0226] Step 1202: Send / receive data services from / to the Uu RAT wireless network node (e.g., BS2) of the second wireless terminal via the first wireless terminal.

[0227] In this embodiment, the RAT information includes the Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal.

[0228] In an embodiment, the RAT information is sent in one of the following: PC5-S signaling, PC5 Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, or an adaptation header of an adaptation packet data unit containing a connection request message.

[0229] In one embodiment, the wireless communication method further includes receiving dual-connection information related to dual-connection of the first wireless terminal from the first wireless terminal.

[0230] In an embodiment, the dual connectivity information includes at least one of the following: the RAT of the primary radio network node, the RAT of the secondary radio network node, a dual connectivity indication, at least one cell global identifier of at least one serving cell, or an MR-DC type.

[0231] Figure 13 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 13 The process shown can be used in a first wireless network node (e.g., BS1) and includes the following steps:

[0232] Step 1300: Send a secondary node request to a second wireless network node (e.g., BS2) connected to the first wireless terminal (e.g., relay UE), the first wireless terminal being connected to the first wireless network node.

[0233] Step 1302: Receive secondary node bearer configuration from the second wireless network node, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal (e.g., remote UE).

[0234] More specifically, the first wireless network node sends a secondary node request to the second wireless network node to obtain the secondary node bearer configuration, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal.

[0235] In an embodiment, the secondary node request includes at least one of the following: a list of requested secondary cell group (SCG) backhaul bearers, an SCG backhaul bearer indication, a relay backhaul bearer indication, a radio bearer type indication, a Uu RB identifier (ID), a Uu RB priority, or the second-level ID of the second radio terminal.

[0236] In an embodiment, the secondary node bearer configuration includes at least one of the following: SCG backhaul bearer ID, Uu RB ID that can be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, Uu RB priority that can be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, SCG backhaul bearer priority, logical channel ID, radio link control sequence number (RLC SN) length, or maximum number of retransmissions.

[0237] In one embodiment, one or more RRC transmission messages are transmitted between a first wireless network node and a second wireless network node.

[0238] In an embodiment, the RRC transmission message includes at least one of the following: the Layer 2 ID of the second wireless terminal, the Uu signaling radio bearer (SRB) ID of the second wireless terminal, or an RRC container encapsulating at least one RRC message of the second wireless terminal.

[0239] In this embodiment, secondary node requests, secondary node bearer configurations, and / or RRC transmission messages are sent via signaling associated with the first wireless terminal (i.e., signaling associated with the first wireless terminal).

[0240] In one embodiment, the first wireless network node receives auxiliary information related to the second wireless terminal from the first wireless terminal, wherein the auxiliary information includes the Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal.

[0241] In one embodiment, a first wireless network node sends a configuration message to a first wireless terminal, which is used to configure the first wireless terminal to forward data services for a second wireless terminal.

[0242] In an embodiment, the configuration message includes at least one of the following: a connection indication indicating that the second wireless terminal is connected to the first wireless network node or the second wireless network node; a path indication indicating the path for forwarding the data service; a primary cell group (MCG) backhaul bearer configuration; or an SCG backhaul bearer configuration.

[0243] In an embodiment, the MCG backhaul bearer configuration or SCG backhaul bearer configuration includes at least one of the following: cell group ID, backhaul bearer indication, backhaul bearer ID, Uu RB ID that can be mapped to the backhaul bearer, Uu RB priority that can be mapped to the backhaul bearer, backhaul bearer priority, backhaul logical channel ID, or RLC configuration.

[0244] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a process according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 14 The process shown can be applied to a second wireless network node (e.g., BS2) and includes the following steps:

[0245] Step 1400: Receive a secondary node request from a first wireless network node (e.g., BS1) connected to a first wireless terminal (e.g., a relay UE), which is connected to a second wireless network node.

[0246] Step 1402: Send a secondary node bearer configuration to the first wireless network node, which configures the first wireless terminal to forward data services for the second wireless terminal (e.g., a remote UE).

[0247] Figure 14 For detailed instructions on the process shown, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 13 The detailed operation of the process is shown in the figure, and will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

[0248] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating a process according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 15 The process shown can be applied to a third wireless network node and includes the following steps:

[0249] Step 1500: Send configuration related to a third wireless terminal (e.g., a remote UE) to the fourth wireless network node, the third wireless terminal being connected to the third wireless network node via the fourth wireless terminal (e.g., a relay UE);

[0250] Step 1502: Receive a response message from the fourth wireless network node.

[0251] More specifically, when a third wireless network node connects to a third wireless terminal via a fourth wireless terminal, the third wireless network node can send configurations related to the third wireless terminal to the fourth wireless network node connected to the fourth wireless terminal. Note that the third wireless network node can be one of BS1 and BS2, and the fourth wireless network node can be the other of BS1 and BS2.

[0252] In this embodiment, the fourth wireless terminal is in a dual wireless connection with both the third and fourth wireless network nodes, and the configuration and response messages are sent via signaling associated with the fourth wireless terminal (i.e., signaling associated with the fourth wireless terminal).

[0253] In an embodiment, the configuration includes at least one of the following: the Layer 2 identifier (ID) of the third wireless terminal, the mapping between the Uu data radio bearer (DRB) and the PC5 backhaul bearer of the third wireless terminal, the configuration of the Uu DRB of the third wireless terminal, the mapping between the Uu DRB of the third wireless terminal and the relay backhaul bearer used by the fourth wireless terminal to relay data between the third wireless terminal and the third wireless network node, the configuration of the relay backhaul bearer, or the mapping between the PC5 backhaul bearer and the relay backhaul bearer.

[0254] In an embodiment, the configuration of the relay backhaul bearer includes at least one of the following: bearer ID, bearer quality of service (QoS), bearer type, uplink configuration, transport network layer (TNL) information of the third radio network node, PC5 backhaul bearer mapped to the relay backhaul bearer, Uu DRB mapped to the relay backhaul bearer, or the required sidelink DRB ID.

[0255] In an embodiment, the response message includes at least one of the following: a list of SCG BH bearers that have been configured, a list of SCG BH bearers that have failed to be configured, or a reason for failure.

[0256] Figure 16 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 16 The process shown can be used in a fourth wireless network node and includes the following steps:

[0257] Step 1600: Receive configuration related to a third wireless terminal from a third wireless network node, the third wireless terminal being connected to the third wireless network node via a fourth wireless terminal;

[0258] Step 1602: Send a response message to the third wireless network node.

[0259] Figure 16 For details of the process shown, please refer to Figure 15 The details of the process are shown in the diagram, and will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

[0260] In one embodiment, this disclosure provides a wireless communication method for use in a secondary wireless network node (e.g., BS2). In this embodiment, the wireless communication method includes:

[0261] The configuration of the Uu DRB of a remote wireless terminal (e.g., a remote UE) is sent to the primary wireless network node (e.g., BS1). This remote wireless terminal is connected to the secondary wireless network node via a relay wireless terminal (e.g., a relay UE) in a dual-connectivity environment. The relay wireless terminal is connected to both the primary and secondary wireless network nodes.

[0262] The mapping between the Uu DRB and the relay backhaul bearer is received from the primary wireless network node. The relay backhaul bearer is used by the relay wireless terminal to relay data between the remote wireless terminal and the secondary wireless network node.

[0263] In an embodiment, the Uu DRB configuration may include at least one of the following: DRB ID or DRB QoS.

[0264] In an embodiment, the mapping between Uu DRB and trunk BH bearer may include at least one of the following: mapping one or more Uu DRB ID priorities to trunk BH bearer, mapping Uu DRB priorities (e.g., QCI or 5QI) to trunk BH bearer, mapping one or more priorities of Uu DRB to one or more priorities of trunk BH bearer, mapping one or more priorities of PC5 BH bearer logical channel to one or more priorities of trunk BH bearer logical channel, QCI mapping, 5QI mapping, QCI to 5QI mapping, and 5QI to QCI mapping.

[0265] Figure 17 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 17 The process shown can be used in a fifth wireless network node (e.g., BS1) and includes the following steps:

[0266] Step 1700: Send a secondary node addition request message for the fifth wireless terminal (e.g., remote UE) to the sixth wireless network node (e.g., BS2).

[0267] More specifically, the fifth wireless network node sends a secondary node add request message to the sixth wireless network node via the sixth wireless terminal (e.g., a relay UE) to add the sixth wireless network node as a secondary node of the fifth wireless terminal connected to the fifth wireless network node.

[0268] In an embodiment, the auxiliary node add request message includes at least one of the following: a remote wireless terminal indication, a Layer 2 identifier of the fifth wireless terminal, information of a sixth wireless terminal used by the fifth wireless terminal to connect to the fifth wireless network node, or a mapping between the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal and the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal.

[0269] In an embodiment, Figure 17 The process also includes sending relay-related information for configuring the relay backhaul bearer to the sixth wireless network node, and receiving a response message from the sixth wireless network node. The relay backhaul bearer is used by the sixth wireless terminal to forward data from the fifth wireless terminal. The relay-related information and the response message are sent via signaling associated with the sixth wireless terminal (i.e., signaling associated with the sixth wireless terminal).

[0270] In this embodiment, the relay-related information includes at least one of the following: relay UE type indication, L2 ID of the sixth wireless terminal, list of served remote UEs, mapping between the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal and the relay BH bearer, and relay backhaul bearer configuration involving the sixth wireless network node.

[0271] In an embodiment, the response message includes at least one of the following: bearer ID, bearer QoS, bearer type, uplink configuration, transport network layer (TNL) information, PC5 backhaul bearer mapped to the trunk backhaul bearer, Uu DRB mapped to the trunk backhaul bearer, RRC container containing the configuration associated with the trunk backhaul bearer, or the required sidelink DRB ID.

[0272] In an embodiment, Figure 17 The process shown also includes receiving data from the fifth wireless terminal's Uu DRB, which terminates at the fifth wireless network node, from the sixth wireless network node via a transport bearer, wherein the transport bearer is associated with the fifth wireless terminal's Uu DRB or the sixth wireless terminal's relay backhaul bearer.

[0273] Figure 18 A flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 18 The process shown can be used in a sixth wireless network node (e.g., BS2) and includes the following steps:

[0274] Step 1800: Receive a secondary node add request message for a fifth wireless terminal (e.g., remote UE) from the fifth wireless network node (e.g., BS1).

[0275] In an embodiment, the auxiliary node add request message includes at least one of the following: a remote wireless terminal indication, a Layer 2 identifier of the fifth wireless terminal, information of a sixth wireless terminal (e.g., a relay UE) used by the fifth wireless terminal to connect to the fifth wireless network node, or a mapping between the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal and the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal.

[0276] In an embodiment, Figure 18 The process shown also includes:

[0277] Relay-related information is received from the fifth wireless network node. This relay-related information is used to configure the relay backhaul bearer used by the sixth wireless terminal to forward data from the fifth wireless terminal.

[0278] Send a response message to the fifth wireless network node.

[0279] The relay-related information and the response message are sent via signaling associated with the sixth wireless terminal.

[0280] In this embodiment, the relay-related information includes at least one of the following: relay UE type indication, L2 ID of the sixth wireless terminal, list of served remote UEs, mapping between the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal and the relay BH bearer, and relay BH bearer configuration involving the sixth wireless network node.

[0281] In an embodiment, the response message includes at least one of the following: bearer ID, bearer QoS, bearer type, uplink configuration, transport network layer (TNL) information, PC5 backhaul bearer mapped to the trunk backhaul bearer, Uu DRB mapped to the trunk backhaul bearer, RRC container containing the configuration associated with the trunk backhaul bearer, or the required sidelink DRB ID.

[0282] In an embodiment, Figure 18 The process shown also includes:

[0283] The data received from the sixth wireless terminal, which terminates at the fifth wireless network node, is transmitted via the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal.

[0284] Map this data to the transmission bearer associated with the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal or the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal, and

[0285] The transmission bearer is sent to the fifth wireless network node.

[0286] In an embodiment, Figure 18 The process shown also includes:

[0287] The data from the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal, which terminates at the sixth wireless network node, is received from the fifth wireless network node via the transport layer.

[0288] The transmission layer is associated with the Uu DRB of the fifth wireless terminal or the relay backhaul bearer of the sixth wireless terminal.

[0289] While various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not as limitations. Similarly, various figures may depict exemplary architectures or configurations provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand the exemplary features and functionality of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, but can be implemented using various alternative architectures and configurations. Furthermore, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or more features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another embodiment herein. Therefore, the breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0290] It should also be understood that any reference to elements in this document using designations such as “first” or “second” does not generally restrict the number or order of these elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing two or more elements or multiple instances of a single element. Therefore, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements can be used or that the first element must somehow precede the second element.

[0291] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technical means. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referenced in the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0292] Those skilled in the art will further understand that any of the various illustrative logic blocks, units, processors, devices, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementation, analog implementation, or a combination of both), firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which may be referred to herein as "software" or "software unit"), or any combination of these techniques.

[0293] To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, units, circuits, and steps have been described above in general terms of their functionality. Whether this functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or as a combination of these technologies, depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in various ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions will not lead to a departure from the scope of this disclosure. According to various embodiments, processors, devices, components, circuits, structures, machines, units, etc., may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. The terms “configured to” or “configured for” as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function refer to processors, devices, components, circuits, structures, machines, units, etc., that are physically constructed, programmed, and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

[0294] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, cells, devices, components, and circuits described herein can be implemented within or executed by an integrated circuit (IC), which may include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. Logic blocks, cells, and circuits may also include antennas and / or transceivers for communication with various components within a network or device. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but may also be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration performing the functions described herein. If implemented in software, these functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Therefore, the steps of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium.

[0295] Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, including any medium capable of transferring computer programs or code from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that is accessible to a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that is accessible to a computer.

[0296] In this disclosure, the term "unit" as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Furthermore, for purposes of discussion, various units are described as discrete units; however, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, according to embodiments of this disclosure, two or more units may be combined to form a single unit performing the associated functions.

[0297] Additionally, memory or other storage devices and communication components may be used in embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that, for clarity, the above description refers to embodiments of this disclosure with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable functional distribution can be applied among different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains without departing from this disclosure. For example, functions shown to be performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Therefore, references to specific functional units are merely references to suitable means for providing that function and do not represent a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

[0298] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the implementations shown herein, but is consistent with the broadest scope of the novel features and principles disclosed herein as stated in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication for use in a first wireless terminal, comprising: sending assistance information related to a second wireless terminal to a first wireless network node, and receiving a configuration message from the first wireless network node, the configuration message configuring the first wireless terminal to forward data traffic for the second wireless terminal, wherein the assistance information comprises a Uu radio access technology, RAT, of the second wireless terminal, wherein the first wireless terminal is in wireless dual connectivity, MR-DC, with the first wireless network node and a second wireless network node, wherein the configuration message comprises at least one of: a connection indication indicating that the second wireless terminal is connected to the first wireless network node or the second wireless network node; a path indication indicating a path to forward the data traffic to the second wireless network node; a master cell group, MCG, backhaul bearer configuration; or a secondary cell group, SCG, backhaul bearer configuration.

2. The method of wireless communication of claim 1, further comprising: receiving RAT information from the second wireless terminal, wherein the RAT information comprises a Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 2, wherein, the RAT information is received in one of: PC5-S signaling, PC5 radio resource control, RRC, signaling, or an adaptation header of an adaptation packet data unit containing a connection request message.

4. The method of wireless communication of any of claims 1-3, further comprising: sending dual connectivity information related to dual connectivity of the first wireless terminal to the second wireless terminal.

5. The wireless communication method according to claim 4, wherein, the dual connectivity information comprises at least one of: a RAT of the first wireless network node, a RAT of the second wireless network node, a dual connectivity indication, at least one cell global identifier of at least one serving cell, or a wireless dual connectivity type.

6. A method of wireless communication for use in a first wireless network node, comprising: sending a secondary node request to a second wireless network node connected to a first wireless terminal, the first wireless terminal connected to the first wireless network node, wherein the second wireless network node is the secondary node; receiving a secondary node bearer configuration from the second wireless network node, the secondary node bearer configuration configuring the first wireless terminal to forward data traffic for a second wireless terminal, receiving assistance information related to the second wireless terminal from the first wireless terminal, wherein the assistance information comprises a Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal; and sending a configuration message to the first wireless terminal, the configuration message configuring the first wireless terminal to forward the data traffic for the second wireless terminal; wherein the first wireless terminal is in wireless dual connectivity, MR-DC, with the first wireless network node and a second wireless network node, wherein the configuration message comprises at least one of: a connection indication indicating the second wireless terminal to connect to the first wireless network node or the second wireless network node; a path indication indicating a path to forward the data traffic; a master cell group (MCG) backhaul bearer configuration; or a secondary cell group (SCG) backhaul bearer configuration.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein, The secondary node request comprises at least one of: a list of requested SCG backhaul bearers, a SCG backhaul bearer indication, a relay backhaul bearer indication, a radio bearer type indication, a Uu RB identifier (ID), a Uu RB priority, or a layer 2 ID of the second wireless terminal.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein The secondary node bearer configuration comprises at least one of: a SCG backhaul bearer ID, a Uu RB ID allowed to be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, a Uu RB priority allowed to be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, a SCG backhaul bearer priority, a logical channel ID, a radio link control sequence number (RLC SN) length, or a maximum number of retransmissions.

9. The wireless communication method of claim 6, further comprising: sending a radio resource control (RRC) transfer message to the second wireless network node between the first wireless network node and the second wireless network node, wherein the RRC transfer message comprises at least one of: a layer 2 ID of the second wireless terminal, a Uu signaling radio bearer (SRB) ID of the second wireless terminal, or an RRC container encapsulating at least one control message of the second wireless terminal.

10. The wireless communication method according to claim 9, wherein, The RRC transfer message is sent via first wireless terminal associated signaling.

11. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein, The secondary node request and the secondary node bearer configuration are sent via first wireless terminal associated signaling.

12. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein, The MCG or SCG backhaul bearer configuration comprises at least one of: a cell group ID, a backhaul bearer indication, a backhaul bearer ID, a Uu RB ID allowed to be mapped to the backhaul bearer, a Uu RB priority allowed to be mapped to the backhaul bearer, a backhaul bearer priority, a backhaul logical channel ID, or a radio link control (RLC) configuration.

13. A wireless communication method for use in a second wireless network node, comprising: receiving a secondary node request from a first wireless network node connected to a first wireless terminal, the first wireless terminal connected to the second wireless network node, wherein the second wireless network node is the secondary node; and sending a secondary node bearer configuration to the first wireless network node, the secondary node bearer configuration configuring the first wireless terminal to forward data traffic for a second wireless terminal; wherein the first wireless terminal is in wireless dual connectivity (MR-DC) with the first wireless network node and the second wireless network node, wherein the secondary node request comprises at least one of: a list of requested SCG backhaul bearers, a SCG backhaul bearer indication, a relay backhaul bearer indication, a radio bearer type indication, a Uu RB identifier (ID), a Uu RB priority, or a layer 2 ID of the first wireless terminal.

14. The wireless communication method of claim 13, wherein, The secondary node bearer configuration comprises at least one of: an SCG backhaul bearer ID, a Uu RB ID allowed to be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, a Uu RB priority allowed to be mapped to the SCG backhaul bearer, an SCG backhaul bearer priority, a logical channel ID, a radio link control sequence number, RLCSN, length, or a maximum number of retransmissions.

15. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 13-14, further comprising: sending, between the first wireless network node and the second wireless network node, a radio resource control, RRC, transfer message to the second wireless network node, wherein the RRC transfer message comprises at least one of: a layer 2 ID of the second wireless terminal, a Uu signaling radio bearer, SRB, ID of the second wireless terminal, or an RRC container encapsulating at least one control message of the second wireless terminal.

16. A first wireless terminal, comprising: a communication unit configured to: send, to a first wireless network node, assistance information related to a second wireless terminal, and receive, from the first wireless network node, a configuration message configuring the first wireless terminal to forward data traffic for the second wireless terminal, wherein the assistance information comprises a Uu radio access technology, RAT, of the second wireless terminal, wherein the first wireless terminal is in wireless dual connectivity, MR-DC, with the first wireless network node and a second wireless network node, wherein the configuration message comprises at least one of: a connection indication indicating that the second wireless terminal is connected to the first wireless network node or the second wireless network node; a path indication indicating a path to forward the data traffic to the second wireless network node; a master cell group, MCG, backhaul bearer configuration; or a secondary cell group, SCG, backhaul bearer configuration.

17. The first wireless terminal of claim 16, further comprising a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method of any one of claims 2-5.

18. A first wireless network node, comprising: a communication unit configured to: send, to a second wireless network node connected to a first wireless terminal, a secondary node request, the first wireless terminal being connected to the first wireless network node, wherein the second wireless network node is the secondary node; receive, from the second wireless network node, a secondary node bearer configuration configuring the first wireless terminal to forward data traffic for a second wireless terminal; receive, from the first wireless terminal, assistance information related to the second wireless terminal, wherein the assistance information comprises a Uu RAT of the second wireless terminal; and send, to the first wireless terminal, a configuration message configuring the first wireless terminal to forward the data traffic for the second wireless terminal; wherein the first wireless terminal is in wireless dual connectivity, MR-DC, with the first wireless network node and a second wireless network node, wherein the configuration message comprises at least one of: a connection indication indicating the second wireless terminal to connect to the first wireless network node or the second wireless network node; a path indication indicating a path to forward the data traffic; a master cell group, MCG, backhaul bearer configuration; or a SCG backhaul bearer configuration.

19. The first wireless network node of claim 18, further comprising a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method of any of claims 7-12.

20. A second wireless network node, comprising: a communication unit configured to: receive a secondary node request from a first wireless network node connected to a first wireless terminal, the first wireless terminal connecting the second wireless network node, wherein the second wireless network node is a secondary node, and send a secondary node bearer configuration to the first wireless network node, the secondary node bearer configuration configuring the first wireless terminal to forward data traffic for a second wireless terminal, wherein the first wireless terminal is in wireless dual connectivity, MR-DC, with the first wireless network node and the second wireless network node, wherein the secondary node request comprises at least one of: a list of requested secondary cell group, SCG, backhaul bearers, a SCG backhaul bearer indication, a relay backhaul bearer indication, a radio bearer type indication, a Uu RB identifier, ID, a Uu RB priority, or a layer 2 ID of the first wireless terminal.

21. The second wireless network node of claim 20, further comprising a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method of any of claims 14-15.

22. A computer program product comprising a computer readable program medium code stored thereupon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement the wireless communication method of any of claims 1-15.

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