Communication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device and system. The method can include: receiving a first downlink control information from a network device, the first downlink control information being used to indicate a first resource for receiving first data, and the first downlink control information also being used to indicate that the first data is to-be-forwarded data; determining a second resource, the second resource being used to send second data, the second data being the first data forwarded; receiving the first data from the network device on the first resource; and sending the second data to a first terminal device. The method reduces the transmission delay between the network device and the remote user device, improves the transmission efficiency, and can improve the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications. In particular, it relates to a communication method, apparatus, and system. Background Technology

[0002] Relay transmission technology can effectively alleviate the problem of low transmission rates at the cell edge. After the downlink data transmitted between the network device and the relay device is correctly decoded by the relay device, the relay device requests sidelink (SL) transmission resources from the network device and uses these SL resources for subsequent data transmission, sending the data to the remote user equipment. This results in a relatively large transmission latency between the network device and the remote user equipment. Therefore, how to reduce the transmission latency between the network device and the remote user equipment is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and system that can reduce transmission latency between network devices and remote user equipment.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which may include: receiving first downlink control information from a network device, the first downlink control information being used to indicate a first resource for receiving first data, the first downlink control information also being used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded; determining a second resource for transmitting second data, the second data being the forwarded first data; and receiving the first data from the network device on the first resource;

[0005] The second data is sent to the first terminal device.

[0006] This method instructs the relay user equipment (i.e., the second terminal equipment) to indicate the data to be forwarded and the transmission resources through the network device, enabling the second terminal equipment to forward the data directly after successfully receiving it. This reduces the transmission latency between the network device and the remote user equipment, improves transmission efficiency, and enhances the user experience.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before sending the second data to the first terminal device, the method further includes: successfully receiving the first data.

[0008] Successfully receiving the first data can mean correctly receiving and / or correctly decoding the first data.

[0009] After successfully receiving the first data, the relay device does not need to request transmission resources again and can directly forward the first data to the remote user equipment. Furthermore, it forwards the data only after confirming that it has been successfully received, which can ensure the integrity and correctness of the forwarded data and improve transmission efficiency.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first downlink control information includes a first bit, the value of which is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the scrambling method of the first downlink control information is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the scrambling method for the first downlink control information is scrambling via relay wireless network temporary identifier relay-RNTI.

[0013] By adding new bits or using a specific scrambling method to indicate the data to be forwarded to the relay device, the relay device can determine the data to be forwarded in the downlink data to be received when it receives the first downlink control information, thereby improving the accuracy of the data forwarded by the relay device.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the determination of the second resource includes:

[0015] Receive second downlink control information from the network device, the second downlink control information including information about the second resource; determine the second resource based on the second downlink control information.

[0016] This implementation establishes the association between the downlink data sent by the network device and the data to be forwarded, and the association between the data to be forwarded and the transmission resources, by indicating the data to be forwarded and the first resource through the first downlink control information and the second resource through the second downlink control information. This can improve the efficiency of relay devices in forwarding data.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second downlink control information is also used to indicate that the second resource is used only for transmitting the second data.

[0018] Network devices allocate dedicated resources to data to be forwarded, which can further improve the quality of data transmission.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving third downlink control information, the third downlink control information being used to activate a second type of sidelink configuration authorization transmission mode; the determination of the second resource includes: determining at least one sidelink configuration authorization resource as a candidate second resource from a set of sidelink configuration authorization resources based on the third downlink control information; and determining the second resource from the candidate second resources.

[0020] In addition to receiving the first downlink control information, the relay device can also receive another downlink control information. After activating the Type II side-link configuration authorized transmission mode, the relay device can autonomously select a second resource within the resource range indicated by the downlink control information, further saving signaling for resource indication.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining at least one sidelink configuration authorization resource from the sidelink configuration authorization resource set as the second resource.

[0022] In the first type of side-link configuration authorized transmission mode, there is no need to send an activation indication, further saving the signaling used for activation.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the set of authorized resources configured on the side link is determined based on Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first downlink control information is also used to indicate the second resource, and determining the second resource includes: determining the second resource based on the first downlink control information, wherein the first downlink control information includes information about the second resource.

[0025] This implementation uses a single downlink control message to simultaneously indicate two types of resources, further saving on signaling interactions between network devices and relay devices.

[0026] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first downlink control information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate second-level control information 2nd-CI, which is carried in the physical downlink shared channel; determining the second resource includes: determining the second resource based on the second-level control information.

[0027] In this implementation, the second-level control information is carried in the downlink shared channel and sent together with the data, which can save the signaling interaction between network devices and relay devices and further reduce the transmission latency between network devices and remote devices.

[0028] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which may include: sending first downlink control information to a second terminal device, the first downlink control information being used to instruct the second terminal device to receive a first resource for first data, the first downlink control information also being used to instruct the first data to be forwarded; instructing the second terminal device to a second resource, the second resource being used by the second terminal device to send second data, the second data being the forwarded first data; and sending the first data to the second terminal device on the first resource.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first downlink control information includes a first bit, the value of which is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the scrambling method of the first downlink control information is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the scrambling method for the first downlink control information is scrambling via relay wireless network temporary identifier relay-RNTI.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the characteristic of indicating the second resource to the second terminal device includes: sending second downlink control information to the second device, the second downlink control information including information about the second resource.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second downlink control information is also used to indicate that the second resource is used only for transmitting the second data.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, instructing the second resource to the second terminal device includes: sending third downlink control information to the second terminal device, the third downlink control information being used to activate the second type side link configuration authorized transmission mode.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, before sending the third downlink control information to the second terminal device, the method further includes: sending Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, which is used to instruct the side link to configure an authorized resource set.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, instructing the second resource to the second terminal device includes: instructing the second resource through the first downlink control information, wherein the first downlink control information includes information about the second resource.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first downlink control information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate second-level control information 2nd-CI, which is carried in the physical downlink shared channel; indicating the second resource to the second device includes: sending second-level control information, which includes information about the second resource.

[0038] It should be understood that the second aspect is the implementation method of the network device corresponding to the relay device in the first aspect. The beneficial effects of the first aspect also apply to the second aspect, which will not be elaborated further.

[0039] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which may include: receiving information about a second resource from a second device; and receiving second data from the second device on the second resource.

[0040] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may be configured to receive first downlink control information from a network device, the first downlink control information being used to indicate a first resource for receiving first data, and the first downlink control information being used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded. The processing module may be configured to determine a second resource, the second resource being used to send second data, the second data being the forwarded first data. The transceiver module may also be configured to receive the first data from the network device on the first resource and send the second data to a first terminal device.

[0041] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module can be used to successfully receive the first data before sending the second data to the first terminal device.

[0042] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first downlink control information includes a first bit, the value of which is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0043] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the scrambling method of the first downlink control information is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0044] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the scrambling method for the first downlink control information is scrambling via relay wireless network temporary identifier relay-RNTI.

[0045] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second downlink control information from the network device, the second downlink control information including information about the second resource; the processing module is specifically configured to determine the second resource based on the second downlink control information.

[0046] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second downlink control information is also used to indicate that the second resource is used only for transmitting the second data.

[0047] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive third downlink control information, which is used to activate the second type sidelink configuration authorization SLCG type 2 transmission mode; the processing module is specifically configured to determine at least one sidelink configuration authorization resource as a candidate second resource from the sidelink configuration authorization resource set according to the third downlink control information; and determine the second resource from the candidate second resources.

[0048] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing module is specifically used to determine at least one sidelink configuration authorization resource as the second resource from the sidelink configuration authorization resource set.

[0049] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the set of authorized resources configured on this side of the walkway is determined based on Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0050] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first downlink control information is also used to indicate the second resource, and the processing module is specifically used to determine the second resource based on the first downlink control information, wherein the first downlink control information includes information about the second resource.

[0051] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first downlink control information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate second-level control information 2nd-CI, which is carried in the physical downlink shared channel; the processing module is specifically used to determine the second resource based on the second-level control information.

[0052] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, which may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may be used to send first downlink control information to a second terminal device, the first downlink control information being used to instruct the second terminal device to receive a first resource for first data, and the first downlink control information being used to instruct the first data to be forwarded; to instruct the second terminal device to a second resource, the second resource being used by the second terminal device to send second data, the second data being the forwarded first data; and to send the second data to the second terminal device on the first resource.

[0053] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first downlink control information includes a first bit, the value of which is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0054] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the scrambling method of the first downlink control information is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0055] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the scrambling method for the first downlink control information is scrambling via relay wireless network temporary identifier relay-RNTI.

[0056] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is specifically used to send second downlink control information to the second device, the second downlink control information including information about the second resource.

[0057] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the second downlink control information is also used to indicate that the second resource is used only for transmitting the second data.

[0058] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is specifically used to send third downlink control information to the second terminal device, which is used to activate the second type of side link configuration authorized transmission mode.

[0059] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, before sending the third downlink control information to the second terminal device, the transceiver module can also be used to send Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, which is used to instruct the side link to configure the authorized resource set.

[0060] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the processing module is specifically used to instruct the second resource through the first downlink control information, the first downlink control information including information about the second resource.

[0061] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first downlink control information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate second-level control information 2nd-CI, which is carried in the physical downlink shared channel; the transceiver module is also used to transmit the second-level control information, which includes information about the second resource.

[0062] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include a transceiver module that can be used to receive information about a second resource from a second terminal device and to receive second data from the second terminal device on the second resource.

[0063] It should be understood that aspects four, five, and six are device-side implementation methods corresponding to aspects one, two, and three. The beneficial effects of aspects one, two, and three also apply to aspects four, five, and six, and will not be elaborated further.

[0064] A seventh aspect provides a computer-readable medium storing program code for execution by a communication device, the program code including instructions for a communication method in a method for executing the first, second, or third aspect, any possible implementation of the first, second, or third aspect, or all possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspect.

[0065] Eighthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the first, second, or third aspect described above, or any possible implementation of the first, second, or third aspect, or all possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspect.

[0066] Ninthly, a communication system is provided, the communication system including means having a method and various possible designs for implementing the first, second, or third aspects described above, or any possible implementation of the first, second, or third aspects, or all possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects.

[0067] In a tenth aspect, a processor is provided for coupling with a memory for performing the methods of the first, second, or third aspect described above, or any possible implementation of the first, second, or third aspect, or all possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspect.

[0068] Eleventhly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface for communicating with external or internal devices, the communication interface being used to implement the methods of the first, second, or third aspects described above, or any possible implementation of the first, second, or third aspects, or all possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects.

[0069] Optionally, the chip may further include a memory storing instructions, which the processor executes either the instructions stored in the memory or instructions derived therefrom. When the instructions are executed, the processor implements the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0070] Optionally, the chip can be integrated into terminal devices and / or network devices. Attached Figure Description

[0071] Figure 1 (a) is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0072] Figure 1(b) is a schematic diagram of a communication resource applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0073] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a method for relaying data.

[0074] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method proposed in an embodiment of this application.

[0075] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method proposed in an embodiment of this application.

[0076] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method proposed in an embodiment of this application.

[0077] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method proposed in an embodiment of this application.

[0078] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method proposed in an embodiment of this application.

[0079] Figure 8 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of this application.

[0080] Figure 9 This is a schematic block diagram of another communication device proposed in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0081] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to this application. The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5G (5th generation, 5G or new radio, NR) systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided by this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as sixth-generation mobile communication systems. The technical solutions provided by this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems.

[0083] In the embodiments of this application, the UE may be referred to as terminal equipment, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device.

[0084] Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice / data to users, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN), etc., are not limited to this in the embodiments of this application.

[0085] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important component of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0087] It should be understood that the network device in this wireless communication system can be a device capable of communicating with the terminal device. This network device can also be called an access network device or a radio access network device, such as a base station. In the embodiments of this application, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master eNodeB (MeNB), secondary eNodeB (SeNB), multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar entities, or combinations thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, a network-side device in a 6G network, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0088] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0089] In some deployments, the network device in this application embodiment may refer to a CU or a DU, or the network device may include both a CU and a DU. The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU).

[0090] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0091] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless communication between communication devices. Wireless communication between communication devices can include: wireless communication between network devices and terminals, wireless communication between network devices, and wireless communication between terminal devices. The relay device in this application can be either the aforementioned network device or terminal device, and the remote device can be the aforementioned terminal device. In this application, the term "wireless communication" can also be simply referred to as "communication," and the term "communication" can also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission."

[0092] To facilitate understanding of the proposed solution, relevant concepts will be explained in advance.

[0093] 1. Interface: The communication interface between user equipment and base station (Uu interface) can be called Uu interface, and the communication interface between user equipment (PC5 interface) can be called PC5 interface.

[0094] 2. Layer 1 (L1): This refers to the physical layer in the protocol stack. The physical layer is the first layer of open systems interconnection. The physical layer can create, maintain, and dismantle the physical links required for data transmission, providing mechanical, electronic, functional, and specification characteristics. In short, it provides the transmission medium and interconnection devices for data communication between devices, providing a reliable environment for data transmission.

[0095] 3. Radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) is used in NR to identify different purposes, including distinguishing different users, different transmission modes, or different functions.

[0096] Cell RNTI (C-RNTI) is used for downlink unicast dynamic scheduling transmission.

[0097] Sidelink RNTI (SL-RNTI) is used for dynamic scheduling of transmissions on sidelinks.

[0098] Sidelink configured scheduling RNTI (SL-CS-RNTI) is used for sidelink configured scheduling transmission.

[0099] This application defines a relay scheduling RNTI for scheduling transmission of downlink and / or sidelink during relay transmission. One possible approach is that the relay RNTI value ranges from 0000 to FFFD. Another possible approach is that the relay RNTI value ranges from 0001 to FFF2.

[0100] 4. Sidelink resource allocation mode: NR SL supports two resource allocation modes, namely mode 1 and mode 2.

[0101] Mode 1 (SL mode 1): Resources used for downlink transmission controlled by the network device;

[0102] Mode 2 (SL mode 2): The UE can autonomously select the resources used for sidelink transmission from the configured or pre-configured resource pool.

[0103] 5. Sidelink configuration grant resources: In sidelink resource allocation mode 1, the base station can semi-statically configure sidelink transmission resources for the UE, including the first type of sidelink grant type (SLCG Type 1) and the second type of sidelink grant type (SLCG Type 2).

[0104] SL CG Type 1: Relevant transmission parameters are set via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, including CG configuration index, time offset, time-frequency resource allocation, and period. When the UE receives the RRC configuration, it begins transmission at the time specified by the period and offset.

[0105] SL CG Type 2: CG configuration index, period, etc., are configured via RRC signaling, while other transmission parameters are activated via downlink control information (DCI). When the UE receives the activation command, if there is data in the buffer, it will transmit according to the pre-configured period.

[0106] In side link resource allocation mode 1, generally, it can be done by... Figure 2 The interactive process shown is used for data transmission.

[0107] 6. SL Resource Pool: SL resource allocation and data transmission / reception are all completed within the resource pool. UE behavior in SL can be defined based on the resource pool. In the frequency domain, the SL resource pool is located within the sidelink bandwidth part (SLBWP). A carrier or a BWP can contain one or more resource pools. The basic unit in the frequency domain within the SL resource pool is a subchannel. A resource pool consists of one or more consecutive subchannels. A subchannel consists of one or more consecutive resource blocks (RBs).

[0108] The SL configuration authorized resources can be resources used for SL transmission, occupying at least one subchannel in the frequency domain and at least one timeslot in the time domain.

[0109] by Figure 1 Taking (b) as an example, a BWP includes three SL resource pools. The first SL resource pool includes two consecutive sub-channels, the second SL resource pool includes three consecutive sub-channels, and the third SL resource pool includes three consecutive sub-channels. Each sub-channel corresponds to a sub-channel index. The SL configuration authorization resources can be the three sub-channels in the second resource pool, or sub-channel 3 and sub-channel 5. When the SL configuration authorization resources include multiple sub-channels, these multiple sub-channels can be referred to as the SL configuration authorization resource set. It should be understood that the above SL configuration authorization resources are merely an example and not a limitation.

[0110] 7. Frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA): In the control information, it is used to indicate the amount of frequency domain resources occupied by this transmission.

[0111] Time domain resource assignment (TDRA): In the control information, it is used to indicate the amount of time domain resources occupied by this transmission.

[0112] 201: The gNB sends radio resource control (RRC) signaling to the relay user equipment (relay UE). The RRC signaling includes resource pool configuration information for the relay UE to use for SL transmission.

[0113] 202: The gNB sends a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) 1 to the relay UE. This PDCCH 1 can indicate the resource location of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). PDCCH 1 carries downlink control information (DCI format 1_1) in format 1_1. DCI format 1_1 includes frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) and time domain resource allocation (TDRA).

[0114] 203: The gNB sends a PDSCH to the relay UE; the PDSCH carries data.

[0115] 204: relay UE correctly received / decoded PDSCH;

[0116] In step 204, "correct reception / decoding" means that the relay UE successfully receives the data in the PDSCH in step 203, or can correctly decode or decode the data in the PDSCH.

[0117] 205: The relay UE sends a scheduling request (SR) to the gNB, requesting uplink resources to send the SL buffer state report (BSR);

[0118] 206:gNB sends PDCCH2 to relay UE to instruct relay UE to send SL BSR resources;

[0119] 207: The relay UE reports the SL BSR to the gNB according to the resources indicated by PDCCH2 in 206;

[0120] 208:gNB sends PDCCH3 to relay UE to indicate the resource location of SL transmission. PDCCH3 carries DCIformat3_0. DCIformat3_0 contains SL resource pool index, sub-channel index, and first-stage sidelink control information (1st-stage SCI). The 1st-stage SCI contains frequency domain resource allocation indication and time domain resource allocation indication.

[0121] 209: The relay UE sends the physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) and the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) to the remote UE according to the instructions of PDCCH3. The PSSCH carries the data forwarded to the remote UE.

[0122] During the data transmission process described above, Uu transmission and SL transmission are performed independently. Only after the downlink data (or PDSCH) of Uu transmission is correctly decoded by the relay UE will the relay UE request SL transmission resources from the gNB and use the SL resources for data forwarding. This results in a large end-to-end relay transmission delay between the gNB and the remote UE.

[0123] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes a communication method that can reduce transmission latency and improve transmission efficiency between network devices and remote user equipment. The method is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the following steps may be included:

[0124] Step 301: The network device sends the first downlink control information to the second terminal device, and correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first downlink control information from the network device.

[0125] The first downlink control information can be used to indicate a first resource for receiving the first data. The first downlink control information can also be used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded. Alternatively, the first downlink control information can also be used to indicate that the data received by the second terminal device on the first resource is data to be forwarded.

[0126] It should be understood that the first data indicated by the first downlink control information can be all the data sent by the network device to the second terminal device, or it can be a portion of the data sent by the network device to the second terminal device. In other words, during data transmission, the data sent by the network device to the second terminal device in a certain data transmission may require the second terminal device to forward it entirely to the first terminal device; alternatively, the network device may send data, and according to the first downlink control information, a portion of that data (i.e., the first data) needs to be forwarded by the second terminal device to the first terminal device. The second terminal device, according to the indication of the first downlink control information, determines the first data that it needs to forward from the data sent to it by the network device and forwards it.

[0127] In one possible approach, the first downlink control information may include a first bit, the value of which can be used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded. For example, the bit may be set to a value of 1 to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded. Alternatively, the bit may be set to a value of 0 to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0128] Another possible approach is to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded by scrambling the first downlink control information. For example, the first downlink control information can be scrambled using relay-RNTI to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

[0129] Step 302: The second terminal device determines the second resource.

[0130] The second resource can be used to send second data. It should be understood that the second data can be the same as the first data, or it can be the first data processed by the second terminal device. For example, the second data can be the first data received and / or forwarded by the second terminal device. For instance, the second data can be data to be sent to the first terminal device generated by decoding and other processing of the first data received from the network device.

[0131] In one possible approach, the first downlink control information in step 301 may include first indication information, which may be used to indicate second control information (2nd-CI). For example, the first indication information may be used to indicate the location of the second-level control information. For instance, the first indication information may include the location information of the second-level control information; or, the first indication information may include indication information for indicating the location information of the second-level control information.

[0132] The second-level control information can be carried in the physical downlink shared channel. The second terminal device can determine the second resource based on the second-level control information. The second-level control information may include information about the second resource, such as indicating the resource location of the second resource.

[0133] Another possible approach is for the second terminal device to receive second downlink control information from the network device. This second downlink control information may include information about second resources, which the second terminal device can use to determine the second resources. The information about the second resources may include an SL resource pool index, a sub-channel index, and a 1st-stage SCI (containing frequency domain resource allocation indication and time domain resource allocation indication), etc. For example, the network device may configure one or more resource pools for the second terminal device. The second terminal device receives the resource pool index and determines the resource pool used for sidelink transmission based on the resource pool index. The second terminal device receives the sub-channel index and determines the frequency domain starting position for sidelink transmission within the resource pool based on the sub-channel index. The second terminal device receives the 1st-stage SCI, carried on the control channel. The 1st-stage SCI may include sidelink scheduling information, and the second terminal device determines the time-frequency resources based on the frequency domain resource allocation indication and time domain resource allocation indication in the 1st-stage SCI.

[0134] The second downlink control information can also be used to instruct that the second resource be used only for transmitting the second data. In other words, the second downlink control information can be used to instruct that the second resource be used only for transmitting data to be forwarded, and not for transmitting other data. For example, if part of the data sent by the network device to the second terminal device needs to be forwarded, and another part does not need to be forwarded, then the second resource will be used only for transmitting the data to be forwarded.

[0135] In another possible approach, the network device can send third downlink control information to the second terminal device. This third downlink control information can be used to activate the sidelink configured grant type 2 (SLCG type 2) transmission mode. After receiving the third downlink control information, the second terminal device can determine at least one sidelink configured grant resource as a candidate second resource from the sidelink configured grant resource set. The sidelink configured grant resource set can be determined based on Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. It should be understood that this RRC signaling can be sent by the network device to the second terminal device before the third downlink control information is sent.

[0136] In other words, after the third downlink control information activates the SL CG type 2 resource allocation mode, the second terminal device can actively select some or all of the determined candidate second resources as the second resources to forward the second data.

[0137] Another possible approach is for the second terminal device to proactively determine the second resource from the pre-configured sidelink configuration authorized resources. For example, there may be multiple pre-configured sidelink configuration authorized resources, and the second terminal device can determine some or all of them as the second resource. In other words, the second terminal device can autonomously select resources as the second resource to forward the second data. It should be understood that this approach is applicable to SL CG type 1 resource allocation mode.

[0138] The aforementioned sidelink configuration grant resources can be determined based on Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. It should be understood that this RRC signaling can be sent by the network device to the second terminal device before the third downlink control information is sent. This RRC signaling can also be used to configure resource allocation modes. For example, the network device can configure SLCG Type 1 or SLCG Type 2 for the second terminal device via RRC. When the second terminal device determines the resource allocation mode to be SLCG Type 1 based on the RRC signaling, it can independently determine the resources used for sidelink transmission in the sidelink configuration grant resources. When the second terminal device determines the resource allocation mode to be SLCG Type 2 based on the RRC signaling, it can wait for activation information (i.e., the third downlink control information).

[0139] The aforementioned second terminal device actively or autonomously selects resources, which may be done by randomly selecting from multiple sidelink configuration authorization resources pre-configured by the network device, or by selecting the first sidelink configuration authorization resource, or by selecting the last sidelink configuration authorization resource, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0140] Step 303: The network device sends first data to the second terminal device on the first resource, and correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first data on the first resource.

[0141] Step 304: The second terminal device sends second data to the first terminal device, and correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second data.

[0142] It should be understood that the second terminal device may send the second data to the first terminal device after successfully receiving the first data. Successfully receiving the first data may mean correctly receiving and / or correctly decoding the first data.

[0143] This method instructs the relay user equipment (i.e., the second terminal equipment) to indicate the data to be forwarded and the transmission resources through the network device, enabling the second terminal equipment to forward the data directly after successfully receiving it. This reduces the transmission latency between the network device and the remote user equipment (i.e., the first terminal equipment), improves transmission efficiency, and enhances the user experience.

[0144] This application proposes an embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, gNB is Figure 3 The network device in the method shown is a relay UE. Figure 3 The second terminal device in the method shown is a remote UE. Figure 3 The first terminal device in the method shown is DCI#A. Figure 3 An example of the first downlink control information in the method shown, DCI#B is Figure 3 An example of the second downlink control information in the method shown. This embodiment may include the following steps:

[0145] Step 401: The gNB sends an RRC to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the RRC accordingly.

[0146] The RRC may include configuration information for the resource pool used by the relay UE for SL transmission.

[0147] Step 402: The gNB sends PDCCH1 to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the PDCCH1 accordingly.

[0148] The PDCCH1 can indicate the location of resources for transmitting PDSCH. For example, PDCCH1 carries DCI#A, which includes a frequency domain resource allocation indicator (FDRA) and a time domain resource allocation indicator (TDRA).

[0149] The format of DCI#A can be DCI format 1_1. It should be understood that DCI format 1_1 is only an example of a DCI format and not a limitation. For example, DCI format 1_0 and DCI format 1_2 can also be used. DCI format 1_0 is generally used for PDSCH scheduling during initial access, DCI format 1_1 is generally used for PDSCH scheduling after initial access, and DCI format 1_2 is generally used for scheduling ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC) services.

[0150] One possible implementation is to add a 1-bit indicator field to PDCCH1, with a value of 1, to indicate that PDSCH is data to be forwarded. That is, the gNB establishes the association between the data sent to the relay UE and the data that the relay UE needs to forward to the remote UE through this indicator field. In this implementation, DCI#A can be scrambled using the relay UE's C-RNTI. It should be understood that UEs with relay functionality can determine whether to forward data based on the indicator field when decoding DCI#A. UEs without relay functionality, or UEs incompatible with relay functionality (e.g., legacy UEs), can ignore this indicator field when decoding DCI#A.

[0151] It should be understood that the bit values ​​mentioned above are merely examples and not limitations.

[0152] Another possible implementation is that the DCI#A carried by PDCCH1 can be scrambled using the relay-RNTI of the relay UE. This relay-RNTI can be configured by the gNB to the relay UE via RRC after the relay UE enters relay transmission state. For the DCI corresponding to data that does not need to be forwarded, it can be scrambled using the C-RNTI of the relay UE. This distinguishes the DCI corresponding to data that needs to be forwarded from the DCI corresponding to data that does not need to be forwarded. In other words, the gNB establishes the association between the data sent to the relay UE and the data that the relay UE needs to forward to the remote UE through the selection of the RNTI type.

[0153] The DCI corresponding to the data can be the DCI used to indicate the data.

[0154] Step 403: gNB sends PDCCH2 to relay UE, and correspondingly, relay UE receives PDCCH2.

[0155] PDCCH2 carries DCI#B, which may include information about the second resource. For example, the SL resource pool index, sub-channel index, and 1st-stage SCI (including frequency domain resource allocation indication and time domain resource allocation indication).

[0156] Among them, DCI#B can be scrambled using the SL-RNTI of relay UE.

[0157] Optionally, DCI#B can add a 1-bit indication field to indicate that the resource is used for relay transmission. The gNB associates the data to be forwarded with its transmission resource through the newly added indication field in DCI#B and the newly added indication field in DCI#A.

[0158] Alternatively, DCI#B can be scrambled using Relay-RNTI to indicate that the resource is used for relay transmission. The gNB associates the data to be forwarded with its transmission resource through the scrambling method of DCI#B and the scrambling method of DCI#A.

[0159] For example, if the relay UE can determine from PDCCH1 that the data indicated by PDCCH1 is data that needs to be forwarded, then the relay UE can attempt to receive PDCCH2. One possible approach is for the relay UE to attempt to receive PDCCH2 within a certain time threshold after receiving PDCCH1, where this time threshold can be configured to the relay UE by the gNB via RRC.

[0160] If the relay UE fails to receive PDCCH2, or fails to receive PDCCH2 within a certain time threshold, the relay UE can report BSR to request SL transmission resources.

[0161] The format of DCI#A can be DCI format 3_0. It should be understood that DCI format 3_0 is only an example of a DCI format and not a limitation. DCI format 3_1 is also applicable. DCI format 3_0 is generally used for scheduling PSCCH and PSSCH in NR, while DCI format 3_1 is generally used for scheduling PSCCH and PSSCH in LTE.

[0162] Step 404: The relay UE determines the first resource based on PDCCH1 and the second resource based on PDCCH2.

[0163] Step 405: The gNB sends a PDSCH to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the PDSCH accordingly.

[0164] The PDSCH carries downlink data, which can be the first data or downlink data including the first data. The relay UE receives the PDSCH on the first resource.

[0165] After the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH (wherein, correct reception / decoding can be referred to the description of step 204), the following steps may be included:

[0166] Step 406: The relay UE sends an ACK to the gNB.

[0167] Optionally, when the relay UE fails to receive the PDSCH, the following steps may be included:

[0168] Step 407: The relay UE sends a NACK to the gNB.

[0169] It should be understood that relay UEs can release SL resources.

[0170] Step 408: The gNB retransmits the PDSCH, and correspondingly, the relay UE re-receives the PDSCH.

[0171] Understandably, when the relay UE successfully re-receives the PDSCH, it can send an ACK to the gNB.

[0172] Step 409: The relay UE sends PSCCH and / or PSSCH to the remote UE.

[0173] The PSSCH can carry second data. The relay UE sends the PSSCH on the second resource.

[0174] It should also be understood that the relay UE can also send an ACK to the gNB after step 409 is completed.

[0175] In this embodiment, different downlink control information is used to indicate the data to be forwarded and the resources used to transmit the data. When the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH, it can immediately forward the data, which reduces the transmission latency between the network device and the remote user equipment and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0176] This application proposes yet another embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, gNB is Figure 3 The network device in the method shown is the relay UE. Figure 3 The second terminal device in the method shown is a remote UE. Figure 3 The first terminal device in the method shown is DCI#A. Figure 3 The illustrated method provides an example of the first downlink control information, and DCI#C is an example of the third downlink control information. This embodiment may include the following steps:

[0177] Step 501: The gNB sends an RRC to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the RRC accordingly.

[0178] The RRC may include configuration information for the resource pool used by the relay UE for SL transmission. For example, it may include an SL resource set, which may include sidelink configuration grant resources. It should be understood that the SL resource set may include at least one sidelink configuration grant resource.

[0179] Step 502: gNB sends PDCCH1 to relay UE, and correspondingly, relay UE receives PDCCH1.

[0180] The PDCCH1 can indicate the location of the resources for transmitting PDSCH. PDCCH1 carries DCI#A, which can contain a frequency domain resource allocation indicator (FDRA) and a time domain resource allocation indicator (TDRA).

[0181] The DCI#A is also used to indicate data to be forwarded. The indication method can be found in the description of step 402, and will not be repeated here.

[0182] The format of DCI#A can be found in the description in step 403, and will not be repeated here.

[0183] Step 503: gNB sends PDCCH2 to relay UE, and correspondingly, relay UE receives PDCCH2.

[0184] PDCCH2 can carry a DCI#C. The DCI#C can be used to activate SL CG type 2. For example, the DCI#C can contain indication information that can be used to activate SL CG type 2. The DCI#C can also contain a CG index, which can be used to indicate sidelink configuration grant resources. It should be understood that the CG index can be used to indicate at least one sidelink configuration grant resource. The DCI#C used to activate SL CG type 2 can be scrambled using the SL-CS-RNTI of the relay UE.

[0185] The format of DCI#C can be found in the description of DCI#B format in step 403, and will not be repeated here.

[0186] For example, if the relay UE can determine from PDCCH1 that the data indicated by PDCCH1 is data that needs to be forwarded, then the relay UE can attempt to receive PDCCH2. One possible approach is for the relay UE to attempt to receive PDCCH2 within a certain time threshold after receiving PDCCH1, where this time threshold can be configured to the relay UE by the gNB via RRC.

[0187] If the relay UE fails to receive PDCCH2, or fails to receive PDCCH2 within a certain time threshold, it will report BSR to request SL transmission resources.

[0188] Step 504: The relay UE determines the first resource based on PDCCH1 and the second resource in the side-link configuration authorized resource based on PDCCH2.

[0189] For example, PDCCH2 can indicate a portion of the sidelink configuration grant resources. The relay UE can use this portion of the sidelink configuration grant resources as candidate second resources and independently determine the second resource from among the candidate second resources. For instance, when the relay UE receives PDCCH2, PDCCH2 can indicate the sidelink configuration grant resources ( Figure 1 In (b) of the above, sub-channels 3, 4, and 5 are used as candidate second resources by the relay UE, from which sub-channels 3 and 4 are selected as the second resources. It should be understood that the above sub-channels are merely examples and not limitations. This application does not limit the relay UE's selection of the second resource from the candidate sub-channels; it can select one sub-channel, multiple sub-channels, all candidate resources, or only a portion of the candidate resources.

[0190] It should be understood that step 503 above applies to SL CG type 2. In SL CG type 1, there is no need to send PDCCH2; the relay UE can autonomously select a resource as the second resource from the sidelink configuration authorized resources indicated by the network device through RRC signaling. The relay UE determines at least one sidelink configuration authorized resource as the second resource from the set of sidelink configuration authorized resources indicated by RRC signaling. For example, when the relay UE receives RRC signaling and configures SL CG type 1, it can autonomously select the second resource without waiting for an activation indication. For instance, if the relay UE receives RRC signaling that configures SL CG type 1 for the relay UE and indicates sidelink configuration authorized resources subchannels 3, 5, and 6, the relay UE can determine subchannels 4 and 5 as candidate resources. This application does not limit the method by which the relay UE selects the second resource; the above example can be referred to, and further details are omitted.

[0191] Step 505: The gNB sends a PDSCH to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the PDSCH accordingly.

[0192] The PDSCH carries downlink data, which can be the first data or downlink data including the first data. The UE receives the PDSCH on the first resource.

[0193] After the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH (wherein, correct reception / decoding can be referred to the description of step 204), the following steps may be included:

[0194] Step 506: The relay UE sends an ACK to the gNB.

[0195] Optionally, when the relay UE fails to receive the PDSCH, the following steps may be included:

[0196] Step 507: The relay UE sends a NACK to the gNB.

[0197] It should be understood that relay UEs can release SL resources.

[0198] Step 508: The gNB retransmits the PDSCH, and correspondingly, the relay UE re-receives the PDSCH.

[0199] Understandably, when the relay UE successfully re-receives the PDSCH, it can send an ACK to the gNB.

[0200] Step 509: The relay UE sends PSCCH and / or PSSCH to the remote UE.

[0201] The PSSCH can carry second data. The relay UE sends the PSSCH on the second resource.

[0202] It should also be understood that the relay UE can also send an ACK to the gNB after step 509 is completed.

[0203] In this embodiment, different downlink control information is used to indicate the data to be forwarded and the resources used to transmit the data. When the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH, it can immediately forward the data. Furthermore, after the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH, it can autonomously select the second resource according to the authorized resources configured on the side link indicated by the network device, thereby reducing the interaction signaling between the relay UE and the gNB, further reducing the transmission latency between the network device and the remote user equipment, and improving the transmission efficiency.

[0204] This application proposes yet another embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, gNB is Figure 3 The network device in the method shown is the relay UE. Figure 3 The second terminal device in the method shown is a remote UE. Figure 3 The first terminal device in the method shown is DCI#D. Figure 3 An example of the first downlink control information in the method shown. This embodiment may include the following steps:

[0205] Step 601: The gNB sends an RRC to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the RRC accordingly.

[0206] The RRC may include configuration information for the resource pool used by the relay UE for SL transmission.

[0207] Step 602: The gNB sends a PDCCH to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the PDCCH accordingly.

[0208] The PDCCH can indicate the location of the resources used to transmit the PDSCH. For example, the PDCCH carries DCI#D, which can contain a frequency domain resource allocation indicator (FDRA) and a time domain resource allocation indicator (TDRA).

[0209] The DCI#D is also used to indicate the location of SL transmission resources. For example, the DCI#D may include an SL resource pool index, a sub-channel index, and a 1st-stage SCI (containing frequency domain resource allocation indication and time domain resource allocation indication). The way the DCI#D indicates resources can be used in SL dynamic grant (DG) transmission mode.

[0210] Alternatively, the DCI#D may include a CG index to indicate that all or part of the resources configured in the RRC can be used for SL transmission. For example, if all the resources configured in the RRC are sidelink-configured authorized resources, the relay UE can select a second resource from the RRC-configured resources; or, if a portion of the resources configured in the RRC are sidelink-configured authorized resources, the relay UE can select a second resource from the sidelink-configured authorized resources based on the CG index. This method of indicating resources in the DCI#D can be used in SL sidelink-configured authorized transmission mode (i.e., SL CG type 2).

[0211] When the PDCCH contains resource indications for the PDSCH and SL resource indications, the relay UE can determine that the data carried by that PDSCH is the data to be forwarded. DCI#D can be scrambled by C-RNTI, or SL-RNTI (SL-CS-RNTI), or relay-RNTI.

[0212] In other words, when the DCI only contains resource indications for PDSCH, the UE can determine that the data sent by the DCI indication is for its own UE and does not need to be forwarded. When the DCI contains both resource indications for PDSCH and SL transmission resource indications, the UE can determine that the data sent by the DCI indication is for the remote UE and needs to be forwarded. The gNB establishes the correlation between the data sent to the relay UE and the data that the relay UE needs to forward to the remote UE based on the number of resource sets indicated in the DCI. Furthermore, the gNB also establishes the correlation between the resources for data sent to the relay UE and the resources that the relay UE needs to forward to the remote UE based on the number of resource sets indicated in the DCI.

[0213] The DCI#D is also used to indicate data to be forwarded. The indication method can be found in the description of step 402, and will not be repeated here.

[0214] Step 603: The relay UE determines the first and second resources based on the PDCCH.

[0215] Step 604: The gNB sends a PDSCH to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the PDSCH accordingly.

[0216] The PDSCH carries downlink data, which can be the first data or downlink data including the first data. The UE receives the PDSCH on the first resource.

[0217] After the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH (wherein, correct reception / decoding can be referred to the description of step 204), the following steps may be included:

[0218] Step 605: The relay UE sends an ACK to the gNB.

[0219] Optionally, when the relay UE fails to receive the PDSCH, the following steps may be included:

[0220] Step 606: The relay UE sends a NACK to the gNB.

[0221] It should be understood that relay UEs can release SL resources.

[0222] Step 607: The gNB retransmits the PDSCH, and correspondingly, the relay UE re-receives the PDSCH.

[0223] Understandably, when the relay UE successfully re-receives the PDSCH, it can send an ACK to the gNB.

[0224] Step 608: The relay UE sends PSCCH and / or PSSCH to the remote UE, and correspondingly, the remote UE receives PSCCH and / or PSSCH.

[0225] The PSSCH can carry second data. The relay UE sends the PSSCH on the second resource.

[0226] It should also be understood that the relay UE can also send an ACK to the gNB after step 608 is completed.

[0227] The above DCI#D may include one or more of the following designs:

[0228] For data transmitted in PDSCH and PSSCH, one new data transmission indicator can be used, that is, one indicator field is reused, which can save 1 bit compared to the separate new transmission indicators for PDSCH and PSSCH.

[0229] Uu and SL transfers can use the same hybrid automatic repeat request process number (HARQ process number), which saves 4 bits compared to Uu and SL transfers using separate HARQ process numbers.

[0230] Uu and SL transfers can use the same redundancy version (RV), which saves 2 bits compared to uu and SL transfers using separate RV versions.

[0231] The format of DCI#D can be determined based on the above design.

[0232] This embodiment simultaneously indicates two sets of resources and the data to be forwarded through a single downlink control message. Once the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH, it can immediately forward the data, reducing the interaction signaling between the relay UE and the gNB, further reducing the transmission latency between network devices and remote user equipment, and improving transmission efficiency.

[0233] This application proposes yet another embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, gNB is Figure 3 The network device in the method shown is the relay UE. Figure 3 The second terminal device in the method shown is a remote UE. Figure 3 The first terminal device in the method shown is DCI#E. Figure 3An example of the first downlink control information in the method shown. This embodiment may include the following steps:

[0234] Step 701: The gNB sends an RRC to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the RRC accordingly.

[0235] The RRC may include configuration information for the resource pool used by the relay UE for SL transmission.

[0236] Step 702: The gNB sends a PDCCH to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the PDCCH accordingly.

[0237] The PDCCH can indicate the location of the resources used to transmit the PDSCH. For example, the PDCCH carries DCI#E, which can contain a frequency domain resource allocation indicator (FDRA) and a time domain resource allocation indicator (TDRA).

[0238] The DCI#E also includes a flag indicator to indicate the second-stage control information (2nd stage CI) carried in the PDSCH. For example, the DCI#E includes a flag indicator to indicate a parameter used to calculate the resource size occupied by the second-stage control information. Furthermore, the resource starting position of the second-stage control information can be specified to begin from the DMRS of the PDSCH. One possible approach is that the resource size occupied by the second-stage control information is equal to the product of this parameter and the total resources occupied by the PDSCH. This indication method can be applied to situations where the location of the second-stage control information changes dynamically.

[0239] Alternatively, the higher-level signaling header can include a resource indication to indicate the Level 2 control information carried in the PDSCH. This higher-level signaling can include the starting position of the resource in the Level 2 control information and the size of the resource. This indication method is suitable for cases where the position of the Level 2 control information changes semi-statically.

[0240] DCI#E can be scrambled using C-RNTI, SL-RNTI, or relay-RNTI.

[0241] It should be understood that when there is no flag indication in DCI#E, the UE can determine that the data sent by the DCI indication is for its own UE and does not need to be forwarded. When there is a flag indication in DCI#E, the UE can determine that the data sent by the DCI indication is for the remote UE and needs to be forwarded. The gNB establishes the association between the data sent to the relay UE and the relay UE needing to forward data to the remote UE through the presence or absence of the flag indication in DCI#E.

[0242] The DCI#E is also used to indicate data to be forwarded. The indication method can be found in the description of step 402, and will not be repeated here. The format of the DCI#E can be determined according to the above design.

[0243] Step 703: The relay UE determines the first resource based on the PDCCH.

[0244] Step 704: The gNB sends a PDSCH to the relay UE, and the relay UE receives the PDSCH accordingly.

[0245] The PDSCH carries downlink data, which can be the first data or downlink data including the first data. The UE receives the PDSCH on the first resource.

[0246] In addition, the PDSCH can carry second-level control information, which can be used to indicate the resources used for SL transmission.

[0247] It should be understood that when there is no Level 2 control information in the PDSCH, the UE can determine that the first data is for its own use and does not need to be forwarded. When there is Level 2 control information in the PDSCH, the UE can determine that the first data is for the remote UE and needs to be forwarded. Furthermore, the resources used for forwarding the first data are determined by the Level 2 control information in the PDSCH. The gNB establishes the association between the resources for data destined for the relay UE and the resources that the relay UE needs to forward data to the remote UE, based on the indication of the Level 2 control information in the PDSCH.

[0248] It should also be understood that the decoding of the first data in the PDSCH is independent of the decoding of the second-level control information in the PDSCH, and there is no time restriction. For example, the encoding methods of the first data and the second-level control information can be different. For instance, the second-level control information can be encoded using Polar codes, and the first data can be encoded using low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. The relay UE can decode the first data in the PDSCH first, or it can decode the second-level control information first.

[0249] One possible approach is that if the relay UE encounters an error in decoding the second-level control information, and the decoding of the first data in the PDSCH has not yet been completed, the decoding of the first data in the PDSCH can be abandoned or terminated.

[0250] After the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH (wherein, correct reception / decoding can be referred to the description of step 204), the following steps may be included:

[0251] Step 705: The relay UE sends an ACK to the gNB.

[0252] Optionally, when the relay UE fails to receive the PDSCH, the following steps may be included:

[0253] Step 706: The relay UE sends a NACK to the gNB.

[0254] It should be understood that relay UEs can release SL resources.

[0255] Step 707: The gNB retransmits the PDSCH, and correspondingly, the relay UE re-receives the PDSCH.

[0256] Understandably, when the relay UE successfully re-receives the PDSCH, it can send an ACK to the gNB.

[0257] Step 708: The relay UE determines the second resource based on the second-level control information.

[0258] Step 709: The relay UE sends PSCCH and / or PSSCH to the remote UE, and correspondingly, the remote UE receives PSCCH and / or PSSCH.

[0259] The PSSCH can carry second data. The relay UE sends the PSSCH on the second resource.

[0260] It should also be understood that the relay UE can also send an ACK to the gNB after step 709 is completed.

[0261] This embodiment indicates downlink resources and second-level control information through downlink control information, and indicates the data to be forwarded. The second-level control information is carried in the PDSCH and transmitted together with the data. When the relay UE correctly receives / decodes the PDSCH, it can immediately forward the data, reducing the interaction signaling between the relay UE and gNB, further reducing the transmission latency between network equipment and remote user equipment, and improving transmission efficiency.

[0262] The various embodiments described herein can be independent solutions or combinations thereof based on internal logic, and all such solutions fall within the protection scope of this application. It should be understood that the steps in the above embodiments are merely for clearly describing the technical solutions of the embodiments and do not limit the order in which the steps are performed.

[0263] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, network devices or terminal devices may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0264] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0265] The following, combined with Figures 8 to 9 This application provides a detailed description of the communication device provided in its embodiments. It should be understood that the descriptions of the device embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail here will be referred to the method embodiments above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0266] Similar to the above concept, such as Figure 8 As shown, this application embodiment also provides an apparatus 800 for implementing the function of the session management network element in the above method. For example, the apparatus can be a software module or a chip system. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The apparatus 800 may include: a processing unit 810 and a communication unit 820.

[0267] In this embodiment of the application, the communication unit may also be called a transceiver unit, which may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to perform the steps of sending and receiving the session management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0268] A communication unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver device, or transceiver unit. A processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the device in communication unit 820 used to implement the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in communication unit 820 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting unit; that is, communication unit 820 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A communication unit can sometimes also be called a transceiver, transceiver unit, or interface circuit. A receiving unit can sometimes be called a receiver, receiver circuit, or receiving unit. A transmitting unit can sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0269] The communication device 800 performs the above embodiment. Figures 3 to 7 When the network device functions in any of the processes shown in the diagram:

[0270] The communication unit can be used to transmit first downlink control information, second downlink control information, and / or first data.

[0271] The processing unit can be used to determine bit assignments, pre-configure side-link configuration authorization resources, etc.

[0272] Communication device 800 performs steps 3 to 4 in the above embodiments. Figure 7 When the function of the second terminal device in any of the processes shown is:

[0273] The communication unit can be used to receive first downlink control information, second downlink control information and / or first data, and to transmit second data.

[0274] The processing unit can be used to parse the DCI and determine the first resource and / or the second resource.

[0275] Communication device 800 performs steps 3 to 4 in the above embodiments. Figure 7 When the function of the first terminal device in any of the processes shown is:

[0276] The communication unit can be used to receive PSSCH and / or PSCCH.

[0277] The above is just an example. The processing unit 810 and the communication unit 820 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 3 to 7 The descriptions of the method embodiments shown or other method embodiments are not repeated here.

[0278] like Figure 9 The image shown is of the apparatus 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 The device shown can be Figure 8The illustrated device represents one hardware circuit implementation. This communication device can be applied to the flowchart shown above to perform the functions of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments described. For ease of explanation, Figure 9 Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0279] like Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 920 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a memory 930 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910, or storing input data required by the processor 910 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 910 executes instructions.

[0280] When the communication device 900 is used to achieve Figures 3 to 7 In the method shown, the processor 910 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 810, and the interface circuit 920 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 820.

[0281] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the first terminal device and / or the second terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, which is information sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, which is information sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0282] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the terminal device to the network device; or, the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0283] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0284] In embodiments of this application, the processor may be a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, portable hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a network device or terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may exist as discrete components in the network device or terminal device.

[0285] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0286] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0287] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0288] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

[0289] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to second terminal devices, including: The network device receives first downlink control information, which is used to indicate a first resource for receiving first data. The first downlink control information is also used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded. The first resource is a resource for receiving a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and the first data is carried in the PDSCH. A second resource is determined, which is used to send second data, which is the first data after forwarding. The second resource is a resource for sending the Physical Side Link Shared Channel (PSSCH), and the second data is carried in the PSSCH. The second data is the same as the first data, or the second data is the first data processed by the second terminal device. Receive the first data from the network device on the first resource; The second data is sent to the first terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before sending the second data to the first terminal device, the method further includes: The first data was successfully received.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first downlink control information includes a first bit, the value of which is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The scrambling method of the first downlink control information is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The scrambling method for the first downlink control information is scrambling via relay wireless network temporary identifier relay-RNTI.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The determination of the second resource includes: Receive second downlink control information from the network device, the second downlink control information including information about the second resource; The second resource is determined based on the second downlink control information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second downlink control information is also used to indicate that the second resource is used only for transmitting the second data.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third downlink control information, which is used to activate the Type 2 side link configuration authorization SLCG type 2 transmission mode; The determination of the second resource includes: Based on the third downlink control information, at least one sidelink configuration authorization resource is determined from the sidelink configuration authorization resource set as a candidate second resource; The second resource is determined from the candidate second resources.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The determination of the second resource includes: At least one sidelink configuration authorization resource is determined from the set of sidelink configuration authorization resources as the second resource.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The set of authorized resources configured for the sidelink is determined based on Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first downlink control information is also used to instruct the second resource. The determination of the second resource includes: The second resource is determined based on the first downlink control information, wherein the first downlink control information includes information about the second resource.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first downlink control information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate second-level control information 2nd-CI, and the second-level control information is carried in the physical downlink shared channel; The determination of the second resource includes: The second resource is determined based on the second-level control information.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, including: Send first downlink control information to the second terminal device. The first downlink control information is used to instruct the second terminal device to receive the first resource of the first data. The first downlink control information is also used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded. The first resource is a resource for receiving the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The first data is carried in the PDSCH. The second terminal device is instructed to use a second resource for the second terminal device to send second data, which is the first data that has been forwarded. The second resource is a resource for sending a physical side link sharing channel (PSSCH), and the second data is carried in the PSSCH. The second data is the same as the first data, or the second data is the first data that has been processed by the second terminal device. The first data is sent to the second terminal device on the first resource.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first downlink control information includes a first bit, the value of which is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The scrambling method of the first downlink control information is used to indicate that the first data is data to be forwarded.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The scrambling method for the first downlink control information is scrambling via relay wireless network temporary identifier relay-RNTI.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The step of instructing the second resource to the second terminal device includes: Send a second downlink control message to the second terminal device, the second downlink control message including information about the second resource.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The second downlink control information is also used to indicate that the second resource is used only for transmitting the second data.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The step of instructing the second resource to the second terminal device includes: Send a third downlink control message to the second terminal device. The third downlink control message is used to activate the second type of side link configuration authorized transmission mode.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, Before sending the third downlink control information to the second terminal device, the method further includes: Send Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, which is used to instruct the side link to configure an authorized resource set.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The step of instructing the second resource to the second terminal device includes: The first downlink control information is used to instruct the second resource, and the first downlink control information includes information about the second resource.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The first downlink control information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate second-level control information 2nd-CI, and the second-level control information is carried in the physical downlink shared channel; The step of instructing the second resource to the second terminal device includes: Send second-level control information, which includes information about the second resource.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 22.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, Includes the communication device as described in claims 23 and 24.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and / or the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 22.

27. A chip, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a communication interface, the processor being configured to read instructions to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and / or, the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 22.

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