Method performed by a user equipment and user equipment

Abstract

The application provides a method executed by a user equipment and the user equipment. The method is a processing method executed by a user equipment (UE) in a process of communication between the UE and a base station based on a multi-path communication mode. The method comprises the following steps: the UE starts an RRC reestablishment process. In the process, if the UE is configured with a multi-connection path, the UE releases configuration information associated with a non-direct connection. The multi-connection path comprises a path of direct connection between the UE and the base station and a path of non-direct connection between the UE and the base station. The configuration information associated with the non-direct connection comprises information of a relay UE for the non-direct connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to a method performed by a user equipment and a corresponding user equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Within a cell covered by a base station, a User Equipment (UE) can communicate directly with the base station; this communication connection is called a direct connection. The UE can also communicate with the base station through a relay UE; this connection can be called an indirect connection or a non-direct connection. In scenarios where the UE communicates with the base station through a relay UE, this UE is called a remote UE.

[0003] To improve the uplink and downlink transmission rates and throughput of the UE, the UE can operate simultaneously in both direct connection and indirect connection modes. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in this working mode, since the UE and the base station communicate through different paths, it can also be called multi-path communication mode.

[0004] exist Figure 1 In general, wireless communication is used between remote UEs and base stations, as well as between relay UEs and base stations, such as 5G NR or LTE. Communication between remote UEs and relay UEs can be based on sidelink communication, Wi-Fi communication based on hotspot coverage, or wired connection.

[0005] To implement the aforementioned multipath communication methods, the base station needs to configure and manage the UE's connection. How to manage indirect connection paths when the UE enters an idle state, or when the UE reconnects or undergoes link switching, is a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a method and a user equipment executed by a user equipment, which can effectively manage indirect connection paths, thereby reliably implementing the aforementioned multipath communication method.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method executed by a user equipment is provided, which is a processing method executed during communication between a user equipment (UE) and a base station based on a multipath communication method, comprising the following steps:

[0008] The UE initiates the RRC reconstruction process. During this process, if the UE is configured with multiple connection paths, the UE releases the configuration information associated with non-direct connections.

[0009] The aforementioned multiple connection paths include paths where the UE directly connects to the base station and paths where the UE does not directly connect to the base station. The configuration information associated with the non-direct connection includes information about the relay UE used for the non-direct connection.

[0010] In the above-described method performed by the user equipment, preferably, the method further includes the following steps:

[0011] UE releases indirect connection.

[0012] In the above-described method performed by the user equipment, preferably,

[0013] The UE releases the indirect connection in any of the following ways:

[0014] The UE sends a connection release message to the upper layer of the RRC layer, which triggers a connection release message for a relay UE that is not directly connected to it.

[0015] The UE's RRC layer performs a connection release procedure for non-direct connections.

[0016] In the above-described method performed by the user equipment, preferably,

[0017] If the UE and the relay UE are connected via PC5, then the UE indicates to the upper layer of the RRC layer that it is triggering the release of the PC5 connection with the relay UE.

[0018] In the above-described method performed by the user equipment, preferably,

[0019] If the UE and the relay UE are connected via PC5, then the UE performs a PC5 RRC connection release procedure, including at least one of the following operations:

[0020] Discard the sidelink configuration information associated with the connection or the address corresponding to the connection.

[0021] Release one or more SRBs associated with the connection or the address corresponding to the connection;

[0022] Release one or more DRBs associated with the connection or the address corresponding to the connection;

[0023] Reset the MAC layer associated with the connection or the address corresponding to the connection;

[0024] Indicate to the upper layer that the PC5 RRC connection has been released.

[0025] In the above-described method performed by the user equipment, preferably, the method further includes the following steps:

[0026] After performing the operations of releasing configuration information and releasing indirect connections, the UE performs cell selection or relay selection and starts timer T311 for managing cell selection;

[0027] After successful cell selection, the UE stops timer T311;

[0028] After stopping timer T311, the UE starts timer T301 to manage the reconstruction process and initiates the transmission of the RRC connection reconstruction request message.

[0029] In the above-described method performed by the user equipment, preferably, the method further includes the following steps:

[0030] When the UE enters the idle state, the UE performs at least one of the following operations:

[0031] Reset the MAC layer;

[0032] If the UE is configured with multiple connection paths, then release the configuration information associated with non-direct connections;

[0033] If the UE is configured with multiple connection paths, then release the indirect connections;

[0034] Discard application layer measurement reports.

[0035] If the UE receives an RRC release message from the base station, or if the timer T311 used to manage cell selection during the RRC reconstruction process times out, or if the timer T301 used to manage the reconstruction process during the RRC reconstruction process times out, then the UE enters the idle state.

[0036] In the above-described method performed by the user equipment, preferably, the method further includes the following steps:

[0037] If the RRC release message received by the UE carries pending configuration information, then the UE will not release the indirect connection and will save the configuration information associated with the indirect connection.

[0038] In the above-described method performed by the user equipment, preferably, the method further includes the following steps:

[0039] The UE initiates the RRC recovery procedure, in which it sends an RRC recovery request message to the base station. This message carries indication information 1, which indicates that the connection between the UE and the relay UE is in a normal working state.

[0040] If the response message received by the UE from the base station carries indication information two, which instructs the UE to restore the indirect connection, then the UE restores the configuration information for the indirect connection.

[0041] If the response message received by the UE from the base station does not carry indication information 2, then the UE releases the configuration information associated with the indirect connection.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present invention, a user equipment is provided, comprising:

[0043] Processor; and

[0044] Memory, which stores instructions

[0045] The aforementioned instructions execute the methods described above when the aforementioned processor is running.

[0046] According to the method executed by a user equipment and the corresponding user equipment of the present invention, indirect connection paths can be effectively managed, thereby reliably realizing the above-mentioned multipath communication method. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a multi-path communication mode that combines direct and indirect connections.

[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram representing UE-to-Network relay.

[0049] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the SRB and split SRB protocol layer structure.

[0050] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a user equipment (UE) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a simplified structural block diagram of the user equipment involved in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments described below. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, detailed descriptions of well-known technologies not directly related to the present invention have been omitted to prevent confusion in understanding the present invention.

[0053] Before proceeding with the detailed description, the following explanation is provided for several terms mentioned in this invention. Unless otherwise specified, the terms used in this invention shall have the meanings described below.

[0054] UE: User Equipment;

[0055] NR: New Radio, the next generation of wireless technology;

[0056] LTE: Long Term Evolution.

[0057] eLTE: Enhanced Long Term Evolution;

[0058] RRC: Radio Resource Control (layer);

[0059] MAC: Medium Access Control (layer);

[0060] MAC CE: MAC Control Element;

[0061] SDAP: Service Data Adaptation Protocol;

[0062] SRAP: Sidelink Relay Adaptation Protocol.

[0063] RLC: Radio Link Control;

[0064] PDCP: Packet Data Convergence Protocol;

[0065] PHY: physical layer;

[0066] RB: radio bearer;

[0067] DRB: Data Radio Bearer;

[0068] SRB: Signalalling Radio Bearer;

[0069] PDU: Protocol Data Unit;

[0070] WIFI is a wireless local area network technology based on the IEEE 802.11 standard;

[0071] SDU: Service Data Unit;

[0072] V2X: Vehicle-to-Everything, the Internet of Vehicles.

[0073] In this invention, the network, base station, and RAN can be used interchangeably. The network can be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a New Radio Access Technology (New RAT, NR) network, an enhanced Long Term Evolution (eLTE) network, or other networks defined in subsequent 3GPP evolution versions.

[0074] In this invention, the User Equipment (UE) may refer to the NR device that supports NR Sidelink relay function as described in the background art, or it may refer to the NR device that supports NR sidelink relay architecture, or it may refer to other types of NR devices or LTE devices.

[0075] In this invention, sidelink and PC5 can be used interchangeably, as can RLC channel, RLC entity, and RLC bearer. Furthermore, PC5 is used for relay operations in this document and can therefore be replaced by relay.

[0076] The related technologies of the present invention are described below.

[0077] Multi-path communication

[0078] like Figure 1 As shown, the UE and the base station can communicate through direct connection and indirect connection. The UE can be configured to operate in both direct connection and indirect connection communication modes simultaneously; this communication mode is called multi-path communication. The direct connection path is called a direct path, and the indirect connection path is called a relay path or an indirect path.

[0079] In particular, such as Figure 1 As shown, the remote UE and relay UE are connected to the same base station, i.e., the same master node (MN). There are also cases where the remote UE and relay UE are connected to different base stations; the same applies to these cases, and no limitation is imposed here.

[0080] In this article, direct links and direct paths are interchangeable; non-direct links, indirect links, relay paths, and indirect paths are interchangeable.

[0081] In this paper, multipath communication can also be replaced by multi-connection communication.

[0082] UE-to-UE (U2U) near-field communication

[0083] UEs can wirelessly connect to each other via near-field communication (NFC) to transmit data or signaling. In this paper, NFC primarily refers to sidelink connections, but Wi-Fi connections or other methods can also be used. The reference point for a sidelink connection between UEs is called PC5; therefore, a sidelink connection between UEs can be called a PC5 connection. In this paper, sidelink connections and PC5 connections can be used interchangeably. Such a PC5 connection can be identified by a pair of Layer-2 IDs, typically including a source Layer-2 ID and a destination Layer-2 ID. Such a PC5 connection can be simply referred to as a destination-specific PC5 connection, a sidelink connection, etc.

[0084] Sidelink radio link failure (SL RLF)

[0085] The UE can determine that a radio link failure has occurred for the specific destination-side link connection under the following circumstances:

[0086] When a sidelink RLC entity indicates that the maximum number of retransmissions for a specific destination has been reached;

[0087] When timer T400 for a specific destination times out;

[0088] When an indication is received from a MAC entity that the maximum number of consecutive HARQ DTXs for a specific destination has been reached;

[0089] When an integrity check failure indication occurs from a sidelink PDCP entity concerning an SL-SRB for a specific destination.

[0090] In a sidelink connection or PC5 connection, a specific destination corresponds to a PC5 connection, so it can be assumed that a sidelink connection or PC5 connection corresponding to that address has experienced a SL RLF.

[0091] UE-to-Network relay (U2N relay)

[0092] like Figure 2 As shown, the left side represents the remote UE, the middle side represents the relay UE, and the right side represents the base station / network. The remote UE and the relay UE can connect via the aforementioned PC5 interface, or via Wi-Fi or other connection methods. This article primarily uses PC5 connection as an example. The relay UE and the network can connect via the Uu port. The relay UE relays signaling and data between the remote UE and the base station.

[0093] Uu interface

[0094] The wireless communication interface between the UE and the base station. The UE can communicate using E-UTRAN and eNB on the Uu interface. The UE can also communicate using NR and gNB on the Uu interface.

[0095] Uu radio link failure (Uu RLF)

[0096] The UE can determine that a wireless link failure was detected on the Uu interface under the following circumstances:

[0097] - Received a random access problem indication from the MAC.

[0098] - Received an indication from the RLC that the maximum number of retransmissions has been reached;

[0099] - Timeout of timer T310 or T312 related to wireless link detection (upon T310 / T312expiry).

[0100] RRC connection re-establishment

[0101] In order to restore communication with the base station or network side, a UE in connected state needs to re-establish an RRC connection. To achieve this, the UE executes an RRC connection reconstruction procedure. During the initiation of this procedure, the UE starts timer T311 for managing the connection restoration process.

[0102] Timer T304

[0103] In existing technology, when a UE receives an RRC connection reconfiguration message from a base station, instructing the UE to perform synchronization reconfiguration or handover / switch, the UE starts timer T304 to manage the synchronization process. If the synchronization reconfiguration is successful, the UE stops T304; if T304 times out, it means the synchronization reconfiguration process has failed, and the UE triggers an RRC connection reconstruction process. During this process, the UE sends an RRC Reestablishment Request message to the base station.

[0104] Signal radio bearer (SRB) and split SRB.

[0105] In communication between the UE and the base station, the SRB is used to carry signaling. The UE encapsulates the data in air interface RRC connection establishment (setup), re-establishment, and resume messages to the network through the Uu PDCP layer, and then submits them to the Uu RLC entity for further encapsulation and carries them on the Uu RLC channel, passing them down layer by layer through Uu-MAC and Uu-PHY. Conversely, RRC messages sent by the network to the UE also reach the UE via the SRB. Such an SRB can be referred to as an SRB configured on a direct connection, or an SRB configured on a direct path (SRB via direct path).

[0106] In a multipath configuration, the UE can be configured to split the SRB, and its protocol structure is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, after data encapsulation at the Uu PDCP layer, the UE can deliver the encapsulated data to either the Uu RLC or the PC5 RLC as needed. If the data is delivered to the Uu RLC, the processing is the same as for the SRB; if the data is delivered to the PC5 RLC, after further encapsulation, it will be carried on the PC5 RLC channel and delivered layer by layer down through the PC5-MAC and PC5-PHY, finally being sent to the base station / network via the relay path. If the data is delivered to the Uu RLC, like the SRB, it will ultimately be sent to the base station / network via the direct path. Such a split SRB can be called a split SRB configured on a multi-path, or a split SRB configured with a relay path (split SRB via relay).

[0107] In a multipath configuration, the UE can also be configured with SRB via relay, and its protocol structure is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, after data encapsulation at the UuPDCP layer, it is submitted to the PC5 RLC entity for further encapsulation and carried on the PC5 RLC channel. It is then delivered layer by layer down through the PC5 MAC and PC5 PHY to the relay UE, and finally forwarded to the network / base station. Conversely, RRC messages sent from the network to the UE can also reach the UE via the SRB via relay. Such SRB via relay can also be referred to as SRBs configured in the relay path or configured on non-direct connections.

[0108] Based on the content carried, signaling bearers (SRBs) can be divided into the following categories:

[0109] SRB0: Used to carry RRC messages transmitted via a logical channel using the Common Control Channel (CCCH);

[0110] SRB1: Used to carry RRC messages and non-access stratum messages transmitted using the logical channel corresponding to the Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH);

[0111] SRB2: Non-access stratum (NAS) messages and RRC messages carrying measurement information are transmitted using the logical channel corresponding to the dedicated control channel.

[0112] The following specific embodiments will be listed to illustrate the processing method of the present invention.

[0113] Example 1

[0114] This embodiment provides a method executed by a user equipment (UE), which is a processing method performed during communication between the UE and the base station based on multipath communication. Figure 4 As shown, the method includes the following steps.

[0115] Step S401: The UE initiates the RRC re-establishment process. During this process, if the UE is configured with multiple connection paths, the UE can release configuration information associated with indirect connections, including paths directly connecting the UE to the base station and paths indirectly connecting the UE to the base station. Optionally, the UE can also release indirect connections.

[0116] The configuration information associated with indirect connections may include information about relay UEs used for indirect connections, including at least the UE identifier of the relay UE, such as the L2 ID, and may also include configuration information for adding connection paths (pathaddition), based on which the UE can establish indirect connection paths, etc.

[0117] The release of non-direct connections can be achieved in any of the following ways:

[0118] Method 1: The UE indicates to the upper layer of the RRC layer the connection release information triggered by its non-directly connected relay UE. For example, if the UE and the relay UE are connected via PC5, the UE can indicate to the upper layer of the RRC layer the connection release triggered by its connection with the relay UE via PC5. If the connection between the relay UE and the remote UE is based on Wi-Fi or other connections, the connection can be released through upper-layer triggering.

[0119] Method 2: The UE's RRC layer executes a connection release procedure for indirect connections. For example, if the UE and the relay UE are connected via PC5, the UE can execute a PC5 RRC connection release procedure, which may include one or more of the following operations:

[0120] Discard the sidelink configuration information associated with the connection or the address corresponding to the connection;

[0121] Release one or more SRBs associated with the connection or the address corresponding to the connection;

[0122] Release one or more DRBs associated with the connection or the address corresponding to the connection;

[0123] Reset the MAC layer associated with the connection or the address corresponding to the connection;

[0124] Indicate to the upper layer that the PC5 RRC connection has been released.

[0125] As a supplement, after the UE performs the above-mentioned release configuration and release connection operations during the RRC reconstruction process, it can perform cell selection or relay selection and start the timer T311 for managing the cell. When a suitable cell is selected, the UE will stop T311, and then the UE will start the timer T301 for managing the reconstruction and initiate the transmission of the RRCReestablishmentRequest message.

[0126] Example 2

[0127] When the UE enters the idle state, the UE can perform one or more of the following operations:

[0128] -Reset the MAC layer;

[0129] -If the UE is configured with multiple connection paths, then release the configuration information associated with the non-direct connection, and the specific operation is the same as in Example 1;

[0130] -If the UE is configured with multiple connection paths, then release the indirect connection, and the specific operation is the same as in Example 1;

[0131] - Discard application layer measurement reports.

[0132] The reasons that trigger or cause the UE to enter the idle state may be that the UE receives an RRC release message from the base station or network side, or that the timer T311 for the management cell selection expires during the RRC reconstruction process, or that the timer T301 for the management reconstruction process expires during the RRC reconstruction process. In these cases, the UE will enter the idle state.

[0133] One possible implementation is that when the UE receives an RRC release message, if the UE is configured with multiple connection paths, then the UE can release the configuration information associated with the indirect connection. Optionally, the UE can also release the indirect connection.

[0134] Example 1 and Example 2 can be performed separately or in combination.

[0135] Example 3

[0136] In one scenario, if the RRC release message received by the UE carries suspend configuration information, the UE will transition from connected state to inactive state based on this suspend configuration information. In this case, the UE can choose not to release the indirect connection, and the UE can also retain the configuration information associated with the indirect connection. Therefore, how to enable the UE to restore the indirect connection in this situation is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0137] Because the RRC release message previously received by the UE carried suspended configuration information, the UE entered an inactive state. The UE can resume the indirect connection the next time it enters the RRC connected state. The UE needs to initiate an RRC resume procedure to enter the RRC connected state from the inactive state. To successfully resume the indirect connection, the UE can send an RRC resume request message to the base station during the RRC resume procedure. This message carries indication information indicating that the connection between the UE and the relay UE is in a normal working state. For example, the connection level between the UE and the relay UE meets a pre-configured threshold, or the connection between the UE and the relay UE has not failed. These can all be considered as being in a normal working state, or directly indicate that a connection still exists between the UE and the relay UE. Preferably, this relay UE is the relay UE previously used for the indirect connection.

[0138] After receiving the RRC recovery request message RRCResumeRequestMessage carrying the first indication information mentioned above, if the base station needs to instruct the UE to restore the indirect connection, it can carry the second indication information in the response message RRCResumeMessage sent to the UE to instruct the UE to restore the indirect connection. Then, after receiving the response message RRCResumeMessage carrying the second indication information, the UE can restore the configuration information of the indirect connection and apply the configuration information for configuration.

[0139] If, after the UE sends an RRC recovery request message (RRCResumeRequest message) carrying indication information one to the base station or network side, and receives a response message (RRCResumemessage) from the base station or network side that does not carry indication information two, then the UE can release the configuration information associated with the indirect connection as in Embodiment 1. Optionally, the UE can also release the indirect connection.

[0140] As a supplement, after the UE enters the inactive state, if the connection between the UE and the relay UE fails, or is released due to failure or other reasons, the UE can release the saved non-direct connection configuration information at the same time as the connection is released. Alternatively, during the subsequent RRC resume process, the UE may not carry indication information one in the RRC resume request message, or it may carry indication information three, which indicates that the connection between the UE and the relay UE has been released or has failed. Then, after receiving the response message RRC resume, since it does not carry indication information two as mentioned above, the UE will release the previously saved non-direct connection configuration information.

[0141] Figure 5 This is a simplified structural block diagram of the user equipment involved in this invention.

[0142] like Figure 5 As shown, the user equipment 500 includes at least a processor 501 and a memory 502. The processor 501 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded processor, etc. The memory 502 may include, for example, volatile memory (such as random access memory, RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), non-volatile memory (such as flash memory), or other memory systems. Program instructions are stored on the memory 502. When executed by the processor 501, these instructions can perform one or more steps of the processing method of the UE disclosed herein.

[0143] The methods and related apparatus of this disclosure have been described above in conjunction with preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the methods shown above are merely exemplary, and the various embodiments described above can be combined with each other without contradiction. The methods of the present invention are not limited to the steps and order shown above.

[0144] The user equipment shown above may include more modules, such as modules that can be developed or will be developed in the future for use with base stations, MMEs, or UEs, etc. The various identifiers shown above are merely exemplary and not limiting, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific information elements exemplified by these identifiers. Many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the teachings of the illustrated embodiments.

[0145] It should be understood that the above embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the various components inside the base station and user equipment in the above embodiments can be implemented by a variety of devices, including but not limited to: analog circuit devices, digital circuit devices, digital signal processing (DSP) circuits, programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and so on.

[0146] Furthermore, the program running on the device according to the invention can be a program that enables the computer to perform the functions of embodiments of the invention by controlling the central processing unit (CPU). The program, or the information processed by the program, can be temporarily stored in volatile memory (such as random access memory RAM), hard disk drive (HDD), non-volatile memory (such as flash memory), or other memory systems.

[0147] Programs used to implement the functions of the various embodiments of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The corresponding functions can be implemented by causing a computer system to read and execute the programs recorded on the recording medium. The term "computer system" here can refer to a computer system embedded in the device, and may include an operating system or hardware (such as peripheral devices). "Computer-readable recording medium" can be a semiconductor recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, a short-time dynamic storage program recording medium, or any other computer-readable recording medium.

[0148] Various features or functional modules of the devices used in the above embodiments can be implemented or executed by circuits (e.g., monolithic or multi-chip integrated circuits). Circuits designed to perform the functions described in this specification may include general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above devices. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any existing processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The above circuits may be digital circuits or analog circuits. In cases where advancements in semiconductor technology have led to new integrated circuit technologies that replace existing integrated circuits, one or more embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented using these new integrated circuit technologies.

[0149] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Although various examples of the embodiments have been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. Fixed or non-mobile electronic devices installed indoors or outdoors can be used as terminal devices or communication devices, such as AV equipment, kitchen equipment, cleaning equipment, air conditioners, office equipment, vending machines, and other household appliances.

[0150] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to the above embodiments, and the present invention also includes any design modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various modifications can be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, components with the same effects described in the above embodiments can be substituted for each other.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: processor; as well as A memory that communicates electronically with the processor, wherein instructions stored in the memory are executable to: The Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconstruction process is initiated, during which the UE sends an RRC reconstruction request message to the base station. If multipath is configured during the RRC reconstruction process, the multipath includes: (i) a direct path where the UE directly connects to the base station; and (ii) a non-direct path where the UE connects to the base station via a relay UE, then: Release the configuration associated with the non-direct path, the configuration including the identifier of the relay UE; and Instruct the upper layer to trigger the release of the PC5 link of the non-direct path.

2. A user equipment (UE), comprising: processor; as well as A memory that communicates electronically with the processor, wherein instructions stored in the memory are executable to: When receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message from the base station If multipath is configured, the multipath includes: (i) a direct path where the UE directly connects to the base station; and (ii) a non-direct path where the UE connects to the base station via a relay UE. Release the configuration associated with the non-direct path, the configuration including the identifier of the relay UE; and Instruct the upper layer to trigger the release of the PC5 link of the non-direct path.

3. A control method in a user equipment (UE), comprising: The Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconstruction process is initiated, during which the UE sends an RRC reconstruction request message to the base station. If multipath is configured during the RRC reconstruction process, the multipath includes: (i) a direct path where the UE directly connects to the base station; and (ii) a non-direct path where the UE connects to the base station via a relay UE, then: Release the configuration associated with the non-direct path, the configuration including the identifier of the relay UE; and Instruct the upper layer to trigger the release of the PC5 link of the non-direct path.

Images