Communication method and related device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication method, a terminal device, an electronic device and a storage medium. The communication method is executed by a terminal device, comprising: receiving relay configuration information broadcast by a base station; starting a sidelink relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and a sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device; and broadcasting a sidelink relay indication. The method can avoid sidelink relay link establishment failure caused by capability mismatch, thereby avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead and delay.

Description

[0001] This divisional application is based on Chinese invention patent application No. 202110874119.1, entitled "Communication Method and Related Device", filed on July 30, 2021. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, terminal equipment, electronic equipment, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0003] When a UE is in an area with no base station signal or very poor base station signal quality, the UE may need to search for other nearby UEs that can be connected to indirectly connect to the base station and obtain network services. However, to establish a complete relay link, the network, the relay UE, and the remote UE all need to have the ability to support sidelink relay. Due to the different relay protocol architectures preferred by various network equipment vendors, terminal vendors, and operators at home and abroad, the support for sidelink relay capabilities among the base station, relay UE, and remote UE may vary.

[0004] In related technologies, when the network, relay UE, and remote UE do not support relay features, the network, relay UE, and remote UE may fail to establish a relay link. Then, the remote UE will select another searchable UE to re-initiate the side link establishment and relay link establishment process, resulting in unnecessary signaling overhead and latency.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a communication method, terminal device, electronic device, and storage medium that can avoid the failure of establishing a side-link relay due to capability mismatch, thereby avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead and delay.

[0007] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part from practice of this disclosure.

[0008] This disclosure provides a communication method executed by a first terminal device, comprising: receiving relay configuration information broadcast by a base station; enabling the sidelink relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and the sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device; and broadcasting a sidelink relay indication.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the relay configuration information includes Layer 2 side-link single-hop relay discovery activation conditions, and the side-link relay function includes Layer 2 side-link single-hop relay discovery function; wherein, activating the side-link relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and the side-link relay capability of the first terminal device includes: if the first terminal device has Layer 2 side-link single-hop relay capability, and the first terminal device meets the Layer 2 side-link single-hop relay discovery activation conditions, then the first terminal device activates the Layer 2 side-link single-hop relay discovery function.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer 2 side-link single-hop relay indication; the layer 2 side-link single-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a layer 2 side-link single-hop relay device.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay configuration information includes Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay communication enabling conditions; wherein, the method further includes: if the first terminal device has Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay capability, and the first terminal device meets the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay communication enabling conditions, then the first terminal device enables the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay communication function.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the relay configuration information includes Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay discovery enabling conditions, and the side-link relay function includes Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay discovery function; wherein, enabling the side-link relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and the side-link relay capability of the first terminal device includes: if the first terminal device has Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay capability, and the first terminal device meets the Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay discovery enabling conditions, then the first terminal device enables the Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay discovery function.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer-3 side-link single-hop relay indication; the layer-3 side-link single-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a layer-3 side-link single-hop relay device.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link single-hop relay configuration information includes the layer three side-link single-hop relay communication enabling conditions; wherein, the method further includes: if the first terminal device has layer three side-link single-hop relay capability, and the first terminal device meets the layer three side-link single-hop relay communication enabling conditions, then the first terminal device enables the layer three side-link single-hop relay communication function.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the relay configuration information includes Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery enabling conditions, and the side-link relay function includes Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function; wherein, enabling the side-link relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and the side-link relay capability of the first terminal device includes: if the first terminal device has Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay capability, and the first terminal device meets the Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery enabling conditions, then the first terminal device enables the Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay indication; the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay device.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link multi-hop relay configuration information includes layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions; wherein, the method further includes: if the first terminal device has layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay capability, and the first terminal device meets the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions, then the first terminal device enables the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication function.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the relay configuration information includes Layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery enabling conditions, and the side-link relay function includes Layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function; wherein, enabling the side-link relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and the side-link relay capability of the first terminal device includes: if the first terminal device has Layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay capability, and the first terminal device meets the Layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery enabling conditions, then the first terminal device enables the Layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay indication; the layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay device.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link multi-hop relay configuration information includes layer three side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions; wherein, the method further includes: if the first terminal device has layer three side-link multi-hop relay capability, and the first terminal device meets the layer three side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions, then the first terminal device enables the layer three side-link multi-hop relay communication function.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: receiving a remote user equipment indication sent by a third terminal device, the remote user equipment indication being used to indicate the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device; and determining that the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device corresponds to the sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device includes at least one of the following: UE to network layer two-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer three-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer two-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, and UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay is a UE-to-network Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay; or, the Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay is a UE-to-network Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay; or, the Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay is a UE-to-network Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay or a UE-to-UE Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay; or, the Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay is a UE-to-network Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay or a UE-to-UE Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay.

[0024] This disclosure provides a communication method executed by a second terminal device. The method includes: receiving a sidelink relay indication broadcast by a first terminal device; confirming that the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the sidelink relay indication; and designating the first terminal device as a relay user device of the second terminal device.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a Layer 2 side-link single-hop relay indication; wherein, confirming that the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the side-link relay indication and designating the first terminal device as the relay user equipment of the second terminal device includes: if the second terminal device supports the Layer 2 side-link single-hop relay protocol, then the first terminal device is designated as the relay user equipment of the second terminal device.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay indication; wherein, confirming that the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the side-link relay indication and designating the first terminal device as the relay user equipment of the second terminal device includes: if the second terminal device supports the Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay protocol, then designating the first terminal device as the relay user equipment of the second terminal device.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay indication; wherein, confirming that the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the side-link relay indication and designating the first terminal device as the relay user equipment of the second terminal device includes: if the second terminal device supports the Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay protocol, then designating the first terminal device as the relay user equipment of the second terminal device.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay indication; wherein, confirming that the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the side-link relay indication and using the first terminal device as a relay user backup for the second terminal device includes: if the second terminal device supports the layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay protocol, then using the first terminal device as a relay user device for the second terminal device.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay indication includes a UE to network Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay indication or a UE to UE Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay indication; or, the Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication includes a UE to network Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication or a UE to UE Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication; or, the Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay indication includes a UE to network Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay indication or a UE to UE Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay indication; or, the Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication includes a UE to network Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication or a UE to UE Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay protocol includes a UE-to-network Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay protocol or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay protocol; or, the Layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay protocol includes a UE-to-network Layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay protocol or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay protocol; or, the Layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay protocol includes a UE-to-network Layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay protocol or a UE-to-UE Layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay protocol; or, the Layer 3 side walkway multi-hop relay protocol includes a UE-to-network Layer 3 side walkway multi-hop relay protocol or a UE-to-UE Layer 3 side walkway multi-hop relay protocol.

[0031] This disclosure provides a communication method executed by a base station. The method includes: sending a first capability query message to a first terminal device; and receiving side-link relay capability information sent by the first terminal device. The side-link relay capability information includes at least one of the following: a UE-to-network single-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, a UE-to-network single-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, a UE-to-network multi-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, a UE-to-network multi-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, a UE-to-UE single-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, a UE-to-UE single-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, a UE-to-UE multi-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, and a UE-to-UE multi-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: sending a second capability query message to a second terminal device; receiving side-link relay capability information sent by the second terminal device, wherein the side-link relay capability information includes at least one of the following: UE to network single-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, UE to network single-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, UE to network multi-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, UE to network multi-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: determining, based on the side-link relay capability information of the first terminal device and the side-link relay capability information of the second terminal device, that both the first terminal device and the second terminal device support a first side-link relay protocol, and that the base station supports the first side-link relay protocol, configuring the first terminal device as a side-link relay device of the second terminal device; wherein, the first side-link relay protocol includes at least one of the following: UE to network single-hop layer two-side-link relay protocol, UE to network single-hop layer three-side-link relay protocol, UE to network multi-hop layer two-side-link relay protocol, UE to network multi-hop layer three-side-link relay protocol, UE to UE single-hop layer two-side-link relay protocol, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side-link relay protocol, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side-link relay protocol, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side-link relay protocol.

[0034] This disclosure provides a first terminal device, including: a relay configuration information receiving module for receiving relay configuration information broadcast by a base station; a sidelink relay function enabling module for enabling the sidelink relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and the sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device; and a sidelink relay indication broadcasting module for broadcasting a sidelink relay indication.

[0035] This disclosure provides an electronic device, including: at least one processor; and a storage terminal device for storing at least one program, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to implement any of the above-described communication methods.

[0036] This disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, characterized in that the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements any of the above-described communication methods.

[0037] The communication method provided in this embodiment enables the sidelink relay function of the first terminal device based on the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station and the sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device, ensuring that the sidelink relay capabilities of the network and the first terminal device are matched. The first terminal device broadcasts a sidelink relay indication. After the second terminal device receives the sidelink relay indication, if the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the sidelink relay indication, then the first terminal device is determined to be the relay terminal device of the second terminal device. This ensures that the sidelink relay capabilities of the network, the first terminal device (i.e., the relay UE), and the second terminal device (i.e., the remote UE) are matched. That is, before the second terminal device initiates access to the sidelink relay UE or the network (i.e., before establishing the sidelink), it is determined whether the sidelink relay capabilities of the network, the relay UE, and the remote UE are matched, avoiding sidelink relay link establishment failure due to capability mismatch, thereby avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead and latency.

[0038] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrates an application scenario where the communication method of the present disclosure embodiments can be applied.

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrates another application scenario in which the communication method of the embodiments of this disclosure can be applied.

[0042] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0044] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system interaction according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0046] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram illustrating an interaction of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0047] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0048] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0049] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0050] Figure 11 This is a block diagram of a terminal device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0051] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0052] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be more comprehensive and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0053] Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of this disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. Some block diagrams shown in the drawings are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities may be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor terminal devices and / or microcontroller terminal devices.

[0054] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrates an application scenario where the communication method of the present disclosure embodiments can be applied.

[0055] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrates another application scenario in which the communication method of the embodiments of this disclosure can be applied.

[0056] refer to Figure 1The communication method provided in this disclosure can be applied in scenarios of multihop UE-to-Network Sidelink relay controlled by the network, and in scenarios of single-hop UE-to-Network Sidelink relay controlled by the network.

[0057] In a network-controlled multi-hop UE-to-network sidelink relay scenario, relay UE101 is connected to base station 106 via a Uu link, relay UE102 is connected to relay UE101 via a sidelink, and remote UE103 is connected to relay UE102 via a sidelink. In other words, remote UE103 is connected to base station 106 via relay UE102 and relay UE101, thereby connecting to the network.

[0058] In a network-controlled single-hop UE-to-network sidelink relay scenario, relay UE104 is connected to base station 105 via Uu link. Relay UE104 is connected to remote UE105 via sidelink, that is, remote UE105 is connected to base station 106 via relay UE104, thereby connecting to the network.

[0059] refer to Figure 2 The communication method provided in this disclosure can be applied in a single-hop UE-to-UE sidelink relay controlled by the network, and in a multiple-hop UE-to-UE sidelink relay controlled by the network.

[0060] In a network-controlled single-hop UE-to-UE sidelink relay scenario, relay UE201 is pre-connected to base station 208, relay UE202 is connected to relay UE201 via the sidelink, and remote UE203 is connected to relay UE202 via the sidelink. That is, remote UE203 is connected to relay UE201 via relay UE202, thereby connecting to the network.

[0061] In a network-controlled multi-hop UE-to-UE sidelink relay scenario, relay UE 204 is pre-connected to base station 208, relay UE 205 is connected to relay UE 204 via a sidelink, relay UE 206 is connected to relay UE 205 via a sidelink, and remote UE 207 is connected to relay UE 206 via a sidelink. That is, remote UE 207 is connected to relay UE 204 via relay UE 206 and relay UE 205, thereby connecting to the network.

[0062] The following will describe in more detail the various steps of the communication method in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0063] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a first terminal device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment may include the following steps.

[0065] In step S302, relay configuration information broadcast by the base station is received.

[0066] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first terminal device can receive relay configuration information broadcast by the base station.

[0067] The first terminal device may be a relay user equipment (i.e., the aforementioned relay UE).

[0068] The relay configuration information broadcast by the base station can be included in the system information broadcast by the base station. The relay configuration information broadcast by the base station can carry one or more of the following: single-hop relay configuration information of the layer 2 side line, single-hop relay configuration information of the layer 3 side line, multi-hop relay configuration information of the layer 2 side line, and multi-hop relay configuration information of the layer 3 side line.

[0069] The Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay configuration information may include one or more of the following: indication information for indicating that the base station supports / allows Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay communication, Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay discovery enable threshold, Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay communication enable threshold, and Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay resource configuration.

[0070] The configuration information for Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay may include one or more of the following: indication information for indicating that the base station supports / allows Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay communication, Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay discovery enable threshold, Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay communication enable threshold, and Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay resource configuration.

[0071] The layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay configuration information may include one or more of the following: indication information for indicating that the base station supports / allows layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay communication, layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay discovery enable threshold, layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay communication enable threshold, and layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay resource configuration.

[0072] The configuration information for multi-hop relays on the third-side walkway may include one or more of the following: indication information for indicating that the base station supports / allows multi-hop relay communication on the third-side walkway, multi-hop relay discovery enable threshold on the third-side walkway, multi-hop relay communication enable threshold on the third-side walkway, and multi-hop relay resource configuration on the third-side walkway.

[0073] In step S304, the side-link relay function of the first terminal device is enabled based on the relay configuration information and the side-link relay capability of the first terminal device.

[0074] The side link relay function may include the layer 2 side link single-hop relay discovery function and / or the layer 3 side link single-hop relay discovery function.

[0075] In this embodiment of the disclosure, it can be determined whether the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station matches the side link relay capability of the first terminal device. When the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station matches the side link relay capability of the first terminal device, the side link relay function of the first terminal device is enabled.

[0076] For example, if the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station includes Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay configuration information, and the first terminal device has Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay capability, then the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay function of the first terminal device can be enabled.

[0077] For example, if the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station includes layer 3 side link single-hop relay configuration information, and the first terminal device has layer 3 side link single-hop relay capability, then the layer 3 side link single-hop relay function of the first terminal device can be enabled.

[0078] For example, if the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station includes Layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay configuration information, and the first terminal device has Layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay capability, then the Layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay function of the first terminal device can be enabled.

[0079] For example, if the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station includes multi-hop relay configuration information for the three-layer traversal links, and the first terminal device has the capability of multi-hop relay for the three-layer traversal links, then the multi-hop relay function of the three-layer traversal links of the first terminal device can be enabled.

[0080] In step S306, a broadcast-side transit link relay indication is given.

[0081] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the sidelink relay indication can correspond to the sidelink relay function. The first terminal device broadcasts the sidelink relay indication corresponding to the sidelink relay function, which can enable the second terminal device that receives the sidelink relay indication and supports the relay protocol corresponding to the sidelink relay indication to determine that the first terminal device is the relay terminal device of the second terminal device.

[0082] The second terminal device can be a remote user device or a relay user device.

[0083] The side link trunk indication may include one or more of the following: Layer 2 side link single-hop trunk indication, Layer 3 side link single-hop trunk indication, Layer 2 side link multi-hop trunk indication, and Layer 3 side link multi-hop trunk indication.

[0084] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first terminal device can broadcast a sidelink relay indication corresponding to the sidelink relay function. The sidelink relay indication is used to indicate the sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device. After receiving the sidelink relay indication, if the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the sidelink relay indication, the second terminal device can use the first terminal device as a relay terminal device, and the second terminal device can establish a connection with the network through the first terminal device.

[0085] For example, if the first terminal device broadcasts a single-hop relay indication on the second-side crosslink of the broadcast layer, and the second terminal device supports the single-hop relay protocol on the second-side crosslink of the broadcast layer, then the second terminal device can use the first terminal device as a relay terminal device.

[0086] For example, if the first terminal device broadcasts a single-hop relay indication on the three-sided cross-link of the layer, and the second terminal device supports the single-hop relay protocol on the three-sided cross-link of the layer, then the second terminal device can use the first terminal device as a relay terminal device.

[0087] For example, if the first terminal device broadcasts a multi-hop relay instruction on the second-side of the layer 2, and the second terminal device supports the multi-hop relay protocol on the second-side of the layer 2, then the second terminal device can use the first terminal device as a relay terminal device.

[0088] For example, if the first terminal device broadcasts a multi-hop relay instruction on the three-sided cross-link of the layer, and the second terminal device supports the multi-hop relay protocol on the three-sided cross-link of the layer, then the second terminal device can use the first terminal device as a relay terminal device.

[0089] The communication method provided in this embodiment enables the sidelink relay function of the first terminal device based on the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station and the sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device, ensuring that the sidelink relay capabilities of the network and the first terminal device are matched. The first terminal device broadcasts a sidelink relay indication. After the second terminal device receives the sidelink relay indication, if the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the sidelink relay indication, then the first terminal device is determined to be the relay terminal device of the second terminal device. This ensures that the sidelink relay capabilities of the network, the first terminal device (i.e., the relay UE), and the second terminal device (i.e., the remote UE) are matched. That is, before the second terminal device initiates access to the sidelink relay UE or the network (i.e., before establishing the sidelink), it is determined whether the sidelink relay capabilities of the network, the relay UE, and the remote UE are matched, avoiding sidelink relay link establishment failure due to capability mismatch, thereby avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead and latency.

[0090] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a terminal device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0091] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an interaction of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0092] refer to Figure 5 The system may include one or more base stations and one or more terminal devices. The following description uses a system architecture including a base station, terminal device A, and terminal device B as an example, where terminal device A is a relay terminal device and terminal device B is a remote terminal device, but this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0093] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The communication method provided in this embodiment can be applied to a side-link single-hop relay scenario. The method can be executed by terminal device A and may include the following steps.

[0094] In step S402, the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station is received. The relay configuration information includes the single-hop relay discovery enable conditions for the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side walkway.

[0095] The relay configuration information broadcast by the base station may include Layer 2 (L2) / Layer 3 (L3) side link single-hop relay configuration information, which may include the side link single-hop relay discovery enabling condition and / or the side link single-hop relay communication enabling condition.

[0096] Layer 2 relay refers to relay functionality implemented at Layer 2, while Layer 3 relay refers to relay functionality implemented at Layer 3.

[0097] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the base station broadcasts relay configuration information, which may carry at least one of layer 2 side link single-hop relay configuration information and layer 3 side link single-hop relay configuration information.

[0098] The configuration information for single-hop relays on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side can include: single-hop relay network capability indication on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side, single-hop relay / remote UE discovery / communication enable threshold on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side, and single-hop relay communication / discovery resource configuration on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side.

[0099] That is, the Layer 2 crosslink single-hop relay configuration information may include one or more of the following: indication information for indicating that the base station supports / allows Layer 2 crosslink single-hop relay communication, Layer 2 crosslink single-hop relay discovery enable threshold, Layer 2 crosslink remote UE discovery enable threshold, Layer 2 crosslink single-hop relay communication enable threshold, Layer 2 crosslink remote UE communication enable threshold, and Layer 2 crosslink single-hop relay resource configuration.

[0100] The configuration information for Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay may include one or more of the following: indication information for indicating that the base station supports / allows Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay communication, Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay discovery enable threshold, Layer 3 pedestrian link remote UE discovery enable threshold, Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay communication enable threshold, Layer 3 pedestrian link remote UE communication enable threshold, and Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay resource configuration.

[0101] In this embodiment of the disclosure, both terminal device A (i.e., the first terminal device) and terminal device B (i.e., the second terminal device) can receive the above-mentioned information broadcast by the base station.

[0102] In step S404, if the first terminal device has the capability of single-hop relay on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side and the first terminal device meets the conditions for enabling single-hop relay discovery on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side, then the first terminal device enables the single-hop relay discovery function on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side.

[0103] In this embodiment of the disclosure, if terminal device A receives a Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay network capability indication (or the relay configuration information includes Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay configuration information), and terminal A has Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay capability and meets the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay discovery enable conditions, then the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay discovery function is enabled.

[0104] In this embodiment of the disclosure, if terminal device A receives a Layer 3 side link single-hop relay network capability indication (or the relay configuration information includes Layer 3 side link single-hop relay configuration information), and terminal A has Layer 3 side link single-hop relay capability and meets the Layer 3 side link single-hop relay discovery enable conditions, then the Layer 3 side link single-hop relay discovery function is enabled.

[0105] In step S406, a single-hop relay indication is given for the broadcast layer 2 / layer 3 side crosslinks.

[0106] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first terminal device may broadcast a Layer 2 / Layer 3 side link single-hop relay indication, so that the second terminal device, which receives the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side link single-hop relay indication and supports the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side link single-hop relay protocol, determines that the first terminal device is the relay terminal device of the second terminal device.

[0107] Among them, the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay device, and the Layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a Layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay device.

[0108] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device A can broadcast a Layer 2 / Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay indication in a Discovery message or SL-MIB (Side-link Master System Message).

[0109] After terminal device A broadcasts a single-hop relay instruction on the second-side crosslink of the layer, terminal device B can search for terminal device A. If terminal device B supports the single-hop relay protocol on the second-side crosslink and has enabled crosslink communication, then terminal device B can use terminal device A as a relay terminal device.

[0110] After terminal device A broadcasts a three-sided crosslink single-hop relay instruction, terminal device B can search for terminal device A. If terminal device B supports the three-sided crosslink single-hop relay protocol and has enabled crosslink communication, then terminal device B can use terminal device A as a relay terminal device.

[0111] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication method provided in this disclosure may further include: establishing a sidelink connection with a second terminal device.

[0112] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device A can establish a sidelink connection with terminal device B.

[0113] In step S408, if the first terminal device has the capability of single-hop relay communication on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side and the first terminal device meets the conditions for enabling single-hop relay communication on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side, then the first terminal device enables the single-hop relay communication function on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side.

[0114] The relay configuration information broadcast by the base station may include the conditions (or thresholds) for enabling single-hop relay communication on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side walkways.

[0115] After terminal device A and terminal device B establish a side-link connection, if terminal device A receives the layer 2 side-link single-hop relay communication enable condition, and terminal device A has the layer 2 side-link single-hop relay capability, and terminal device A meets the layer 2 side-link single-hop relay communication enable condition, then terminal A enables the layer 2 side-link single-hop relay communication function.

[0116] After terminal device A and terminal device B establish a side link connection, if terminal device A receives the layer 3 side link single-hop relay communication enable condition, and terminal device A has layer 3 side link single-hop relay capability, and terminal device A meets the layer 3 side link single-hop relay communication enable condition, then terminal A enables the layer 3 side link single-hop relay communication function.

[0117] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication method provided in this disclosure may further include the following steps.

[0118] In step S410, a first network establishment request sent by the second terminal device is received.

[0119] In step S412, the first network establishment request is forwarded to the base station so that the second terminal device can establish a connection with the network.

[0120] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device B can establish a connection with the network through terminal device A.

[0121] Specifically, terminal device B can send a network establishment request to terminal device A, and terminal device A can forward the network establishment request to the base station so that terminal device B can establish a connection with the network.

[0122] Terminal device B (i.e., the remote terminal) can send the data / signaling to be sent to the base station to terminal device A (i.e., the relay terminal) through the side link, and terminal device A then sends it to the base station; or the base station sends the data / signaling to be sent to terminal device B to terminal device A, and terminal device A then sends it to terminal device B through the side link.

[0123] In an exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay is either a UE to network layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay or a UE to UE layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay; the aforementioned layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay is either a UE to network layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay or a UE to UE layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay.

[0124] Figure 6This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a terminal device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0125] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an interaction of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0126] refer to Figure 7 The system may include one or more base stations and one or more terminal devices. The following description uses a system architecture including a base station, terminal device A, and terminal device B as an example, where terminal device A is a relay terminal device and terminal device B is a remote terminal device, but this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0127] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The communication method provided in this disclosure can be applied to sidelink multi-hop relay scenarios. The method can be executed by terminal device A and may include the following steps.

[0128] In step S602, the relay configuration information broadcast by the base station is received. The relay configuration information includes the enabling conditions for multi-hop relay discovery on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side walkway.

[0129] The relay configuration information broadcast by the base station may include multi-hop relay configuration information for Layer 2 / Layer 3 side walkways, and single-hop relay configuration information for Layer 2 / Layer 3 side walkways may include side walkway single-hop relay discovery activation conditions and / or side walkway single-hop relay communication activation conditions.

[0130] The layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay configuration information includes side-link multi-hop relay discovery enabling conditions and / or side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions.

[0131] The configuration information for the Layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay includes the side-link multi-hop relay discovery enable condition and / or the side-link multi-hop relay communication enable condition.

[0132] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the base station broadcasts relay configuration information, which may carry at least one of layer 2 side link multi-hop relay configuration information and layer 3 side link multi-hop relay configuration information.

[0133] The layer 2 / layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay configuration information may include: layer 2 / layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay network capability indication, layer 2 / layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay / remote UE discovery / communication enable threshold, and layer 2 / layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay communication / discovery resource configuration.

[0134] That is, the Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay configuration information may include one or more of the following: indication information for indicating that the base station supports / allows Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay communication, Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay discovery enable threshold, Layer 2 crosslink remote UE discovery enable threshold, Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay communication enable threshold, Layer 2 crosslink remote UE communication enable threshold, and Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay resource configuration.

[0135] The layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay configuration information may include one or more of the following: indication information for indicating that the base station supports / allows layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay communication, layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay discovery enable threshold, layer 3 crosslink remote UE discovery enable threshold, layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay communication enable threshold, layer 3 crosslink remote UE communication enable threshold, and layer 3 crosslink multi-hop relay resource configuration.

[0136] In this embodiment, the multi-hop relay discovery enable threshold for the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side transit links may include the Nth hop relay discovery enable threshold (N>1), the multi-hop relay communication enable threshold for the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side transit links may include the Nth hop relay communication enable threshold (N>1), and the multi-hop relay resource configuration for the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side transit links may include the Nth hop relay resource configuration (N>1).

[0137] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device A (i.e., the first terminal device), terminal device B (i.e., the second terminal device), and terminal device C (i.e., the third terminal device) can all receive the above-mentioned information broadcast by the base station.

[0138] In step S604, if the first terminal device has Layer 2 / Layer 3 multi-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the Layer 2 / Layer 3 multi-hop relay discovery enable condition, then the first terminal device enables the Layer 2 / Layer 3 multi-hop relay discovery function.

[0139] In this embodiment of the disclosure, if terminal device A receives a Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay network capability indication (or the relay configuration information includes Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay configuration information), and terminal A has Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay capability and meets the Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay discovery enable conditions, then the Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay discovery function is enabled.

[0140] In this embodiment of the disclosure, if terminal device A receives a Layer 3 side link multi-hop relay network capability indication (or the relay configuration information includes Layer 3 side link multi-hop relay configuration information), and terminal A has Layer 3 side link multi-hop relay capability and meets the Layer 3 side link multi-hop relay discovery enable conditions, then the Layer 3 side link multi-hop relay discovery function is enabled.

[0141] In step S606, a multi-hop relay indication is given for the broadcast layer 2 / layer 3 side mobile links.

[0142] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first terminal device may broadcast a Layer 2 / Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication, so that the second terminal device and the third terminal device, which receive the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication and support the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay protocol, determine that the first terminal device is the relay terminal device of the second terminal device and the third terminal device.

[0143] In an exemplary embodiment, the second terminal device and the third terminal device have established a sidelink connection.

[0144] Among them, the Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay device.

[0145] The Layer 3 side hop link multi-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a Layer 3 side hop link multi-hop relay device.

[0146] The above-mentioned layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay indication can be a layer 2 side walkway multi-hop relay indication or a layer 2 side walkway Nth hop relay indication (N>1, where N represents the number of hops between the first terminal device and the base station).

[0147] The aforementioned layer 3 side traversal multi-hop trunk indication can be a layer 3 side traversal multi-hop trunk indication or a layer 3 side traversal Nth hop trunk indication.

[0148] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device A can broadcast a Layer 2 / Layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay indication in a Discovery message or SL-MIB (Side-link Master System Message).

[0149] After terminal device A broadcasts a layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay indication, terminal device B can search for terminal device A. If both terminal device B and terminal device C support the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay protocol and have enabled side-link communication, then terminal device B and terminal device C can use terminal device A as a relay terminal device.

[0150] After terminal device A broadcasts a three-sided crosslink multi-hop relay instruction, terminal device B can search for terminal device A. If both terminal device B and terminal device C support the three-sided crosslink multi-hop relay protocol and have enabled crosslink communication, then terminal device B and terminal device C can use terminal device A as a relay terminal device.

[0151] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication method provided in this disclosure may further include: establishing a sidelink connection with a second terminal device.

[0152] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device A can establish a sidelink connection with terminal device B.

[0153] In step S608, if the first terminal device has Layer 2 / Layer 3 side multi-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions, then the first terminal device enables the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side multi-hop relay communication function.

[0154] The relay configuration information broadcast by the base station may include the conditions (or thresholds) for enabling multi-hop relay communication on the Layer 2 / Layer 3 side walkways.

[0155] After terminal device A and terminal device B establish a side-link connection, if terminal device A receives the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication enable condition, and terminal device A has the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay capability, and terminal device A meets the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication enable condition, then terminal A enables the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication function.

[0156] After terminal device A and terminal device B establish a side-link connection, if terminal device A receives the layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay communication enable condition, and terminal device A has layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay capability, and terminal device A meets the layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay communication enable condition, then terminal A enables the layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay communication function.

[0157] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication method provided in this disclosure may further include the following steps.

[0158] In step S610, a first network establishment request sent by the second terminal device is received.

[0159] In step S612, the first network establishment request is forwarded to the base station so that the second terminal device can establish a connection with the network.

[0160] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device B can establish a connection with the network through terminal device A.

[0161] Specifically, terminal device B can send a network establishment request to terminal device A, and terminal device A can forward the network establishment request to the base station so that terminal device B can establish a connection with the network.

[0162] Terminal device B can send data / signaling to be sent to the base station to terminal device A via a side link, and terminal device A can then send it to the base station; or the base station can send data / signaling to be sent to terminal device B to terminal device A, and terminal device A can then send it to terminal device B via a side link. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication method provided in this disclosure may further include: receiving a second network establishment request sent by a second terminal device, wherein the second network establishment request is sent to the second terminal device by a third terminal device; and forwarding the second network establishment request to the base station so that the third terminal device can connect to the network.

[0163] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device C can establish a connection with the network through terminal device B and terminal device A.

[0164] Specifically, terminal device C can send a network establishment request to terminal device B, which can then forward the request to terminal device A. Terminal device A can then forward the request to the base station, enabling terminal device C to establish a connection with the network.

[0165] Terminal device C can send the data / signaling to be sent to the base station to terminal device B via a side link, and terminal device B can then send it to terminal device A, which in turn sends it to the base station; or the base station can send the data / signaling to be sent to terminal device C to terminal device A, which can then send it to terminal device B via a side link, and terminal device B can then send it to terminal device C via a side link.

[0166] In an exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned layer two-side cross-link multi-hop relay is a UE-to-network layer two-side cross-link multi-hop relay or a UE-to-UE layer two-side cross-link multi-hop relay; the aforementioned layer three-side cross-link multi-hop relay is a UE-to-network layer three-side cross-link multi-hop relay or a UE-to-UE layer three-side cross-link multi-hop relay.

[0167] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a terminal device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0168] refer to Figure 8 The communication method provided in this embodiment can be applied to UE-to-UE relay scenarios, and the method can be executed by a first terminal device.

[0169] exist Figure 3 Based on the communication method shown, Figure 8 The communication method shown may also include the following steps.

[0170] In step S802, a remote user equipment indication sent by a third terminal device is received. The remote user equipment indication is used to indicate the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device.

[0171] In an exemplary embodiment, the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device includes at least one of the following: UE to network layer two-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer three-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer two-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment.

[0172] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the third terminal device can send a remote user equipment indication, which can be carried in the side link master system information or in the discovery message.

[0173] For example, the third terminal device broadcasts a layer 2 side crosslink single-hop remote user equipment indication to indicate that the fourth terminal device is a layer 2 side crosslink single-hop remote user equipment.

[0174] For example, the third terminal device broadcasts a single-hop remote user equipment indication for the three-sided crosslink of the layer, which is used to indicate that the fourth terminal device is a multi-hop remote user equipment for the three-sided crosslink of the layer.

[0175] For example, the third terminal device broadcasts a layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment indication to indicate that the fourth terminal device is a layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment.

[0176] For example, the third terminal device broadcasts a layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment indication to indicate that the fourth terminal device is a layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment.

[0177] The first terminal device can receive remote user equipment instructions sent by the third terminal device.

[0178] It should be noted that the third terminal device and in this embodiment Figure 6 The third terminal device can be the same terminal device or different terminal devices, and this disclosure does not restrict it.

[0179] In step S804, it is determined that the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device corresponds to the side link relay capability of the first terminal device.

[0180] For example, if the third terminal device is a Layer 2 side-link single-hop remote user equipment, and the first terminal device has Layer 2 side-link single-hop relay capability, then it can be determined that the remote user equipment function of the third terminal device corresponds to the side-link relay capability of the first terminal device.

[0181] For example, if the third terminal device is a Layer 3 side-link single-hop remote user equipment, and the first terminal device has Layer 3 side-link single-hop relay capability, then it can be determined that the remote user equipment function of the third terminal device corresponds to the side-link relay capability of the first terminal device.

[0182] For example, if the third terminal device is a Layer 2 side-link multi-hop remote user equipment, and the first terminal device has Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay capability, then it can be determined that the remote user equipment function of the third terminal device corresponds to the side-link relay capability of the first terminal device.

[0183] For example, if the third terminal device is a multi-hop remote user equipment on the third-layer side walkway, and the first terminal device has multi-hop relay capability on the third-layer side walkway, then it can be determined that the remote user equipment function of the third terminal device corresponds to the side walkway relay capability of the first terminal device.

[0184] In exemplary embodiments, the method provided in this disclosure may further include the following steps.

[0185] In step S806, a third network establishment request sent by the second terminal device is received.

[0186] In step S808, the third network establishment request is forwarded to the third terminal device so that the second terminal device can connect to the third terminal device.

[0187] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the second terminal device can be connected to the third terminal device through the first terminal device.

[0188] Specifically, the second terminal device can send a network establishment request to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device can forward the network establishment request to the third terminal device so that the second terminal device and the third terminal device can establish a connection.

[0189] In an exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay is a UE-to-network layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay or a UE-to-UE layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay; the aforementioned layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay is a UE-to-network layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay or a UE-to-UE layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay; the aforementioned layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay is a UE-to-network layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay or a UE-to-UE layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay; the aforementioned layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay is a UE-to-network layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay or a UE-to-UE layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay.

[0190] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a second terminal device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0191] refer to Figure 9 The communication method may also include the following steps.

[0192] In step S902, a side link relay indication broadcast by the first terminal device is received.

[0193] The side link trunk indication may include at least one of the following: Layer 2 side link single-hop trunk indication, Layer 3 side link single-hop trunk indication, Layer 2 side link multi-hop trunk indication, and Layer 3 side link multi-hop trunk indication.

[0194] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay indication includes a UE to network Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay indication or a UE to UE Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay indication.

[0195] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay indication includes a UE-to-network Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay indication or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay indication.

[0196] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay indication includes a UE to network Layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay indication or a UE to UE Layer 3 side walkway single-hop relay indication.

[0197] In an exemplary embodiment, the layer three-side cross-link multi-hop relay indication includes UE to network layer three-side cross-link multi-hop relay indication or UE to UE layer three-side cross-link multi-hop relay indication.

[0198] In step S904, it is confirmed that the second terminal device supports the relay protocol corresponding to the side link relay indication, and the first terminal device is used as the relay user equipment of the second terminal device.

[0199] For example, if the side link relay indication includes the layer 2 side link single-hop relay indication, and the second terminal device supports the layer 2 side link single-hop relay protocol, then the first terminal device is used as the relay user equipment of the second terminal device.

[0200] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay protocol includes a UE-to-network Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay protocol or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 side walkway single-hop relay protocol.

[0201] For example, if the side link trunk indication includes the layer 3 side link single-hop trunk indication, and the second terminal device supports the layer 3 side link single-hop trunk protocol, then the first terminal device is used as the trunk user equipment of the second terminal device.

[0202] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay protocol includes a UE-to-network Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay protocol or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 crosslink multi-hop relay protocol.

[0203] For example, if the side-link trunk indication includes the layer 2 side-link multi-hop trunk indication, and the second terminal device supports the layer 2 side-link multi-hop trunk protocol, then the first terminal device is used as the trunk user equipment of the second terminal device.

[0204] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay protocol includes a UE-to-network Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay protocol or a UE-to-UE Layer 3 pedestrian link single-hop relay protocol.

[0205] For example, if the side-link trunk indication includes the layer 3 side-link multi-hop trunk indication, and the second terminal device supports the layer 3 side-link multi-hop trunk protocol, then the first terminal device is used as the trunk user equipment of the second terminal device.

[0206] In an exemplary embodiment, the layer three-side line multi-hop relay protocol includes a UE-to-network layer three-side line multi-hop relay protocol or a UE-to-UE layer three-side line multi-hop relay protocol.

[0207] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication method provided in this disclosure may further include the following steps.

[0208] In step S906, a side link establishment request is sent to the trunk user equipment to establish a side link connection with the trunk user equipment.

[0209] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the second terminal device can send a side link establishment request to the first terminal device (i.e., the relay user equipment) to establish a side link connection with the first terminal device.

[0210] In step S908, a first network establishment request is sent to the relay user equipment to establish a connection with the network through the relay user equipment.

[0211] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the second terminal device can send a network establishment request to the first terminal device (i.e., the relay user equipment), and the first terminal device can forward the network establishment request to the base station so that the second terminal device can establish a connection with the network.

[0212] For a detailed description of the method embodiments executed by the second terminal device, please refer to the method embodiments executed by the first terminal device, which will not be repeated here.

[0213] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a base station, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0214] refer to Figure 10 The communication method may also include the following steps.

[0215] In step S1002, a first capability query message is sent to the first terminal device.

[0216] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the base station may send a first capability query message to terminal device A to request terminal device A to send sidelink relay capability information.

[0217] In step S1004, the side link relay capability information sent by the first terminal device is received.

[0218] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, terminal device A can respond to a first capability query message and return the side link relay capability information of terminal device A to the base station.

[0219] The aforementioned side-link relay capability information may include one or more of the following: UE to network single-hop layer two-side link relay capability indication, UE to network single-hop layer three-side link relay capability indication, UE to network multi-hop layer two-side link relay capability indication, UE to network multi-hop layer three-side link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer two-side link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side link relay capability indication, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side link relay capability indication, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side link relay capability indication.

[0220] The communication method provided in this disclosure may further include the following steps.

[0221] In step S1006, a second capability query message is sent to the second terminal device.

[0222] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device B can respond to the second capability query message and return the side link relay capability information of terminal device B to the base station.

[0223] In step S1008, the side link relay capability information sent by the second terminal device is received.

[0224] In this embodiment of the disclosure, terminal device B can respond to the second capability query message and return the side link relay capability information of terminal device B to the base station.

[0225] The aforementioned side-link relay capability information includes one or more of the following: UE to network single-hop layer two-side link relay capability indication, UE to network single-hop layer three-side link relay capability indication, UE to network multi-hop layer two-side link relay capability indication, UE to network multi-hop layer three-side link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer two-side link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side link relay capability indication, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side link relay capability indication, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side link relay capability indication.

[0226] In step S1010, based on the side-link relay capability information of the first terminal device and the side-link relay capability information of the second terminal device, it is determined that both the first terminal device and the second terminal device support the first target side-link relay protocol, and the base station supports the first side-link relay protocol. The first terminal device is then configured as the side-link relay device of the second terminal device.

[0227] The first-side transit relay protocol includes at least one of the following: UE to network single-hop layer two-side transit relay protocol, UE to network single-hop layer three-side transit relay protocol, UE to network multi-hop layer two-side transit relay protocol, UE to network multi-hop layer three-side transit relay protocol, UE to UE single-hop layer two-side transit relay protocol, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side transit relay protocol, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side transit relay protocol, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side transit relay protocol.

[0228] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the base station can determine that both terminal device A and terminal device B support the same sidelink relay protocol (i.e., the first sidelink relay protocol) based on the sidelink relay capability information of terminal device A and terminal device B, and that the base station also supports the first sidelink relay protocol, and configure terminal device A as a sidelink relay device of terminal device B.

[0229] For example, if the base station, terminal device A, and terminal device B all support the single-hop layer two-sided walkway relay protocol, the base station can reconfigure terminal device A and terminal device B so that terminal device B can establish a single-hop layer two-sided walkway with the base station through terminal device A.

[0230] For example, if the base station, terminal device A, and terminal device B all support the single-hop layer three-sided walkway relay protocol, the base station can reconfigure terminal device A and terminal device B so that terminal device B can establish a single-hop layer three-sided walkway with the base station through terminal device A.

[0231] For example, if the base station, terminal device A, and terminal device B all support the multi-hop layer two-way walkway relay protocol, the base station can reconfigure terminal device A and terminal device B so that terminal device B can establish a multi-hop layer two-way walkway with the base station through terminal device A.

[0232] For example, if the base station, terminal device A, and terminal device B all support the multi-hop layer three-sided walkway relay protocol, the base station can reconfigure terminal device A and terminal device B so that terminal device B can establish a multi-hop layer three-sided walkway with the base station through terminal device A.

[0233] It should be noted that, Figure 10 The single-hop / multi-hop relay in the communication method shown can be either a UE-to-network relay or a UE-to-UE relay, and this disclosure does not limit it in this way.

[0234] The following are embodiments of the terminal device disclosed herein, which can be used to execute the embodiments of the method disclosed herein. For details not disclosed in the embodiments of the terminal device disclosed herein, please refer to the embodiments of the method disclosed herein.

[0235] Figure 11 This is a block diagram of a terminal device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0236] like Figure 11 As shown, the terminal device 1100 may include: a relay configuration information receiving module 1102, a side link relay function enabling module 1104, and a side link relay indication broadcasting module 1106.

[0237] The relay configuration information receiving module 1102 is used to receive relay configuration information broadcast by the base station; the side link relay function activation module 1104 is used to activate the side link relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and the side link relay capability of the first terminal device; and the side link relay indication broadcast module 1106 is used to broadcast the side link relay indication.

[0238] In an exemplary embodiment, the relay configuration information includes Layer 2 side link single-hop relay discovery activation conditions, and the side link relay function includes Layer 2 side link single-hop relay discovery function; wherein, the side link relay function activation module 1104 includes: a Layer 2 side link single-hop relay discovery function activation unit, used to activate the Layer 2 side link single-hop relay discovery function if the first terminal device has Layer 2 side link single-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the Layer 2 side link single-hop relay discovery activation conditions.

[0239] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer 2 side-link single-hop relay indication; the layer 2 side-link single-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a layer 2 side-link single-hop relay device.

[0240] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 side traversal link single-hop relay configuration information includes Layer 2 side traversal link single-hop relay communication enabling conditions; wherein, the terminal device 1100 further includes: a Layer 2 side traversal link single-hop relay communication function enabling module, used to enable the Layer 2 side traversal link single-hop relay communication function if the first terminal device has Layer 2 side traversal link single-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the Layer 2 side traversal link single-hop relay communication enabling conditions.

[0241] In an exemplary embodiment, the relay configuration information includes the Layer 3 side link single-hop relay discovery activation condition, and the side link relay function includes the Layer 3 side link single-hop relay discovery function; wherein, the side link relay function activation module 1104 includes: a Layer 3 side link single-hop relay discovery function activation unit, used to activate the Layer 3 side link single-hop relay discovery function if the first terminal device has Layer 3 side link single-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the Layer 3 side link single-hop relay discovery activation condition.

[0242] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer-3 side-link single-hop relay indication; the layer-3 side-link single-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a layer-3 side-link single-hop relay device.

[0243] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link single-hop relay configuration information includes the layer-3 side-link single-hop relay communication enabling conditions; wherein, the terminal device 1100 further includes: a layer-3 side-link single-hop relay communication function enabling module, used to enable the layer-3 side-link single-hop relay communication function if the first terminal device has layer-3 side-link single-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the layer-3 side-link single-hop relay communication enabling conditions.

[0244] In an exemplary embodiment, the relay configuration information includes Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery enabling conditions, and the side-link relay function includes Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function; wherein, the side-link relay function enabling module 1104 includes: a Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function enabling unit, used to enable the Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function if the first terminal device has Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the Layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay discovery enabling conditions.

[0245] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay indication; the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay indication is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay device.

[0246] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link multi-hop relay configuration information includes layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions; wherein, the terminal device 1100 further includes: a layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication function enabling module, used to enable the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication function if the first terminal device has layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the layer 2 side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions.

[0247] In an exemplary embodiment, the relay configuration information includes a layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery activation condition, and the side-link relay function includes a layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function; wherein, the side-link relay function activation module 1104 includes: a layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function activation unit, used to activate the layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery function if the first terminal device has layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the layer 3 side-link multi-hop relay discovery activation condition.

[0248] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link relay indication includes a layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay indication, which is used to indicate that the first terminal device is a layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay device.

[0249] In an exemplary embodiment, the side-link multi-hop relay configuration information includes the layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions; wherein, the terminal device 1100 further includes: a layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay communication function enabling module, used to enable the layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay communication function if the first terminal device has layer-3 side-link multi-hop relay capability and the first terminal device meets the side-link multi-hop relay communication enabling conditions.

[0250] In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal device 1100 further includes: a remote user equipment indication receiving module, configured to receive a remote user equipment indication broadcast by a third terminal device, the remote user equipment indication being used to indicate the remote user equipment function of the third terminal device; a capability correspondence determination module, configured to determine that the remote user equipment function of the third terminal device corresponds to the sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device; a third network establishment request receiving module, configured to receive a third network establishment request sent by the second terminal device; and a third network establishment request forwarding module, configured to forward the third network establishment request to the third terminal device so that the second terminal device can connect to the third terminal device.

[0251] In an exemplary embodiment, the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device includes at least one of the following: UE to network layer two-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer three-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer two-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, UE to network layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, and UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment.

[0252] In an exemplary embodiment, the Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay is a UE-to-network Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 side crosslink single-hop relay; or, the Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay is a UE-to-network Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay or a UE-to-UE Layer 2 side crosslink multi-hop relay; or, the Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay is a UE-to-network Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay or a UE-to-UE Layer 3 side crosslink single-hop relay; or, the Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay is a UE-to-network Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay or a UE-to-UE Layer 3 side crosslink multi-hop relay.

[0253] It should be noted that the block diagrams shown in the above figures are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities can be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor terminal devices and / or microcontroller terminal devices.

[0254] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment. It should be noted that... Figure 12 The electronic device shown is merely an example and should not be construed as limiting the functionality and scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0255] like Figure 12 As shown, the electronic device 1300 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1301, which can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 1302 or a program loaded from a storage section 1308 into a random access memory (RAM) 1303. The RAM 1303 also stores various programs and data required for the operation of the system 1300. The CPU 1301, ROM 1302, and RAM 1303 are interconnected via a bus 1304. An input / output (I / O) interface 1305 is also connected to the bus 1304.

[0256] The following components are connected to I / O interface 1305: an input section 1306 including a keyboard, mouse, etc.; an output section 1307 including a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), etc., and speakers, etc.; a storage section 1308 including a hard disk, etc.; and a communication section 1309 including a network interface card such as a LAN card, modem, etc. The communication section 1309 performs communication processing via a network such as the Internet. A drive 1310 is also connected to I / O interface 1305 as needed. Removable media 1311, such as a disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, semiconductor memory, etc., are installed on drive 1310 as needed so that computer programs read from them can be installed into storage section 1308 as needed.

[0257] In particular, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the processes described above with reference to the flowcharts can be implemented as computer software programs. For example, embodiments of this disclosure include a computer program product comprising a computer program carried on a computer-readable medium, the computer program containing program code for performing the methods shown in the flowcharts. In such embodiments, the computer program can be downloaded and installed from a network via communication section 1309, and / or installed from removable medium 1311. When the computer program is executed by central processing unit (CPU) 1301, it performs the functions defined above in the system of this disclosure.

[0258] It should be noted that the computer-readable medium disclosed herein may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium, or any combination thereof. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example,—but not limited to—an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, terminal device, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples of a computer-readable storage medium may include, but are not limited to: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, terminal device, or device. In this disclosure, a computer-readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable signal media can also be any computer-readable medium other than computer-readable storage media, which can send, propagate, or transmit programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, terminal device, or apparatus. The program code contained on the computer-readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to: wireless, wire, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0259] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the blocks may occur in a different order than those indicated in the drawings. For example, two consecutively indicated blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in a block diagram or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in a block diagram or flowchart, may be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or operation, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0260] The units described in the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in software or hardware. The described units can also be housed in a processor; for example, a processor can be described as including a sending unit, an acquisition unit, a determining unit, and a first processing unit. The names of these units do not necessarily limit the specific unit; for example, a sending unit can also be described as "a unit that sends an image acquisition request to a connected server."

[0261] In another aspect, this disclosure also provides a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device described in the above embodiments; or it may exist independently and not assembled into the device. The computer-readable medium carries one or more programs that, when executed by the device, cause the device to: receive relay configuration information broadcast by a base station; enable the sidelink relay function of the first terminal device according to the relay configuration information and the sidelink relay capability of the first terminal device; and broadcast a sidelink relay indication.

[0262] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been specifically shown and described above. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the detailed structures, arrangements, or implementation methods described herein; rather, this disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements contained within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a first terminal device, and the method includes: Receive the first capability query message sent by the base station; Send side-link relay capability information to the base station. The side-link relay capability information includes at least one of the following: UE to UE single-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication. The system receives a remote user equipment indication sent by a third terminal device, which is used to indicate the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device or the fourth terminal device. The remote user equipment type includes at least one of the following: UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, and UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment. The system receives a third network establishment request sent by the second terminal device and forwards the third network establishment request to the third terminal device, so that the second terminal device can connect to the third terminal device through the first terminal device.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a remote user equipment instruction to the base station.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a network establishment request sent by the second terminal device; The network establishment request is sent to the base station so that the second terminal device can connect to the base station.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a second terminal device, and the method includes: Receive the second capability query message sent by the base station; Send side-link relay capability information to the base station. The side-link relay capability information includes at least one of the following: UE to UE single-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication. The second terminal device sends a third network establishment request to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device forwards the third network establishment request to the third terminal device, and the third terminal device connects to the second terminal device through the first terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a remote user equipment indication to the first terminal device so that the first terminal device sends the remote user equipment indication to the base station.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: A network establishment request is sent to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device forwards the network establishment request to the base station.

7. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to the first terminal device, including: The second receiving module is used to receive the first capability query message sent by the base station; The second transmitting module is used to transmit side-link relay capability information to the base station. The side-link relay capability information includes at least one of the following: UE to UE single-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication. The second receiving module is further configured to receive a remote user equipment indication sent by the third terminal device, which indicates the remote user equipment type of the third terminal device or the fourth terminal device. The remote user equipment type includes at least one of the following: UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink single-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer two-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment, UE to UE layer three-sided crosslink multi-hop remote user equipment; The second receiving module is further configured to receive a third network establishment request sent by the second terminal device, and forward the third network establishment request to the third terminal device so that the second terminal device can connect to the third terminal device through the first terminal device.

8. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to second terminal devices, including: The third receiving module is used to receive the second capability query message sent by the base station; The third transmitting module is used to transmit side-link relay capability information to the base station. The side-link relay capability information includes at least one of the following: UE to UE single-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE single-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication, UE to UE multi-hop layer two-side-link relay capability indication, and UE to UE multi-hop layer three-side-link relay capability indication. The third sending module is further configured to send a third network establishment request to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device forwards the third network establishment request to the third terminal device, and the third terminal device connects to the second terminal device through the first terminal device.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: At least one processor; A storage device for storing at least one program, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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