Method for implementing communication in second communication channel by means of intermediary in first communication channel

Abstract

A method of operating a wireless relay communication device adapted to communicate over a first wireless communication channel and a second wireless communication channel that are incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter, a method includes transmitting a message indicating a capability to act as a repeater in a second communication channel over a first wireless communication channel or a second wireless communication channel. The transmission received from the source communication device over the second communication channel includes information that enables the relay communication device to determine that the transmission is to be relayed to the destination communication device. Thus, the relay communication device relays the transmission to the destination communication device through the second communication channel. Alternatively, the relay communication device listens for negotiations between the source communication device and the destination communication device for impending communications over the second communication channel over the first communication channel, and relays the received transmissions between the communication devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to direct communication between wirelessly connected equipment (also known as sidelink communication) which is also arranged to communicate via a network infrastructure (commonly known as uplink or downlink communication). The invention particularly relates to wirelessly connected equipment that finds itself within radio range and can be used to relay transmissions from a transmitter to a receiver via such sidelink communication. Background Art

[0002] In today's connected world, many devices are connected to other devices or systems via wireless connections. These devices may include portable or mobile devices, sensors, and even motor vehicles. Often, such devices communicate with each other not only via wireless network infrastructure (such as the well-known 3G, 4G, 5G and future communication networks), but also directly across short distances using sidelink communications.

[0003] It is worth noting that this extended communication capability appears in, for example, cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communications, where, in addition to using uplink or downlink connections to wireless networks, this extended communication capability is widely used. This not only reduces the traffic load on the network infrastructure (which always results in a non-negligible connection management overhead, regardless of the amount of data transmitted), but also allows faster data exchange between two or more wireless devices, and saves energy (because the power required is generally less than the power required to reach the base station). In addition, short-range communications allow the use of higher frequencies, thereby providing higher data rates. In vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications, sidelink communications can be preferably used for short-range communications, for example, for transmitting information or data that may be critical to the user, including but not limited to the location and speed of nearby vehicles or pedestrians. On the other hand, vehicle-to-network (V2N) communications can be used to transmit information that may not be critical to the user, for example, information about traffic accidents or difficult road conditions at a certain distance ahead. In this context, the user can be a person or a device, such as a vehicle that provides advanced driving assistance or even autonomous driving.

[0004] Figure 1 a) and b) show various communication paths between devices using wireless network infrastructure and between devices using side link communication. Figure 1 a) shows a dedicated case of a network infrastructure represented by an antenna symbol. The infrastructure represented by a traffic light symbol uses, for example, a 5G air interface network (Uu) for its infrastructure-to-network communication (I2N). Likewise, vehicles and people use the 5G air interface for their respective vehicle-to-network (V2N) and person-to-network (P2N) communications via mobile devices. Figure 1 b) shows a dedicated case of sidelink communication, i.e., communication bypassing the network infrastructure, represented by a direct link between the participants. It is easy to imagine that one of the communication channels can be used alternatively, depending on local conditions and requirements.

[0005] In the 5G New Radio system specified in the 3GPP technical standard TS 38.101 (3GPP stands for 3rd Generation Partnership Project, which is an umbrella term for many standards organizations that develop protocols for mobile telecommunications), two frequency ranges are used for mobile communications. The first frequency range FR1 includes frequency bands in the range starting from 410 MHz and extending to 7125 MHz. The second frequency range FR2 includes frequency bands from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. The actual frequency bands used may vary from region to region or country to country.

[0006] It is well known that higher frequencies, while providing higher data rates, have shorter ranges due to high propagation losses and blocking, especially frequencies in FR2, where wavelengths are measured in millimeters (mm).

[0007] Sidelink communications in C-V2X may also use frequencies in FR2, since its radio range, which corresponds more or less to line-of-sight communications, is sufficient to quickly transmit locally relevant messages to nearby communicators. Such messages locally relevant to users are part of the so-called proximity services or ProSe. However, due to obstructions or high propagation losses, the actual radio range may be much lower than what can usually be expected in certain directions or sectors around the transmitter, and some communicators, despite being spatially close to the transmitter, may not receive the messages.

[0008] Figure 2 An exemplary situation is shown in which a direct communication connection cannot be physically established between a source communication device, designated S, and a destination communication device, designated D, and therefore the communication between the two communication devices is achieved by using a network base station, designated gNB, in a conventional manner. In the figure, the physical connection is shown with a solid line, while the logical connection is shown with a double dashed line. The respective radio ranges of the source communication device S and the destination communication device D are indicated by a double dotted ellipse. It can be easily seen that the source communication device and the destination communication device cannot communicate directly with each other.

[0009] To avoid having to use a network, relaying messages via an intermediary device is a known way to extend communication range or cover areas where a transmitter's radio signal does not reach for some reason. Relaying messages via a communication device without involving a network can represent a faster and more resource efficient way to deliver messages locally.

[0010] Figure 3An exemplary situation is shown in which a communication connection between a source communication device labeled S and a destination communication device labeled D is physically established by using a relay communication device labeled R as a repeater. Figure 2 Similarly, physical connections are shown with solid lines, while logical connections are shown with double dashed lines. The respective radio ranges of the source communication device S and the destination communication device D are indicated by double dashed ovals. Likewise, the source communication device and the destination communication device cannot communicate directly with each other.

[0011] However, this relaying of messages requires knowledge of wirelessly connected devices (that can act as repeaters to forward transmissions) in order to find the path for the transmission to take from the sender to the destination. This knowledge is typically obtained using a discovery protocol.

[0012] 3GPP technical specification TX 23.303 specifically specifies two direct discovery models for enabling ProSe communications.

[0013] Model A defines two roles of a ProSe-enabled communication device that participate in ProSe direct discovery: an announcing communication device and a monitoring communication device. An announcing communication device announces certain information that can be used by neighboring communication devices with discovery permission. A monitoring communication device monitors certain information of interest to neighboring announcing communication devices. In this model, an announcing communication device broadcasts discovery messages at predefined discovery intervals, and monitoring communication devices interested in these messages read these messages and process them. This model is sometimes also referred to as "I'm here" because the announcing communication device will broadcast information about itself, such as its ProSe application code in the discovery message. Model A supports both open discovery types and restricted discovery types.

[0014] Model B supports only restricted discovery types, in which two roles of ProSe-enabled communication devices are defined that participate in ProSe direct discovery: The discoverer communication device transmits a request containing some information about what it is interested in discovering. The discovered communication device receiving the request message can respond with some information related to the discoverer's request. Model B is sometimes also called "who's there / are you there" because the discoverer communication device sends information about another communication device from which it wishes to receive a response, for example, the information can be about a ProSe application identity corresponding to a certain group and members of the group can respond.

[0015] Conventionally, discovery of communication equipment within radio range is done through the same interface that is also used for the communication itself, and therefore, communication devices that are not able to receive the messages exchanged during the discovery process cannot be found. Figure 4An exemplary situation is shown in which only the relay communication device R can communicate directly with the source communication device S and the destination communication device D, respectively, and therefore only the relay communication device R knows that it can act as a relay for the other two communication devices and can inform the other two communication devices accordingly. This information can be shared using conventional discovery protocols that assume a correspondence between radio links for discovery and communication, both processes being coupled to the same radio interface. Summary of the invention

[0016] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved method of enabling wireless communication between a source communication device and a destination communication device, the source communication device and the destination communication device are each adapted to communicate via a first wireless communication channel and a second wireless communication channel, the first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel are incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter, and their respective wireless coverages are different but at least partially overlapping. In particular, the first wireless communication channel may have a larger coverage than the second wireless communication channel. In this context, the expression "wireless coverage" is not limited to a circular radius, but is intended to include irregularly shaped areas.

[0017] This object is achieved by the methods of independent claims 1 and 7 and by the devices of independent claims 6 and 10. Advantageous embodiments and developments are provided in the respective dependent claims.

[0018] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a wireless communication device is proposed, wherein the wireless communication device is adapted to communicate via a first wireless communication channel and a second wireless communication channel. The first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel are incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter. Such characteristics, aspects or parameters may be of a logical nature, such as a protocol, coding, etc., or of a physical nature, such as a frequency, modulation, etc., but are not limited thereto. Under ideal conditions, such as in free space, the coverage of the first wireless communication channel is greater than the coverage of the second wireless communication channel. For example, the second wireless communication channel may be of a line-of-sight type, subject to high attenuation in the atmosphere, etc., while the first wireless communication channel may be subject to less attenuation in the atmosphere, benefit from reflections from objects, etc.

[0019] The method according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: transmitting a first message through a first wireless communication channel and / or a second wireless communication channel, the first message indicating the ability of the relay wireless communication device to act as a repeater in the second communication channel. The first message may include information about another communication device with which the relay wireless communication device can communicate on the second communication channel (for example, based on a previous discovery process or communication). For example, when the first message is sent in the context of a discovery protocol, the first message can be transmitted in a discovery layer located above the MAC layer in the OSI communication layer model. In a 3GPP communication channel, the relevant information can be transmitted via a physical control channel (for example, a physical side link control channel PSCCH in a 3GPP 5G communication channel) or in a dedicated discovery channel.

[0020] The method according to the first aspect of the invention further comprises receiving a transmission from a source communication device via a second communication channel. The transmission comprises first information which enables the relay communication device to determine that the transmission is to be relayed to a destination communication device. Thus, the relay communication device determines whether the transmission is to be relayed and, in the affirmative, relays the transmission to the destination communication device via the second communication channel.

[0021] Alternatively, the method according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes: monitoring the communication between the source communication device and the destination communication device through the first communication channel, wherein the source communication device and the destination communication device negotiate the communication to be carried out through the second communication channel, in which the relay communication device will be used for relaying. The communication through the first communication channel is public and may include information for identifying the source device and the destination device or the corresponding application executed thereon that will communicate. In the case where multiple relay communication devices are available, the source communication device and the destination communication device may include the identification of the relay device they are intended to use for the communication to be carried out on the second communication channel. The relay device uses this information to prepare for acting as a repeater for transmissions from the source communication device and / or the destination communication device. Once the relay communication device receives the transmission from the source communication device, the transmission is relayed to the destination communication device or the source communication device respectively through the second communication channel. In this alternative, the actual communication between the source communication device and the destination communication device no longer needs to carry an explicit relay request through the message transmitted through the second communication channel.

[0022] The first message, the first information, the communication between the source communication device and the destination communication device via the first communication channel and / or the transmission to the destination communication device via the second communication channel may include, in particular, one or more of the following: the respective identification of the relay communication device, the source communication device and / or the destination communication device, location information, application code, signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, error rate, relay service code, etc., and / or a request for relay transmission. In the context of the present invention, the application code may include a ProSe application code, etc.

[0023] The relay service code may be used to indicate the ability of the relay communication device to act as a repeater in a second communication channel after an appropriate discovery procedure is performed or after no discovery (i.e., no dedicated discovery procedure is performed for the upcoming communication). The relay service code may also indicate a communication channel through which the repeater can communicate, the location of the repeater, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the relay service code may be added to the transmission or message to be relayed in the source communication device. This may help avoid the need to notify the relay communication device over the control channel that a message is to be transmitted, because the relay communication device can infer from the relay service code that a message is to be relayed.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, determining whether to relay a transmission includes evaluating the positions of the source communication device and the destination communication device relative to the relay communication device.

[0025] The position information may be provided in the form of absolute coordinates, for example based on a geo-positioning system such as GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, etc., but also in the form of relative information about the transmitter, for example a sector or azimuth around the transmitter, which may be referenced to true north or any other reference shared between all communication devices. A combination of absolute and sector or azimuth is also conceivable, for example in the case where the signal cannot propagate directly but is reflected on its way from the transmitter to the receiver.

[0026] The source communication device and the destination communication device may transmit their respective location information during the negotiation. In the case where multiple relay communication devices are available, this may help identify a suitable relay communication device for the upcoming communication via the second communication channel, and it may also help the relay communication device to steer the radio signal accordingly, such as by beamforming, and / or aim the (preferably electronically) antenna for reception and transmission.

[0027] Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the method according to the first aspect and / or the second aspect of the present invention, when information about the location of the source communication device, the relay communication device and / or the destination communication device is available, the corresponding method further includes directing the radio signal and / or aiming the antenna in a direction toward the location by the corresponding transmitting and / or receiving communication device. Directing the radio signal and / or aiming the antenna may include electronic beam forming, etc.

[0028] The service code or relay service code mentioned further above can be used to indicate the ability of the relay communication device to act as a repeater in a communication channel different from the communication channel in which the first message was transmitted. The service code can also be used in the previously mentioned alternatives (e.g., during negotiation, in a first communication channel, between a source communication device and a destination communication device) to indicate that an upcoming transmission over a second communication channel is to be relayed.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a relay wireless communication device includes one or more microprocessors, associated volatile and non-volatile memories, a first wireless communication interface adapted to implement communication through a first communication channel, and a second wireless communication interface adapted to implement communication through a second communication channel. The various elements of the relay wireless communication device are communicatively connected via one or more communication lines or buses. The first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel are incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter. The non-volatile memory stores computer program instructions, which, when executed by the microprocessor, configure the relay communication device to perform an embodiment of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0030] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a source wireless communication device adapted to communicate via a first wireless communication channel and a second wireless communication channel. The first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel are incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter.

[0031] In order to establish communication with a destination wireless communication device via a second communication channel, the method according to the third aspect includes: receiving a first message from a relay communication device via the first wireless communication channel and / or the second wireless communication channel, the first message indicating the ability of the relay communication device to act as a repeater in the second communication channel. The first message may include information about another communication device with which the relay wireless communication device can communicate on the second communication channel (e.g., based on a previous discovery process or communication).

[0032] The method according to the third aspect of the invention further comprises transmitting a transmission to the relay communication device via the second communication channel.The transmission comprises first information enabling the relay communication device to determine that the transmission is to be relayed to the destination communication device.

[0033] Alternatively, the method according to the third aspect of the invention further comprises: negotiating with the destination communication device via the first communication channel about the communication to be carried out via the second communication channel. In the common negotiation message, it is particularly indicated that the relay communication device is to be used as a repeater. When the negotiation is completed, the source communication device transmits a transmission to the destination communication device via the second communication channel. The transmission will be automatically relayed by the relay communication device identified during the negotiation, which has configured itself to perform automatic relaying when listening to the negotiation.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the first message includes information about a communication device that the relay communication device has previously detected on the second communication channel and / or communicated with through the second communication channel.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the first information, the first message, the communication between the source communication device and the destination communication device via the first communication channel and / or the transmission to the destination communication device via the second communication channel may include, in particular, one or more of the following: corresponding identification of the relay communication device, the source communication device and / or the destination communication device, location information, application code, signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, error rate, relay service code, etc., and / or a request for relay transmission.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the location information of the relay communication device can be used by the source communication device and the destination communication device during negotiation to identify and select the most suitable relay device among the available multiple relay devices. The selection can include corresponding addressing, directional transmission (e.g., through beamforming), etc. of the message to be relayed to the relay communication device.

[0037] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a source wireless communication device includes one or more microprocessors, associated volatile and non-volatile memories, a first wireless communication interface adapted to implement communication through a first communication channel, and a second wireless communication interface adapted to implement communication through a second communication channel. The various elements of the relay wireless communication device are communicatively connected via one or more communication lines or buses. The first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel are incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter. The non-volatile memory stores computer program instructions that, when executed by the microprocessor, configure the relay communication device to perform an embodiment of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0038] The present invention is based on the observation that the communication coverage areas in FR1 and FR2 specified in the 3GPP TS 38.300 family of standards (also known as 5GNR) are significantly different, and the coverage area of ​​FR1 may at least partially include the FR2 coverage area of ​​multiple communication devices located within the coverage area. However, the present invention is not limited to the 3GPP 5G NR use case and can be used in communication channel pairs according to different standards, the wireless coverage ranges of which are different from each other. Therefore, it is conceivable to use communication channels according to any 3GPP standard in the source communication device and the destination communication device, for example, for self-discovery and negotiation of upcoming communications through a WiFi communication channel according to the IEEE 802.11 standard (which is to be relayed by a relay communication device). It is even conceivable to use the method of the present invention in non-3GPP communication channels with different coverage areas.

[0039] Since the methods and apparatus proposed above do not require a fixed network infrastructure, they can advantageously be used in situations where such a network infrastructure is unavailable for any reason.

[0040] The method described above can be represented by computer program instructions, which, when executed by a microprocessor, enable the microprocessor and / or control hardware components of the relay communication device according to the second aspect of the present invention or the microprocessor and / or control hardware components of the source communication device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention to respectively perform the method according to the first aspect or the third aspect of the present invention.

[0041] These computer program instructions may be retrievably stored on a computer readable medium or data carrier or retrievably transmitted on a computer readable medium or data carrier. The medium or data carrier may be embodied in a physical manner, for example in the form of a hard disk, a solid state disk, a flash memory device, etc. However, the medium or data carrier may also include a modulated electromagnetic, electrical or optical signal, which is received by the computer through a corresponding receiver and transmitted to the computer's memory and stored in the computer's memory.

[0042] The relay communication device and / or the source communication device may be a mobile device including but not limited to a mobile phone, a tablet computer or a motor vehicle, but may also be a fixed device including but not limited to a wireless enabled IoT device, a roadside unit, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] In the following sections, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples provided in the drawings are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the claims. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1Demonstrates various communication paths between devices using wireless network infrastructure and between devices using sidelink communication,

[0045] Figure 2 An exemplary situation is shown in which a communication connection between a source communication device and a destination communication device is physically established by using a network base station as a repeater.

[0046] Figure 3 shows an exemplary case in which a communication connection between a source communication device and a destination communication device is physically established by using a relay communication device as a repeater,

[0047] Figure 4 An exemplary situation is shown in which only a relay communication device can discover a source communication device and a destination communication device,

[0048] Figure 5 shows an exemplary situation in which the method according to the first aspect of the invention can be advantageously used,

[0049] Figure 6 A message flow chart or swim lane diagram showing a method of operating a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention,

[0050] Figure 7 A flowchart showing a method for operating a relay wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0051] Figure 8 A flowchart showing a method of operating a source wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0052] Fig. 9 A message flow chart or swim lane diagram showing a method of operating a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention,

[0053] Fig.10 A flowchart showing a method for operating a relay wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0054] Fig.11 A flowchart showing a method of operating a source wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0055] Fig.12 An exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication device according to the second aspect or the fourth aspect of the present invention is shown, and

[0056] Fig.13 An exemplary message structure for use in accordance with the present invention is shown.

[0057] In the drawings, the same or similar elements may be referred to using the same reference numbers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Figures 1 to 4 It has been further described above and will not be discussed again.

[0059] Figure 5 An exemplary situation is shown in which the method 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention can be advantageously used. A relay communication device R is located between a source communication device S and a destination communication device D, the relay communication device being adapted to communicate via a first communication channel CC1 and further adapted to communicate via a second communication channel CC2. The expression "located between" may refer to an actual spatial position somewhere between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D, but may also refer to a "virtual" position "between" the source communication device S and the destination communication device D, i.e., a position independent of the actual spatial position, wherein only the relay communication device R is able to communicate with both the source communication device S and the destination communication device D via the second communication channel CC2.

[0060] Both the source communication device S and the destination communication device D are located within the coverage of the second communication channel CC2 of the relay communication device R, but are not within the coverage of each other's second communication channel CC2. In other words, the source communication device S and the destination communication device D cannot communicate directly through the second communication channel CC2. In the figure, the coverage of the second wireless communication channel CC2 is indicated by a double-dotted line.

[0061] Note that, although the corresponding communication ranges of the first communication channel CC1 and the second communication channel CC2 are Figure 5 are shown as ovals, but they may take any other shape and their representation in the figure is illustrative only. Note also that Figure 5 The overlap of the communication range of the second communication channel CC2 at the relay communication device is only intended to show that the relay communication device R can communicate with both the source communication device S and the destination communication device D, but neither the source communication device S nor the destination communication device D can communicate directly through the second communication channel CC2, as described above.

[0062] The source communication device S, the relay communication device R, and the destination communication device D are all located within the coverage of each other's first wireless communication channel CC1 (indicated by dot-dash lines in the figure). In other words, all three communication devices can communicate directly through the first communication channel.

[0063] Further, in Figure 5, direct communication between the source communication device S and the relay communication device R and between the relay communication device R and the destination communication device D is indicated by double-dash arrows, and direct communication between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D is indicated by a dash-dot arrow. "Logical direct" communication between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D (i.e., communication between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D via the relay communication device R through the second communication channel CC2) is indicated by a dash-dot double-line arrow.

[0064] Figure 6 A message flow chart or swim lane diagram showing a method of operating a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is used, for example, in Figure 5 In the illustrated case, the communication between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D is effected via the relay communication device R over the second communication channel CC2.

[0065] It is assumed that both the source communication device S and the destination communication device D are known to the relay communication device R on the second communication channel, for example, due to self-discovery of the source communication device S and the destination communication device D by the model A of the relay communication device R on the second communication channel, or because the source communication device S and the destination communication device D have previously communicated with the relay communication device R. Although according to the first aspect of the present invention, this self-discovery or previous communication does not need to have a direct connection with the operation of the relay communication device R, the relay communication device R may assume that the source communication device S and the destination communication device D are still within the coverage of the second communication channel CC2. For the purpose of illustration, Figure 6 In the example, the source communication device S and the destination communication device D each perform self-discovery on the relay communication device R.

[0066] According to the method of the first embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the relay communication device R performs assisted discovery for the second communication channel CC2 via the first communication channel CC1. The assisted discovery can be completed in an open or restricted manner via multicast or broadcast, and will in particular include information indicating the ability of the relay communication device R to act as a repeater in the second communication channel CC2 and the number and identification of communication devices within the coverage of the second communication channel of the relay communication device. Other information provided in the assisted discovery may include one or more of an application code, a relay service code, information about a sub-application, etc. In order to highlight the non-directional nature of the assisted discovery in the figure, it is indicated by dot-dash concentric ellipses representing radio waves.

[0067] Note that although in this figure the assisted discovery for the second communication channel CC2 is done via the first communication channel CC1 , it is also conceivable to use the second communication channel CC2 as indicated by the optional assisted discovery represented by the double-dashed concentric ellipses.

[0068] Further, according to the method of the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the relay communication device R receives a transmission from the source communication device S via the second communication channel CC2. The transmission includes first information that enables the relay communication device R to determine that the transmission is to be relayed to the destination communication device D. Therefore, after having determined that the transmission is to be relayed, the relay communication device R relays to the destination communication device D via the second communication channel CC2.

[0069] Figure 7 A flow chart of a method 100 of operating a relay wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is shown, so as to implement communication between a source communication device S and a destination communication device D via the relay communication device R through a second communication channel CC2.

[0070] In step 110, the relay communication device R transmits a first message through the first wireless communication channel CC1 and / or the second wireless communication channel CC2, and the first message indicates the ability of the relay communication device R to act as a repeater in the second communication channel CC2. In step 112, the relay communication device R receives a transmission from the source communication device S through the second communication channel CC2. The transmission includes first information, which enables the relay communication device R to determine that the transmission is to be relayed to the destination communication device D. In step 114, the relay communication device R determines whether the transmission is to be relayed. In the affirmative case (the "yes" branch of step 114), the relay communication device R relays the transmission received in step 112 to the destination communication device D through the second communication channel CC2 in step 120. In the negative case (the "no" branch of step 114), the relay communication device R returns to step 112 and waits to receive the transmission on the second communication channel CC2.

[0071] Figure 8 A flow chart showing a method 300 of operating a source wireless communication device S according to a first embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention to communicate with a destination communication device D via a relay communication device R over a second communication channel CC2.

[0072] In step 310, the source communication device receives a first message from the relay communication device R via the first wireless communication channel CC1 and / or the second wireless communication channel CC2, the first message indicating the ability of the relay communication device to act as a repeater in the second communication channel CC2. The first message includes information about the communication device with which the relay communication device R can establish a communication connection via the second communication channel CC2. In step 312, the source communication device S transmits a transmission to the relay communication device R via the second communication channel CC2. The transmission includes first information that enables the relay communication device R to determine that the transmission is to be relayed to the destination communication device D.

[0073] Fig. 9 A message flow chart or swim lane diagram showing a method of operating a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is used, for example, in Figure 5 In the illustrated case, the communication between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D is effected via the relay communication device R over the second communication channel CC2.

[0074] It is assumed that the relay communication device R has previously performed assisted discovery via the second communication channel CC2. As in the first embodiment, assisted discovery can be accomplished in an open or restricted manner via multicast or broadcast, and will in particular include information indicating the ability of the relay communication device R to act as a repeater in the second communication channel CC2 and the number and identification of communication devices within the coverage of the second communication channel of the relay communication device. Other information provided in the assisted discovery may include one or more of an application code, a relay service code, information about sub-applications, etc. In order to highlight the non-directional nature of assisted discovery in this figure, it is indicated by a double-dash concentric ellipse representing a radio wave.

[0075] Note that although in this figure the assisted discovery is done via the second communication channel CC2, it is also conceivable to use the first communication channel CC1 as indicated by the optional assisted discovery represented by the dot-dash concentric ovals.

[0076] It is further assumed that the source communication device S and the destination communication device D perform self-discovery through the first communication channel CC1, that is, they know that there is a corresponding other communication device. Based on knowing that each other exists, the source communication device S and the destination communication device D negotiate through the first communication channel CC1 the communication that is about to occur between the two communication devices through the second communication channel CC2. In this open negotiation, each of the source communication device S and the destination communication device D discloses information about the corresponding relay communication device R that it knows is available, and determines the relay device R to be used for the communication that is about to occur through the second communication channel CC2.

[0077] According to a second embodiment of the method according to the first aspect of the invention, the relay communication device listens to the negotiation between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D, which is indicated by the curved arrow branching from the corresponding negotiation message to the relay communication device R. At the end of the negotiation, the relay communication device R realizes that it needs to relay the message received on the second communication channel CC2 from the source communication device S to the destination communication device D, and vice versa. This is shown in the figure by the relay communication between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D.

[0078] Fig.10 A flow chart of a method 100 of operating a relay wireless communication device R according to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is shown, so as to implement communication between a source communication device S and a destination communication device D via the relay communication device R through a second communication channel CC2.

[0079] In step 110, the relay communication device R transmits a first message through the first wireless communication channel CC1 and / or the second wireless communication channel CC2, the first message indicating the ability of the relay communication device R to act as a repeater in the second communication channel CC2. In step 116, the relay communication device R listens to the communication between the source communication device S and the destination communication device D on the first communication channel CC1, wherein the source communication device S and the destination communication device D negotiate the communication to be carried out through the second communication channel CC2, wherein the relay communication device R will be used as a repeater and is prepared for relaying in step 117 accordingly. In step 118, the relay communication device R waits to receive a transmission from the source communication device S or the destination communication device D through the second communication channel CC2. If such a transmission is received, the "yes" branch of step 118 is entered, and the relay communication device relays the transmission received in step 118 to the destination communication device D through the second communication channel CC2 in step 120. Otherwise, the "no" branch of step 118 is entered, and the relay communication device R continues to wait to receive a transmission on the second communication channel CC2.

[0080] Fig.11 A flow chart showing a method 300 of operating a source wireless communication device S according to a second embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention to communicate with a destination communication device D via a relay communication device R over a second communication channel CC2.

[0081] In step 310, the source communication device receives a first message from the relay communication device R through the first wireless communication channel CC1 and / or the second wireless communication channel CC2, the first message indicating the ability of the relay communication device to act as a repeater in the second communication channel CC2. The first message includes information about the communication device with which the relay communication device R can establish a communication connection through the second communication channel CC2. In step 316, the source communication device S and the destination communication device D negotiate through the first communication channel CC1 the communication to be carried out through the second communication channel CC2, wherein the relay communication device R will be used as a repeater. In step 316, the source communication device S transmits a message to the destination communication device D through the second communication channel CC2. Since the source communication device S and the destination communication device D know that the relay communication device R has been listening for negotiation on the first communication channel CC1, the message transmitted through the second communication channel does not need to carry an explicit relay request.

[0082] Fig.12 An exemplary block diagram of a wireless relay communication device R according to the second aspect of the present invention and a wireless source communication device S according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is shown. The corresponding communication device R, S includes one or more microprocessors 202, a volatile memory 204, a non-volatile memory 206, a first communication interface 208 adapted to communicate via a first communication channel CC1, and a second communication interface 210 adapted to communicate via a second communication channel CC2, and the above elements are communicatively connected via at least one data connection or bus 212. The first communication interface 208 and the second communication interface 210 may include appropriate receiver devices and transmitter devices. The non-volatile memory 206 stores computer program instructions, which, when executed by the microprocessor 202, respectively cause the first communication device R or the second communication device S to respectively perform the method according to the first aspect and / or the third aspect of the present invention as presented above.

[0083] Fig.13 An exemplary message structure for use according to the present invention is shown. The exemplary message structure includes a message type field, a format field, a field for a notifier identifier, and a field for additional data or metadata. In the figure, the message type field and the format field each have a length of 1 byte, while the notifier identifier field can have a length of 1 or 2 bytes, and the metadata field can have any length that may be required.

[0084] The message type field may be used to distinguish between open or restricted discovery. The format field may be used to indicate parameters or capabilities of the communication device sending the message in the context of a relay message. The format field itself need not convey the actual parameter values, but may provide information about parameters or capabilities that are generally available in the communication device sending the message. The actual parameters or configuration values ​​may be transmitted in the metadata field. The metadata field may also carry more specific information about the relay communication device to be used. The notifier identification field carries an unambiguous identification of the communication device sending the message.

[0085] The following table shows example values ​​for the format fields and their functions:

[0086]

[0087] By using 1 byte for the format field, up to 256 formats can be defined. The format field value, its length, and the corresponding metadata structure are only exemplary and can be defined as needed.

[0088] A format field with a value of 00000000 represents the most basic implementation. No further information, such as about location and carrier, is provided, and default values ​​may be used. It is assumed that the announcer identifier has a length of 1 byte. As further mentioned above, the relay service code represents a parameter identifying the connectivity service that the relay communication device can provide, and may also carry information identifying authorized users, security policies to be applied, priority users, etc.

[0089] The format field having a value of 00000001 indicates that the location of the relay communication device is provided in the metadata field. It is assumed that the notifier identifier has a length of 1 byte.

[0090] The format field having a value of 00000010 indicates that information on carriers that the relay communication device can handle is provided in the metadata field. It is assumed that the announcer identifier has a length of 1 byte.

[0091] The format field having a value of 00000011 indicates that information on the location of the relay communication device and the carriers that the relay communication device can handle is provided in the metadata field. It is assumed that the announcer identifier has a length of 1 byte.

[0092] The metadata structure or content of the format field having a value of 00000100 is the same as that of the format field having a value of 00000000, but it is assumed that the Notifier Identifier has a length of 2 bytes.

[0093] The metadata structure or content of the format field having a value of 00000101 is the same as that of the format field having a value of 00000001, but it is assumed that the notifier identifier has a length of 2 bytes.

[0094] As mentioned further above, the message structure forming what may be referred to as an assisted discovery layer may be transmitted on top of the MAC layer in the OSI layer model.

[0095] Although in the foregoing description, the source communication device, the relay communication device and the destination communication device are discussed only in terms of their respective functions, it should be understood that any communication device can play the role of each other, that is, the destination communication device can be a source communication device in the same or different communications, and the source communication device or the destination communication device can act as a relay communication device in different communications between different source communication devices and destination communication devices. Therefore, the distinction between the source communication device and the relay communication device used in the attached claims is provided only for a better understanding and is limited to the corresponding role or function currently occupied by the communication device. This does not exclude that the relay communication device can also be the source communication device or the destination communication device, or that the source communication device or the destination communication device can also be a relay communication device simultaneously or sequentially. List of Figures (Part of the Description)

[0096] 100 Method 212 Communication Line / Bus

[0097] 110 Transmitting the first message 300 Method

[0098] 112 Receive transmission 310 Receive first message

[0099] 114 Data to be relayed? 312 Send message to be relayed 116 Listening on CC1 314 Negotiating upcoming communication 118 Waiting to receive transmission 316 Transmit 120 Relay data D Destination communication device

[0100] 202 Microprocessor R Relay communication device

[0101] 204 Volatile memory S Source communication device

[0102] 206 Non-volatile memory

[0103] 208 first wireless communication interface

[0104] 210 Second wireless communication interface

Claims

1. A method (100) of operating a wireless relay communication device (R), the wireless relay communication device being adapted to communicate via a first wireless communication channel (CC1) and a second wireless communication channel (CC2), the first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel (CC1, CC2) being incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter, the method comprising: transmitting (110) a first message via the first wireless communication channel (CC1) and / or the second wireless communication channel (CC2), the first message indicating the ability of the relay communication device to act as a repeater in the second communication channel (CC2), as well as receiving (112) a transmission from a source communication device (S) via the second communication channel (CC2), the transmission comprising first information enabling the relay communication device (R) to determine that the transmission is to be relayed to a destination communication device (D), determining (114) whether the transmission is to be relayed, and If the transmission is to be relayed: relaying (120) the transmission to the destination communication device (D) via the second communication channel (CC2), or monitoring (116) communications between a source communication device (S) and a destination communication device (D) via the first communication channel (CC1), wherein the source communication device (S) and the destination communication device (D) negotiate communications to take place via the second communication channel (CC2), and wherein the relay communication device (R) is to act as a relay, receiving (118) a transmission from the source communication device (S) or the destination communication device (D) via the second communication channel (CC2), and The transmission is relayed (120) to the destination communication device (D) or the destination communication device (D), respectively, via the second communication channel (CC2).

2. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The first message comprises information about a communication device (S, D) that has previously been detected on the second communication channel (CC2) and / or that is communicating via the second communication channel (CC2).

3. The method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first message, the first information, the communication between the source communication device (S) and the destination communication device (D) through the first communication channel (CC1) and / or the transmission to the destination communication device (D) through the second communication channel (CC2) includes the ID of the destination communication device (D) and / or information related to the location of the destination communication device (D) and / or a request to relay the transmission.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein: Determining whether to relay the transmission includes evaluating the positions of the source communication device (S) and the destination communication device (D) relative to the relay communication device (R).

5. A method (300) of operating a source wireless communication device (S), the source wireless communication device being adapted to communicate via a first wireless communication channel (CC1) and a second wireless communication channel (CC2) so as to establish communication with a destination wireless communication device (D) via the second wireless communication channel (CC2), the first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel (CC1, CC2) being incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter, the method comprising: receiving (310) a first message from a relay communication device (R) via the first wireless communication channel (CC1) and / or the second wireless communication channel (CC2), the first message indicating the ability of the relay communication device to act as a repeater in the second communication channel (CC2), as well as transmitting (312) a transmission to the relay communication device (R) via the second communication channel (CC2), the transmission comprising first information enabling the relay communication device (R) to determine that the transmission is to be relayed to a destination communication device (D), or negotiating (314) with a destination communication device (D) via the first communication channel (CC1) an upcoming communication via the second communication channel (CC2), wherein the relay communication device (R) is indicated to be used as a relay, and A transmission is transmitted (316) to the destination communication device (D) via the second communication channel (CC2).

6. The method (300) of claim 5, wherein: The first message comprises information about a communication device (S, D) that the relay communication device (R) has previously detected on the second communication channel (CC2) and / or communicated with via the second communication channel (CC2).

7. The method (300) of claim 5 or 6, wherein: The first message, the first information, the communication between the source communication device (S) and the destination communication device (D) through the first communication channel (CC1) and / or the transmission to the destination communication device (D) through the second communication channel (CC2) includes the ID of the destination communication device (D) and / or information related to the location of the destination communication device (D) and / or a request to relay the transmission.

8. The method (300) as claimed in any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein: The information about the location of the relay communication device (R) is used to identify and select the relay communication device (R).

9. The method (100) of claims 3 and 4 or claims 6 to 8, further comprising, when information about the location of the source communication device (S), the relay communication device (R) and / or the destination communication device (D) is available: The radio signal is directed in the direction of the location and / or the antenna is aimed via a corresponding transmitting and / or receiving communication device.

10. A relay wireless communication device (R), comprising the following items communicatively connected via one or more communication lines or buses (212): one or more microprocessors (202), associated volatile memory (204) and non-volatile memory (206), a first wireless communication interface (208) adapted to implement communication via a first communication channel (CC1), and a second wireless communication interface (210) adapted to implement communication via a second communication channel (CC2), wherein: The first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel (CC1, CC2) are incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter, wherein the non-volatile memory (206) stores computer program instructions which, when executed by the microprocessor (202), configure the relay communication device to perform one or more of the methods described in claims 1 to 4.

11. A source wireless communication device (S), comprising the following items communicatively connected via one or more communication lines or buses (212): one or more microprocessors (202), associated volatile memory (204) and non-volatile memory (206), a first wireless communication interface (208) adapted to enable communication via a first communication channel (CC1), and a second wireless communication interface (210) adapted to enable communication via a second communication channel (CC2), wherein: The first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel (CC1, CC2) are incompatible in at least one characteristic, aspect or parameter, wherein the non-volatile memory (206) stores computer program instructions which, when executed by the microprocessor (202), configure the relay communication device to perform one or more of the methods described in claims 5 to 9.

12. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions which, when executed by a microprocessor, cause the microprocessor and / or control hardware components of the wireless relay communication device (R) according to claim 6 or the microprocessor and / or control hardware components of the wireless source communication device (S) according to claim 10 to execute the methods (100, 300) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4 or 5 to 9.

13. A computer readable medium or data carrier, retrievably transmitting or storing the computer program product as claimed in claim 12.

14. A vehicle comprising the wireless relay communication device (R) according to claim 10 or the wireless source communication device (S) according to claim 11.

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