Communication method and device, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication method, equipment and a storage medium. The method comprises the steps that first information sent by multiple second terminal devices is received, the first information is response information sent by the second terminal devices according to received second information, and the second information is used for a third terminal device to request to find the second terminal devices; third information is sent to the third terminal device according to the first information based on the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information. That is, the first terminal device can associate the source layer 2 identifier with the first information, so that the first terminal device can send the DCR message to the corresponding second terminal device according to the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the first information when receiving the plurality of DCR messages sent by the third terminal device, thereby improving the network performance.

Description

Communication method, device and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Proximity Service (ProSe) is a 3GPP (3 rd ProSe (ProSe) is a service provided by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system to user equipment (UE) that is relatively close to the user. ProSe technology primarily includes ProSe discovery and ProSe communication. In a ProSe scenario, when the source UE and target UE cannot communicate directly, they can communicate with the target UE through a UE with relay functionality (UE-to-UE relay, referred to as relay UE).

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a device, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, which is executed by a first terminal device. The method includes:

[0006] receiving first information sent by a plurality of second terminal devices, where the first information is response information sent by the second terminal device according to the received second information, and the second information is used by a third terminal device to request discovery of the second terminal device;

[0007] Based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, third information is sent to the third terminal device according to the first information, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0008] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a second terminal device. The method includes:

[0009] According to the second information, the first information is sent to the first terminal device, the second information is used by the third terminal device to request the discovery of the second terminal device, and the first information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send third information to the third terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0010] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a third terminal device. The method includes:

[0011] Receive the third information sent by the first terminal device, wherein the third information is sent by the first terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and according to the first information sent by the second terminal device, the first information is the response information sent by the second terminal device based on the received second information, and the second information is used by the third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first terminal device is provided, including:

[0013] a transceiver module configured to receive first information sent by a plurality of second terminal devices, where the first information is response information sent by the second terminal device according to the received second information, and the second information is used by a third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal device;

[0014] The transceiver module is further configured to send third information to the third terminal device based on the first information based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0015] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second terminal device is provided, including:

[0016] The transceiver module is configured to send first information to the first terminal device based on second information, the second information is used by the third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal device, the first information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send third information to the third terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0017] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a third terminal device is provided, including:

[0018] The transceiver module is configured to receive third information sent by the first terminal device, where the third information is sent by the first terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and according to the first information sent by the second terminal device. The first information is response information sent by the second terminal device based on the received second information. The second information is used by the third terminal device to request the discovery of the second terminal device. Different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0019] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the communication device is used to execute an optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, which may include: a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a third terminal device; wherein, the first terminal device is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second terminal device is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect, and the third terminal device is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0021] According to the ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is proposed, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0022] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may have the following beneficial effects: a first terminal device receives first information sent by multiple second terminal devices, where the first information is response information sent by the second terminal device based on the received second information, and the second information is used by a third terminal device to request discovery of the second terminal device; based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, third information is sent to the third terminal device according to the first information, where different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information. In other words, the first terminal device can associate the source layer 2 identifier with the first information, so that when the first terminal device receives multiple DCR messages sent by the third terminal device, it can send the DCR message to the corresponding second terminal device according to the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the first information, thereby improving network performance.

[0023] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG2 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG3A is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG3B is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG3C is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG3D is a flow chart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG4A is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG4B is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG4C is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG5A is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG5B is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG5C is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG6 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG7A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a discovery process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG7B is an interactive diagram illustrating a communication process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG8A is a schematic structural diagram of a first terminal device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG8B is a schematic structural diagram of a second terminal device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG8C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third terminal device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG9A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a device, and a storage medium.

[0046] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first terminal device. The method includes:

[0047] receiving first information sent by a plurality of second terminal devices, where the first information is response information sent by the second terminal device according to the received second information, and the second information is used by a third terminal device to request discovery of the second terminal device;

[0048] Based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, third information is sent to the third terminal device according to the first information, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the first terminal device can associate the source layer 2 identifier with the first information, so that when the first terminal device receives multiple DCR messages sent by the third terminal device, it can send the DCR message to the corresponding second terminal device according to the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the first information, thereby improving network performance.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0051] receiving fourth information sent by the third terminal device, where the fourth information is used to request discovery of the second terminal device;

[0052] According to the fourth information, the second information is sent to the second terminal device.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the first terminal device may send the second information to the second terminal device according to the fourth information sent by the third terminal device, so as to request to discover the second terminal device.

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0055] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0056] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0057] Relay service code RSC;

[0058] First information type.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the first terminal device may perform matching according to the fourth information, and send a discovery request to the second terminal device after the matching is successful.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0061] receiving fifth information sent by the third terminal device, where the fifth information is used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the first terminal device;

[0062] A direct communication link is established with the third terminal device according to the fifth information.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the first terminal device may establish a direct communication link with the third terminal device according to the fifth information.

[0064] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information is a direct communication request DCR.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the first terminal device may establish a direct communication link with the third terminal device according to the DCR sent by the third terminal device.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0067] A first association relationship is established, wherein the first association relationship includes a correspondence between different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information includes at least one of the following: user information identifier, layer 2 identifier.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the source layer 2 identifier may be associated with the second terminal device, so that the DCR is sent to the corresponding second terminal device through different source layer 2 identifiers, thereby preventing the DCR from being sent to the wrong second terminal device.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0070] determining, according to the first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship, a first destination layer 2 identifier, where the first source layer 2 identifier is a source layer 2 identifier allocated by the first terminal device for sending sixth information, where the sixth information is used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the second terminal device;

[0071] Based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier, the sixth information is sent to the second terminal device.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the destination layer 2 identifier is determined through the first association relationship, so as to send the DCR message to the corresponding second terminal device, thereby improving network performance.

[0073] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the sixth information is DCR.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the first terminal device may send a DCR to the second terminal device, so as to establish a direct communication link with the second terminal device.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0076] Establish a second association relationship, the second association relationship including a correspondence between different second source layer 2 identifiers and third source layer 2 identifiers, the second source layer 2 identifier being the source layer 2 identifier used to send the second information among the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and the third source layer 2 identifier being the source layer 2 identifier used to send the third information among the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device.

[0077] In the above embodiment, a correspondence can be established between the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the second information and the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the third information. In this way, the third information can be sent by sending the source layer 2 identifier of the second information, avoiding sending the third information to the wrong third terminal device.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0079] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0080] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0081] Relay service code RSC;

[0082] Second information type.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the third terminal device may discover the second terminal device according to the first information request.

[0084] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0085] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0086] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0087] Relay service code RSC;

[0088] The third information type.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the first terminal device discovers the second terminal device according to the second information request.

[0090] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0091] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0092] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0093] Relay service code RSC;

[0094] Fourth information type.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the first terminal device may send response information requesting discovery of the second terminal device to the third terminal device based on the third information.

[0096] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a second terminal device. The method includes:

[0097] According to the second information, the first information is sent to the first terminal device, the second information is used by the third terminal device to request the discovery of the second terminal device, and the first information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send third information to the third terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0098] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0099] receiving sixth information sent by the first terminal device based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier, where the sixth information is used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the second terminal device, the first source layer 2 identifier being a source layer 2 identifier allocated by the first terminal device for sending the sixth information, and the first destination layer 2 identifier being determined based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship;

[0100] Establish a direct communication link with the first terminal device according to the sixth information.

[0101] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first association relationship includes the correspondence between different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and the identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information includes at least one of the following: user information identifier, layer 2 identifier.

[0102] With reference to some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the sixth information is a direct communication request DCR.

[0103] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0104] Receive the second information sent by the first terminal device.

[0105] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0106] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0107] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0108] Relay service code RSC;

[0109] Second information type.

[0110] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0111] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0112] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0113] Relay service code RSC;

[0114] The third information type.

[0115] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0116] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0117] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0118] Relay service code RSC;

[0119] Fourth information type.

[0120] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a third terminal device. The method includes:

[0121] Receive the third information sent by the first terminal device, wherein the third information is sent by the first terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and according to the first information sent by the second terminal device, the first information is the response information sent by the second terminal device based on the received second information, and the second information is used by the third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

[0122] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0123] Send fifth information to the first terminal device, where the fifth information is used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the first terminal device.

[0124] With reference to some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information is a direct communication request DCR.

[0125] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0126] Send fourth information to the first terminal device, where the fourth information is used to request discovery of the second terminal device, and the fourth information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send the second information to the second terminal device.

[0127] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0128] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0129] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0130] Relay service code RSC;

[0131] First information type.

[0132] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0133] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0134] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0135] Relay service code RSC;

[0136] Second information type.

[0137] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0138] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0139] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0140] Relay service code RSC;

[0141] The third information type.

[0142] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0143] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0144] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0145] Relay service code RSC;

[0146] Fourth information type.

[0147] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0148] The second terminal device sends the first information to the first terminal device based on the second information, where the second information is used by the third terminal device to request the third terminal device to discover the second terminal device, and the first information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send third information to the third terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, where different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information;

[0149] The first terminal device sends third information to the third terminal device based on the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and according to the first information.

[0150] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first terminal device, which may include at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the first terminal device can be used to execute an optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0151] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second terminal device, which may include at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the second terminal device may be used to execute the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0152] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a third terminal device, which may include at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the third terminal device can be used to execute the optional implementation method of the third aspect.

[0153] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first terminal device, which may include: one or more processors; wherein, the first terminal device can be used to execute an optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0154] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second terminal device, which may include: one or more processors; wherein, the second terminal device can be used to execute an optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0155] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a third terminal device, which may include: one or more processors; wherein, the third terminal device can be used to execute an optional implementation method of the third aspect.

[0156] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, which may include: one or more processors; wherein the communication device can be used to execute an optional implementation method of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0157] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which may include: a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a third terminal device; wherein, the first terminal device is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second terminal device is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect, and the third terminal device is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0158] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0159] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0160] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0161] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0162] It is understandable that the first terminal device, the second terminal device, the third terminal device, the communication device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip, or the chip system can all be used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0163] The present disclosure provides a communication method, device, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method" are interchangeable; the terms "communication device" and "information processing device" are interchangeable; and the terms "communication system" and "information processing system" are interchangeable.

[0164] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0165] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0166] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0167] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0168] In some embodiments, "plurality" may refer to two or more.

[0169] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0170] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0171] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0172] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0173] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0174] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0175] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0176] In some embodiments, devices and the like can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as "device," "equipment," "device," "circuit," "network element," "node," "function," "unit," "section," "system," "network," "chip," "chip system," "entity," and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0177] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0178] In some embodiments, the terms "Access Network Device (AN Device)", "Radio Access Network Device (RAN Device)", "Base Station (BS)", "Radio Base Station (Radio Base Station)", "Fixed Station (Fixed Station)", "Node (Node)", "Access Point (Access Point)", "Transmission Point (TP)", "Reception Point (RP)", "Transmission and / or Reception Point (TRP))", "Panel (Panel)", "Antenna Panel (Antenna Panel)", "Antenna Array (Antenna Array)" "Cell (Cell)", "Macro Cell (Macro Cell)", "Small Cell (Small Cell)", "Femto Cell (Femto Cell)", "Pico Cell (Pico Cell)" "Sector (Sector)", "Cell Group (Cell Group)", "Serving Cell", "Carrier (Carrier)", "Component Carrier (Component Carrier)", "Bandwidth Part (BWP)" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0179] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal" "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station (Subscriber Station), mobile unit (Mobile Unit), subscriber unit (Subscriber Unit), wireless unit (Wireless Unit), remote unit (Remote Unit), mobile device (Mobile Device), wireless device (Wireless Device), wireless communication device (Wireless Communication Device), remote device (Remote Device), mobile subscriber station (Mobile Subscriber Station), access terminal (Access Terminal), mobile terminal (Mobile Terminal), wireless terminal (Wireless Terminal), remote terminal (Remote Terminal), handset (Handset), user agent (User Agent), mobile client (Mobile Client), client (Client) and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0180] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels or direct channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links or direct links.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0182] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0183] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0184] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0185] FIG1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system 100 may include a terminal device 150 and a network device 160 .

[0186] In some embodiments, the terminal device 150 may include at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, and a wireless terminal device in smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0187] In some embodiments, the network device 160 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0188] In some embodiments, the access network device may be a node or device that accesses the terminal device to the wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0189] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0190] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit (Control Unit). The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0191] In some embodiments, the core network device may be a single device, or may be multiple devices or a group of devices. The core network may include at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0192] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0193] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are examples. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the entities is an example. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0194] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0195] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1 , the terminal device 150 may include a first terminal device 151, a second terminal device 152, and a third terminal device 153. The first terminal device 151 may be configured to provide a relay function for communication between the second terminal device 152 and the third terminal device 153. In this scenario, the first terminal device 151 providing the relay function may also be referred to as a relay UE, the third terminal device 153 may be a source UE that sends a discovery request message, and the second terminal device 152 may be a target UE to be discovered.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second terminal device 152 may also be referred to as a discoveree, and the third terminal device 153 may also be referred to as a discoverer.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 151 can be connected to the second terminal device 152 and the third terminal device 153 through the PC5 interface.

[0198] In some embodiments, when a source UE communicates with multiple target UEs, the PC5 link between the source UE and the relay UE can be shared by multiple target UEs in each relay service code (RSC), and for each RSC, the PC5 link between the relay UE and the target UE can be established separately.

[0199] In some embodiments, when multiple source UEs communicate with one target UE, the PC5 link between the relay UE and the target UE may be shared in one RSC, while for each RSC, the PC5 link between the source UE and the relay UE may be established separately.

[0200] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a 5G ProSe scenario, where the first terminal device 151 can be a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay (Relay), the second terminal device 152 can be a 5G ProSe End UE (UE-2) (discoveree), and the third terminal device 153 can be a 5G ProSe End UE (UE-1) (discoverer).

[0201] In some embodiments, when a relay UE receives multiple Direct Communication Request (DCR) messages from multiple source UEs, if the destination Layer 2 identifiers are the same, the relay UE cannot send the DCR messages to the correct target UEs. Therefore, how to send multiple DCR messages to the corresponding target UEs has become a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0202] FIG2 is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may be executed by the above-mentioned communication system. As shown in FIG2 , the method may include:

[0203] Step S2101: The third terminal device sends fourth information to the first terminal device.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may receive the fourth information. For example, the first terminal device may receive the fourth information sent by a third terminal device. For another example, the first terminal device may also receive the fourth information sent by another entity.

[0205] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used to request discovery of the second terminal device.

[0206] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used to instruct the first terminal device to send the second information to the second terminal device.

[0207] In some embodiments, taking the 5G ProSe discovery process based on Model B as an example, the fourth information may be a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay discovery request message.

[0208] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include at least one of the following:

[0209] User information identification of the second terminal device;

[0210] User information identification of the third terminal device;

[0211] Relay service code RSC;

[0212] First information type.

[0213] In some embodiments, the user information identifier may also be referred to as User Info ID. The user information identifier may also be used to uniquely identify other identifiers of the terminal device, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first information type may be used to indicate a type of the fourth information. For example, the first information type may be a discovery request.

[0215] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth information is not limited, and may be, for example, a "discovery request message", a "message indicating a discovery request", "discovery request indication information", etc.

[0216] In some embodiments, the third terminal device may send the fourth information by broadcasting.

[0217] In some embodiments, the third terminal device may be any source UE among a plurality of source UEs.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may be understood as a relay UE that matches the discovery request sent by the third terminal device.

[0219] Step S2102: The first terminal device sends second information to the second terminal device based on the fourth information.

[0220] In some embodiments, the second terminal device may receive the second information. For example, the second terminal device may receive the second information sent by the first terminal device. For another example, the second terminal device may also receive the second information sent by another entity.

[0221] In some embodiments, the second information may be used by the third terminal device to request discovery of the second terminal device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second information may include at least one of the following:

[0223] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0224] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0225] Relay service code RSC;

[0226] The third information type.

[0227] In some embodiments, the third information type may be used to indicate the type of the second information. For example, the third information type may be a discovery request.

[0228] In some embodiments, the name of the second information is not limited, and may be, for example, a "discovery request message", a "message indicating a discovery request", "discovery request indication information", etc.

[0229] In some embodiments, when there are multiple relay UEs, the first terminal device may be a relay UE that matches the second information.

[0230] For example, after the third terminal device sends the fourth information via broadcast, each relay UE can receive the fourth information and match it according to the RSC in the fourth information. If the relay UE determines that its own RSC matches the RSC carried in the fourth information, it can send the second information to the second terminal device according to the fourth information.

[0231] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may include at least one.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may send the second information by broadcasting.

[0233] In some embodiments, the second terminal device can be understood as a target UE among multiple target UEs that matches the second information.

[0234] Step S2103: The second terminal device sends the first information to the first terminal device based on the second information.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may receive the first information. For example, the first terminal device may receive the first information sent by the second terminal device. For another example, the first terminal device may also receive the first information sent by another entity.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate response information made by the second terminal device to the second information.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following:

[0238] User information identification of the second terminal device;

[0239] User information identification of the third terminal device;

[0240] Relay service code RSC;

[0241] Second information type.

[0242] In some embodiments, taking the 5G ProSe discovery process based on Model B as an example, the first information may be a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Response message.

[0243] In some embodiments, the second information type may be used to indicate the type of the first information. For example, the second information type may be a response to a discovery request.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to instruct the first terminal device to send third information to the third terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device.

[0245] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited, and may be, for example, a "discovery request response message", a "response message indicating a discovery request", "discovery request response information", etc.

[0246] In some embodiments, when there are multiple target UEs, the second terminal device can be understood as the target UE that matches the second information.

[0247] For example, after the first terminal device sends the second information via broadcast, each target UE can receive the second information and match it according to the RSC in the second information and the user information identifier of the second terminal device. If the target UE determines that its own RSC and user information identifier match the RSC carried in the second information and the user information identifier of the second terminal device, it can respond to the first terminal device, that is, send the first information to the first terminal device according to the second information.

[0248] In some embodiments, if the first terminal device includes multiple, the second terminal device receives second information sent by multiple first terminal devices, and the RSC carried by the multiple second information is the same as the user information identifier of the second terminal device, then the second terminal device can choose whether to respond to each first terminal device.

[0249] In some embodiments, the second terminal device may determine whether to respond to the first terminal device that sends the second information based on the signal strength of the PC 5 corresponding to each second information.

[0250] In one implementation, the second terminal device may respond to the first terminal device corresponding to the second information with the strongest PC5 signal. For example, if the first terminal device includes 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-1, 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-2, and 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-3, and the PC5 signal corresponding to 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-1 is the strongest, the second terminal device may send the first information to 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-1.

[0251] In another implementation, the second terminal device may respond to the first terminal device corresponding to multiple second information with the strongest PC5 signal. For example, if the first terminal device includes 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-1, 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-2, and 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-3, and the PC5 signals corresponding to 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-1 and 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-2 are the strongest, the second terminal device may send the first information to 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-1 and 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay-2.

[0252] Step S2104: The first terminal device sends third information to the third terminal device based on the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and the first information.

[0253] In some embodiments, the third terminal device may receive the third information. For example, the third terminal device may receive the third information sent by the first terminal device. For another example, the third terminal device may also receive the third information sent by another entity.

[0254] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to indicate response information made by the second terminal device to the fourth information.

[0255] In some embodiments, the third information may include at least one of the following:

[0256] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0257] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0258] Relay service code RSC;

[0259] Fourth information type.

[0260] In some embodiments, the fourth information type may be used to indicate the type of the third information. For example, the fourth information type may be a response to a discovery request.

[0261] In some embodiments, the name of the third information is not limited, and may be, for example, a "discovery request response message", a "response message indicating a discovery request", "discovery request response information", etc.

[0262] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information sent by the second terminal device, the first terminal device can select a source layer 2 identifier and send the third information to the third terminal device based on the source layer 2 identifier.

[0263] In some embodiments, different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device may correspond to different first information, that is, the first terminal device uses different source layer 2 identifiers when sending different third information.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first terminal device can also establish a second association relationship, which can include a correspondence between different second source layer 2 identifiers and third source layer 2 identifiers, the second source layer 2 identifier is a source layer 2 identifier among the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device used to send the second information, and the third source layer 2 identifier is a source layer 2 identifier among the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device used to send the third information.

[0265] In some embodiments, when the first terminal device sends the second information, it can assign a source layer 2 identifier to the second information. For example, any source layer 2 identifier among the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device can be assigned to the second information as the second source layer 2 identifier.

[0266] In some embodiments, when the first terminal device sends the third information, it can assign a source layer 2 identifier to the third information. For example, any source layer 2 identifier among the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device can be assigned to the third information as the third source layer 2 identifier.

[0267] In some embodiments, the second source layer 2 identifier may be bound to the third source layer 2 identifier to obtain the second association relationship.

[0268] In some embodiments, "binding the second source layer 2 identifier with the third source layer 2 identifier" can be understood as binding the second terminal device with the third terminal device. Thus, after receiving a DCR sent by the third terminal device, the first terminal device can send the DCR to the corresponding second terminal device via the second association. Similarly, after receiving a direct communication acceptance message sent by the second terminal device, the first terminal device can also send the direct communication acceptance message to the corresponding third terminal device via the second association.

[0269] Step S2105: The third terminal device sends fifth information to the first terminal device.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may receive the fifth information. For example, the first terminal device may receive the fifth information sent by a third terminal device. For another example, the first terminal device may also receive the fifth information sent by another entity.

[0271] The fifth information may be used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the first terminal device.

[0272] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be a direct communication request DCR.

[0273] In some embodiments, the specific parameters included in the fifth information can refer to the definition of the existing protocol and will not be repeated here.

[0274] In some embodiments, the name of the fifth information is not limited, for example, it can be "direct communication request message", "direct communication link establishment request message", etc.

[0275] In some embodiments, after receiving the third information sent by the first terminal device, the third terminal device may send the fifth information to the first terminal device to initiate a unicast layer 2 (Layer-2) link establishment process with the first terminal device.

[0276] In some embodiments, the source layer 2 identifier (Source Layer-2 ID) corresponding to the fifth information can be allocated by a third terminal device, and the destination layer 2 identifier (Destination Layer-2 ID) corresponding to the fifth information can be set to the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the second information, that is, the destination layer 2 identifier of the fifth information received by the first terminal device is the same as the source layer 2 identifier of the second information sent.

[0277] In some embodiments, the third terminal device may send the fifth information via broadcasting, and the relay UE that receives the fifth information may determine whether it matches the fifth information. If it is determined that it matches the fifth information, it indicates that the relay UE is the first terminal device.

[0278] The matching between the relay UE and the fifth information indicates that the user information identifier of the relay UE is the same as the user information identifier carried by the fifth information, and the RSC supported by the relay UE includes the RSC carried by the fifth information.

[0279] Step S2106: The first terminal device establishes a direct communication link with the third terminal device according to the fifth information.

[0280] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may establish a secure connection with the third terminal device. Thus, when security protection is enabled, the third terminal device may send parameter information to the first terminal device.

[0281] In some embodiments, if the Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) address of the third terminal device has been used by another terminal device, the first terminal device may send a prompt message to the third terminal device, where the prompt message may be used to indicate that there is an Ethernet MAC address conflict.

[0282] In some embodiments, the source layer 2 identifier used by the first terminal device for the security establishment process is allocated by the first terminal device, and the destination layer 2 identifier can be set to the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the fourth information.

[0283] In some embodiments, the third terminal device can receive a security establishment process message sent by the first terminal device and obtain a layer 2 identifier of the first terminal device, which can be used for communication between the third terminal device and the first terminal device, including signaling and data traffic on a unicast link.

[0284] Step S2107: The first terminal device establishes a first association relationship.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first association relationship may include a correspondence between different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information may include at least one of the following: user information identifier, layer 2 identifier.

[0286] In some embodiments, the identification information may also include other identifications specified in the protocol that can uniquely identify the second terminal device, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may allocate a source layer 2 identifier to each second terminal device, and different second terminal devices correspond to different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may assign a destination layer 2 identifier for receiving first information sent by the second terminal device as a source layer 2 identifier to the second terminal device.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may bind the source layer 2 identifier allocated to the second terminal device with the user information identifier of the second terminal device to obtain the first association relationship.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may bind the source layer 2 identifier allocated to the second terminal device with the layer 2 identifier of the second terminal device to obtain the first association relationship.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may bind the source layer 2 identifier allocated to the second terminal device with the user information identifier and layer 2 identifier of the second terminal device to obtain the first association relationship.

[0292] It should be noted that step S2107 can be executed at any time after step S2103, and this embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0293] Step S2108: The first terminal device determines the first destination layer 2 identifier based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first source layer 2 identifier may be a source layer 2 identifier allocated by the first terminal device for sending the sixth information.

[0295] In some embodiments, when the first terminal device sends the sixth information to the second terminal device, it can first determine the second terminal device used to receive the sixth information, and then determine the source layer 2 identifier assigned by the first terminal device to the second terminal device, and the source layer 2 identifier is the first source layer 2 identifier.

[0296] In some embodiments, after the first terminal device determines the first source layer 2 identifier, it can determine the first identification information corresponding to the first source layer 2 identifier based on the first association relationship, and determine the first destination layer 2 identifier based on the first identification information.

[0297] In some embodiments, if the first identification information includes a layer 2 identifier, the layer 2 identifier in the first identification information is used as the first destination layer 2 identifier.

[0298] In some embodiments, if the first identification information does not include a layer 2 identifier, a destination layer 2 identifier of the second terminal device corresponding to the first identification information for receiving the sixth information is determined.

[0299] In one implementation, the source layer 2 identifier used to send the first information among the multiple layer 2 identifiers of the second terminal device corresponding to the first identification information can be used as the first destination layer 2 identifier.

[0300] Step S2109: The first terminal device sends sixth information to the second terminal device based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier.

[0301] In some embodiments, the second terminal device may receive the sixth information. For example, the second terminal device may receive the sixth information sent by the first terminal device. For another example, the first terminal device may also receive the sixth information sent by another entity.

[0302] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the second terminal device.

[0303] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be a DCR.

[0304] In some embodiments, the specific parameters included in the sixth information can refer to the definition of the existing protocol and will not be repeated here.

[0305] In some embodiments, the name of the sixth information is not limited, for example, it can be "direct communication request message", "direct communication link establishment request message", etc.

[0306] In some embodiments, after the security establishment process between the first terminal device and the third terminal device is completed, the first terminal device can send the sixth information to the second terminal device to start the unicast layer 2 link establishment process between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0307] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may use different source layer 2 identifiers for PC5 links of different types of traffic, including Internet Protocol (IP) traffic, Ethernet traffic, unstructured traffic, and the like.

[0308] In some embodiments, if the PC5 link is used to transmit unstructured traffic, the first terminal device may select different source layer 2 identifiers for different second terminal devices and third terminal devices.

[0309] In some embodiments, the target UE that sends the first information to the first terminal device and the target UE that receives the sixth information are the same target UE.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may send the sixth information by broadcasting.

[0311] Step S2110: The second terminal device establishes a direct communication link with the first terminal device according to the sixth information.

[0312] In some embodiments, the second terminal device can establish a secure link with the first terminal device to respond to the sixth information. In this way, when the security protection is started, the first terminal device can send parameter information to the second terminal device.

[0313] In some embodiments, the source layer 2 identifier used by the second terminal device to establish a secure link can be allocated by the second terminal device itself, and the destination layer 2 identifier used by the second terminal device to establish a secure link can be set to the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the sixth information.

[0314] In some embodiments, after receiving the security establishment process message, the first terminal device can obtain the layer 2 identifier of the second terminal device to communicate with the second terminal device, including signaling or data traffic on the unicast link.

[0315] In some embodiments, the second terminal device may send a direct communication acceptance message to the first terminal device that has successfully established a secure link. The specific parameters included in the direct communication acceptance message may refer to the provisions of existing protocols and will not be repeated here.

[0316] In some embodiments, after receiving the direct communication acceptance message sent by the second terminal device, the first terminal device can send a direct communication acceptance message to the third terminal device that successfully established the secure link. The specific parameters included in the direct communication acceptance message can refer to the provisions of the existing protocol and will not be repeated here.

[0317] In some embodiments, the second terminal device may be assigned an IPv6 prefix or an IPv4 address.

[0318] In some embodiments, for IP communication, the first terminal device may store the association between the user information identifier and the IP address of the second terminal device in a DNS entry to provide DNS services for other UEs.

[0319] In some embodiments, if the direct communication acceptance message received by the first terminal device does not include the IP address of the second terminal device, then after the third terminal device receives the direct communication reception message sent by the first terminal device, it can send a DNS query request to the first terminal device to request the IP address of the second terminal device, and the first terminal device can send the IP address of the second terminal device to the third terminal device.

[0320] In some embodiments, for Ethernet communication, the first terminal device may maintain an association between the PC5 links and Ethernet MAC addresses received from the second terminal device and the third terminal device.

[0321] In some embodiments, for unstructured traffic communication, for each of the second terminal device and the third terminal device, the first terminal device may maintain a one-to-one mapping between the PC5 link and the third terminal device, and between the PC5 link and the second terminal device.

[0322] In some embodiments, the third terminal device communicates with the second terminal device through the first terminal device.

[0323] Using the above method, the first terminal device can associate the source layer 2 identifier with the first information, so that when the first terminal device receives multiple DCR messages sent by the third terminal device, it can send the DCR message to the corresponding second terminal device according to the source layer 2 identifier corresponding to the first information, thereby improving network performance.

[0324] The method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above steps S2101 to S2110. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2109+S2110 can be implemented as independent embodiments.

[0325] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2110 are all optional steps. For example, steps S2101, S2102, and S2107 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0326] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2 .

[0327] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0328] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0329] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0330] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "a certain", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0331] FIG3A is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a first terminal device. The method may include:

[0332] Step S3101: Obtain fourth information.

[0333] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may receive the fourth information sent by the third terminal device, but is not limited thereto. The first terminal device may also receive the fourth information sent by other entities.

[0335] Step S3102: Send the second information.

[0336] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0337] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may send the second information to the second terminal device, but is not limited thereto. The first terminal device may also send the second information to other entities.

[0338] Step S3103: Obtain first information.

[0339] The optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0340] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may receive the first information sent by the second terminal device, but is not limited thereto. The first terminal device may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0341] Step S3104: Send third information based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device.

[0342] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may send the third information to the third terminal device, but is not limited thereto. The first terminal device may also send the third information to other entities.

[0344] Step S3105: Obtain the fifth information.

[0345] The optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0346] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may receive the fifth information sent by the third terminal device, but is not limited thereto. The first terminal device may also receive the fifth information sent by other entities.

[0347] Step S3106: Establish a direct communication link with the third terminal device according to the fifth information.

[0348] The optional implementation of step S3106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0349] Step S3107: Establish a first association relationship.

[0350] The optional implementation of step S3107 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] Step S3108: Determine the first destination layer 2 identifier according to the first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship.

[0352] The optional implementation of step S3108 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0353] Step S3109: Send sixth information based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier.

[0354] The optional implementation of step S3109 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0355] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may send the sixth information to the second terminal device, but is not limited thereto. The first terminal device may also send the sixth information to other entities.

[0356] The method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above steps S3101 to S3109. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101+S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3105+S3106 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101+S3102+S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3107+S3108+S3109 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0357] In some embodiments, the above steps S3101 to S3109 are all optional steps.

[0358] FIG3B is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a first terminal device. The method may include:

[0359] Step S3201: Obtain fourth information.

[0360] The optional implementation of step S3201 can be found in step S2101 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3101 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0361] Step S3202: Send the second information.

[0362] The optional implementation of step S3202 can be found in step S2102 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3102 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0363] Step S3203: Obtain first information.

[0364] The optional implementation of step S3203 can be found in step S2103 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3103 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0365] Step S3204: Send third information based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device.

[0366] The optional implementation of step S3204 can refer to step S2104 in FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3104 in FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0367] The method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above steps S3201 to S3204. For example, step S3201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3203+S3204 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0368] In some embodiments, the above steps S3201 to S3204 are all optional steps. For example, steps S3201 and S3204 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0369] FIG3C is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3C , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a first terminal device. The method may include:

[0370] Step S3301: Obtain the fifth information.

[0371] The optional implementation of step S3301 can be found in step S2105 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3105 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0372] Step S3302: Establish a direct communication link with the third terminal device according to the fifth information.

[0373] The optional implementation of step S3302 can be found in step S2106 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3106 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0374] Step S3303: Establish a first association relationship.

[0375] The optional implementation of step S3303 can be found in step S2107 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3107 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0376] Step S3304: Determine the first destination layer 2 identifier according to the first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship.

[0377] The optional implementation of step S3304 can be found in step S2108 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3108 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0378] Step S3305: Send sixth information based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier.

[0379] The optional implementation of step S3305 can be found in step S2109 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3109 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0380] The method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above steps S3301 to S3305. For example, step S3301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3305 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3301+S3302 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0381] In some embodiments, the above steps S3301 to S3305 are all optional steps.

[0382] FIG3D is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3D , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a first terminal device. The method may include:

[0383] Step S3401: Obtain first information.

[0384] The optional implementation of step S3401 can be found in step S2103 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3103 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0385] Step S3402: Send third information based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device.

[0386] The optional implementation of step S3402 can be found in step S2104 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3104 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0387] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0388] receiving fourth information sent by the third terminal device, where the fourth information is used to request discovery of the second terminal device;

[0389] According to the fourth information, the second information is sent to the second terminal device.

[0390] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0391] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0392] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0393] Relay service code RSC;

[0394] First information type.

[0395] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0396] receiving fifth information sent by the third terminal device, where the fifth information is used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the first terminal device;

[0397] A direct communication link is established with the third terminal device according to the fifth information.

[0398] In some embodiments, the fifth information is a direct communication request DCR.

[0399] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0400] A first association relationship is established, wherein the first association relationship includes a correspondence between different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information includes at least one of the following: user information identifier, layer 2 identifier.

[0401] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0402] determining, according to the first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship, a first destination layer 2 identifier, where the first source layer 2 identifier is a source layer 2 identifier allocated by the first terminal device for sending sixth information, where the sixth information is used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the second terminal device;

[0403] Based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier, the sixth information is sent to the second terminal device.

[0404] In some embodiments, the sixth information is DCR.

[0405] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0406] Establish a second association relationship, the second association relationship including a correspondence between different second source layer 2 identifiers and third source layer 2 identifiers, the second source layer 2 identifier being the source layer 2 identifier used to send the second information among the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and the third source layer 2 identifier being the source layer 2 identifier used to send the third information among the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device.

[0407] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0408] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0409] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0410] Relay service code RSC;

[0411] Second information type.

[0412] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0413] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0414] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0415] Relay service code RSC;

[0416] The third information type.

[0417] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0418] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0419] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0420] Relay service code RSC;

[0421] Fourth information type.

[0422] FIG4A is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a second terminal device. The method may include:

[0423] Step S4101: Obtain second information.

[0424] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0425] Step S4102: Send the first information.

[0426] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0427] Step S4103: Obtain sixth information.

[0428] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0429] Step S4104: Establish a direct communication link with the first terminal device according to the sixth information.

[0430] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2110 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0431] The method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above steps S4101 to S4104. For example, step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S4103+S4104 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0432] In some embodiments, the above steps S4101 to S4104 are all optional steps.

[0433] FIG4B is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a second terminal device. The method may include:

[0434] Step S4201: Obtain sixth information.

[0435] The optional implementation of step S4201 can be found in step S2109 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S4103 of FIG. 4A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0436] Step S4202: Establish a direct communication link with the first terminal device according to the sixth information.

[0437] The optional implementation of step S4202 can be found in step S2110 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S4104 of FIG. 4A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0438] In some embodiments, the above steps are all optional steps.

[0439] FIG4C is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4C , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a second terminal device. The method may include:

[0440] Step S4301: Send the first information.

[0441] The optional implementation of step S4301 can be found in step S2103 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S4102 of FIG. 4A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0442] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0443] receiving sixth information sent by the first terminal device based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier, where the sixth information is used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the second terminal device, the first source layer 2 identifier being a source layer 2 identifier allocated by the first terminal device for sending the sixth information, and the first destination layer 2 identifier being determined based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship;

[0444] Establish a direct communication link with the first terminal device according to the sixth information.

[0445] In some embodiments, the first association relationship includes a correspondence between different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information includes at least one of the following: user information identifier, layer 2 identifier.

[0446] In some embodiments, the sixth information is a direct communication request DCR.

[0447] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0448] Receive the second information sent by the first terminal device.

[0449] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0450] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0451] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0452] Relay service code RSC;

[0453] Second information type.

[0454] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0455] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0456] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0457] Relay service code RSC;

[0458] The third information type.

[0459] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0460] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0461] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0462] Relay service code RSC;

[0463] Fourth information type.

[0464] FIG5A is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a third terminal device. The method may include:

[0465] Step S5101: Send the fourth information.

[0466] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0467] Step S5102: Obtain third information.

[0468] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0469] Step S5103: Send the fifth information.

[0470] The optional implementation of step S5103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0471] The method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above steps S5101 to S5103. For example, step S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S5101+S5102 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0472] In some embodiments, the above steps S5101 to S5103 are all optional steps.

[0473] FIG5B is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a third terminal device. The method may include:

[0474] Step S5201: Send the fourth information.

[0475] The optional implementation of step S5201 can be found in step S2101 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S5101 of FIG. 5A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0476] Step S5202: Obtain third information.

[0477] The optional implementation of step S5202 can be found in step S2104 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S5102 of FIG. 5A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0478] In some embodiments, the above steps are all optional steps.

[0479] FIG5C is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5C , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be performed by a third terminal device. The method may include:

[0480] Step S5301: Obtain third information.

[0481] The optional implementation of step S5301 can be found in step S2104 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S5102 of FIG. 5A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0482] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0483] Send fifth information to the first terminal device, where the fifth information is used to request establishment of a direct communication link with the first terminal device.

[0484] In some embodiments, the fifth information is a direct communication request DCR.

[0485] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0486] Send fourth information to the first terminal device, where the fourth information is used to request discovery of the second terminal device, and the fourth information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send the second information to the second terminal device.

[0487] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0488] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0489] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0490] Relay service code RSC;

[0491] First information type.

[0492] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0493] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0494] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0495] Relay service code RSC;

[0496] Second information type.

[0497] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0498] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0499] The user information identifier of the third terminal device;

[0500] Relay service code RSC;

[0501] The third information type.

[0502] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0503] The user information identifier of the first terminal device;

[0504] The user information identifier of the second terminal device;

[0505] Relay service code RSC;

[0506] Fourth information type.

[0507] Figure 6 is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be executed by a communication system. The method may include:

[0508] Step S6101: The second terminal device sends first information to the first terminal device.

[0509] The optional implementation of step S6101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2, step S3103 in Figure 3A, step S4102 in Figure 4A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2, 3A, and 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0510] Step S6102: The first terminal device sends third information to the third terminal device based on the multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device.

[0511] The optional implementation of step S6102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2, step S3104 in Figure 3A, step S5102 in Figure 5A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2, 3A, and 5A, which will not be repeated here.

[0512] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the embodiments of the above communication system, first terminal device, second terminal device, third terminal device, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0513] In some embodiments, FIG7A is an interactive diagram illustrating a discovery process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7A , the discovery process of 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay through Model B may include:

[0514] (1) The discoverer 5G ProSe UE (UE-1) may send a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay discovery request message, which may include the discovery message type, its own user information identifier (User Info ID), RSC, and the user information identifier (User Info ID) of the discoverer 5G ProSe UE (UE-2). The 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay discovery request message may be sent using the Source Layer-2 ID and the Destination Layer-2 ID.

[0515] Among them, the 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay determines the destination layer 2 identifier for signaling reception.

[0516] (2) The 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay that matches the RSC sends a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay discovery request message, which may include the discovery message type, the user information identifier of the discoverer 5G ProSe End UE (UE-1), the user information identifier of the UE-to-UE relay, the RSC, and the user information identifier of the discoverer 5G ProSe End UE (UE-2). The message is sent using the source layer 2 identifier and the destination layer 2 identifier.

[0517] Among them, the 5G ProSe End UE determines the destination layer 2 identifier for signaling reception.

[0518] (3) The discovered 5G ProSe End UE (UE-2) that matches the RSC and the user information identifier of the discovered 5G ProSe End UE (UE-2) will respond to the 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay and send a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay discovery response message. The message contains the type of Discovery message, RSC, the user information identifier of the discoverer 5G ProSe End UE (UE-1) and the user information identifier of the discovered 5G ProSe End UE (UE-2), and is transmitted using the source layer 2 identifier and the destination layer 2 identifier. If the discovered 5G ProSe End UE (UE-2) receives multiple UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Solicitation messages with the same RSC and the user information identifier of the discovered 5G ProSe End UE (UE-2) from different 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relays, it can choose whether to respond to a certain 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay (for example, decide whether to respond based on the PC5 signal strength of each message received).

[0519] (4) The 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay sends a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay discovery response message, which may include the discovery message type, the user information identifier of the UE-to-UE relay, the RSC, and the user information identifier of the discovered 5G ProSe End UE (UE-2). The message is sent using the source layer 2 identifier and the destination layer 2 identifier.

[0520] When the 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay receives multiple 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Response messages from different discoverer 5G ProSe End UEs, the 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay sends the 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Response messages to the discoverer 5G ProSe End UE using different Source Layer-2 IDs.

[0521] The 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay will associate the source layer 2 identifier of the response message sent to the discoverer 5G ProSe End UE with the source layer 2 identifier of the request message sent to the discoverer 5G ProSe End UE.

[0522] In some embodiments, FIG7B is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7B , the communication process of 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay may include:

[0523] (1) Perform service authorization and configuration operations on the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, and the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay.

[0524] (2) The source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE performs 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay discovery. For details, see the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0525] (3) The source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE sends a direct communication request message to initiate the unicast Layer-2 link establishment process with the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay.

[0526] The source layer 2 identifier of the direct communication request message is allocated by the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, and the destination layer 2 identifier is set to the source layer 2 identifier of the discovery message relayed by the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE.

[0527] (4) If the user information identifier of the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay in the direct communication request message matches the user information identifier of the 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay, and the RSC in the request matches one of the RSCs supported by the relay, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay shall respond by establishing a secure connection with the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE. When security protection is enabled, the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE may send parameters to the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay.

[0528] If the MAC address of the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE is already used by another 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay may send a message to the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, indicating that there is an Ethernet MAC address conflict.

[0529] The source layer 2 identifier used for the security establishment process is allocated by the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay, and the destination layer 2 identifier is set to the source layer 2 identifier of the received direct communication request message.

[0530] 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay can select different source layer 2 identifiers for PC5 links for different types of traffic, namely IP traffic, Ethernet traffic, and unstructured traffic.

[0531] If the PC5 link is used to transmit unstructured traffic, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay can select different source layer 2 identifiers for different source and target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE pairs.

[0532] After receiving the security establishment procedure message, the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE obtains the layer 2 identity of the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay for future communications, including signaling and data traffic on the unicast link.

[0533] (5) After the security establishment process in step (4) is completed, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay sends a direct communication request message to initiate the unicast Layer-2 link establishment process with the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE.

[0534] The source layer 2 identifier of the direct communication request message is allocated by the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay, and the destination layer 2 identifier is the unicast Layer-2 identifier of the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE associated with the user information identifier of the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE.

[0535] Based on the destination layer 2 identifier received from the source UE, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay selects the associated source layer 2 identifier and destination layer 2 identifier to send a DCR message to the target UE.

[0536] 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay can select different source layer 2 identifiers for PC5 links for different types of traffic, namely IP traffic, Ethernet traffic, and unstructured traffic.

[0537] If the PC5 link is used to transmit unstructured traffic, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay can select different source layer 2 identifiers for different source and target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE pairs.

[0538] (6) If the user information identifier of the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE and the RSC included in the direct communication request match the user information identifier and RSC supported by the target UE, the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE responds by establishing a secure connection with the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay. When security protection is enabled, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay can send parameters to the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE.

[0539] The source layer 2 identifier used for the security establishment process is allocated by the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, and the destination layer 2 identifier is set to the source layer 2 identifier of the received direct communication request message.

[0540] After receiving the security establishment procedure message, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay obtains the layer 2 identity of the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE for future communications, including signaling and data traffic on the unicast link.

[0541] (7) The target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE sends a direct communication accept message to the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay that successfully establishes a secure connection.

[0542] (8) For IP traffic, allocate an IPv6 prefix or IPv4 address to the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE.

[0543] (9) After receiving the direct communication accept message from the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay sends a direct communication accept message to the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE with which the secure connection is successfully established.

[0544] (10) For IP traffic, an IPv6 prefix or IPv4 address is allocated to the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE.

[0545] (11) For IP communication, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay may store the association between the user information identifier and the IP address of the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE in its Domain Name System (DNS) entry and may act as a DNS server to provide DNS services to other UEs. If the IP address of the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE is not received in step (9), then after step (10), the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE may send a DNS query to the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay to request the IP address of the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, and the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay returns the IP address of the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE to the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE.

[0546] For Ethernet communication, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay maintains the association between the PC5 link and the Ethernet MAC address received from the 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE.

[0547] For unstructured traffic communication, for each pair of source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE and target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay maintains a one-to-one mapping between the PC5 link and the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, and between the PC5 link and the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE.

[0548] (12) The source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE communicates with the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE through a 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay.

[0549] In the case where a source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE communicates with multiple target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UEs, the PC5 link between the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE and the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay can be shared for multiple target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UEs in one RSC, while for each RSC, the PC5 link between the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE Relay and the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE can be established separately. For the shared PC5 link, the Layer-2 link modification procedure should be used.

[0550] In the case where multiple source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UEs communicate with one target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE, the PC5 link between the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay and the target 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE can be shared in one RSC, while for each RSC, the PC5 link between the source 5G ProSe Layer-3 End UE and the 5G ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay can be established separately. For the shared PC5 link, the Layer-2 link modification procedure should be used.

[0551] In some embodiments, a method for a U2U relay to perform discovery via Model B may include:

[0552] Receiving multiple response messages sent by different target terminals UE;

[0553] Select different source layer 2 identifiers of the U2U relay to send the response message to different source terminals UE;

[0554] The source layer 2 identifier of the U2U relay is associated with the destination layer 2 identifier of the target terminal UE.

[0555] In some embodiments, after performing discovery through Model B, the U2U relay may receive DCR messages sent from multiple source terminals UEs through the source layer 2 identifier of the source terminal UE and the destination layer 2 identifier of the U2U relay.

[0556] In some embodiments, based on the association between the source layer 2 identifier of the U2U relay and the destination layer 2 identifier of the target terminal UE, the U2U relay selects the source layer 2 identifier and the destination layer 2 identifier to send the DCR message to the correct target terminal UE.

[0557] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, which may include a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a third terminal device, wherein the first terminal device can execute the communication method executed by the first terminal device in the aforementioned embodiment of the present disclosure; the second terminal device can execute the communication method executed by the second terminal device in the aforementioned embodiment of the present disclosure; and the third terminal device can execute the communication method executed by the third terminal device in the aforementioned embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0558] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide apparatuses for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by a first terminal device in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by a second terminal device in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by a third terminal device in any of the above methods.

[0559] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above units or modules are realized by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0560] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of a hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0561] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first terminal device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8A, the first terminal device 151 may include at least one of a transceiver module 8101, a processing module 8102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 8101 is configured to receive first information sent by multiple second terminal devices, where the first information is a response information sent by the second terminal device based on the received second information, and the second information is used by the third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal device; the transceiver module 8101 is also configured to send third information to the third terminal device based on the first information based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information. Optionally, the transceiver module 8101 can be used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first terminal device 151 in any of the above methods (for example, step S2101, step S2102, but not limited thereto), which will not be repeated here.

[0562] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0563] Figure 8B is a structural diagram of a second terminal device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8B, the second terminal device 152 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 8201, a processing module 8202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 8201 is configured to send first information to the first terminal device based on the second information, and the second information is used for the third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal device, and the first information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send third information to the third terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information. Optionally, the transceiver module 8201 can be used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step S2103, step S2109, but not limited to this) performed by the second terminal device 152 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0564] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0565] Figure 8C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third terminal device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8C, the third terminal device 153 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 8301, a processing module 8302, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 8301 is configured to receive third information sent by the first terminal device, wherein the third information is sent by the first terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device according to the first information sent by the second terminal device, the first information is a response information sent by the second terminal device according to the received second information, and the second information is used by the third terminal device to request the discovery of the second terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information. Optionally, the transceiver module 8301 can be used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the third terminal device 153 in any of the above methods (for example, step S2104, step S2105, but not limited thereto), which will not be repeated here.

[0566] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0567] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 9100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 9100 can be a terminal (e.g., user equipment), or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a first device to implement any of the above methods. It can also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 9100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0568] As shown in FIG9A , the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control a communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, an IoT device, an IoT device chip, a DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 9100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0569] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9102 may be located outside the communication device 9100.

[0570] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9103. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9103, the transceiver 9103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2106, but not limited thereto).

[0571] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0572] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 may include one or more interface circuits. Optionally, the interface circuits are connected to the memory 9102 and may be used to receive signals from the memory 9102 or other devices, or to send signals to the memory 9102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits may read instructions stored in the memory 9102 and send the instructions to the processor 9101.

[0573] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments may be a first device or an IoT device, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9A . The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, an IoT device, an intelligent IoT device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a first device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0574] 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 9200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 shown in FIG9B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0575] The chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201 , and the chip 9200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0576] In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9203. Optionally, the interface circuit 9203 is connected to the memory 9202. The interface circuit 9203 can be used to receive signals from the memory 9202 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 9202 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9203 can read instructions stored in the memory 9202 and send the instructions to the processor 9201.

[0577] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9203 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, but not limited to this), and the processor 9201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2106, but not limited to this).

[0578] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0579] In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9202 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memory 9202 may be located outside the chip 9200.

[0580] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 9100, the communication device 9100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0581] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 9100, enables the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product may be a computer program product.

[0582] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Executed by a first terminal device, the method includes: Receiving first information sent by a plurality of second terminal devices, where the first information is response information sent by the second terminal devices according to received second information, and the second information is used for a third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal devices; Based on a plurality of source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, sending third information to the third terminal device according to the first information, where different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Receiving fourth information sent by the third terminal device, where the fourth information is used for requesting to discover the second terminal device; According to the fourth information, sending the second information to the second terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The fourth information includes at least one of the following: User information identifier of the second terminal device; User information identifier of the third terminal device; Relay service code RSC; First information type.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving fifth information sent by the third terminal device, where the fifth information is used for requesting to establish a direct communication link with the first terminal device; Establishing a direct communication link with the third terminal device according to the fifth information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fifth information is a direct communication request DCR.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Establishing a first association relationship, where the first association relationship includes the corresponding relationship between different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and the identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information includes at least one of the following: user information identifier, layer 2 identifier.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The method further includes: According to a first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship, determining a first destination layer 2 identifier, where the first source layer 2 identifier is a source layer 2 identifier assigned by the first terminal device for sending sixth information, and the sixth information is used for requesting to establish a direct communication link with the second terminal device; Based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier, sending the sixth information to the second terminal device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The sixth information is DCR.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Establishing a second association relationship, where the second association relationship includes the corresponding relationship between different second source layer 2 identifiers and third source layer 2 identifiers, the second source layer 2 identifier is the source layer 2 identifier among the plurality of source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device for sending the second information, and the third source layer 2 identifier is the source layer 2 identifier among the plurality of source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device for sending the third information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: User information identifier of the second terminal device; User information identifier of the third terminal device; Relay service code RSC; Second information type.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: User information identifier of the first terminal device; User information identifier of the third terminal device; Relay service code RSC; Third information type.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The third information includes at least one of the following: User information identifier of the first terminal device; User information identifier of the second terminal device; Relay service code RSC; Fourth information type.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, Executed by a second terminal device, the method includes: Send the first information to the first terminal device according to the second information, where the second information is used for the third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal device, and the first information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send the third information to the third terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device. Different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the sixth information sent by the first terminal device based on the first source layer 2 identifier and the first destination layer 2 identifier. The sixth information is used to request to establish a direct communication link with the second terminal device. The first source layer 2 identifier is the source layer 2 identifier allocated by the first terminal device for sending the sixth information, and the first destination layer 2 identifier is determined according to the first source layer 2 identifier and the first association relationship. Establish a direct communication link with the first terminal device according to the sixth information.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The first association relationship includes the correspondence between different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device and the identification information of the second terminal device. The identification information includes at least one of the following: user information identifier, layer 2 identifier.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The sixth information is a direct communication request DCR.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 - 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the second information sent by the first terminal device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13-17, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following: The user information identifier of the second terminal device; The user information identifier of the third terminal device; Relay service code RSC; Second information type.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13-18, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: The user information identifier of the first terminal device; The user information identifier of the third terminal device; Relay service code RSC; Third information type.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14-20, characterized in that, The third information includes at least one of the following: The user information identifier of the first terminal device; The user information identifier of the second terminal device; Relay service code RSC; Fourth information type.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, Executed by the third terminal device, the method includes: Receive the third information sent by the first terminal device. The third information is sent by the first terminal device based on multiple source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device according to the first information sent by the second terminal device. The first information is the response information sent by the second terminal device according to the received second information. The second information is used for the third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal device. Different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The method further includes: Send the fifth information to the first terminal device. The fifth information is used to request to establish a direct communication link with the first terminal device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The fifth information is a direct communication request DCR.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21-23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the fourth information to the first terminal device. The fourth information is used to request to discover the second terminal device. The fourth information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send the second information to the second terminal device.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein The fourth information includes at least one of the following: The user information identifier of the second terminal device; The user information identifier of the third terminal device; Relay service code RSC; First information type.

26. The method according to any one of claims 21-25, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: The user information identifier of the second terminal device; The user information identifier of the third terminal device; The relay service code RSC; The second information type.

27. The method according to any one of claims 21-26, characterized in that The second information includes at least one of the following: The user information identifier of the first terminal device; The user information identifier of the third terminal device; The relay service code RSC; The third information type.

28. The method according to any one of claims 21-27, characterized in that, The third information includes at least one of the following: The user information identifier of the first terminal device; The user information identifier of the second terminal device; The relay service code RSC; The fourth information type.

29. A first terminal device, characterized in that, Comprising: A transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a plurality of second terminal devices, where the first information is response information sent by the second terminal devices according to received second information, and the second information is used for a third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal devices; The transceiver module is further configured to, based on a plurality of source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, send third information to the third terminal device according to the first information, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

30. A second terminal device, characterized in that, Comprising: A transceiver module, configured to send first information to a first terminal device according to second information, where the second information is used for a third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal devices, and the first information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send third information to the third terminal device based on a plurality of source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

31. A third terminal device, characterized in that, Comprising: A transceiver module, configured to receive third information sent by a first terminal device, where the third information is sent by the first terminal device based on a plurality of source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device according to first information sent by a second terminal device, the first information is response information sent by the second terminal device according to received second information, the second information is used for the third terminal device to request to discover the second terminal devices, and different source layer 2 identifiers of the first terminal device correspond to different first information.

32. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising: One or more processors; Wherein, the communication device is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or claims 13 to 20 or claims 21 to 28.

33. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a third terminal device, wherein the first terminal device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the second terminal device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, and the third terminal device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 28.

34. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction runs on the communication device, it causes the communication device to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or claims 13 to 20 or claims 21 to 28.

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