Method, apparatus and computer program product for wireless communication

Abstract

A wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a relay wireless communication terminal, configuration information from a wireless communication node for communication between the wireless communication node and an Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication terminal; and relaying, by the relay wireless communication terminal, IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information.

Description

[0001] This document relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to fifth generation (5G) or sixth generation (6G) communications.

[0002] In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT), based on narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) technologies, has been widely deployed or tested in various applications, including smart grids, smart parking, smart transportation and logistics, and smart energy management systems. These applications span multiple vertical sectors, including smart cities and smart homes. This has rapidly driven the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries. For example, smart parking systems can meet the deep coverage requirements of underground scenarios and, based on a variety of sensor types, enable various functions such as parking space search, parking lot monitoring, and area information display. In smart grid systems, functions such as smart meter reading and automatic fault reporting can be implemented. IoT systems based on eMTC technology can implement vehicle and item tracking and are applicable to the transportation and logistics industries, shared bicycles, and other industries.

[0003] The large-scale application of IoT technology will drive more diversified market and technological demands, and new IoT applications will continue to emerge. It is foreseeable that more sensors, IoT devices, or other types of modules will penetrate various traditional and emerging industries, such as agriculture, industry, environmental protection, urban management, and human health. For example, in a smart library, all books may be equipped with electronic tags, and their movement throughout the library can be fully tracked through real-time book search, location, and quantity or status statistics. The warehousing and logistics industries may already be highly automated, where administrators can use tags based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to record, query, and track electronic items. However, the workload remains enormous, as specialized equipment is required to read each tag individually. People are looking forward to more intelligent operations. Due to economic constraints, traditional agriculture may not yet modernize as expected, but it will become more modern and intelligent in the future. Various sensors can be used to monitor crop growing conditions (such as soil, moisture, light, fertility, pests and diseases, etc.) and crop growth in real time. The monitoring data can be used to drive small controllers to adjust growing conditions in real time and respond to disasters in a timely manner. Some potential applications may involve advanced wearable devices or medical equipment, including patches that can be attached to teeth to monitor oral health or diet, and microrobots that can enter blood vessels to treat diseases. Overall, these applications will have significantly different requirements from existing IoT applications. For example, the number of such devices will be enormous, and many will be very small, requiring extremely simple hardware structures and even being unable to integrate batteries. Furthermore, even if these devices can integrate batteries, it may be difficult to ensure long-term battery life due to the diversity of business models. However, due to the large number of these devices, charging or replacing their batteries will become very difficult, requiring a lot of human and material resources, and may even be impossible.

[0004] This document relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for IoT relay communications.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: receiving, by a relay wireless communication terminal, configuration information for communication between a wireless communication node and an IoT wireless communication terminal; and relaying, by the relay wireless communication terminal, IoT information for communication between (or through) the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal based on the configuration information.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: transmitting, by a wireless communication node, configuration information for communication between the relay wireless communication terminal and an IoT wireless communication terminal to a relay wireless communication terminal, so as to allow the relay wireless communication terminal to relay IoT information for communication between (or through) the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: an Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication terminal, based on configuration information provided by a wireless communication node, performing communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal via a relay wireless communication terminal.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication terminal. In one embodiment, the wireless communication terminal includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured to: receive, via the communication unit, configuration information from a wireless communication node for communication between the wireless communication node and an IoT wireless communication terminal; and relay, via the communication unit, IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal based on the configuration information.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication node. In one embodiment, the wireless communication node includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured to transmit, via the communication unit, configuration information for communication between the relay wireless communication terminal and an IoT wireless communication terminal to a relay wireless communication terminal, thereby allowing the relay wireless communication terminal to relay IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal based on the configuration information.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication terminal. In one embodiment, the wireless communication terminal includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured to: perform communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal via the relay wireless communication terminal, based on configuration information provided by the wireless communication node, via the communication unit.

[0011] Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features.

[0012] Preferably, the configuration information includes at least one of the following items.

[0013] frequency information, the frequency information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information;

[0014] Bandwidth information, the bandwidth information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information;

[0015] an enable indication, the enable indication being used to indicate whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0016] a time resource, the time resource being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information;

[0017] Public configuration of IoT Uu interface;

[0018] Common configuration of IoT layer B entities;

[0019] the required feedback format; or

[0020] A common configuration of at least one of the following: a data radio bearer (DRB), a signalling radio bearer (SRB), a radio bearer (RB), or a radio link control (RLC) channel.

[0021] Preferably, the common configuration of the IoT Uu interface includes at least one of the following items:

[0022] Common configuration of IoT layer 1 entities;

[0023] Public configuration of IoT layer 2 entities; or

[0024] Common configuration for IoT layer 3 entities.

[0025] Preferably, the configuration information complies with at least one of the following items:

[0026] The common configuration of the DRB includes at least one of the following items: Uu physical layer PHY configuration, Uu media access control MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration, Uu service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration, or DRB identifier;

[0027] The public configuration of the SRB includes at least one of the following items: Uu physical layer PHY configuration, Uu media access control MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration, Uu radio resource control RRC configuration, or SRB identifier;

[0028] The common configuration of the RB includes at least one of the following items: Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu PDCP configuration, or RB identity; or

[0029] The common configuration of the RLC channel includes at least one of the following items: Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, UuRLC configuration, or RLC channel identifier.

[0030] Preferably, the configuration information includes at least one of the following items:

[0031] Dedicated frequency information, the dedicated frequency information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information;

[0032] Dedicated bandwidth information, the dedicated bandwidth information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information;

[0033] an enable indication, the enable indication being used to indicate whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0034] dedicated time resources, the dedicated time resources being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information;

[0035] An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface;

[0036] Instructions to release, establish or modify the dedicated configuration of IoT Layer B entities;

[0037] the required feedback format; or

[0038] A dedicated configuration for relaying data packets from the relay wireless communication terminal to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0039] Preferably, the one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface include at least one of the following:

[0040] Dedicated configuration for IoT layer 1 entities;

[0041] Dedicated configuration of IoT layer 2 entities; or

[0042] Dedicated configuration for IoT layer 3 entities.

[0043] Preferably, the dedicated configuration for relaying the data packet includes at least one of the following:

[0044] an indication to release, establish, or modify one or more dedicated configurations of a DRB;

[0045] An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an RB;

[0046] An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an SRB;

[0047] an indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an RLC channel;

[0048] an indication of a relay function; or

[0049] The mapping relationship between DRB, SRB, RB or RLC channel and IoT layer 1 entity, IoT layer 2 entity or IoT layer 3 entity.

[0050] Preferably, the relay wireless communication terminal transmits the capability of the relay function of the IoT wireless communication terminal to the network node.

[0051] Preferably, the capability includes at least one of the following:

[0052] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0053] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0054] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports powering the IoT wireless communication terminal; or

[0055] An indication indicating a relay architecture supported by the relay wireless communication terminal.

[0056] Preferably, the relay wireless communication terminal receives an IoT relay service authorization from a network node, where the IoT relay service authorization is used for a relay function of the IoT wireless communication terminal, wherein the IoT relay service authorization includes at least one of the following items:

[0057] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support relaying the IoT information for the IoT relay wireless communication terminal;

[0058] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0059] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support power supply for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0060] an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized for a relay architecture supported by the relay wireless communication terminal;

[0061] IoT relay aggregation maximum bit rate AMBR, the IoT AMBR is used by the wireless communication node to perform resource management on the relay wireless communication terminal relaying the IoT information in a network scheduling mode; or

[0062] For IoT relay communication, the IoT relay QoS parameters are used by the wireless communication node to perform resource management on the relay wireless communication terminal relaying the IoT information in a network scheduling mode.

[0063] Preferably, the relay wireless communication terminal receives indication information from the wireless communication node, and reports the auxiliary information to the wireless communication node based on the indication information.

[0064] Preferably, the indication information includes at least one of the following items:

[0065] an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0066] an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in taking inventory of the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0067] an indication that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in providing power to the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0068] an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can request or release information for relaying transmission resources indicated by the IoT, and that the relay wireless communication terminal can report information used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0069] an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report information for requesting or releasing power supply to the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0070] Instructing the relay wireless communication terminal to report an instruction for requesting or releasing an instruction to perform an inventory on the IoT wireless communication terminal; or

[0071] An indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal is capable of reporting information of quality of service QoS parameters and one or more QoS profiles, wherein the QoS parameters and the one or more QoS profiles are related to relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0072] Preferably, the relay wireless communication terminal transmits auxiliary information to the wireless communication node.

[0073] Preferably, the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following items:

[0074] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0075] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in taking inventory of the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0076] an indication of whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in providing power to the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0077] Information requesting or releasing transmission resources for relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0078] Information requesting or releasing power supply for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0079] Requesting or releasing an instruction to perform an inventory on the IoT wireless communication terminal; or

[0080] Information of quality of service (QoS) parameters and one or more QoS profiles, the QoS parameters and the one or more QoS profiles being related to relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0081] Preferably, the relay wireless communication terminal receives a message from the wireless communication node, and the message is used for at least one of the following items: waking up the IoT wireless communication terminal or triggering an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0082] Preferably, the message includes at least one of the following:

[0083] An indication of enabling a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0084] Time information of a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0085] Configuration of a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0086] Information on the inventory process of the IoT wireless communication terminal; or

[0087] Competition resolution information.

[0088] Preferably, the relay wireless communication terminal receives a trigger signal from the wireless communication node and supplies power to the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the trigger signal.

[0089] Preferably, the trigger signal includes at least one of the following items:

[0090] an indication of enabling or disabling an energy signal for supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0091] The physical configuration of the energy signal that supplies energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0092] The power level of the energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0093] The signal type of the energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; or

[0094] Time information of an energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0095] Preferably, the relay wireless communication terminal receives identification information from the wireless communication node, and relays the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the identification information.

[0096] Preferably, the identification information includes at least one of the following items:

[0097] an identifier of the relay wireless communication terminal;

[0098] The identifier of the IoT wireless communication terminal; or

[0099] A range of multiple candidate identifiers to allow the relay wireless communication terminal to assign one of the multiple candidate identifiers to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0100] Preferably, the wireless communication forwards the relay function capability of the IoT wireless communication terminal from the relay wireless communication terminal to the network node.

[0101] Preferably, the relay wireless communication forwards the IoT relay service authorization from the network node to the relay wireless communication terminal, wherein the IoT relay service authorization is used for the relay function of the IoT wireless communication terminal, wherein the IoT relay service authorization includes at least one of the following items:

[0102] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support relaying the IoT information for the IoT relay wireless communication terminal;

[0103] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0104] an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support power supply for the IoT wireless communication terminal;

[0105] an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized for a relay architecture supported by the relay wireless communication terminal;

[0106] IoT relay aggregation maximum bit rate AMBR, the IoT AMBR is used by the wireless communication node to perform resource management on the relay wireless communication terminal relaying the IoT information in a network scheduling mode; or

[0107] For IoT relay communication, the IoT relay QoS parameters are used by the wireless communication node to perform resource management on the relay wireless communication terminal relaying the IoT information in a network scheduling mode.

[0108] Preferably, the IoT wireless communication terminal is awakened by the relay wireless communication terminal or triggers an inventory process.

[0109] Preferably, the IoT wireless communication terminal receives energy provided by the relay wireless communication terminal.

[0110] Preferably, the IoT wireless communication terminal performs communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal based on at least one of the following items received from the relay wireless communication terminal: an identifier of the relay wireless communication terminal or an identifier of the IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0111] The present disclosure relates to a computer program product, which includes a computer-readable program medium. Code is stored on the computer-readable program medium. When the code is executed by a processor, the processor is prompted to implement any one of the wireless communication methods described above.

[0112] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are intended to provide features that will become apparent with reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. According to various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that these embodiments are provided by way of example only and not limitation, and that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art who have read this disclosure that various modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.

[0113] Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. In addition, the specific order and / or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein are merely exemplary. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps of the disclosed methods or processes can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or actions in an example order, and unless otherwise expressly stated, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0114] The above-described aspects and other aspects and implementations thereof are described in more detail in the drawings, the description and the claims.

[0115] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of IoT relay communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0116] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of IoT relay communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0117] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of IoT relay communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0118] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of IoT relay communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0119] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of IoT relay communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0120] Figure 6 An example of a schematic diagram of a wireless communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0121] Figure 7 An example of a schematic diagram of a wireless communication node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0122] Figures 8 to 10 A flowchart of a wireless communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0123] In some cases, large-scale deployment of IoT may be limited by sensor energy consumption, deployment, and maintenance costs. Wireless powered communication networks (WPCN), also known as passive IoT, may offer a breakthrough in addressing these IoT application scenarios. Figure 1 A wireless power supply communication network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0124] like Figure 1As shown in the figure, the data processing platform is responsible for managing, operating, and maintaining tag data. The core network is responsible for transmitting data from the data processing platform to the base station, and vice versa. The base station can be responsible for operating the tag and sending data from the core network to the tag, and vice versa. In scenarios with a relay, the relay can be responsible for converting base station commands into commands that the tag can understand and sending these commands to the tag.

[0125] In some embodiments, an IoT UE (user equipment) (e.g., an Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) UE) has low power consumption and a simple protocol stack. The network supporting the UE's access services also has a simple protocol stack. This type of network architecture is referred to as a network architecture with a simple stack.

[0126] In some embodiments, the IoT Uu interface is between the IoT UE and a node (such as a gNB or base station (BS)). Figure 2 In the document, the Uu layer 1 (Layer 1) entity and the Uu layer 2 (Layer 2) entity are located between the IoT UE and the node. The layer A (Layer A) entity is located between the UE and the network function (network node) of the core network (such as AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function)). (One or more) NG (next generation) stacks are located between the node and the network function (such as AMF) of the core network. The term "entity" used in this document refers to an entity or function that performs (one or more) specific protocols or operations, which can be implemented by a hardware platform and / or program code.

[0127] exist Figure 3 In [1], the Uu Layer 1 entity, Uu Layer 2 entity, and Uu Layer 3 entity are located between the IoT UE and the node. The Layer A entity is located between the IoT UE and the core network function (such as AMF). The NG stack(s) are located between the node and the core network function (such as AMF).

[0128] In some embodiments, the functionality of the Uu layer 1 entity includes at least one of: modulation and demodulation, channel coding and decoding, signal generation, physical layer procedures, or physical layer measurements.

[0129] In some embodiments, the functions of the Uu layer 2 entity include at least one of the following: data transfer, conflict resolution, assembly, disassembly, radio resource selection, encryption, decryption, control process, or message generation.

[0130] In some embodiments, the functionality of the Uu layer 3 entity includes at least one of the following: encryption, decryption, or control process, message generation.

[0131] In some embodiments, the functionality of the layer A entity includes at least one of: encryption, decryption, control process, or message generation.

[0132] In some embodiments, the power of IoT UE may be limited, so that the communication distance of IoT UE is limited. In order to increase the communication distance, a relay UE (such as NR (new radio) UE) can be used to relay the data of IoT UE to the node and / or core network (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ).

[0133] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the interface between the IoT UE and the relay UE may be referred to as the IoT Uu interface, the interface between the node and the relay UE may be referred to as the Uu interface, and the interface between the node and the core network may be referred to as the NG interface.

[0134] In some embodiments, the functionality of the IoT Uu Layer 1 entity (also referred to as IoT Uu Layer 1, IoT Layer 1, or Layer 1) includes at least one of: modulation and demodulation, channel coding and decoding, signal generation, physical layer procedures, or physical layer measurements.

[0135] In some embodiments, the functionality of the IoT Uu Layer 2 entity (also referred to as IoT Uu Layer 2, IoT Layer 2, or Layer 2) includes at least one of: data transmission, conflict resolution, assembly, disassembly, radio resource selection, encryption, decryption, control process, or message generation.

[0136] In some embodiments, the functionality of the IoT Uu Layer 3 entity (also referred to as IoT Uu Layer 3, IoT Layer 3 or Layer 3) includes at least one of the following: encryption, decryption or control process, message generation.

[0137] In some embodiments, data transmitted between the IoT UE and the core network may be referred to as a CN (core network) PDU (Protocol Data Unit).

[0138] In some embodiments, data transmitted between an IoT layer 1 entity and an IoT layer 2 entity in a relay UE or IoT UE may be referred to as a layer 2 PDU.

[0139] In some embodiments, data transmitted between the IoT layer 2 part 1 entity and the IoT layer 2 part 2 entity in the relay UE or IoT UE may be referred to as a layer 2 sub-PDU.

[0140] In some embodiments, data transmitted between an IoT layer 2 entity and an IoT layer 3 entity in a relay UE or IoT UE may be referred to as a layer 3 PDU.

[0141] In the following paragraphs, details and many aspects will be described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the following paragraphs.

[0142] Aspect 1 (public configuration):

[0143] In some embodiments, to support communication between a relay UE and an IoT UE, a node may broadcast certain information via a System Information Block (SIB). This SIB may be a special SIB used for communication between a relay UE and an IoT UE. In some embodiments, if the node supports this communication, the node may broadcast this SIB. In some embodiments, this SIB may be an on-demand SIB. If the relay UE requires information about the IoT, the relay UE may trigger an SI (System Information) request procedure to obtain this SIB.

[0144] In some embodiments, the information in the SIB may include at least one of the following:

[0145] A frequency used for communication between the relay UE and the IoT UE; in some embodiments, the relay UE and the IoT UE may use this frequency to communicate with each other;

[0146] Bandwidth used to relay communications between UEs and IoT UEs;

[0147] an indication indicating whether communication between the relay UE and the IoT UE is supported;

[0148] Time resources for relaying communications between the UE and the IoT UE, for example, the time resources include at least one of the following: an activation duration, a period, or a start time, and the time resources may determine an available time for relaying communications between the UE and the IoT UE;

[0149] Common configuration of the IoT Uu interface, including one or more of the following:

[0150] a) a common configuration of an IoT layer 1 entity (e.g., an IoT Uu layer 1 entity), which the relay UE and the IoT UE may apply, and which may include at least one of the following: modulation or rate;

[0151] b) a common configuration of an IoT layer 2 entity (e.g., an IoT Uu layer 2 entity), which the relay UE and the IoT UE may apply, and which may include at least one of the following: the size of the PDU, the content of the PDU, or an algorithm for contention resolution; and / or

[0152] c) a common configuration of an IoT layer 3 entity (e.g., an IoT Uu layer 3 entity), which the relay UE and the IoT UE may apply, and which may include at least one of the following: a size of a PDU or an encryption algorithm;

[0153] A common configuration of the IoT layer B entity, the relay UE may apply the configuration of the IoT layer B entity, and the configuration may include at least one of the following items: the size of the PDU or the size of the header;

[0154] Required feedback format, where if the IoT UE feeds back a PDU to the relay UE, the format of the feedback may follow the required feedback format, and the required feedback format may include at least one of the following: the content of the feedback, the size of the feedback, or encrypted information; or

[0155] The common configuration of a DRB (Data Radio Bearer), SRB (Signaling Radio Bearer), RB (Radio Bearer), or RLC (Radio Link Control) channel includes at least one of the following:

[0156] a) Public configuration of the DRB, including at least one of the following: DRB identifier, Uu PHY (physical layer) configuration, Uu MAC (Medium Access Control) configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) configuration, or Uu SDAP (Service Data Adaption Protocol) configuration;

[0157] b) RB common configuration, including at least one of the following: RB identity, Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, or Uu PDCP configuration; or

[0158] c) Common configuration of the RLC channel, including at least one of the following: RLC channel identification, Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, or Uu RLC configuration; or

[0159] d) Common configuration of SRB, including at least one of the following items: SRB identifier, Uu PHY (physical layer) configuration, Uu MAC (media access control) configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu PDCP (packet data convergence protocol) configuration, or UuRRC (radio resource control) configuration.

[0160] In some embodiments, the relay UE receives the above information via the SIB. In some embodiments, when the relay UE communicates with the IoT UE, the relay UE may apply at least one of the above configurations.

[0161] Aspect 2 (dedicated configuration):

[0162] In some embodiments, to support communication between the relay UE and the IoT UE, the node may configure information to the relay UE. In one embodiment, the information may be transmitted via an RRC (Radio Resource Control) message, and the RRC message may be an RRC reconfiguration or other message.

[0163] In some embodiments, the information may include at least one of the following:

[0164] A dedicated frequency for communication between the relay UE and the IoT UE; in some embodiments, the relay UE and the IoT UE may use this frequency to communicate with each other;

[0165] Dedicated bandwidth for relaying communications between UEs and IoT UEs;

[0166] An enabling indication for the relay UE, which is used to indicate whether communication between the relay UE and the IoT UE is supported;

[0167] Dedicated time resources for relaying communications between the UE and the IoT UE, for example, the time resources include at least one of the following: an activation duration, a period, or a start time, and the time resources may determine the available time for relaying communications between the UE and the IoT UE;

[0168] The release, establishment or modification of one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface, including one or more of the following:

[0169] a) a dedicated configuration of an IoT layer 1 entity (e.g., an IoT Uu layer 1 entity), which the relay UE and the IoT UE may apply, and which may include at least one of the following: modulation or rate;

[0170] b) a dedicated configuration of an IoT layer 2 entity (e.g., an IoT Uu layer 2 entity), which the relay UE and the IoT UE may apply, and which may include at least one of the following: the size of the PDU, the content of the PDU, or an algorithm for contention resolution; and / or

[0171] c) a dedicated configuration of an IoT layer 3 entity (e.g., an IoT Uu layer 3 entity), which the relay UE and the IoT UE may apply, and which may include at least one of the following: a size of a PDU, or an encryption algorithm;

[0172] For the release or establishment or modification of a dedicated configuration of an IoT Layer B entity, the relay UE may apply the configuration of the IoT Layer B entity, which may include at least one of the following: the size of the PDU or the size of the header;

[0173] Required feedback format, where if the IoT UE feeds back a PDU to the relay UE, the format of the feedback may follow the required feedback format, and the required feedback format may include at least one of the following: content of the feedback, size of the feedback, or encrypted information; or

[0174] A dedicated configuration for relaying data packets from IoT UEs to a node, including at least one of the following:

[0175] a) Release, establishment, or modification of one or more dedicated configurations of a DRB, including one or more of the following: DRB identification, Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu PDCP configuration, and optional configuration of Uu SDAP;

[0176] b) Release, establishment or modification of one or more dedicated configurations of an RB, including one or more of the following: RB identity, Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, and Uu PDCP configuration;

[0177] c) Release, establishment or modification of one or more dedicated configurations of SRB (Signaling Radio Bearer), including one or more of the following: SRB identification, Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu RRC configuration;

[0178] d) release, establishment or modification of one or more dedicated configurations of an RLC channel, including one or more of the following: identification of the RLC channel, configuration of the Uu PHY, configuration of the MAC, and configuration of the RLC;

[0179] e) indication of relay function;

[0180] f) Mapping relationship between DRB, SRB, RB or RLC channel and IoT Layer 1, IoT Layer 2 or IoT Layer 3 (e.g., IoT Uu Layer 1, IoT Uu Layer 2 or IoT Uu Layer 3 entity or function).

[0181] In some embodiments, the relay UE receives the above information through an RRC message and applies at least one of the above configurations.

[0182] Aspect 3 (Layer B):

[0183] In some embodiments, in uplink (UL) transmission, the relay UE relays data packets from the IoT UE to the node and / or core network. In some embodiments, the relay UE can transmit data packets received by the IoT Uu Layer 1, IoT Uu Layer 2, or IoT Uu Layer 3 entity or function to a DRB, SRB, RB, or RLC channel in the Uu interface. In downlink (DL), the relay UE can transmit data packets received from Uu SDAP, RRC, PDCP, or RLC to the IoT Uu Layer 1, IoT Uu Layer 2, or IoT Uu Layer 3 entity or function. In some embodiments, a Layer B entity is used to map data packets from the IoT Uu interface to the Uu interface.

[0184] In some embodiments, a relay UE can relay packets from multiple IoT UEs to a node and / or core network. To conserve radio resources in the Uu interface, a DRB, SRB, RB, or RLC channel can handle packets from multiple IoT UEs. In some embodiments, a Layer B entity can map packets from multiple IoT UEs to DRBs, SRBs, RBs, or RLC channels in UL transmission, and map packets from SRBs, DRBs, RBs, or RLC channels to multiple IoT UEs.

[0185] In some embodiments, for a relay UE, a DRB, SRB, RB, or RLC channel is configured to transport data packets from one or more IoT UEs. In the uplink, if the relay UE receives an UL signal from an IoT UE and recovers a Layer X PDU (e.g., a Layer 2 PDU, a Layer 2 sub-PDU, or a Layer 3 PDU), it can deliver the Layer X PDU to the Uu SDAP of the corresponding DRB, or the Uu RRC of the corresponding SRB, or the Uu PDCP of the corresponding RB, or the Uu RLC of the corresponding RLC channel via the Layer B entity. In the downlink, if the relay UE receives a data packet from a configured DRB, SRB, RB, or RLC channel and recovers a Layer X PDU retrieved from a Uu SDAP, RRC, PDCP, or RLC PDU, it can deliver the Layer X PDU to the corresponding IoT Uu Layer 1, IoT Uu Layer 2, or IoT Uu Layer 3 via the Layer B entity.

[0186] In some embodiments, a node is configured with a DRB, SRB, RB, or RLC channel to transmit data packets from one or more IoT UEs. In the uplink, if the node receives an UL signal for a data packet from a configured DRB, SRB, RB, or RLC channel and recovers a Layer X PDU retrieved from a Uu SDAP, RRC, PDCP, or RLC PDU, the node may deliver the Layer X PDU to an IoT Uu Layer 2 or IoT Uu Layer 3 via a Layer B entity. In the downlink, if the node receives a data packet from an IoT UE in the core network and recovers the Layer X PDU, the node may deliver the Layer X PDU to an IoT Uu Layer 1, IoT Uu Layer 2, or IoT Uu Layer 3 via Layer B.

[0187] In some embodiments, if a DRB, SRB, RB, or RLC channel is configured to transmit data packets from multiple IoT UEs, the node and relay UE can distinguish IoT UEs and transmit data packets to the corresponding IoT UEs. To distinguish IoT UEs, information about the IoT UE can be added to the Layer X PDU via Layer B, and the information about the IoT UE can be an IoT UE identifier. In the uplink, the relay UE can add a header (e.g., a Layer B header) carrying the IoT UE identifier to the Layer X PDU via Layer B, and the node can parse and remove the header via Layer B to obtain the IoT UE identifier. In the downlink, the node can add a header carrying the IoT UE identifier to the Layer X PDU via Layer B, and the relay UE can parse and remove the header via Layer B to obtain the IoT UE identifier.

[0188] In some embodiments, Layer B may support at least one of the following functions:

[0189] - data transmission;

[0190] - Mapping between data packets from IoT UE and DRBs or RBs or RLC channels;

[0191] - adding a header carrying information about the IoT UE to a Layer X (e.g. IoT Uu Layer 1 or IoT Uu Layer 2 or IoT Uu Layer 3 from an IoT UE) PDU of that IoT UE; or

[0192] - Parse and remove the header of the Layer X PDU of the IoT UE that carries information about the IoT UE.

[0193] Aspect 4 (Authorization):

[0194] In some embodiments, the relay UE may indicate capabilities related to the relaying function (also referred to as the relay function) for the IoT UE among the UE capabilities, and report the capabilities related to the relay function to the node and / or the core network, so that the node and / or the core network can confirm the capabilities related to the relay function of the relay UE. In some embodiments, the relay function may indicate relay information for the connection between the IoT UE and the node.

[0195] In some embodiments, the UE capability may include capabilities related to a relay function for an IoT UE. In some embodiments, the capabilities related to the relay function may include at least one of the following:

[0196] Whether the UE supports the relay function for IoT UE;

[0197] Whether the relay UE supports the inventory process for IoT UEs; for example, the relay UE may support triggering and controlling the inventory process for IoT UEs;

[0198] Whether the relay UE supports energy supply; for example, the relay UE may support transmitting energy signals to the IoT UE; or

[0199] Which relay architecture the relay UE supports; for example, the relay UE may support layer 2 relay architecture (e.g., IoT UE has IoT Uu layer 1 and IoT Uu layer 2) and / or layer 3 relay architecture (e.g., IoT UE has IoT Uu layer 1, IoT Uu layer 2, and IoT Uu layer 3).

[0200] In some embodiments, the relay UE may be authorized by the core network to perform the IoT relay service. In some embodiments, the IoT relay service may indicate the IoT relay function. During a NAS (Non-access stratum) procedure (such as a registration procedure), the relay UE may report its capabilities related to the relay function for the IoT UE to the core network, and the core network may determine whether to authorize the relay UE to perform the IoT relay service based on the relay UE's capabilities related to the relay function.

[0201] In some embodiments, the IoT relay service authorization may be included in the subscription data received from the Unified Data Management (UDM). The IoT relay AMBR (Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate) is also provided to the AMF as part of the subscription data for the IoT relay service. The AMF may store the authorized IoT relay capabilities (e.g., capabilities related to the relay function of the relay UE that is authorized to perform the IoT relay service).

[0202] In some embodiments, the IoT relay service authorization may include at least one of the following:

[0203] An indication indicating whether the relay UE is authorized to support the relay function for the IoT UE;

[0204] an indication indicating whether the relay UE is authorized to support the inventory procedure for IoT UEs;

[0205] An indication indicating whether the relay UE is authorized to support power provisioning for the IoT UE;

[0206] an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support a relay architecture supported by the relay wireless communication terminal;

[0207] IoT Relay AMBR (Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate), used by the node to manage resources for IoT transmissions of relay UEs for IoT relay services in network scheduling mode; or

[0208] The IoT relay QoS (quality of service) parameters of the IoT relay function are used by nodes to manage resources of the IoT relay service in the network scheduling mode.

[0209] In some embodiments, the AMF sends the authorized IoT relay capabilities to the PCF (Policy Control Function). Based on the IoT relay capabilities received from the AMF, the PCF provides the AMF with IoT relay QoS (Quality of Service) parameters for the IoT relay service. The AMF stores such information (e.g., authorized IoT relay capabilities and / or IoT relay QoS parameters for the IoT relay service) as part of the UE context.

[0210] In some embodiments, if the relay UE is authorized to perform the IoT relay service, the AMF may carry the IoT relay authorization information sent to the node in the NGAP (Next Generation Application Protocol) message. The IoT relay authorization information may include one or more of the following items:

[0211] -Whether the UE supports the relay function for IoT UE;

[0212] -Whether the relay UE supports the inventory process; for example, the relay UE may support triggering and controlling the inventory process;

[0213] -Whether the relay UE supports energy supply; for example, the relay UE may support transmitting energy signals to the IoT UE;

[0214] -Which relay architecture the relay UE supports; for example, the relay UE may support layer 2 or layer 3 relay architecture;

[0215] - IoT relay AMBR, which can be used by the node to manage resources for relaying UE's IoT transmission for IoT relay service in network scheduling mode; or

[0216] -IoT relay QoS parameters for IoT relays, which are used by nodes to manage resources for IoT relay services in network scheduling mode.

[0217] Aspect 5 (UE information):

[0218] In some embodiments, a node may trigger a relay UE to report UE information.

[0219] In some embodiments, the node may send a message (e.g., an RRC message) to the relay UE, and the message may include a UE information request, an RRC reconfiguration, or other message. The message (e.g., indication information) may include one or more of the following:

[0220] An indication that a relay UE may report whether it is interested or no longer interested in receiving or transmitting IoT relay communications;

[0221] The relay UE may report an indication of whether it is interested or no longer interested in conducting an inventory process (e.g., triggering and controlling the inventory process);

[0222] The relay UE may report an indication of whether it is interested or no longer interested in providing power to the IoT UE;

[0223] The relay UE may report an indication of whether it may request allocation or release of transmission resources for IoT relay communications; for example, information relating to requesting allocation or release of frequencies for IoT relay communications;

[0224] The relay UE may report an indication of whether it can request or release (or stop) powering the IoT UE;

[0225] The relay UE may report whether it can request or release (or stop) an indication of taking inventory of the IoT UE; or

[0226] The relay UE may report an indication of reporting information related to QoS parameters related to IoT relay communication (eg, QoS parameters for IoT relay communication) and QoS profile(s).

[0227] In some embodiments, the relay UE may send some auxiliary information to the node and help the node trigger IoT relay communication between the relay UE and the IoT UE (e.g., triggering the relaying of IoT data between the IoT UE and the node). In some embodiments, the relay UE capable of IoT relay communication may initiate a process for requesting allocation of a dedicated configuration for IoT relay communication upon successful connection establishment or recovery, upon a change of interest, upon a change of (multiple) QoS profiles, or upon a change to a PCell (primary cell) providing an SIB, wherein the SIB includes public configuration related to the IoT relay.

[0228] In some embodiments, the relay UE may send a message (e.g., an RRC message) to the node, and the message may include UE assistance information, UE information response, or other messages. The message may include one or more of the following:

[0229] An indication that the relay UE is interested or no longer interested in receiving or transmitting IoT relay communications;

[0230] Relaying an indication that the UE is interested or no longer interested in conducting an inventory process (e.g., triggering and controlling the inventory process);

[0231] Relaying an indication that the UE is interested or no longer interested in providing power to the IoT UE;

[0232] Information related to a request to allocate or release transmission resources for IoT relay communications; for example, information related to a request to allocate or release frequencies for IoT relay communications;

[0233] Information related to requesting or releasing (or stopping) power supply to IoT UE;

[0234] An instruction to request or release (or stop) an inventory of the IoT UE; or

[0235] Information related to reporting QoS parameters related to IoT relay communications and QoS profile(s) (e.g., QoS parameters for IoT relay communications).

[0236] Aspect 6 (inventory):

[0237] In some embodiments, a node can trigger a relay UE to wake up or perform an inventory of an IoT UE. When a node determines to trigger IoT relay communication between a relay UE and an IoT UE, the node can send a message to the relay UE. The relay UE receives the message and, accordingly, wakes up the IoT UE or triggers an inventory process for the IoT UE.

[0238] In some embodiments, the message may be an RRC reconfiguration or other RRC message. In some embodiments, the message may carry information including one or more of the following:

[0239] Indication for enabling the wake-up signal;

[0240] Time information related to the wake-up signal, such as start time, period and / or duration;

[0241] Configuration of the wake-up signal, such as modulation and / or rate;

[0242] Information related to inventory, such as identification related to IoT UE;

[0243] Information related to contention resolution, such as contention algorithm, Q (quality) value, and time range for IoT UE feedback; or

[0244] PDU, which can carry information related to inventory and contention resolution.

[0245] Aspect 7 (energy supply):

[0246] In some embodiments, a node can trigger a relay UE to power an IoT UE. When a node determines that an IoT UE needs to be charged, it can select a relay UE and trigger it to power the IoT UE. Upon receiving the trigger signal, the relay UE can transmit an energy signal to the IoT UE, and the IoT UE can charge based on this energy signal.

[0247] In some embodiments, the node may transmit a message including a trigger signal to the relay UE.

[0248] In some embodiments, the message may be an RRC message, such as an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the message may carry some information related to the energy signal.

[0249] In some embodiments, the information may include at least one of the following:

[0250] Trigger signal;

[0251] Indication of enabling energy signal;

[0252] physical configuration, such as modulation, waveform, and / or rate;

[0253] The power level of the power to be transmitted (e.g., the power level of the energy signal);

[0254] The type of energy signal, such as an OOK (On–Off Keying) signal; or

[0255] Time information, such as start time, period and / or duration.

[0256] In some embodiments, when the relay UE receives the message, the relay UE starts transmitting an energy signal according to the message.

[0257] In some embodiments, the trigger signal may be carried in a MAC CE (Medium Access Control Element). A node may configure the energy signal via an RRC message that carries the information described above, and a node may enable or disable transmission of the energy signal via a MAC CE. The MAC CE may carry some information related to the energy signal.

[0258] In some embodiments, the information may include at least one of the following:

[0259] An indication of enabling or disabling the energy signal; if the energy signal is enabled, the relay UE may start transmitting the energy signal; if the energy signal is disabled, the relay UE may stop transmitting the energy signal;

[0260] the power level of the power to be transmitted;

[0261] The type of energy signal, such as an OOK signal; or

[0262] Time information, such as a start time, a period, and / or a duration, wherein the start time may be an offset of a MAC CE transmission opportunity, or an offset of a valid time of a MAC CE.

[0263] In some embodiments, the trigger signal may be carried in DCI (Downlink Control Information). The node may configure the energy signal via an RRC message. The RRC message may carry the information described above, and the node may enable or disable the transmission of the energy signal via DCI. The DCI may carry some information related to the energy signal. In some embodiments, the information may include at least one of the following:

[0264] An indication of enabling or disabling the energy signal; if the energy signal is enabled, the relay UE may start transmitting the energy signal; if the energy signal is disabled, the relay UE may stop transmitting the energy signal;

[0265] the power level of the power to be transmitted;

[0266] The type of energy signal, such as an OOK signal; or

[0267] Time information, such as a start time, a period, and / or a duration, wherein the start time may be an offset of a transmission opportunity of the DCI, or an offset of a valid time of the DCI.

[0268] Aspect 8 (Identification):

[0269] In some embodiments, when a relay UE is communicating with an IoT UE, another IoT UE may be communicating with another relay UE, causing interference to the relay UE. To avoid interference, information may be carried in (multiple) PDUs. This information may include the identities of the relay UE and / or the IoT UE.

[0270] In some embodiments, a node may assign an identifier for a relay UE. The node may indicate the identifier of the relay UE via an RRC message (such as an RRC reconfiguration message). The relay UE may use the identifier when communicating with the IoT UE. The relay UE may include the identifier in a PDU sent to the IoT UE. When the IoT UE communicates with the relay UE, the IoT UE may use the identifier. The IoT UE may include the identifier in a PDU sent to the relay UE.

[0271] In some embodiments, a node may allocate an IoT UE identifier. The node may indicate the IoT UE identifier to a relay UE via an RRC message (such as an RRC reconfiguration message). The relay UE may use the identifier when communicating with the IoT UE. The relay UE may include the identifier in a PDU sent to the IoT UE. When the IoT UE communicates with the relay UE, the IoT UE may use the identifier. The IoT UE may include the identifier in a PDU sent to the relay UE.

[0272] In some embodiments, a node may allocate an identification range for an IoT UE. The node may indicate the identification range of the IoT UE to the relay UE via an RRC message (such as an RRC reconfiguration message). When the relay UE communicates with the IoT UE, the relay UE may allocate the IoT UE's identification within the identification range. The relay UE may carry the identification in a PDU sent to the IoT UE. When the IoT UE communicates with the relay UE, the IoT UE may use the identification. The IoT UE may carry the identification in a PDU sent to the relay UE.

[0273] In the following paragraphs, details and some examples will be described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples.

[0274] Figure 6 The present invention relates to a diagram of a wireless communication terminal 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication terminal 30 may be a tag, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, an e-book, or a portable computer system, but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication terminal 30 may be used to implement the relay UE or IoT UE described in the present disclosure. The wireless communication terminal 30 includes a processor 300 (such as a microprocessor or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), a storage unit 310, and a communication unit 320. The storage unit 310 may be any data storage device that stores program code 312, which is accessed and executed by the processor 300. Examples of storage code 312 include, but are not limited to, a subscriber identity module (SIM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a random-access memory (RAM), a hard disk, and an optical data storage device. The communication unit 320 may be a transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or data packets) based on the processing results of the processor 300. In one embodiment, the communication unit 320 transmits and receives signals via at least one antenna 322.

[0275] In an embodiment, the storage unit 310 and the program code 312 may be omitted, and the processor 300 may include the storage unit with the stored program code.

[0276] The processor 300 may implement any of the steps in the exemplary embodiments on the wireless communication terminal 30 , for example, by executing the program code 312 .

[0277] Alternatively or additionally, the communication unit 320 may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit configured to transmit and receive signals to and from a wireless communication node or another wireless communication terminal 30, respectively.

[0278] In some embodiments, the wireless communication terminal 30 can be used to perform the operations of the relay UE or IoT UE described above. In some embodiments, the processor 300 and the communication unit 320 collaboratively perform the operations described above. For example, the processor 300 performs the operations and transmits or receives signals, messages, and / or information through the communication unit 320.

[0279] Figure 7A diagram of a wireless communication node 40 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The wireless communication node 40 may be, but is not limited to, a satellite, a base station (BS), a gNB, a network entity, a Domain Name System (DNS) server, a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Serving Gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW), a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN), a data network, a core network, a communication node in the core network, or a Radio Network Controller (RNC). Furthermore, the wireless communication node 40 may include (or execute) at least one network function, such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), a User Location Function (UPF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), an Application Function (AF), and the like. The wireless communication node 40 may be used to implement a node, core network, network function (e.g., AMF, PCF, etc.), or network node in a core network as described in this disclosure. The wireless communication node 40 may include a processor 400 (such as a microprocessor or ASIC), a storage unit 410, and a communication unit 420. The storage unit 410 may be any data storage device that stores program code 412, which is accessed and executed by the processor 400. Examples of the storage unit 412 include, but are not limited to, a SIM card, a ROM, a flash memory, a RAM, a hard disk, and an optical data storage device. The communication unit 420 may be a transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or data packets) based on the processing results of the processor 400. In an example, the communication unit 420 transmits and receives signals via at least one antenna 422.

[0280] In one embodiment, storage unit 410 and program code 412 may be omitted. Processor 400 may include a storage unit with stored program code.

[0281] The processor 400 may implement any of the steps described in the exemplary embodiments on the wireless communication node 40 , for example, by executing the program code 412 .

[0282] In some embodiments, the wireless communication node 40 may be used to perform the operations of a node, a core network, a network function (e.g., an AMF, a PCF, etc.), or a network node in a core network described in the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the processor 400 and the communication unit 420 collaboratively perform the above operations. For example, the processor 400 performs operations and transmits or receives signals through the communication unit 420.

[0283] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wireless communication method is also provided. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method can be performed by using a wireless communication terminal (e.g., a relay UE). In one embodiment, the wireless communication terminal can be implemented by using the wireless communication terminal 40 described above, but is not limited thereto.

[0284] Reference Figure 8 In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: receiving, by a relay wireless communication terminal, configuration information for communication between a wireless communication node and an Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication terminal from a wireless communication node; and relaying, by the relay wireless communication terminal, IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information.

[0285] The details in this regard can be determined by referring to the above paragraphs and will not be repeated here.

[0286] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, another wireless communication method is also provided. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method can be performed by using a wireless communication node (e.g., a node). In one embodiment, the wireless communication node can be implemented by using the wireless communication node 50 described above, but is not limited thereto.

[0287] Reference Figure 9 In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: transmitting, by a wireless communication node, configuration information for communication between the relay wireless communication terminal and an Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication terminal to a relay wireless communication terminal, so as to allow the relay wireless communication terminal to relay IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information.

[0288] The details in this regard can be determined by referring to the above paragraphs and will not be repeated here.

[0289] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, another wireless communication method is also provided. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method can be performed by using a wireless communication terminal (e.g., an IoT UE). In one embodiment, the wireless communication terminal can be implemented by using the wireless communication terminal 40 described above, but is not limited thereto.

[0290] Reference Figure 10In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: the Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication terminal performs communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal through relay wireless communication based on configuration information provided by the wireless communication node.

[0291] The details in this regard can be determined by referring to the above paragraphs and will not be repeated here.

[0292] In some embodiments, the IoT information used in the present disclosure may include at least one of the following items: information of the IoT wireless communication terminal, information of the wireless communication node, information on the connection between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal, configuration for the IoT wireless communication terminal, data collected by the IoT wireless communication terminal, or instructions for reading data collected by the IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0293] In some embodiments, the IoT wireless communication terminal used in the present disclosure may represent the aforementioned IoT UE.

[0294] In some embodiments, the relay wireless communication terminal used in the present disclosure may represent the above-mentioned relay UE.

[0295] In some embodiments, the wireless communication node used in the present disclosure may represent the above-mentioned node, BS or gNB.

[0296] In some embodiments, the configuration information used in the present disclosure may represent a public configuration and / or the above-described dedicated configuration.

[0297] In some embodiments, the relay function used in the present disclosure may refer to a relay wireless communication terminal relaying IoT information used for communication between a wireless communication node and an IoT wireless communication terminal.

[0298] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are provided as examples only and are not limiting. Similarly, various diagrams may depict example architectures or configurations, which are provided to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the exemplary features and functions of the present disclosure. However, these technicians should understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, but may also be implemented using various alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more features of an embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to any of the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0299] It should also be understood that any reference to an element herein using designations such as "first," "second," etc., does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, reference to a first element and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner.

[0300] Furthermore, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that any of a variety of different technologies (techniques) may be used to represent information and signals. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols as referenced in the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.

[0301] The skilled person should further understand that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, units, processors, means, circuits, methods and functions described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein may be implemented by electronic hardware (such as digital implementation, analog implementation or a combination of the two), firmware, various forms of programs or design codes containing instructions (for convenience, may be referred to as "software" or "software units" herein), or any combination of these technologies.

[0302] In order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability between hardware, firmware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, units, circuits and steps are generally described from the perspective of their functions. Whether such functions are implemented as hardware, firmware or software or a combination of these technologies depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the entire system. Those skilled in the art can implement the functions in various ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions will not exceed the scope of this disclosure. According to various embodiments, processors, devices, components, circuits, structures, machines, units, etc. can be configured to perform one or more functions described herein. The terms "configured to" or "configured for" used herein with respect to a specified operation or function refer to a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed and / or arranged to perform a specified operation or function.

[0303] In addition, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the various illustrative logic blocks, units, devices, components, and circuits described herein may be implemented within or executed by an integrated circuit (IC), which may include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logic blocks, units, and circuits may also include antennas and / or transceivers for communicating with various components within a network or within a device. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein. These functions, if implemented in software, may be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Therefore, the steps of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein may be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium.

[0304] Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that can transfer a computer program or code from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that is accessible to a computer. For example, but not limited to, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0305] In this document, the term "unit" as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, or any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. In addition, for the purpose of discussion, various units are described as separate units; however, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that two or more units can be combined to form a single unit that performs the associated functions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0306] In addition, memory or other storage devices and communication components may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that, for clarity, the above description describes various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality may be used between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains without detracting from the present disclosure. For example, functions shown as being performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Therefore, references to specific functional units refer only to suitable means for providing the functionality, and do not represent a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

[0307] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of the claims. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: The relay wireless communication terminal receives, from the wireless communication node, configuration information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; as well as The relay wireless communication terminal relays IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information.

2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration information includes at least one of the following items: frequency information, the frequency information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Bandwidth information, the bandwidth information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; an enable indication, the enable indication being used to indicate whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; a time resource, the time resource being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Public configuration of IoT Uu interface; Common configuration of IoT layer B entities; the desired feedback format; or A common configuration of at least one of the following: a data radio bearer (DRB), a signalling radio bearer (SRB), a radio bearer (RB), or a radio link control (RLC) channel.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 2, wherein: The common configuration of the IoT Uu interface includes at least one of the following items: Common configuration of IoT layer 1 entities; Public configuration of IoT layer 2 entities; or Common configuration for IoT layer 3 entities.

4. The wireless communication method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The configuration information complies with at least one of the following items: The common configuration of the DRB includes at least one of the following items: Uu physical layer PHY configuration, Uu media access control MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration, Uu service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration, or DRB identifier; The public configuration of the SRB includes at least one of the following items: Uu physical layer PHY configuration, Uu media access control MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration, Uu radio resource control RRC configuration, or SRB identifier; The common configuration of the RB includes at least one of the following items: Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu PDCP configuration, or RB identifier; or The common configuration of the RLC channel includes at least one of the following items: Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, or RLC channel identifier.

5. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The configuration information includes at least one of the following items: Dedicated frequency information, the dedicated frequency information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Dedicated bandwidth information, the dedicated bandwidth information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; an enable indication, the enable indication being used to indicate whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; dedicated time resources, the dedicated time resources being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface; Instructions to release, establish or modify the dedicated configuration of IoT Layer B entities; the desired feedback format; or A dedicated configuration for relaying data packets from the relay wireless communication terminal to the IoT wireless communication terminal. The wireless communication method according to claim 5 , wherein: The one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface include at least one of the following: Dedicated configuration for IoT layer 1 entities; Dedicated configuration of IoT layer 2 entities; or Dedicated configuration for IoT layer 3 entities.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The dedicated configuration for relaying the data packet includes at least one of the following: an indication to release, establish, or modify one or more dedicated configurations of a DRB; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an RB; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an SRB; an indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an RLC channel; an indication of a relay function; or The mapping relationship between DRB, SRB, RB or RLC channel and IoT layer 1 entity, IoT layer 2 entity or IoT layer 3 entity.

8. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal transmits the relay function capability for the IoT wireless communication terminal to the network node.

9. The wireless communication method according to claim 8, wherein: The capabilities include at least one of the following: an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports powering the IoT wireless communication terminal; or An indication indicating a relay architecture supported by the relay wireless communication terminal.

10. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives an IoT relay service authorization from a network node, where the IoT relay service authorization is used for a relay function of the IoT wireless communication terminal, wherein the IoT relay service authorization includes at least one of the following items: an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support relaying the IoT information for the IoT relay wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support power supply for the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized for a relay architecture supported by the relay wireless communication terminal; IoT relay aggregation maximum bit rate AMBR, the IoT AMBR is used by the wireless communication node to perform resource management on the relay wireless communication terminal relaying the IoT information in a network scheduling mode; or For IoT relay communication, the IoT relay QoS parameters are used by the wireless communication node to perform resource management on the relay wireless communication terminal relaying the IoT information in a network scheduling mode.

11. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives indication information from the wireless communication node, and reports assistance information to the wireless communication node based on the indication information.

12. The wireless communication method according to claim 11, wherein: The instruction information includes at least one of the following items: an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in taking inventory of the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in providing power to the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can request or release transmission resources used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report information for requesting or releasing power supply to the IoT wireless communication terminal; Instructing the relay wireless communication terminal to report an instruction for requesting or releasing an instruction to perform an inventory on the IoT wireless communication terminal; or An indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal is capable of reporting information of quality of service QoS parameters and one or more QoS profiles, wherein the QoS parameters and the one or more QoS profiles are related to relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal.

13. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal transmits auxiliary information to the wireless communication node.

14. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The auxiliary information includes at least one of the following items: an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in taking inventory of the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication of whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in providing power to the IoT wireless communication terminal; Information requesting or releasing transmission resources for relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; Information requesting or releasing power supply for the IoT wireless communication terminal; Requesting or releasing an instruction to perform an inventory on the IoT wireless communication terminal; or Information of quality of service (QoS) parameters and one or more QoS profiles, the QoS parameters and the one or more QoS profiles being related to relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal.

15. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives a message from the wireless communication node, where the message is used for at least one of the following: waking up the IoT wireless communication terminal or triggering an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal.

16. The wireless communication method according to claim 15, wherein: The message includes at least one of the following: An indication of enabling a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal; Time information of a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal; Configuration of a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal; Information on the inventory process of the IoT wireless communication terminal; or Competition resolution information.

17. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives a trigger signal from the wireless communication node and supplies energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the trigger signal.

18. The wireless communication method according to claim 17, wherein: The trigger signal includes at least one of the following items: an indication of enabling or disabling an energy signal for supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; The physical configuration of the energy signal that supplies energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; The power level of the energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; The signal type of the energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; or Time information of an energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

19. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives identification information from the wireless communication node and relays the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the identification information.

20. The wireless communication method according to claim 19, wherein: The identification information includes at least one of the following items: an identifier of the relay wireless communication terminal; The identifier of the IoT wireless communication terminal; or A range of multiple candidate identifiers to allow the relay wireless communication terminal to assign one of the multiple candidate identifiers to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

21. A wireless communication method, comprising: The wireless communication node transmits configuration information for communication between the relay wireless communication terminal and the Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication terminal to the relay wireless communication terminal, so as to allow the relay wireless communication terminal to relay IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information.

22. The wireless communication method according to claim 21, wherein: The configuration information includes at least one of the following items: frequency information, the frequency information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Bandwidth information, the bandwidth information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; an enable indication, the enable indication being used to indicate whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; a time resource, the time resource being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Public configuration of IoT Uu interface; Common configuration of IoT layer B entities; the desired feedback format; or A common configuration of at least one of the following: a data radio bearer (DRB), a signalling radio bearer (SRB), a radio bearer (RB), or a radio link control (RLC) channel.

23. The wireless communication method according to claim 22, wherein: The common configuration of the IoT Uu interface includes at least one of the following items: Common configuration of IoT layer 1 entities; Public configuration of IoT layer 2 entities; or Common configuration for IoT layer 3 entities.

24. The wireless communication method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein: The configuration information complies with at least one of the following items: The common configuration of the DRB includes at least one of the following items: Uu physical layer PHY configuration, Uu media access control MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration, Uu service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration, or DRB identifier; The public configuration of the SRB includes at least one of the following items: Uu physical layer PHY configuration, Uu media access control MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration, Uu radio resource control RRC configuration, or SRB identifier; The common configuration of the RB includes at least one of the following items: Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu PDCP configuration, or RB identifier; or The common configuration of the RLC channel includes at least one of the following items: Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, or RLC channel identifier.

25. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein: The configuration information includes at least one of the following items: Dedicated frequency information, the dedicated frequency information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Dedicated bandwidth information, the dedicated bandwidth information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; an enable indication, the enable indication being used to indicate whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; dedicated time resources, the dedicated time resources being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface; Instructions to release, establish or modify the dedicated configuration of IoT Layer B entities; the desired feedback format; or A dedicated configuration for relaying data packets from the relay wireless communication terminal to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

26. The wireless communication method according to claim 25, wherein: The one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface include at least one of the following: Dedicated configuration for IoT layer 1 entities; Dedicated configuration of IoT layer 2 entities; or Dedicated configuration for IoT layer 3 entities.

27. The wireless communication method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein: The dedicated configuration for relaying the data packet includes at least one of the following: an indication to release, establish, or modify one or more dedicated configurations of a DRB; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an RB; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an SRB; an indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an RLC channel; an indication of a relay function; or The mapping relationship between DRB, SRB, RB or RLC channel and IoT layer 1 entity, IoT layer 2 entity or IoT layer 3 entity.

28. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein: The wireless communication forwards the relay function capability of the IoT wireless communication terminal from the relay wireless communication terminal to the network node.

29. The wireless communication method according to claim 28, wherein: The capabilities include at least one of the following: an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports powering the IoT wireless communication terminal; or An indication indicating a relay architecture supported by the relay wireless communication terminal.

30. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein: The relay wireless communication forwards an IoT relay service authorization from a network node to the relay wireless communication terminal, where the IoT relay service authorization is used for a relay function of the IoT wireless communication terminal, wherein the IoT relay service authorization includes at least one of the following items: an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support relaying the IoT information for the IoT relay wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized to support power supply for the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal is authorized for a relay architecture supported by the relay wireless communication terminal; IoT relay aggregation maximum bit rate AMBR, the IoT AMBR is used by the wireless communication node to perform resource management on the relay wireless communication terminal relaying the IoT information in a network scheduling mode; or For IoT relay communication, the IoT relay QoS parameters are used by the wireless communication node to perform resource management on the relay wireless communication terminal relaying the IoT information in a network scheduling mode.

31. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 30, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives indication information from the wireless communication node, and reports assistance information to the wireless communication node based on the indication information.

32. The wireless communication method according to claim 31, wherein: The instruction information includes at least one of the following items: an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in taking inventory of the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication that the relay wireless communication terminal can report whether it is interested in providing power to the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can request or release transmission resources used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal can report information for requesting or releasing power supply to the IoT wireless communication terminal; Instructing the relay wireless communication terminal to report an instruction for requesting or releasing an instruction to perform an inventory on the IoT wireless communication terminal; or An indication indicating that the relay wireless communication terminal is capable of reporting information of quality of service QoS parameters and one or more QoS profiles, wherein the QoS parameters and the one or more QoS profiles are related to relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal.

33. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 32, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal transmits auxiliary information to the wireless communication node.

34. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein: The auxiliary information includes at least one of the following items: an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication indicating whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in taking inventory of the IoT wireless communication terminal; an indication of whether the relay wireless communication terminal is interested in providing power to the IoT wireless communication terminal; Information requesting or releasing transmission resources for relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; Information requesting or releasing power supply for the IoT wireless communication terminal; Requesting or releasing an instruction to perform an inventory on the IoT wireless communication terminal; or Information of quality of service (QoS) parameters and one or more QoS profiles, the QoS parameters and the one or more QoS profiles being related to relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal.

35. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 34, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives a message from the wireless communication node, where the message is used for at least one of the following: waking up the IoT wireless communication terminal or triggering an inventory process for the IoT wireless communication terminal.

36. The wireless communication method according to claim 35, wherein: The message includes at least one of the following: An indication of enabling a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal; Time information of a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal; Configuration of a wake-up signal for the IoT wireless communication terminal; Information on the inventory process of the IoT wireless communication terminal; or Competition resolution information.

37. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 36, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives a trigger signal from the wireless communication node and supplies energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the trigger signal.

38. The wireless communication method according to claim 37, wherein: The trigger signal includes at least one of the following items: an indication of enabling or disabling an energy signal for supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; The physical configuration of the energy signal that supplies energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; The power level of the energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; The signal type of the energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal; or Time information of an energy signal supplying energy to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

39. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 21 to 38, wherein: The relay wireless communication terminal receives identification information from the wireless communication node and relays the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the identification information.

40. The wireless communication method according to claim 39, wherein: The identification information includes at least one of the following items: an identifier of the relay wireless communication terminal; The identifier of the IoT wireless communication terminal; or A range of multiple candidate identifiers to allow the relay wireless communication terminal to assign one of the multiple candidate identifiers to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

41. A wireless communication method, comprising: The Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication terminal performs communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal through the relay wireless communication terminal based on the configuration information provided by the wireless communication node.

42. The wireless communication method according to claim 41, wherein: The configuration information includes at least one of the following items: frequency information, the frequency information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Bandwidth information, the bandwidth information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; an enable indication, the enable indication being used to indicate whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; a time resource, the time resource being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Public configuration of IoT Uu interface; Common configuration of IoT layer B entities; the desired feedback format; or A common configuration of at least one of the following: a data radio bearer (DRB), a signalling radio bearer (SRB), a radio bearer (RB), or a radio link control (RLC) channel.

43. The wireless communication method according to claim 42, wherein: The common configuration of the IoT Uu interface includes at least one of the following items: Common configuration of IoT layer 1 entities; Public configuration of IoT layer 2 entities; or Common configuration for IoT layer 3 entities.

44. The wireless communication method according to claim 42 or 43, wherein: The configuration information complies with at least one of the following items: The common configuration of the DRB includes at least one of the following items: Uu physical layer PHY configuration, Uu media access control MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration, Uu service data adaptation protocol SDAP configuration, or DRB identifier; The public configuration of the SRB includes at least one of the following items: Uu physical layer PHY configuration, Uu media access control MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu packet data convergence protocol PDCP configuration, Uu radio resource control RRC configuration, or SRB identifier; The common configuration of the RB includes at least one of the following items: Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, Uu PDCP configuration, or RB identifier; or The common configuration of the RLC channel includes at least one of the following items: Uu PHY configuration, Uu MAC configuration, Uu RLC configuration, or RLC channel identifier.

45. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 41 to 44, wherein: The configuration information includes at least one of the following items: Dedicated frequency information, the dedicated frequency information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; Dedicated bandwidth information, the dedicated bandwidth information being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; an enable indication, the enable indication being used to indicate whether the relay wireless communication terminal supports relaying the IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal; dedicated time resources, the dedicated time resources being used for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface; Instructions to release, establish or modify the dedicated configuration of IoT Layer B entities; the desired feedback format; or A dedicated configuration for relaying data packets from the relay wireless communication terminal to the IoT wireless communication terminal.

46. ​​The wireless communication method according to claim 45, wherein: The one or more dedicated configurations of the IoT Uu interface include at least one of the following: Dedicated configuration for IoT layer 1 entities; Dedicated configuration of IoT layer 2 entities; or Dedicated configuration for IoT layer 3 entities.

47. The wireless communication method according to claim 45 or 46, wherein: The dedicated configuration for relaying the data packet includes at least one of the following: an indication to release, establish, or modify one or more dedicated configurations of a DRB; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an RB; An indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an SRB; an indication to release, establish or modify one or more dedicated configurations of an RLC channel; an indication of a relay function; or The mapping relationship between DRB, SRB, RB or RLC channel and IoT layer 1 entity, IoT layer 2 entity or IoT layer 3 entity.

48. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 41 to 47, wherein: The IoT wireless communication terminal is awakened by the relay wireless communication terminal or triggers an inventory process.

49. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 41 to 48, wherein: The IoT wireless communication terminal receives energy provided by the relay wireless communication terminal.

50. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 41 to 49, wherein: The IoT wireless communication terminal performs communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal based on at least one of the following items received from the relay wireless communication terminal: an identifier of the relay wireless communication terminal or an identifier of the IoT wireless communication terminal.

51. A wireless communication terminal, comprising: Communication unit; as well as A processor configured to: receive, through the communication unit, configuration information from a wireless communication node for communication between the wireless communication node and an IoT wireless communication terminal; and relay, through the communication unit, IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal based on the configuration information.

52. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 51, wherein The processor is further configured to execute the wireless communication method according to any one of claims 2 to 20.

53. A wireless communication node, comprising: Communication unit; as well as A processor is configured to: transmit, through the communication unit, configuration information for communication between the relay wireless communication terminal and an Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication terminal to a relay wireless communication terminal, so as to allow the relay wireless communication terminal to relay IoT information for communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal according to the configuration information.

54. The wireless communication node of claim 53, wherein: The processor is further configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any one of claims 22 to 40.

55. A wireless communication terminal, comprising: Communication unit; as well as The processor is configured to: perform communication between the wireless communication node and the IoT wireless communication terminal through relay wireless communication based on configuration information provided by the wireless communication node through a communication unit.

56. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 51, wherein The processor is further configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any one of claims 42 to 50.

57. A computer program product, comprising a computer-readable program medium, wherein the computer-readable program medium stores codes, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement the wireless communication method according to any one of claims 2 to 50.

Images