Validity of protected end-to-end information in user equipment (UE)-to-UE relay communications

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. In some aspects, a relay user equipment (UE) may receive a message including protected end-to-end information associated with a target end UE. The relay UE may store validity information associated with protected end-to-end information, the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE. The relay UE may perform a validity check on the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information. The relay UE may selectively transmit protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 502,303, filed May 15, 2023, entitled “VALIDITY OF PROTECTED END-TO-END INFORMATION IN USER EQUIPMENT (UE)-TO-UE RELAY COMMUNICATION,” and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 644,826, filed April 24, 2024, entitled “VALIDITY OF PROTECTED END-TO-END INFORMATION IN USER EQUIPMENT (UE)-TO-UE RELAY COMMUNICATION,” and assigned to the assignee hereof. The disclosures of these prior applications are considered part of and are hereby incorporated by reference in this Patent Application. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication and to techniques and apparatuses for validity of protected end-to-end discovery information in user equipment (UE)-to-UE relay communication. BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems can employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, and / or the like). Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems, and long term evolution (LTE). LTE / LTE-Advanced is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP).

[0004] A wireless network can include one or more network nodes that support communication for wireless communication devices such as user equipment (UE) or multiple UEs. A UE can communicate with a network node via downlink and uplink communications. “Downlink” (or “DL”) refers to communications from network nodes to UEs, and “uplink” (or “UL”) refers to communications from UEs to network nodes. Some wireless networks can support device-to-device communication, such as via local links (e.g., sidelink (SL), wireless local area network (WLAN) links, and / or wireless personal area network (WPAN) links, among others).

[0005] The above multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide common protocols that enable different UEs to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and / or global level. New Radio (NR), which can be referred to as 5G, is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by 3GPP. NR is designed to better support mobile broadband Internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, utilizing new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with cyclic prefix (CP) (CP-OFDM) on the downlink, CP-OFDM and / or single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) (also known as discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink, and support beamforming, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology, and carrier aggregation. As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, further improvements in LTE, NR, and other radio access technologies remain useful. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description, briefly summarized above, can be had by reference to various aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only certain typical aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the description can admit to other equally effective aspects. The same reference numbers in different drawings can identify the same or similar elements.

[0007] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network node in communication with a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relay device relaying communications between a first UE and a second UE, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a diagram illustrating examples associated with validity of protected end-to-end discovery information in UE-to-UE (U2U) relay communications in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a relay UE, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a target end UE, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 7 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communication in accordance with the present disclosure. SUMMARY

[0014] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a first relay user equipment (UE). The method can include receiving a message including protected end-to-end information associated with a target end UE. The method can include storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE. The method can include performing a validity check of the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information. The method can include selectively transmitting the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check.

[0015] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a target end UE. The method can include transmitting a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE. The method can include storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information.

[0016] Some aspects described herein relate to a relay UE for wireless communication. The relay UE can include one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more processors can be configured to receive a message including protected end-to-end information associated with a target end UE. The one or more processors can be configured to store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE. The one or more processors can be configured to perform a validity check of the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information. The one or more processors can be configured to selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check.

[0017] Some aspects described herein relate to a target-end UE for wireless communication. The target-end UE can include one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more processors can be configured to transmit a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target-end UE. The one or more processors can be configured to store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information.

[0018] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a relay UE. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the relay UE, can cause the relay UE to receive a message including protected end-to-end information associated with a target-end UE. The set of instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the relay UE, can cause the relay UE to store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information associated with the target-end UE. The set of instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the relay UE, can cause the relay UE to perform a validity check of the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information. The set of instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the relay UE, can cause the relay UE to selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information associated with the target-end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check.

[0019] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a target-end UE. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the target-end UE, can cause the target-end UE to transmit a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target-end UE. The set of instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the target-end UE, can cause the target-end UE to store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information.

[0020] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus can include means for receiving a message including protected end-to-end information associated with a target-end UE. The apparatus can include means for storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information associated with the target-end UE. The apparatus can include means for performing a validity check of the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information. The apparatus can include means for selectively transmitting the protected end-to-end information associated with the target-end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check.

[0021] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus can include means for transmitting a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the apparatus. The apparatus can include means for storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information.

[0022] Aspects generally include methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, non-transitory computer-readable media, user equipment, base stations, network entities, network nodes, wireless communications devices, and / or processing systems, as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and specification.

[0023] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows can be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described below. The disclosed conception and specific examples can be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The presently disclosed conception can best be understood in accordance with the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] While aspects are described in the disclosure by illustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that such aspects can be implemented in many different arrangements and scenarios. Techniques described herein can be implemented using different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and / or packaging arrangements. For example, some aspects can be implemented via integrated chip implementations or other non-module component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / purchasing devices, medical devices, and / or artificial intelligence devices). Aspects can be implemented in chip-level components, modular components, non-modular components, non-chip-level components, device-level components, and / or system-level components. Devices incorporating aspects described can include additional components and features that can be utilized in conjunction with the described aspects and features. For example, transmission and reception of wireless signals can include one or more components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, radio frequency (RF) chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders, and / or summers). Aspects described herein are intended to be broadly implemented across a variety of devices, components, systems, distributed arrangements, and / or end-user devices of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In operations associated with relay discovery in support of user equipment (UE) to UE (U2U) relaying, an announcing relay UE can transmit a message including protected end-to-end discovery information associated with a target end UE previously discovered by the relay UE. A monitoring UE can check the protected end-to-end discovery information received in the message to determine whether the protected end-to-end discovery information includes an indication that a target end UE with which the monitoring UE is to communicate has been previously discovered by the relay UE. If so, the monitoring UE has successfully discovered the target end UE via the relay UE, after which routing discovery and selection can be performed in order to enable communication between the monitoring UE (e.g., a source UE) and the target end UE (e.g., a destination UE) in association with a proximity-based service via the relay UE.

[0026] To support such operations, a relay UE should be able to obtain protected end-to-end discovery information from one or more target end UEs. End-to-end discovery information associated with a given target end UE can change or be modified over time, which means that protected end-to-end discovery information received and stored by a relay UE can become invalid or expire at some point in time. Accordingly, a relay UE should be able to determine whether protected end-to-end discovery information stored by the relay UE is valid in order to ensure that the relay UE does not transmit invalid or expired protected end-to-end discovery information associated with a given target end UE.

[0027] Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable validity checking of protected end-to-end discovery information in U2U relay communications. In some aspects, a relay UE can receive a message from a target end UE including protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE. The relay UE can store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information. In some aspects, the relay UE can perform a validity check on the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information, and can selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check. In this way, the relay UE can be able to determine whether stored protected end-to-end discovery information associated with a given target end UE is valid, thereby ensuring that the relay UE only transmits valid protected end-to-end discovery information, which improves reliability and functionality of U2U relay communications.

[0028] Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus can be implemented or a method can be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It will be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein can be implemented by one or more elements of a claim.

[0029] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, or algorithms, among other examples (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements can be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0030] While aspects can be described herein using terminology commonly associated with a 5G or New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT), aspects of the present disclosure can be applied to other RATs, such as a 3G RAT, a 4G RAT, and / or a RAT subsequent to 5G (e.g., 6G).

[0031] Figure 1is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network 100, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless network 100 can be or include elements of a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or a 4G (e.g., Long Term Evolution, LTE) network, among other examples. The wireless network 100 can include one or more network nodes 110 (shown as network node 110a, network node 110b, network node 110c, and network node 110d), one UE 120, or multiple UEs 120 (shown as UE 120a, UE 120b, UE 120c, UE 120d, and UE 120e), and / or other entities. The network nodes 110 are network nodes that communicate with the UEs 120. As illustrated, the network nodes 110 can include one or more network nodes. For example, the network nodes 110 can be an aggregated network node, meaning that the aggregated network node is configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single radio access network (RAN) node (e.g., within a single device or unit). As another example, the network nodes 110 can be a disaggregated network node (sometimes referred to as a disaggregated base station), meaning that the network nodes 110 are configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more nodes, such as one or more central units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs).

[0032] In some examples, the network nodes 110 are or include network nodes (such as RUs) that communicate with UEs 120 via radio access links. In some examples, the network nodes 110 are or include network nodes (such as DUs) that communicate with other network nodes 110 via a front-haul link or a mid-haul link. In some examples, the network nodes 110 are or include network nodes (such as CUs) that communicate with other network nodes 110 via a mid-haul link or with a core network via a backhaul link. In some examples, the network nodes 110 (such as aggregated network nodes 110 or disaggregated network nodes 110) can include multiple network nodes, such as one or more RUs, one or more CUs, and / or one or more DUs. The network nodes 110 can include, for example, an NR base station, an LTE base station, a NodeB, an eNB (e.g., in 4G), a gNB (e.g., in 5G), an access point, a transmission reception point (TRP), a DU, a RU, a CU, a mobility element of a network, a core network node, a network element, network equipment, a RAN node, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the network nodes 110 can interconnect with one another or to one or more other network nodes 110 in the wireless network 100 using any suitable transport network, such as a direct physical connection, an air interface, or a virtual network. The transport network can include one or more wired backhaul links, radio

[0033] In some examples, a network node 110 can provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the term "cell" can refer to a coverage area of a network node 110 and / or a network node subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. A network node 110 can be a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and / or another type of cell. A macro cell can cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and can allow unrestricted access by UEs 120 with service subscriptions. A pico cell can cover a relatively small geographic area and can allow unrestricted access by UEs 120 with service subscriptions. A femto cell can cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and can allow restricted access by UEs 120 associated with the femto cell, such as UEs 120 in a closed subscriber group (CSG). A network node 110 for a macro cell can be referred to as a macro network node. A network node 110 for a pico cell can be referred to as a pico network node. A network node 110 for a femto cell can be referred to as a femto network node or a home network node. In Figure 1 In the illustrated example, network node 110a can be a macro network node for a macro cell 102a, network node 110b can be a pico network node for a pico cell 102b, and network node 110c can be a femto network node for a femto cell 102c. Network nodes can support one or more (e.g., three) cells. In some examples, cells can not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of the cells can move according to the location of a mobile network node 110 (e.g., a mobile network node).

[0034] In some aspects, the term “base station” or “network node” can refer to an aggregated base station, a disaggregated base station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, or one or more components thereof. For example, in some aspects, a “base station” or “network node” can refer to a CU, a DU, a RU, a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC), or a non-RT RIC, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the term “base station” or “network node” can refer to one device configured to perform one or more functions, such as those described herein in connection with network node 110. In some aspects, the term “base station” or “network node” can refer to multiple devices configured to perform one or more functions. For example, in some distributed systems, each of multiple different devices (which can be located in the same geographic location or different geographic locations) can be configured to perform at least a portion of a function, or to perform at least a portion of the function repeatedly, and the term “base station” or “network node” can refer to any one or more of these different devices. In some aspects, the term “base station” or “network node” can refer to one or more virtual base stations or one or more virtual base station functions. For example, in some aspects, two or more base station functions can be instantiated on a single device. In some aspects, the term “base station” or “network node” can refer to one of a base station function, but not another base station function. In this way, a single device can include more than one base station.

[0035] Wireless network 100 can include one or more relay stations. A relay station is a network node that can receive a transmission of data from an upstream node (e.g., a network node 110 or a UE 120) and send a transmission of the data to a downstream node (e.g., a UE 120 or a network node 110). A relay station can be a UE 120 that can relay transmissions for other UEs 120. In Figure 1 In the example shown in FIG. 1, network node 110d (e.g., a relay network node) can communicate with network node 110a (e.g., a macro network node) and UE 120d in order to facilitate communication between network node 110a and UE 120d. A network node 110 that relays communications can be referred to as a relay station, a relay base station, a relay network node, a relay node, a repeater, or the like.

[0036] Wireless network 100 can be a heterogeneous network that includes network nodes 110 of different types, such as macro network nodes, pico network nodes, femto network nodes, relay network nodes, and / or the like. These different types of network nodes 110 can have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and / or different impacts on interference. For example, macro network nodes can have a high transmit power level (e.g., 5 to 40 Watts), while pico network nodes, femto network nodes, and relay network nodes can have relatively lower transmit power levels (e.g., 0.1 to 2 Watts).

[0037] A network controller 130 can couple to or communicate with a set of network nodes 110 and can provide coordination and control for the network nodes 110. The network controller 130 can communicate with the network nodes 110 via a backhaul communication link or communication links. The network nodes 110 can also communicate with one another, e.g., directly or indirectly via wireless backhaul communication links or wired backhaul communication links. In some aspects, the network controller 130 can be a CU or core network device, or can include a CU or core network device.

[0038] The UEs 120 can be dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE 120 can be stationary or mobile. A UE 120 can include, for example, an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, and / or a subscriber unit. A UE 120 can be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., a smart ring or a smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music device, a video device, and / or a satellite radio), a vehicular component or sensor, a smart meter / sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, a UE function of a network node, and / or any other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium.

[0039] Some UEs 120 can be considered machine-type communication (MTC) or evolved or enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) UEs. MTC or eMTC UEs can include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, and / or location tags, that can communicate with a network node, another device (e.g., remote device), or some other entity. A

[0040] In general, any number of wireless networks 100 can be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless network 100 can support a particular RAT and can operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT can be referred to as a radio technology, an air interface, or the like. A frequency can be referred to as a carrier, a frequency channel, or the like. In

[0041] In some examples, two or more UEs 120 (e.g., shown as UE 120a and UE 120e) can communicate directly using one or more sidelink channels (e.g., without using network node 110 as an intermediary to communicate with one another). For example, UE 120 can use peer to peer (P2P) communication, device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols (which can include vehicle-to- vehicle (V2V) protocols, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols, or vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) protocols), and / or netw orking. In such examples, UE 120 can perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and / or other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by network node 110.

[0042] Devices of wireless network 100 can communicate using the electromagnetic spectrum, which can be subdivided into various classes, bands, channels, and so on, according to frequency or wavelength. For example, devices of wireless network 100 can communicate using one or more of the operating bands. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). It should be understood that, although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “Sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs with regard to FR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) which is designated as a “millimeter wave” band by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

[0043] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR studies have identified operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz). Bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and thus can effectively extend the features of FR1 and / or FR2 to mid-band frequencies. Moreover, even higher bands are currently under exploration to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4-a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz - 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz). Each of these higher bands falls within the EHF band.

[0044] With the above examples in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “Sub-6 GHz” or the like is used herein to generically refer to frequencies that can be below 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. Also, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “millimeter wave” or the like is used herein to generically refer to frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a, or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or can be within the EHF band. It is contemplated that frequencies included in these operating bands (e.g., FR1, FR2, FR3, FR4, FR4-a, FR4-1, and / or FR5) can be modified, and the techniques described herein are applicable to those modified frequency ranges.

[0045] In some aspects, UE 120 may include communication manager 140. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, communication manager 140 may: receive a message including protected end-to-end information associated with a target UE; store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE; perform a validity check on the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information; and selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE based at least in part on the result of the validity check. Additionally or alternatively, as described in more detail elsewhere herein, communication manager 140 may: transmit a message including protected end-to-end information associated with UE 120; and store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information. Additionally or alternatively, communication manager 140 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0046] As indicated above, Figure 1 This is provided as an example. Other examples are available with reference to [the relevant information]. Figure 1 The examples described are different.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating example 200 of communication between network node 110 and UE 120 in a wireless network 100 according to this disclosure. Network node 110 may be equipped with a set of antennas 234a to 234t, such as... T One antenna ( T ≥1). The UE 120 may be equipped with a set of antennas 252a to 252r, such as R One antenna ( R ≥1). Network node 110 of Example 200 includes one or more radio frequency components, such as antenna 234 and modem 232. In some examples, network node 110 may include an interface, communication components, or another component that facilitates communication with UE 120 or another network node. Some network node 110 may not include radio frequency components that facilitate direct communication with UE 120, such as one or more CUs or one or more DUs.

[0048] At network node 110, transmitting processor 220 can receive data from data source 212 intended for use by UE 120 (or a group of UEs 120). Transmitting processor 220 can select one or more modulation and decoding schemes (MCS) for UE 120, at least in part, based on one or more Channel Quality Indicators (CQIs) received from UE 120. Network node 110 can process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for UE 120, at least in part, based on the MCS selected for UE 120, and can provide data symbols for UE 120. Transmitting processor 220 can process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource allocation information (SRPI)) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, and / or upper-layer signaling), and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. Transmitting processor 220 can generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS) or demodulation reference signals (DMRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signal (PSS) or secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 can perform spatial processing (e.g., pre-decoding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, overhead symbols, and / or reference symbols where applicable, and can transmit a set of output symbol streams (e.g., T Each output symbol stream is provided to a corresponding set of modems 232 (e.g., ...). T Each modem 232a to 232t can be used to process a corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain an output sample stream. For example, each output symbol stream can be provided to a modulator component (MOD) of modem 232. Each modem 232 can use a corresponding modulator component to process the corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modem 232 can also use a corresponding modulator component to process the output sample stream (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and / or up-convert) to obtain a downlink signal. Modems 232a to 232t can be connected via a corresponding set of antennas 234 (e.g., T Each antenna (shown as antennas 234a to 234t) is used to transmit a set of downlink signals (e.g., ...). T (One downlink signal).

[0049] At UE 120, a set of antennas 252 (shown as antennas 252a to 252r) can receive downlink signals from network node 110 and / or other network nodes 110 and can transmit a set of received signals (e.g., R The received signals are provided to a group of modems 254 (e.g., RThe received signals can be provided to demodulator components of modems 254 (shown as DEMODs). Each modem 254 can use a respective demodulator component to condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and / or digitize) a received signal to obtain input samples. Each modem 254 can use a demodulator component to further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 can obtain received symbols from modems 254, can perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and can provide detected symbols. A receive processor 258 can process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, can provide decoded data for UE 120 to a data sink 260, and can provide decoded control information and system information to a controller / processor 280. The term “controller / processor” can refer to one or more controllers, one or more processors, or combinations thereof. A channel processor can determine reference signal received power (RSRP) parameters, received signal strength indicator (RSSI) parameters, reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameters, and / or CQI parameters, among other examples. In some examples, one or more components of UE 120 can be included in a housing 284.

[0050] Network controller 130 can include communication unit 294, controller / processor 290, and memory 292. Network controller 130 can include, for example, one or more devices in a core network. Network controller 130 can communicate with network node 110 via communication unit 294.

[0051] One or more antennas (e.g., antennas 234a through 234t and / or antennas 252a through 252r) can include or be included within one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, and / or one or more antenna arrays, among other examples. An antenna panel, antenna group, set of antenna elements, and / or antenna array can include one or more antenna elements (within a single housing or multiple housings), a set of co-planar antenna elements, a set of non-co-planar antenna elements, and / or one or more antenna elements coupled to one or more transmit and / or receive components (such as, for example, one or more components of communication unit 294, controller / processor 290, and / or memory 292 in network controller 130). Figure 2

[0052] ​On the uplink, at UE 120, a transmit processor 264 can receive and process data from a data source 262 and control information (e.g., for reports comprising RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, and / or CQI) from controller / processor 280. Transmit processor 264 can generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from transmit processor 264 can be precoded by a TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed by modems 254 (e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM), and transmitted to network node 110. In some examples, modems 254 of UE 120 can include modulators and demodulators. In some examples, UE 120 includes a transceiver. The transceiver can include any combination of antenna 252, modems 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, and / or TX MIMO processor 266. The transceiver can be used by a processor (e.g., controller / processor 280) and memory 282 to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein (for example, with reference to Figure 4A to Figure 7 ) and / or with respect to other processes described herein.

[0053] At network node 110, the uplink signals from UE 120 and / or other UEs can be received by antennas 234, processed by modems 232 (e.g., demodulator components (shown as DEMOD) of modems 232), detected by a MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by UE 120. Receive processor 238 can provide the decoded data to a data sink 239 and the decoded control information to controller / processor 240. Network node 110 can include communication unit 244 and can communicate with network controller 130 via communication unit 244. Network node 110 can include scheduler 246 to schedule one or more UEs 120 for downlink and / or uplink communications. In some examples, modems 232 of network node 110 can include modulators and demodulators. In some examples, network node 110 includes a transceiver. The transceiver can include any combination of antenna 234, modems 232, MIMO detector 236, receive processor 238, transmit processor 220, and / or TX MIMO processor 230. The transceiver can be used by a processor (e.g., controller / processor 240) and memory 242 to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein (for example, with reference to Figure 4A to Figure 7 ) and / or with respect to other processes described herein.

[0054] Controller / processor 240 of network node 110, controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or any other component(s) of this description can perform one or more aspects of one or more methods described herein. For example, controller / processor 240 of network node 110, controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or any otherFigure 2 Any other component may perform one or more techniques associated with the validity of protected end-to-end discovery information in U2U relay communication. For example, the controller / processor 240 of network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or Figure 2 Any other component that can execute or direct, for example Figure 5 Process 500 Figure 6 The operation of process 600 and / or other processes as described herein. Memory 242 and memory 282 may store data and program code for network node 110 and UE 120, respectively. In some examples, memory 242 and / or memory 282 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions (e.g., code and / or program code) for wireless communication. For example, one or more instructions may cause one or more processors, UE 120 and / or network node 110 to perform or direct, for example, when executed by one or more processors of network node 110 and / or UE 120 (e.g., directly executed, or executed after compilation, transformation and / or interpretation). Figure 5 Process 500 Figure 6 The operation of process 600 and / or other processes as described herein. In some examples, the execution instructions may include run instructions, transform instructions, compile instructions and / or interpret instructions, etc.

[0055] In some aspects, a single processor can be described as capable of performing all operations performed by one or more processors. In some aspects, a first set of processors(one or more) of one or more processors can be described as capable of performing a first function performed by those processors, and a second set of processors(one or more) of one or more processors can be described as capable of performing a second function performed by those processors. The first set of processors and the second set of processors can be the same set of processors or can be different sets of processors. The reference to "one or more memories" should be understood to refer to any one or more memories of the corresponding device, such as combined... Figure 2 The memory described. For example, a function described as being performed by one or more memories can be performed by the same subset of the one or more memories or by different subsets of the one or more memories.

[0056] In some aspects, a relay UE (e.g., UE 120) includes means for receiving a message including protected end-to-end information associated with a target end UE; means for storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information, the protected end-to-end information being associated with the target end UE; means for performing a validity check of the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information; and / or means for selectively transmitting the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check. Means for a first relay UE to perform operations described herein can include, for example, one or more of the communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller / processor 280, or memory 282.

[0057] In some aspects, a target end UE (e.g., UE 120) includes means for transmitting a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE; and / or means for storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information. Means for a target end UE to perform operations described herein can include, for example, one or more of the communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller / processor 280, or memory 282.

[0058] Although Figure 2 The blocks in FIG. 7 are illustrated as distinct components merely for simplicity, the functions described above in relation to these blocks can be implemented in a single hardware, software, or combined component or in various combinations of components. For example, the functions described in relation to transmit processor 264, receive processor 258, and / or TX MIMO processor 266 can be performed by controller / processor 280 or under the control of the controller / processor.

[0059] As indicated above, Figure 2 are provided as examples. Other examples can differ from what is described in relation to Figure 2 the examples described in relation to

[0060] Deployment of communication systems, such as 5G NR systems, can be arranged in a variety of ways with various components or constituent parts. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, network entity, mobility element of a network, RAN node, core network node, network element, base station, or network equipment of a network can be implemented in an aggregated architecture or a disaggregated architecture. For example, a base station, such as a Node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an NR base station, a 5G NB, an access point (AP), a TRP, or a cell, and so forth, or one or more units (or one or more components) that perform base station functionality can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also referred to as a standalone base station or a monolithic base station) or a disaggregated base station. A “network entity” or “network node” can refer to a disaggregated base station or one or more units of a disaggregated base station, such as one or more CUs, one or more DUs, one or more RUs, or a combination thereof.

[0061] An aggregated base station (e.g., an aggregated network node) can be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node (e.g., within a single device or unit). A disaggregated base station (e.g., a disaggregated network node) can be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more units, such as one or more CUs, one or more DUs, or one or more RUs. In some examples, a CU can be implemented within a network node, and one or more DUs can be co-located with the CU or, alternatively, can be geographically or virtually spread across one or more other network nodes. The DUs can be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CUs, DUs, and RUs can also be implemented as virtual units, such as a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU), and so forth.

[0062] Base station type operations or network designs can take into account the aggregated nature of base station functionality. For example, a disaggregated base station can be utilized in an IAB network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (such as a network configuration initiated by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also referred to as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)) to facilitate scaling of a communication system by separating base station functionality into one or more units that can be deployed individually. A disaggregated base station can include functionality implemented across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as functionality implemented virtually for at least one unit, which can enable flexibility in network design. The various units of a disaggregated base station can be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit of the disaggregated base station.

[0063] Figure 3is a diagram illustrating an example 300 of a relay device relaying communications between a first UE and a second UE, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown, example 300 includes a UE 305, a relay device 310, and a UE 315. In example 300, UE 305 is a transmitting (Tx) UE (sometimes referred to as a source UE), relay device 310 is a relay UE (i.e., a U2U relay UE), and UE 315 is a receiving (Rx) UE (sometimes referred to as a target UE). In some aspects, UE 305 is a first UE 120, relay device 310 is a second UE 120, and UE 315 is a third UE 120.

[0064] As Figure 3 shown, UE 305 can transmit communications (e.g., data or control information) directly to UE 315 as a sidelink communication 320. Additionally or alternatively, UE 305 can transmit communications (e.g., data or control information) indirectly to UE 315 via relay device 310. For example, UE 305 can transmit the communications to relay device 310 as a communication 325, and relay device 310 can relay (e.g., forward or transmit) the communications to UE 315 as a communication 330.

[0065] In some aspects, UE 305 can communicate directly with UE 315 via a sidelink 335. For example, sidelink communication 320 can be transmitted via sidelink 335. Communications between UE 305 and UE 315 (e.g., in sidelink communication 320) transmitted via sidelink 335 do not pass through and are not relayed by relay device 310. In some aspects, UE 305 can communicate indirectly with UE 315 via an indirect link 340. For example, communication 325 and communication 330 can be transmitted via different segments of indirect link 340. Communications between UE 305 and UE 315 (e.g., in communication 325 and communication 330) transmitted via indirect link 340 pass through and are relayed by relay device 310.

[0066] Using Figure 3 the communication schemes shown can improve network performance and increase reliability by providing UE 305 with link diversity for communicating with UE 315. For millimeter wave (e.g., frequency range 2 or FR2) communications, which are susceptible to link blockage and link impairment, such link diversity improves reliability and prevents multiple retransmissions of data that might otherwise be retransmitted in order to achieve successful communications. Similarly, for V2X communications, which can be associated with limited frequency spectrum for communications, such link diversity improves reliability and prevents multiple retransmissions of data that might otherwise be retransmitted in order to achieve successful communications. However, the techniques described herein are not limited to millimeter wave communications, and can be used for sub-6 gigahertz (e.g., frequency range 1 or FR1) communications.

[0067] In some cases, the UE 305 can transmit a communication (e.g., a same communication) to the UE 315 via both the sidelink 335 and the indirect link 340. In other cases, the UE 305 can select one of the links (e.g., the sidelink 335 or the indirect link 340) and can only use the selected link to transmit the communication to the UE 315. Alternatively, the UE 305 can receive an indication of one of the links (e.g., the sidelink 335 or the indirect link 340) and can only use the indicated link to transmit the communication to the UE 315. The indication can be transmitted by the UE 315 and / or the relay device 310. In some aspects, such selection or indication can be based at least in part on channel conditions or link reliability.

[0068] In some aspects, the techniques and apparatuses described herein for validity of protected end-to-end discovery information in U2U relay communications can be applied to relaying of communications between UEs as described in connection with Figure 3 FIG. 16.

[0069] As indicated above, Figure 3 are provided as examples. Other examples can differ from what is described with respect to Figure 3 the examples described with respect to FIG. 16.

[0070] A wireless communication system can be capable of supporting proximity services (ProSe) that enable direct communication between UEs, such as sidelink communication over a PC5 interface. Notably, ProSe can provide both discovery and communication capabilities associated with enabling direct communication between UEs.

[0071] Additionally, a wireless communication system can be capable of supporting UE-to-UE relaying. UE-to-UE relaying can be used to enable coverage extension of communications between UEs. That is, UE-to-UE relaying can be used to support or enhance communications between UEs enabled by ProSe. A relay UE is a UE that relays traffic between a source UE and a target UE. The source UE is a UE that is an initiator of the relay traffic, while the target UE is a UE that is a destination of the relay traffic. UE-to-UE relaying can support single-hop relaying (e.g., a single relay UE between a source UE and a target UE) or multi-hop relaying (e.g., more than one relay UE communicating with each other to support relaying between a source UE and a target UE).

[0072] To utilize or participate in UE-to-UE relaying, a given UE communicates with a network entity (e.g., a base station) to perform UE-to-UE relaying authorization and configuration. After being authorized and configured by the network entity, the UE performs a relay discovery procedure associated with discovering relay UEs within range of the UE. A first method for enabling a UE to perform discovery of relay UEs is a proactive method. According to the proactive method, an announcing relay UE sends a message indicating its presence to other UEs. Here, a monitoring UE that is monitoring for such messages can receive the message sent by the announcing relay UE and thus can discover the announcing relay UE. A second method for enabling a UE to perform discovery of relay UEs is an on-demand method. According to the on-demand method, a discovering UE sends a message requesting that any discovered relay UEs that receive the message send a response indicating their presence. Here, a discovered relay UE that is monitoring for such messages receives the message sent by the discovering UE and sends a response indicating its presence. The discovering UE can receive the response sent by the discovered relay UE and thus can discover the discovered relay UE. The message sent by a given relay UE associated with performing relay discovery can include a relay service code (RSC) that identifies the relay UE and a UE-to-UE relay layer indicator indicating whether the relay UE supports layer 3 (L3) or layer 2 (L2) UE-to-UE relay operations.

[0073] After relay discovery, a UE can perform a route discovery procedure to discover a UE-to-UE relay route to be used to reach a particular UE. For example, to perform relay discovery, a UE can need to discover one or more relay UEs that provide a route between the UE and the particular UE (e.g., when the particular UE has not been discovered by the UE, such as when the particular UE is out of coverage). The particular UE can be, for example, a UE that supports a ProSe service, a UE that is a member of a particular UE group, or a UE that corresponds to application user information associated with the UE, etc. Notably, as described below, a RSC-based discovery procedure can be used to support forwarding of a ProSe discovery message via one or more relay UEs. Moreover, information used by a UE for ProSe discovery can be included in end-to-end UE discovery information within a message associated with performing route discovery.

[0074] Route discovery can be performed using a proactive approach or an on-demand approach. According to the proactive approach, an announcing UE can broadcast an announcing message intended for monitoring UEs. The announcing message can include, for example, user information associated with the announcing UE, an RSC associated with the announcing UE, and end-to-end discovery information associated with the monitoring UEs (e.g., an identity or information usable to identify the monitoring UEs). In one example, a relay UE receives the announcing message, adds information associated with the relay UE (e.g., user information associated with the relay UE, an RSC associated with the relay UE, or a UE-to-UE layer indication associated with the relay UE, among other examples) to the announcing message, and rebroadcasts the announcing message including the additional information. Here, the monitoring UEs receive the rebroadcast announcing message and determine that the announcing message originated from the announcing UE and is intended for the monitoring UEs. The monitoring UEs can then discover a route to the announcing UE via the relay UE. Notably, the monitoring UEs can discover one or more routes to the announcing UE in this manner. Moreover, the announcing message can be received, modified, and transmitted by multiple relay UEs. That is, a given discovered route between the announcing UE and the monitoring UEs can include hops through multiple relay UEs.

[0075] According to the on-demand approach, the discoveree UE can broadcast a solicitation message intended for the discoverer UE. The solicitation message can include, for example, user information associated with the discoveree UE, an RSC associated with the discoveree UE, and end-to-end discovery information associated with the discoverer UE (e.g., an identity or information usable to identify the discoverer UE). In one example, a relay UE receives the solicitation message, adds information associated with the relay UE (e.g., user information associated with the relay UE, an RSC associated with the relay UE, or a UE-to-UE layer indication associated with the relay UE, among other examples) to the solicitation message, and rebroadcasts the solicitation message including the additional information. Here, the discoverer UE receives the rebroadcast solicitation message and determines that the solicitation message originated from the discoveree UE and is intended for the discoverer UE. The discoverer UE can then discover a route to the discoveree UE via the relay UE. Further, according to the on-demand approach, the discoverer UE can broadcast a solicitation response message intended for the discoveree UE. The solicitation response message can include, for example, user information associated with the discoverer UE, an RSC associated with the discoverer UE, and end-to-end discovery information associated with the discoveree UE (e.g., an identity or information usable to identify the discoveree UE). In this example, a relay UE receives the solicitation response message, adds information associated with the relay UE (e.g., user information associated with the relay UE, an RSC associated with the relay UE, or a UE-to-UE layer indication associated with the relay UE, among other examples) to the solicitation response message, and rebroadcasts the solicitation response message including the additional information. Here, the discoveree UE receives the rebroadcast solicitation response message and determines that the solicitation message originated from the discoverer UE and is intended for the discoveree UE. The discoveree UE can then discover a route to the discoverer UE via the relay UE. Notably, one or more routes between the discoverer UE and the discoveree UE can be discovered in this manner. Further, the solicitation message or the solicitation response message can be received, modified, and transmitted by multiple relay UEs. That is, a given discovered route between the discoverer UE and the discoveree UE can include hops through multiple relay UEs.

[0076] After route discovery, the UE can perform a route selection procedure to select a route to be used for the UE-to-UE relay. The UE (e.g., a source UE or a target UE) can use the route selection procedure to select a route from a set of discovered routes. The route selection can be performed based on some criteria configured on the UE. For example, the UE can be configured with a radio link quality criterion that indicates a threshold for a reference signal (e.g., a sidelink discovery reference signal received power (SD-RSRP) threshold or a sidelink reference signal received power (SL-RSRP) threshold). Here, the UE can select a route that satisfies the radio link criterion (e.g., a route that satisfies the SD-RSRP threshold or a route that satisfies the SL-RSRP threshold). When the UE is in-coverage, the UE can be configured with criteria for performing route selection via a system information block (SIB). Conversely, when the UE is out-of-coverage, the UE can utilize criteria pre-configured on the UE.

[0077] After route selection, a UE-to-UE relay connection setup is performed, and communication between the source UE and the target UE can be performed on the selected route with the UE-to-UE relay. Notably, after the relay connection setup is performed, mobility management can be utilized to, for example, reselect a route or perform relay connection management (e.g., additional relay connection setup, modification of a relay connection, or release of a relay connection, etc.).

[0078] As described above, a first method for enabling a UE to perform discovery of a relay UE is a proactive method, according to which a announcing relay UE sends a message to indicate its presence to other UEs, and a monitoring UE receives the message sent by the announcing relay UE, thereby enabling discovery of the announcing relay UE. According to this proactive method, the announcing relay UE first obtains end-to-end discovery information associated with one or more target UEs. The target UEs can be, for example, UEs equipped with a ProSe service that provides communication (e.g., direct communication or communication through one or more relay UEs) with another UE equipped with a ProSe service. That is, the target UEs can be “endpoints” of a communication link that supports a ProSe service, which enables communication between two target UEs. In the context of a UE-to-UE relay, the target UEs can be target UEs.

[0079] In operation, a relay UE can obtain end-to-end discovery information for a target end UE previously discovered by the relay UE, such that the relay UE can transmit (e.g., broadcast) the end-to-end discovery information associated with the previously discovered target end UE in a message intended for monitoring UEs. The end-to-end discovery information associated with a UE can include, for example, user information (e.g., a user information identifier) associated with the UE or a ProSe code associated with a ProSe service to be discovered or used by the UE. The ProSe code can include, for example, a ProSe application code associated with a ProSe application identity (ID) that can be used in an open ProSe direct discovery, where the ProSe application ID is an identity (e.g., a globally unique identity) used for open ProSe direct discovery and identifying application related information for a UE. The relay UE can be configured to transmit one or more items of end-to-end discovery information (e.g., a list of end-to-end discovery information), where each item is associated with a respective UE. The end-to-end discovery information associated with one or more previously discovered UEs can also be referred to as a direct discovery set. In some scenarios, hop-by-hop and end-to-end security can be provided, meaning that the end-to-end discovery information obtained by the relay UE can be protected (e.g., encrypted based at least in part on a set of security parameters associated with end-to-end ProSe direct discovery).

[0080] In operation, a monitoring UE can receive a message including protected end-to-end discovery information associated with a target end UE previously discovered by a relay UE. In one example, the monitoring UE can be a source end UE. Here, the monitoring UE checks the protected end-to-end discovery information received in the message broadcast by the relay UE to determine whether the protected end-to-end discovery information includes an indication that the target end UE to which the source end UE is to send a communication has been previously discovered by the relay UE. If so, the source end UE has successfully discovered the target end UE via the relay UE, after which routing discovery and selection can be performed in order to enable communication between the source end UE and the target end UE (via the relay UE) in association with a ProSe service via the relay UE.

[0081] As described above, a relay UE obtains protected end-to-end discovery information from a given target end UE. The end-to-end discovery information associated with the given target end UE can change or be modified over time, meaning that the protected end-to-end discovery information received and stored by the relay UE can become invalid or expire at some point in time. Accordingly, the relay UE should be able to determine whether the protected end-to-end discovery information stored by the relay UE is valid in order to ensure that the relay UE does not transmit invalid or expired protected end-to-end discovery information associated with the given target end UE.

[0082] Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable validity checking of protected end-to-end discovery information in U2U relay communications. In some aspects, a relay UE can receive, from a target end UE, a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE. The relay UE can store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information. In some aspects, the relay UE can perform a validity check of the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information, and can selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check. In this way, the relay UE can be able to determine whether stored protected end-to-end discovery information associated with a given target end UE is valid, thereby ensuring that the relay UE only transmits valid protected end-to-end discovery information, which improves reliability and functionality of U2U relay communications.

[0083] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a diagram of an example 400 associated with validity of protected end-to-end discovery information in U2U relay communications in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4A example 400 includes communications between a target end UE 402 (e.g., a first UE 120), a relay UE 404 (e.g., a second UE 120), and a source end UE 406 (e.g., a third UE 120).

[0084] As shown by reference number 408 in Figure 4A target end UE 402 can transmit and the relay UE 404 can receive a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE 402. The protected end-to-end discovery information can include, for example, encrypted end-to-end discovery information (e.g., end-to-end discovery information that has been encrypted based at least in part on a set of security parameters associated with end-to-end ProSe direct discovery). In some aspects, the target end UE 402 transmits the end-to-end discovery information based at least in part on communicating with the relay UE 404. For example, the target end UE 402 can determine (e.g., based at least in part on a ProSe service configuration, a U2U configuration, and / or the like) that the target end UE 402 is to be discovered by one or more source end UEs 406 for purposes of participating in U2U relay communications. Here, in communicating with the relay UE 404, the target end UE 402 can transmit a message including protected end-to-end discovery information associated with the target end UE 402.

[0085] In some aspects, the target UE 402 can transmit and the relay UE 404 can receive messages via a direct communication interface between the target UE 402 and the relay UE 404. For example, the target UE 402 can transmit and the relay UE 404 can receive a PC5-S message that includes protected end-to-end discovery information associated with the target UE 402. Notably, in such aspects, the target UE 402 automatically provides the protected end-to-end discovery information to the relay UE 404 (e.g., without receiving an explicit indication or trigger).

[0086] In some aspects, the target UE 402 transmits the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE 402 not having been previously transmitted.

[0087] Additionally or alternatively, the target UE 402 can transmit the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on previously transmitted protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE 402 having expired. For example, the target UE 402 can determine that protected end-to-end discovery information previously transmitted by the target UE 402 has expired, and can transmit the protected end-to-end discovery information based at least in part on this determination. In some aspects, the target UE 402 can determine that the protected end-to-end information has expired based at least in part on stored validity information associated with the previously transmitted protected end-to-end information (e.g., in a manner similar to that described below with respect to reference number 414).

[0088] In some aspects, the target UE 402 broadcasts protected end-to-end discovery information associated with the target UE 402. For example, the target UE 402 can broadcast a message that includes protected end-to-end discovery information associated with implementing route discovery for U2U relaying. Here, the relay UE 404 can receive the message broadcasted by the target UE 402 that includes the protected end-to-end discovery information.

[0089] In some aspects, the relay UE 404 relays a broadcast request (e.g., an announce message with an empty list of end-to-end discovery information). Here, the target UE 402 can receive the broadcasted request, and can reply with a message that includes protected end-to-end discovery information.

[0090] In some aspects, the protected end-to-end discovery information associated with the target UE 402 includes user information associated with the target UE. Additionally or alternatively, the protected end-to-end discovery information can include a ProSe code associated with a ProSe service to be discovered or used by the target UE 402.

[0091] Figure 4B An example is illustrated that is associated with a message that includes protected end-to-end discovery information, which can be transmitted by the target UE 402 and received by the relay UE 404. In this example, hop-by-hop protection and end-to-end protection are provided. For example, as shown in the upper portion of the diagram of FIG. 4, the target UE 402 can encrypt the end-to-end discovery information based at least in part on a set of security parameters (e.g., a set of code transfer security parameters associated with a ProSe service) to generate protected end-to-end discovery information associated with the target UE 402. The protected end-to-end discovery information can be carried in an end-to-end (E2E) field 428 of a frame 420. The frame 420 can also include a set of bits indicating a message type (e.g., in a message type field 422), a set of coordinated universal time (UTC) based time counter least significant bit (LSB) bits (e.g., in a UTC based time counter LSB field 424), and a set of message integrity check (MIC) bits (e.g., in a MIC field 426). As shown in the lower portion of the diagram of FIG. 4, the target UE 402 can encrypt the UE-to-UE information and the frame 420 based at least in part on another set of security parameters (e.g., a set of code transfer security parameters associated with a U2U service). The protected U2U information can be carried in a U2U field 438 of a frame 430 along with the encrypted frame 420. The frame 430 can also include a set of bits indicating a message type (e.g., in a message type field 432), a set of UTC based time counter LSB bits (e.g., in a UTC based time counter LSB field 434), and a set of MIC bits (e.g., in a MIC field 436). Figure 4B Figure 4B

[0092] Returning to FIG. 4, the target UE 402 can store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end discovery information, as shown by reference number 410. Similarly, the relay UE 404 (e.g., upon receiving the protected end-to-end discovery information associated with the target UE 402) can store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end discovery information, as shown by reference number 412. Figure 4A

[0093] ​​​The validity information includes information that can be used to determine whether the protected end-to-end discovery information is valid at a given point in time (e.g., whether the protected end-to-end discovery information has expired). In some aspects, the validity information includes information indicating a time window. The time window is a period of time in which the protected end-to-end discovery information is valid (e.g., has not expired). In some aspects, the validity information includes information indicating a time at which the target end UE 402 transmits a message including the protected end-to-end information, which can be used as a start time of validity of the protected end-to-end discovery information. In some aspects, the validity of the protected end-to-end discovery information at a given point in time can be checked (e.g., by the target end UE 402 or the relay UE 404) based at least in part on the information indicating the time window and the start time of validity, as described below.

[0094] In some aspects, the time window can be configured via network configuration (e.g., received by the target end UE 402 or the relay UE 404) including information indicating the time window. In some such aspects, the target end UE 402 can determine a length of the UTC-based time counter LSB field 424 in a message in which the protected end-to-end discovery information is carried based at least in part on the information indicating the time window. For example, the target end UE 402 can receive a configuration including information indicating the time window (e.g., from a network device during discovery security parameter provisioning or U2U relay service policy and parameter provisioning). Here, the target end UE 402 can determine a length of the UTC-based time counter LSB field in a message to be transmitted by the target end UE 402 based at least in part on the time window configured by the network. For example, if the configuration indicates that the time window is 256 seconds, the target end UE 402 can determine the length of the UTC-based time counter LSB field to be 4 bits (e.g., 2 4 = 16). Here, the relay UE 404 can determine the length of the time window based at least in part on the length of the UTC-based time counter LSB field upon receiving the message. For example, the relay UE 404 can determine that the length of the UTC-based time counter field is 4 bits, and can subsequently determine that the length of the time window is 16 seconds (e.g., 2 4 = 16). Alternatively, in some aspects, the information indicating the time window can be determined based at least in part on a predefined length of the UTC-based time counter LSB field (e.g., when the time window is not configured via network configuration).

[0095] In some aspects, the information indicating the time at which the target end UE 402 is to send the protected end-to-end information (i.e., the validity start time) is determined based at least in part on a UTC-based time counter. In some aspects, the validity start time can be expressed in seconds and encoded in binary format as a set of least significant bits of coordinated universal time maintained by the target end UE 402 and the relay UE 404 (e.g., 32 LSBs). In one example, the target end UE 402 can send 4 LSBs of the UTC-based time counter in the UTC-based time counter LSB field. That is, the target end UE 402 can include the 4 LSBs from the UTC-based time counter (maintained by the target end UE 402) at the time the message is sent. In this example, upon receiving the message, the relay UE 404 can determine the validity start time by replacing the last 4 LSBs of the UTC-based time counter maintained by the relay UE 404 with the 4 LSBs carried in the UTC-based time counter LSB field of the message. Notably, while the above example uses 4 LSBs and 16 seconds as an example, other values can be used in practice.

[0096] In some aspects, the relay UE 404 can validate the integrity of the message prior to storing the validity information. For example, the relay UE 404 can process the message by, for example, decrypting the message using the set of bits carried in the MIC field 436 of the message and validating the integrity of the message.

[0097] As shown by reference number 414, the relay UE 404 can perform a validity check on the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information. For example, the relay UE 404 can perform a validity check on the protected end-to-end discovery information when preparing for possible transmission of the protected end-to-end discovery information (e.g., in an announce message carrying a list of end-to-end information).

[0098] In some aspects, to perform the validity check, the relay UE 404 can determine, based at least in part on a current time and the validity information, whether the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE has expired. For example, the relay UE 404 can determine the current time from a UTC-based time counter maintained by the relay UE 404. The relay UE 404 can then determine whether the current time is within a time window (e.g., 16 seconds) from the validity start time. Here, if the current time is within the time window, the relay UE 404 can determine that the protected end-to-end discovery information is valid (e.g., not expired). Conversely, if the current time is not within the time window, the relay UE 404 can determine that the protected end-to-end discovery information is invalid (e.g., has expired). In some aspects, the target end UE 402 can perform its own validity check of its own protected end-to-end discovery information in a similar manner (e.g., to determine whether the target end UE 402 should send updated protected end-to-end discovery information). In some aspects, if the relay UE 404 determines that the protected end-to-end discovery information has expired, the relay UE 404 can send a request for updated protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE 402 for receipt by the target end UE 402.

[0099] As shown by reference number 418, the relay UE 404 can selectively send the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE 402 based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check. For example, the relay UE 404 can send the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the result of the validity check indicating that the protected end-to-end information has not expired. Conversely, the relay UE 404 can refrain from sending the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the result of the validity check indicating that the protected end-to-end information has expired.

[0100] In some aspects, associated with sending the protected end-to-end discovery information, the relay UE 404 can generate an end-to-end information list that includes one or more items of valid protected end-to-end discovery information (e.g., a direct discovery set), where each item can be associated with a respective target end UE 402. The relay UE 404 can then send (e.g., broadcast) the end-to-end information list that includes the end-to-end discovery information associated with the one or more target end UEs 402. In some aspects, the source end UE 406 can receive a message that includes valid protected end-to-end discovery information associated with a target end UE 402 previously discovered by the relay UE 404.

[0101] In this way, the relay UE 404 can determine whether the stored protected end-to-end discovery information associated with a given target UE 402 is valid, thereby ensuring that the relay UE 404 only sends valid protected end-to-end discovery information, which improves the reliability and functionality of U2U relay communication.

[0102] As indicated above, Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is provided as an example. Other examples are available relative to... Figure 4A and Figure 4B The examples described are different.

[0103] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example procedure 500 performed, for example, by a relay UE according to this disclosure. Example procedure 500 is an example in which a relay UE (e.g., UE 120) performs operations related to the validity of protected end-to-end information in U2U relay communication.

[0104] like Figure 5 As shown, in some aspects, process 500 may include receiving a message (block 510) that includes protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE. For example, as described above relative to Figure 4A Reference numeral 408 and relative to Figure 4B The example shown describes a relay UE (e.g., using...) Figure 7 The receiving component 702 and / or communication manager 706 depicted can receive messages that include protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE.

[0105] like Figure 5 As further shown, in some aspects, process 500 may include storing validity information associated with protected end-to-end information associated with a target UE (box 520). For example, as described above relative to... Figure 4A As described by reference numeral 412, a relay UE (e.g., using...) Figure 7 The communication manager 706 depicted can store validity information associated with protected end-to-end information that is associated with the target UE.

[0106] like Figure 5 As further shown, in some aspects, process 500 may include performing validity checks on the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on validity information (box 530). For example, as described above relative to... Figure 4A As described by reference numeral 414, a relay UE (e.g., using...) Figure 7 The communication manager 706 described herein can perform validity checks on protected end-to-end information based at least in part on validity information.

[0107] As Figure 5 Further as Figure 4A described above with respect to FIG. 4, a relay UE (e.g., using the transmission component 704 and / or the communications manager 706, depicted in FIG. 7) can selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check. Figure 7

[0108] Process 500 can include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0109] In a first aspect, process 500 includes verifying integrity of the message prior to storing the validity information.

[0110] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the validity information includes information indicating a time window.

[0111] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 500 includes receiving a network configuration including information indicating a time window.

[0112] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, process 500 includes determining the information indicating a time window.

[0113] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the information indicating a time window is determined based at least in part on a length of a UTC-based time counter LSB field included in the message.

[0114] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the validity information includes information indicating a time at which the target end UE transmitted the protected end-to-end information.

[0115] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process 500 includes determining the information indicating a time at which the target end UE transmitted the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on a set of bits included in a UTC-based time counter LSB field of the message.

[0116] ​In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, performing the validity check includes determining, based at least in part on the current time and the validity information, whether the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE has expired.

[0117] In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, selectively transmitting the protected end-to-end information includes transmitting the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on a result of the validity check indicating that the protected end-to-end information has not expired.

[0118] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, selectively transmitting the protected end-to-end information includes refraining from transmitting the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on a result of the validity check indicating that the protected end-to-end information has expired.

[0119] In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, the process 500 includes transmitting a request for updated protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE.

[0120] Although Figure 5 Example blocks of the process 500 are illustrated, but in some aspects, the process 500 can include Figure 5 additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of the process 500 can be performed in parallel.

[0121] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a target end UE, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process 600 is an example where the target end UE (e.g., UE 120) performs operations associated with validity of protected end-to-end information in U2U relay communications.

[0122] As Figure 6 shown, in some aspects, the process 600 can include transmitting a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE (block 610). For example, as described supra with respect to Figure 4A reference number 408 of FIG. 13 and with respect to Figure 4B the target end UE (e.g., using transmission component 704 and / or communications manager 706 depicted in FIG. 13) can transmit a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE. Figure 7

[0123] As Figure 6 ​As further shown in FIG. 6, in some aspects, process 600 can include storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information (block 620). For example, as described above relative to Figure 4A FIG. 4, the target end UE (e.g., using a communication manager 706 depicted in FIG. 7) can store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information. Figure 7

[0124] Process 600 can include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0125] In a first aspect, the validity information includes information indicating a time window.

[0126] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, process 600 includes receiving a network configuration including information indicating a time window.

[0127] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 600 includes determining a length of a UTC-based time counter LSB field of the message based at least in part on the information indicating the time window.

[0128] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, process 600 includes determining the information indicating the time window based at least in part on a predefined length of the UTC-based time counter LSB field.

[0129] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the validity information includes information indicating a time at which the target end UE transmitted the protected end-to-end information.

[0130] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the information indicating the time at which the target end UE transmitted the protected end-to-end information is based at least in part on a UTC-based time counter.

[0131] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the protected end-to-end information is transmitted based at least in part on a determination that protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE has not been previously transmitted.

[0132] ​In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the protected end-to-end information is transmitted based at least in part on a determination that previously transmitted protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE has expired, the determination based at least in part on stored validity information associated with the previously transmitted protected end-to-end information.

[0133] Although Figure 6 Example blocks of the process 600 are illustrated, but in some aspects, the process 600 can include more, fewer, or a different arrangement of blocks than those depicted. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of the process 600 can be performed in parallel. Figure 6 The depicted blocks can represent one or more operations by a device, such as an apparatus described herein. In some non-limiting and example aspects, the

[0134] Figure 7 FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example apparatus 700 for wireless communication in accordance with the present disclosure. The apparatus 700 can be a UE, or a UE can include the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the apparatus 700 includes means for receiving 702, means for transmitting 704, and / or a communication manager 706, which can each communicate, for example, via one or more buses and / or one or more other components. In some aspects, the communication manager 706 is the communication manager 140 described with reference to FIG. 1. Figure 1 As shown, the apparatus 700 can communicate with another apparatus 708 (such as a UE or a network node (such as a CU, a DU, a RU, or a base station)) using the reception component 702 and the transmission component 704.

[0135] In some aspects, the apparatus 700 can be configured to perform one or more operations described herein with reference to one or more of the methods Figure 4A and Figure 4B described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 700 can be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process 500 of Figure 5 FIG. 5, process 600 of FIG. 6, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, Figure 6 the apparatus 700 and / or one or more components thereof can include one or more components of the UE described in connection with FIG. 1. Additionally, or Figure 7 alternatively, one or more components illustrated in the apparatus 700 can be implemented within one or more components of the UE described in connection with Figure 2 FIG. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components illustrated in the apparatus 700 can be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. Figure 7 For example, a component (or a portion of a component) can be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and Figure 2 executed by a controller or a processor to perform the function or operation of that component.

[0136] The reception component 702 can receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or any combination thereof, from the apparatus 708. The reception component 702 can provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and can provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can include one or more antennas, a modem, a demodulator, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or any combination thereof, of the UE as described herein. Figure 2 The reception component 702 can receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or any combination thereof, from the apparatus 708. The reception component 702 can provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and can provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can include one or more antennas, a modem, a demodulator, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or any combination thereof, of the UE as described herein.

[0137] The transmission component 704 can transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or any combination thereof, to the apparatus 708. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 700 can generate communications and can provide the generated communications to the transmission component 704 for transmission to the apparatus 708. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 can perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and can transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 708. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 can include one or more antennas, a modem, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or any combination thereof, of the UE as described herein. Figure 2 The transmission component 704 can transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or any combination thereof, to the apparatus 708. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 700 can generate communications and can provide the generated communications to the transmission component 704 for transmission to the apparatus 708. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 can perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and can transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 708. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 can include one or more antennas, a modem, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or any combination thereof, of the UE as described herein.

[0138] The communication manager 706 can support the operations of the reception component 702 and / or the transmission component 704. For example, the communication manager 706 can receive information associated with configuring reception of communications by the reception component 702 and / or transmission of communications by the transmission component 704. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 706 can generate and / or provide control information to the reception component 702 and / or the transmission component 704 to control the reception and / or transmission of communications.

[0139] In some aspects, the reception component 702 can receive a message including protected end-to-end information associated with a target end UE. The communication manager 706 can store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE. The communication manager 706 can perform a validity check on the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information. The transmission component 704 can selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check.

[0140] In some such aspects, the communication manager 706 can verify the integrity of the message prior to storing the validity information. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can receive a network configuration including information indicating a time window. In some aspects, the communication manager 706 can determine the information indicating the time window. In some aspects, the communication manager 706 can determine the information indicating a time at which the target-end UE transmits the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on a set of bits included in a UTC-based time counter LSB field of the message. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 can transmit a request for updated protected end-to-end information associated with the target-end UE.

[0141] Additionally, or alternatively, the transmission component 704 can transmit a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the UE. The communication manager 706 can store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information.

[0142] In some such aspects, the reception component 702 can receive a network configuration including information indicating a time window. In some aspects, the communication manager 706 can determine a length of a UTC-based time counter LSB field of the message based at least in part on the information indicating the time window. In some aspects, the communication manager 706 can determine the information indicating the time window based at least in part on a predefined length of the UTC-based time counter LSB field.

[0143] Figure 7 The number and arrangement of components shown is provided as an example. In practice, there can be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown. Figure 7 For example, an additional component can perform some or all of the Figure 7 Two or more components shown as separate components can be implemented as a single component, and / or a single component shown as a separate component can be implemented as multiple components. Figure 7 Additionally or alternatively, a single component shown as being configured to perform particular operations can instead be configured to Figure 7 A set of one or more components shown can be configured to perform one or more functions described as being performed by another component in the set. Figure 7 One or more functions described as being performed by a set of one or more components can instead be performed by another component, or sets of components.

[0144] SUMMARY Aspect 1 : A method of wireless communication performed by a relay UE, the method comprising: receiving a message comprising protected end-to-end information associated with a target end UE; storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information, the protected end-to-end information being associated with the target end UE; performing a validity check of the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the validity information; and selectively transmitting the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE based at least in part on a result of performing the validity check.

[0145] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, further comprising verifying integrity of the message prior to storing the validity information.

[0146] Aspect 3: The method of any one of aspects 1 through 2, wherein the validity information comprises information indicating a time window.

[0147] Aspect 4: The method of aspect 3, further comprising receiving a network configuration comprising the information indicating the time window.

[0148] Aspect 5: The method of aspect 3, further comprising determining the information indicating the time window.

[0149] Aspect 6: The method of aspect 5, wherein the information indicating the time window is determined based at least in part on a length of a UTC-based time counter LSB field included in the message.

[0150] Aspect 7: The method of any one of aspects 1 through 6, wherein the validity information comprises information indicating a time at which the target end UE transmitted the protected end-to-end information.

[0151] Aspect 8: The method of aspect 7, further comprising determining the information indicating the time at which the target end UE transmitted the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on a set of bits included in a UTC-based time counter LSB field of the message.

[0152] Aspect 9: The method of any one of aspects 1 through 8, wherein performing the validity check comprises determining whether the protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE has expired based at least in part on a current time and the validity information.

[0153] Aspect 10: The method of any one of aspects 1 through 9, wherein selectively transmitting the protected end-to-end information comprises transmitting the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the result of the validity check indicating that the protected end-to-end information has not expired.

[0154] Aspect 11: The method of any of aspects 1-10, wherein selectively transmitting the protected end-to-end information comprises refraining from transmitting the protected end-to-end information based at least in part on the result of the validity check indicating that the protected end-to-end information has expired.

[0155] Aspect 12: The method of aspect 11, further comprising transmitting a request for updated protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE.

[0156] Aspect 13: A method of wireless communication performed by a target end UE, comprising: transmitting a message comprising protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE; and storing validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information.

[0157] Aspect 14: The method of aspect 13, wherein the validity information comprises information indicating a time window.

[0158] Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, further comprising receiving a network configuration comprising the information indicating the time window.

[0159] Aspect 16: The method of aspect 15, further comprising determining a length of a UTC-based time counter LSB field of the message based at least in part on the information indicating the time window.

[0160] Aspect 17: The method of aspect 14, further comprising determining the information indicating the time window based at least in part on a predefined length of a UTC-based time counter LSB field.

[0161] Aspect 18: The method of any of aspects 13-17, wherein the validity information comprises information indicating a time at which the target end UE transmitted the protected end-to-end information.

[0162] Aspect 19: The method of aspect 18, wherein the information indicating the time at which the target end UE transmitted the protected end-to-end information is based at least in part on a coordinated universal time (UTC)-based time counter.

[0163] Aspect 20: The method of any of aspects 13-19, wherein the protected end-to-end information is transmitted based at least in part on a determination that protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE has not been previously transmitted.

[0164] Aspect 21: The method of any of aspects 13-20, wherein the protected end-to-end information is transmitted based at least in part on a determination that previously transmitted protected end-to-end information associated with the target end UE has expired, the determination based at least in part on stored validity information associated with the previously transmitted protected end-to-end information.

[0165] Aspect 22: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, the apparatus comprising: a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method of one or more of aspects 1-21.

[0166] Aspect 23: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to perform the method of one or more of aspects 1-21.

[0167] Aspect 24: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of aspects 1-21.

[0168] Aspect 25: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of one or more of aspects 1-21.

[0169] Aspect 26: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method of one or more of aspects 1-21.

[0170] While the foregoing disclosure provides examples and descriptions, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or from practice of the aspects.

[0171] As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware and / or a combination of hardware and software. “Software” shall be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, and / or functions, among other examples, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. As used herein, a “processor” is implemented in hardware and / or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented in different forms of hardware and / or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting of the aspects. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods were described herein without reference to specific software code — because software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods, based on the description herein, without departing from the scope of the various aspects.

[0172] As used herein, depending on the context, “satisfies a threshold” can refer to a value that is greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, not equal to the threshold, and / or the like.

[0173] Although specific combinations of features are set forth in the claims and / or disclosed herein, those combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Many of the features described herein can be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein. The disclosure of various aspects includes each and every combination of the features described herein. As used herein, the phrase “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combination of items from a, b, and c (e.g., a-a, a-a-a, a-a-b, a-a-c, a-b-b, a-c-c, b-b, b-b-b, b-b-c, c-c, and c-c-c, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0174] No element, act or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language will be used. Also, as used herein, the term “has” and its variants are intended to be open-ended terms that do not limit the item that the term is modifying to a single item unless otherwise indicated. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to be open-ended, and to mean “based, at least in part, on.” Finally, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be the inclusive or, and not the exclusive or; that is, unless specified otherwise, “or” is intended to mean either item A or item B, or both item A and item B.

Claims

1. A relay user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, the relay user equipment (UE) comprising: Memory; and One or more processors, said one or more processors being coupled to the memory and configured to: Receive a message that includes protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE; Validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information, which is associated with the target UE, is stored. The validity check of the protected end-to-end information is performed at least in part based on the validity information. as well as The protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE is selectively transmitted, at least in part, based on the result of performing the validity check.

2. The relay UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to verify the integrity of the message before storing the validity information.

3. The relay UE according to claim 1, wherein the validity information includes information indicating a time window.

4. The relay UE of claim 3, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive network configuration including the information indicating the time window.

5. The relay UE of claim 3, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine the information indicating the time window.

6. The relay UE of claim 5, wherein the information indicating the time window is determined at least in part based on the length of the least significant bit (LSB) field of the time counter based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) included in the message.

7. The relay UE according to claim 1, wherein the validity information includes information indicating the time at which the target UE transmits the protected end-to-end information.

8. The relay UE of claim 7, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine, at least in part, the information indicating the time at which the target UE transmits the protected end-to-end information based on a set of bits included in the least significant bit (LSB) field of the time counter based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) of the message.

9. The relay UE of claim 1, wherein, in order to perform the validity check, the one or more processors are configured to determine, at least in part, whether the protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE has expired based on the current time and the validity information.

10. The relay UE of claim 1, wherein, in order to selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information, the one or more processors are configured to transmit the protected end-to-end information at least in part based on the result of the validity check indicating that the protected end-to-end information has not yet expired.

11. The relay UE of claim 1, wherein, in order to selectively transmit the protected end-to-end information, the one or more processors are configured to suppress the transmission of the protected end-to-end information by indicating, at least in part, that the protected end-to-end information has expired based on the result of the validity check.

12. The relay UE of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to send a request for updated protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE.

13. A target user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, the target user equipment (UE) comprising: Memory; and One or more processors, said one or more processors being coupled to the memory and configured to: Send a message including protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE; as well as Store validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information.

14. The target UE according to claim 13, wherein the validity information includes information indicating a time window.

15. The target UE of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive network configuration including information indicating the time window.

16. The target UE of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine the information indicating the time window based at least in part on a predefined length of the least significant bit (LSB) field of the time counter based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

17. The target UE of claim 13, wherein the validity information includes information indicating the time at which the target UE transmits the protected end-to-end information.

18. The target UE of claim 13, wherein the protected end-to-end information is transmitted at least in part based on a determination that protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE has not been previously transmitted.

19. The target UE of claim 13, wherein the protected end-to-end information is transmitted at least in part based on a determination that previously transmitted protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE has expired, the determination being at least in part based on stored validity information associated with the previously transmitted protected end-to-end information.

20. A wireless communication method performed by a relay user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Receive a message that includes protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE; Validity information associated with the protected end-to-end information, which is associated with the target UE, is stored. The validity check of the protected end-to-end information is performed at least in part based on the validity information. as well as The protected end-to-end information associated with the target UE is selectively transmitted, at least in part, based on the result of performing the validity check.

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