Methods for establishing multipath communication

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for adding a second path in a communication is disclosed. The method includes a base station triggering a relay device for the second path to a state for connection with the base station; transmitting a first configuration message to the relay device indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the UE; receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station; receiving a notification from the relay device indicating the establishment of sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE and including the state of the UE; transmitting a second configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of the second path; and receiving a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Patent Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 504,145, entitled "ESTABLISHMENT OF SIDELINK MULTI - PATH RELAY COMMUNICATION", filed on May 24, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The apparatus and methods according to the present disclosure generally relate to communications, and more specifically, to methods, systems, and devices for establishing multi - path communication.

Background Art

[0003] Multipath transmission includes a direct communication path between user equipment (UE) and the network (e.g., a base station) and one or more indirect communication paths between the UE and the network via one or more relay devices (e.g., relay devices between the UE and the network). A network may employ multipath transmission to improve the reliability and efficiency of communication with the UE. For example, after establishing a direct communication path with the UE, the network may decide to add an indirect communication path via relay devices, depending on a determination of degraded communication quality in the direct path. Adding an indirect communication path may require the UE and relay devices to perform reconfigurations, such as radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration. In addition, the UE and relay devices may need to establish sidelink connections. However, there are several challenges when the UE and relay devices perform such operations, for example, because multiple links (paths) are required. For example, the UE may not have access to the RRC status of the relay device or the status of the connection between the relay device and the network, and the network may not have access to the status of the connection between the UE and the relay device. Furthermore, while relay devices are generally assumed to be in an RRC connection state, they are often not. These challenges in adding indirect paths can degrade overall communication quality and efficiency. There is a need for systems and methods that can reliably and efficiently establish multipath transmission. [Overview of the project]

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and a UE. The method includes: transmitting a first configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of the second path and including information about a relay device for the second path; transmitting a second configuration message to the relay device including information about the UE; receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message; and receiving a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the first configuration message and including the status of the UE.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The method includes receiving a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the UE; transmitting a response message to the base station indicating the configuration status of a relay device; and transmitting a notification to the UE regarding the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, including the status of the relay device.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and a UE. The method includes receiving a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of the second path and including information about a relay device for the second path; establishing sidelink communication with the relay device; and sending a response message to the base station indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The method includes the base station triggering a relay device for the second path to a state for connection with the base station; transmitting a first configuration message to the relay device indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the UE; receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the first configuration message; receiving a notification from the relay device indicating the establishment of sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE and including the state of the UE; transmitting a second configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of the second path; and receiving a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path in the state in which the second path has been added based on the second configuration message.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The method includes receiving a trigger from the base station to trigger a relay device to transition to a radio resource control (RRC) connection state; receiving a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of a second path and including information about the UE; and transmitting a message to the base station indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device established based on the configuration message.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and a UE. The method includes establishing sidelink communication with a relay device included in a network including the base station, receiving a configuration message from the network indicating the addition of a second path, and sending a response message to the network indicating the configuration status of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a base station is provided for adding a second path after a first path has been established between the base station and the UE. The base station includes a memory for storing instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory and transmit a first configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of a second path and including information about a relay device for the second path, transmit a second configuration message to the relay device including information about the UE, receive a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message, and receive a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path in the state in which the second path has been added based on the first configuration message and including the state of the UE.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a relay device is provided for adding a second path after a first path between a UE and a base station has been established. The relay device includes a memory for storing instructions, and for executing the instructions stored in the memory to receive a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of a second path and containing information about the UE, and for transmitting a response message to the base station indicating the configuration status of the relay device, and the second A processor configured to perform the following: sending a status notification of the portion of a path between a relay device and a base station, including the status of the relay device, to the UE.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a UE is provided for adding a second path after a first path between a UE and a base station has been established. The UE includes a memory for storing instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory and to receive a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of a second path and including information about a relay device for the second path, to establish sidelink communication with the relay device, and to send a response message to the base station indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a base station is provided for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The base station includes a memory for storing instructions, and a processor configured to perform the following: execute the instructions stored in the memory to trigger a relay device for the second path to be in a state for connection with the base station; send a first configuration message to the relay device indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the UE; receive a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the first configuration message; receive a notification from the relay device indicating the establishment of sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE and including the state of the UE; send a second configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of the second path; and receive a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path in the state in which the second path has been added based on the second configuration message.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a relay device is provided for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The relay device includes a memory for storing instructions, and a processor configured to: receive from the base station a trigger for executing the instructions stored in the memory to trigger the relay device into an RRC connected state; receive from the base station a configuration message indicating the addition of a second path and containing information about the UE; and transmit to the base station a message indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device established based on the configuration message.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a UE is provided for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a UE and a base station. The UE includes a memory for storing instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to establish sidelink communication with a relay device included in a network including the base station, receive a configuration message from the network indicating the addition of a second path, and send a response message to the network indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-temporary computer-readable medium is provided which stores instructions executable by one or more processors of a base station for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The method includes: transmitting a first configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of a second path and including information about a relay device of the second path; transmitting a second configuration message to the relay device including information about the UE; receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message; and the first configuration message indicating that the second path has been added based on the first configuration message. This includes receiving a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the path configuration and including the state of the UE.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-temporary computer-readable medium is provided for storing instructions executable by one or more processors of a relay device for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The method includes receiving a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of a second path and including information about the UE; transmitting a response message to the base station indicating the configuration status of the relay device; and transmitting a notification to the UE regarding the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, including the status of the relay device.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-temporary computer-readable medium is provided for storing instructions executable by one or more processors of a UE for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The method includes receiving a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of a second path and including information about a relay device of the second path; establishing sidelink communication with the relay device; and sending a response message to the base station indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transient computer-readable medium is provided which stores instructions executable by one or more processors of a base station for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The method includes triggering a relay device of the second path to a state for connection with the base station; transmitting a first configuration message to the relay device indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the UE; receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the first configuration message; receiving a notification from the relay device indicating the establishment of sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE and including the state of the UE; transmitting a second configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of the second path; and receiving a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path in the state in which the second path has been added based on the second configuration message.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transient computer-readable medium is provided which stores instructions executable by one or more processors of a relay device for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established. The method includes receiving a trigger from the base station to trigger the relay device to transition to an RRC connection state; receiving a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of a second path and including information about the UE; and transmitting a message to the base station indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device established based on the configuration message.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, after a first path between a base station and a UE is established, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of the UE for adding a second path is provided. The method includes establishing sidelink communication with a relay device included in a network including the base station, receiving a configuration message indicating addition of the second path from the network, and transmitting a response message indicating a status of the configuration of the first path in a state where the second path is added based on the configuration message, to the network.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating multi-path transmission in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for switching from a direct path to an indirect path to a UE in a communication system in the art. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication path when an indirect path is added after a direct path between a UE and a network is set up according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a table illustrating three types of configurations for establishing multi-path transmission according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for adding an indirect path between a UE and a network in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for adding an indirect path between a UE and a network in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for adding an indirect path between a UE and a network in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for adding an indirect path between a UE and a network in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path is established between a base station and a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path is established between a base station and a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path is established between a UE and a base station according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path is established between a base station and a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path is established between a base station and a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path is established between a UE and a base station according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The following description refers in detail to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, and the same numbers in different drawings represent identical or similar elements unless otherwise noted. The practices described in the following description of exemplary embodiments do not represent all practices relating to the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of systems, apparatuses, and methods that are consistent with the aspects relating to the present disclosure as described in the accompanying claims.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating multipath transmission in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a UE 102, a network 104, and a relay device 106. The UE 102 may be any device, such as a mobile phone, a wireless handheld device, a wireless personal device, a computer, a laptop computer, a vehicle, a vehicle-mounted component, or any other form. The network 104 may be a base station. The base station may be any existing base station, for example, an eNB for Long-Term Evolution (LTE), a gNB for New Radio (NR), or a base station for future generation (6th generation (6G), or any other future generation) radio access technology (RAT). In some embodiments, the relay device 106 is a relay device for U2N transmission from the UE to the network. It may be a relay device. In some embodiments, the relay device 106 may be any other UE in the communication system that is capable of sidelink communication with UE 102. As shown in Figure 1, UE 102 is connected to network 104 using a direct communication path (path #1) and an indirect communication path (path #2) via relay device 106 for multipath transmission. The use of multipath transmission can improve the reliability and / or data rate of UE 102. In some embodiments, there may be multiple indirect paths via multiple relay devices.

[0025] Referring to Figure 1, after relay device 106 is selected based on the relay device discovery process, the procedure for establishing multipath communication is initiated. In some embodiments, an indirect communication path (path #2) is added after the direct communication path (path #1) is set up. In this case, UE 102 operating on the direct communication path may add the indirect communication path under the same network 104. In some embodiments, the direct communication path may be added after the indirect communication path is set up. In this case, UE 102 operating on the indirect communication path may add the direct communication path under the same network 104. In this disclosure, the terms “direct communication path” and “direct path” are used interchangeably, and the terms “indirect communication path” and “indirect path” are used interchangeably.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the procedure for switching from a direct path to an indirect path to a UE in a communication system of the art. Referring to Figure 2, the communication system 200 includes a UE 202, a network 204, and a relay device 206. In step 208, the UE 202 and the network 204 establish direct communication. For example, the UE 202 and the network 204 establish a connection between the UE and the network via a Uu interface. After the direct path is established, the UE 202 sends data to the network 204 via uplink (UL) communication, and the network 204 sends data to the UE 202 via downlink (DL) communication. In step 210, the UE 202 performs a measurement and reports the measurement results to the network 204. The UE may perform a measurement based on settings specified in a measurement configuration provided by the network 204, for example. For example, the UE 202 may measure the signal quality of the downlink signal and report the measurement results to the network 204. In some embodiments, UE 202 may report one or more candidate relay devices to network 204. In step 212, network 204 decides to switch UE 202 to relay device 206. In step 214, network 204 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to relay device 206, and relay device 206 sends a response message to network 204. In step 216, network 204 sends another RRC reconfiguration message to UE 202, and UE 202 sends a response message to network 204. After receiving the RRC reconfiguration messages from network 204, UE 202 stops transmitting over the direct path. In step 218, UE 202 establishes sidelink communication with relay device 206, for example, using the PC5 interface. In step 220, UE 202 completes the path switching procedure and sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to network 204 over relay device 206.In step 222, the data path is switched from a direct path to an indirect path, and uplink / downlink data between UE 202 and network 204 is transmitted via relay device 206.

[0027] The procedure in Figure 2 can be used for switching from a direct path to an indirect path, but because there is a fundamental difference between adding an indirect path and switching to an indirect path, this procedure cannot be used to add an indirect path after a direct path has been established. For example, step 212 of the procedure in Figure 2 may not be suitable for adding an indirect path. In the case of adding an indirect path, network 204 must decide to add an indirect path, rather than switching to an indirect path. In some cases, this may not be the case. Furthermore, steps 214-220 of the procedure in Figure 2 may not be suitable for the procedure of adding an indirect path. In the case of adding an indirect path, the relay device 206 may need to access the RRC reconfiguration status for the indirect path, and the UE 202 may need to access the RRC reconfiguration status for both the direct and indirect paths. At least some embodiments of this disclosure address this problem by providing a method and system for adding an indirect path.

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication path when an indirect path is added after a direct path has been set up between the UE and the network, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3, the communication system 300 includes a UE 302, a network 304, and a relay device 306. The UE 302, network 304, and relay device 306 are similar to the UE 102, network 104, and relay device 106 in Figure 1, respectively. The UE 302 may be any mobile device, vehicle, vehicle-mounted component, or any other form. The network 304 may be any existing base station (e.g., eNB, gNB) or any future-generation base station. The relay device 306 may be a U2N relay device or any other UE. In some embodiments, the UE 302 is a vehicle in vehicle-to-vehicle / vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communication, and the U2N relay is a roadside unit. As shown in Figure 3, UE 302 connects to network 304 using a direct path (path #1) and indirect paths including paths #2 and #3 via relay device 306 for multipath transmission. In some embodiments, UE 302 communicates with network 304 via multiple relay devices using multiple indirect paths.

[0029] Referring to Figure 3, direct path #1 uses the Uu interface between UE 302 and network 304. The indirect path consists of two parts (or links): a first part (path #2) between UE 302 and relay device 306, using, for example, the PC5 interface, and a second part (path #3) between relay device 306 and network 304, using, for example, the Uu interface. After the direct path (path #1) is established, to add the indirect path, network 304 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 302, which contains information about adding the indirect path. Upon receiving the RRC reconfiguration message, UE 302 performs an RRC reconfiguration to add the indirect path and sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to network 304. Similarly, network 304 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to relay device 306. Upon receiving the RRC reconfiguration message, relay device 306 performs an RRC reconfiguration to add the indirect path and sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to network 304. Figure 3 illustrates only one relay device, namely relay device 306, as an exemplary candidate relay device, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the communication system may have multiple candidate relay devices, and network 304 may select one or more relay devices from the multiple candidate relay devices. In this case, UE 302 may communicate with network 304 using multipath transmission, which includes one or more indirect paths, through the selected one or more relay devices.

[0030] Figure 4 is Table 400 illustrating three types of configurations for establishing multipath transmission according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 4, in the first configuration (1), in the first step, communication path #1 is established from the network (e.g., network 304 in Figure 3) to the UE (e.g., UE 302 in Figure 3), in the second step, communication path #2 is established from the UE to the relay device (e.g., relay device 306 in Figure 3), and in the third step, communication path #3 is established from the network to the relay device. That is, in the first configuration (1), the communication paths are established in the order of path #1-path #2-path #3 (#1-2-3). In the second configuration (2), in the first step, communication path #1 is established from the network to the UE. In the second step, communication path #3 from the network to the relay device is established, and in the third step, communication path #2 from the UE to the relay device, or from the relay device to the UE, is established. That is, in the second configuration (2), the communication paths are established in the order of path #1-path #3-path #2 (#1-3-2). In the third configuration (3), in the first step, communication path #3 from the network to the relay device is established, in the second step, communication path #1 from the network to the UE is established, and in the third step, communication path #2 from the UE to the relay device, or from the relay device to the UE, is established. That is, in the third configuration (3), the communication paths are established in the order of path #3-path #1-path #2 (#3-1-2).

[0031] There are challenges in applying the above configuration to establishing multipath transmission. For example, the UE may not have access to the RRC status of the relay device or the status of the connection between the relay device and the network. Similarly, the network may not have access to the status of the connection between the UE and the relay device. Furthermore, although the relay device is generally assumed to be in an RRC connection state in this art, it may not be in an RRC connection state.

[0032] At least some embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods for addressing the above-mentioned challenges and enabling the establishment of efficient multipath transmission. For example, at least some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for determining the RRC status of a relay device (e.g., whether the relay device is in an RRC connection state) for indirect path addition. In some embodiments, the network may notify the UE of the relay device's RRC status via a direct path. In some embodiments, the UE may query the relay device for its RRC status (e.g., via a PC5 connection). In some embodiments, the relay device may notify the UE of its RRC status (e.g., via a PC5 connection).

[0033] Furthermore, at least some embodiments of this disclosure provide a method for flexibly establishing communication between a UE and a relay device. For example, in some embodiments, the UE initiates the connection between the UE and the relay device, while in other embodiments, the relay device initiates the connection between the UE and the relay device. In some embodiments, the UE reports the status of the connection between the UE and the relay device to the network, while in other embodiments, the relay device reports the status of the connection between the UE and the relay device to the network. Based on the status of the connection between the UE and the relay device, the network may configure three communication links, as shown in Figure 3, and cascade them to streamline the addition of indirect paths, as described later.

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for adding an indirect path between a UE and a network in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The procedure in Figure 5 corresponds to the first configuration (1) in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 5, the communication system 500 includes a UE 502, a network 504, and a relay device 506. The UE 502, network 504, and relay device 506 are similar to the UE 102, network 104, and relay device 106 in Figure 1, or the UE 302, network 304, and relay device 306 in Figure 3, respectively. For simplicity, a detailed description of the UE 502, network 504, and relay device 506 is omitted here. As illustrated in Figure 5, in step 508, the UE 502 and network 504 establish direct communication. For example, the UE 502 and network 504 may establish a connection between the UE and the network via a Uu interface. After the direct path is established, UE 502 may transmit signals / data to network 504 via uplink communication, and network 504 may transmit signals / data to UE 502 via downlink communication.

[0035] In step 510, UE 502 performs the measurement and reports the measurement results to network 504. UE 502 then performs the measurement provided by network 504, for example. Measurements may be performed based on settings specified in a fixed configuration. For example, UE 502 may perform measurements on downlink signals received from network 504 and report the measured signal quality to network 504. In some embodiments, after UE 502 has detected candidate relay devices in the discovery process, UE 502 may report one or more candidate relay devices to network 504. For example, in some embodiments, the candidate relay devices are U2N relay UEs, and UE 502 may report at least one of the relay UE ID, the relay UE's serving cell ID, or sidelink measurement information (e.g., sidelink discovery reference signal received power (SD-RSRP)) to network 504. In some embodiments, UE 502 may selectively report only candidate relay devices that meet predetermined criteria.

[0036] In step 512, network 504 decides to add an indirect path between UE 502 and network 504 via relay device 506. In some embodiments, network 504 may decide to add the indirect path based on a measurement report received from UE 502, for example, based on a determination of degraded communication quality in the direct path. In some embodiments, network 504 may decide to add the indirect path to ensure the reliability of data transmission, regardless of the measurement report received from UE 502. In some embodiments, network 504 may decide to add the indirect path based on its own measurement results. In some embodiments, UE 502 may decide to add the indirect path on behalf of network 504 and send a request to network 504. In some embodiments, network 504 may select relay device 506 as the target relay device from among several candidate relay devices based on relay device selection criteria in the network.

[0037] In step 514, network 504 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 502. The RRC reconfiguration message includes information about the addition of an indirect path. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include an initiator for a sidelink connection between UE 502 and relay device 506. For example, the initiator may be a PC5 initiator, as shown in Figure 5. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include information about relay device 506. UE 502 may send a response message to network 504. For example, in some embodiments, the response message may be an acknowledgment by UE 502 of receiving the RRC configuration message. In some embodiments, the response message may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0038] In step 516, in some embodiments, UE 502 initiates a sidelink connection (e.g., a PC5 connection) with relay device 506 based on information about relay device 506 contained in an RRC reconfiguration message received from network 504. Once the sidelink connection is established, relay device gains access to information indicating that UE 502 is ready to add an indirect path. In some embodiments, relay device 506 may initiate the sidelink connection (e.g., a PC5 connection) with UE 502 instead of UE 502.

[0039] In step 518, UE 502 triggers relay device 506 to transition to an RRC connected state, thereby enabling relay device 506 to prepare for RRC reconfiguration with network 504. This step is desired if relay device 506 is not in an RRC connected state before the network initiates RRC reconfiguration with relay device 506. In some embodiments, relay device 506 may be in an RRC connected state before step 514. In this case, step 518 may be omitted.

[0040] In step 520, network 504 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to relay device 506. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message sent to relay device 506 may include information about UE 502. For example, network 504 may have prior Layer 2 identification (ID) information for UE 502 and include Layer 2 ID information for UE 502 in the RRC reconfiguration message. After RRC reconfiguration, relay device 506 may send a response message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration complete message) to network 504, which may have information indicating that relay device 506 is ready to add an indirect path.

[0041] In step 522, the relay device 506 sends a notification to the UE 522. In some embodiments, the notification may include the status of the relay device 506. For example, the notification may include the RRC reconfiguration status of the relay device 506. Thus, by step 522, the UE 502 may have information indicating that the relay device 506 is ready to add an indirect path.

[0042] In step 524, UE 502 sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to network 504. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message in step 514 and the RRC reconfiguration complete message in step 524 may be a pair of messages, and UE 502 may send the RRC reconfiguration complete message in response to the RRC reconfiguration message received in step 514. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration complete message may include the status of the UE, and network 504 may have information indicating that UE 502 is ready to add an indirect path. After adding an indirect path via relay device 506, in step 526, UE 502 is able to send uplink signals / data to network 504 via the direct path and / or indirect path, and network 504 is able to send downlink signals / data to UE 502 via the direct path and / or indirect path.

[0043] Although Figure 5 illustrates only one relay device, namely relay device 506, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, UE 502 and network 504 may establish multiple indirect paths through multiple relay devices.

[0044] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for adding an indirect path between a UE and a network in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The procedure in Figure 6 corresponds to the second configuration (2) in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 6, the communication system 600 includes a UE 602, a network 604, and a relay device 606. The UE 602, network 604, and relay device 606 may be the same as the UE 102, network 104, and relay device 106 in Figure 1, or the UE 302, network 304, and relay device 306 in Figure 3, respectively. For simplicity, a detailed description of the UE 602, network 604, and relay device 606 is omitted here. As illustrated in Figure 6, in step 608, the UE 602 and network 604 establish direct communication. For example, the UE 602 and network 604 establish a connection between the UE and the network via a Uu interface. UE 602 can transmit signals / data to network 604 via uplink communication, and network 604 can transmit signals / data to UE 602 via downlink communication.

[0045] In step 610, UE 602 performs measurements on the link between the UE and the network and reports the measurement results to network 604. UE 602 may perform measurements based on settings specified in the measurement configuration provided by network 604, for example. For example, UE 602 may perform measurements on the downlink signal received from network 604 and report the measured signal quality to network 604. In some embodiments, after UE 602 has detected candidate relay devices in the search process, UE 602 may report one or more candidate relay devices to network 604. For example, in some embodiments, the candidate relay devices are U2N relay UEs, and UE 602 may report at least one of the following to network 604: the relay UE ID, the relay UE's serving cell ID, or sidelink metric information (e.g., SD-RSRP). In some embodiments, UE 602 may selectively report candidate relay devices that meet certain criteria.

[0046] In step 612, network 604 decides to add an indirect path between UE 602 and network 604 via relay device 606. In some embodiments, network 604 may decide to add the indirect path based on a measurement report received from UE 602, for example, based on a determination of degraded communication quality in the direct path. In some embodiments, network 604 may decide to add the indirect path to ensure the reliability of data transmission, regardless of the measurement report received from UE 602. In some embodiments, network 604 may decide to add the indirect path based on its own measurement results. In some embodiments, UE 602 may decide to add the indirect path on behalf of network 604 and send a request to network 604. In some embodiments, network 604 may select relay device 606 as the target relay device from among several candidate relay devices based on selection criteria for relay devices in the network.

[0047] In step 614, network 604 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 602. The RRC reconfiguration message includes information about the addition of an indirect path. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include an initiator for a sidelink connection between UE 602 and relay device 606. For example, the initiator may be a PC5 initiator, as shown in Figure 6. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include information about relay device 606. UE 602 may send a response message to network 604. For example, in some embodiments, the response message may be an acknowledgment by UE 602 of receiving the RRC configuration message. In some embodiments, the response message may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0048] In step 616, network 604 triggers relay device 606 to transition to an RRC connection state, thereby enabling relay device 606 to prepare for RRC reconfiguration with network 604. This step is desired if relay device 606 is not in an RRC connection state before the network initiates RRC reconfiguration with relay device 606. In some embodiments, relay device 606 may be in an RRC connection state before step 614. In this case, step 616 may be omitted.

[0049] In step 618, network 604 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to relay device 606. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message sent to relay device 606 may include information about UE 602. For example, network 604 may have Layer 2 ID information of UE 602 in advance and include the UE in the RRC reconfiguration message. The Layer 2 ID information of 602 may also be included. After RRC reconfiguration, relay device 606 sends a response message (for example, an RRC reconfiguration complete message) to network 604, so that network 604 can have information indicating that relay device 606 is ready to add an indirect path.

[0050] In step 620, in some embodiments, the relay device 606 uses information about UE 602 contained in the RRC reconfiguration message received from network 604. Next, the sidelink connection with UE 602 is initiated. In some embodiments, UE 602 may initiate a sidelink connection (e.g., a PC5 connection) with the relay device 606. In some embodiments, the initiator (e.g., the PC5 initiator) may be determined by the network 604. For example, the network 604 may determine the initiator and send it to the relay device 606 by including it in the RRC reconfiguration message sent to the relay device 606 in step 618. Alternatively, the network 604 may, in step 614, send the initiator to the UE 602 by including it in the RRC reconfiguration message sent to the UE 602. It may also be transmitted to 602. In this way, UE 602 can have information indicating that relay device 606 is ready to add an indirect path, and relay device 606 can have information indicating that UE 602 is ready to add an indirect path.

[0051] In step 622, UE 602 sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to network 604. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message in step 614 and the RRC reconfiguration complete message in step 622 may be a pair of messages, and UE 602 may send the RRC reconfiguration complete message in response to the RRC reconfiguration message received in step 614. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration complete message may include the status of the UE, so that network 604 has information indicating that UE 602 is ready to add an indirect path. After adding an indirect path via relay device 606, in step 624, UE 602 can send uplink signals / data to network 604 via the direct path and / or indirect path, and network 604 can send downlink signals / data to UE 602 via the direct path and / or indirect path. In some embodiments, UE 602 and network 604 may establish multiple indirect paths via multiple relay devices.

[0052] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for adding an indirect path between a UE and a network in a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The procedure in Figure 7 corresponds to the third configuration (3) in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 7, the communication system 700 includes a UE 702, a network 704, and a relay device 706. The UE 702, network 704, and relay device 706 may be the same as the UE 102, network 104, and relay device 106 in Figure 1, or the UE 302, network 304, and relay device 306 in Figure 3, respectively. For simplicity, a detailed description of the UE 702, network 704, and relay device 706 is omitted here. As illustrated in Figure 7, in step 708, the UE 702 and network 704 establish direct communication. Step 708 is the same as step 508 in Figure 5 or step 608 in Figure 6. For the sake of brevity, a detailed description of step 708 is omitted here. In step 710, UE 702 performs the measurement and reports the measurement results to network 704. UE 702 may perform the measurement based on settings specified in the measurement configuration provided by network 704, for example. Step 710 is similar to step 510 in Figure 5 or step 610 in Figure 6. For the sake of brevity, a detailed description of step 710 is omitted here.

[0053] In step 712, network 704 decides to add an indirect path between UE 702 and network 704 via relay device 706. Step 712 is similar to step 512 in Figure 5 or step 612 in Figure 6. For simplicity, a detailed description of step 712 is omitted here. In step 714, network 704 triggers relay device 706 to transition to an RRC connected state, thereby enabling relay device 706 to prepare for RRC reconfiguration with network 704. This step is similar to the transition of relay device 706 to an RRC connected state prior to step 712. This is desired if not present. In some embodiments, the relay device 706 may be in an RRC connected state before step 712. In this case, step 714 may be omitted.

[0054] In step 716, network 704 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to relay device 706. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message sent to relay device 706 may include information about UE 702, such as the Layer 2 ID information of UE 702. After RRC reconfiguration, relay device 706 may send a response message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration complete message) to network 704, so that network 704 has information indicating that relay device 706 is ready to add an indirect path.

[0055] In step 718, network 704 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 702. The RRC reconfiguration message includes information about the addition of an indirect path. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include information about relay device 706. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include an initiator for a sidelink connection (e.g., a PC5 connection) between UE 702 and relay device 706. For example, the initiator may be a PC5 initiator, as shown in Figure 7. UE 702 may send a response message to network 704. For example, in some embodiments, the response message may be an acknowledgment by UE 702 of receiving the RRC configuration message. In some embodiments, the response message may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0056] In step 720, in some embodiments, UE 702 initiates a sidelink connection (e.g., a PC5 connection) with relay device 706 based on information about relay device 706 contained in an RRC reconfiguration message received from network 704. For example, UE 702 may initiate a sidelink connection based on a PC5 initiator contained in an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, relay device 706 may initiate a sidelink connection with UE 702. In some embodiments, the initiator (e.g., a PC5 initiator) may be determined by network 704. For example, network 704 may determine the initiator and the initiator may be connected to UE 704. The initiator may be sent to UE 702 by including it in the RRC reconfiguration message sent to 702. Alternatively, or in addition to that, network 704 may send the initiator to relay device 706 by including the initiator in the RRC reconfiguration message sent to relay device 706. In this way, UE 702 can have information indicating that relay device 706 is ready to add an indirect path, and relay device 706 can have information indicating that UE 702 is ready to add an indirect path.

[0057] In step 722, UE 702 sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to network 704. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message in step 718 and the RRC reconfiguration complete message in step 722 may be a pair of messages, and UE 702 may send the RRC reconfiguration complete message in response to the RRC reconfiguration message received in step 718. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration complete message may include the status of the UE, so that network 704 can have information indicating that UE 702 is ready to add an indirect path. After adding an indirect path via relay device 706, in step 724, UE 702 can send uplink signals / data to network 704 via the direct path and / or indirect path, and network 704 can send downlink signals / data to UE 702 via the direct path and / or indirect path. In some embodiments, UE 702 and network 704 have multiple Multiple indirect paths may be established via relay devices.

[0058] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for adding an indirect path between a UE and a network in a communication system according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Referring to Figure 8, the communication system 800 includes a UE 802, a network 804, and a relay device 806. The UE 802, network 804, and relay device 806 may be the same as the UE 102, network 104, and relay device 106 in Figure 1, or the UE 302, network 304, and relay device 306 in Figure 3, respectively. For simplicity, a detailed description of the UE 802, network 804, and relay device 806 is omitted here. Compared to the communication systems in Figures 5 to 7, in Figure 8, the network 804 and relay device 806 together function as a single (or virtual) network.

[0059] In step 808, UE 802 and network 804 establish direct communication. Step 808 is similar to step 508 in Figure 5, or step 608 in Figure 6, or step 708 in Figure 7. For simplicity, a detailed description of step 808 is omitted here. In step 810, UE 802 may perform a measurement configuration and report the measurement results for the link between the UE and the network to network 804. Step 810 is similar to step 510 in Figure 5, or step 610 in Figure 6, or step 710 in Figure 7. For simplicity, a detailed description of step 810 is omitted here.

[0060] In step 812, network 804 decides to add an indirect path between UE 802 and network 804 via relay device 806. Step 812 is similar to step 512 in Figure 5, or step 612 in Figure 6, or step 712 in Figure 7. For simplicity, a detailed description of step 812 is omitted here. In step 814, network 804 triggers relay device 806 to transition to an RRC connected state, thereby preparing relay device 806 for RRC reconfiguration with network 804. This step is desired if relay device 806 is not in an RRC connected state before step 812. In some embodiments, relay device 806 may be in an RRC connected state before step 812. In this case, step 814 may be omitted.

[0061] In step 816, network 804 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to relay device 806. In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message sent to relay device 806 may include information about UE 802, such as the Layer 2 ID information of UE 802. After RRC reconfiguration, relay device 806 may send a response message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration complete message) to network 804, so that network 804 has information indicating that relay device 806 is ready to add an indirect path.

[0062] In step 818, in some embodiments, the relay device 806 initiates a sidelink connection (e.g., a PC5 connection) with UE 802 based on information about UE 802 contained in the RRC reconfiguration message received from network 804. For example, the relay device 806 may initiate a PC5 connection based on a PC5 initiator contained in the RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, UE 802 may initiate a sidelink connection with the relay device 806. In some embodiments, the initiator (e.g., a PC5 initiator) may be determined by network 804. For example, network 804 may determine the initiator and send it to the relay device 806 by including the initiator in the RRC reconfiguration message sent to the relay device 806. This may also be the case. In this way, UE 802 may have information indicating that relay device 806 is ready to add an indirect path, and relay device 806 may have information indicating that UE 802 is ready to add an indirect path.

[0063] In step 820, the relay device 806 sends a notification to the network 804. In some embodiments, the notification may include the establishment of the UE-relay device portion of the indirect path. In some embodiments, the notification may include the status of the UE 802. In this way, the network 804 can have information indicating that the UE 802 is ready for the addition of the indirect path. By sending the notification to the network 804 before the RRC reconfiguration of the UE 802, the UE 802 takes on a completely passive role, thereby minimizing operational overhead.

[0064] In step 822, network 804 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 802. The RRC reconfiguration message includes information about the addition of an indirect path. In step 824, UE 802 sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to network 804. After adding an indirect path via relay device 806, in step 826, UE 802 can send uplink signals / data to network 804 via the direct path and / or indirect path, and network 804 can send downlink signals / data to UE 802 via the direct path and / or indirect path. In some embodiments, UE 802 and network 804 may establish multiple indirect paths via multiple relay devices.

[0065] In comparison to the three configuration types shown in Figure 4, the procedure in Figure 8 corresponds to a fourth type of configuration that differs from the configurations shown in Figure 4. For example, in the fourth configuration, in the first step, communication path #3 is established from the network to the relay device; in the second step, communication path #2 is established from the UE to the relay device, or from the relay device to the UE; and in the third step, communication path #1 is established from the network to the UE. In other words, in the fourth configuration, communication paths are established in the order of path #3-path #2-path #1 (#3-2-1).

[0066] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and a UE has been established, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method may be performed by a base station. The base station may be any existing base station (e.g., an eNB for LTE, a gNB for NR), or a base station for a future generation (6G or any other future generation) RAT. For example, the base station may be network 504 in Figure 5, network 604 in Figure 6, or network 704 in Figure 7. Referring to Figure 9, method 900 shows the addition of a second path and includes step 902 of sending a first configuration message to the UE containing information about a relay device for the second path. The first path may be a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path may be an indirect path between the UE and the base station via a relay device. The relay device may be one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. In some embodiments, the first configuration message may also include an RRC reconfiguration message, which enables the UE to perform RRC reconfiguration for indirect path addition. In some embodiments, the first configuration message may also include an initiator for sidelink connection, such as a PC5 initiator. In some embodiments, the information about the relay device included in the first configuration message sent to the UE is used by the UE to establish sidelink communication between the UE and the relay device.

[0067] Method 900 includes step 904 of sending a second configuration message containing information about the UE to the relay device. In some embodiments, the second configuration message is RRC The method may include a reconfiguration message, which enables the relay device to perform RRC reconfiguration for the addition of an indirect path. In some embodiments, the information about the UE may be the Layer 2 ID information of the UE. In some embodiments, the method may further include triggering the relay device to transition to an RRC connected state before sending a second configuration message to the relay device.

[0068] Method 900 includes step 906 of receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message. For example, in some embodiments, the first response message may be an RRC configuration complete message. In some embodiments, the first response message received from the relay device may include the status of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device.

[0069] Method 900 includes step 908 of receiving a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the first configuration message, and including the status of the UE. For example, in some embodiments, the second response message may be an RRC configuration complete message.

[0070] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and a UE, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method is performed by a relay device, which may be one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units, such as the relay device 506 in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 10, method 1000 shows the addition of a second path and includes step 1002 of receiving a configuration message from the base station containing information about the UE. The first path may be a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path may be an indirect path between the UE and the base station via the relay device. In some embodiments, the configuration message may also include an RRC reconfiguration message, which enables the relay device to perform RRC reconfiguration for the addition of the indirect path.

[0071] Method 1000 includes step 1004 of sending a response message to the base station indicating the configuration status of the relay device. For example, in some embodiments, the response message may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message. In some embodiments, the response message includes the configuration status of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device.

[0072] Method 1000 is a status notification of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, and includes step 1006 of sending a notification to the UE that includes the status of the relay device. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the relay device 506 sends a notification to the UE 502 that includes the status of the relay device 506.

[0073] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a UE and a base station, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method is performed by a UE such as UE 502 in Figure 5, UE 602 in Figure 6, or UE 702 in Figure 7. Referring to Figure 11, method 1100 shows the addition of a second path and includes step 1102 of receiving a configuration message from the base station containing information about a relay device for the second path. In some embodiments, the configuration message may include an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the configuration message may include a PC5 initiator for establishing sidelink communication. In some embodiments, the PC5 initiator may be determined by the base station.

[0074] Method 1100 includes step 1104 of establishing sidelink communication with a relay device. For example, the UE establishes sidelink communication based on a PC5 initiator included in a configuration message received from the base station. In some embodiments, the method may further include a step of triggering the relay device to transition to an RRC connected state after the sidelink communication has been established. In some embodiments, the method may further include a step of receiving a notification from the relay device that indicates the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, and includes the status of the relay device.

[0075] Method 1100 includes step 1106 of sending a response message to the base station indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message. In some embodiments, the response message sent to the base station may include the status of the UE.

[0076] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and a UE, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method is performed by a base station, such as network 804 in Figure 8. Referring to Figure 12, method 1200 includes a step 1202 in which the base station triggers a relay device for the second path to a state for connection to the base station. In some embodiments, the state for connection to the base station may be an RRC connection state. The first path may be a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path may be an indirect path between the UE and the base station via a relay device. In some embodiments, the relay device may be one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units.

[0077] Method 1200 indicates the addition of a second path and includes step 1204 of sending a first configuration message containing information about the UE to the relay device. In some embodiments, the first configuration message may include a first RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the combination of base stations and relay devices is configured to function as a single network (virtual network). In some embodiments, the information about the UE contained in the first configuration message may be Layer 2 ID information of the UE.

[0078] Method 1200 includes step 1206 of receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the first configuration message. For example, in some embodiments, the first response message may be a reconfiguration complete message.

[0079] Method 1200 represents the establishment of sidelink communication between a relay device and a UE, and includes step 1208 of receiving a notification from the relay device, including the status of the UE. In some embodiments, sidelink communication between the UE and the relay device is established via a PC5 interface. In some embodiments, the PC5 initiator for sidelink communication is determined by the base station.

[0080] Method 1200 includes step 1210 of sending a second configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of a second path. In some embodiments, the second configuration message may include a second RRC reconfiguration message.

[0081] Method 1200 includes step 1212 receiving a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the second configuration message. In some embodiments, the second response message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0082] Figure 13 shows a first path between a base station and a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after the first path has been established. This method is performed by a relay device. The relay device can be one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units such as relay device 606 in Figure 6, relay device 706 in Figure 7, or relay device 806 in Figure 8. Referring to Figure 13, method 1300 includes step 1302 of receiving a trigger from the base station to trigger the relay device to transition to an RRC connected state. The first path can be a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path can be an indirect path between the UE and the base station via a relay device.

[0083] Method 1300 describes the addition of a second path and includes step 1304 of receiving a configuration message from the base station that contains information about the UE. In some embodiments, the configuration message may include an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the information about the UE may include Layer 2 ID information of the UE.

[0084] Method 1300 includes step 1306 of sending a message to the base station indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device established based on the configuration message. In some embodiments, the message may be a notice sent to the base station. In some embodiments, the notice may include the status of the UE, for example, the Layer 2 ID information of the UE. In some embodiments, the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device is a sidelink communication established based on a PC5 initiator. In some embodiments, the PC5 initiator is determined by the base station. In some embodiments, Method 1300 may further include the step of establishing sidelink communication with the UE based on information about the UE.

[0085] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a UE and a base station, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method is performed by a UE, such as UE 802 in Figure 8. Referring to Figure 14, method 1400 includes step 1402 of establishing sidelink communication with a relay device included in a network including a base station. For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, the relay device 806 and the network 804 together function as a single network. The first path may be a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path may be an indirect path between the UE and the base station via a relay device. The relay device may be one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. In some embodiments, the sidelink communication is sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE based on a PC5 initiator. In some embodiments, the PC5 initiator may be determined by the base station.

[0086] Method 1400 includes step 1404 of receiving a configuration message from the network indicating the addition of a second path. In some embodiments, the configuration message may include an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, Method 1400 may further include the step of sending the UE status to the relay device before receiving the configuration message.

[0087] Method 1400 includes step 1406 of sending a response message to the network indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message. In some embodiments, the response message may include an RRC reconfiguration complete message. In some embodiments, the response message sent to the network may include the status of the UE.

[0088] Figure 15 is a block diagram of device 1500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, device 1500 is UE 102 in Figure 1, UE 302 in Figure 3, and UE 5 in Figure 5. Device 1500 can be a UE that establishes multipath transmission with a network, such as UE 602 in Figure 6, UE 702 in Figure 7, or UE 802 in Figure 8. Alternatively, device 1500 can be a relay device that performs relay functions for other UEs, such as relay device 106 in Figure 1, relay device 306 in Figure 3, relay device 506 in Figure 5, relay device 606 in Figure 6, relay device 706 in Figure 7, or relay device 806 in Figure 8. Alternatively, device 1500 can be a network that establishes multipath transmission with a UE, such as network 104 in Figure 1, network 304 in Figure 3, network 504 in Figure 5, network 604 in Figure 6, network 704 in Figure 7, or network 804 in Figure 8. Device 1500 may be any form, including but not limited to a computer system, a vehicle, a component mounted on a vehicle, a roadside unit, a laptop computer, a wireless terminal including a mobile phone, a wireless handheld device, or a wireless personal device, or any other form.

[0089] Referring to Figure 15, device 1500 includes an antenna 1502 used for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to and from a base station or other UE. Antenna 1502 may include one or more antenna elements, enabling different input / output antenna configurations, such as a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configuration, a multiple-input single-output (MISO) configuration, and a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) configuration. In some embodiments, antenna 1502 may include multiple (e.g., tens or hundreds) antenna elements, enabling multi-antenna functions such as beamforming. In some embodiments, antenna 1502 is a single antenna.

[0090] Device 1500 includes a transceiver 1504 coupled to antenna 1502. The transceiver 1504 is a wireless transceiver in device 1500 and communicates bidirectionally with a base station or other devices. For example, the transceiver 1504 may receive / transmit wireless signals to and from a base station via downlink / uplink communication. The transceiver 1504 may also receive / transmit wireless signals to and from other devices via sidelink communication. The transceiver 1504 may include a modem for modulating packets, providing the modulated packets to antenna 1502 for transmission, and demodulating packets received from antenna 1502.

[0091] Device 1500 may include memory 1506. Memory 1506 is any type of computer-readable storage medium, including volatile or non-volatile memory devices, or a combination thereof. Computer-readable storage medium includes, but is not limited to, non-temporary computer storage medium. Non-temporary storage medium is accessed by a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer. Examples of non-temporary storage medium include, but are not limited to, portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), digital multipurpose disks (DVDs), flash memory, compact disk (CD)ROM, or other optical disk storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices, or other magnetic storage devices. Non-temporary medium may be used to carry or store desired program code means (e.g., instructions and / or data structures) and may be accessed by a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer, or by a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. In some examples, software / program code may be transmitted from a remote source (e.g., a website, server, etc.) using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave. In such examples, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave fall within the definition of a medium. Combinations of the above examples also apply to computers. It is within the range of readable media.

[0092] Memory 1506 stores identification information for device 1500 and information about signals and / or data received by antenna 1502. Memory 1506 may also store post-processing signals and / or data. Memory 1506 may also store computer-readable program instructions, mathematical models, and algorithms used for signal processing in receiver 1504 and calculations in processor 1508. Memory 1506 may further store computer-readable program instructions for execution by one or more processors to operate device 1500 to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, memory 1506 may include a basic input / output system (BIOS) that controls basic hardware or software operation, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0093] The computer-readable program instructions of this disclosure are assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​and conventional procedural programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may be executed as a standalone software package in whole on a computing device, or in part on a first computing device and in part on a second computing device remotely from the first computing device. In the latter scenario, the second remote computing device may be connected to the first computing device via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

[0094] Device 1500 includes a processor 1508 which includes a hardware device with processing capabilities. The processor 1508 may include at least one of the following: a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or other programmable logic devices. Examples of general-purpose processors include, but are not limited to, a microprocessor, any conventional processor, a controller, a microcontroller, or a state machine. In some embodiments, the processor 1508 may be implemented using a combination of devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working with a DSP core, or any other such configuration). The processor 1508 may receive downlink or sidelink signals from the transceiver 1504 and further process these signals. The processor 1508 may also receive data packets from the transceiver 1504 and further process these packets. In some embodiments, the processor 1508 may be configured to operate the memory using a memory controller. In some embodiments, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1508. The processor 1508 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (for example, memory 1506) and cause the device 1500 to perform various functions.

[0095] Device 1500 includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) 1510. The GPS 1510 is used to enable location-based services or other services based on the geographical location of Device 1500 and / or synchronization between UEs. The GPS 1510 receives Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals from a single satellite via antenna 1502. Alternatively, multiple satellite signals may be received to provide the geographical location of device 1500 (for example, the coordinates of device 1500). In some embodiments, GPS 1510 is omitted. In some embodiments, a timer is included.

[0096] Device 1500 includes an input / output (I / O) device 1512 used to communicate the results of signal processing and calculations to the user or other devices. The I / O device 1512 includes a user interface, which includes a display and an input device for sending user commands to the processor 1508. The display may be configured to show the status of signal reception in UE 1500, data stored in memory 1506, the status of signal processing, and the results of calculations, etc. The display may include, but is not limited to, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), gas plasma display, touchscreen, or other image projection device for displaying information to the user. The input device may be any type of computer hardware equipment used to receive data and control signals from the user. The input device may include, but is not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital camera, joystick, trackball, cursor directional keys, touchscreen monitor, or audio / video commander, etc.

[0097] Device 1500 further includes a machine interface 1514, such as an electric bus for connecting a transceiver 1504, memory 1506, processor 1508, GPS 1510, and I / O device 1512.

[0098] In some embodiments, device 1500 can be a base station for adding a second path after a first path between the base station and the UE has been established. The processor 1508 may be configured or programmed to execute instructions stored in memory 1506 to send a first configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of a second path and including information about a relay device for the second path; send a second configuration message to the relay device including information about the UE; receive a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message; and receive a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the first configuration message and including the state of the UE.

[0099] In some embodiments, device 1500 may be a relay device for adding a second path after a first path between the UE and the base station has been established. The processor 1508 may be configured or programmed to execute instructions stored in memory 1506 to receive a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of the second path and containing information about the UE; to send a response message to the base station indicating the configuration of the relay device; and to send a notification to the UE regarding the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, including the status of the relay device.

[0100] In some embodiments, device 1500 may be a UE for adding a second path after a first path between the UE and the base station has been established. Processor 1508 may be configured or programmed to execute instructions stored in memory 1506 to receive a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of a second path and containing information about a relay device for the second path; establish sidelink communication with the relay device; and send a response message to the base station indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message.

[0101] In some embodiments, the device 1500 ensures that the first path between the base station and the UE is secure. A base station can be used to add a second path after it has been established. The processor 1508 may be configured or programmed to execute instructions stored in memory 1506 to trigger a relay device of the second path into a state for connection with a base station; to send a first configuration message to the relay device indicating the addition of the second path and containing information about the UE; to receive a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the first configuration message; to receive a notification from the relay device indicating the establishment of sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE and containing the status of the UE; to send a second configuration message to the UE indicating the addition of the second path; and to receive a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path in the state where the second path has been added based on the second configuration message.

[0102] In some embodiments, device 1500 may be a relay device for adding a second path after a first path between the UE and the base station has been established. Processor 1508 may be configured or programmed to receive a trigger from the base station for executing instructions stored in memory 1506 to trigger the relay device to transition to an RRC connection state; receive a configuration message from the base station indicating the addition of a second path and containing information about the UE; and send a message to the base station indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device established based on the configuration message.

[0103] In some embodiments, device 1500 may be a UE for adding a second path after a first path between the UE and the base station has been established. The processor 1508 may be configured or programmed to execute instructions stored in memory 1506 to establish sidelink communication with a relay device included in the network, including the base station; to receive a configuration message from the network indicating the addition of a second path; and to send a response message to the network indicating the status of the configuration of the first path in the state where the second path has been added based on the configuration message.

[0104] As used in this disclosure, the use of the term "or" in a list of items indicates an inclusive list. A list of items may begin with phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of." For example, the list of at least one of A, B, or C includes A or B or C or AB (i.e., A and B), or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A, B, and C). Also, as used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" preceding a list of conditions shall not be interpreted as "based solely on" the set of conditions, but rather as "based at least in part on" the set of conditions. For example, a result described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0105] In this specification, the terms “comprise,” “include,” and “contain” may be used interchangeably and may have the same meaning, and should be interpreted as open-ended. The terms “comprise,” “include,” and “contain” may be used before a list of elements to indicate that at least all of the elements listed in the list are present, but other elements not included in the list may also be present. For example, if A comprises B and C, then both {B,C} and {B,C,D} are within the scope of A.

[0106] This disclosure describes exemplary configurations that do not represent all possible implementations or configurations within the scope of this disclosure in relation to the accompanying drawings. The term “exemplary” is used not as “preferred” or “advantageous compared to other examples,” but rather as “exemplary.” This should be interpreted as an example or illustration. By reading this disclosure, including the description and drawings of embodiments, a person skilled in the art will recognize that the art disclosed herein can be carried out using alternative embodiments. A person skilled in the art will recognize that by combining the embodiments described herein, or certain features of the embodiments, further embodiments for practicing the art described herein can be obtained. Therefore, this disclosure should be given the broadest scope that is consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein, and is not limited to the examples and designs described herein.

[0107] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate examples of the architecture, function, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and devices according to various embodiments. It should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions described in the blocks may differ from the order shown in the figures. For example, two blocks shown consecutively may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or they may be executed in reverse order depending on the functions involved. Similarly, in methods according to various embodiments, additional steps may be included in such methods, or certain steps may be omitted or combined.

[0108] The embodiments described are not mutually exclusive, and it is understood that elements, components, materials, or steps described in relation to one exemplary embodiment may be combined with other embodiments in an appropriate manner to achieve a desired design objective, or may be excluded from other embodiments.

[0109] Any reference in this specification to “some embodiments” or “some exemplary embodiments” means that certain features, structures, or characteristics described in relation to an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. The occurrences of the phrases “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “another embodiment” in various parts of this disclosure do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0110] In addition, the articles “a” and “an” used in this disclosure and the attached claims should generally be interpreted as meaning “one or more” unless otherwise specified or unless the context makes it clear that they refer to a singular form.

[0111] Unless otherwise specified, each number and range should be interpreted as an approximation, preceded by the words "approximately" or "about."

[0112] The elements in the claims of the following methods are described in a specific sequence, if any, but unless the description of the claim suggests a specific sequence for carrying out some or all of these elements, these elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being carried out in that specific sequence.

[0113] Certain features of this disclosure are described in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, but it should be recognized that they may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of this specification are described in the context of a single embodiment for brevity, but may be provided individually, in any appropriate partial combination, or as needed in any other embodiments described herein. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not essential features of those embodiments unless specifically noted.

[0114] Furthermore, in the details, materials, and arrangement of the parts described and illustrated to illustrate the nature of the described embodiments, a person skilled in the art can, without departing from the scope, make various It will be understood that modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made. Accordingly, the following claims encompass all such substitutions, modifications, and variations within the terms of the claims.

[0115] Note 1: A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and user equipment (UE), Sending the UE a first configuration message indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the relay device for the second path, A second configuration message containing information about the aforementioned UE is transmitted to the relay device. Receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message, A second response message is received from the UE, indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the first configuration message, and including the status of the UE. including, method.

[0116] Note 2: The first path is a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path is an indirect path between the UE and the base station via the relay device. The method described in Appendix 1.

[0117] Note 3: The relay device includes at least one of one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. The method described in Appendix 1.

[0118] Note 4: The first configuration message includes a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message. The method described in Appendix 1.

[0119] Note 5: The first configuration message includes the PC5 initiator, The method described in Appendix 4.

[0120] Note 6: The second configuration message includes the RRC reconstruction message. The method described in Appendix 1.

[0121] Note 7: The information relating to the relay device included in the first configuration message transmitted to the UE is used by the UE to establish sidelink communication between the UE and the relay device. The method described in Appendix 1.

[0122] Note 8: The first response message received from the relay device includes the status of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device. The method described in Appendix 1.

[0123] Note 9: Further includes triggering the relay device to transition to an RRC connection state before transmitting the second configuration message to the relay device, The method described in Appendix 1.

[0124] Note 10: A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and user equipment (UE), The addition of the second path is indicated by receiving a configuration message from the base station that includes information about the UE, A response message indicating the configuration status of the relay device is transmitted to the base station. To send to the UE a notification of the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, including the status of the relay device, including, method.

[0125] Note 11: The first path is a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path is an indirect path between the UE and the base station via the relay device. The method described in Appendix 10.

[0126] Note 12: The relay device includes at least one of one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. The method described in Appendix 10.

[0127] Note 13: The above configuration message includes a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message. The method described in Appendix 10.

[0128] Note 14: The response message transmitted to the base station includes the configuration status of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device. The method described in Appendix 10.

[0129] Note 15: A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between user equipment (UE) and a base station, The addition of the second path is indicated, and a configuration message containing information about the relay device for the second path is received from the base station, To establish sidelink communication with the aforementioned relay device, A response message indicating the configuration status of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message is sent to the base station. including, method.

[0130] Note 16: The above configuration message includes a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message. The method described in Appendix 15.

[0131] Note 17: The configuration message includes a PC5 initiator for establishing the sidelink communication. The method described in Appendix 15.

[0132] Note 18: The PC5 initiator is determined by the base station. The method described in Appendix 17.

[0133] Note 19: Further includes triggering the relay device to transition to a radio resource control (RRC) connection state after the establishment of the sidelink communication, The method described in Appendix 15.

[0134] Note 20: Further includes receiving a notification from the relay device indicating the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, the notification including the status of the relay device, The method described in Appendix 15.

[0135] Note 21: The response message transmitted to the base station includes the status of the UE. The method described in Appendix 15.

[0136] Note 22: A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and user equipment (UE), The base station triggers the relay device of the second path to a state for connecting with the base station, Sending a first configuration message to the relay device indicating the addition of the second path and containing information about the UE, Receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the first configuration message, This indicates the establishment of sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE, and the reception of a notification from the relay device including the status of the UE. Sending a second configuration message indicating the addition of the second path to the UE, Based on the second configuration message, a second response message is received from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added. including, method.

[0137] Note 23: The first path is a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path is an indirect path between the UE and the base station via the relay device. The method described in Appendix 22.

[0138] Note 24: The relay device includes at least one of one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. The method described in Appendix 22.

[0139] Note 25: The method according to Note 22, wherein the first configuration message includes a first radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, and the second configuration message includes a second RRC reconfiguration message.

[0140] Note 26: The combination of the base station and the relay device is configured to function as a network. The method described in Appendix 22.

[0141] Note 27: The state for connecting to the base station is the RRC connection state. The method described in Appendix 22.

[0142] Note 28: The sidelink communication between the UE and the relay device is established via the PC5 interface. The method described in Appendix 22.

[0143] Note 29: The information relating to the UE included in the first configuration message includes the Layer 2 identification information (ID) of the UE. The method described in Appendix 22.

[0144] Note 30: A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and user equipment (UE), The relay device receives a trigger from the base station to trigger it to switch to a radio resource control (RRC) connection state, The addition of the second path is indicated by receiving a configuration message from the base station that includes information about the UE, A message indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device established based on the configuration message is transmitted to the base station. including, method.

[0145] Note 31: The message is a notification transmitted to the base station, and the notification includes the status of the UE. The method described in Appendix 30.

[0146] Note 32: The first path is a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path is an indirect path between the UE and the base station via the relay device. The method described in Appendix 30.

[0147] Note 33: The relay device includes at least one of one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. The method described in Appendix 30.

[0148] Note 34: The above configuration message includes the RRC reconstruction message. The method described in Appendix 30.

[0149] Note 35: The portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device is a sidelink communication established via the PC5 initiator. The method described in Appendix 30.

[0150] Note 36: The PC5 initiator is determined by the base station. The method described in Appendix 35.

[0151] Note 37: Further includes establishing sidelink communication with the UE based on the information relating to the UE, The method described in Appendix 30.

[0152] Note 38: A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between user equipment (UE) and a base station, To establish sidelink communication with relay devices included in the network, including the aforementioned base station, Receiving a configuration message from the network indicating the addition of the second path, The process includes sending a response message to the network indicating the status of the configuration of the first path, with the second path added based on the configuration message, method.

[0153] Note 39: The first path is a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path is an indirect path between the UE and the base station via the relay device. The method described in Appendix 38.

[0154] Note 40: The relay device includes at least one of one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. The method described in Appendix 38.

[0155] Note 41: The above configuration message includes a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message. The method described in Appendix 38.

[0156] Note 42: The sidelink communication is a sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE via the PC5 initiator. The method described in Appendix 38.

[0157] Note 43: The PC5 initiator is determined by the base station. The method described in Appendix 42.

[0158] Note 44: The response message includes an RRC reconstruction completion message. The method described in Appendix 38.

[0159] Note 45: Further includes transmitting the status of the UE to the relay device before receiving the configuration message, The method described in Appendix 38.

[0160] Note 46: A base station for adding a second path after a first path has been established between the base station and the user equipment (UE), Memory for storing instructions, Execute the instruction stored in the memory, Sending the UE a first configuration message indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the relay device for the second path, A second configuration message containing information about the aforementioned UE is transmitted to the relay device. Receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message, A second response message is received from the UE, indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the first configuration message, and including the status of the UE. A processor configured to perform, Equipped with, Base station.

[0161] Note 47: A relay device for adding a second path after a first path has been established between user equipment (UE) and a base station, Memory for storing instructions, Execute the instruction stored in the memory, The addition of the second path is indicated by receiving a configuration message from the base station that includes information about the UE, A response message indicating the configuration status of the relay device is transmitted to the base station. , To send to the UE a notification of the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, including the status of the relay device, A processor configured to perform, Equipped with, Relay device.

[0162] Note 48: A UE for adding a second path after a first path has been established between the user equipment (UE) and the base station, Memory for storing instructions, Execute the instruction stored in the memory, The addition of the second path is indicated, and a configuration message containing information about the relay device for the second path is received from the base station, To establish sidelink communication with the aforementioned relay device, A response message indicating the configuration status of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message is sent to the base station. A processor configured to perform, Equipped with, UE.

[0163] Note 49: A base station for adding a second path after a first path has been established between the base station and user equipment (UE), Memory for storing instructions, Execute the instruction stored in the memory, The relay device of the second path is triggered to a state for connecting with the base station, Sending a first configuration message to the relay device indicating the addition of the second path and containing information about the UE, Receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the first configuration message, This indicates the establishment of sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE, and the reception of a notification from the relay device including the status of the UE. Sending a second configuration message indicating the addition of the second path to the UE, A processor configured to receive from the UE a second response message indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the second configuration message, Equipped with, Base station.

[0164] Note 50: A relay device for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and user equipment (UE), Memory for storing instructions, Execute the instruction stored in the memory, The relay device receives a trigger from the base station to trigger it to switch to a radio resource control (RRC) connection state. The addition of the second path is indicated by receiving a configuration message from the base station that includes information about the UE, A message indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device established based on the configuration message is transmitted to the base station. A processor configured to perform, Relay device.

[0165] Note 51: A UE for adding a second path after a first path has been established between the user equipment (UE) and the base station, Memory for storing instructions, Execute the instruction stored in the memory, To establish sidelink communication with relay devices included in the network, including the aforementioned base station, Receiving a configuration message from the network indicating the addition of the second path, A response message indicating the configuration status of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message is sent to the network. A processor configured to perform, Equipped with, UE.

[0166] Note 52: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of the base station for adding a second path after a first path between the base station and user equipment (UE) has been established, wherein the method is Sending the UE a first configuration message indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the relay device for the second path, A second configuration message containing information about the aforementioned UE is transmitted to the relay device. Receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message, A second response message is received from the UE, indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the first configuration message, and including the status of the UE. including, A non-temporary computer-readable medium.

[0167] Note 53: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of a relay device for adding a second path after a first path between the base station and the user equipment (UE) has been established, wherein the method is The addition of the second path is indicated by receiving a configuration message from the base station that includes information about the UE, A response message indicating the configuration status of the relay device is transmitted to the base station. To send to the UE a notification of the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, including the status of the relay device, including, A non-temporary computer-readable medium.

[0168] Note 54: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of a UE for adding a second path after a first path between the base station and the user equipment (UE) has been established, wherein the method is The addition of the second path is indicated, and a configuration message containing information about the relay device for the second path is received from the base station, To establish sidelink communication with the aforementioned relay device, A response message indicating the configuration status of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message is sent to the base station. including, A non-temporary computer-readable medium.

[0169] Note 55: In order to perform the method, a non-temporary computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of the base station for adding a second path after a first path between the base station and user equipment (UE) has been established, wherein the method is The relay device of the second path is triggered to a state for connecting with the base station, Sending a first configuration message to the relay device indicating the addition of the second path and containing information about the UE, Receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the first configuration message, This indicates the establishment of sidelink communication between the relay device and the UE, and the reception of a notification from the relay device including the status of the UE. Sending a second configuration message indicating the addition of the second path to the UE, The process includes receiving a second response message from the UE indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the second configuration message, A non-temporary computer-readable medium.

[0170] Note 56: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of a relay device for adding a second path after a first path between a base station and user equipment (UE) has been established, wherein the method is The relay device receives a trigger from the base station to trigger it to switch to a radio resource control (RRC) connection state. The addition of the second path is indicated by receiving a configuration message from the base station that includes information about the UE, A message indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device established based on the configuration message is transmitted to the base station. including, A non-temporary computer-readable medium.

[0171] Note 57: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of a UE for adding a second path after a first path between the base station and the user equipment (UE) has been established, wherein the method is To establish sidelink communication with relay devices included in the network, including the aforementioned base station, Receiving a configuration message from the network indicating the addition of the second path, The process includes sending a response message to the network indicating the status of the configuration of the first path, with the second path added based on the configuration message, A non-temporary computer-readable medium.

Claims

1. A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and user equipment (UE), Sending the UE a first configuration message indicating the addition of the second path and including information about the relay device for the second path, A second configuration message containing information about the aforementioned UE is transmitted to the relay device. Receiving a first response message from the relay device indicating the configuration of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station established based on the second configuration message, A second response message is received from the UE, indicating the status of the configuration of the first path with the second path added based on the first configuration message, and including the status of the UE. including, method.

2. The first path is a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path is an indirect path between the UE and the base station via the relay device. The method according to claim 1.

3. The relay device includes at least one of one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. The method according to claim 1.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first configuration message includes a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message.

5. The first configuration message includes a PC5 initiator, The method according to claim 4.

6. The second configuration message includes an RRC reconstruction message, The method according to claim 1.

7. The information relating to the relay device included in the first configuration message transmitted to the UE is used by the UE to establish sidelink communication between the UE and the relay device. The method according to claim 1.

8. The first response message received from the relay device includes the status of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device. The method according to claim 1.

9. The further includes triggering the relay device to transition to an RRC connection state before transmitting the second configuration message to the relay device, The method according to claim 1.

10. A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between a base station and user equipment (UE), The addition of the second path is indicated by receiving a configuration message from the base station that includes information about the UE, A response message indicating the configuration status of the relay device is transmitted to the base station. To send to the UE a notification of the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, including the status of the relay device, including, method.

11. The first path is a direct path between the UE and the base station, and the second path is an indirect path between the UE and the base station via the relay device. The method according to claim 10.

12. The relay device includes at least one of one or more UEs different from the UE, or one or more roadside units. The method according to claim 10.

13. The configuration message includes a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message. The method according to claim 10.

14. The response message transmitted to the base station includes the status of the configuration of the portion of the second path between the UE and the relay device. The method according to claim 10.

15. A method for adding a second path after a first path has been established between user equipment (UE) and a base station, The addition of the second path is indicated, and a configuration message containing information about the relay device for the second path is received from the base station, To establish sidelink communication with the aforementioned relay device, A response message indicating the configuration status of the first path with the second path added based on the configuration message is transmitted to the base station. including, method.

16. The configuration message includes a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message. The method according to claim 15.

17. The configuration message includes a PC5 initiator for establishing the sidelink communication. The method according to claim 15.

18. The further step includes, after the establishment of the sidelink communication, triggering the relay device to transition to a radio resource control (RRC) connection state. The method according to claim 15.

19. The system further includes receiving a notification from the relay device indicating the status of the portion of the second path between the relay device and the base station, the notification including the status of the relay device. The method according to claim 15.

20. The response message transmitted to the base station includes the status of the UE, The method according to claim 15.

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