Method and relay UE

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for communication. A first apparatus receives information on a modification of system information from a second apparatus, and determines modified system information to be transmitted to the third apparatus based on a stored request for system information from a third apparatus and the information on the modification of the system information. Then, the first apparatus transmits the modified system information to the third apparatus. In this way, delivery of modified SI for remote UEs can be realized with reduced power consumption and signaling overhead.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to a communication method, apparatus, and computer storage medium for system information (SI) distribution via sidelink relays. [Background technology]

[0002] In the context of New Radio (NR) sidelink relay, a user equipment (UE) communicating with a gNB via another UE within the coverage (IC) of the gNB is called a remote UE, and the other UE is called a relay UE. The remote UE may be out of coverage (OoC) of the gNB or within the coverage of the gNB. A connection is established between the remote UE and the relay UE via a sidelink.

[0003] The study of sidelink relay needs to specify the control plane procedures including SI delivery. It has already been agreed that a remote UE may request SI from a gNB via a relay UE. The relay UE may acquire SI from the gNB by performing an SI acquisition procedure and then forward the SI to the remote UE. For SI updates, a UE in an idle or inactive state may monitor SI change indications and reacquire the modified SI. A UE in a connected state may monitor SI change indications or receive dedicated signaling sent from the gNB containing the modified SI. However, the delivery of modified SI for remote UEs is still incomplete and requires further development. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In general, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, apparatus, and computer storage medium for SI distribution via sidelink relay. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In a first aspect, a method of communication is provided, the method including: receiving, at a first device, information regarding a modification of system information from a second device; determining modified system information to be sent to a third device based on a stored request for system information from a third device and the information regarding the modification of the system information; and sending the modified system information to the third device.

[0006] In a second aspect, a method of communication is provided, the method including: sending, at a first device, to a second device, an instruction of a third device to send a request for system information to the first device; receiving from the second device modified system information along with the instruction of the third device; and forwarding the modified system information to the third device.

[0007] In a third aspect, a method of communication is provided, the method including, at a second device, transmitting, to a first device, information regarding a modification of system information based on a stored request for system information from a third device and information regarding a modification of system information for determining modified system information to be transmitted to the third device.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a method of communication is provided, the method including receiving, at a third device, modified system information from a first device, the modified system information determined by the first device based on a stored request for system information from the third device and information regarding the modification of system information from a second device.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, there is provided a communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to perform a method according to the first or second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, there is provided a communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to perform a method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to perform a method according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method according to the first or second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, cause said at least one processor to perform a method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0014] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, cause said at least one processor to perform a method according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0015] Other features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent from the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings.

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication network in which some embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for communication in SI distribution, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for communication in the distribution of a modified SI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another process for communication in distributing a modified SI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for updating an SI request according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another process for updating an SI request according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3C] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another process for updating an SI request according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another process for communication in SI distribution according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart for an exemplary communication method implemented in a first device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart for another exemplary communication method implemented in a first device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart for an exemplary communication method implemented in a second device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart for an exemplary communication method implemented in a third device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] In the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers represent the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the present disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways different from those described below.

[0020] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0021] As used herein, the term "terminal device" refers to any device with wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of terminal devices include user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, vehicle-mounted devices for V2X communications where X stands for pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure / network, devices for integrated access and integrated access and backhaul (IAB), satellite- or airborne vehicles in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) including High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) which encompass satellites and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs), extended reality (XR) devices including different types of reality such as augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are aircraft without a human pilot and are commonly referred to as drones. This includes, but is not limited to, devices onboard vehicles, high-speed trains (HSTs), image capture devices such as digital cameras, sensor gaming devices, music storage and playback devices, or internet appliances that enable wireless or wired internet access and browsing. A "terminal device" may also have "multicast / broadcast" capabilities to support public safety and mission-critical V2X applications, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast distribution, IPTV, smart TV, wireless services, over-the-air software distribution, group communication, and IoT applications. It may also incorporate one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), known as multi-SIMs.The term "terminal equipment" may be used interchangeably with UE, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile terminal, user terminal, or wireless device.

[0022] The term "network device" refers to a device that can provide or host a cell or coverage area within which terminal devices can communicate. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, a Node B (Node B or NB), an evolved Node B (eNode B or eNB), a next generation Node B (gNB), a transmit / receive point (TRP), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), an IAB node, a femto node, a pico node, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), and other low-power nodes.

[0023] In one embodiment, a terminal device can connect to a first network device and a second network device. One of the first network device and the second network device may be a master node and the other a secondary node. The first network device and the second network device may use different radio access technologies (RATs). In one embodiment, the first network device may be a first RAT device, and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In one embodiment, the first RAT device is an eNB, and the second RAT device is a gNB. Information related to the different RATs may be transmitted to the terminal device from at least one of the first network device or the second network device. In one embodiment, the first information may be transmitted from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second information may be transmitted from the second network device directly or via the first network device to the terminal device. In one embodiment, information related to the terminal device configuration configured by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. The information regarding the reconfiguration of the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted to the terminal device directly from the second network device or via the first network device.

[0024] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "said" include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "comprises" and variations thereof should be understood as open-ended terms meaning "including, but not limited to." The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on." The terms "one embodiment" and "embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment." Terms such as "first," "second," etc. may refer to different or the same object. The following may include other explicit and implicit definitions.

[0025] In some instances, values, procedures, or devices are referred to as "best," "lowest," "highest," "minimum," "maximum," etc. It should be understood that such descriptions are intended to illustrate that choices may be made from among many functional alternatives used, and that such choices are not necessarily better, smaller, higher, or otherwise more preferred than other choices.

[0026] In the context of this application, the term "remote UE" refers to a terminal device that communicates with a network device via another terminal device within the coverage of the network device. The term "relay UE" refers to a terminal device that is within the coverage of a network device, and the remote UE communicates with the network device via the terminal device. The relay UE is connected to the remote UE via a sidelink interface, such as a PC5 interface. The term "remote UE" may be used interchangeably with remote terminal device or remote device. The term "relay UE" may be used interchangeably with relay terminal device or relay device.

[0027] As mentioned above, delivery of modified SI for a remote UE is incomplete. In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions to solve the above and other potential problems. In one aspect, a solution is provided for delivering modified SI for a remote UE based on a stored SI request from the remote UE. In this way, the modified SI for the remote UE is determined by the relay UE. In this case, the relay UE may perform an SI acquisition procedure if necessary to reduce power consumption and signaling overhead.

[0028] In another aspect, a solution is provided for forwarding a modified SI to a remote UE based on an instruction from the remote UE, where the modified SI for the remote UE is determined by the gNB, thereby reducing the complexity and memory requirements for the relay UE.

[0029] The principles and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example of a communication network

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 100 may include a first device 110, a second device 120, and a third device. The second device 120 serves one or more devices by providing a cell 121. In the example of FIG. 1, the first device 110 is within the cell 121 of the second device 120, and the first device 110 may communicate directly with the second device 120. The third device 130 is located outside the cell 121. The third device 130 may be connected to the first device 110 via a sidelink interface (e.g., a PC5 interface, etc.) and may communicate with the second device 120 via the first device 110. In this case, the first device 110 is referred to as a relay device, and the third device 130 is referred to as a remote device.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first device 110 and the second device 120 may communicate with each other via channels, such as wireless communication channels. The wireless communication channels may include a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a physical random-access channel (PRACH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Of course, any other suitable channels are also possible.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first device 110 and the third device 130 may communicate with each other via a sidelink channel, such as a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), or a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH).

[0033] Communications in communication network 100 may conform to any suitable standard, including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), New Radio (NR), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. Furthermore, communications may be performed in accordance with any currently known or future developed generation of communication protocols. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in accordance with any currently known or future developed generation of communication protocols. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or sixth generation (6G) networks.

[0034] It should be understood that the number of devices in Figure 1 is given for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitations on the present disclosure. Communications network 100 may include any appropriate number of first devices, second devices, or third devices suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] For purposes of illustration, the first device 110 and the third device 130 are depicted as terminal devices, and the second device 120 is depicted as a network device. For purposes of explanation only, and without implying any limitation to the scope of the present disclosure, some embodiments are described in the context of the first device 110 and the third device 130 being terminal devices and the second device 120 being a network device. In this case, the first device 110 corresponds to a relay UE, and the third device 130 corresponds to a remote UE.

[0036] It should be understood that in other embodiments, the first device 110 and / or the third device 130 may be a network device, and the second device 120 may be a terminal device. In other words, the principles and spirit of the present disclosure are applicable to both uplink transmission and downlink transmission. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130 may all be terminal devices, and in some embodiments, the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130 may all be network devices. The present application is not limited to this aspect.

[0037] In some embodiments, the third device 130 may obtain a modified SI (also referred to herein as a changed SI) from the second device 120 via the first device 110. In some scenarios, the first device 110 may receive an indication of the modified SI (also referred to herein as an SI change indication) from the second device 120. In some scenarios, the first device 110 may receive the modified SI from the second device 120. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions for distributing the modified SI for these scenarios, which are described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2A-4. Example of SI distribution with stored SI requests

[0038] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a process 200A for communication in SI distribution according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 200A will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 200A may involve a first device 110, a second device 120, and a third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. For convenience, it is assumed that the first device 110 is a relay UE, the second device 120 is a gNB, and the third device 130 is a remote UE. It should be noted that this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 2A are merely for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the order of the steps may be changed. Some steps may be omitted, or any other appropriate additional steps may be added.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2A , the third device 130 sends 201 a request for SIs (also referred to herein as an SI request) to the first device 110. In some embodiments, the SI request may include a list of SIs. For example, the SI request may include an IE called requested-SI-List. The type of the IE called requested-SI-List may be a BIT STRING. The maximum size of an SI may be 32 bits. Of course, the list of SIs may be carried in the SI request in any other suitable manner.

[0040] In some embodiments, the SI request may include a list of one or more system information blocks (SIBs) or SIB types. For example, the SI request may include an IE called requestedSIB-List-r16. The type of the IE called requestedSIB-List-r16 may be SEQUENCE. Of course, the list of SIBs may be carried in the SI request in any other suitable manner.

[0041] In some embodiments, the SI request may include the identity (ID) of the third device 130. For example, the ID may be a layer-2 (L2) ID. For example, the ID may be a cell-radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI). As yet another example, the ID may be an inactive-radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI). It should be understood that the ID may take any other suitable form.

[0042] It should be noted that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and the SI request may include combinations of the above information and / or any other suitable information or combinations of information.

[0043] When the SI request is received, the first device 110 stores 202 the SI request, which facilitates determining a revised SI for the third device 130 based on the stored SI request. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may store the SI request within the context of the third device 130.

[0044] In some alternative embodiments, the first device 110 may store the SI request in a variable. For example, this variable may be VarSIRqurest or VarSIBRequest. Of course, any other suitable format is also possible. In some embodiments, the SI request may be stored in association with the ID of the third device 130. For example, when using one variable for multiple remote UEs, the ID of the remote UE may be used as an index or entry to identify different UEs. In some embodiments, the SI request may be stored in association with the type of SI requested. For example, when using one variable for multiple remote UEs, the SI or SIB type of the SI requested by the remote UE may be used as an index or entry, and a list of one or more UE IDs for each SI or SIB type may be introduced to identify different UEs. Note that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only, and the SI request may be stored in any other suitable manner.

[0045] The first device 110 performs an SI acquisition procedure based on the SI request from the third device 130. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine 203 whether SI (e.g., SI message) to SIB or SIB to SI mapping is performed for the requested SI. This determination may be made based on the SI type in the SI request of the remote UE and the SI type used by the relay UE to request the SI.

[0046] For example, if the SI request includes a list of SIBs or SIB types, but the first device 110 performs an SI-based method (e.g., an MSG.1-based method or an MSG.3-based method) to obtain the requested SI, it may be determined to perform mapping. In this case, the mapping is from SIBs or SIB types to SI. For example, if the SI request includes a list of SIBs or SIB types, and the first device 110 performs an SIB-based method (e.g., by sending a DedicatedSIBRequest) to obtain the requested SI, it may be determined not to perform mapping.

[0047] As another example, if the SI request includes a list of SIs, but the first device 110 executes an SIB-based method to obtain the requested SIs, it may be determined to perform a mapping. In this case, the mapping is from SI to SIB or SIB type. If the SI request includes a list of SIs, and the first device 110 executes an SI-based method, it may be determined not to perform a mapping. Of course, any other suitable method for determining this mapping is also possible.

[0048] If it is determined to perform mapping, the first device 110 may determine a mapped SI by performing mapping 204 for the requested SI. In some embodiments, the mapped SI may include a list of SIs. In some embodiments, the mapped SI may include a list of SIBs or SIB types. For example, the first device 110 may perform mapping based on mapping information (e.g., SI-SchedulingInfo, SIB-Mapping) received from the second device 120 via SIB1. Of course, any other suitable format for performing this mapping is also possible.

[0049] The first device 110 may then send a request to the second device 120 to obtain the mapped SI (205). The second device 120 may send the mapped SI to the first device 110 (206). The first device 110 may determine the requested SI from the mapped SI by performing reverse mapping (207). For example, if the mapped SI is obtained by performing SI-to-SIB mapping, the first device 110 may determine the requested SI by performing SIB-to-SI mapping on the mapped SI obtained from the second device 120. If the mapped SI is obtained by performing SIB-to-SI mapping, the first device 110 may determine the requested SI by performing SI-to-SIB mapping on the mapped SI obtained from the second device 120. The first device 110 may then send the requested SI to the third device 130 (280).

[0050] The first device 110 then receives information regarding the modification of the SI (also referred to herein as information regarding the SI modification) from the second device 120 (209). Based on the information regarding the SI modification from the second device 120 and the stored SI request from the third device 130, the first device 110 determines (210) a modified SI for the third device 130. The first device 110 then transmits (211) the modified SI to the third device 130. Details of the distribution of the modified SI are described below in connection with the first and second embodiments.

[0051] Embodiment 1 In this embodiment, the information regarding the SI modification may include an instruction to modify the SI (also referred to as an SI change instruction in this specification). Hereinafter, the distribution of the modified SI in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2B.

[0052] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a process 200B for communication in SI distribution according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 200B will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 200B may involve a first device 110, a second device 120, and a third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. For convenience, it is assumed that the first device 110 is a relay UE, the second device 120 is a gNB, and the third device 130 is a remote UE. It should be noted that this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 2B are merely for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the order of the steps may be changed. Some steps may be omitted, or any other appropriate additional steps may be added.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2B , the second device 120 may send 220 an SI change instruction to the first device 110. In this case, the first device 110 may obtain a set of modified SIs from the second device 120 and, based on the stored request, determine from the set of modified SIs a modified SI to send to the third device 130. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include a modified SI required for the relay UE (i.e., the first device 110) and a modified SI required for the remote UE (e.g., the third device 130). In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include modified SIs required for multiple remote UEs. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include one or more SIs. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include one or more SIBs.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine 221 whether to obtain the set of modified SIs from the second device 120. If determining to obtain the set of modified SIs, the first device 110 obtains the set of modified SIs. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine whether to obtain the set of modified SIs based on at least one of whether the third device 130 is out of coverage of the second device 120, whether the first device 110 is in a connected state or an inactive state, whether the first device 110 itself needs the set of modified SIs, or whether a request for the third device 130 is stored. For example, the first device 110 may obtain the set of modified SIs in response to at least one of the following: the third device 130 is out of coverage of the second device 120; the first device 110 is in a connected state; or the first device 110 requires the set of modified SIs.

[0055] As another example, the terminal device 110 may determine whether a request of the third device 130 is stored. If a request of the third device 130 is stored, the first device 110 may determine whether the first device 110 is in a connected state. If the first device 110 is in a connected state, the first device 110 may perform SI acquisition for the third device 130. If the first device 110 is not in a connected state or if a request of the third device 130 is not stored, the first device 110 may perform SI acquisition according to its own needs.

[0056] These are merely examples, and the first device 110 may determine whether to obtain the set of revised SIs based on any other appropriate conditions. The present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0057] To obtain the set of modified SI, in some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine 222 a combined request based on stored SI requests from a set of remote UEs, including the third device 130. In some embodiments, the set of remote UEs are outside the coverage of the second device 120, and the SI requests from the set of remote UEs are stored by the first device 110. Thus, the first device 110 may generate and transmit only one request for all SI requested by the set of remote UEs.

[0058] The first device 110 may send the combined request to the second device 120 (223). For example, the first device 110 may send an MSG3 (RRCSystemInfoRequest message) for the set of remote UEs. Of course, any other suitable format is possible. In response to the combined request, the second device 120 may send the set of modified SIs indicated in the combined request to the second device 120.

[0059] Although the acquisition of the set of modified SI is described as being based on a combined request, the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. In some alternative embodiments, the acquisition of the set of modified SI may be performed based on separate requests for each remote UE.

[0060] Upon receiving the set of modified SIs, the first device 110 may determine (225) modified SIs from the set of modified SIs to transmit to the third device 130 based on the stored SI request from the third device 130. For example, the first device 110 may determine a subset of modified SIs from the set of modified SIs that correspond to the SIs indicated in the stored SI request from the third device 130, and determine the subset of modified SIs as the modified SIs to transmit to the third device 130.

[0061] The first device 110 may then transmit the modified SI to the third device 130 (226). In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine whether there is an SI request from a fourth device as a remote UE (227). The fourth device maintains a connection (e.g., a PC5-RRC connection) with the first device 110. If there is no SI request from the fourth device, the first device 110 may forward an SI change instruction to the fourth device (228). For example, the first device 110 may forward the SI change instruction to the fourth device via PC5 RRC signaling. Of course, any other suitable method is possible.

[0062] Embodiment 2 In this embodiment, the information about SI modification may include a set of modified SIs. Hereinafter, the distribution of modified SIs in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2C.

[0063] FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating a process 200C for communication in SI distribution according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 200C will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 200C may involve a first device 110, a second device 120, and a third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. For convenience, it is assumed that the first device 110 is a relay UE, the second device 120 is a gNB, and the third device 130 is a remote UE. It should be noted that this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 2C are merely for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the order of the steps may be changed. Some steps may be omitted, or any other appropriate additional steps may be added.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2C , the second device 120 may transmit 230 a set of modified SIs to the first device 110. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include all SIs or SIBs available to the second device 120. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include all modified SIs or SIBs. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include modified and previously requested SIs or SIBs. For example, the set of modified SIs may include SIs or SIBs previously requested by all remote UEs having a PC5-RRC connection to the first device 110. For example, the set of modified SIs may include SIs or SIBs previously requested by one remote UE having a PC5-RRC connection to the first device 110. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include SIs or SIBs previously requested by the first device 110.

[0065] Based on the stored request for the third device 130, the first device 110 may determine a modified SI to be transmitted to the third device 130 from the set of modified SIs (231). In other words, the first device 110 may perform SI filtering based on the stored request for the third device 130. For example, the first device 110 may select modified SIs from the set of modified SIs by performing SI filtering, where each selected modified SI is indicated by the stored request. The first device 110 may then transmit the modified SI to the third device 130 (232).

[0066] In this way, the SI acquisition procedure is performed as needed, reducing power consumption and signaling overhead. Example of updating SI requirements

[0067] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide solutions for updating stored SI requests, which are described below in connection with embodiments 3 to 5.

[0068] Embodiment 3 In this embodiment, the first device 110 may trigger an update of the stored SI request based on a change in the state of the third device 130. Some example embodiments are described with reference to Figure 3A.

[0069] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a process 300A for updating an SI request according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 300A will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 300A may involve a first device 110, a second device 120, and a third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. For convenience, it is assumed that the first device 110 is a relay UE, the second device 120 is a gNB, and the third device 130 is a remote UE. It should be noted that this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 3A are merely for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the order of the steps may be changed. Some steps may be omitted, or any other appropriate additional steps may be added.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 3A , in some embodiments, the second device 120 may send a configuration, such as an RRCReconfiguration message, to the first device 110 (301). In some embodiments, this configuration may indicate that the third device 130 will enter a connected state with the second device 120. In some embodiments, this configuration may indicate that the third device 130 will change from being out of coverage of the second device 120 to being in coverage of the second device 120. In some embodiments, this configuration may indicate that the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 will be released. In some embodiments, this configuration may trigger the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 to be released. Of course, this configuration may also include a combination of the above information or any other suitable information or combination of information. Upon receiving such a configuration, the first device 110 may delete (3020) the stored SI request or UE context storing the SI request for the third device 130.

[0071] In some embodiments, the third device 130 may send an indication regarding its state change to the first device 110 (311). In some embodiments, this indication may indicate that the third device 130 is entering a connection state with the second device 120. In some embodiments, this indication may indicate that the third device 130 is changing from being out of coverage of the second device 120 to being in coverage of the second device 120. In some embodiments, this indication may indicate that the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 is being released. In some embodiments, this indication may trigger the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 to be released. Of course, this indication may also include a combination of the above information or any other suitable information or combination of information. Upon receiving such an indication, the first device 110 may delete (312) the stored SI request or UE context storing the SI request for the third device 130.

[0072] In some embodiments, the third device 130 may detect a state change of the third device 130 (321). In some embodiments, the third device 130 may determine whether the third device 130 enters a connection state with the second device 120. In some embodiments, the third device may determine whether the third device 130 changes from being out of coverage of the second device 120 to being in coverage of the second device 120. In some embodiments, the third device 130 may determine whether the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 is released. Of course, any other suitable method for detection is also possible. Upon detecting or determining a state change of the third device, the first device 110 may delete a stored SI request or a UE context storing an SI request for the third device 130 (322).

[0073] Thus, an implicit method is provided to trigger updates of stored SI requests.

[0074] Embodiment 4 In this embodiment, the first device 110 may trigger an update of the stored SI request based on a change in the SI requested by the third device 130. Some example embodiments are described with reference to Figure 3B.

[0075] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating another process 300B for updating an SI request according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 300B will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 300B may involve a first device 110, a second device 120, and a third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. For convenience, it is assumed that the first device 110 is a relay UE, the second device 120 is a gNB, and the third device 130 is a remote UE. It should be noted that this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 3B are merely for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the order of the steps may be changed. Some steps may be omitted, or any other appropriate additional steps may be added.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 3B , in some embodiments, the third device 130 may send a message to the first device 110 indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or withholding the SIs indicated in the stored request (i.e., the requested SIs) (331). For example, the message may indicate that all requested SIs are still needed. As another example, the message may indicate the deletion of all previously requested SIs. As yet another example, the message may indicate the deletion of some previously requested SIs. Upon receiving the message, the first device 110 may update the stored request based on the message (332).

[0077] In some embodiments, the third device 130 may send a further SI request (i.e., another SI request) to the first device 110. The further SI request may indicate the addition of an SI, i.e., may request an SI or SIB that has not been previously requested. Upon receiving the further SI request, the first device 110 may completely replace the stored request with the further SI request. Alternatively, the first device 110 may store the previously unrequested SI or SIB indicated in the further SI request. For example, the first device 110 may add an entry for the last requested SI in the context of the third device 130 or in a variable for storing SI (e.g., VarSIRequest or VarSIBRequest).

[0078] In some alternative embodiments, the first device 110 may send a request to confirm the SI to the third device 130 (341). For example, upon receiving an SI change instruction, the first device 110 may send a request to confirm the SI to the third device 130. It should be understood that sending the request to confirm the SI may be performed in any other suitable manner and is not limited to the above example. As another example, the request to confirm the SI may indicate a list of SIs or SIBs to confirm.

[0079] Upon receiving the request to confirm the SI, the third device 130 may send a response to the request to confirm the SI (342). In some embodiments, the response may indicate that the SI indicated in the stored request is required. In some embodiments, the response may indicate that all of the SI indicated in the stored request has been deleted. In some embodiments, the response may indicate that some of the SI indicated in the stored request has been deleted. Based on this response, the first device 110 may update the stored request for the third device 130.

[0080] Thus, an explicit method is provided to trigger updates of stored SI requests.

[0081] Embodiment 5 In this embodiment, the first device 110 may trigger the update of the stored SI request based on a timer-based scheme. Some example embodiments are described with reference to Figure 3C.

[0082] FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another process 300C for updating an SI request according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 300C will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 300C may involve a first device 110, a second device 120, and a third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. For convenience, it is assumed that the first device 110 is a relay UE, the second device 120 is a gNB, and the third device 130 is a remote UE. It should be noted that this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 3C are merely for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the order of the steps may be changed. Some steps may be omitted, or any other appropriate additional steps may be added.

[0083] 3C , in some embodiments, the first device 110 may transmit (351) a setting for a timer (e.g., a maximum time interval or maximum value) (also referred to herein as the first timer for convenience) to the third device 130. In some embodiments, the third device 130 may transmit (352) an SI request to the first device 110 and may start (353) the first timer upon or after transmitting the SI request.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send a request to obtain the SI to the second device 120 (354). As a result, the second device 120 may send the requested SI to the first device 110 (355), and the first device 110 may forward the requested SI to the third device 130 (356). In some alternative embodiments, the third device 130 may start a first timer upon or after receiving the requested SI from the first device 110 (353').

[0085] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send the configuration of the first timer to the third device 130 in a transfer process of the requested SI from the first device 110 to the third device 130. For example, the configuration is sent to the third device 130 together with the requested SI (e.g., in the same IE of one RRC signaling, or in a different IE of one RRC signaling, or in a different RRC signaling) in a transfer process as shown at 356. In these embodiments, the third device 130 may start the first timer (353) upon or after receiving the requested SI from the first device 110.

[0086] Upon expiration of the first timer, the third device 130 may send a message to the first device 110 indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or suspending the SI indicated in the stored request (357). Upon receiving this message, the first device 110 may update the stored request for the third device 130 (358).

[0087] Note that although the above describes the first timer for the third device 130 being set by the first device 110, in some alternative embodiments the first timer may be predefined or pre-set (e.g., via system information).

[0088] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may also start a timer (also referred to herein as a second timer for convenience). In some embodiments, the second timer may be set differently than the first timer. In some embodiments, the second timer may be set in a similar manner to the first timer.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may start (359) the second timer upon or after receiving the SI request from the third device 130. In some alternative embodiments, the first device 110 may start (359') the second timer upon or after forwarding the requested SI to the third device 130. In alternative embodiments, the first device 110 may start (359') the second timer upon or after forwarding the SI request to the second device 130.

[0090] In some embodiments, if, upon expiration of the second timer, no message is received from the third device 130 indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or suspending the system information indicated in the stored request, the first device 110 may delete (360) the stored request for the third device 130.

[0091] Thus, a timer-based scheme is provided to trigger updates of stored SI requests.

[0092] Example of SI distribution without stored SI requests Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a solution for SI delivery without stored SI requirements, which will be described in connection with FIG.

[0093] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process 400 for communication in SI distribution according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, the process 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 400 may involve a first device 110, a second device 120, and a third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. For convenience, it is assumed that the first device 110 is a relay UE, the second device 120 is a gNB, and the third device 130 is a remote UE. It should be noted that this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first device 110 sends 410 an indication of the third device 130 to the second device 120. In some embodiments, the indication may include an ID of the third device 130. For example, the ID may be an L2 ID. As another example, the ID may be a C-RNTI. As yet another example, the ID may be an I-RNTI. It should be understood that the ID may take any existing format or any suitable format developed in the future. In some embodiments, the indication may include a type of the third device 130. For example, the indication may indicate that the third device 130 is a remote UE. Of course, any other suitable attribute is possible to indicate the third device 130.

[0095] It should be understood that the first device 110 may send this indication in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send this indication in a separate message. For example, the first device 110 may send this indication in a SidelinkUEInformationNR message. Of course, any other suitable message is also possible.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send this indication to the second device 120 along with a request to obtain SI from the second device 120. For example, the first device 110 may insert this indication into a header of a Layer 2 (adaptation layer, or packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, or radio link control (RLC) layer, or medium access control (MAC) layer) protocol data unit (PDU) that includes a request to obtain SI. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may insert this indication into a request to obtain SI from the second device 120.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may transmit a request to obtain SI from the second device 120 via a resource associated with the third device 130. Thus, the third device 130 is indicated by the resource used to transmit the request to obtain SI. In some embodiments, the resource may include a logical channel associated with the third device 130. In some embodiments, the resource may include a resource pool associated with the third device 130. In some embodiments, the resource may include a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble associated with the third device 130. In some embodiments, the resource may include a PRACH resource associated with the third device 130. Of course, any other suitable format for the resource is also possible.

[0098] 4, the second device 120 may send (420) the requested SI to the first device 110. The first device 110 may forward (430) the requested SI to the third device 130.

[0099] If there is a modified SI, the second device 120 transmits (440) the modified SI to the first device 110 along with an instruction of the third device 130. In some embodiments, the modified SI may be associated with the instruction of the third device 130. In some embodiments, the second device 120 may transmit a set of modified SI for a set of remote UEs, where the modified SI of the set of modified SI is associated with a corresponding instruction of a remote UE of the set of remote UEs.

[0100] In some embodiments, the second device 120 may transmit the modified SI over resources associated with the third device 130. The modified SI is thus indicated as associated with the third device 130. In some embodiments, the resources may include logical channels associated with the third device 130. In some embodiments, the resources may include a resource pool associated with the third device 130. In some embodiments, the resources may include a CORESET (control resource set) associated with the third device 130. In some embodiments, the resources may include a search space associated with the third device 130. Of course, any other suitable form of resource is possible.

[0101] The first device 110 may forward 450 the modified SI to the third device 130. In other words, the first device 110 may forward the modified SI corresponding to the remote UE to the remote UE.

[0102] The solution of FIG. 4 may require less complexity and memory requirements for the relay UE and may achieve SI distribution in a simple manner.

[0103] Example of the method Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure provide communication methods implemented in a remote UE, a relay UE and a network device, which are described below with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

[0104] 5 illustrates an example communication method 500 implemented in a first device as a relay UE, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, method 500 may be performed in first device 110 as shown in FIG. 1. For purposes of explanation, method 500 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. It should be understood that method 500 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0105] In block 510, the first device 110 receives SI modification information from the second device 120. In some embodiments, the SI modification information may include an indication of the SI modification. In some embodiments, the SI modification information may include a set of modified SIs.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may also receive a request for an SI from the third device 130 and store the request for the SI. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may store the request in a context of the third device 130. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may store the request in a variable associated with at least one of the ID of the third device 130 or the type of SI requested.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may also obtain a requested SI from the second device 120 and send the requested SI to the third device 130. In some embodiments, the requested SI may include at least one of a list of SIs, a list of one or more SIBs, or an ID of the third device 130. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine whether SI-to-SIB or SIB-to-SI mapping is performed for the requested SI. If mapping is performed, the first device 110 may determine a mapped SI by performing mapping for the requested SI and obtain the mapped SI from the second device 120. The first device 110 may then determine the requested SI from the mapped SI by performing SIB-to-SI or SI-to-SIB mapping.

[0108] In block 520, the first device 110 determines a modified SI to be sent to the third device 130 based on the stored request for SI from the third device 130 and information regarding the modification of the SI from the second device 120.

[0109] In some embodiments, in which the information regarding SI modification includes an instruction to modify an SI, the first device 110 may obtain a set of modified SIs from the second device 120 and determine modified SIs to send to the third device 130 from the set of modified SIs based on the stored request. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may obtain the set of modified SIs in response to at least one of the third device 130 being out of coverage of the second device 120, the first device being in a connected state, or the first device needing the set of modified SIs. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine a combined request based on the stored requests for SIs from a set of devices, including the third device 130. The first device 110 may then transmit the combined request to the second device 120 and obtain the set of modified SIs from the second device 120. In some embodiments, if there is no request for system information from the fourth device, the first device 110 may forward an instruction to modify the SI to the fourth device that maintains a connection with the first device 110.

[0110] In some embodiments, the information regarding the modification of an SI includes a set of modified SIs, and the first device 110 may determine, based on a stored request for the third device 130, from the set of modified SIs to send to the third device 130. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include modified SIs or SIBs. In some embodiments, the set of modified SIs may include modified and previously requested SIs or SIBs.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may also update the stored request. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may delete the stored request in response to receiving a setting from the second device 120 indicating at least one of: the third device 130 entering a connection state with the second device 120; the third device 130 changing from being out of coverage of the second device 120 to being in coverage of the second device 120; or the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 being released.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may delete the stored request in response to receiving an indication from the third device 130 indicating at least one of the following: the third device 130 entering a connection state with the second device 120; the third device 130 changing from being out of coverage of the second device 120 to being in coverage of the second device 120; or the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 being released.

[0113] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may delete the stored request in response to determining at least one of: the third device 130 enters a connection state with the second device 120; the third device 130 changes from being out of coverage of the second device 120 to being in coverage of the second device 120; or the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 is released.

[0114] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may receive a message from the third device 130 indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or withholding the SI indicated in the stored request. The first device 110 may then update the stored request based on the message. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may receive a further request for the SI indicating the addition of the SI and update the stored request based on the further request. In these embodiments, the first device 110 may also obtain the SI to be added from the second device 120 and send the SI to be added to the third device 130.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may also send the setting of the first timer to the third device 130. Thus, the third device 130 may start the first timer and, while the first timer is running, send a message indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or suspending the SI indicated in the stored request. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send the setting of the timer in the process of transferring the requested SI.

[0116] In some embodiments, first device 110 may send a request to confirm the SI to third device 130. First device 110 may receive a response to the request to confirm the SI from third device 130 and update the stored request based on the response. In some embodiments, the response may indicate one of the following: that the SI indicated in the stored request is needed, that all of the SI indicated in the stored request have been deleted, or that some of the SI indicated in the stored request have been deleted.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may start a second timer upon or after receiving a request for the requested SI transfer or the stored SI. If a message indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or suspending the SI indicated in the stored request is not received from the third device 130 before the timer expires, the first device 110 may delete the stored request.

[0118] Once the revised SI is determined in block 520 , the first device 110 transmits the revised SI to the third device 130 in block 530 .

[0119] The method of FIG. 5 reduces power consumption and signaling overhead since the SI acquisition procedure is performed as needed.

[0120] 6 illustrates another exemplary communication method 600 implemented in a first device as a relay UE, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, method 600 may be performed in the first device 110 as shown in FIG. 1. For purposes of explanation, method 600 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. It should be understood that method 600 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0121] In block 610, the first device 110 sends an indication of the third device 130 to the second device 120. In some embodiments, the indication of the third device may include at least one of an ID of the third device 130 or a type of the third device 130.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send to the second device 120 an indication of the third device 130 along with a request to obtain the SI from the second device 120. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send the request to obtain the SI via a resource associated with the third device 130.

[0123] In block 620, the first device 110 may receive the modified SI from the second device 120 along with an indication of the third device 130. In block 630, the first device 110 may forward the modified SI to the third device 130.

[0124] The method of FIG. 6 may reduce the complexity and memory requirements for the relay UE and may achieve SI distribution in a simple manner.

[0125] 7 illustrates an exemplary communication method 700 implemented in a second device serving as a network device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, method 700 may be performed in second device 120 as shown in FIG. 1. For purposes of explanation, method 700 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. It should be understood that method 700 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0126] 7 , at block 710, the second device 120 receives an instruction for the third device 130 from the first device 110. In some embodiments, the second device 120 may receive the instruction for the third device 130 along with a request to obtain an SI from the first device 110. In some embodiments, the second device 120 may receive the request to obtain an SI from the first device 110 via a resource associated with the third device 130. In some embodiments, the instruction for the third device may include at least one of an ID of the third device 130 or a type of the third device 130.

[0127] In block 720, the second device 120 transmits the modified SI to the first device 110 along with an indication of the third device 130, thereby facilitating the first device 110 to forward the modified SI corresponding to the remote UE to the remote UE.

[0128] The method 700 allows for distribution of modified SI for remote UEs in a simple manner.

[0129] 8 illustrates an example communication method 800 implemented in a third device as a remote UE, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, method 800 may be performed in third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. For purposes of explanation, method 800 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. It should be understood that method 800 may include additional blocks not shown and / or omit some blocks shown, and that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0130] 8, in block 810, the third device 130 sends a message to the first device 110 indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or suspending the SI indicated in the request for the SI, the request for the SI having been previously sent from the third device 130 to the first device 110 and stored by the first device 110.

[0131] In some embodiments, the third device 130 may send the message to the third device 130 indicating the addition of the SI as a further request for the SI.

[0132] In some embodiments, the third device 130 may send an indication to the first device 110 indicating at least one of the following: that the third device 130 is entering a connection state with the second device 120, that the third device 130 is changing from being out of coverage of the second device 120 to being in coverage of the second device 120, or that the connection between the first device 110 and the third device 130 is being released, thereby facilitating updating of the stored request.

[0133] In some embodiments, the third device 130 may start a first timer upon or after sending a request for SI to the first device or receiving the requested SI from the first device 110, and send this message upon expiration of the first timer. In some embodiments, the third device 130 may receive a setting for the first timer from the first device 110. In some embodiments, the first timer may be predefined.

[0134] In some embodiments, the third device 130 may receive a request to confirm an SI from the first device 110 and send a response to the request to confirm the SI to the first device 110. In some embodiments, the response may indicate that the SI indicated in the stored request is required. In some embodiments, the response may indicate that all of the SI indicated in the stored request has been deleted. In some embodiments, the response may indicate that some of the SI indicated in the stored request has been deleted.

[0135] The method of FIG. 8 may facilitate updating stored SI requirements for remote UEs.

[0136] Device implementation example 9 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 900 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 900 may be considered as another exemplary implementation of the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120, or the third apparatus 130 as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the apparatus 900 can be implemented in, or as at least a part of, the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120, or the third apparatus 130.

[0137] As shown, the apparatus 900 comprises a processor 910, a memory 920 coupled to the processor 910, a suitable transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) 940 coupled to the processor 910, and a communication interface coupled to the TX / RX 940. The memory 910 stores at least a portion of a program 930. The TX / RX 940 is used for bidirectional communication. The TX / RX 940 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, although the access nodes referred to herein may in practice have multiple antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface required for communication with other network elements, such as an X2 / Xn interface for bidirectional communication between eNBs / gNBs, an S1 / NG interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) / SGW / UPF and an eNB / gNB, an Un interface for communication between an eNB / gNB and a relay node (RN), or a Uu interface for communication between an eNB / gNB and a terminal device.

[0138] The program 930 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 910, enable the device 900 to operate according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as described herein with reference to Figures 2A-8. The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 910 of the device 900, by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 910 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the combination of the processor 910 and the memory 920 may form a processing means 950 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0139] Memory 920 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, including, by way of non-limiting example, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. While only one memory 920 is shown in device 900, several physically distinct memory modules may be present within device 900. Processor 910 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 900 may have multiple processors, for example, application-specific integrated circuit chips time-slaved to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first device comprises circuitry configured to receive, from the second device, information regarding a modification of system information, determine modified system information to be sent to the third device based on a stored request for system information from a third device and the information regarding the modification of the system information, and send the modified system information to the third device.

[0141] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to receive a request for system information from the third device and store the request for system information by at least one of storing the request in a context of the third device or storing the request in a variable and associating it with at least one of an identity of the third device or a type of system information requested.

[0142] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to obtain requested system information from the second device and transmit the requested system information to the third device. In some embodiments, the requested system information may include at least one of a list of system information, a list of one or more system information blocks, or an identity of the third device.

[0143] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to obtain the system information by determining whether mapping from system information to system information blocks or from system information blocks to system information is performed for the requested system information, and, in accordance with a determination that mapping is performed, determining mapped system information by performing the mapping for the requested system information, obtaining the mapped system information from the second device, and determining the requested system information from the mapped system information by performing mapping from system information blocks to system information or from system information blocks to system information blocks.

[0144] In some embodiments, the information regarding modifying the system information includes an instruction to modify the system information. In these embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to determine the modified system information to be transmitted by obtaining a set of modified system information from the second device and determining the modified system information to be transmitted to the third device from the set of modified system information based on the stored request.

[0145] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to obtain the set of modified SI in response to at least one of the third device being out of coverage of the second device, the first device being in a connected state, or the first device needing the set of modified system information.

[0146] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to obtain the set of system information by determining a combined request based on stored requests for system information from a set of devices that includes the third device, transmitting the combined request to the second device, and obtaining the set of modified system information from the second device.

[0147] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to, pursuant to a determination that there is no request for system information from a fourth device, forward the indication of modifying the system information to a fourth device that maintains a connection with the first device.

[0148] In some embodiments, the information regarding the modification of the system information includes a set of modified system information. In these embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to determine the modified system information by determining the modified system information to be sent to the third device from the set of modified system information based on the stored request for the third device. In these embodiments, the set of modified system information may include at least one of modified system information or system information blocks, or modified and previously requested system information or system information blocks.

[0149] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to update the stored request by deleting the stored request in response to receiving a setting from the second device indicating at least one of the third device entering a connection state with the second device, the third device changing from being out of coverage of the second device to being in coverage of the second device, or the connection between the first device and the third device being released.

[0150] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to update the stored request by deleting the stored request in response to receiving an indication from the third device indicating at least one of the following: the third device entering a connection state with the second device; the third device changing from being out of coverage of the second device to being in coverage of the second device; or the connection between the first device and the third device being released.

[0151] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to update the stored request by deleting the stored request in response to determining at least one of: the third device entering a connection state with the second device; the third device changing from being out of coverage of the second device to being in coverage of the second device; or the connection between the first device and the third device being released.

[0152] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to update the stored request by receiving a message from the third device indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or withholding system information indicated in the stored request, and updating the stored request based on the message.

[0153] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to receive the message by receiving a further request for system information indicating the addition of the system information, and in these embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to update the stored request by updating the stored request based on the further request.

[0154] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to transmit a setting of a first timer to the third device, and the message is transmitted by the third device while the first timer is running. In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to transmit the setting of the timer by transmitting the setting of the timer in a requested system information transfer process.

[0155] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to update the stored request by sending a request to the third device to confirm system information, receiving a response to the request to confirm system information from the third device, and updating the stored request based on the response. In some embodiments, the response may indicate one of: that the system information indicated in the stored request is required; that all of the system information indicated in the stored request has been deleted; or that some of the system information indicated in the stored request has been deleted.

[0156] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to update the stored request by starting a second timer upon or after receiving a requested transfer of system information or a stored request for system information, and deleting the stored request pursuant to a determination that a message indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or suspending system information indicated in the stored request was not received from the third device before the timer expires.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first device may comprise circuitry configured to: send instructions of a third device to a second device; receive modified system information from the second device along with the instructions of the third device; and forward the modified system information to the third device.

[0158] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to transmit the indication of the third device by transmitting the indication of the third device to the second device along with a request to obtain system information from the second device. In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to transmit the indication of the third device by transmitting the request to obtain the system information via a resource associated with the third device. In some embodiments, the indication of the third device may include at least one of an identity of the third device or a type of the third device.

[0159] In some embodiments, the second device comprises circuitry configured to receive an instruction of a third device from the first device and to transmit modified system information to the first device along with the instruction of the third device.

[0160] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to receive the indication of the third device by at least one of receiving from the first device the indication of the third device along with a request to obtain system information or receiving a request to obtain the system information via a resource associated with the third device. In some embodiments, the indication of the third device may include at least one of an identity of the third device or a type of the third device.

[0161] In some embodiments, the third device comprises circuitry configured to send to the first device a message indicating at least one of adding, deleting, or withholding system information indicated in a request for system information, the request for system information being sent from the third device to the first device and stored by the first device.

[0162] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to send an indication to the first device indicating at least one of the following: the third device entering a connection state with the second device; the third device changing from being out of coverage of the second device to being in coverage of the second device; or the connection between the first device and the third device being released.

[0163] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to send the message by sending a further request for system information to the third device, indicating the addition of the system information.

[0164] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to send the message by starting a first timer upon or after sending a request for system information to the first device or receiving requested system information from the first device, and sending the message upon expiration of the first timer.

[0165] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to receive a setting for the first timer from the first device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the circuitry may be further configured to receive a request from the first device to confirm system information and to send a response to the request to confirm the system information to the first device, wherein the response may indicate one of: that the system information indicated in the stored request is required; that all of the system information indicated in the stored request has been deleted; or that some of the system information indicated in the stored request has been deleted.

[0167] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to a hardware circuit and / or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. For example, a circuit may be a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware. As yet another example, a circuit may be any portion of a hardware processor with software, including a digital signal processor, software, and one or more memories, that cooperate to cause a device, such as a terminal device or a network device, to perform various functions. In yet another example, a circuit may be a hardware circuit and / or a processor, such as a microprocessor or portion thereof, that requires software / firmware for operation, although the software may not be present if not necessary for operation. As used herein, the term "circuitry" also includes an implementation of a hardware circuit or one or more processors only, or a hardware circuit or portion of one or more processors and its / their accompanying software and / or firmware.

[0168] Overall, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software executable by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or other pictorial representations, it should be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented, by way of non-limiting example, in hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing device, or any combination thereof.

[0169] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules, that execute within a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the processes or methods described above with reference to Figures 2A-8. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired. The machine-executable instructions of the program modules may be executed within local or distributed devices. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0170] Program code for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, and when executed by the processor or controller, cause the program code to implement the functions / acts specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code may run entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a separate software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0171] The above-described program code may be embodied on a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program used by or associated with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the aforementioned media. More specific examples of a machine-readable storage medium may include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above.

[0172] Although operations have been described in a particular order, it should not be understood that performing these operations in the particular order shown, or in any sequential order, or performing all of the operations described, is required to achieve desirable results. In some cases, multitasking or parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Some features that are described in the context of individual embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0173] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims, is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A method for a relay UE (User Equipment), comprising: receiving first information indicating a system information block (SIB) from a remote UE; Upon receiving the SIB indicated in the first information from a network, initiate a transfer procedure for the SIB to the remote UE; Releasing the request information for the SIB based on second information received from the remote UE when the remote UE transitions from an inactive state to a connected state with respect to the network; The second information includes information indicating a release and information regarding a state of the remote UE. method.

2. the first information indicates a plurality of SIBs; Upon receiving the plurality of SIBs indicated in the first information from the network, initiate the transfer procedure for the plurality of SIBs to the remote UE. The method of claim 1.

3. The first information includes a requestedSIB-List IE (Information Element), The method of claim 1.

4. and acquiring system information after receiving the first information. The method of claim 1.

5. A relay UE (User Equipment), means for receiving first information indicating a system information block (SIB) from a remote UE; means for initiating a transfer procedure for the SIB indicated in the first information to the remote UE upon receiving the SIB from a network; means for releasing request information related to the SIB based on second information received from the remote UE when the remote UE transitions from an inactive state to a connected state with respect to the network; Equipped with The second information includes information indicating a release and information regarding a state of the remote UE. Relay UE.

6. the first information indicates a plurality of SIBs; Upon receiving the plurality of SIBs indicated in the first information from the network, initiate the transfer procedure for the plurality of SIBs to the remote UE. The relay UE of claim 5.

7. The first information includes a requestedSIB-List IE (Information Element), The relay UE of claim 5.

8. means for acquiring system information after receiving the first information; The relay UE of claim 5 further comprising:

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