Communication method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium and communication system

Abstract

The present application relates to a communication method, an apparatus, a communication device, a storage medium, a communication system and a computer program product. The method comprises: a relay communication node receiving a relay discovery request containing a first multi-hop parameter (S202); and if, on the basis of the first multi-hop parameter, it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed, and it is determined that the number of hops that the relay discovery request has traversed does not exceed a maximum hop count, determining a target communication message, the target communication message being used for instructing a remote terminal to establish communication with a communication base station on the basis of the target communication message and a relay network (S204).

Description

Communication method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium and communication system

[0001] Related applications

[0002] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 2024102036270, filed on February 23, 2024, and entitled "Communication method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium and communication system", the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of near field communication, in particular to a communication method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium, communication system and computer program product. BACKGROUND

[0004] The U2U relay scheme in PROSE (Proximity based Services) refers to that a remote terminal communicates through a U2U relay (UE to UE relay technology). In the related art, a U2U relay node accesses a base station, and the distance between the remote terminal and the base station is limited. How to realize the communication between the remote terminal and the base station through multiple relay nodes is a problem to be solved.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method applied to a relay communication node in a relay network, the relay network comprising at least two relay communication nodes, the method comprising:

[0007] receiving a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter;

[0008] if it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed a maximum number of hops, determining a target communication message; the target communication message is used to instruct the remote terminal to establish communication between the communication base station and the relay network based on the target communication message.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises first identification information; the method further comprises:

[0010] if the identification information consistent with the first identification information is not queried in the local storage space, it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first identification information comprises at least one of remote terminal identification information and transaction identification information.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list; the method further comprises:

[0013] If the identification information consistent with the identification information of the local relay communication node is not queried in the first relay communication node list, it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a hop count parameter; the method further comprises:

[0015] If it is determined that the hop count parameter does not exceed the maximum hop count, it is determined that the hop count of the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop count.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list; the method further comprises:

[0017] If it is determined that the number of relay communication nodes contained in the first relay communication node list does not exceed the maximum hop count, it is determined that the hop count of the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop count.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list, and the target communication message is a relay response message; determining the target communication message comprises:

[0019] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is within the communication range of the communication base station, the identification information of the local relay communication node is added to the first relay communication node list, and the relay response message is broadcasted or unicast.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises transaction identification information and a hop count parameter; the target communication message is an updated relay discovery request; determining the target communication message comprises:

[0021] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station, the hop count parameter is updated based on the target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter; the relay discovery request is updated based on the transaction identification information and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and the updated relay discovery request is broadcasted.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list and a hop count parameter; the target communication message is an updated relay discovery request; determining the target communication message comprises:

[0023] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station, the identification information of the local relay communication node is added to the first relay communication node list to obtain an updated first relay communication node list, and the hop count parameter is updated based on the target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter.

[0024] updating the relay discovery request based on the updated first relay communication node list and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and broadcasting the updated relay discovery request.

[0025] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0026] If it is determined that the relay discovery request is processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, discarding the relay discovery request.

[0027] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0028] receiving a relay reply message, the relay reply message containing a second multi-hop parameter;

[0029] If it is determined that the relay reply message is not processed based on the second multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication coverage of the communication base station, recording a sending relay communication node of the relay reply message as a next communication node of the local relay communication node; and adding identification information of the local relay communication node to the second relay communication node list to obtain an updated second relay communication node list.

[0030] generating the relay reply message based on the updated second relay communication node list, and broadcasting the relay reply message or unicasting the relay reply message.

[0031] In one embodiment, the second multi-hop parameter comprises second identification information; the method further comprises:

[0032] If no identification information consistent with the second identification information is found in the local storage space, it is determined that the relay reply message is not processed.

[0033] In one embodiment, the second identification information comprises at least one of sending node identification information of the relay reply message and transaction identification information.

[0034] In one embodiment, the second multi-hop parameter comprises a second relay communication node list; the method further comprises:

[0035] If no identification information consistent with the identification information of the local relay communication node is found in the second relay communication node list, it is determined that the relay reply message is not processed.

[0036] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0037] receiving a communication connection request;

[0038] based on the communication connection request, establishing a communication connection with a sending node of the communication connection request, and determining a next communication node of the local relay communication node, and sending the communication connection request to the next communication node.

[0039] The application provides a communication method applied to a remote terminal, the method comprising:

[0040] sending a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request containing a first multi-hop parameter;

[0041] receiving a relay response message, and establishing communication between the communication base station based on the relay response message.

[0042] In one embodiment, the establishing communication between the communication base station based on the relay response message comprises:

[0043] generating a communication connection request after receiving the relay response message, and sending the communication connection request to establish communication between the communication base station.

[0044] In one embodiment, the generating a communication connection request after receiving the relay response message, and sending the communication connection request to establish communication between the communication base station comprises:

[0045] generating a communication connection request after receiving the relay response message, and determining a sending node of the relay response message;

[0046] sending the communication connection request to the sending node to establish communication between the communication base station through the sending node, the sending node being a relay communication node in the relay network.

[0047] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0048] if the relay response message is not received within a first time period, sending the relay discovery request after a second time period.

[0049] The application provides a communication device applied to a relay communication node in a relay network, the relay network containing at least two relay communication nodes, the device comprising:

[0050] a first receiving module for receiving a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request containing a first multi-hop parameter;

[0051] a first determining module for determining a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message being used to instruct a remote terminal to establish communication between the relay network and a communication base station based on the target communication message.

[0052] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises first identification information; the device further comprises:

[0053] The second determining module is configured to determine that the relay discovery request has not been processed if no identification information consistent with the first identification information is found in the local storage space, the first identification information including at least one of remote terminal identification information and transaction identification information.

[0054] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list; the apparatus further includes:

[0055] The third determining module is configured to determine that the relay discovery request has not been processed if no identification information consistent with the identification information of the local relay communication node is found in the first relay communication node list.

[0056] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a hop count parameter; the apparatus further includes:

[0057] The fourth determining module is configured to determine that the hop count of the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop count if it is determined that the hop count parameter does not exceed the maximum hop count.

[0058] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list; the apparatus further includes:

[0059] The fifth determining module is configured to determine that the hop count of the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop count if it is determined that the number of relay communication nodes contained in the first relay communication node list does not exceed the maximum hop count.

[0060] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list, and the target communication message is a relay response message, and the first determining module is configured to:

[0061] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is within the communication range of the communication base station, the identification information of the local relay communication node is added to the first relay communication node list, and the relay response message is broadcasted or unicast.

[0062] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes transaction identification information and a hop count parameter; the target communication message is an updated relay discovery request, and the first determining module is further configured to:

[0063] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station, the hop count parameter is updated based on the target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter; the relay discovery request is updated based on the transaction identification information and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and the updated relay discovery request is broadcasted.

[0064] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list and a hop count parameter; the target communication message is an updated relay discovery request;

[0065] The first determining module is further configured to: if it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station, add the identification information of the local relay communication node to the first relay communication node list to obtain an updated first relay communication node list, and update the hop count parameter based on a target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter;

[0066] The relay discovery request is updated based on the updated first relay communication node list and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and the updated relay discovery request is broadcasted.

[0067] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0068] The discarding module is configured to discard the relay discovery request if it is determined that the relay discovery request has been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter.

[0069] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0070] The third receiving module is configured to receive a relay reply message, the relay reply message containing a second multi-hop parameter.

[0071] The sixth determining module is configured to: if it is determined that the relay reply message has not been processed based on the second multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication coverage of the communication base station, record a sending relay communication node of the relay reply message as a next communication node of the local relay communication node; and add the identification information of the local relay communication node to the second relay communication node list to obtain an updated second relay communication node list.

[0072] The second sending module is configured to generate a relay reply message based on the updated second relay communication node list, and broadcast the relay reply message or unicast the relay reply message.

[0073] In an embodiment, the second multi-hop parameter comprises second identification information; the apparatus further comprises:

[0074] The seventh determining module is configured to: if no identification information consistent with the second identification information is found in the local storage space, determine that the relay reply message has not been processed, the second identification information comprising at least one of a sending node identification information and a transaction identification information of the relay reply message.

[0075] In an embodiment, the second multi-hop parameter comprises a second relay communication node list; the apparatus further comprises:

[0076] The eighth determining module is configured to: if no identification information consistent with the identification information of the local relay communication node is found in the second relay communication node list, determine that the relay reply message has not been processed.

[0077] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0078] a fourth receiving module, configured to receive a communication connection request;

[0079] a first establishing module, configured to establish a communication connection with a sending node of the communication connection request based on the communication connection request, and determine a next communication node of the local relay communication node, and send the communication connection request to the next communication node.

[0080] The application provides a communication apparatus applied to a remote terminal, the apparatus comprising:

[0081] a first sending module, configured to send a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter;

[0082] a second receiving module, configured to receive a relay response message, and establish a communication between the communication apparatus and a communication base station based on the relay response message.

[0083] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is configured to:

[0084] generate a communication connection request after receiving the relay response message, and send the communication connection request to establish a communication between the communication apparatus and the communication base station.

[0085] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further configured to:

[0086] generate a communication connection request after receiving the relay response message, and determine a sending node of the relay response message; send the communication connection request to the sending node, and establish a communication between the sending node and the communication base station, the sending node being a relay communication node in a relay network.

[0087] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0088] a third sending module, configured to send the relay discovery request after a second time period if the relay response message is not received within a first time period.

[0089] The application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and a receiver;

[0090] the receiver is configured to receive a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter;

[0091] the processor is configured to determine a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message is used to instruct a remote terminal to establish a communication between a relay network and a communication base station based on the target communication message.

[0092] The application provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program realizes the steps of the method of the above embodiment when executed by a processor.

[0093] The application provides a communication system, which comprises a remote terminal and a relay network, and the relay network comprises at least two relay communication nodes, wherein:

[0094] The remote terminal is configured to send a relay discovery request, and the relay discovery request comprises a first multi-hop parameter.

[0095] The relay communication node is configured to receive the relay discovery request, determine a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter and the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed a maximum number of hops, and the target communication message is configured to instruct the remote terminal to establish communication based on the target communication message and between the relay network and a communication base station.

[0096] The application provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program, and the computer program realizes the steps of the method of the above embodiment when executed by a processor.

[0097] Details of one or more embodiments of the application are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the application will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0098] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the application or in the prior art, the accompanying drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description only belong to the embodiments of the application, and other accompanying drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative effort on the basis of the disclosed accompanying drawings.

[0099] Fig. 1 is a diagram of an application environment of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0100] Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0101] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0102] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0103] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0104] Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0105] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0106] FIG. 8 is a signaling diagram of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0107] FIG. 9 is a signaling diagram of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0108] FIG. 10 is a signaling diagram of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0109] FIG. 11 is a signaling diagram of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0110] FIG. 12 is a structural block diagram of a communication apparatus in an embodiment;

[0111] FIG. 13 is a structural block diagram of a communication apparatus in an embodiment; and

[0112] FIG. 14 is an internal structural diagram of a communication device in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0114] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the scenario includes a remote terminal 100, a base station 200 and a relay network 300. The remote terminal 100 and the base station 200 can perform data transmission through the relay network 300.

[0115] The base station 200 can be a base station (BTS) in a Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a base station (NodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), an evolved base station (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE, a relay station or an access point, or a base station in a 5G network, etc., and is not limited herein.

[0116] The first remote terminal 100 can be a wireless terminal, which can refer to a device that provides voice and / or other data connectivity to a user, or a hand-held device having a wireless connection function, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem. The wireless terminal can communicate with one or more core networks via a Radio Access Network (RAN), and can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile telephone (or "cell" phone) and a computer with a mobile termination that can be, for example, portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-embedded, or car-mounted, and exchanges language and / or data with the RAN. The wireless terminal can also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or user equipment, without limitation.

[0117] The relay network 300 can include multiple broadcast domains, each of which includes one or more relay communication nodes, that is, the relay network 300 includes at least two relay communication nodes, and the remote terminal 100 can send a relay discovery request to the relay communication nodes in the relay network 300, and based on the relay discovery request, establish a communication connection between the relay communication nodes included in the relay network 300 and the base station 200.

[0118] In the conventional technology, the U2U relay scheme of the PROSE proximity communication refers to that the remote UE communicates through the U2U relay (relay communication node), and establishes a communication connection with the base station through one relay communication node, and the broadcast domain of one relay communication node is limited, and the scheme of the remote terminal accessing the base station through a single-hop relay communication node has a limitation on the distance between the remote terminal and the base station, and has poor performance. When the single-hop is extended to multi-hop, since the relay communication node receiving the relay discovery request is not directly connected to the base station, the relay communication node will forward the received relay discovery request, and in the case of multiple relay communication nodes, the message forwarding process of the relay discovery request and the relay response message is more likely to form a loop, and a message storm occurs, resulting in large consumption of communication signaling and poor communication performance between the remote terminal and the base station.

[0119] Based on the above-mentioned prior art, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be a communication path establishment method between a remote terminal and a base station in a multi-hop scenario of a 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project, third generation partnership project) prose system UE to Network (U2N), specifically, a Remote UE initiates a relay discovery request, a relay node selects a broadcast relay discovery request or a relay response message by judging whether the currently received relay discovery request has been processed within a preset time period, so that the Remote UE can initiate a PC5 connection establishment message after receiving the relay response message, establish a PC5 connection hop by hop, and realize communication connection with the base station. The method can avoid the generation of a loop and a message storm, reduce the consumption of communication signaling, and improve the establishment efficiency of the communication path.

[0120] It should be noted that the beneficial effects or technical problems solved by the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this, but also other implicit or related problems. For details, please refer to the description of the following embodiments.

[0121] Before introducing the specific embodiments of the present application, the professional terms involved in the present application are explained:

[0122] Prose proximity service: Proximity based Services.

[0123] U2U: UE to UE, terminal to terminal.

[0124] U2N: UE to Network, terminal to base station.

[0125] The technical solutions of the present application and how the technical solutions of the present application solve the above-mentioned technical problems will be described in detail in the following specific embodiments. The following several specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0126] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a communication method is provided, which is applied to any one of the relay communication nodes in the relay network in FIG. 1 as an example, the relay network contains at least two relay communication nodes, including the following steps:

[0127] Step 202, receiving a relay discovery request.

[0128] The relay discovery request contains a first multi-hop parameter; the relay discovery request can be a U2N relay discovery request message; the relay communication node included in the relay network can be a U2N relay node; the first multi-hop parameter is a parameter used to assist the remote terminal to establish a communication connection with the base station via multiple relay communication nodes; the relay communication node receiving the relay discovery request can determine whether the current relay discovery request has been processed by the relay communication node based on the first multi-hop parameter.

[0129] Specifically, after the relay communication node (local relay communication node) in the relay network receives the relay discovery request, the relay communication node can determine whether the relay discovery request has been processed by the local relay communication node based on the first multi-hop parameter carried by the relay discovery request; and the local relay communication node can perform a processing operation matched with the determination result on the relay discovery request based on the determination result.

[0130] Optionally, the relay discovery request received by the local relay communication node can be sent by the remote terminal or by the relay communication node in the relay network.

[0131] In one example, the relay network includes at least two broadcast domains, each broadcast domain can include one relay communication node or multiple relay communication nodes, and the remote terminal can generate a relay discovery request for establishing a communication connection between the remote terminal and the base station.

[0132] In step 204, if it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter and that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum number of hops, a target communication message is determined; the target communication message is used to indicate that the remote terminal establishes a communication based on the target communication message and a communication between the relay network and the base station.

[0133] The maximum number of hops can be a preconfigured threshold value, for example, a preconfigured number threshold value, which can represent the maximum number of relay communication nodes that the relay discovery request can pass through; the target communication message can include at least one of the relay discovery request and a relay response message, and the type of the target communication message is related to the distance between the current relay communication node and the base station.

[0134] Specifically, after the relay communication node receives the relay discovery request carrying the first multi-hop parameter, the relay communication node can parse the relay discovery request to obtain the first multi-hop parameter, and determine whether the relay discovery request has been processed by the local relay communication node based on the specific content of the first multi-hop parameter, and determine the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request based on the first multi-hop parameter, and determine the relationship between the number of hops passed by the current relay discovery request and the preconfigured maximum number of hops.

[0135] If the relay communication node determines that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and determines that the number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed the preconfigured maximum number of hops based on the multi-hop parameter, the relay communication node can determine a target communication message; based on the target communication message, the remote terminal that initially sends the relay discovery request can achieve the establishment of the communication connection between the base station.

[0136] Optionally, the relay communication node determines the number of hops the relay discovery request has passed based on the first multi-hop parameter, that is, the relay communication node can determine the number of relay communication nodes the relay discovery request has passed based on the first multi-hop parameter.

[0137] Optionally, the relay communication node determines that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, which can be that the relay discovery request is not processed by the local relay communication node, or that the relay discovery request is not processed by other relay communication nodes contained in the broadcast domain where the local relay communication node is located.

[0138] The above communication method includes that a relay communication node in a relay network receives a relay discovery request containing a first multi-hop parameter, and if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that the number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed the maximum number of hops, a target communication message is determined to enable a remote terminal to establish communication between the relay network and a communication base station based on the target communication message. By using the method, the remote terminal can establish a communication connection with the base station through multiple relay communication nodes contained in the relay network by multi-hop step by step, realize the access of the remote terminal to the base station, and avoid the message storm in the message forwarding process of the relay communication node forwarding the relay discovery request and the relay response message, reduce the consumption of signaling, and improve the efficiency of the remote terminal accessing the base station.

[0139] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes first identification information. Specifically, the first identification information includes remote terminal identification information, and the first identification information can also contain transaction identification information, and the first identification information can also contain remote identification information and transaction identification information; the remote identification information can be the identification information of the remote terminal (remote UE) that sends the relay discovery request, which can be, for example, the name information of the terminal, the device identification code information of the terminal, etc.; the transaction identification information can be the business name information corresponding to the relay discovery request, or can be the identification information configured by the remote terminal for the relay discovery request to distinguish from other relay discovery requests, which can be, for example, an identifier, etc.

[0140] Correspondingly, the communication method further includes:

[0141] If the local storage space does not contain the first identification information, the relay discovery request is determined to be unprocessed.

[0142] The first identification information includes at least one of remote terminal identification information and transaction identification information. The local storage space can be a local storage space of the relay communication node.

[0143] Specifically, after receiving the relay discovery request, the relay communication node can obtain the first multi-hop parameter carried by the relay discovery request. If the first multi-hop parameter is the first identification information, the relay communication node can determine whether the currently received relay discovery request has been processed by the local relay communication node within a preset time period based on the first identification information.

[0144] Optionally, after processing the received relay discovery request, the relay communication node can store the first identification information carried by the processed relay discovery request in the local storage space. Based on this, after receiving the relay discovery request, the relay communication node can query the first identification information in the local storage space based on the first identification information carried by the relay discovery request. If the relay communication node does not find identification information consistent with the first identification information in the local storage space, the relay communication node can determine that the relay discovery request is unprocessed.

[0145] In one example, if the relay communication node finds identification information consistent with the first identification information in the local storage space, the relay communication node can determine that the relay discovery request is processed. If the relay communication node determines that the currently received relay discovery request has been processed by the local relay communication node, the relay communication node can discard the relay discovery request, which can ensure that multiple requests of the upper-level broadcast domain only trigger broadcast forwarding once at each relay (relay communication node) in the broadcast domain, avoiding message storm and additional consumption of communication signaling.

[0146] Optionally, if the relay communication node does not find identification information consistent with the remote terminal identification information contained in the first identification information in the local storage space, the relay communication node can determine that the relay discovery request is unprocessed. Optionally, if the relay communication node does not find identification information consistent with the transaction identification information contained in the first identification information in the local storage space, the relay communication node can determine that the relay discovery request is unprocessed.

[0147] In one example, the first identification information stored in the local storage space can be configured to have a storage time limit. For example, the relay communication node can delete the first identification information stored in the local storage space if it is detected that the storage time of the first identification information in the local storage space exceeds the storage time limit, so as to realize the timing detection of the identification information. The storage time limit can be a preset time period.

[0148] In the embodiment, the relay communication node can determine whether the currently received relay discovery request has been processed by the local relay communication node based on the first identification information, enrich the content type contained in the first multi-hop parameter, expand the judgment mode of whether the relay discovery request has been processed, improve the judgment efficiency, and further guarantee the timeliness of the communication connection establishment between the remote terminal and the base station.

[0149] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list. Specifically, the relay communication nodes contained in the relay list are relay communication nodes that have processed the relay discovery request carrying the first multi-hop parameter. That is, in the case where the first multi-hop parameter includes the first relay communication node list, the relay communication node can add the identification information of the local relay communication node to the first relay communication node list after processing the received relay discovery request.

[0150] Correspondingly, the communication method further includes:

[0151] If the identification information consistent with the identification information of the local relay communication node is not queried in the first relay communication node list, it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed.

[0152] Specifically, after receiving the relay discovery request, the relay communication node can parse the relay discovery request to obtain the first multi-hop parameter carried by the relay discovery request. In the case where the first multi-hop parameter includes the first relay communication node list, the relay communication node can query the first relay communication node list based on the identification information of the local relay communication node, and determine whether the relay discovery request has been processed based on the obtained query result. Optionally, if the relay communication node does not query the identification information of the local relay communication node in the first relay communication node list, that is, the identification information of the local relay communication node does not exist in the first relay communication node list, the relay communication node can determine that the relay discovery request has not been processed.

[0153] Optionally, if the relay communication node queries the identification information of the local relay communication node in the first relay communication node list, i.e., the identification information of the local relay communication node exists in the first relay communication node list, the relay communication node can determine that the relay discovery request has been processed by the local relay communication node, and the relay communication node can directly discard the relay discovery request, so as to ensure that the multiple requests of the upper broadcast domain trigger broadcast forwarding only once at each relay (relay communication node) in the current broadcast domain, avoid message storm and additional consumption of communication signaling.

[0154] In the embodiment, the information contained in the multi-hop parameter can be a relay communication node list composed of all relay communication nodes that have processed the relay discovery request, which enriches the content contained in the first multi-hop parameter, expands the judgment mode of whether the relay discovery request has been processed, improves the judgment efficiency, and further ensures the timeliness of the communication connection establishment between the remote terminal and the base station.

[0155] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a hop number parameter. Specifically, the hop number parameter (hop parameter) represents the number of relay communication nodes through which the relay discovery request carrying the first multi-hop parameter passes; for example, it can be the number of relay communication nodes that have processed the relay discovery request.

[0156] Correspondingly, the communication method further includes:

[0157] If it is determined that the hop number parameter does not exceed the maximum hop number, it is determined that the hop number of the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop number.

[0158] The maximum hop number can be a preconfigured threshold value, for example, a preconfigured number threshold value, which can represent the maximum number of relay communication nodes through which the relay discovery request can pass; the number threshold value can also represent the maximum number of times that the relay discovery request can be processed by each relay communication node, and the like.

[0159] Specifically, after receiving the relay discovery request, the relay communication node can parse the relay discovery request to obtain the first multi-hop parameter carried by the relay discovery request. In the case where the first multi-hop parameter includes a hop number parameter, the relay communication node can compare the hop number parameter with the maximum hop number. If it is determined that the hop number parameter carried by the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop number, the relay communication node can determine that the hop number of the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop number.

[0160] Optionally, if the relay communication node determines that the hop number parameter carried by the relay discovery request exceeds the maximum hop number, the relay communication node can determine that the hop number of the relay discovery request exceeds the maximum hop number.

[0161] In this embodiment, the diversity of the multi-hop parameter containing information is ensured, and the accuracy of the judgment of whether the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request exceeds the maximum number of hops is ensured.

[0162] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list. Specifically, the relay communication nodes contained in the relay list are relay communication nodes that have processed the relay communication node carrying the first multi-hop parameter; that is, in the case where the first multi-hop parameter contains the first relay communication node list, the relay communication node can add the identification information of the local relay communication node to the first relay communication node list after processing the received relay discovery request.

[0163] Correspondingly, the communication method further includes:

[0164] If it is determined that the number of relay communication nodes contained in the first relay communication node list does not exceed the maximum number of hops, it is determined that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum number of hops.

[0165] Specifically, after receiving the relay discovery request, the relay communication node can parse the relay discovery request to obtain the first multi-hop parameter carried by the relay discovery request. In the case where the first multi-hop parameter includes the first relay communication node list, the relay communication node can count the number of relay communication nodes contained in the first relay communication node list, and compare the counted number with the maximum number of hops; if it is determined that the counted number does not exceed the maximum number of hops, the relay communication node can determine that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum number of hops.

[0166] Optionally, if the relay communication node determines that the counted number exceeds the maximum number of hops, the relay communication node can determine that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request exceeds the maximum number of hops.

[0167] In this embodiment, the number of relay communication nodes contained in the relay communication node list contained in the multi-hop parameter can be used to determine whether the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request exceeds the maximum number of hops, which improves the convenience of the judgment and ensures the balance between the performance of the communication system and the consumption of signaling.

[0168] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list, and the target communication message is a relay response message; the relay communication nodes contained in the relay list are relay communication nodes that have processed the relay communication node carrying the first multi-hop parameter; and the relay response message can be a response message of the relay discovery request.

[0169] Correspondingly, the step of "determining the target communication message" can include:

[0170] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is within the communication range of the communication base station, the identification information of the local relay communication node is added to the first relay communication node list, and a relay response message is broadcasted or unicast.

[0171] Specifically, after receiving the relay discovery request, if the relay communication node determines that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and determines that the number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed the maximum number of hops, the relay communication node can determine whether the local relay communication node is within the communication range of the communication base station; that is, the relay communication node determines whether the local relay communication node is covered by the communication range of the communication base station, that is, whether the local relay communication node can communicate with the communication base station.

[0172] If the relay communication node determines that the local relay communication node is within the communication range of the communication base station, the relay communication node can add the identification information of the local relay communication node to the first relay communication node list contained in the first multi-hop parameter, and generate a relay response message corresponding to the relay discovery request. Based on this, the relay communication node can broadcast the relay response message, or the relay communication node can also unicast the relay response message.

[0173] In one example, if the relay communication node receiving the relay discovery request determines that the local relay communication node is within the communication range of the communication base station, the relay communication node can determine that the broadcast domain in which the relay communication node is currently located is the closest broadcast domain to the communication base station, and the relay communication node can communicate with the communication base station without the need to pass through other relay communication nodes.

[0174] In this embodiment, whether the relay response message corresponding to the relay discovery request needs to be sent can be determined by determining whether the local relay communication node is covered by the communication range of the communication base station, so that the remote terminal can timely initiate a communication connection establishment request for establishing a communication connection with the communication base station, and the communication performance of the communication system can be ensured, while avoiding message storm in the message forwarding process and avoiding additional consumption of communication signaling.

[0175] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes transaction identification information and a hop parameter. The target communication message is an updated relay discovery request. The hop parameter represents the number of relay communication nodes through which the relay discovery request carrying the first multi-hop parameter has passed; for example, it can be the number of relay communication nodes that have processed the relay discovery request.

[0176] Correspondingly, the step of "determining a target communication message" can include:

[0177] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station, the hop count parameter is updated based on the target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter. The relay discovery request is updated based on the transaction identification information and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and the updated relay discovery request is broadcast.

[0178] Specifically, after receiving the relay discovery request, if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that the hop count of the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop count, the relay communication node can determine whether the local relay communication node is within the communication range of the communication base station, i.e., whether the local relay communication node is covered by the communication range of the communication base station.

[0179] If the relay communication node determines that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station, the relay communication node can update the hop count parameter based on the target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter. Based on this, the relay communication node can update the received relay discovery request based on the transaction identification information and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and the relay communication node can broadcast the updated relay discovery request.

[0180] In one example, the target value can be 1, and the process of updating the hop count parameter based on the target value can be that the relay communication node adds 1 to the value of the hop count parameter to obtain the updated hop count parameter.

[0181] In one example, during the process of broadcasting the updated relay discovery request by the relay communication node, all relay communication nodes within the communication range of the relay communication node can receive the updated relay discovery request.

[0182] In this embodiment, the case of receiving the relay discovery request and continuing to broadcast the relay discovery request is limited, which can avoid message storm in the message forwarding process and improve the broadcast effectiveness of the relay discovery request.

[0183] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list and a hop count parameter. The target communication message is the updated relay discovery request.

[0184] Correspondingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the step of “determining a target communication message” can include:

[0185] Step 302, if it is determined that the local relay communication node is not in the communication range of the communication base station, the identification information of the local relay communication node is added to the first relay communication node list to obtain an updated first relay communication node list, and the hop count parameter is updated based on a target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter.

[0186] Specifically, after receiving the relay discovery request, if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that the hop count of the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum hop count, the relay communication node can determine whether the current local relay communication node is in the communication range of the communication base station, i.e., whether the local relay communication node is covered by the communication range of the communication base station.

[0187] If the relay communication node determines that the current local relay communication node is not in the communication range of the communication base station, the relay communication node can update the hop count parameter based on a target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter, and the relay communication node can add the identification information of the local relay communication node to the first relay communication node list to obtain an updated first relay communication node list.

[0188] In one example, the target value can be 1, and the process of updating the hop count parameter based on the target value can be that the relay communication node adds 1 to the value of the hop count parameter to obtain an updated hop count parameter.

[0189] Step 304, based on the updated first relay communication node list and the updated hop count parameter, the relay discovery request is updated to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and the updated relay discovery request is broadcasted.

[0190] Specifically, the relay communication node can obtain the updated first relay communication node list and the updated hop count parameter, update the received relay discovery request to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and broadcast the updated relay discovery request.

[0191] In this embodiment, the case where the relay discovery request is received and the relay discovery request is continued to be broadcasted is limited, which can avoid message storm in the message forwarding process and improve the broadcast effectiveness of the relay discovery request.

[0192] In one embodiment, the communication method further comprises:

[0193] If it is determined that the relay discovery request is processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, the relay discovery request is discarded.

[0194] In particular, after receiving the relay discovery request, if it is determined that the relay discovery request is processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, the relay communication node can directly discard the relay discovery request.

[0195] Optionally, after receiving the relay discovery request, if it is determined that the relay discovery request is processed by the local relay communication node based on the first multi-hop parameter, the relay communication node can directly discard the relay discovery request.

[0196] Optionally, after receiving the relay discovery request, if it is determined that the relay discovery request is processed by other relay communication nodes included in the broadcast domain where the local relay communication node is located based on the first multi-hop parameter, the relay communication node can directly discard the relay discovery request.

[0197] In this embodiment, it can be ensured that multiple requests of the upper-level broadcast domain only trigger broadcast forwarding once at each relay (relay communication node) in the broadcast domain, avoiding message storm and additional consumption of communication signaling.

[0198] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication method further includes:

[0199] Step 402, receiving a relay response message.

[0200] The relay response message contains a second multi-hop parameter. The second multi-hop parameter is a parameter used to assist the remote terminal in establishing a communication connection with the base station via multiple relay communication nodes.

[0201] In particular, after receiving the relay response message, the relay communication node (local relay communication node) in the relay network can determine whether the relay response message is processed by the local relay communication node based on the second multi-hop parameter carried by the relay response message. The local relay communication node can perform a processing operation matched with the determination result on the relay response message based on the determination result.

[0202] Optionally, the relay response message is sent by a relay communication node in the relay network.

[0203] Step 404, if it is determined that the relay response message is not processed based on the second multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication coverage of the communication base station, recording the sending relay communication node of the relay response message as the next communication node of the local relay communication node; and adding the identification information of the local relay communication node to the second relay communication node list to obtain an updated second relay communication node list.

[0204] Specifically, after receiving the relay response message carrying the second multi-hop parameter, the relay communication node can parse the relay response message to obtain the second multi-hop parameter, and determine whether the relay response message has been processed by the local relay communication node based on the specific content of the second multi-hop parameter, and determine whether the current relay communication node is covered by the communication range of the communication base station, and determine whether the current relay communication node is in the coverage range of the communication base station; if the relay communication node determines that the relay response message has not been processed, and determines that the local relay communication node is not in the communication coverage range of the communication base station, the relay communication node can determine the sending node of the received relay response message (i.e. determine the sending relay communication node that sends the relay response message to the relay communication node), record the sending node as the next communication node of the local relay communication node; and the relay communication node can also add the identification information of the local relay communication node to the second relay communication node list to obtain an updated second relay communication node list.

[0205] Optionally, the local relay communication node can forward the communication connection request message to the next communication node of the local relay communication node. For example, the relay communication node A can send a relay response message to the relay communication node B, and if the relay communication node B determines that the relay response message has not been processed, and determines that the local relay communication node (relay communication node B) is not in the communication coverage range of the communication base station, the relay communication node B can record that the relay communication node A is the next communication node of the relay communication node B, that is, the relay communication node B can send the communication connection request message to the relay communication node A after receiving the communication connection request message.

[0206] Step 406, generating a relay response message based on the updated second relay communication node list, and broadcasting the relay response message, or unicasting the relay response message.

[0207] Specifically, the relay communication node can generate a relay response message based on the updated second relay communication node list, and broadcast the relay response message, or the relay communication node can also unicast the relay response message.

[0208] In this embodiment, the remote terminal can timely initiate a communication connection establishment request for establishing a communication connection with the communication base station to ensure the communication performance of the communication system, while avoiding message storm in the message forwarding process and avoiding additional consumption of communication signaling.

[0209] In an embodiment, the second multi-hop parameter comprises second identification information. Specifically, the second identification information comprises remote terminal identification information, the second identification information can further comprise transaction identification information, and the second identification information can further comprise remote identification information and transaction identification information; the remote identification information can be identification information of a remote terminal (remote UE) that sends a relay discovery request corresponding to the relay response message, for example, name information of the terminal, device identification code information of the terminal, and the like; the transaction identification information can be service name information corresponding to the relay response request, or can be identification information configured by the remote terminal for the relay discovery request corresponding to the relay response message, which can be distinguished from other relay discovery requests, for example, an identifier, and the like.

[0210] Correspondingly, the communication method further comprises:

[0211] If no identification information consistent with the second identification information is found in the local storage space, it is determined that the relay response message has not been processed.

[0212] The second identification information comprises at least one of transmission node identification information and transaction identification information of the relay response message.

[0213] Specifically, after receiving the relay response message, the relay communication node can obtain the second multi-hop parameter carried by the relay response message. In the case where the second multi-hop parameter is second identification information, the relay communication node can determine, based on the second identification information, whether the currently received relay response message has been processed by the local relay communication node within a preset time period.

[0214] Optionally, after processing the received relay response message, the relay communication node can store the second identification information carried by the processed relay response message in the local storage space. Based on this, after receiving the relay response message, the relay communication node can query the second identification information in the local storage space based on the second identification information carried by the relay response message. If the relay communication node does not find identification information consistent with the second identification information in the local storage space, the relay communication node can determine that the relay response message has not been processed.

[0215] In an example, if the relay communication node finds identification information consistent with the second identification information in the local storage space, the relay communication node can determine that the relay response message has been processed. If the relay communication node determines that the currently received relay response message has been processed by the local relay communication node, the relay communication node can discard the relay response message.

[0216] Optionally, if the relay communication node does not find the identity information consistent with the remote terminal identity information contained in the second identity information in the local storage space, the relay communication node can determine that the relay response message is not processed. Optionally, if the relay communication node does not find the identity information consistent with the transaction identity information contained in the second identity information in the local storage space, the relay communication node can determine that the relay response message is not processed.

[0217] In one example, the second identity information stored in the local storage space can be configured to save the validity period. For example, the relay communication node can delete the second identity information saved in the local storage space when it is detected that the saving time of the second identity information in the local storage space exceeds the saving validity period, so as to realize the timing detection of the identity information. The saving validity period can be a preset time period.

[0218] In the embodiment, the content type contained in the second multi-hop parameter is enriched, the judgment mode of whether the relay discovery request is processed is expanded, the judgment efficiency is improved, and the timeliness of establishing the communication connection between the remote terminal and the base station is further ensured.

[0219] In one embodiment, the second multi-hop parameter includes a second relay communication node list. Specifically, the relay communication nodes contained in the relay list are the relay communication nodes that have processed the relay response message carrying the second multi-hop parameter. That is, in the case that the second multi-hop parameter contains the second relay communication node list, the relay communication node can add the identity information of the local relay communication node to the second relay communication node list after processing the received relay response message.

[0220] Correspondingly, the communication method further includes:

[0221] If the identity information consistent with the identity information of the local relay communication node is not found in the second relay communication node list, it is determined that the relay response message is not processed.

[0222] Specifically, after receiving the relay response message, the relay communication node can parse the relay response message to obtain the second multi-hop parameter carried by the relay response message. If the second multi-hop parameter includes a second relay communication node list, the relay communication node can query the second relay communication node list based on the local relay communication node identification information, and determine whether the relay response message has been processed based on the obtained query result. Optionally, if the relay communication node does not query the local relay communication node identification information in the second relay communication node list, that is, the local relay communication node identification information does not exist in the second relay communication node list, the relay communication node can determine that the relay response message has not been processed.

[0223] Optionally, if the relay communication node queries the local relay communication node identification information in the second relay communication node list, that is, the local relay communication node identification information exists in the second relay communication node list, the relay communication node can determine that the relay response message has been processed by the local relay communication node. The relay communication node can directly discard the relay response message, which can ensure that the multiple requests of the upper broadcast domain trigger broadcast forwarding only once at each relay (relay communication node) in the broadcast domain, thereby avoiding message storm and additional consumption of communication signaling.

[0224] In this embodiment, the information contained in the multi-hop parameter can be a relay communication node list composed of all relay communication nodes that have processed the relay response message. This enriches the content contained in the second multi-hop parameter, expands the judgment method of whether the relay response message has been processed, improves the judgment efficiency, and further ensures the timeliness of the communication connection establishment between the remote terminal and the base station.

[0225] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication method further includes:

[0226] Step 502, receiving a communication connection request.

[0227] The communication connection request can be a PC5 connection. The communication connection request (message) can be sent by a remote terminal or by a previous communication node of the relay communication node.

[0228] Specifically, the relay communication node can receive a communication connection request sent by a remote terminal. Optionally, the relay communication node can receive a communication connection request sent by a previous communication node of the relay communication node.

[0229] Step 504, based on the communication connection request, establishing a communication connection with the sending node of the communication connection request, and determining a next communication node of the local relay communication node, and sending the communication connection request to the next communication node.

[0230] The sending node of the communication connection request can be a previous communication node of the relay communication node.

[0231] Specifically, after receiving the communication connection request sent by the previous communication node of the relay communication node, the relay communication node can establish a communication connection with the previous communication node of the relay communication node, and determine the next communication node of the relay communication node based on the method of the above embodiment, and continue forwarding the communication connection request to the next communication node of the relay communication node.

[0232] In this embodiment, the remote terminal establishes a communication connection with the communication base station via the multi-level relay communication nodes.

[0233] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a communication method is provided, which is applied to the remote terminal in FIG. 1 as an example, and includes the following steps:

[0234] Step 602, sending a relay discovery request.

[0235] The relay discovery request contains a first multi-hop parameter.

[0236] Specifically, when the remote terminal needs to establish a communication connection through the relay network, the remote terminal can generate a relay discovery request based on the first multi-hop parameter, and send the relay discovery request to the relay network.

[0237] Step 604, receiving a relay response message, and establishing communication between the remote terminal and the communication base station based on the relay response message.

[0238] Specifically, the remote terminal can receive the relay response message corresponding to the relay discovery request returned by the relay communication node in the relay network, and after receiving the relay response message, send the communication connection request to the relay communication node sending the relay response message, and establish a communication connection between the remote terminal and the communication base station based on the communication connection request and the plurality of relay communication nodes included in the relay network.

[0239] In this embodiment, the remote terminal can establish a communication connection with the base station through the plurality of relay communication nodes included in the relay network, and realize the access of the remote terminal to the base station, and avoid the message storm in the message forwarding process of the relay communication node forwarding the relay discovery request and the relay response message, reduce the consumption of signaling, and improve the efficiency of the remote terminal accessing the base station.

[0240] In one embodiment, the step of "establishing communication between the remote terminal and the communication base station based on the relay response message" can include:

[0241] After receiving the relay response message, generating a communication connection request, and sending the communication connection request to establish communication between the remote terminal and the communication base station.

[0242] Specifically, the remote terminal can receive the relay response message corresponding to the relay discovery request returned by the relay communication node in the relay network, and after receiving the relay response message, send the communication connection request to the relay communication node sending the relay response message, and establish the communication connection with the communication base station based on the communication connection request and the plurality of relay communication nodes contained in the relay network.

[0243] In this embodiment, the remote terminal can establish the communication connection with the base station through the plurality of relay communication nodes contained in the relay network, and realize the access of the remote terminal to the base station, and avoid the message storm in the message forwarding process of the relay communication node forwarding the relay discovery request and the relay response message, reduce the consumption of signaling, and improve the efficiency of the remote terminal accessing the base station.

[0244] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the step of “generating a communication connection request after receiving a relay response message, and sending the communication connection request to establish communication with the communication base station” can include:

[0245] Step 702, after receiving the relay response message, generating a communication connection request, and determining the sending node of the relay response message.

[0246] Specifically, after receiving the relay response message corresponding to the relay discovery request returned by the relay communication node in the relay network, the remote terminal can generate a communication connection request, and determine the relay communication node sending the relay response message.

[0247] Step 704, sending the communication connection request to the sending node to establish communication between the sending node and the communication base station.

[0248] Wherein, the sending node is a relay communication node in the relay network.

[0249] Specifically, the remote terminal can send the generated communication connection request to the relay communication node sending the relay response message, and the relay communication node receiving the communication connection request can forward the communication connection request to the next communication node of the local relay communication node until the local relay communication node is within the coverage range of the communication base station. The communication connection request is sent to the communication base station, and based on this, the remote terminal can establish the communication connection with the communication base station based on the relay network.

[0250] Optionally, if there are a plurality of next communication nodes of the local relay communication node, the local relay communication node can determine a target next communication node according to the time sequence of determining each next communication node, for example, the local relay communication node can take the next communication node with the latest time sequence as the target next communication node.

[0251] The embodiment improves the stability and efficiency of the communication connection establishment.

[0252] In one embodiment, the communication method further includes:

[0253] If no relay response message is received within the first time period, the relay discovery request is sent after the second time period.

[0254] The first time period can be a preconfigured waiting time for receiving the relay response message corresponding to the relay discovery request after sending the relay discovery request. The second time period can be a preconfigured interval for sending the relay discovery request by the remote terminal. The first time period can be the same as or different from the second time period, which is not limited in the embodiment.

[0255] Specifically, the remote terminal can determine a waiting time for not receiving the relay response message corresponding to the relay discovery request after sending the relay discovery request. If the waiting time exceeds the first time period, the relay discovery request is sent after the second time period.

[0256] In the embodiment, the reach rate of the relay discovery request is ensured, and the reliability of establishing the communication connection is improved.

[0257] In one embodiment, FIG. 8 provides a signaling interaction flowchart of communication. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes the following steps.

[0258] In the related art, the single-hop U2N scheme limits the remote UE to access the base station through single-hop, which is relatively large. In the multi-hop scenario, the embodiment provides a communication method, which is actually a path establishment method in a 3GPP prose system UE-to-Network (U2N) multi-hop scenario. The remote UE initiates a relay discovery request. If the relay node determines that the request has been received within a period of time, the message is discarded. If it is determined that the request has not been processed within a period of time, and the hop number of the request does not exceed the maximum hop number, it is determined whether the relay node is within the communication range of the base station. If the relay node is not within the communication range of the base station, a relay discovery response message (i.e., a relay response message corresponding to the relay discovery request) is returned. If the relay node is within the communication range of the base station, the identification information of the relay node is added to the relay id list in the relay discovery request, and the relay discovery request is broadcast. A relay receives the relay discovery response message and forwards it to the previous hop. The remote UE receives the response and initiates a PC5 connection establishment message to establish a PC5 connection hop by hop.

[0259] Step 1, the remote terminal sends a u2n relay discovery request (remote id, transaction id and hop parameter) to a relay communication node (relay node), the remote id is the id of the remote terminal, the transaction id is a transaction identification, and the hop parameter is a hop parameter.

[0260] Step 2, the relay communication node (for example, it can be a relay communication node 1) receives the u2n relay discovery request and sends the u2n relay discovery request to another relay communication node (for example, it can be a relay communication node 2); the relay discovery request carries the identification information (remote id) of the remote terminal, a first relay communication node list (id of u2n relay list), a transaction identification (transaction ID) and a hop parameter (hop parameter).

[0261] Step 3, the relay communication node (relay communication node 2) can reply to the relay communication node 1 with a u2n relay discovery response message, and the u2n relay discovery response message can carry the identification information (remote id) of the remote terminal, the first relay communication node list (id of u2n relay list), and the transaction identification (transaction ID).

[0262] Step 4, the relay communication node (relay communication node 1) can forward the u2n relay discovery response message to the remote terminal, and the u2n relay discovery response message can carry the identification information (remote id) of the remote terminal, the first relay communication node list (id of u2n relay list), and the transaction identification (transaction ID).

[0263] S1, specifically, the Remote UE initiates a U2N relay discovery request, and the parameters include the id of the Remote UE. Optionally, a transaction ID parameter and a hop parameter are added, the hop is 0, and the U2N relay discovery request is broadcasted.

[0264] S2, the U2N relay checks whether the request has been processed, which can be according to the remote id or according to whether the transaction id has been processed within a period of time, if processed, it is discarded (this scheme can ensure that multiple requests of the upper broadcast domain only trigger broadcast forwarding once at each relay of the broadcast domain). Further check whether it is a loop, which can be checked in the relay id along the way to check whether it is itself, if so, it is discarded. Check whether the hop count has exceeded the maximum hop limit, which can be according to whether the number of relay id along the way exceeds the maximum hop limit, or according to whether the hop parameter exceeds the maximum hop limit, if so, it is discarded. Determine whether the local relay communication node is within the coverage of the base station, if not, initiate a U2N relay discovery request message, in addition to the parameters in S1, add itself in the U2N relay list. If there is a hop parameter, the hop parameter is incremented by one.

[0265] S3, specifically, the U2N relay checks whether the response has been processed, which can be according to the discover id or according to whether the transaction id has been processed within a period of time, if processed, it is discarded (this scheme can ensure that multiple requests of the next broadcast domain only trigger broadcast forwarding once at each relay of the broadcast domain). Further check whether it is a loop, which can be checked in the relay id along the way to check whether it is itself, if so, it is discarded. Initiate a U2N relay discovery response message, in addition to the parameters in S2, add itself in the U2N relay list.

[0266] S4, the remote UE will receive multiple response messages from multiple relays; the remote UE selects a relay as the next hop, which can be directly selected after receiving the first response, initiates a PC5 connection establishment, in addition, the relay selects the next hop relay, which can be directly selected according to the time sequence of receiving messages.

[0267] As shown in FIG. 9, it can be the U2N relay receiving relay discovery request message processing logic:

[0268] The relay communication node receives the U2N relay discovery request message, first determines whether the U2N relay discovery request message has been processed, if the U2N relay discovery request message has been processed, it is discarded; if the U2N relay discovery request message has not been processed, it is determined whether the number of hops of the current U2N relay discovery request message exceeds the maximum hop limit, if not, it is determined whether the local relay communication node is within the coverage of the communication base station.

[0269] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is in the coverage of the communication base station, the local relay communication node adds its own identification information in the U2N relay list in the response message corresponding to the U2N relay discovery request message, and broadcasts the response message; if it is determined that the local relay communication node is not in the coverage of the communication base station, the local relay communication node adds its own identification information in the U2N relay list in the U2N relay discovery request message, and broadcasts the relay discovery request.

[0270] As shown in FIG. 10, the U2N relay can receive the relay discovery response message processing logic:

[0271] The relay communication node receives the U2N relay response message, first judges whether the U2N relay response message has been processed, if the U2N relay response message has been processed, discards the U2N relay response message; if the U2N relay response message has not been processed, judges whether the local relay communication node is in the coverage of the communication base station; if it is determined that the local relay communication node is not in the coverage of the communication base station, adds its own identification information in the U2N relay list in the U2N relay discovery request message, and broadcasts the relay response message.

[0272] As shown in FIG. 11, the remote UE can process logic:

[0273] The remote terminal initiates the U2N relay discovery request message, and judges whether a response is received within a certain time; if a response message is received within a certain time, selects the response relay as the next hop to initiate the PC5 connection establishment; if no response message is received within a certain time, reinitiates the U2N relay discovery request message after a period of time.

[0274] It should be understood that although each step in the flowcharts of FIGS. 1-11 is shown in sequence according to the direction of the arrow, these steps are not necessarily executed in sequence according to the direction of the arrow. Unless otherwise explicitly stated herein, the execution of these steps is not strictly limited in sequence, and these steps can be executed in other sequences. Moreover, at least a part of the steps in FIGS. 1-11 can include multiple steps or multiple stages, which are not necessarily executed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and the execution sequence of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be executed in rotation or alternation with at least a part of other steps or steps or stages in other steps.

[0275] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a communication device 1200 is provided, which is applied to a relay communication node in a relay network, the relay network including at least two relay communication nodes, and the device includes:

[0276] The first receiving module 1202 is configured to receive a relay discovery request, wherein the relay discovery request comprises a first multi-hop parameter.

[0277] The first determining module 1204 is configured to determine a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter and it is determined that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed a maximum number of hops, wherein the target communication message is used to instruct a remote terminal to establish a communication with the communication base station based on the target communication message and the relay network.

[0278] In an embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises first identification information, and the apparatus further comprises:

[0279] The second determining module is configured to determine that the relay discovery request is not processed if no identification information consistent with the first identification information is found in a local storage space, wherein the first identification information comprises at least one of remote terminal identification information and transaction identification information.

[0280] In an embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list, and the apparatus further comprises:

[0281] The third determining module is configured to determine that the relay discovery request is not processed if no identification information consistent with identification information of a local relay communication node is found in the first relay communication node list.

[0282] In an embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a hop number parameter, and the apparatus further comprises:

[0283] The fourth determining module is configured to determine that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed a maximum number of hops if it is determined that the hop number parameter does not exceed the maximum number of hops.

[0284] In an embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list, and the apparatus further comprises:

[0285] The fifth determining module is configured to determine that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed a maximum number of hops if it is determined that the number of relay communication nodes contained in the first relay communication node list does not exceed the maximum number of hops.

[0286] In an embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list, the target communication message is a relay response message, and the first determining module is configured to:

[0287] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is within the communication range of the communication base station, the identification information of the local relay communication node is added to the first relay communication node list, and a relay response message is broadcasted or unicast.

[0288] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes transaction identification information and a hop count parameter; and the target communication message is an updated relay discovery request.

[0289] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station, the hop count parameter is updated based on a target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter; and the relay discovery request is updated based on the transaction identification information and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and the updated relay discovery request is broadcasted.

[0290] In one embodiment, the first multi-hop parameter includes a first relay communication node list and a hop count parameter; and the target communication message is an updated relay discovery request.

[0291] If it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station, the identification information of the local relay communication node is added to the first relay communication node list to obtain an updated first relay communication node list, and the hop count parameter is updated based on a target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter.

[0292] The relay discovery request is updated based on the updated first relay communication node list and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request, and the updated relay discovery request is broadcasted.

[0293] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes:

[0294] A discard module is configured to discard the relay discovery request if it is determined that the relay discovery request has been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter.

[0295] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes:

[0296] A third receiving module is configured to receive a relay response message, the relay response message containing a second multi-hop parameter.

[0297] a sixth determining module, configured to, if it is determined based on the second multi-hop parameter that the relay response message has not been processed and that the local relay communication node is not within the communication coverage of the communication base station, record the relay communication node that sends the relay response message as the next communication node of the local relay communication node; and add the identification information of the local relay communication node to a second relay communication node list to obtain an updated second relay communication node list;

[0298] The second sending module is used to generate a relay response message based on the updated second relay communication node list, and broadcast the relay response message, or unicast the relay response message.

[0299] In one embodiment, the second multi-hop parameter includes second identification information; and the apparatus further includes:

[0300] The seventh determination module is used to determine that the relay response message has not been processed if no identification information consistent with the second identification information is found in the local storage space, and the second identification information includes at least one of the sending node identification information and transaction identification information of the relay response message.

[0301] In one embodiment, the second multi-hop parameter includes a second relay communication node list; the apparatus further includes:

[0302] An eighth determining module is configured to determine that the relay response message has not been processed if identification information consistent with the identification information of the local relay communication node is not found in the second relay communication node list.

[0303] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

[0304] A fourth receiving module, configured to receive a communication connection request;

[0305] The first establishing module is used to establish a communication connection with the sending node of the communication connection request based on the communication connection request, determine the next communication node of the local relay communication node, and send the communication connection request to the next communication node.

[0306] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG13 , a communication device 1300 is provided, which is applied to a remote terminal. The device includes:

[0307] A first sending module 1302 is configured to send a relay discovery request, where the relay discovery request includes a first multi-hop parameter;

[0308] The second receiving module 1304 is configured to receive a relay response message and establish communication with the communication base station based on the relay response message.

[0309] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is configured to:

[0310] After receiving the relay response message, a communication connection request is generated, and the communication connection request is sent to establish communication between the communication base station.

[0311] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further configured to:

[0312] After receiving the relay response message, a communication connection request is generated, and the communication connection request is sent to establish communication between the communication base station.

[0313] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes:

[0314] The third sending module is configured to send the relay discovery request after a second time period if no relay response message is received within a first time period.

[0315] The specific limitations of the communication apparatus can be found in the above limitations of the communication method, which will not be repeated here. Each module in the above communication apparatus can be implemented by software, hardware and combinations thereof, in whole or in part. The above modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in hardware form, or stored in the memory in the computer device in software form, so as to be called and executed by the processor to perform the operations corresponding to each module.

[0316] FIG. 14 is a structural schematic diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application. The access network device 1400 shown in FIG. 14 includes at least one processor 1401, a memory 1402, and at least one network interface 1404. The various components in the access network device 1400 are coupled together by a bus system 1405. It can be understood that the bus system 1405 is used to realize the connection and communication between the components. The bus system 1405 includes not only a data bus, but also a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus. However, for the purpose of clarity, all kinds of buses are marked as the bus system 1405 in FIG. 2. In addition, the present embodiment also includes a transceiver 1406, which can be multiple elements, i.e., includes a transmitter and a receiver, and provides a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium.

[0317] It is to be appreciated that the memory 1402 in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Among them, the nonvolatile memory can be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a Random Access Memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as Static RAM (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 1402 of the system and method described in the embodiments of the present application is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0318] In some embodiments, the memory 1402 stores elements, executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof, such as an operating system 14021. Among them, the operating system 14021 contains various system programs, such as framework layer, core library layer, driver layer, etc., for implementing various basic services and processing hardware-based tasks.

[0319] In the embodiments of the present application, by calling the programs or instructions stored in the memory 1402, the receiver is used to receive a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request contains a first multi-hop parameter; the processor is used to determine a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that the number of hops passed by the relay discovery request does not exceed the maximum number of hops; the target communication message is used to instruct a remote terminal to establish communication between the relay network and the communication base station based on the target communication message.

[0320] Part or all of the methods disclosed in the above embodiments of the present application can also be applied to the processor 1401, or implemented by the processor 1401, or implemented by the processor 1401 in cooperation with other elements (for example, a transceiver). The processor 1401 can be an integrated circuit chip having a processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits or instructions in the form of software in the processor 1401. The above processor 1401 can be a general processor, a digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component. Each method, step and logic block disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware code processor for execution, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the code processor for execution. The software module can be located in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read only memory, a programmable read only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register or other mature storage medium in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 1402, and the processor 1401 reads the information in the memory 1402, and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0321] It can be understood that the embodiments described in the embodiments of the present application can be realized by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, the processing unit can be realized in one or more application specific integrated circuits (Application Specific Integrated Circuits, ASIC), digital signal processors (Digital Signal Processing, DSP), digital signal processing devices (DSP Device, DSPD), programmable logic devices (Programmable Logic Device, PLD), field programmable gate arrays (Field-Programmable Gate Array, FPGA), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units for executing functions described in the present application or a combination thereof.

[0322] For software implementation, the techniques disclosed in embodiments of the present application can be implemented by means of software modules, such as procedures, functions, and so on, which perform the functions described in embodiments of the present application. The software codes can be stored in memory and executed by the processor 1401. The memory can be implemented within, or external to, the processor 1401.

[0323] A communication system, the communication system comprising a remote terminal and a relay network, the relay network comprising at least two relay communication nodes, wherein:

[0324] The remote terminal is configured to send a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter;

[0325] The relay communication node is configured to receive the relay discovery request, and determine a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that a number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message is configured to instruct the remote terminal to establish a communication between the remote terminal and a communication base station based on the target communication message and the relay network.

[0326] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, having stored thereon a computer program, which when executed by a processor, implements the following steps:

[0327] receiving a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter;

[0328] determining a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that a number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message is configured to instruct the remote terminal to establish a communication between the remote terminal and a communication base station based on the target communication message and the relay network.

[0329] Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to carry out the following steps:

[0330] receiving a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter;

[0331] determining a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request has not been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that a number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message is configured to instruct the remote terminal to establish a communication between the remote terminal and a communication base station based on the target communication message and the relay network.

[0332] Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed, the processes of the above-mentioned embodiments of the methods can be included. Any reference to memory, storage, database or other medium used in each embodiment provided by the present application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory or optical memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. As an illustration but not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0333] Any combination of the technical features of the above embodiments can be made. In order to make the description simple, all possible combinations of each technical feature in the above embodiments are not described, but as long as the combination of the technical features does not exist, it should be considered as the scope of the present application.

[0334] The above embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present application, and the description is more specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the patent scope of the application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, a number of modifications and improvements can be made, which are all within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a relay communication node in a relay network, the relay network comprising at least two relay communication nodes, the method comprising: receiving a relay discovery request; the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter; and determining a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter, and it is determined that a number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message being used to instruct a remote terminal to establish a communication between the remote terminal and a communication base station based on the target communication message and the relay network. The first multi-hop parameter comprises first identification information; the method further comprising: determining that the relay discovery request is not processed if no identification information consistent with the first identification information is found in a local storage space. The first identification information comprises at least one of remote terminal identification information and transaction identification information. The first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list; the method further comprising: determining that the relay discovery request is not processed if no identification information consistent with identification information of a local relay communication node is found in the first relay communication node list. The first multi-hop parameter comprises a hop number parameter; the method further comprising: determining that the number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed the maximum number of hops if it is determined that the hop number parameter does not exceed the maximum number of hops. The first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list; the method further comprising: determining that the number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed the maximum number of hops if it is determined that a number of relay communication nodes comprised in the first relay communication node list does not exceed the maximum number of hops.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list, and the target communication message is a relay response message; the determining of the target communication message comprising: adding identification information of the local relay communication node to the first relay communication node list and broadcasting or unicasting the relay response message if it is determined that the local relay communication node is within a communication range of the communication base station. The first multi-hop parameter comprises transaction identification information and a hop number parameter; the target communication message is an updated relay discovery request; the determining of the target communication message comprising: updating the hop number parameter based on a target value to obtain an updated hop number parameter if it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station; updating the relay discovery request based on the transaction identification information and the updated hop number parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request; and broadcasting the updated relay discovery request.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first multi-hop parameter comprises a first relay communication node list and a hop number parameter; the target communication message is an updated relay discovery request; the determining of the target communication message comprising: adding identification information of the local relay communication node to the first relay communication node list to obtain an updated first relay communication node list if it is determined that the local relay communication node is not within the communication range of the communication base station.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ 5. The method of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ ​ 6. The method of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ 7. The method of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ 8. The method of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ ​ ​ 9. The method of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ updating the hop count parameter based on the target value to obtain an updated hop count parameter; updating the relay discovery request based on the updated first relay node list and the updated hop count parameter to obtain an updated relay discovery request; and broadcasting the updated relay discovery request.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: discarding the relay discovery request if it is determined that the relay discovery request has been processed based on the first multi-hop parameter.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein, The method further includes: receiving a relay reply message, the relay reply message containing a second multi-hop parameter; if it is determined that the relay reply message has not been processed based on the second multi-hop parameter and it is determined that a local relay node is not within a communication coverage of the communication base station, recording a sending relay node of the relay reply message as a next communication node of the local relay node; adding identification information of the local relay node to a second relay node list to obtain an updated second relay node list; and generating a relay reply message based on the updated second relay node list and broadcasting or unicasting the relay reply message.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The second multi-hop parameter includes second identification information; the method further includes: if no identification information consistent with the second identification information is found in a local storage space, it is determined that the relay reply message has not been processed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The second identification information includes at least one of a sending node identification information and a transaction identification information of the relay reply message.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein, The second multi-hop parameter includes a second relay node list; the method further includes: if no identification information consistent with identification information of a local relay node is found in the second relay node list, it is determined that the relay reply message has not been processed.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method further includes: receiving a communication connection request; based on the communication connection request, establishing a communication connection with a sending node of the communication connection request and determining a next communication node of the local relay node; and sending the communication connection request to the next communication node.

16. A communication method, wherein, The method applied to a remote terminal includes: sending a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request containing a first multi-hop parameter; and receiving a relay reply message and establishing a communication with a communication base station based on the relay reply message.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The establishing a communication with a communication base station based on the relay reply message includes: after receiving the relay reply message, generating a communication connection request, sending the communication connection request, and establishing a communication with the communication base station.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The establishing a communication with a communication base station based on the relay reply message includes: after receiving the relay reply message, generating a communication connection request, determining a sending node of the relay reply message; and sending the communication connection request to the sending node and establishing a communication with the communication base station through the sending node, the sending node being a relay node in a relay network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The method further includes: If no relay response message is received within the first time period, the relay discovery request is transmitted after a second time period.

20. A communications device, wherein, A relay communication node applied in a relay network, the relay network comprising at least two relay communication nodes, the apparatus comprising: a first receiving module configured to receive a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter; and a first determining module configured to determine a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter and it is determined that a number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message being used to instruct a remote terminal to establish a communication with a communication base station based on the target communication message and the relay network.

21. A communications device, wherein, A remote terminal, the apparatus comprising: a first sending module configured to send a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter; and a second receiving module configured to receive a relay response message and establish a communication with a communication base station based on the relay response message.

22. A communication device, wherein, comprising: a processor and a receiver; the receiver configured to receive a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter; and the processor configured to determine a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter and it is determined that a number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message being used to instruct a remote terminal to establish a communication with a communication base station based on the target communication message and the relay network.

23. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, wherein, The computer program, which when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 19.

24. A communication system, wherein, The communication system comprises a remote terminal and a relay network, the relay network comprising at least two relay communication nodes, wherein: the remote terminal is configured to send a relay discovery request, the relay discovery request comprising a first multi-hop parameter; and the relay communication node is configured to receive a relay discovery request and determine a target communication message if it is determined that the relay discovery request is not processed based on the first multi-hop parameter and it is determined that a number of hops the relay discovery request has passed does not exceed a maximum number of hops; the target communication message being used to instruct the remote terminal to establish a communication with a communication base station based on the target communication message and the relay network.

25. A computer program product comprising a computer program, wherein, The computer program, which when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 19.

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