Intermediate node selection method and apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an intermediate node selection method and apparatus, and a storage medium. In the present disclosure, first information is provided for a first communication device, the first information being used for indicating whether a second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information being used for indicating an available scope of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability being the capability of an intermediate node, so that the first communication device can determine, on the basis of the first information, whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node, thereby ensuring that the second communication device selected by the first communication device can provide the capability of the intermediate node within a corresponding scope, and ensuring the intermediate node selection effect.

Description

Method and device for selecting intermediate node, and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method and device for selecting an intermediate node, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In an Ambient Internet of Things (Ambient IOT, or Ambient-powered IOT) system and a 6th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (6G) IOT system, an intermediate node can be introduced between an IOT device and a base station to enable indirect communication between the IOT device and the base station through the intermediate node, thereby enhancing the communication coverage between the IOT device and the base station.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] To ensure that a suitable intermediate node can be selected to be responsible for forwarding between an IOT device and a base station, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and device for selecting an intermediate node, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for selecting an intermediate node is provided, applied to a first communication device, and the method comprises:

[0006] determining, based on first information, whether to determine a second communication device as an intermediate node;

[0007] The first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability is a capability of an intermediate node.

[0008] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for selecting an intermediate node is provided, applied to a second communication device, and the method comprises:

[0009] sending first information to a first communication device;

[0010] The first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability is a capability of an intermediate node; and the first information is also used for the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0011] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a first communication device is provided, comprising:

[0012] a processing module, configured to determine, based on first information, whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node;

[0013] wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a range of availability of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a second communication device is provided, comprising:

[0015] a transceiver module, configured to send first information to a first communication device;

[0016] wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a range of availability of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node; and the first information is further used by the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a first communication device is provided, comprising:

[0018] one or more processors;

[0019] wherein the first communication device is configured to perform the method of selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a second communication device is provided, comprising:

[0021] one or more processors;

[0022] wherein the second communication device is configured to perform the method of selecting an intermediate node according to the second aspect.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is configured to implement the method of selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect, and the second communication device is configured to implement the method of selecting an intermediate node according to the second aspect.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method of selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0025] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first communication device is provided with first information, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a range of availability of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability is the capability of the intermediate node, so that the first communication device can determine whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node based on the first information, thereby ensuring that the second communication device selected by the first communication device can provide the capability of the intermediate node within the corresponding range, and ensuring the selection effect of the intermediate node.

[0026] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a network architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of another network architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 3 is an interaction schematic diagram of a selection method of an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 4A is an interaction schematic diagram of a selection method of an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 4B is an interaction schematic diagram of a selection method of an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 5A is a flow schematic diagram of a selection method of an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 5B is a flow schematic diagram of a selection method of an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 6A is a flow schematic diagram of a selection method of an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 6B is a flow schematic diagram of a selection method of an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 7B is a structural schematic diagram of a second communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 8A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 8100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 8B is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, like reference numerals refer to like elements, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The following description is not intended to represent all embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. Rather, they merely represent exemplary devices and methods in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0043] The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0044] It is to be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various messages, these messages should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one message from another. For example, a first message can be termed a second message without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and, likewise, a second message can be termed a first message. The word "if' as used herein means "when" or "upon" or "in response to the determination" depending on the context.

[0045] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for selecting an intermediate node, and a storage medium.

[0046] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for selecting an intermediate node, applied to a first communication device, the method comprising:

[0047] determining, based on the first information, whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node;

[0048] The first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node.

[0049] In the above embodiments, by providing the first communication device with the first information, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has the first capability, and / or, the first information is used to indicate a range of availability of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being the capability of the intermediate node, so that the first communication device can determine whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node based on the first information, thereby ensuring that the second communication device selected by the first communication device can provide the capability of the intermediate node within the corresponding range, ensuring the selection effect of the intermediate node.

[0050] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes any one of the following:

[0051] receiving the first information sent by the second communication device;

[0052] receiving the first information sent by the third communication device.

[0053] In the above embodiments, multiple optional ways are provided for the first communication device to obtain the first information, i.e., the first information can be provided for the first communication device by the second communication device, or the first information can be provided for the first communication device by the third communication device, so as to improve the flexibility and diversity of the obtaining manner of the first information.

[0054] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third communication device includes at least one of the following:

[0055] an access network device;

[0056] a core network device;

[0057] a server.

[0058] In the above embodiments, multiple optional device types capable of serving as the third communication device are provided, so that the first information can be provided for the first communication device by multiple types of third communication devices, so as to improve the flexibility of the obtaining process of the first information.

[0059] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0060] the capability of forwarding data between the low-power device and the first communication device;

[0061] the capability of forwarding a command between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0062] In the above embodiments, multiple optional implementation manners of determining the first capability are provided, i.e., the capability of forwarding data and / or a command between the low-power device and the first communication device, so as to improve the diversity and flexibility of the first capability of the second communication device.

[0063] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first capability is for at least one of one or more low-power devices, one or more first communication devices, one or more tasks, one or more service areas, one or more storage spaces.

[0064] In the above embodiments, by providing various optional implementation manners of the second communication device as an intermediate node providing the corresponding capability, the intermediate node can provide an intermediate node capability facing a specific low-power device, can provide an intermediate node capability facing a specific first communication device, can provide an intermediate node capability facing a specific task, can provide an intermediate node capability facing a specific service area, and can provide an intermediate node capability facing a specific storage space, thereby improving the flexibility and diversity of the intermediate node in providing the corresponding capability between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0065] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the available range includes at least one of:

[0066] first indication information, the first indication information indicating time information of the first capability of the second communication device;

[0067] second indication information, the second indication information indicating use case information of the first capability of the second communication device;

[0068] third indication information, the third indication information indicating device information or device group information of the first capability of the second communication device;

[0069] fourth indication information, the fourth indication information indicating area range information of the first capability of the second communication device;

[0070] fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating storage space information of the first capability of the second communication device, the storage space being used to store data and / or commands required to be forwarded between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0071] In the above embodiments, in the case where the first information is used to indicate the available range of the first capability of the second communication device, various optional information types included in the available range are provided to improve the flexibility and diversity of the first information.

[0072] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the time information includes at least one of:

[0073] a start time;

[0074] an end time;

[0075] an available duration.

[0076] In the above embodiments, the various optional information types included in the time information are provided so that the content indicated by the first indication information can be flexibly configured as needed, improving the flexibility and diversity of the first indication information, thereby improving the flexibility and diversity of the first information used to indicate the available range of the first capability of the second communication device.

[0077] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the use case information is used to indicate a use case type, and the use case type includes a command use case and / or an inventory use case.

[0078] In the above embodiments, the various use case types that the second communication device as an intermediate node can support are provided so that the second indication information can be flexibly configured as needed, improving the flexibility and diversity of the second indication information, thereby improving the flexibility and diversity of the first information used to indicate the available range of the first capability of the second communication device.

[0079] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the device information or the device group information includes at least one of:

[0080] identification information;

[0081] type information.

[0082] In the above embodiments, the various optional information types included in the device information or the device group information are provided so that the content included in the device information or the device group information can be flexibly configured as needed, improving the flexibility and diversity of the third indication information, thereby improving the flexibility and diversity of the first information used to indicate the available range of the first capability of the second communication device.

[0083] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the area range information includes at least one of:

[0084] cell identification information;

[0085] geographical location information;

[0086] movement path information.

[0087] In the above embodiments, the various optional information types that the area range information can include are provided so that the content included in the fourth indication information can be flexibly configured as needed, improving the flexibility and diversity of the fourth indication information, thereby improving the flexibility and diversity of the first information used to indicate the available range of the first capability of the second communication device.

[0088] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information includes at least one of:

[0089] based on the time information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that meets a requirement time of the time information;

[0090] based on the use case information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that meets a current service use case of the use case information;

[0091] based on the device information or the device group information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that includes a requirement device in the device information or the device group information, the requirement device being the low-power-consumption device and / or the first communication device;

[0092] based on the area range information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that meets a service area requirement of the area range information;

[0093] based on the storage space information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that meets a storage space requirement of the storage space information.

[0094] In the above embodiments, the first communication device is provided with multiple optional implementation manners of implementing intermediate node selection based on the first information indicating the available range of the first capability of the second communication device, so as to improve the flexibility of the intermediate node selection process.

[0095] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the based on the use case information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that meets a current service use case of the use case information, includes:

[0096] in a case where the first communication device initiates an inventory process, based on the use case information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that is available for inventory;

[0097] in a case where the first communication device initiates an inventory process, based on the use case information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that is available for inventory and command;

[0098] in a case where the first communication device initiates a command process, based on the use case information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that is available for command;

[0099] in a case where the first communication device initiates a command process, based on the use case information, selecting, as the intermediate node, a second communication device that is available for inventory and command.

[0100] In the above embodiments, the first communication device is provided with multiple optional implementation manners of selecting an intermediate node based on use case information, so as to improve the flexibility of the intermediate node selection process.

[0101] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0102] receiving second information, wherein the second information comprises the first information;

[0103] wherein the second information comprises at least one of assistance information, capability information, and user authorization information.

[0104] In the above embodiments, multiple optional indication manners of the first information are provided, so that it can be flexibly selected according to requirements which second information is taken as a carrier of the first information, thereby improving flexibility and diversity of implementation manners when the first information is indicated to the first communication device.

[0105] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the determining, based on the first information, whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node comprises:

[0106] determining, based on the first information and signal quality information of the second communication device, whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node.

[0107] In the above embodiments, an optional implementation manner of determining, based on the first information, whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node is provided, that is, determining, based on the first information and signal quality information of the second communication device, whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node, so as to ensure that the selected intermediate node not only has corresponding capability, but also meets the network transmission requirement between the first communication device and the low-power-consumption device, thereby improving the selection effect of the intermediate node.

[0108] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the determining, based on the first information and signal quality information of the second communication device, whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node comprises at least one of:

[0109] determining, based on the first information, a plurality of second communication devices, and determining, based on signal quality information of each second communication device, a second communication device with the best signal quality as the intermediate node;

[0110] determining, based on the first information, a plurality of second communication devices, and determining, based on signal quality information of each second communication device, a second communication device with signal quality greater than a first value as the intermediate node.

[0111] In the above embodiments, multiple optional implementation manners of implementing the selection of the intermediate node based on the first information and the signal quality information of the second communication device are provided, so as to improve flexibility of the selection process of the intermediate node.

[0112] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises any one of:

[0113] receive the signal quality information through a measurement reporting procedure;

[0114] receive the signal quality information at the same time of receiving the first information;

[0115] receive the signal quality information separately.

[0116] In the above embodiments, various optional implementation manners of providing the first communication device with the signal quality information of the second communication device are provided, so that the second communication device can provide the first communication device with the signal quality information through a measurement reporting procedure, the second communication device can also send the first information and the signal quality information to the first communication device, and the second communication device can also send the second information to the first communication device independently, thereby improving the flexibility of the process of the first communication device obtaining the signal quality information.

[0117] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first communication device is a communication device with an intermediate node selection capability, and the first communication device includes at least one of the following:

[0118] an access network device;

[0119] a core network device;

[0120] a server.

[0121] In the above embodiments, various optional device types capable of serving as the first communication device are provided, so as to ensure that various types of first communication devices can implement the selection of the intermediate node, thereby improving the flexibility of the process of selecting the intermediate node.

[0122] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second communication device includes at least one of the following:

[0123] a relay;

[0124] an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node;

[0125] a user equipment (UE);

[0126] a repeater.

[0127] In the above embodiments, various optional device types capable of serving as the second communication device are provided, so as to ensure that various types of second communication devices can serve as the selected intermediate node, thereby improving the flexibility of the process of selecting the intermediate node.

[0128] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for selecting an intermediate node, applied to a second communication device, and the method includes:

[0129] sending first information to a first communication device;

[0130] The first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node; and the first information is further used by the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0131] In the above embodiment, by sending, by the second communication device, first information to the first communication device, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node, so that the first communication device can determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information provided by the second communication device, thereby ensuring that the second communication device selected by the first communication device can provide the capability of the intermediate node within the corresponding range, and ensuring the selection effect of the intermediate node.

[0132] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, the first capability includes at least one of:

[0133] a capability of forwarding data between a low-power device and the first communication device;

[0134] a capability of forwarding a command between a low-power device and the first communication device.

[0135] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, the first capability is used for at least one of one or more low-power devices, one or more first communication devices, one or more tasks, one or more service areas, one or more storage spaces.

[0136] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, the usable range includes at least one of:

[0137] first indication information, the first indication information indicating time information of the first capability of the second communication device;

[0138] second indication information, the second indication information indicating use case information of the first capability of the second communication device;

[0139] third indication information, the third indication information indicating device information or device group information of the first capability of the second communication device;

[0140] fourth indication information, the fourth indication information indicating area range information of the first capability of the second communication device;

[0141] Fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating storage space information of the first capability of the second communication device, the storage space being used for storing data and / or commands required to be forwarded between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0142] In some embodiments combining with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the time information comprises at least one of:

[0143] a start time;

[0144] an end time;

[0145] an available duration.

[0146] In some embodiments combining with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the use case information is used to indicate a use case type, the use case type comprising a command use case and / or an inventory use case.

[0147] In some embodiments combining with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the device information or the device group information comprises at least one of:

[0148] identification information;

[0149] type information.

[0150] In some embodiments combining with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the area range information comprises at least one of:

[0151] cell identification information;

[0152] geographical position information;

[0153] movement path information.

[0154] In some embodiments combining with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the sending, to the first communication device, of the first information comprises:

[0155] sending, to the first communication device, second information, the second information comprising the first information;

[0156] wherein the second information comprises at least one of assistance information, capability information, and user authorization information.

[0157] In the above embodiments, various optional implementation manners are provided for the sending, by the second communication device, of the first information to the first communication device, so as to take the assistance information, the capability information, or the user authorization information as a carrier of the first information, not only can the multiplexing of the above information be implemented to improve the information utilization rate, but also the flexibility of the sending process of the first information can be improved.

[0158] In some embodiments combining with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0159] sending, to the first communication device, signal quality information, the signal quality information being used by the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information and the signal quality information.

[0160] In the above embodiment, by sending, by the second communication device, the signal quality information to the first communication device, the first communication device can implement selection of the intermediate node based on the first information and the signal quality information, so as to ensure that the selected intermediate node not only has corresponding capability, but also meets the network transmission requirement between the first communication device and the low-power consumption device, and improve the selection effect of the intermediate node.

[0161] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, sending, to the first communication device, the signal quality information comprises any one of the following:

[0162] reporting, to the first communication device, the signal quality information through a measurement reporting process;

[0163] sending the signal quality information at the same time of sending the first information;

[0164] sending the signal quality information separately.

[0165] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first communication device is a communication device with an intermediate node selection capability, and the first communication device comprises at least one of the following:

[0166] an access network device;

[0167] a core network device;

[0168] a server.

[0169] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second communication device comprises at least one of the following:

[0170] a relay;

[0171] an IAB node;

[0172] a UE;

[0173] a repeater.

[0174] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first communication device, comprising:

[0175] a processing module configured to determine whether to determine a second communication device as an intermediate node based on first information;

[0176] The first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node.

[0177] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second communication device, comprising:

[0178] a transceiver configured to send first information to a first communication device;

[0179] The first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node.

[0180] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first communication device, comprising:

[0181] one or more processors;

[0182] The first communication device is configured to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0183] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second communication device, comprising:

[0184] one or more processors;

[0185] The second communication device is configured to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0186] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, comprising a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is configured to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, and the second communication device is configured to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0187] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0188] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, or the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0189] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, or the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0190] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, or the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0191] It can be understood that the first communication device, the second communication device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects achieved by them can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0192] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for selecting an intermediate node, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the method for selecting an intermediate node, the information processing method, the communication method, and other terms can be replaced with each other, the apparatus for selecting an intermediate node, the information processing apparatus, the communication apparatus, and other terms can be replaced with each other, and the information processing system, the communication system, and other terms can be replaced with each other.

[0193] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or part or all of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, and an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0194] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment according to the logical relationship between them.

[0195] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

[0196] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements represented in singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "said", "the aforementioned", "the foregoing", "this", and the like, can represent "one and only one", or can represent "one or more", "at least one", and the like. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English, the noun after the article can be understood as a singular expression, or can be understood as a plural expression.

[0197] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" means two or more.

[0198] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more of", "a plurality of", "multiple", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0199] In some embodiments, the description manner such as "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "A in one case and B in another case", "in response to case A, in response to case B", and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: A in some embodiments (A is executed regardless of B); B in some embodiments (B is executed regardless of A); A and B are selectively executed in some embodiments (A and B are selected from A and B); A and B are executed in some embodiments (A and B are executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0200] In some embodiments, the description manner such as "A or B" and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: A in some embodiments (A is executed regardless of B); B in some embodiments (B is executed regardless of A); A and B are selectively executed in some embodiments (A and B are selected from A and B). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0201] The prefix words of "first", "second" and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description objects are described in the claims or embodiments in the context of the description, and should not be construed as redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by them are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the description object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, the description object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0202] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0203] In some embodiments, the terms of "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0204] In some embodiments, the terms of "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0205] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as physical, as well as virtual, whose names are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0206] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus contained in the network, such as an access network device, a core network device, etc.

[0207] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" can also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments can also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0208] In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE), a "user terminal," a "mobile station" (MS), a "mobile terminal" (MT), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, and / or the like.

[0209] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained in compliance with laws and regulations of a country where a location is situated.

[0210] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained after consent of a user is obtained.

[0211] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in a table of embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and a combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0212] FIG. 1 is an architecture schematic diagram of a communication system according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a first communication device 101 and a second communication device 102.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first communication device 101 is a communication device with intermediate node selection capability. In some embodiments, the first communication device 101 includes at least one of an access network device, a core network device, and a server.

[0214] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, and the access network device can include at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an Open RAN, a Cloud RAN, a base station in an Ambient IOT system, a base station in a 6G IOT system, a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0215] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applicable to an Open RAN architecture, at this time, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be realized by software or programs.

[0216] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, and the functions of part of the protocol layers are controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0217] In some embodiments, the core network device can be one device including multiple network elements, etc., or multiple devices or device groups each including all or part of the multiple network elements. The network elements can be virtual or physical. The core network includes, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0218] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a first network element, which is, for example, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) node.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first network element is used for access management and mobility management of users, but is not limited thereto.

[0220] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a second network element, which is, for example, an IOT Function node.

[0221] In some embodiments, the second network element is used to be responsible for receiving and processing IOT-related information, but is not limited thereto.

[0222] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a third network element, which is, for example, an Application Function (AF) node.

[0223] In some embodiments, the third network element is used to support applications or services running on the network edge or device, such as video streaming, voice calls, messaging, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0224] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a fourth network element, which is, for example, a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0225] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is used for data forwarding, traffic statistics, Quality of Service (QoS) management, etc. of the user plane, but is not limited thereto.

[0226] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a fifth network element, which is, for example, a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0227] In some embodiments, the fifth network element is configured to implement control policy management for users, including but not limited to control of QoS, access control of services, etc.

[0228] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a sixth network element, e.g., a Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0229] In some embodiments, the sixth network element is configured to implement management of subscription data for users, control of roaming, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0230] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a seventh network element, e.g., an Authentication Server Function (AUSF).

[0231] In some embodiments, the seventh network element is configured to implement authentication of user identity, but is not limited thereto.

[0232] In some embodiments, each of the above network elements can be independent of the core network device.

[0233] In some embodiments, each of the above network elements can be part of the core network device.

[0234] In some embodiments, the server can be a service device or a computing platform, capable of providing data processing and storage services for managing, processing and storing IOT related business data. Optionally, the server can also provide other possible functions, including but not limited to user interface, data visualization, remote access, integration of third party services or applications, etc. Optionally, the server can be a physical server or a virtual server, which can be located locally (e.g., in a smart home system) or in the cloud.

[0235] In some embodiments, the second communication device 102 can be a communication device that can act as an intermediate node. Optionally, the second communication device 102 can be a node that provides data forwarding function, or the second communication device 102 can be a node that assists other devices or nodes in data transmission or reception. In some embodiments, the second communication device 102 includes at least one of a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a User Equipment (UE), a repeater, but is not limited thereto.

[0236] In some embodiments, the user equipment (or terminal) includes at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a communication-capable automobile, a smart automobile, a tablet computer (Pad), a wireless transceiver-equipped computer, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0237] In a further possible implementation, the communication system 100 can further include a third communication device.

[0238] In some embodiments, the third communication device is a communication device capable of providing the first communication device 101 with the first information, for example, the third communication device is a communication device storing the first information, and a detailed description of the first information will be given below. In some embodiments, the third communication device includes at least one of an access network device, a core network device, and a server, and a detailed description of the access network device, the core network device, and the server can be found in the foregoing, which will not be repeated here.

[0239] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0240] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than those in FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is exemplary, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, and the connection can be in any manner, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0241] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, 5G Internet of Things (IoT) system, 6G IOT system, Ambient IOT system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based on them, and the like. In addition, a plurality of systems can be combined (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0242] In the 5G Ambient IOT system and the 6G IOT system, IOT devices (including Ambient IOT devices and 6G IOT devices) can access a network directly or indirectly.

[0243] In some embodiments, the IOT device can access the network in a direct manner. Taking the network access manner of the Ambient IOT device in the Ambient IOT system as an example, referring to FIG. 2A, which is a schematic diagram of a network architecture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2A, taking the access network device as a base station for example, the Ambient IOT device and the base station can directly transmit and receive data (including uplink data and downlink data).

[0244] In some embodiments, the IOT device can access the network in an indirect manner. Taking the network access manner of the Ambient IOT device in the Ambient IOT system as an example, referring to FIG. 2B, which is another schematic diagram of a network architecture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2B, taking the access network device as a base station for example, the Ambient IOT device and the base station can indirectly transmit and receive data (including uplink data and downlink data), and the intermediate node can play a data forwarding function between the Ambient IOT device and the base station.

[0245] In the Ambient IOT system and the 6G IOT system, the network topology as shown in FIG. 2B can be adopted, so that the base station is connected with the intermediate node, and the two perform uplink and downlink communication, and the intermediate node is connected with the IOT device, and the two perform uplink and downlink communication, so as to enhance the communication coverage between the IOT device and the network side.

[0246] Among them, the selection of the intermediate node needs to be performed under the control of the network side, however, not all intermediate nodes have the ability to become intermediate nodes, or the intermediate nodes may only be willing to be used as intermediate nodes under certain conditions. In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for selecting an intermediate node, so as to select a suitable intermediate node to perform subsequent business signaling and / or data forwarding according to the device capability or willingness.

[0247] FIG. 3 is an interaction schematic diagram of a method for selecting an intermediate node, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for selecting an intermediate node, and the above method comprises:

[0248] In step S3101, the second communication device sends first information to the first communication device.

[0249] In some embodiments, the second communication device is a communication device that can be an intermediate node.

[0250] In some embodiments, the second communication device includes at least one of a relay, an IAB node, a UE, and a repeater, but is not limited thereto.

[0251] In some embodiments, the name of the second communication device is not limited, for example, it is "second node" or the like.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first communication device is a communication device with intermediate node selection capability.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first communication device includes at least one of an access network device (such as an access network node), a core network device (such as a core network device), a server (such as a server node), but is not limited thereto, and the first communication device can also be other nodes that can perform intermediate node selection.

[0254] In some embodiments, the name of the first communication device is not limited, for example, it is "first node" or the like.

[0255] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the first information sent by the second communication device.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has the first capability, and / or, the first information is used to indicate the available range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability is the capability of the intermediate node.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first capability can be to provide data forwarding capability between the low-power device and the first communication device, and can also be to provide command forwarding capability between the low-power device and the first communication device. That is, the first information used to indicate whether the second communication device has the first capability can be that the first information is used to indicate that the second communication device has the capability of forwarding data and / or commands between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0258] In some embodiments, the command can include an inventory instruction, a read command, a write command, a kill command, a disable command, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first capability is for at least one of one or more low-power devices, one or more first communication devices, one or more tasks, one or more service areas, and one or more storage spaces. That is, the first capability provided by the second communication device as an intermediate node can be specific to one or more low-power devices, can be specific to one or more first communication devices, can be specific to one or more tasks, can be specific to one or more service areas, and can be specific to one or more storage spaces. Alternatively, the second communication device can provide an intermediate node capability for at least one of a specific low-power device, a specific first communication device, a specific task, a specific service area, and a specific storage space.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first capability is used for one or more low-power devices, that is, the first capability of the second communication device can be used for forwarding data and / or commands between the first communication device and a specific one or more low-power devices.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first capability is used for one or more first communication devices, that is, the first capability of the second communication device can be used for forwarding data and / or commands between the low-power device and a specific one or more first communication devices.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first capability is used for one or more tasks, that is, the first capability of the second communication device can be used for forwarding data and / or commands corresponding to a specific one or more tasks between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first capability is used for one or more service areas, that is, the first capability of the second communication device can be used for forwarding data and / or commands between the low-power device and the first communication device when the low-power device and the first communication device are located in a specific one or more service areas. The service area can be a cell, a cell group, a geographical area range, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first capability is used for one or more storage spaces, that is, the first capability of the second communication device can be used for forwarding data and / or commands corresponding to a specific one or more storage spaces between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0265] In some embodiments, the low-power device includes an Ambient IOT device, an IOT device (such as a 6G IOT device), a Reduced Capability device, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate the available range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first information can include at least one of first indication information, second indication information, third indication information, fourth indication information, and fifth indication information.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate time information of the first capability of the second communication device.

[0268] In some embodiments, the time information includes at least one of a start time, an end time, and an available duration. That is, the first indication information can be used to indicate at least one of a start time, an end time, and an available duration of the first capability of the second communication device.

[0269] In some embodiments, the terms of "time", "moment", "time point", "time position" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "time length", "time period", "time window", "window", "time" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0270] In some embodiments, the name of the first indication information is not limited, which is, for example, "available time information" and the like.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second indication information is used to indicate the use case information of the first capability of the second communication device.

[0272] In some embodiments, the use case information is used to indicate the use case type. That is, the second indication information can be used to indicate the use case type that can be supported by the first capability of the second communication device.

[0273] In some embodiments, the use case type includes the command use case and / or the inventory use case.

[0274] In some embodiments, the name of the second indication information is not limited, which is, for example, "available use case information" and the like.

[0275] In some embodiments, the third indication information is used to indicate the device information or the device group information of the first capability of the second communication device. That is, the third indication information can be used to indicate the device or the device group that can be served by the first capability of the second communication device.

[0276] In some embodiments, the device information or the device group information can include the identification information and / or the type information. That is, the third indication information can be used to indicate the device identification and / or the device type of the device that can be served by the first capability of the second communication device, and can also be used to indicate the device group identification and the device group type of the device group that can be served by the first capability of the second communication device.

[0277] In some embodiments, the device identification can be a temporary identification or a permanent identification, and the identification group identification information can be a group identification (group ID) or a device identification list (device ID list).

[0278] In some embodiments, the device indicated by the third indication information can be a low-power-consumption device or a first communication device, and the device group indicated by the fifth indication information can be a device group composed of low-power-consumption devices or a device group composed of first communication devices.

[0279] In some embodiments, the name of the third indication information is not limited, which is, for example, "available device information", "available device group information", "available device or device group information" and the like.

[0280] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information is used to indicate area range information of the first capability of the second communication device. That is, the fourth indication information can be used to indicate an area range that can be served by the first capability of the second communication device.

[0281] In some embodiments, the area range information includes at least one of cell identification information, geographical location information, and movement path information.

[0282] In some embodiments, the terms “cell”, “component carrier (CC)”, “frequency carrier”, “carrier frequency”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0283] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth indication information is not limited, which is, for example, “available area location information”, “available area range information”, and the like.

[0284] In some embodiments, the fifth indication information is used to indicate storage space information of the fifth indication information indicating the first capability of the second communication device, and the storage space is used to store data and / or commands that need to be forwarded between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0285] In some embodiments, the name of the fifth indication information is not limited, which is, for example, “available storage space information”, “available storage space”, “available storage information”, and the like.

[0286] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited, which is, for example, “indication information”, “intermediate node selection information”, “intermediate node selection auxiliary information”, and the like.

[0287] In some embodiments, the name of the information and the like is not limited to the name recorded in the embodiments, and the terms “information”, “message”, “signal”, “signaling”, “report”, “configuration”, “indication”, “instruction”, “command”, “channel”, “parameter”, “domain”, “field”, “symbol”, “symbol”, “codebook”, “codeword”, “codepoint”, “bit”, “data”, “program”, “chip”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0288] In some embodiments, the second communication device can send the second information to the first communication device, the second information comprising the first information; and the first communication device receives the second information sent by the second communication device to obtain the first information.

[0289] In some embodiments, the second information is assistance information, i.e., the first information can be sent to the first communication device as part of the assistance information. Alternatively, the second communication device can send the assistance information to the first communication device, the assistance information comprising the first information.

[0290] In some embodiments, the second information is capability information, i.e., the first information can be sent to the first communication device as part of the capability information. Alternatively, the second communication device can send the capability information to the first communication device, the capability information comprising the first information.

[0291] In some embodiments, the second information is user consent information, i.e., the first information can be sent to the first communication device as part of the user consent information. Alternatively, the second communication device can send the user consent information to the first communication device, the user consent information comprising the first information.

[0292] It should be noted that step S3101 is only an exemplary way for the first communication device to obtain the first information, and in more possible implementation manners, the first communication device can also receive the first information sent by a third communication device to obtain the first information.

[0293] In some embodiments, the third communication device is a node capable of providing the first information for the first communication device, for example, the third communication device is a node storing the first information.

[0294] In some embodiments, the third communication device comprises at least one of an access network device (such as a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN)), a core network device (such as a core network function node), a server, but is not limited thereto.

[0295] In some embodiments, the third communication device is not limited in name, for example, it is a “third node”, a “first information storage node”, etc.

[0296] In some embodiments, the second communication device can also send signal quality information to the first communication device, and the first communication device receives the signal quality information sent by the second communication device, the signal quality information being used to indicate the signal quality of the second communication device.

[0297] In some embodiments, the signal quality of the second communication device can be represented by a reference signal received power (RSRP) and / or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) of the second communication device. That is, the signal quality information can be used to indicate the RSRP and / or the RSRQ of the second communication device.

[0298] In some embodiments, the terms of “reference signal (RS)”, “synchronization signal (SS)”, “synchronization signal block (SSB)”, “pilot”, “pilot signal” and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0299] In some embodiments, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device by the second communication device through a measurement reporting procedure. That is, the second communication device can report the signal quality information to the first communication device through the measurement reporting procedure, and the first communication device receives the signal quality information reported by the second communication device through the measurement reporting procedure to achieve the acquisition of the signal quality information by the first communication device.

[0300] In some embodiments, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device together with the first information. That is, the second communication device can send the signal quality information at the same time as sending the first information, and the first communication device can receive the signal quality information at the same time as receiving the first information to achieve the acquisition of the signal quality information by the first communication device.

[0301] In some embodiments, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device separately. That is, the second communication device can send the signal quality information to the first communication device separately, and the first communication device can receive the signal quality information sent by the second communication device separately to achieve the acquisition of the signal quality information by the first communication device.

[0302] Step S3102, the first communication device determines whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and then the first communication device can select the second communication device having the first capability as the intermediate node based on the first information.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the second communication device has a first capability, and the first capability of the second communication device is associated with one or more low-power devices, and if the one or more low-power devices associated with the first capability of the second communication device contains one or more low-power devices associated with an intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0305] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the second communication device has a first capability, and the first capability of the second communication device is associated with one or more low-power devices, and if the one or more low-power devices associated with the first capability of the second communication device contains one or more low-power devices associated with an intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0306] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the second communication device has a first capability, and the first capability of the second communication device is associated with one or more low-power devices, and if the one or more low-power devices associated with the first capability of the second communication device contains one or more low-power devices associated with an intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0307] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the second communication device has a first capability, and the first capability of the second communication device is associated with one or more low-power devices, and if the one or more low-power devices associated with the first capability of the second communication device contains one or more low-power devices associated with an intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0308] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the second communication device has a first capability, and the first capability of the second communication device is associated with one or more low-power devices, and if the one or more low-power devices associated with the first capability of the second communication device contains one or more low-power devices associated with an intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a range of availability of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first information includes first indication information, and the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node based on time information indicated by the first information, if the time information meets the requirement time.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate an available range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first information comprises second indication information, and the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, the second communication device that meets a current service use case of the first communication device based on use case information indicated by the second indication information.

[0311] For example, if the first communication device initiates an inventory process (i.e., the current service use case of the first communication device is an inventory use case), the first communication device can select the second communication device that supports the inventory use case as the intermediate node, or the first communication device can select the second communication device that supports the inventory use case and the command use case as the intermediate node.

[0312] For example, if the first communication device initiates a command process (i.e., the current service use case of the first communication device is a command use case), the first communication device can select the second communication device that supports the command use case as the intermediate node, or the first communication device can select the second communication device that supports the inventory use case and the command use case as the intermediate node, or the first communication device can select the second communication device that supports the command use case or the inventory use case or the inventory use case + the command use case as the intermediate node, considering that the inventory process has a higher requirement for the intermediate node.

[0313] For example, if the first communication device initiates a command process and an inventory process (i.e., the current service use case of the first communication device is the command use case + the inventory use case), the first communication device can select the second communication device that supports the inventory use case and the command use case as the intermediate node, or the first communication device can select the second communication device that supports the inventory use case or the inventory use case + the command use case as the intermediate node, considering that the inventory process has a higher requirement for the intermediate node.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate an available range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first information comprises third indication information, and the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, the second communication device that includes a required device in device information or device group information indicated by the third indication information, the required device being a low-power-consumption device and / or the first communication device.

[0315] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate an available range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first information comprises fourth indication information, and the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, the second communication device that meets a service area requirement according to area range information indicated by the fourth indication information.

[0316] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate an available range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first information comprises fifth indication information, and the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, a second communication device whose available storage space meets a storage space requirement according to storage space information indicated by the fifth indication information. For example, the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, a second communication device whose available storage space meets a data amount required to be forwarded between the low-power consumption device and the first communication device according to the storage space information indicated by the fifth indication information and the data amount required to be forwarded between the low-power consumption device and the first communication device; and / or the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, a second communication device whose available storage space meets a command size required to be forwarded between the low-power consumption device and the first communication device according to the fifth indication information and the command size required to be forwarded between the low-power consumption device and the first communication device.

[0317] It should be noted that the above-mentioned several ways of selecting an intermediate node can be combined, and the specific combination manner is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first communication device can further determine whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node based on the first information and signal quality information of the second communication device.

[0319] In some embodiments, the first communication device can select, based on the first information, a plurality of second communication devices that can support the intermediate node requirement of the first communication device, and select, as the intermediate node, a second communication device from the plurality of second communication devices based on signal quality information of each second communication device.

[0320] Optionally, the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, a second communication device with the best signal quality from each second communication device based on signal quality information of each second communication device.

[0321] Optionally, the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, a second communication device whose signal quality exceeds a signal quality threshold based on signal quality information of each second communication device. Optionally, if there are a plurality of second communication devices whose signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, a second communication device from the plurality of second communication devices according to its own implementation, or the first communication device can select, as the intermediate node, a second communication device with the best signal quality from the plurality of second communication devices whose signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, but is not limited thereto. The signal quality threshold can be a first value, and the specific value of the first value is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first communication device can send second information to the second communication device selected as the intermediate node, the second information being used to request or indicate that the second communication device serves as the intermediate node.

[0323] In some embodiments, the second communication device selected as the intermediate node by the first communication device can receive the second information sent by the first communication device. Optionally, the first communication device can accept the indication of the second information to serve as the intermediate node to provide the data and / or command forwarding capability for the first communication device and the low-power device; or the first communication device can reject the indication of the second information and send a corresponding response to the first communication device.

[0324] In some embodiments, the second communication device selected as the intermediate node by the first communication device rejects to serve as the intermediate node, and the first communication device can reselect the intermediate node upon receiving the rejection response of the second communication device, but is not limited thereto, and the subsequent communication behavior of the first communication device is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0325] In some embodiments, the name of the second information is not limited, for example, “request information” and the like.

[0326] In some embodiments, “obtain”, “get”, “receive”, “transmit”, “bidirectional transmission”, “send and / or receive” can be replaced with each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, processing by itself, and the like.

[0327] In some embodiments, the terms “send”, “transmit”, “report”, “issue”, “transmit”, “bidirectional transmission”, “send and / or receive” can be replaced with each other.

[0328] In some embodiments, the terms “certain”, “preset”, “pre-set”, “set”, “indicated”, “certain”, “arbitrary”, “first” and the like can be replaced with each other, and “certain A”, “preset A”, “pre-set A”, “set A”, “indicated A”, “certain A”, “arbitrary A”, “first A” can be interpreted as A specified in advance in protocols and the like, or can be interpreted as A obtained by setting, configuring, or indicating, or can be interpreted as certain A, certain A, arbitrary A, or first A, but is not limited thereto.

[0329] In some embodiments, the determining or judging can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or a comparison of numerical values (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0330] In some embodiments, “not expecting to receive” can be interpreted as not receiving on the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data or the like after receiving the data or the like; “not expecting to send” can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the content of the sending.

[0331] The method for selecting the intermediate node according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of step S3101 and step S3102. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3101+S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0332] In some embodiments, step S3101 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0333] In some embodiments, step S3102 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0334] In some embodiments, other optional implementation manners can be referred to the description before or after the corresponding description of FIG. 3.

[0335] FIG. 4A is an interaction schematic diagram of a method for selecting an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for selecting an intermediate node, and the method includes:

[0336] In step S4101, the second communication device sends first information to the first communication device.

[0337] The optional implementation manner of step S4101 can be referred to the optional implementation manner of step S3101 of FIG. 3 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, which will not be described herein.

[0338] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the first information sent by the second communication device.

[0339] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability is a capability of an intermediate node.

[0340] In step S4102, the second communication device sends the signal quality information to the first communication device.

[0341] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0342] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the signal quality information sent by the second communication device.

[0343] In some embodiments, the signal quality information is used to indicate the signal quality of the second communication device.

[0344] In some embodiments, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device through a measurement reporting process, or the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device together with the first information, or the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device independently of the first information.

[0345] In step S4103, the first communication device determines whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information and the signal quality information.

[0346] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in FIG. 3 and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0347] The method for selecting an intermediate node involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S4101-S4103. For example, step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4102+S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto.

[0348] In some embodiments, steps S4101 and S4102 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0349] In some embodiments, steps S4101 and S4102 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0350] In some embodiments, steps S4102 and S4103 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0351] FIG. 4B is an interaction diagram of a method for selecting an intermediate node, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for selecting an intermediate node, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0352] In step S4201, the third communication device sends first information to the first communication device.

[0353] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0354] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the first information sent by the third communication device.

[0355] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or, the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability is a capability of an intermediate node.

[0356] In step S4202, the second communication device sends signal quality information to the first communication device.

[0357] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0358] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the signal quality information sent by the second communication device.

[0359] In some embodiments, the signal quality information is used to indicate the signal quality of the second communication device.

[0360] In some embodiments, the signal quality information can be reported to the first communication device through a measurement reporting process, or the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device separately.

[0361] In step S4203, the first communication device determines whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information and the signal quality information.

[0362] The optional implementation of step S4203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in FIG. 3 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0363] The method for selecting the intermediate node according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S4201-S4203. For example, step S4201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4201+S4202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4201+S4203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4202+S4203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0364] In some embodiments, steps S4201 and S4202 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0365] In some embodiments, steps S4201 and S4202 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0366] In some embodiments, steps S4202 and S4203 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0367] According to the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first communication device can assist in determining whether to provide the second communication device with the corresponding capability as an intermediate node based on the first information. The provided capability can be task-oriented, device-specific, service area-specific, or storage space-specific. The first information indicates whether the second communication device has the capability to provide an intermediate node for a specific task, a specific device, a specific service area, or a specific storage space, and / or the first information indicates the available range of the capability of the second communication device.

[0368] In some embodiments, the first information indicates whether the second communication device has the capability to provide data / command forwarding between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0369] In some embodiments, the intermediate node is used to provide data / command forwarding between the low-power device and the first communication device. The low-power device includes but is not limited to Ambient IOT devices, IOT devices, Redcap, and other limited-capability devices.

[0370] In some embodiments, the intermediate node capability required by the first communication device is associated with a series of information (including but not limited to associated one or more devices, one or more tasks, one or more service areas, one or more storage spaces), and the first information sent by the second communication device indicates the series of information associated with the capability that the second communication device can provide as an intermediate node (including but not limited to associated one or more devices, one or more tasks, one or more service areas, one or more storage spaces), then the first communication device can select the second communication device that can match the requirement of the first communication device as an intermediate node according to the information associated with the intermediate node capability required by the first communication device and the indication of the first information.

[0371] For example, the first information indicates that the second communication device has the capability to provide an intermediate node for a specific low-power device, if the one or more low-power devices associated with the second communication device as an intermediate node contain the one or more low-power devices associated with the intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, then the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0372] For example, the first information indicates that the second communication device has the capability to provide an intermediate node for a specific first communication device, if the one or more first communication devices associated with the second communication device as an intermediate node contain the first communication device that has the requirement of the intermediate node, then the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0373] For example, the first information indicates whether the second communication device has the capability to provide an intermediate node for a specific task, if the one or more tasks associated with the second communication device as an intermediate node contain the one or more tasks associated with the intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, then the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0374] For example, the first information indicates whether the second communication device has the capability to provide an intermediate node for a specific service area, if the one or more service areas associated with the second communication device as an intermediate node contain the one or more service areas associated with the intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, then the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0375] For example, the first information indicates whether the second communication device has the capability to provide an intermediate node for a specific storage space, if the one or more storage spaces associated with the second communication device as an intermediate node contain the one or more storage spaces associated with the intermediate node capability required by the first communication device, then the first communication device can select the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0376] In some embodiments, the capability available range information indicates that the second communication device can provide the corresponding capability as an intermediate node under certain conditions, and the capability available range information includes at least one of the following:

[0377] (1) Available time information, the available time information indicating at least one of a start time, an end time, or a duration of time during which the intermediate node is capable of providing the intermediate node capability.

[0378] Optionally, the first communication device can determine to select the second communication device that meets the service requirement duration as the intermediate node according to the available time information and the service requirement duration.

[0379] (2) Available use case information, the available use case information indicating a use case type that the intermediate node is capable of supporting, the use case type including only command, only inventory, or inventory + command.

[0380] Optionally, the first communication device determines to select the second communication device that supports the current service use case as the intermediate node according to the available use case information and the current service use case.

[0381] For example, if the first communication device currently initiates an inventory process, the first communication device selects the second communication device whose available use case information is only inventory or inventory + command as the intermediate node.

[0382] For example, if the first communication device currently initiates a command process, the first communication device selects the second communication device whose available use case information is only command or inventory + command as the intermediate node. Alternatively, considering that inventory has a higher requirement for the intermediate node, the second communication device that can support inventory can support the command use case by default, and thus the second communication device whose available use case information is only command, inventory + command, or only inventory can be selected as the intermediate node.

[0383] For example, if the first communication device currently initiates a command + inventory process, the first communication device selects the second communication device whose available use case information is inventory + command as the intermediate node. Alternatively, considering that inventory has a higher requirement for the intermediate node, the second communication device that can support inventory can support the command use case by default, and thus the second communication device whose available use case information is inventory + command or only inventory can be selected as the intermediate node.

[0384] (3) Available device information or device group information, the available device information or device group information indicating a specific device or device group that the intermediate node is capable of serving. The above information includes type information and / or identification information, the device identification can be a temporary identification or a permanent identification, and the identification group identification information can be a group ID or a device ID list.

[0385] Optionally, the first communication device determines to select the second communication device supporting the capability of providing data / command forwarding between the service-associated device and the first communication device as the intermediate node according to the available device information or device group information and the device information associated with the service.

[0386] (4) Available area location information, which can be cell identification information, geographic location information, movement path information, etc., used to indicate the area range that the intermediate node can serve.

[0387] Optionally, the first communication device determines to select the second communication device supporting the capability of providing data / command forwarding between the low-power device and the first communication device in the required service area of the first communication device as the intermediate node according to the available area location information and the required service area of the first communication device.

[0388] (5) Available storage space, which is used to store the data / command that needs to be forwarded between the low-power device and the first communication device.

[0389] Optionally, the first communication device selects the second communication device capable of covering the size of the data / command that needs to be forwarded between the first communication device and the low-power device as the intermediate node according to the available storage space and the size of the data / command that needs to be forwarded between the first communication device and the low-power device.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first communication device can be an access network node, a core network node, a server node, or other executable node selection node.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first information can be provided by the second communication device or a third communication device (such as NG-RAN, core network function node, server, etc.) storing the first information.

[0392] In some embodiments, the second communication device includes but is not limited to Relay, IAB node, UE, Repeater.

[0393] In some embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first communication device as auxiliary information or capability information or user consent.

[0394] In some embodiments, determining whether to select the second communication device as the intermediate node further includes determining according to signal quality information (such as RSRP, RSRQ).

[0395] Optionally, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device together with the first information, can be sent to the first communication device through a measurement reporting process, or can be sent to the first communication device independently of the first information, and the first communication device determines whether to take the second communication device as an intermediate node according to the signal quality information and the first information.

[0396] Optionally, the first communication device can determine one or more second communication devices that can support network-side services according to the first information, and select one of them as an intermediate node according to the signal quality information.

[0397] For example, one of the second communication devices with the best signal quality can be selected as an intermediate node; or, the second communication devices that exceed a signal quality threshold value can be selected as an intermediate node, and if there are multiple second communication devices that exceed the signal quality threshold value, one of them can be selected as an intermediate node according to implementation.

[0398] In some embodiments, the first communication device sends request information to the second communication device determined as an intermediate node based on the first information, and the request information is used to request / instruct the second communication device to become an intermediate node. Optionally, the second communication device can refuse or receive the request information and send a response.

[0399] FIG. 5A is a flow diagram of a method for selecting an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5A, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for selecting an intermediate node, and the above method comprises:

[0400] Step S5101: obtaining first information.

[0401] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S4101 in FIG. 4A, the optional implementation of step S4201 in FIG. 4B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B, which will not be described here.

[0402] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the first information sent by the second communication device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first information sent by other subjects.

[0403] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the first information sent by the third communication device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first information sent by other subjects.

[0404] In some embodiments, the first communication device obtains the first information specified by a protocol.

[0405] In some embodiments, the first communication device obtains the first information from an upper layer.

[0406] In some embodiments, the first communication device processes to obtain the first information.

[0407] In some embodiments, step S5101 is omitted, and the first communication device autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the function is default or default.

[0408] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or, the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of the intermediate node.

[0409] Step S5102, obtaining signal quality information of the second communication device.

[0410] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 of FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S4102 of FIG. 4A, the optional implementation of step S4202 of FIG. 4B, and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3, FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B, which will not be repeated here.

[0411] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the signal quality information sent by the second communication device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the signal quality information sent by other subjects.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first communication device obtains the signal quality information specified by the protocol.

[0413] In some embodiments, the first communication device obtains the signal quality information from the upper layer(s).

[0414] In some embodiments, the first communication device processes to obtain the signal quality information.

[0415] In some embodiments, step S5102 is omitted, and the first communication device autonomously implements the function indicated by the signal quality information, or the function is default or default.

[0416] In some embodiments, the signal quality information is used to indicate the signal quality of the second communication device.

[0417] In some embodiments, the signal quality information can be reported to the first communication device through a measurement reporting process; or, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device by the second communication device together with the first information; or, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device separately.

[0418] Step S5103: determining whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node based on the first information and the signal quality information of the second communication device.

[0419] The optional implementation of step S5103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S4103 in FIG. 4A, the optional implementation of step S4203 in FIG. 4B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, which are not described herein again.

[0420] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S5101-S5103. For example, step S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S5101+S5102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S5101+S5103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S5102+S5103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0421] In some embodiments, steps S5101 and S5102 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0422] In some embodiments, steps S5101 and S5102 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0423] In some embodiments, steps S5102 and S5103 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0424] FIG. 5B is a flow diagram of a method for selecting an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for selecting an intermediate node, and the method includes:

[0425] Step S5201: sending first information.

[0426] The optional implementation of step S5201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S4101 in FIG. 4A, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, which are not described herein again.

[0427] In some embodiments, the second communication device sends the first information to the first communication device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first information can also be sent to other subjects.

[0428] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has the first capability, and / or, the first information is used to indicate a range of availability of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of the intermediate node.

[0429] In step S5202, the signal quality information of the second communication device is sent.

[0430] The optional implementation of step S5202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S4102 in FIG. 4A, the optional implementation of step S4202 in FIG. 4B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B, which will not be repeated here.

[0431] In some embodiments, the second communication device sends the signal quality information to the first communication device, but is not limited thereto, and can send the signal quality information to other subjects.

[0432] In some embodiments, the signal quality information is used to indicate the signal quality of the second communication device.

[0433] In some embodiments, the signal quality information can be reported to the first communication device through a measurement reporting process; or, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device together with the first information by the second communication device; or, the signal quality information can be sent to the first communication device separately.

[0434] In some embodiments, the first information and the signal quality information of the second communication device are used by the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node.

[0435] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S5201-S5202. For example, step S5201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S5201+S5202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0436] In some embodiments, steps S5201 and S5202 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0437] In some embodiments, step S5202 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0438] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, step S5201 can be combined with step S5101 in FIG. 5A, and step S5202 can be combined with step S5102 in FIG. 5A.

[0439] FIG. 6A is a flow diagram illustrating a method for selecting an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6A, the present embodiment relates to a method for selecting an intermediate node, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0440] In step S6101, first information is acquired.

[0441] The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S4101 in FIG. 4A, the optional implementation of step S4201 in FIG. 4B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, which will not be repeated here.

[0442] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the first information sent by the second communication device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first information sent by other subjects.

[0443] In some embodiments, the first communication device receives the first information sent by the third communication device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first information sent by other subjects.

[0444] In some embodiments, the first communication device acquires the first information specified by a protocol.

[0445] In some embodiments, the first communication device acquires the first information from an upper layer.

[0446] In some embodiments, the first communication device processes to obtain the first information.

[0447] In some embodiments, step S5101 is omitted, and the first communication device autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the above function is default or default.

[0448] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate the available range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability is the capability of an intermediate node.

[0449] In step S6102, it is determined whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information.

[0450] The optional implementation of step S6102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of steps S4102 and S4103 in FIG. 4A, the optional implementation of steps S4202 and S4203 in FIG. 4B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, which will not be repeated here.

[0451] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of step S6101 to step S6102. For example, step S6101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S6102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S6101+S6102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0452] In some embodiments, step S6101 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0453] In some embodiments, step S6102 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0454] FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of a method for selecting an intermediate node, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for selecting an intermediate node, and the method includes:

[0455] Step S6201: transmitting first information.

[0456] The optional implementation of step S6201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S4101 in FIG. 4A, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, which will not be described here.

[0457] In some embodiments, the second communication device transmits the first information to the first communication device, but is not limited thereto, and can transmit the first information to other subjects.

[0458] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability is the capability of the intermediate node.

[0459] In some embodiments, the first information is used for the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node.

[0460] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least step S6201, and step S6201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0461] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, step S6201 can be combined with step S6101 in FIG. 6A.

[0462] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps and their optional implementations can be combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or can be combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0463] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the first communication device in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is further provided, comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the second communication device in any of the above methods.

[0464] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division, and all or part of them can be integrated into one physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the device comprises a processor connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules of the device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be implemented by the design of the hardware circuit, and the hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are implemented by the design of the logical relationship of the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to implement the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all units or modules can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part of the units or modules are implemented in the form of processor calling software, and the remaining part is implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0465] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, the hardware circuit can also be designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), or the like.

[0466] FIG. 7A is a structural schematic diagram of a first communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7A, the first communication device 7100 can at least include a processing module 7101. In some embodiments, the processing module 7101 is configured to determine whether to determine a second communication device as an intermediate node based on first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate an available range of the first capability of the second communication device, and the first capability is a capability of an intermediate node. Optionally, the processing module 7101 is configured to perform at least one of other steps (for example, step S3102, but not limited thereto) performed by the first communication device in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein. In some embodiments, the first communication device 7100 can further include a transceiver module. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3101, but not limited thereto) performed by the first communication device in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein.

[0467] FIG. 7B is a structural diagram of a second communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7B, the second communication device 7200 can at least include a transceiver module 7201. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to send first information to a first communication device, wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate a range of availability of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node; and the first information is further used for the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3101, but not limited to this) of the sending and / or receiving performed by the second communication device in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again. In some embodiments, the second communication device 7200 can further include a processing module. Optionally, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second communication device in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again.

[0468] In some embodiments, the transceiver module can include a sending module and / or a receiving module, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module can be mutually replaced with a transceiver.

[0469] In some embodiments, the processing module can be one module or can include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules are respectively configured to perform all or part of the steps required to be performed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be mutually replaced with a processor.

[0470] FIG. 8A is a structural diagram of a communication device 8100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 can be a first communication device, a second communication device, a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the first communication device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the second communication device to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and details can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0471] As shown in FIG. 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control a communication device (for example, a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a program, and process data of the program. The communication device 8100 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0472] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 can also be outside the communication device 8100.

[0473] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3101, but not limited to) in the above-described method, and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S3102, but not limited to).

[0474] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0475] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 can include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected to the memory 8102, and the interface circuit 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0476] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments can be a first communication device or a first communication device, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the structure of the communication device 8100 can not be limited by Figure 8A. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally, the above-mentioned IC set can also include a storage component for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handset, mobile unit, vehicle-mounted device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0477] FIG. 8B is a structural schematic diagram of the chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case that the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 8200 shown in FIG. 8B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0478] The chip 8200 comprises one or more processors 8201, and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0479] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further comprises one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected with the memory 8203, and the interface circuit 8202 can be configured to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 8202 can be configured to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0480] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3101, but not limited thereto) in the above methods, and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S3102, but not limited thereto).

[0481] In some embodiments, the terms of interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0482] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further comprises one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8203 can be outside the chip 8200.

[0483] The present disclosure further proposes a storage medium, and instructions are stored on the storage medium. When the instructions are run on the communication device 8100, the communication device 8100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0484] The present disclosure further proposes a program product, and the program product is executed by the communication device 8100, so that the communication device 8100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0485] The present disclosure further proposes a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer executes any of the above methods.

[0486] Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the features disclosed herein. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including any paterns of this disclosure that can be derived from the description and illustrations presented herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The specification and examples given are considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0487] It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the precise structures herein described and illustrated, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

A method of selecting an intermediate node, characterized in that The method is applied to a first communication device, and the method comprises: determining whether to determine a second communication device as an intermediate node based on first information; wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate an available range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node. The method of claim 1, wherein The method further comprises any one of the following: receiving the first information sent by the second communication device; receiving the first information sent by a third communication device. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The third communication device comprises at least one of the following: an access network device; a core network device; a server. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first capability comprises at least one of the following: a capability of forwarding data between a low-power device and the first communication device; a capability of forwarding a command between a low-power device and the first communication device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first capability is used for at least one of the following: one or more low-power devices, one or more first communication devices, one or more tasks, one or more service areas, and one or more storage spaces. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The available range comprises at least one of the following: first indication information indicating time information of the first capability of the second communication device; second indication information indicating use case information of the first capability of the second communication device; third indication information indicating device information or device group information of the first capability of the second communication device; fourth indication information indicating area range information of the first capability of the second communication device; fifth indication information indicating storage space information of the first capability of the second communication device, the storage space being used to store data and / or a command required to be forwarded between a low-power device and the first communication device. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The time information comprises at least one of the following: a start time; an end time; an available duration. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The use case information is used to indicate a use case type, the use case type comprising a command use case and / or an inventory use case. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The device information or the device group information comprises at least one of the following: identification information; type information. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that The area range information comprises at least one of the following: cell identification information; geographical position information; movement path information. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that The determination of whether to determine the second communication device as the intermediate node based on the first information comprises at least one of the following: based on the time information, determining the second communication device whose time information meets a requirement time as the intermediate node; based on the use case information, determining the second communication device whose use case information meets a current service use case as the intermediate node; based on the device information or the device group information, determining the second communication device including a required device in the device information or the device group information as the intermediate node, the required device being the low-power device and / or the first communication device; based on the area range information, determining the second communication device whose area range information meets a service area requirement as the intermediate node; based on the storage space information, determining the second communication device whose storage space information meets a storage space requirement as the intermediate node. The method of claim 11, wherein The step of using the second communication device that satisfies the current service use case based on the use case information as an intermediate node includes: When the first communication device initiates the inventory process, based on the use case information, the second communication device that is available for inventory is used as an intermediate node; When the first communication device initiates the inventory process, based on the use case information, the second communication device that is available for inventory and commands is used as an intermediate node; When the first communication device initiates a command process, based on the use case information, the second communication device where the command is available is used as an intermediate node; When the first communication device initiates a command process, based on the use case information, the second communication device with inventory and command availability is used as an intermediate node. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive second information, wherein the second information includes the first information; The second information includes at least one of auxiliary information, capability information, and user authorization information. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The step of determining whether to designate the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information includes: Based on the first information and the signal quality information of the second communication device, determine whether to identify the second communication device as an intermediate node. The method of claim 14, wherein The step of determining whether to identify the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information and the signal quality information of the second communication device includes at least one of the following: Based on the first information, multiple second communication devices are determined, and based on the signal quality information of each second communication device, the second communication device with the best signal quality is taken as the intermediate node. Based on the first information, multiple second communication devices are determined. Based on the signal quality information of each second communication device, the second communication device with a signal quality greater than the first value is used as an intermediate node. The method of claim 15, wherein The method further includes any one of the following: Receive the signal quality information reported through the measurement reporting process; The signal quality information is received simultaneously with the first information. The signal quality information is received separately. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that The first communication device is a communication device with intermediate node selection capability, wherein the first communication device includes at least one of the following: Access network equipment; Core network equipment; server. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that The second communication device includes at least one of the following: relay; Integrate access and backhaul IAB nodes; User Equipment (UE); Repeater. A method of selecting an intermediate node, characterized in that Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Send the first message to the first communication device; Wherein, the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or, the first information is used to indicate the availability range of the first capability of the second communication device, wherein the first capability is the capability of an intermediate node; the first information is also used by the first communication device to determine whether to identify the second communication device as an intermediate node. The method of claim 19, wherein The first capability includes at least one of the following: The ability to forward data between a low-power device and the first communication device; The ability to forward commands between a low-power device and the first communication device. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The first capability is used for at least one of one or more low-power devices, one or more first communication devices, one or more tasks, one or more service areas, or one or more storage spaces. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that The available range includes at least one of: first indication information, the first indication information indicating time information of the first capability of the second communication device; second indication information, the second indication information indicating use case information of the first capability of the second communication device; third indication information, the third indication information indicating device information or device group information of the first capability of the second communication device; fourth indication information, the fourth indication information indicating area range information of the first capability of the second communication device; fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating storage space information of the first capability of the second communication device, the storage space being used to store data and / or commands required to be forwarded between the low-power device and the first communication device. The method of claim 22, wherein The time information includes at least one of: a start time; an end time; an available duration. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The use case information is used to indicate a use case type, the use case type including a command use case and / or an inventory use case. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that The device information or the device group information includes at least one of: identification information; type information. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that The area range information includes at least one of: cell identification information; geographical location information; movement path information. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 26, characterized in that The sending of the first information to the first communication device includes: sending second information to the first communication device, the second information including the first information; wherein the second information includes at least one of assistance information, capability information, or user authorization information. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 27, characterized in that The method further includes: sending signal quality information to the first communication device, the signal quality information being used by the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on the first information and the signal quality information. The method of claim 28, wherein The sending of the signal quality information to the first communication device includes any one of: reporting the signal quality information to the first communication device through a measurement reporting process; sending the signal quality information at the same time as the first information is sent; sending the signal quality information separately. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 29, characterized in that The first communication device is a communication device with an intermediate node selection capability, wherein the first communication device includes at least one of: an access network device; a core network device; a server. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 30, characterized in that The second communication device includes at least one of: a relay; an IAB node; a UE; a repeater. A first communication device, characterized in that includes: a processing module configured to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node based on first information; wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used to indicate an available range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node. A second communication device, characterized in that includes: a transceiver module configured to send first information to a first communication device; The first information is used for indicating whether the second communication device has a first capability, and / or the first information is used for indicating a usable range of the first capability of the second communication device, the first capability being a capability of an intermediate node; and the first information is further used for the first communication device to determine whether to determine the second communication device as an intermediate node. A first communication device, characterized in that Comprising: one or more processors; The first communication device is configured to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to any one of claims 1-18. A second communication device, characterized in that Comprising: one or more processors; The second communication device is configured to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to any one of claims 19-31. A communication system characterized by Comprising a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is configured to implement the method for selecting an intermediate node according to any one of claims 1-18, and the second communication device is configured to implement the method for selecting an intermediate node according to any one of claims 19-31. A storage medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: The instructions, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method for selecting an intermediate node according to any one of claims 1-18 or 19-31.

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