WO2022022470A1

WO2022022470A1 - Communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication, and device

Info

Publication number: WO2022022470A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/108483
Authority: WO
Inventors: 黄正磊
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2020-07-28
Filing date: 2021-07-26
Publication date: 2022-02-03
Also published as: CN114007204A

Abstract

Provided are a communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication, and a device. The method comprises: receiving a first request sent by a requesting node, wherein the first request is used for requesting for relay auxiliary information, and the first request comprises trajectory information of each terminal device in at least one terminal device in a preset area; determining the relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device; and sending the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the requesting node, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used by the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication. A change in a communication environment of each terminal device in the preset area is predicted to obtain relay auxiliary information of each terminal device, such that each terminal device can perform subsequent selection of relay communication or direct connection communication. As such, the frequent switching of the terminal device between direct connection communication and relay communication can be reduced, thereby reducing signaling overheads.

Description

Communication selection method and device based on relay communication and direct connection communication

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application filed on July 28, 2020 with the application number 202010737167.1 and the application title "Communication selection method and device based on relay communication and direct connection communication", the entire content of which is Incorporated herein by reference.

technical field

The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication selection method and device based on relay communication and direct connection communication.

Background technique

With the development of communication technology, relay communication technology and direct communication have been developed and applied. Relay communication means that the terminal device is connected to a relay node, and then the terminal device is connected to the network through the relay node. Direct-connected communication means that terminal equipment can access the network through a direct-connected link.

In the prior art, when the terminal device determines that the signal of the direct connection communication is poor, it connects to the relay node, and when the signal of the direct connection communication recovers, it needs to switch to the direct connection communication.

However, in the prior art, the terminal device will quickly find that the signal of the direct-connection communication is restored, and then it needs to switch to the direct-connection communication, which causes the terminal device to frequently switch between the relay communication and the direct-connection communication, thereby increasing signaling s expenses. How to reasonably choose between relay communication and direct connection communication is an urgent problem to be solved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present application provide a communication selection method and device based on relay communication and direct connection communication, which can be applied to relay communication technology to solve the problem that terminal equipment needs to frequently switch between relay communication and direct connection communication.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication. The method is applied to a network data analysis function network element, and the method includes:

receiving a first request sent by a requesting node, wherein the first request is used to request relay assistance information, and the first request includes trajectory information of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device in the preset area;

Determine relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device;

Sending the relay assistance information of each terminal device to the requesting node, wherein the relay assistance information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.

Through the above process, since the trajectory information of the terminal equipment can be preset or predicted, the network data analysis function network element can obtain the trajectory information of all terminal equipment in a geographical area, and the network data analysis function network element can be based on the The global information of all terminal devices in the geographical area, predict the communication environment change of each terminal device in the geographical area, and then obtain the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device, so that each terminal device can carry out subsequent intermediate The choice of relay communication or direct connection communication; since the relay auxiliary information is generated based on the communication situation of each terminal device in each time period under the entire running track of the terminal device, it can reduce the number of terminal devices in direct connection communication and relay. Frequent switching between communications reduces signaling overhead.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication, the method is applied to an application function network element, and the method includes:

Send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes the information of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device in the preset area. track information, the track information of each terminal device is used to determine relay assistance information;

receiving the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication;

Send the relay assistance information of each terminal device to each terminal device.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication. The method is applied to an access and mobility management function network element, and the method includes:

Send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, the first request includes trajectory information of a terminal device in a preset area, and the trajectory information Used to determine relay assistance information;

receiving the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication;

Send the relay assistance information of the terminal device to the terminal device.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, the communication device is applied to a network data analysis function network element, and the device includes:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a first request sent by a requesting node, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes each terminal in at least one terminal device in a preset area track information of the device;

a processing unit, configured to determine relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device;

A sending unit, configured to send the relay assistance information of each terminal device to the requesting node, wherein the relay assistance information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, the device is applied to an application function network element, and the device includes:

The sending unit is configured to send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes the information in at least one terminal device in the preset area. trajectory information of each terminal device, the trajectory information of each terminal device being used to determine relay assistance information;

a receiving unit, configured to receive the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication ;

The sending unit is further configured to send the relay assistance information of each terminal device to each terminal device.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, the device is applied to an access and mobility management function network element, and the device includes:

A sending unit, configured to send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes track information of a terminal device in a preset area , the trajectory information is used to determine relay assistance information;

a receiving unit, configured to receive the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the selection of relay communication or direct connection communication by the terminal device ;

The sending unit is further configured to send the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device to the terminal device.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, the device includes a processor and a memory, the memory stores a computer program, the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, so that the device executes The method as provided in the first aspect, or the method as provided in the second aspect, or the method as provided in the pivotal aspect is performed.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit;

the interface circuit for receiving code instructions and transmitting them to the processor;

The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method provided by the first aspect, or the method provided by the second aspect, or the method provided by the third aspect.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method provided in the first aspect, the method provided in the second aspect, or the third aspect The provided method is implemented.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, when the program code included in the computer program product is executed by a processor in a terminal, to implement the first aspect and any possible method in the first aspect, or as in the first aspect. The second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect, or the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a processor for executing the first aspect and any possible method in the first aspect, or executing the second aspect and any possible method in the second aspect, or Perform the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a chip for implementing the first aspect and any possible method in the first aspect, or the second aspect and any possible method in the second aspect, or as The third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes the fourth aspect and any possible communication device in the fourth aspect, and any possible communication device in the fifth aspect and the fifth aspect; or, communication The system includes the fourth aspect and any possible communication device of the fourth aspect, and the sixth aspect and any possible communication device of the sixth aspect.

It should be understood that the technical solution details and technical effects involved in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect to the thirteenth aspect or any aspect may be described with reference to the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect The technical details and technical effects will not be repeated.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is an architectural diagram of a network structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a device accessing a network according to an embodiment of the present application;

3 is a signaling diagram of a communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

4 is a schematic diagram of communication between a terminal device and a network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

5 is a signaling diagram of another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 6 is the signaling diagram of another kind of communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication that the embodiment of this application provides;

7 is a signaling diagram of yet another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a signaling diagram 1 of relay communication performed by a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a signaling diagram 2 of relay communication performed by a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a signaling diagram 3 of relay communication performed by a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

11 is a schematic flowchart of another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

12 is a schematic flowchart of another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of still another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application.

detailed description

The embodiments of the present application are applied to a fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5th-generation, 5G) communication system or other systems that may appear in the future. Some terms in the present application are explained below to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that when the solutions in the embodiments of the present application are applied to the 5G system or other systems that may appear in the future, the names of network devices and terminals may change, but this does not affect the implementation of the solutions in the embodiments of the present application.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an architectural diagram of a network structure provided by an embodiment of the present application, and the network structure can be applied to a next-generation communication system. Figure 1 is a service-based representation of the 5G network architecture. Nnrf in Figure 1 is the name of a service-based interface. The circle on each network entity in Figure 1 indicates that the network entity exposes the Nnrf interface to other network entities. (For example, Nnwdaf interface, Nnef interface, Nnrf interface, Npcf interface, Nudm interface, Naf interface, Nausf interface, Namf interface, Nsmf interface), and the network entity provides services to other network entities through the Nnrf interface, and other network entities can Obtain the service provided by the network entity through the Nnrf interface. In addition, N1, N2, N3, N4, N6, N9, etc. in FIG. 1 are interfaces. A network entity may also be referred to as a network element, or a network node, or a communication node. The following is a brief introduction to the various components in the network structure shown in Figure 1:

The upgrading of mobile communication technology, 5G technology has begun to research and standardize, 5G technology can be used for mobile broadband, multimedia, machine type communication (MTC), industrial control, and intelligent transportation system (intelligent transportation system, ITS) and other fields. The 5G system architecture is divided into two parts: the access network and the core network. The access network is used to implement functions related to wireless access. Figure 1 shows each network element in the core network.

1) Terminal equipment (UE), which may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, and various forms of terminals, such as mobile stations ( mobile station, MS), terminal (terminal), user equipment (UE), soft terminal, etc. For example, there are water meters, electricity meters, sensors, etc. Terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as aircraft, balloons and satellites, etc.).

2) Access and mobility management function (AMF) entity: responsible for the main functions including management of user registration, reachability detection, session management function (session management function, SMF) entity selection, mobility state transition Management, etc., terminal authentication, terminal mobility management, network slice selection, access authorization and access authentication, security-related functions, etc.; and can be used as the anchor point for the connection between N1 and N2 interfaces, providing N1/N2SM for SMF entities information routing; and can maintain and manage terminal state information, participate in broadcast sessions.

3) SMF entity: responsible for terminal sessions (session establishment, modification and deletion), selection of user plane nodes, allocation and control of user plane function (UPF) entities, and terminal Internet Protocol (IP) Address allocation and management, session quality of service (QoS) management, acquisition of policy control and charging (PCC) policies from policy control function (PCF) entities, non-access The termination point of the SM part of the non-access stratum (NAS) message, the downlink data notification, the session and service continuity (session and service continuity, SSC) mode that determines a session, the roaming function, etc., and in this application, SMF The entity can be responsible for the management of the broadcast session, including the establishment, update, release of the broadcast session, the allocation of the broadcast session ID, etc. In this application, the SMF entity can also receive the broadcast reception quality information reported by the terminal, and complete the broadcast transmission and unicast. transfer switch.

4) UPF entity: as the anchor point of the packet data unit (packet data unit, PDU) session (session) connection, responsible for data packet routing and forwarding, mobility anchor point, uplink classifier to support routing traffic flow to the data network, pairing Terminal data packet filtering, data transmission/forwarding, rate control, generation of billing information, packet inspection and policy application, transmission usage reporting, user plane QoS processing, uplink transmission authentication, transmission level verification, downlink packet buffering and downlink data Notification triggers, branch points that support multi-homed (packet data unit, PDU) sessions, etc.

5) Policy control function (PCF) entity: assigns reference information to network entities, for example, assigns reference information to SMF entities or network exposure function (NEF) entities; and, PCF supports a unified policy architecture To govern the behavior of the network; PCF can provide the control plane function with policy rules for entities on the control plane function to execute, thereby realizing the access and policy decisions in the front end (unified data repository, UDR) related contract information. That is, the PCF entity is the policy decision point, providing rules based on traffic data flow and application detection, gating, QoS, and flow-based charging control.

6) Radio access network (RAN): a network composed of multiple 5G-RAN nodes, mainly to provide wireless connections, realize wireless physical layer functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control and mobility Sexual management functions. For example, 5G-RAN is connected to the UPF entity through the user plane interface N3 to transmit terminal data; 5G-RAN establishes a control plane signaling connection with the AMF entity through the control plane interface N2 to implement functions such as radio access bearer control . Among them, RAN can also be expressed as (R)AN.

7) Unified data management (unified data management, UDM) entity: allocates reference information to network entities, for example, allocates reference information to SMF entities or NEF entities; it can also store user subscription data.

8) Authentication server function (AUSF) entity: an example of an authentication server function entity, responsible for providing authentication services. For example, it is used to receive the authentication vector request from the AMF entity, and return the 5G authentication vector obtained from the ARPF entity or UDM entity to the AMF entity, or, after further processing, return the 5G authentication vector obtained from the ARPF entity or UDM entity to the AMF entity. The AMF entity, in turn, enables the 5G authentication vector to be used for security authentication between the terminal and the network side.

9) Application function (AF) entity: an application function, responsible for interacting with the 3GPP core network to provide services, to affect service flow routing, access network capability opening, policy control, and the like. For example, it is used for the interaction between external applications and the PCF entity of the core network, mainly used to perform policy and charging control on the IP-connectivity access network (IP-CAN) corresponding to the application, and can also Used to access the NEF, and to influence communication routing.

10) NEF entity: responsible for connecting the SMF entity and the external DN network; used to provide a secure method to open the services and capabilities of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network; can translate application functions (application functions) , AF) information exchanged between entity and internal network; used to receive information from other network entities, and open the information to internal network elements or application service function network elements; used to provide edge computing and so on.

11) Data network (DN) entity: provides external data network services. For example, providing operator services, Internet access or third-party services.

12) Network data analytics function (NWDAF) entity: responsible for network data collection and analysis functions. For example, it provides network data collection and analysis functions based on technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence.

13) A network function repository function (NF repository function, NRF) entity, where NF refers to a network function (network function, NF).

14) Service control point (service control point, SCP) entity, the service control point entity is an intelligent network element that decides how to process a call.

15) "Multiple" means two or more, and other quantifiers are similar. "And/or", which describes the association relationship of the associated objects, means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the associated objects are an "or" relationship.

16) "Correspondence" may refer to an association relationship or binding relationship, and A corresponds to B refers to an association relationship or binding relationship between A and B.

It should be pointed out that the terms or terms involved in the embodiments of the present application may refer to each other, and will not be repeated.

With the development and application of 5G, massive machine type communications (mMTC) has become one of the important application scenarios of 5G networks. mMTC is mainly for various types of Internet of things (IoT) based on cellular networks. Business Applications. The main feature of the mMTC application scenario is the connection requirements of large-scale and massive IoT terminals, which can reach 1 million connections per square kilometer; Power consumption (the battery life of IoT terminals can reach 10 years), deep coverage (supporting various weak coverage scenarios, such as underground garages, elevator shafts, etc.), low complexity (reducing terminal and network costs) and other characteristics.

The application scenarios of mMTC based on the Internet of Things (ie, NIoT scenarios) include: industrial sensor networks (such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), wearable devices (smart bracelets, smart watches, smart glasses, etc.) and so on. 3GPP gives the connection model of each device in the mMTC scenario based on the Internet of Things, in which Internet of things (IoT) devices can access the network in various ways. Among them, relay communication technology and direct communication have been developed and applied. Relay communication means that the terminal device is connected to a relay node, and then the terminal device is connected to the network through the relay node. Direct-connected communication means that terminal equipment can access the network through a direct-connected link. ,

In an example, IoT devices can access the network through a direct link (such as LTE, 5G and other wireless access technologies). For example, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the device accessing the network provided by the embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. As shown in 2, the terminal device is connected to the network device through a direct link; or, the IoT device is first connected to a relay node (for example, a mobile phone terminal, a sensor node), and then connected through a relay link. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the bracelet 1 is connected to the bracelet 2 as a relay node. Since the bracelet 2 is connected to the network device, the bracelet 1 is connected to the network device through the relay link.

Among them, the advantage of accessing the network through the relay link is: because the IoT device can communicate with the adjacent device, the adjacent device can communicate with the network device, and then the function of the IoT device can be reduced through short-range communication. In addition, when the network coverage in the area where the IoT device is located is not good or there is no network coverage, the IoT device is connected to the network through adjacent devices, thereby ensuring the communication of the IoT device. Expand the coverage of network equipment.

Therefore, when it is determined that the signal of the direct connection communication is poor, the terminal device goes to connect with the relay node, and switches to the direct connection communication when the signal of the direct connection communication is recovered. However, in such a processing method, the terminal device will quickly find that the signal of the direct-connection communication is restored, and it needs to switch to the direct-connection communication, which causes the terminal device to frequently switch between the relay communication and the direct-connection communication. order cost. How to reasonably choose between relay communication and direct connection communication is an urgent problem to be solved.

FIG. 3 is a signaling diagram of a communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3 , the method includes:

S101. A network data analysis function network element receives a first request sent by a requesting node, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes each terminal device in at least one terminal device in a preset area track information.

Exemplarily, the execution body of the method provided in this embodiment may be a network element of a network data analysis function.

In an example, the terminal device can switch between the direct link and the relay link; the terminal device broadcasts the message, or the relay node broadcasts the message, and then the terminal device broadcasts the message according to the signal quality of the currently connected link and the broadcast The message carried in the message selects the node that can be connected, and then selects the direct link or the relay link. For example, the terminal device is currently communicating with a network device, and then the terminal device determines to select a relay link according to the signal quality of the currently connected link and the message carried in the broadcast message, and then the terminal device selects a relay node to communicate.

However, in the actual process of the above method, the terminal device may need to frequently switch between the direct link and the relay link, that is, frequently switch between the direct link and the relay link.

For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of communication between a terminal device and a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4 , in a factory environment, the terminal device 01 (the terminal device may be an IoT terminal, for example, an IoT terminal 4) is relatively close to the network device (network device, such as a wireless base station) at position 1, and the terminal device 01 can communicate with the network device through a direct link; then, with the terminal device 01 When the terminal device 01 is far away from the network device or is blocked by other devices, the terminal device 01 communicates with the terminal device 02 as a relay node, the terminal device 02 communicates with the network device, and then the terminal device 01 communicates with The terminal devices 02 communicate with the network device after relay communication.

It can be seen that in the actual application process, when the terminal device is far away from the network device and cannot directly communicate with the network device, or when the terminal device is blocked by other devices and cannot directly communicate with the network device, the terminal device can Switching from the direct link to the relay link, that is, switching from the direct communication to the relay communication, the terminal device selects a relay node for communication. When the terminal device moves to a position closer to the network device again, or when the obstructions around the terminal device are removed (because this obstruction may be short-lived), the terminal device detects that it can communicate directly with the network device , and then the network device can switch from the relay link to the direct link, that is, switch from the relay communication to the direct communication. Therefore, the terminal device needs to frequently switch between the direct connection communication and the relay communication, thereby causing unnecessary signaling overhead and power consumption.

In this embodiment, when the terminal device switches between relay communication and direct connection communication, and for a scenario where the trajectory of the terminal device has a certain regularity, it can be determined based on the trajectory information of the terminal device to provide the terminal device with Relay communication or direct communication. For example, for a factory scenario, the trajectory of the terminal device is preset, and the terminal device needs to travel according to the preset trajectory to complete the factory task; in this embodiment, the terminal device can be provided based on the preset trajectory of the terminal device. Relay communication or direct communication.

During the communication process of the terminal device, since the terminal device moves in a preset area, the trajectory information of the terminal device can be known or predicted in advance. For example, in a logistics scenario, the terminal equipment is a robot, and the terminal equipment moves in a fixed preset area. The terminal equipment needs to complete the sorting of goods according to the instructions of the control center, and then the control center can generate the trajectory of each terminal equipment. information, each terminal device moves within the preset area according to its own trajectory information to sort the goods, and it can be known that the movement trajectory of each terminal device is regular. Or, in the cargo delivery scenario, the terminal device is an unmanned delivery vehicle, and the terminal device moves within a fixed preset area. Track information for a terminal device.

The requesting node obtains the trajectory information of each terminal device, and then the requesting node sends a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the relay auxiliary information is used by the terminal device to perform a request. Choice of relay communication or direct communication. In an example, the requesting node is a terminal device, each requesting node has already learned its own trajectory information, each requesting node is located in a preset area, and the current terminal device sends the current terminal device's trajectory information to the network data. Analysis function network element; or, the requesting node is a terminal device, and each requesting node has already learned its own trajectory information and the trajectory information of other requesting nodes, and then the terminal device can send the trajectory information of each terminal device in the preset area. To network data analysis function network element. In another example, the requesting node is an application function entity, and the application function entity can receive the respective trajectory information sent by each terminal device, and then the application function entity can send the trajectory information of each terminal device in the preset area to the network. Data analysis function network element.

S102, the network data analysis function network element determines relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device.

In one example, the relay assistance information includes the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in at least one preset time period, and the preset time period is the running time of the terminal device.

In an example, the first request further includes: relay capability information of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device. For example, the relay capability information includes one or more of the following: direct connection capability with network equipment, cache size, QoS information, and mobility information.

In an example, the relay assistance information of each terminal device further includes relay capability information of adjacent terminal devices, and the adjacent terminal devices are devices in at least one terminal device.

Exemplarily, the trajectory information of the terminal device includes, but is not limited to: startup time, running trajectory, and running period. The network element of the network data analysis function determines the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device requested in the first request according to the track information of each terminal device in the preset area. The relay auxiliary information represents the direct connection communication situation and the relay communication situation of the terminal device in each time period, so that the terminal device can determine whether to perform direct connection communication or relay communication according to the relay auxiliary information.

In an example, for each terminal device, the terminal device has an operation cycle, and the network data analysis function network element according to the operation trajectory of the terminal device, the operation trajectory of other terminal devices, and the communication capability of each terminal device on the operation trajectory. The operation period of the terminal equipment is divided into a plurality of preset time periods; it can be known that each preset period of time is a part of the operation period of the terminal equipment, and each preset period of time is an operation time of the terminal equipment.

Then, the network element of the network data analysis function determines the relay auxiliary information of the current terminal device according to the track information of the current terminal device and the track information of other terminal devices. Wherein, the relay assistance information includes the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in each preset time period. The “probability of direct connection communication” refers to the probability value of the direct connection communication between the terminal device and the network device.

In another example, in step S101, the requesting node may also obtain the relay capability information of each terminal device in the above-mentioned preset area, and when the requesting node sends the first request to the network data analysis function network element, the A request includes: trajectory information of each terminal device in the preset area, and relay capability information of each terminal device in the preset area. For example, the requesting node is a terminal device, each requesting node has already obtained its own trajectory information, each requesting node is located in a preset area, and the current terminal device can obtain the trajectory information and relay capability of each terminal device. information, the current terminal device sends a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request includes track information and relay capability information of each terminal device. For another example, the requesting node is an application function entity, and the application function entity can receive the respective trajectory information and relay capability information sent by each terminal device, and then the application function entity receives the trajectory information of a terminal device. The entity sends a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request includes trajectory information and relay capability information of each terminal device. The relay capability information of each terminal device sent by the requesting node to the network data analysis function network element includes but is not limited to: direct connection capability with network devices, cache size, QoS information, and mobility information. "Direct connection capability with network equipment" refers to whether the terminal equipment can communicate directly with network equipment. The "buffer size" refers to the data transmission capability of the terminal device, or the size of the data to be transmitted by the terminal device, or the upper limit of the data size that the terminal device can transmit. "QoS information" refers to the delay and bandwidth of the terminal equipment. "Mobility information" means that the terminal device is mobile or the terminal device is stationary.

Then, the network data analysis function network element determines the relay auxiliary information of the current terminal device according to the track information of the current terminal device, the track information of other terminal devices, and the relay capability information of each terminal device. Wherein, the relay assistance information of the current terminal device includes the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in each preset time period. The relay assistance information of the current terminal device may also include relay capability information of at least one adjacent terminal device in each preset time period, wherein the relay capability information of the adjacent terminal device includes but is not limited to: Ability to directly connect with network devices, cache size, QoS information, mobility information, the identifiers of other terminal devices that the current terminal device can communicate directly with in each preset time period, and the current terminal device at each preset time The identification of other end devices on the segment that cannot communicate directly. Wherein, the "adjacent terminal device" is one of the terminal devices for which the track information has been reported in step 101 .

S103. The network element of the network data analysis function sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the requesting node, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.

Exemplarily, the network data analysis function network element sends the determined relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the requesting node; the requesting node feeds back the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device to the corresponding terminal device, so that the terminal device can Select relay communication or direct communication according to relay auxiliary information.

For example, if the requesting node is a terminal device, the network data analysis function network element sends the determined relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to each terminal device respectively. The terminal device can then select relay communication or direct connection communication according to the relay auxiliary information.

For another example, if the requesting node is an application function entity, the network data analysis function network element sends the determined relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the application function entity; the application function entity sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the application function entity. sent to each terminal device separately. The terminal device can then select relay communication or direct connection communication according to the relay auxiliary information.

In an example, the relay auxiliary information may indicate the selection of direct connection communication and relay communication for each terminal device in each time period, and further, the terminal device may, according to the indication of the relay auxiliary information, perform a selection in each time period. Perform corresponding direct communication or relay communication.

In another example, the relay assistance information includes the current direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in at least one preset time period. For each preset time period, the terminal device can The probability of direct communication on the device is determined to determine whether to conduct direct communication.

In yet another example, the relay assistance information includes the direct connection communication probability of the current terminal device in at least one preset time period, and the relay assistance information also includes relay capability information of adjacent terminal devices; for each In the preset time period, the terminal device may determine whether to perform direct communication according to the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in the current preset time period and the relay capability information of adjacent terminal devices in the current preset time period, Relay communication is still performed; or, for each preset time period, the terminal device can be based on the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in the current preset time period, and the median of adjacent terminal devices in the current preset time period. Following the capability information, the probability of direct connection communication in the next time period, and the relay capability information of the adjacent terminal equipment, it is determined whether to carry out direct connection communication or relay communication.

For example, for the terminal equipment UE0, the network data analysis function network element determines the relay assistance information of the terminal equipment UE0. The relay assistance information of the terminal device UE0 includes: the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device UE0 in each preset time period, and the relay capability information of adjacent terminal devices in each preset time period. Table 1 is the relay assistance information of the terminal equipment UE0.

Table 1 Relay assistance information of terminal equipment UE0

As shown in Table 1, the initial state of the terminal device UE0 is direct communication. Then, the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device UE0 in the time period 9:00:00-9:02:20 is 90%; The "direct connection capability with the network device" is "direct connection possible", and it can be known that in the time period of 9:00:00-9:02:20, the adjacent terminal device UE1 performs direct communication with the network device. At this time, during the time period of 9:00:00-9:02:20, the terminal device UE0 determines that the probability of the terminal device UE0 performing direct communication with the network device is relatively high, even though the terminal device UE1 can act as a relay for the terminal device UE0 node, but the terminal device UE0 determines that in the time period 9:00:00-9:02:20, the direct connection communication is continued without switching to relay communication.

Next, the direct communication probability of the terminal device UE0 in the time period 9:02:20-9:02:30 is 20%; and, in the time period 9:02:20-9:02:30, the terminal device UE0 There are 3 adjacent terminal equipments, namely terminal equipment UE1, terminal equipment UE2, and terminal equipment UE3; wherein, in the time period 9:02:20-9:02:30, the "connection between the adjacent terminal equipment UE1 and the network" Device direct connection capability" is "direct connection possible", the adjacent terminal device UE2's "direct connection capability with network device" is "direct connection possible", and the adjacent terminal device UE3's "direct connection capability with network device" is "unavailable". It can be seen that during the time period of 9:02:20-9:02:30, the adjacent terminal equipment UE1 communicates directly with the network equipment, and the adjacent terminal equipment UE2 communicates with the network equipment directly. For communication, the adjacent terminal equipment UE3 cannot perform direct communication with the network equipment. At this time, in the time period 9:02:20-9:02:30, the terminal device UE0 determines that the probability of the terminal device UE0 performing direct communication with the network device is low, and the terminal device UE0 can select the adjacent terminal device as a relay node to relay communication. However, since the current time period 9:02:20-9:02:30 is a short time period, the terminal device UE0 also needs to combine the information of the next time period 9:02:30-9:05:00 to perform analyze.

The direct connection communication probability of terminal equipment UE0 in the time period 9:02:30-9:05:00 is 95%; "Direct connection capability of network equipment" is "direct connection possible", it can be known that in the time period 9:02:30-9:05:00, the adjacent terminal equipment UE4 performs direct connection communication with the network equipment. The terminal equipment UE0 analyzes the information in the time period 9:02:30-9:05:00, and it can be seen that the terminal equipment UE0 cannot perform direct communication during the upper period of the time period 9:02:20-9:02:30. However, the terminal device UE0 can perform direct connection communication for a long time in the time period 9:02:30-9:05:00, so the terminal device UE0 determines that in the time period 9:02:20-9:02:30 Instead of switching from direct communication to relay communication, data is first cached at 9:02:20-9:02:30 until the next time period 9:02:30-9:05:00, the terminal The device UE0 continues the direct communication. Thus, it is avoided that the terminal equipment UE0 switches from the direct connection communication to the relay communication (the time period of 9:02:20-9:02:30), and then after a short time, the terminal equipment UE0 switches from the relay communication back to the direct connection The problem of communication (9:02:30-9:05:00 time period); that is, it is avoided that the terminal device constantly switches the communication mode in a short time.

Furthermore, the terminal device UE0 buffers data first in the time period 9:02:20-9:02:30, and then continues to perform direct connection communication in the time period 9:02:30-9:05:00.

Next, the direct communication probability of the terminal device UE0 in the time period 9:05:00-9:06:00 is 15%; and, in the time period 9:05:00-9:06:00, the terminal device UE0 There are 3 adjacent terminal equipments, namely terminal equipment UE5, terminal equipment UE6, and terminal equipment UE7; wherein, in the time period 9:05:00-9:06:00, the "connection between the adjacent terminal equipment UE5 and the network" Device direct connection capability" is "direct connection not possible", the adjacent terminal device UE6's "direct connection capability with network devices" is "direct connection possible", and the adjacent terminal device UE7's "direct connection capability with network devices" is "non-direct connection capability". It can be seen that during the time period of 9:05:00-9:06:00, the adjacent terminal equipment UE5 cannot perform direct communication with the network equipment, and the adjacent terminal equipment UE6 and the network equipment directly communicate with each other. Connected communication, the adjacent terminal equipment UE7 cannot perform direct communication with the network equipment. At this time, in the time period 9:05:00-9:06:00, the terminal equipment UE0 determines that the probability of the terminal equipment UE0 performing direct communication with the network equipment is low, and the terminal equipment UE0 determines that the time period 9:05:00 -9:06:00 will be in a state of being unable to communicate directly for a long time. Therefore, the terminal device UE0 determines that it needs to select an adjacent terminal device as a relay node to perform relay communication. Further, due to the direct communication between the adjacent terminal equipment UE6 and the network equipment, the terminal equipment UE0 can select the adjacent terminal equipment UE6 as a relay node, and the terminal equipment UE0 is in the time period 9:05:00-9:06:00 relay communication on.

Next, the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device UE0 in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10 is 92%; and, in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10, the terminal device UE0 There are 2 adjacent terminal equipment, namely terminal equipment UE1 and terminal equipment UE5; wherein, in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10, the "direct connection capability with network equipment" of the adjacent terminal equipment UE1 " is "direct connection possible", and the "direct connection capability with network equipment" of the adjacent terminal equipment UE5 is "direct connection possible". Direct connection communication is performed between the device UE1 and the network device, and direct connection communication is performed between the adjacent terminal device UE5 and the network device. At this time, in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10, the terminal equipment UE0 determines that the probability of the terminal equipment UE0 performing direct communication with the network equipment is relatively high; however, the terminal equipment UE0 is in the last time period 9: Relay communication is performed on 05:00-9:06:00, and the terminal device UE0 determines to perform a short-term direct communication in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10. During the time period of 9:06:00-9:06:10, the relay communication is not switched to the direct connection communication, and the terminal device UE0 may continue to select the adjacent terminal device UE5 as a relay node to perform relay communication.

Based on the above analysis, the communication selection results of the terminal equipment UE0 in each time period are obtained, as shown in Table 2.

Table 2 Communication selection results of terminal equipment UE0 in each time period

In this embodiment, the network data analysis function network element receives the first request sent by the requesting node, the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes each terminal device in the at least one terminal device in the preset area The network data analysis function network element determines the relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device; the network data analysis function network element sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the requesting node. The choice of relay communication or direct connection communication for terminal equipment. By providing the network data analysis function network element with the trajectory information of each terminal device in a preset geographical area (relay capability information can also be provided), the network data analysis function network element can be based on the trajectory information of each terminal device (also Relay capability information), predict the communication environment of the terminal equipment in each time period, and obtain the relay auxiliary information of each terminal equipment; Selection of relay communication or direct communication within a segment. In the above process, since the trajectory information of the terminal equipment can be preset or predicted, the network data analysis function network element can obtain the trajectory information (and relay capability information) of all the terminal equipment in a geographical area, and then The network data analysis function network element can predict the communication environment change of each terminal device in the geographical area based on the global information of all terminal devices in the geographical area, and then obtain the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device, so that Each terminal device can select the follow-up relay communication or direct connection communication; since the relay auxiliary information is generated based on the communication situation of each terminal device in each time period under the entire running trajectory of the terminal device, it can reduce the Frequent switching of terminal equipment between direct communication and relay communication reduces signaling overhead.

FIG. 5 is a signaling diagram of another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5 , the method includes:

S201. The application function network element sends a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes each terminal in at least one terminal device in a preset area Track information of the device.

Exemplarily, the requesting node is an application function network element. The application function network element can obtain the trajectory information of each terminal device in the preset area. Then, the application function network element sends the first request to the network data analysis function network element through the network open function network element, and the network open function network element is in the role of transparent transmission; or, the application function network element directly sends the request to the network data analysis function network element first request.

Regarding the "first request", for this step, reference may be made to step S101 shown in FIG. 3 , and details are not repeated here.

S202: The network element of the network data analysis function determines relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device.

Exemplarily, for this step, reference may be made to step S102 shown in FIG. 3 , and details are not repeated here.

S203. The network data analysis function network element sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the application function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.

Exemplarily, the network data analysis function network element sends the relay assistance information of each terminal device to the application function network element through the network open function network element. Alternatively, the network data analysis function network element directly sends the relay assistance information of each terminal device to the application function network element.

Regarding the "relay auxiliary information", for this step, reference may be made to step S103 shown in FIG. 3 , and details are not repeated here.

S204, the application function network element sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to each terminal device respectively.

Exemplarily, the application function network element sends the relay assistance information of each terminal device to each corresponding terminal device respectively.

S205, the terminal device selects relay communication or direct connection communication according to the relay auxiliary information.

Exemplarily, for "the terminal device selects relay communication or direct connection communication according to relay auxiliary information", this step may refer to step S103 shown in FIG. 3 , and details are not repeated here.

In this embodiment, the application function network element provides the network data analysis function network element with the trajectory information of each terminal device in a preset geographical area (relay capability information may also be provided), so that the network data analysis function network element is based on each terminal device. The trajectory information of the device (it may also have relay capability information) predicts the communication environment of the terminal device in each time period, and obtains the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device; the network data analysis function network element analyzes each terminal device. The relay auxiliary information is sent to the application function network element, and the application function network element sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to each terminal device respectively; furthermore, each terminal device according to its own relay auxiliary information , choose between relay communication or direct communication in each time period. In the above process, since the trajectory information of the terminal equipment can be preset or predicted, the network data analysis function network element can obtain the trajectory information (and relay capability information) of all the terminal equipment in a geographical area, and then The network data analysis function network element can predict the communication environment change of each terminal device in the geographical area based on the global information of all terminal devices in the geographical area, and then obtain the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device, so that Each terminal device can select the follow-up relay communication or direct connection communication; since the relay auxiliary information is generated based on the communication situation of each terminal device in each time period under the entire running trajectory of the terminal device, it can reduce the Frequent switching of terminal equipment between direct communication and relay communication reduces signaling overhead.

FIG. 6 is a signaling diagram of another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6 , the method includes:

S301. An access and mobility management function network element receives first registration request information sent by a terminal device, where the first registration request information includes track information of the terminal device, and the first registration request information is used to request relaying of the terminal device Supplementary information.

Exemplarily, when the terminal device switches between relay communication and direct-connection communication, and for a scenario where the trajectory of the terminal device is regular, it can be determined based on the trajectory information of the terminal device to provide the terminal device. Relay communication or direct communication.

During the communication process of the terminal device, since the terminal device moves in a preset area, the terminal device can know or predict the trajectory information of the terminal device in advance. The terminal device may first send first registration request information to the access and mobility management function network element, where the first registration request information carries relay auxiliary information request indication information, that is, the first registration request information is used to request the current Relay auxiliary information of the terminal device; and, in order to facilitate obtaining the relay auxiliary information, the first registration request information carries the current trajectory information of the terminal device. The trajectory information of the terminal device includes but is not limited to: startup time, running trajectory, and running cycle.

In an example, the first registration request information may further include relay capability information of the current terminal device. The relay capability information includes, but is not limited to: direct connection capability with network equipment, cache size, QoS information, and mobility information. "Direct connection capability with network equipment" refers to whether the terminal equipment can communicate directly with network equipment. The "buffer size" refers to the data transmission capability of the terminal device, or the size of the data to be transmitted by the terminal device, or the upper limit of the data size that the terminal device can transmit. "QoS information" refers to the delay and bandwidth of the terminal equipment. "Mobility information" means that the terminal device is mobile or that the terminal device is stationary.

S302. The access and mobility management function network element receives second registration request information sent by at least one other terminal device in the preset area, where the second registration request information includes track information of other terminal devices, and the second registration request information The information is used to request relay assistance information from other terminal devices.

Exemplarily, the access and mobility management function network element may also receive second registration request information sent by other terminal devices. Wherein, other terminal devices are located in the same preset area as the terminal device in step S301.

The second registration request information includes: track information of other terminal devices. The second registration request information is used to request relay assistance information of other terminal devices.

In an example, the second registration request information may further include relay capability information of other terminal devices.

For example, the terminal equipment UE0, the terminal equipment UE1, and the terminal equipment UE2 are located in the same preset area; the terminal equipment UE0 can send the first registration request information to the access and mobility management function network element, and the terminal equipment UE1 The second registration request information may be sent to the access and mobility management function network element, and the terminal device UE2 may send the second registration request information to the access and mobility management function network element; further, the terminal device UE0, the terminal device UE1, the terminal device UE2 The device UE2 needs to request the respective relay assistance information.

S303. The access and mobility management function network element sends a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes the information of a terminal device in a preset area. Trajectory information, which is used to determine relay assistance information.

In an example, when step S302 is performed, the first request further includes track information of other terminal devices.

Exemplarily, after step S301 (step S302 is not performed), the access and mobility management function network element sends a first request to the network data analysis function network element according to the registration request of the terminal device. Included in the first request is the track information of the terminal device that initiated the first registration request information.

After step S301 (step S301 and step S302 are executed), the access and mobility management function network element sends a first request to the network data analysis function network element according to the first registration request information of the terminal device in step S301, the first request includes the trajectory information of the terminal device in step S301, and the first request is used to request the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device in step S301. And, after step S302 (step S301 and step S302 are executed), the access and mobility management function network element sends a message to the network data analysis function network element according to the second registration request information of the other terminal equipment in step S302 with the other terminal equipment Corresponding to the first request, the first request includes the trajectory information of the other terminal device in step S302, and the first request is used to request the relay assistance information of the other terminal device in step S302.

Or, after step S302 (step S301 and step S302 are executed), the access and mobility management function network element according to the first registration request information of the terminal device in step S301 and the second registration request information of other terminal devices in step S302 , sending a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request includes the trajectory information of the terminal device in step S301 and the trajectory information of other terminal devices in step S302.

The terminal device and other terminal devices belong to the same preset geographical area.

In an example, the first request may further include relay capability information of the terminal device.

S304. The network element of the network data analysis function determines relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of the terminal device.

Exemplarily, for each terminal device, the terminal device has an operation cycle, and the network data analysis function network element, according to the operation track of the terminal device, the operation track of other terminal devices, and the communication capability of each terminal device on the operation track, The operation period of the terminal equipment is divided into a plurality of preset time periods; it can be known that each preset period of time is a part of the operation period of the terminal equipment, and each preset period of time is an operation time of the terminal equipment.

In one example, the network element of the network data analysis function determines the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device according to the track information of the terminal device and the obtained track information of other terminal devices. Wherein, the relay assistance information includes the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in each preset time period. The “probability of direct connection communication” refers to the probability value of the direct connection communication between the terminal device and the network device.

In another example, the first request includes trajectory information and relay capability information of the terminal device. The network element of the network data analysis function determines the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device according to the track information of the terminal device, the obtained track information of other terminal devices, and the relay capability information of each terminal device. The relay assistance information of the terminal device includes the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in each preset time period. The relay assistance information of the terminal device may also include relay capability information of at least one adjacent terminal device in each preset time period, wherein the relay capability information of the adjacent terminal device includes but is not limited to: Network device direct connection capability, cache size, QoS information, mobility information, the identifiers of other terminal devices that the current terminal device can communicate directly with in each preset time period, and the current terminal device in each preset time period. The identification of other terminal equipment on which direct communication is not possible.

According to any of the above manners, the network data analysis function network element can determine the respective relay assistance information of each terminal device that needs to request relay assistance information.

S305. The network data analysis function network element sends relay assistance information of the terminal device to the access and mobility management function network element, where the relay assistance information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.

Exemplarily, the network data analysis function network element sends the determined relay assistance information of the terminal device to the access and mobility management function network element.

S306, the access and mobility management function network element sends the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device to the terminal device.

Exemplarily, in step S301 and step S302, the access and mobility management function network element knows which terminal devices need to obtain relay assistance information, so the access and mobility management function network element will obtain the information. The relay auxiliary information of each terminal device is sent to the corresponding terminal device.

S307, the terminal device selects relay communication or direct connection communication according to the relay auxiliary information.

In this embodiment, the access and mobility management function network element provides the network data analysis function network element with track information (and relay capability information) of each terminal device in a preset geographical area according to the request of the terminal device. , so that the network data analysis function network element predicts the communication environment of the terminal equipment in each time period based on the trajectory information of each terminal equipment (and may also have relay capability information), and obtains the relay auxiliary information of each terminal equipment; The network data analysis function network element sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the network element of the access and mobility management function. It is sent to each terminal device respectively; further, each terminal device selects relay communication or direct connection communication in each time period according to its own relay auxiliary information. In the above process, since the trajectory information of the terminal equipment can be preset or predicted, the network data analysis function network element can obtain the trajectory information (and relay capability information) of all the terminal equipment in a geographical area, and then The network data analysis function network element can predict the communication environment change of each terminal device in the geographical area based on the global information of all terminal devices in the geographical area, and then obtain the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device, so that Each terminal device can select the follow-up relay communication or direct connection communication; since the relay auxiliary information is generated based on the communication situation of each terminal device in each time period under the entire running trajectory of the terminal device, it can reduce the Frequent switching of terminal equipment between direct communication and relay communication reduces signaling overhead.

FIG. 7 is a signaling diagram of yet another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7 , the method includes:

S401. The network data analysis function network element receives a first request sent by a requesting node, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes each terminal device in at least one terminal device in a preset area track information.

Exemplarily, for this step, reference may be made to step S101 in FIG. 2 , and details are not repeated here.

S402. The network element of the network data analysis function determines relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device.

Exemplarily, for this step, reference may be made to step S102 in FIG. 2 , and details are not repeated here.

S403. The network data analysis function network element sends the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the requesting node, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.

Exemplarily, for this step, reference may be made to step S103 in FIG. 2 , and details are not repeated here.

S404. The network data analysis function network element receives a second request sent by the requesting node, where the second request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the second request includes the updated information of one or more terminal devices in the at least one terminal device. track information.

Exemplarily, the requesting node may be an application function network element or an access and mobility management function network element. The requesting node can know the trajectory of each terminal device in the preset area, and then the requesting node can know whether the trajectory information of each terminal device is updated. When the requesting node determines that the trajectory information of one or more terminal devices in the preset area is updated, the requesting node sends a second request to the network data analysis function network element according to the updated trajectory information, and the second request is used to request The updated relay auxiliary information of the terminal device.

In one example, the requesting node is an application function network element. The application function network element can obtain the status information of each terminal device in the preset area, and the status information includes the track information of the terminal device; when the application function network element determines that the track information of one or several terminal devices has been changed , re-request relay auxiliary information for these terminal devices, so that the application function network element sends a second request to the network data analysis function network element, and the second request includes the new track information of the terminal device whose track information has been changed. .

In another example, the requesting node is an access and mobility management function network element. The terminal device in the preset area knows its own track information. When the terminal device determines that its own track information has been changed, the terminal device re-sends new first registration request information to the access and mobility management function network element. The first registration request information includes the updated track information of the terminal device; the access and mobility management function network element re-requests relay auxiliary information for the terminal device, so that the access and mobility management function network element sends the network data The analysis function network element sends a second request, where the second request includes new track information of the terminal device whose track information has been changed.

In an example, the second request may further include relay capability information of the terminal device.

S405: The network element of the network data analysis function determines the updated relay auxiliary information of each terminal device according to the trajectory information in the second request and the trajectory information in the first request.

Exemplarily, after the network data analysis function network element receives the second request, the network data analysis function network element may determine that the trajectory information of one or more terminal devices has changed according to the previously stored trajectory information of each terminal device. , and the network element of the network data analysis function needs to regenerate the relay auxiliary information for the terminal device.

Therefore, the network data analysis function network element determines the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device according to the track information of the terminal device without the track change in the preset area and the new track information of the terminal device with the track change. .

When the relay capability information of the terminal device is also included in the second request, the network data analysis function network element based on the trajectory information of the terminal device with no trajectory change in the preset area and the new The track information and the relay capability information of each terminal device determine the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device.

S406 , the network data analysis function network element sends the updated relay assistance information of each terminal device to the requesting node.

Exemplarily, the network data analysis function network element sends the updated relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to the requesting node, so that the terminal device obtains the respective relay auxiliary information from the requesting node; The following relay auxiliary information is used to select relay communication or direct communication.

Wherein, regarding “the terminal device can select relay communication or direct connection communication according to the updated relay auxiliary information”, please refer to “the terminal device can perform relay communication according to the relay auxiliary information” in step S103 of FIG. 2 Or the choice of direct communication", will not repeat.

In this embodiment, on the basis of the above-mentioned embodiments, when the trajectory information of one or more terminal devices is changed or updated, the network data analysis function network element provides the new trajectory information of the terminal device (may also provide the new trajectory information of the terminal device). relay capability information), so that the network data analysis function network element can predict the communication environment of the terminal device in each time period based on the trajectory information of each terminal device (it may also have relay capability information), and obtain the information of each terminal device. Relay auxiliary information; further, each terminal device selects relay communication or direct connection communication in each time period according to its own relay auxiliary information. In the above process, based on the trajectory information (and possibly relay capability information) of the terminal equipment in real time, the change of the communication environment of each terminal equipment in the geographical area is predicted, and then the relay auxiliary information of each terminal equipment is obtained. , so that each terminal device can select the subsequent relay communication or direct connection communication; it can be known that the relay auxiliary information feeds back the change of the communication environment of the terminal device.

On the basis of the above embodiment, after the terminal device obtains the relay auxiliary information or obtains the updated relay auxiliary information, when the terminal device determines to perform relay communication or determines to switch to relay communication, The terminal device needs to select a suitable relay node for relay communication.

In an example, the terminal device determines to use direct connection communication or relay communication according to the relay auxiliary information. Relay auxiliary information, if it is determined that the direct connection communication will not be satisfied, and there are adjacent nodes (ie, other adjacent terminal equipment), it is prepared to switch to relay communication.

When the terminal device determines to start the relay communication, it can select an appropriate relay node to perform the relay communication in the manner of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 .

FIG. 8 is a signaling diagram 1 of relay communication performed by a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8 , a process in which the terminal device performs relay communication includes the following steps:

S11. The terminal device receives a first discovery message broadcast respectively by at least one other terminal device, where the first discovery message includes relay capability information of the other terminal devices.

Exemplarily, the terminal device detects the first discovery message broadcast by other adjacent terminal devices, that is, other terminal devices that can act as relay nodes will broadcast the first discovery message. The first discovery message includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: relay capability information of other terminal devices, identifiers of other terminal devices, relay service codes, and locations of other terminal devices. The relay capability information includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: direct connection capability with network equipment, cache size, QoS information, and mobility information.

Terminal equipment and other terminal equipment are located within a preset geographic area.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , other terminal equipment 1 broadcasts the first discovery message, and other terminal equipment 2 broadcasts the first discovery message.

S12. The terminal device selects a relay node according to the relay capability information of other terminal devices.

Exemplarily, the terminal device has determined that it can switch to relay communication according to the relay assistance information, so that the terminal device can select an appropriate relay node according to the relay capability information broadcast by other terminal devices.

For example, the terminal device UE0 determines that it needs to switch to relay communication, and the terminal device UE0 receives the first discovery message broadcast by the terminal device UE1 and the first discovery message broadcast by the terminal device UE2; wherein, the first discovery message broadcast by the terminal device UE1 The message includes the relay capability information of the terminal device UE1, and the relay capability information of the terminal device UE1 indicates that the terminal device UE1 communicates directly with the network device, and the direct communication probability of the terminal device UE1 is 95%; The first discovery message broadcast by UE2 includes the relay capability information of the terminal device UE2. The relay capability information of the terminal device UE2 indicates that the terminal device UE2 communicates directly with the network device, and the direct communication probability of the terminal device UE2 Therefore, the terminal device UE0 determines that the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device UE1 is relatively high according to the relay capability information of the terminal device UE1 and the relay capability information of the terminal device UE2, then the terminal device UE0 selects the terminal device UE1 as the middle successor node.

S13, the terminal device communicates with the relay node.

Exemplarily, the terminal device establishes a connection with the selected relay node, and the terminal device communicates with the relay node. Since the relay node communicates with the network device, the terminal device completes the relay communication with the help of the relay node.

In the process provided in FIG. 8 , the terminal device may be referred to as Monitoring UE, and other terminal devices may be referred to as Announcing UE.

In this embodiment, other terminal devices with relay capability broadcast their own first discovery message; when the terminal device switches to relay communication, the terminal device according to the relay capability information in the first discovery message broadcast by other terminal devices, Select an appropriate relay node to establish relay communication. In this embodiment, the terminal device and other terminal devices are located within a preset geographic area. Further, other terminal devices with relay capability broadcast their own relay capability information, which facilitates the terminal device that needs to switch to relay communication to discover and select other terminal devices to serve as relay nodes.

FIG. 9 is a signaling diagram 2 of relay communication performed by a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9 , a process in which the terminal device performs relay communication includes the following steps:

S21. The terminal device selects a relay node according to the relay auxiliary information.

Exemplarily, after the terminal device acquires the relay assistance information or obtains the updated relay assistance information, in the introduction of the above embodiment, the terminal device determines that it needs to switch to relay communication according to the relay assistance information.

The relay assistance information includes relay capability information of adjacent terminal devices. Among them, the relay capability information of the adjacent terminal equipment, including but not limited to: the ability to directly connect with the network equipment, the buffer size, QoS information, mobility information, the current terminal equipment can perform direct communication in each preset time period The identifiers of other terminal devices that are currently in use, and the identifiers of other terminal devices for which the current terminal device cannot perform direct communication within each preset time period. Therefore, the terminal device can directly select an appropriate relay node according to the relay assistance information.

For example, referring to the introduction in Table 1, the direct communication probability of the terminal device UE0 in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10 is 92%; and, in the time period 9:06:00-9: At 06:10, the terminal equipment UE0 has two adjacent terminal equipments, namely the terminal equipment UE1 and the terminal equipment UE5; wherein, in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10, the adjacent terminal equipment UE1 The "direct connection capability with network equipment" is "direct connection possible", and the "direct connection capability with network equipment" of the adjacent terminal equipment UE5 is "direct connection possible". It can be seen that in the time period 9:06:00-9: At 06:10, direct connection communication is performed between the adjacent terminal equipment UE1 and the network equipment, and direct connection communication is performed between the adjacent terminal equipment UE5 and the network equipment. At this time, in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10, the terminal equipment UE0 determines that the probability of the terminal equipment UE0 performing direct communication with the network equipment is relatively high; however, the terminal equipment UE0 is in the last time period 9: Relay communication is performed on 05:00-9:06:00, and the terminal device UE0 determines to perform a short-term direct communication in the time period 9:06:00-9:06:10. During the time period of 9:06:00-9:06:10, the relay communication is not switched to the direct connection communication, and the terminal device UE0 may continue to select the adjacent terminal device UE5 as a relay node to perform relay communication.

Or, for example, for the terminal device UE4, the relay assistance information of the terminal device UE4 includes: the direct connection communication probability of the terminal device UE4 in each preset time period, and the probability of the terminal device UE4 in each preset time period Relay capability information of neighboring terminal devices on the segment. Table 3 is the relay assistance information of the terminal equipment UE4.

Table 3 Relay assistance information of terminal equipment UE4

As shown in Table 1, the direct communication probability of the terminal equipment UE4 in the time period 8:00:00-8:02:00 is 90%; The "direct connection capability" of the terminal device UE1 is "direct connection possible". It can be seen that in the time period of 8:00:00-8:02:00, the adjacent terminal device UE1 is directly connected to the network device. communication. At this time, in the time period 8:00:00-8:02:00, the terminal device UE4 determines that the probability of the terminal device UE4 performing direct communication with the network device is relatively high, even though the terminal device UE1 can act as a relay for the terminal device UE4 node, but the terminal device UE4 determines that in the time period of 8:00:00-8:02:00, the direct connection communication is continued without switching to relay communication.

Then, the direct communication probability of the terminal device UE4 in the time period 8:02:000-8:05:00 is 20%; and, in the time period 8:02:000-8:05:00, the terminal device UE4 There are 3 adjacent terminal equipments, namely terminal equipment UE1, terminal equipment UE2, and terminal equipment UE3; wherein, in the time period 8:02:000-8:05:00, the "connection with the network" of the adjacent terminal equipment UE1 Device direct connection capability" is "direct connection possible", the adjacent terminal device UE2's "direct connection capability with network device" is "direct connection possible", and the adjacent terminal device UE3's "direct connection capability with network device" is "unavailable". Direct connection", it can be seen that in the time period 8:02:000-8:05:00, the adjacent terminal equipment UE1 is directly connected to the network equipment, and the adjacent terminal equipment UE2 is directly connected to the network equipment. For communication, the adjacent terminal equipment UE3 cannot perform direct communication with the network equipment. At this time, in the time period of 8:02:000-8:05:00, the terminal device UE4 determines that the probability of the terminal device UE4 performing direct communication with the network device is low, and the terminal device UE4 will be in direct communication for a long time. In a state with a low probability, the terminal device UE4 determines to select an adjacent terminal device as a relay node to perform relay communication. At this time, the terminal equipment UE4 determines that the terminal equipment UE1 and the terminal equipment UE2 can be used as alternate relay nodes, and the relay capability information of the terminal equipment UE1 indicates that the direct connection communication probability of the terminal equipment UE1 is 90%, and the terminal equipment UE2 The relay capability information indicates that the direct communication probability of the terminal device UE2 is 70%; the terminal device UE4 determines that the direct communication probability of the terminal device UE1 is relatively high, and then the terminal device UE4 selects the terminal device UE1 as a relay node.

S22, the terminal device communicates with the relay node.

In this embodiment, when the terminal device switches to relay communication, the terminal device can directly select another appropriate terminal device as a relay node to establish a relay according to the acquired relay auxiliary information or the updated relay auxiliary information. communication. In this embodiment, the terminal device and other terminal devices are located within a preset geographic area. The terminal equipment directly selects the relay node based on the relay auxiliary information, without the need for other terminal equipment to broadcast the message, nor the terminal equipment itself to broadcast the message to select the relay node, thereby saving the signaling overhead; it is convenient for the terminal equipment The device's fast establishment of relay communication.

FIG. 10 is a signaling diagram 3 of relay communication performed by the terminal device provided by the embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG. 10 , the process of relay communication performed by the terminal device includes the following steps:

S31. The terminal device broadcasts a second discovery message, where the second discovery message includes relay requirement information of the terminal device, and the relay requirement information of the terminal device is used to determine whether the terminal device meets the requirements of the relay node, and the relay node is A device in at least one other end device.

Exemplarily, the terminal device broadcasts the second discovery message, that is, the terminal device that needs to switch to relay communication will broadcast the second discovery message. The second discovery message includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: relay requirement information of the terminal device, identifier of the terminal device, relay service code, and location of the terminal device. The relay requirement information includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: cache size, QoS information, communication time, communication frequency, mobility information, and direct connection capability with network equipment.

Therefore, other terminal devices adjacent to the terminal device can receive the first discovery message, and the other terminal devices determine whether they are matched with other terminal devices according to the relay requirement information in the first discovery message. Terminal equipment and other terminal equipment are located within a preset geographic area. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , other terminal devices 1 may receive the first discovery message, and other terminal devices 2 may receive the first discovery message.

S32. The terminal device receives a response message sent by the relay node, where the response message is used to instruct to establish a communication connection with the relay node.

Exemplarily, when the other terminal device determines, according to the relay requirement information in the first discovery message, that it matches with the other terminal device itself, the other terminal device broadcasts a response message. The terminal device can receive the response message and select an appropriate relay node based on the response message. As shown in FIG. 10 , other terminal equipment 1 feeds back a response message, and other terminal equipment 2 feeds back a response message.

S33, the terminal device communicates with the relay node.

In the process provided in FIG. 10, the terminal equipment may be called Discoverer UE, and other terminal equipment may be called Discoveree UE.

In this embodiment, the terminal device that needs to switch to relay communication broadcasts its own second discovery message; after receiving the second message, other terminal devices determine whether relay services can be provided for the terminal device, and then other terminal devices broadcast response messages ; The terminal device selects an appropriate relay node to establish relay communication according to the response message. In this embodiment, the terminal device and other terminal devices are located within a preset geographic area. Then the terminal equipment that needs to switch to relay communication broadcasts its own relay demand information, so that other terminal equipment with relay capability can determine whether to provide relay services for the terminal equipment; it is convenient for terminal equipment that needs to switch to relay communication to discover and Select other terminal devices to act as relay nodes.

11 is a schematic flowchart of another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG. 11 , the method is applied to an application function network element, and the method includes the following steps:

S501. Send a first request to a network data analysis function network element, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes trajectory information of each terminal device in at least one terminal device in a preset area , the trajectory information of each terminal device is used to determine the relay assistance information.

S502. Receive the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, where the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.

S503. Send the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to each terminal device.

In an example, the first request further includes: relay capability information of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device.

In an example, the relay capability information includes one or more of the following: direct connection capability with network equipment, buffer size, QoS information, and mobility information.

In this embodiment, for each step of this embodiment, reference may be made to the process of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the technical process and technical effect are the same, and will not be repeated.

FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart of another communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication provided by an embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG. 12 , the method is applied to an access and mobility management function network element, and the The method includes the following steps:

S601. Send a first request to a network data analysis function network element, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, the first request includes trajectory information of a terminal device in a preset area, and the trajectory information is used for determining Following the auxiliary information.

S602. Receive the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, where the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.

S603. Send the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device to the terminal device.

In an example, it may further include the following steps: before sending the first request to the network data analysis function network element, further include: receiving the first registration request information sent by the terminal device, wherein the first registration request information includes the information of the terminal device. Track information, the first registration request information is used to request relay auxiliary information of the terminal device.

In an example, it may further include the following steps: before sending the first request to the network data analysis function network element, further include: receiving second registration request information sent by at least one other terminal device in the preset area, wherein the second The registration request information includes track information of other terminal devices, and the second registration request information is used to request relay auxiliary information of other terminal devices; wherein, the first request further includes track information of other terminal devices.

In an example, the first request further includes: relay capability information of the terminal device.

In an example, the relay assistance information further includes relay capability information of adjacent terminal devices, and the adjacent terminal devices are terminal devices in a preset area.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a network data analysis function network element, or a communication device applied inside the network data analysis function network element, and may implement the relay-based communication and communication as shown in any of Figures 3 and 5-7. A communication selection method for direct communication, and the above-mentioned optional embodiments. As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 130 includes:

The receiving unit 1310 is configured to receive a first request sent by the requesting node, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes the trajectory of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device in the preset area information. At this time, the receiving unit 1310 may perform step S101 shown in FIG. 3 , or the receiving unit 1310 may perform step S201 shown in FIG. 5 , or the receiving unit 1310 may perform step S303 shown in FIG. 6 , or the receiving unit 1310 may perform step S401 shown in FIG. 7 .

The processing unit 1320 is configured to determine relay auxiliary information according to the track information of each terminal device. At this time, the processing unit 1320 may perform step S102 shown in FIG. 3 , or the processing unit 1320 may perform step S202 shown in FIG. 5 , or the processing unit 1320 may perform step S304 shown in FIG. 6 , or the processing unit 1320 may perform step S402 shown in FIG. 7 .

The sending unit 1330 is configured to send the relay assistance information of each terminal device to the requesting node, wherein the relay assistance information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication. At this time, the sending unit 1330 may execute step S103 shown in FIG. 3 , or the sending unit 1330 may execute step S203 shown in FIG. 5 , or the sending unit 1330 may execute step S305 shown in FIG. 6 , or the sending unit 1330 may execute step S403 shown in FIG. 7 .

In one example, the requesting node is an application function network element.

In one example, the requesting node is an access and mobility management function network element.

In an example, the receiving unit 1310 is further configured to receive a second request sent by the requesting node, where the second request is used to request relay assistance information, and the second request includes one or more terminal devices in the at least one terminal device. The updated trajectory information of . At this time, the receiving unit 1310 may execute step S404 shown in FIG. 7 .

The processing unit 1320 is further configured to determine the updated relay assistance information of each terminal device according to the trajectory information in the second request and the trajectory information in the first request. At this time, the processing unit 1320 may execute step S405 shown in FIG. 7 .

The sending unit 1330 is further configured to send the updated relay assistance information of each terminal device to the requesting node. At this time, the sending unit 1330 may execute step S406 shown in FIG. 7 .

It should be understood that the communication device in this embodiment of the present application may be implemented by software, for example, a computer program or instruction having the above-mentioned functions, and the corresponding computer program or instruction may be stored in a memory inside the terminal, and read by a processor. Corresponding computer programs or instructions inside the memory implement the above functions. Alternatively, the communication apparatus in the embodiments of the present application may also be implemented by hardware. The receiving unit 1310 is a receiver, the processing unit 1320 is a processor, and the sending unit 1330 is a transmitter. The above-mentioned sending unit 1330 and the receiving unit 1310 of the terminal may be the same or different physical entities. When they are the same physical entity, they can be collectively referred to as transceiver units or transceivers. Alternatively, the communication apparatus in this embodiment of the present application may also be implemented by a combination of a processor and a software module.

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be an application function network element, or a communication device applied inside the application function network element, and may implement the relay-based communication and direct communication as shown in any of FIG. 3 , FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 , and FIG. 11 . A communication selection method for continuous communication, and the above-mentioned optional embodiments. As shown in FIG. 14, the communication device 140 includes:

The sending unit 1410 is configured to send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes each terminal in the at least one terminal device in the preset area The track information of the device, the track information of each terminal device is used to determine the relay auxiliary information. At this time, at this time, the sending unit 1410 may execute step S101 shown in FIG. 3 , or the sending unit 1410 may execute step S201 shown in FIG. 5 , or the sending unit 1410 may execute step S401 shown in FIG. 7 , or , the sending unit 1410 may execute step S501 shown in FIG. 11 .

The receiving unit 1420 is configured to receive the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication. At this time, the receiving unit 1420 may perform step S103 shown in FIG. 3 , or the receiving unit 1420 may perform step S203 shown in FIG. 5 , or the receiving unit 1420 may perform step S403 shown in FIG. 7 . Alternatively, the receiving unit 1420 may perform step S502 shown in FIG. 11 .

The sending unit 1410 is further configured to send the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device to each terminal device. At this time, the sending unit 1410 may execute step S503 shown in FIG. 11 , or the sending unit 1410 may execute step S204 shown in FIG. 5 .

The communication device 140 may further include a processing unit 1430 .

In an example, the relay capability information includes one or more of the following: direct connection capability with a network device, buffer size, QoS information, and mobility information.

It should be understood that the communication device in this embodiment of the present application may be implemented by software, for example, a computer program or instruction having the above-mentioned functions, and the corresponding computer program or instruction may be stored in a memory inside the terminal, and read by a processor. Corresponding computer programs or instructions inside the memory implement the above functions. Alternatively, the communication apparatus in the embodiments of the present application may also be implemented by hardware. The receiving unit 1420 is a receiver, the processing unit 1430 is a processor, and the sending unit 1410 is a transmitter. The sending unit 1410 and the receiving unit 1420 of the terminal may be the same or different physical entities. When they are the same physical entity, they can be collectively referred to as transceiver units or transceivers. Alternatively, the communication apparatus in this embodiment of the present application may also be implemented by a combination of a processor and a software module.

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be an access and mobility management function network element, or a communication device applied inside the access and mobility management function network element, and may implement any of Figure 3, Figure 5-Figure 7, and Figure 12 The related communication selection methods based on relay communication and direct connection communication are shown, as well as the above-mentioned optional embodiments. As shown in Figure 15, the communication device 150 includes:

The sending unit 1510 is configured to send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes the trajectory information of a terminal device in the preset area, the trajectory information Used to determine relay assistance information. At this time, the sending unit 1510 may execute the step S101 shown in FIG. 3 , or the sending unit 1510 may execute the step S303 shown in FIG. 6 , or the sending unit 1510 may execute the step S401 shown in FIG. 7 , or the sending unit 1510 may perform step S601 shown in FIG. 12 .

The receiving unit 1520 is configured to receive the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication. At this time, the receiving unit 1520 may perform step S103 shown in FIG. 3 , or the receiving unit 1520 may perform step S305 shown in FIG. 6 , or the receiving unit 1520 may perform step S403 shown in FIG. 7 , or the receiving unit 1520 may perform step S602 shown in FIG. 12 .

The sending unit 1510 is further configured to send the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device to the terminal device. At this time, the sending unit 1510 may execute step S603 shown in FIG. 12 , or the sending unit 1510 may execute step S206 shown in FIG. 6 .

The communication device 150 may further include a processing unit 1530 .

In an example, the receiving unit 1520 is further configured to receive the first registration request information sent by the terminal device before the sending unit 1510 sends the first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first registration request information includes the terminal device. The first registration request information is used to request the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device. At this time, the receiving unit 1520 may perform step S301 shown in FIG. 6 .

In one example, the receiving unit 1520 is further configured to receive the second registration request information sent by at least one other terminal device in the preset area before the sending unit 1510 sends the first request to the network data analysis function network element, wherein the first The second registration request information includes track information of other terminal devices, and the second registration request information is used to request relay auxiliary information of other terminal devices; wherein, the first request also includes track information of other terminal devices. At this time, the receiving unit 1520 may perform step S302 shown in FIG. 6 .

It should be understood that the communication device in this embodiment of the present application may be implemented by software, for example, a computer program or instruction having the above-mentioned functions, and the corresponding computer program or instruction may be stored in a memory inside the terminal, and read by a processor. Corresponding computer programs or instructions inside the memory implement the above functions. Alternatively, the communication apparatus in the embodiments of the present application may also be implemented by hardware. The receiving unit 1520 is a receiver, the processing unit 1530 is a processor, and the sending unit 1510 is a transmitter. The above-mentioned sending unit 1510 may be the same or different physical entities as the receiving unit 1520 of the terminal. When they are the same physical entity, they can be collectively referred to as transceiver units or transceivers. Alternatively, the communication apparatus in this embodiment of the present application may also be implemented by a combination of a processor and a software module.

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of still another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be the communication device in any of the above embodiments, or a network data analysis function network element, or an application function network element, or an access and mobility management function network element, or a terminal device, or other terminal devices. And the methods shown in FIGS. 3 , 5-7 , 8-10 , 11-12 , and the above-mentioned optional embodiments can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 16 , the communication device 160 includes: a processor 1601 , and a memory 1602 coupled with the processor 1601 . It should be understood that although only one processor and one memory are shown in FIG. 16 . Communication device 1601 may include other numbers of processors and memories.

Among them, the memory 1602 is used for storing computer programs or computer instructions. These computer programs or instructions can be divided into two categories based on function. When one type of computer program or instruction is executed by the processor 1601, the communication device 160 can implement the steps of network data analysis function network elements, the steps of applying function network elements, or the steps of accessing and moving network elements in any method of the embodiments of the present invention. The steps of the performance management function network element, or the steps of the terminal equipment. Such computer programs or instructions may be referred to as terminal function programs. For example, the terminal function program may include program codes for implementing the methods shown in FIGS. 3 , 5 to 7 , 8 to 10 , and 11 to 12 .

In addition, the communication device 160 may further include a connecting line 1600, a transmitting circuit 1603, a receiving circuit 1604, an antenna 1605, an input/output (I/O) interface 1606, and the like. Among them, the transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit can be coupled to the antenna to wirelessly connect with other communication devices. The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit can also be integrated into a transceiver, and the antenna can be a radio frequency antenna supporting multiple frequencies. The I/O interface provides the possibility to interact with other communication devices or users. For example, for a terminal device, the I/O interface may be a screen, a keyboard, a microphone, a speaker, a universal serial bus (universal serial bus, USB) interface, and the like. Various components inside the communication device 160 may be coupled together through various connecting lines (eg, a bus system), wherein the bus system may include a power bus, a control bus, a status signal bus, and the like in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the various buses are collectively referred to as bus systems in this document.

It can be understood that the above-mentioned processor 1601 and memory 1602 may be implemented by a processing unit and a storage unit instead, wherein the processing unit and the storage unit may be implemented by codes having corresponding functions. The storage unit is used to store program instructions; the processing unit is used to execute the program instructions in the storage unit, so as to realize the methods shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5-Fig. 7, Fig. 8-Fig. 10, Fig. 11-Fig. and the above-mentioned optional embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be the communication device in any of the above embodiments, or a network data analysis function network element, or an application function network element, or an access and mobility management function network element, or a terminal device, or other terminal devices. And the methods shown in FIGS. 3 , 5-7 , 8-10 , 11-12 , and the above-mentioned optional embodiments can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 17 , the communication device 170 includes: a processor 1701 , and an interface circuit 1702 coupled with the processor 1701 . It should be understood that although only one processor and one interface circuit are shown in FIG. 17 . Communication device 170 may include other numbers of processors and interface circuits.

Among them, the interface circuit 1702 is used to communicate with other components of other devices, such as memory or other processors. The processor 1701 is used for signal interaction with other components through the interface circuit 1702 . The interface circuit 1702 may be an input/output interface of the processor 1701 . The interface circuit 1702 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 1701 .

For example, processor 1701 reads computer programs or instructions in memory coupled thereto through interface circuit 1702, and decodes and executes the computer programs or instructions. It should be understood that these computer programs or instructions may include the above functional programs, and may also include the above functional programs applied to the communication device. When the corresponding functional program is decoded and executed by the processor 1701, any of the foregoing communication apparatuses can be made to implement the solution in any of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application.

Optionally, these terminal function programs are stored in a memory outside the communication device 170 . When the above-mentioned terminal function program is decoded and executed by the processor 1701, part or all of the above-mentioned function program is temporarily stored in the memory.

Optionally, these functional programs are stored in a memory inside the communication device 170 . When a functional program is stored in the internal memory of the communication device 170, the communication device 170 may be set in the network data analysis function network element in the embodiment of the present invention, or in the application function network element in the embodiment of the present invention, or in the The access and mobility management function network element of the embodiment of the present invention is set in the terminal device of the embodiment of the present invention.

Optionally, part of the content of these function programs is stored in a memory outside the communication device 170 , and other parts of the content of these terminal function programs are stored in a memory inside the communication device 170 .

It should be understood that the communication apparatuses shown in any one of FIGS. 30 to 17 may be combined with each other, and the communication apparatuses shown in any one of FIGS. 30 to 17 and relevant design details of each optional embodiment may refer to each other. Reference may also be made to the methods shown in FIGS. 3 , 5 to 7 , 8 to 10 , and 11 to 12 and related design details of the foregoing optional embodiments. It will not be repeated here.

An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, where the communication system includes any one of the communication apparatuses provided in FIG. 13 and any one of the communication apparatuses provided in FIG. 14 . Alternatively, the communication system includes any one of the communication devices provided in FIG. 13 and any one of the communication devices provided in FIG. 15 , or, the communication system includes any one of the communication devices provided in FIG. 13 , and any one of the communication devices provided in FIG. 14 Any of the communication devices shown in FIG. 15 and any of the communication devices provided in FIG. 15 .

Embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium, where program codes are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the program codes are executed by a processor of a communication device, the computer-readable storage medium can realize the steps shown in FIGS. 3 , 5 to 7 , and 8 - Figure 10, Figure 11-Figure 12 any of the methods.

An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product. When the program code included in the computer program product is executed by a processor in a terminal, it realizes the functions shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5-FIG. 7, FIG. 8-FIG. 10, and FIG. 11-FIG. 12 Either method.

The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and the like in the embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having", and any variations thereof, are intended to mean non-exclusive inclusion, eg, the inclusion of a series of steps or elements. A method, system, product or device is not necessarily limited to those steps or elements literally listed, but may include other steps or elements not literally listed or inherent to the process, method, product or device.

It should be understood that, in this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "a plurality" refers to two or more. "And/or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, "A and/or B" can mean: only A, only B, and both A and B exist , where A and B can be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the associated objects are an "or" relationship. "At least one item(s) below" or similar expressions thereof refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items(s). For example, at least one (a) of a, b or c, can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c" ", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

It should be understood that, in this application, the size of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the sequence of execution, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. limited. The word "coupling" mentioned in this application is used to express the intercommunication or interaction between different components, which may include direct connection or indirect connection through other components.

The above-mentioned embodiments of the present application may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted over a wire from a website site, computer, server or data center (eg coaxial cable, optical fiber, etc.) or wireless (eg infrared, radio, microwave, etc.) means to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a DVD; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state disk (Solid State Disk, SSD), and the like.

In the embodiments of the present application, the memory refers to a device or circuit with data or information storage capability, and can provide instructions and data to the processor. Memory includes read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc.

The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention. should be included within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication, characterized in that the method is applied to a network data analysis function network element, and the method comprises:

receiving a first request sent by a requesting node, wherein the first request is used to request relay assistance information, and the first request includes trajectory information of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device in the preset area;

Determine relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device;

Sending the relay assistance information of each terminal device to the requesting node, wherein the relay assistance information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the relay assistance information includes a direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in at least one preset time period, and the preset time period is the running time of the terminal device.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the requesting node is an application function network element.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the requesting node is an access and mobility management function network element.
The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the method further comprises:

Receive a second request sent by the requesting node, where the second request is used to request relay assistance information, and the second request includes updated trajectories of one or more terminal devices in the at least one terminal device information;

Determine the updated relay assistance information of each terminal device according to the trajectory information in the second request and the trajectory information in the first request;

The updated relay assistance information of each terminal device is sent to the requesting node.
The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first request further includes: relay capability information of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device.
The method according to claim 6, wherein the relay capability information includes one or more of the following: direct connection capability with network equipment, cache size, quality of service (QoS) information, and mobility information.
The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the relay assistance information of each terminal device further includes the relay capability information of an adjacent terminal device, and the adjacent terminal device is the A device in at least one terminal device.
A communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication, characterized in that the method is applied to an application function network element, and the method comprises:

Send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes the information of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device in the preset area. track information, the track information of each terminal device is used to determine relay assistance information;

receiving the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication;

Send the relay assistance information of each terminal device to each terminal device.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the relay assistance information includes a direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in at least one preset time period, and the preset time period is the running time of the terminal device.
The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first request further comprises: relay capability information of each terminal device in the at least one terminal device.
The method according to claim 11, wherein the relay capability information includes one or more of the following: direct connection capability with network equipment, cache size, quality of service (QoS) information, and mobility information.
The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the relay assistance information of each terminal device further includes the relay capability information of an adjacent terminal device, and the adjacent terminal device is the A device in at least one terminal device.
A communication selection method based on relay communication and direct connection communication, characterized in that the method is applied to an access and mobility management function network element, and the method includes:

Send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, where the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, the first request includes trajectory information of a terminal device in a preset area, and the trajectory information Used to determine relay assistance information;

receiving the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication;

Send the relay assistance information of the terminal device to the terminal device.
The method according to claim 14, wherein the relay assistance information includes a direct connection communication probability of the terminal device in at least one preset time period, and the preset time period is the terminal device of running time.
The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein before the sending the first request to the network data analysis function network element, the method further comprises:

Receive first registration request information sent by the terminal device, where the first registration request information includes track information of the terminal device, and the first registration request information is used to request relay assistance of the terminal device information.
The method according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein before the sending the first request to the network data analysis function network element, the method further comprises:

Receive second registration request information sent by at least one other terminal device in the preset area, where the second registration request information includes track information of other terminal devices, and the second registration request information is used to request other Relay auxiliary information of terminal equipment;

Wherein, the first request further includes track information of the other terminal devices.
The method according to any one of claims 14-17, wherein the first request further includes: relay capability information of the terminal device.
The method according to claim 18, wherein the relay capability information includes one or more of the following: direct connection capability with network equipment, cache size, quality of service (QoS) information, and mobility information.
The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the relay assistance information further includes the relay capability information of a neighboring terminal device, and the neighboring terminal device is a device within the preset area. Terminal Equipment.
A communication device, characterized in that the communication device is applied to a network data analysis function network element, and the device comprises:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a first request sent by a requesting node, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes each terminal in at least one terminal device in a preset area track information of the device;

a processing unit, configured to determine relay auxiliary information according to the trajectory information of each terminal device;

A sending unit, configured to send the relay assistance information of each terminal device to the requesting node, wherein the relay assistance information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication.
A communication device, characterized in that the device is applied to an application function network element, and the device comprises:

The sending unit is configured to send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes at least one terminal device in the preset area. trajectory information of each terminal device, the trajectory information of each terminal device being used to determine relay assistance information;

a receiving unit, configured to receive the relay auxiliary information of each terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication ;

The sending unit is further configured to send the relay assistance information of each terminal device to each terminal device.
A communication device, characterized in that the device is applied to an access and mobility management function network element, and the device comprises:

A sending unit, configured to send a first request to the network data analysis function network element, wherein the first request is used to request relay auxiliary information, and the first request includes track information of a terminal device in a preset area , the trajectory information is used to determine relay assistance information;

a receiving unit, configured to receive the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device sent by the network data analysis function network element, wherein the relay auxiliary information is used for the terminal device to select relay communication or direct connection communication ;

The sending unit is further configured to send the relay auxiliary information of the terminal device to the terminal device.
A communication device, characterized in that the device comprises a processor and a memory, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, so that the device executes the method as claimed in the claims The method of any one of 1-8, or performing the method of any one of claims 9-13, or performing the method of any one of claims 14-20.
A communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit;

the interface circuit for receiving code instructions and transmitting them to the processor;

the processor for executing the code instructions to perform the method of any one of claims 1-8, or to perform the method of any one of claims 9-13, or to perform the method as claimed in claim 1 The method of any of claims 14-20.
A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1-8, or the method of any one of claims 9-13 , or the method of any of claims 14-20 is implemented.
A computer program product comprising computer code which, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of claims 1-8, implements the method of any one of claims 9-13, or The method of any of claims 14-20 is implemented.