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Relay Management Method and Communication Apparatus — Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (US20230199550A1)

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. · Google Patents

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ABSTRACT

Abstract

A relay management method includes a network device that obtains an identifier of a first terminal device; obtains relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the identifier, where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices that can be coupled to the first terminal device and/or an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay; and the network device determines, based on the relay limitation information, whether to allow the first terminal device to access a network through a second terminal device, where the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2021/112321 filed on Aug. 12, 2021, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010808819.6 filed on Aug. 12, 2020. The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to the communications field, and in particular, to a relay management method and a communication apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In a communication network, a terminal device (or a relay terminal device) that establishes a connection to a cellular network may provide wider network coverage for the cellular network through a direct connection interface (for example, a PC5 interface) between the terminal device and another terminal device. For example, a remote device establishes a packet data unit (PDU) session, and a relay device provides a relay service for the remote device by using the PDU session established by the remote device. Alternatively, a relay device establishes a PDU session to provide a relay service for a remote device.

In the foregoing relay scenario, after receiving a relay service request of the remote device, a network side allocates relay resources to the remote device, but cannot manage the relay service of the remote device. As a result, a remote device may occupy excessive relay resources and radio resources.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a relay management method and a communication apparatus. A network side may manage and control a relay service requested by a remote device, to prevent the remote device from occupying excessive relay resources and radio resources.

According to a first aspect, a relay management method is provided. The method includes a network device that obtains an identifier of a first terminal device, and obtains relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device, where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device and/or an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, and the network device may further determine, based on the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, whether to allow the first terminal device to access a network through a second terminal device, where the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device.

An embodiment of this disclosure provides a relay management method, to configure relay limitation information for remote user equipment (UE) (for example, the first terminal device in this embodiment of this disclosure), where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices (relay UEs) that can be connected to the remote UE and/or an AMBR that can be used by the remote UE for a relay. Whether to allow the remote UE to connect to a core network through relay UE may be determined based on the relay limitation information of the remote UE. When a quantity of relay devices connected to the remote UE reaches an upper limit, or an AMBR used by the remote UE for a relay reaches an upper limit, a current relay service request of the remote UE is rejected.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation of the first aspect, that a network device obtains an identifier of a first terminal device includes that the network device receives a first message from the first terminal device, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal device and an identifier of the second terminal device, or the first message includes an identifier of the second terminal device, and the first message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, the remote UE may initiate a relay service request, and the network device receives a message (for example, the first message) indicating that the remote UE initiates a relay service, and may obtain an identifier of the remote UE, to obtain the relay limitation information of the remote UE based on the identifier of the remote UE, so as to manage and control the relay service request of the remote UE, and prevent the remote UE from occupying excessive relay resources.

With reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation of the first aspect, that a network device obtains an identifier of a first terminal device includes that the network device receives a first message from the second terminal device, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal device and an identifier of the second terminal device, or the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, and the first message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, the relay UE may initiate a relay service request, and a message (for example, the first message) indicating that the relay UE initiates a relay service includes an identifier of the remote UE. The network device receives the message, and may obtain the identifier of the remote UE, to obtain the relay limitation information of the remote UE based on the identifier of the remote UE, so as to manage and control a relay service request of the remote UE, and prevent the remote UE from occupying excessive relay resources.

With reference to the first or the second possible implementation of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation of the first aspect, that the network device obtains relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device includes the following. In response to the first message, the network device sends a second message to a unified data management (UDM) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, or a policy control network element, where the second message is for requesting the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, and the second message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, and the network device receives the relay limitation information of the first terminal device from the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element.

This disclosure provides a specific implementation in which the network device obtains the relay limitation information. The UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element may maintain subscription information of the UE, where the subscription information of the UE includes the relay limitation information, and the policy control network element may maintain policy information of the UE, where the policy information of the UE includes the relay limitation information.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to the third possible implementations of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation of the first aspect, that the network device determines, based on the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, whether to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device includes the following. If a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device does not exceed the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device, the network device allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, or if a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device is equal to the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device, the network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, and/or if an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay does not exceed the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, the network device allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, or if an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay is equal to the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, the network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

This disclosure provides a specific implementation of determining, based on the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, whether to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device. Whether a current relay status (for example, a quantity of connected relay devices or an AMBR used for a relay) of the first terminal device exceeds an upper limit is determined. If the current relay status does not exceed the upper limit, a current relay service request of the first terminal device is allowed.

With reference to the fourth possible implementation of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes that the network device obtains, from the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element, the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

This disclosure provides a specific implementation of obtaining a current relay status of the remote UE. The current relay status of the remote UE, for example, a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device, and/or an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay, may be obtained from the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element.

With reference to the fourth or the fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes the following. If the network device allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, the network device updates the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay, and sends, to the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element, an updated quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or an updated AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

In this disclosure, after the network device allows the remote UE to access a network through the relay device, the network device may further update the current relay status of the remote UE. After the remote UE subsequently initiates a new relay service request, the network device may determine, based on a relay status of the remote UE and the relay limitation information of the remote UE, whether to allow the remote UE to establish an indirect connection to the network through a new relay device.

With reference to the fourth or the fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, in a seventh possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes the following. If the network device allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, the network device sends a third message to the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element, so that the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element updates, based on the third message, the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay, where the third message indicates that the network device allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, after the network device allows the remote UE to access a network through the relay device, the network device may further indicate a UDM/UDR/policy control function (PCF) to update the current relay status of the remote UE. After the remote UE subsequently initiates a new relay service request, the network device may determine, based on a relay status of the remote UE and the relay limitation information of the remote UE, whether to allow the remote UE to establish an indirect connection to the network through a new relay device.

With reference to the seventh possible implementation of the first aspect, in an eighth possible implementation of the first aspect, the third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, the network device may further indicate the UDM/UDR/PCF to store an identifier of a relay device currently connected to the remote UE.

With reference to the fourth or the fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, in a ninth possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes the following. If the network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, the network device sends a fourth message to the first terminal device or the second terminal device, where the fourth message indicates that the network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, the network device may further notify a device initiating the relay service that the relay service is rejected.

With reference to the ninth possible implementation of the first aspect, in a tenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the fourth message includes a failure cause value, where the failure cause value indicates that a failure cause is that the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device is equal to the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay is equal to the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay.

In this disclosure, the network device may further indicate a cause of rejection of the relay service to the device initiating the relay service.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to the tenth possible implementations of the first aspect, in an eleventh possible implementation of the first aspect, the relay limitation information includes first relay limitation information and second relay limitation information, the first relay limitation information includes a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device when the first terminal device performs a first service and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay when the first terminal device performs the first service, and the second relay limitation information includes a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device when the first terminal device performs a second service and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay when the first terminal device performs the second service.

In this disclosure, different relay limitation information may be further configured for different services of the remote UE, and is applicable to different service scenarios.

With reference to any one of t

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to the communications field, and in particular, to a relay management method and a communication apparatus.

BACKGROUND

SUMMARY

In this disclosure, the network device may further indicate the UDM/UDR/PCF to store an identifier of a relay device currently connected to the remote UE.

In this disclosure, the network device may further notify a device initiating the relay service that the relay service is rejected.

In this disclosure, the network device may further indicate a cause of rejection of the relay service to the device initiating the relay service.

In this disclosure, different relay limitation information may be further configured for different services of the remote UE, and is applicable to different service scenarios.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to the eleventh possible implementations of the first aspect, in a twelfth possible implementation of the first aspect, the network device is an access and mobility management network element of the first terminal device, a session management network element of the first terminal device, an access and mobility management network element of the second terminal device, or a session management network element of the second terminal device.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to the third possible implementations of the first aspect, in a thirteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, after that the network device obtains relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device, the method further includes the following. The network device sends the relay limitation information to the first terminal device.

In this disclosure, the relay limitation information may further be sent to the remote UE, to limit initiation of a relay connection request by the remote UE.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to the third possible implementations of the first aspect, in a fourteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, after that the network device obtains relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device, the method further includes the following. The network device sends the relay limitation information to an access network device, where the access network device is connected to the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, the relay limitation information may be further sent to the access network device, so that the access network device manages and controls a relay connection request initiated by the remote UE.

In a case in which no conflict occurs between the thirteenth possible implementation and the fourteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the thirteenth possible implementation and the fourteenth possible implementation may be implemented in combination with any one of the first aspect or the first to the twelfth possible implementations of the first aspect.

This disclosure further provides specific implementations of a network device.

According to a second aspect, a relay management method is provided. The method includes a UDM/UDR/PCF that receives a second message from a network device, where the second message is for requesting relay limitation information of a first terminal device, and the second message includes an identifier of the first terminal device, and sends the relay limitation information of the first terminal device to the network device, where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes sending, to the network device, a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

With reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementation of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes receiving, from the network device, an updated quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or an updated AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

With reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementation of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes receiving a third message from the network device, where the third message indicates that the network device allows the first terminal device to access a network through a second terminal device, and in response to the third message, updating the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

This disclosure further provides specific implementations of a communication apparatus.

According to a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, and may be the foregoing network device or a component on the network device. The communication apparatus includes a processing unit configured to obtain an identifier of a first terminal device, and obtain relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device, where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, and determine, based on the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, whether to allow the first terminal device to access a network through a second terminal device, where the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device.

With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation of the third aspect, the communication apparatus further includes a communication unit. The processing unit is configured to receive a first message from the first terminal device through the communication unit, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal device and an identifier of the second terminal device, or the first message includes an identifier of the second terminal device, and the first message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, remote UE may initiate a relay service request, and the communication apparatus receives a message (for example, the first message) indicating that the remote UE initiates a relay service, and may obtain an identifier of the remote UE, to obtain relay limitation information of the remote UE based on the identifier of the remote UE, so as to manage and control the relay service request of the remote UE, and prevent the remote UE from occupying excessive relay resources.

With reference to the third aspect, in a second possible implementation of the third aspect, that the communication apparatus obtains the identifier of the first terminal device includes the following. The processing unit receives a first message from the second terminal device through the communication unit, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal device and an identifier of the second terminal device, or the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, and the first message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, relay UE may initiate a relay service request, and a message (for example, the first message) indicating that the relay UE initiates a relay service includes an identifier of remote UE. The communication apparatus receives the message, and may obtain the identifier of the remote UE, to obtain relay limitation information of the remote UE based on the identifier of the remote UE, so as to manage and control a relay service request of the remote UE, and prevent the remote UE from occupying excessive relay resources.

With reference to the first or the second possible implementation of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation of the third aspect, that the communication apparatus obtains the relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device includes the following. In response to the first message, the processing unit sends a second message to a UDM network element, a UDR network element, or a policy control network element through the communication unit, where the second message is for requesting the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, and the second message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, and receives the relay limitation information of the first terminal device from the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element.

This disclosure provides a specific implementation in which the communication apparatus obtains the relay limitation information. The UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element may maintain subscription information of the UE, where the subscription information of the UE includes the relay limitation information.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to the third possible implementations of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation of the third aspect, that the communication apparatus determines, based on the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, whether to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device includes the following. If a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device does not exceed the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device, the processing unit allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, or if a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device is equal to the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device, the processing unit disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, and/or if an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay does not exceed the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, the processing unit allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, or if an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay is equal to the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, the processing unit disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

With reference to the fourth possible implementation of the third aspect, in a fifth possible implementation of the third aspect, the processing unit obtains, from the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element through the communication unit, the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

This disclosure provides a specific implementation of obtaining a current relay status of the remote UE. The current relay status of the remote UE, for example, a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay, may be obtained from the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element.

With reference to the fourth or the fifth possible implementation of the third aspect, in a sixth possible implementation of the third aspect, the method further includes the following. If the first terminal device is allowed to access the network through the second terminal device, the processing unit updates the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay, and the processing unit sends, to the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element through the communication unit, an updated quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or an updated AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

In this disclosure, after the communication apparatus allows the remote UE to access a network through the relay device, the communication apparatus may further update the current relay status of the remote UE. After the remote UE subsequently initiates a new relay service request, the communication apparatus may determine, based on a relay status of the remote UE and the relay limitation information of the remote UE, whether to allow the remote UE to establish an indirect connection to the network through a new relay device.

With reference to the fourth or the fifth possible implementation of the third aspect, in a seventh possible implementation of the third aspect, if the first terminal device is allowed to access the network through the second terminal device, the processing unit sends a third message to the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element, so that the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the policy control network element updates, based on the third message, the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay, where the third message indicates that the communication apparatus allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, after the communication apparatus allows the remote UE to access a network through the relay device, the communication apparatus may further indicate a UDM/UDR/PCF to update the current relay status of the remote UE. After the remote UE subsequently initiates a new relay service request, the communication apparatus may determine, based on a relay status of the remote UE and the relay limitation information of the remote UE, whether to allow the remote UE to establish an indirect connection to the network through a new relay device.

With reference to the seventh possible implementation of the third aspect, in an eighth possible implementation of the third aspect, the third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, the communication apparatus may further indicate the UDM/UDR/PCF to store an identifier of a relay device currently connected to the remote UE.

With reference to the fourth or the fifth possible implementation of the third aspect, in a ninth possible implementation of the third aspect, if the first terminal device is disallowed to access the network through the second terminal device, the processing unit sends a fourth message to the first terminal device or the second terminal device through the communication unit, where the fourth message indicates that the communication apparatus disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, the communication apparatus may further notify a device initiating the relay service that the relay service is rejected.

With reference to the ninth possible implementation of the third aspect, in a tenth possible implementation of the third aspect, the fourth message includes a failure cause value, where the failure cause value indicates that a failure cause is that the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device is equal to the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay is equal to the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay.

In this disclosure, the communication apparatus may further indicate a cause of rejection of the relay service to the device initiating the relay service.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to the tenth possible implementations of the third aspect, in an eleventh possible implementation of the third aspect, the relay limitation information includes first relay limitation information and second relay limitation information, the first relay limitation information includes a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device when the first terminal device performs a first service and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay when the first terminal device performs the first service, and the second relay limitation information includes a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device when the first terminal device performs a second service and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay when the first terminal device performs the second service.

In this disclosure, different relay limitation information may be further configured for different services of the remote UE, and is applicable to different service scenarios.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to the eleventh possible implementations of the third aspect, in a twelfth possible implementation of the third aspect, the communication apparatus is an access and mobility management network element of the first terminal device, a session management network element of the first terminal device, an access and mobility management network element of the second terminal device, or a session management network element of the second terminal device.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to the third possible implementations of the third aspect, in a thirteenth possible implementation of the third aspect, the communication unit is further configured to send the relay limitation information to the first terminal device.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to the third possible implementations of the third aspect, in a fourteenth possible implementation of the third aspect, the communication unit is further configured to send the relay limitation information to an access network device, where the access network device is connected to the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device.

In a case in which no conflict occurs between the thirteenth possible implementation and the fourteenth possible implementation of the third aspect, the thirteenth possible implementation and the fourteenth possible implementation may be implemented in combination with any one of the third aspect or the first to the twelfth possible implementations of the third aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus includes a processing unit configured to receive a second message from a network device through a communication unit, where the second message is for requesting relay limitation information of a first terminal device, and the second message includes an identifier of the first terminal device, and send the relay limitation information of the first terminal device to the network device through the communication unit, where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to send, to the network device through the communication unit, a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to receive, from the network device through the communication unit, an updated quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or an updated AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to receive a third message from the network device through the communication unit, where the third message indicates that the network device allows the first terminal device to access a network through a second terminal device, and the processing unit is further configured to, in response to the third message, update the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device and/or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay.

This disclosure further provides specific implementations of an access network device.

According to a fifth aspect, a relay management method is provided. The method includes the following. An access network device receives a seventh message from a first terminal device, where the seventh message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access a network through a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device, the access network device obtains relay limitation information of the first terminal device, where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, and the access network device determines, based on the seventh message and the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, whether to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

An embodiment of this disclosure provides a relay management method, to configure relay limitation information for remote UE (for example, the first terminal device in this embodiment of this disclosure), where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices (relay UEs) that can be connected to the remote UE and/or an AMBR that can be used by the remote UE for a relay. The access network device may determine, based on the relay limitation information of the remote UE, whether to allow the remote UE to connect to a core network through relay UE. When a quantity of relay devices connected to the remote UE reaches an upper limit, or an AMBR used by the remote UE for a relay reaches an upper limit, a current relay service request of the remote UE is rejected.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation of the fifth aspect, that the access network device determines, based on the seventh message and the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, whether to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, where the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device includes the following. If a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device does not exceed the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device, the access network device allows, based on the seventh message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, or if a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device is equal to the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device, the access network device disallows, based on the seventh message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, and/or if an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay does not exceed the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, the access network device allows, based on the seventh message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, or if an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay is equal to the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, the access network device disallows, based on the seventh message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

With reference to the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation of the fifth aspect, in a second possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the method further includes the following. If the access network device allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, the access network device sends an eighth message to a network device, where the eighth message is for requesting to establish or modify a PDU session of the first terminal device.

In this disclosure, when determining to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, the access network device may directly initiate a relay service request to the network device.

With reference to the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation of the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the method further includes the following. If the access network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, the access network device sends a ninth message to the first terminal device, where the ninth message indicates that the access network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

In this disclosure, when determining not to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, the access network device may send, to the first terminal device, a message indicating that a relay service request is rejected.

With reference to the third possible implementation of the fifth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the ninth message includes a failure cause value, where the failure cause value indicates that a failure cause is that the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device is equal to the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay is equal to the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay.

In this disclosure, when the access network device determines not to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, the message that indicates that the relay service request is rejected and that is sent by the access network device to the first terminal device may include the failure cause value, to notify the first terminal device of a cause of a failure of the relay service request.

This disclosure further provides specific implementations of a communication apparatus.

According to a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus includes a communication unit configured to receive a seventh message from a first terminal device, where the seventh message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access a network through a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device, and a processing unit configured to obtain relay limitation information of the first terminal device, where the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device and/or an AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, and determine, based on the seventh message and the relay limitation information of the first terminal device, whether to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to, if a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device does not exceed the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device, allow, based on the seventh message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, or if a quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device is equal to the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device, disallow, based on the seventh message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, and/or if an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay does not exceed the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, allow, for an access network device based on the seventh message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, or if an AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay is equal to the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay, disallow, for an access network device based on the seventh message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

With reference to the sixth aspect or the first possible implementation of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the communication unit is further configured to, if the first terminal device is allowed to access the network through the second terminal device, send an eighth message to a network device, where the eighth message is for requesting to establish or modify a PDU session of the first terminal device.

With reference to the sixth aspect or the first possible implementation of the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the communication unit is further configured to, if the first terminal device is disallowed to access the network through the second terminal device, send a ninth message to the first terminal device, where the ninth message indicates that the access network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

With reference to the third possible implementation of the sixth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the ninth message includes a failure cause value, where the failure cause value indicates that a failure cause is that the quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device is equal to the quantity of relay devices that can be connected to the first terminal device or the AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for a relay is equal to the AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay.

According to a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, and includes at least one processor and a memory, where the at least one processor is coupled to the memory, and the memory is configured to store a computer program.

The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, to enable the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of the first aspect and the implementations of the first aspect, the method according to any one of the second aspect and the implementations of the second aspect, or the method according to any one of the fifth aspect and the implementations of the fifth aspect.

According to an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium runs on the communication apparatus according to any one of the third aspect and the implementations of the third aspect, the communication apparatus is enabled to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the implementations of the first aspect.

According to a ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium runs on the communication apparatus according to any one of the fourth aspect and the implementations of the fourth aspect, the communication apparatus is enabled to perform the communication method according to any one of the second aspect and the implementations of the second aspect.

According to a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium runs on the communication apparatus according to any one of the sixth aspect and the implementations of the sixth aspect, the communication apparatus is enabled to perform the communication method according to any one of the fifth aspect and the implementations of the fifth aspect.

According to an eleventh aspect, a wireless communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus includes a processor. For example, the processor is used in the communication apparatus, to implement the method according to any one of the first aspect and the implementations of the first aspect. The communication apparatus may be, for example, a chip system. In a feasible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is configured to store program instructions a

CLAIMS

Claims ( 20 )

1 . A method implemented by a network device, wherein the method comprises:

obtaining a first identifier of a first terminal device; obtaining relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the first identifier, wherein the relay limitation information indicates a first quantity of relay devices that can be coupled the first terminal device or a first aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay; and determining, based on the relay limitation information, whether to allow the first terminal device to access a network through a second terminal device, wherein the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a first message from the first terminal device, wherein the first message either comprises the first identifier and a second identifier of the second terminal device or comprises the second identifier, and wherein the first message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access the network through the second terminal device.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a first message from the second terminal device, wherein the first message either comprises the first identifier and a second identifier of the second terminal device or comprises the first identifier, and wherein the first message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access the network through the second terminal device.

4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

sending, in response to the first message and for requesting the relay limitation information, a second message to a unified data management (UDM) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, or a policy control function (PCF) network element, wherein the second message comprises the first identifier; and receiving the relay limitation information from the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the PCF network element.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein after obtaining the relay limitation information, the method further comprises sending the relay limitation information to the first terminal device.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein after obtaining the relay limitation information, the method further comprises sending the relay limitation information to an access network device, and wherein the access network device is coupled to the first terminal device or the second terminal device.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

allowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device when a second quantity of relay devices currently coupled to the first terminal device does not exceed the first quantity of relay devices; disallowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device when the seconder quantity of relay devices; allowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device when a second AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for the relay does not exceed the first AMBR; and disallowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device when the second AMBR is equal to the first AMBR.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising obtaining, from a unified data management (UDM) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, or a policy control function (PCP) network element, the second quantity of relay devices or the second AMBR.

9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

updating the second quantity of relay devices to obtain an updated quantity of relay devices currently coupled to the first terminal device or updating the second AMBR to obtain an updated AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for the relay when the network device allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device; and sending, to a unified data management (UDM) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, or a policy control junction (PCF) network element, the updated quantity of relay devices or the updated AMBR.

10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

allowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device; and sending, in response to allowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, a third message to a unified data management (UDM) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, or a policy control function (PCF) network element, to enable the UDM network element, the UDR network element, or the PCF network element to update, based on the third message, the second quantity of relay devices or the second AMBR, wherein the third message indicates that the network device allows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

11 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

disallowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device; and sending, in response to disallowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, a third message to the first terminal device or the second terminal device, wherein the third message indicates that the network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the third message comprises a failure cause value, and wherein the failure cause value indicates that a failure cause is that the second quantity of relay devices is equal to the first quantity of relay devices or the second AMBR is equal to the first AMBR.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the relay limitation information comprises:

first relay limitation information comprising a second quantity of relay devices that can be coupled to the first terminal device when the first terminal device performs a first service or a second AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for the relay when the first terminal device performs the first service; and second relay limitation information comprising a third quantity of relay devices that can be coupled to the first terminal device when the first terminal device performs a second service or a third AMBR that can be used by the first terminal device for the relay when the first terminal device performs the second service.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the network device is a first access and mobility management network element of the first terminal device, a first session management network element of the first terminal device, a second access and mobility management network element of the second terminal device, or a second session management network element of the second terminal device.

15 . A method implemented by an access network device, wherein the method comprises:

receiving a first message from a first terminal device, wherein the first message indicates that the first terminal device requests to access a network through a second terminal device, and wherein the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device; obtaining relay limitation information of the first terminal device, wherein the relay limitation information indicates a first quantity of relay devices that can be coupled to the first terminal device or a first aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay; and determining, based on the first message and the relay limitation information, whether to allow the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

allowing, based on the first message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device when a second quantity of relay devices currently connected to the first terminal device does not exceed the first quantity of relay devices; disallowing, based on the first message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device when the second quantity of relay devices is equal to the first quantity of relay devices; allowing, based on the first message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device when a second AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for the relay does not exceed the first AMBR; and disallowing, based on the first message, the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device when the second AMBR is equal to the first AMBR.

17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

allowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device; and sending, in response to allowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device and for requesting to establish or modify a protocol data unit (PDU) session of the first terminal device, second message to a network device.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:

disallowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device; and sending, in response to disallowing the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device, a second message to the first terminal device, wherein the second message indicates that the access network device disallows the first terminal device to access the network through the second terminal device.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the second message comprises a failure cause value, and wherein the failure cause value indicates that a failure cause is that a second quantity of relay devices currently coupled to the first terminal device is equal to the first quantity of relay devices or a second AMBR currently used by the first terminal device for the relay is equal to the first AMBR.

20 . A communication apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to cause the communication apparatus to perform:

obtain an identifier of a first terminal device;

obtain relay limitation information of the first terminal device based on the identifier, wherein the relay limitation information indicates a quantity of relay devices that can be coupled to the first terminal device or an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) that can be used by the first terminal device for a relay; and

determine based on the relay limitation information, whether to allow the first terminal device to access a network through a second terminal device, wherein the second terminal device is a relay device of the first terminal device.

US18/167,641

2020-08-12

2023-02-10

Relay Management Method and Communication Apparatus

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Relay management method and communication device

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WO2022033558A1

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2020-08-12

2021-08-12

Relay management method and communication apparatus

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EP4192111A1

( en )

2023-06-07

WO2022033558A1

( en )

2022-02-17

Relay Management Method and Communication Apparatus — Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (US20230199550A1)

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