Methods and apparatus for multiple channel access via lateral link

Description

1 / 60 METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE CHANNEL ACCESS VIA LATERAL LINK TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] This disclosure relates to wireless communications and, more specifically, to methods and devices for accessing multiple channels via side link (SL). BACKGROUND

[002] A wireless communications system may include one or more network communication devices, such as base stations (BSs), which may provide wireless communication support to one or more user communication devices, which may be known as user equipment (UE) or other suitable terminology. The wireless communications system may support wireless communication with one or more user communication devices by utilizing wireless communication system features (e.g., timing features (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency features (e.g., subcarriers, carriers, or the like).In addition, the wireless communications system can support wireless communications through various radio access technologies, including third-generation (3G) radio access technology, fourth-generation (4G) radio access technology, fifth-generation (5G) radio access technology, and other suitable radio access technologies besides 5G (e.g., sixth generation (6G)). SUMMARY

[003] An article before an element is not restricted and is understood as referring to at least one of those elements or one or more of those elements. The terms a, at least one, one or more, and at least one of one or more may be interchangeable. As used in this document, including in claims, or, as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items preceded by a phrase). Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 10 / 84 2 / 60 (as at least one of or one or more of or one or both of) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (that is, A and B and C). Furthermore, as used in this document, phrases based on and according to should not be interpreted as referring to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as based on condition A may be based on either condition A or condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used in this document, the phrase based on should be interpreted in the same way as the phrase based, at least in part, on. Furthermore, as used in this document, including in the claims, a set may include one or more elements.

[004] Some implementations of the methods and devices described in this document may include a UE for wireless communication. The UE may include: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to at least one memory and configured to cause the UE to: select a set of channels for an SL transmission, where the transmission is one of: synchronization-side-link (S-SSB) signal block transmission, SL transmission, or physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; and determine the availability of each channel within the channel set by performing a type-independent multi-channel access procedure or a type-dependent multi-channel access procedure on the channel set for transmission.

[005] In some UE implementations described in this document, in the type-independent multi-channel access procedure: a channel access procedure is performed on each channel within the channel set independently; and a channel access type on each channel. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 11 / 84 3 / 60 within the channel pool is determined according to whether the channel is within a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) or whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to perform the transmission.

[006] In some UE implementations described in this document, in the type-dependent multichannel access procedure: if at least one channel within the channel set is outside the COT(s), a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on the first channel within the at least one channel, and a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel; or if all channels within the channel set are within the COT(s), a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on each channel within the channel set independently.

[007] In some UE implementations described in this document, if the transmission is an S-SSB transmission, to select the set of channels, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: randomly select channel(s) within a frequency range; prioritize the selection of an anchor channel; or prioritize the selection of at least one channel outside the COT(s) in the case of the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure.

[008] In some UE implementations described in this document, to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure for S-SSB transmission, at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: individually determine a channel access type on each channel within the channel pool according to whether a target S-SSB instance on the channel is within a COT; and perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool based on the individually determined channel access type for each Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 12 / 84 4 / 60 channel.

[009] In some UE implementations described in this document, if the transmission is an S-SSB transmission, at least one processor is further configured to make the UE: if an anchor channel within the channel pool is determined to be available, select the anchor channel to perform the S-SSB transmission; or if no anchor channel is determined to be available: randomly select a channel from all available channels within the channel pool to perform the S-SSB transmission; randomly select a channel from at least one available channel that is within the channel pool and within the COT(s) to perform the S-SSB transmission; select all available channels within the channel pool to perform the S-SSB transmission; select all available channels that are within the channel pool and within the COT(s) to perform the S-SSB transmission;or select channel(s) from at least one channel that is within the channel pool and within the COT(s) to perform S-SSB transmission based on the channel access priority class(es) (CAPC(s)) corresponding to the COT(s).

[010] In some UE implementations described in this document, in the case of performing the type-independent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, to select the channel set, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: prioritize the selection of a channel that is within a COT shared with the UE at least when the SL transmission is destined for a UE that initiates the COT.

[011] In some UE implementations described in this document, a remaining COT duration of the COT satisfies a UE transmission requirement.

[012] In some implementations of the UE described in this Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 13 / 84 5 / 60 document, to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: individually determine a channel access type on each channel within the channel pool according to whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to perform at least one SL transmission and whether the SL transmission is at least destined for a UE initiating the COT; and perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool based on the channel access type determined individually for each channel.

[013] In some UE implementations described in this document, in the case where the transmission is an SL transmission, at least one processor is still configured to do the UE: select all channels that are determined as available to perform the SL transmission.

[014] In some UE implementations described in this document, in the case where the transmission is a PSFCH transmission, to select the channel set, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: select the channel(s) whose PSFCH resources correspond to the SL transmission(s) for which the UE transmits hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback(s).

[015] In some UE implementations described in this document, to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure for PSFCH transmission, at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: individually determine a channel access type on each channel within the channel pool according to whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to perform PSFCH transmission(s) and whether at least one of the PSFCH transmissions is destined for a UE initiating the COT; and perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool based on the channel access type determined individually for each channel. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 14 / 84 6 / 60

[016] In some UE implementations described in this document, in the case where the transmission is a PSFCH transmission, at least one processor is further configured to make the UE: select all channels that are determined as available to perform the PSFCH transmission(s); or discard the PSFCH transmission(s) according to the priority(ies) of the corresponding SL transmission(s) in the case where the UE cannot transmit PSFCH on all channels that are determined as available.

[017] In some UE implementations described in this document, to perform the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for S-SSB transmission, at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: in the case of at least one channel within the channel set being outside the COT(s): select a first channel within the at least one channel; perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel to determine if an S-SSB occasion on the first channel is available for S-SSB transmission; and perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel before an initial S-SSB occasion on the first channel; or in the case of all channels within the channel set being within the COT(s), perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each channel within the channel set independently.

[018] In some UE implementations described in this document, in the case of performing the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, to select the channel set, at least one processor is configured to make the UE prioritize the selection of at least one channel outside the COT(s).

[019] In some UE implementations described in this document, to perform the multiple access procedure Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 15 / 84 7 / 60 channels dependent on type for SL transmission, at least one processor is configured to cause the UE: in the case where at least one channel within the channel set is outside the COT(s): select a first channel within the at least one channel; perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel; and perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel before SL transmission on the first channel; or in the case where all channels within the channel set are within the COT(s), perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each channel within the channel set independently.

[020] In some UE implementations described in this document, in the case of performing the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, at least one processor is still configured to make the UE: in the case of a channel that is determined to be available being within a COT, determine whether to perform SL transmission on the channel based on the remaining duration of the COT.

[021] In some UE implementations described in this document, to perform the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for PSFCH transmission, at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: in the case where at least one channel within the channel set is outside the COT(s): select a first channel within the at least one channel; perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel to determine if a PSFCH occasion on the first channel is available for PSFCH transmission; and perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel before a starting point of the PSFCH occasion on the first channel; or in the case where all channels within the channel set are within the COT(s), perform a channel access procedure Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 16 / 84 8 / 60 dynamic Type 2 on each channel within the channel set independently.

[022] In some UE implementations described in this document, at least one processor is further configured to make the UE: for a channel with 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), hold two symbols before an SSSB occasion to perform a channel access procedure in the event that the S-SSB occasion is within a COT.

[023] Some implementations of the methods and devices described in this document may include a processor for wireless communication. The processor may include: at least one controller coupled to at least one memory and configured to cause the processor to: select a set of channels for an SL transmission, where the transmission is one of: S-SSB transmission, SL transmission, or PSFCH transmission; and determine the availability of each channel within the channel set by performing a type-independent multi-channel access procedure or a type-dependent multi-channel access procedure on the channel set for the transmission.

[024] Some implementations of the methods and devices described in this document may include a BS for wireless communication. The BS may include: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to at least one memory and configured to cause the BS to: transmit, to a UE, configuration information for multi-channel access via SL, wherein the configuration information indicates: a CAPC threshold for the UE to select channel(s) to perform S-SSB transmission; or a COT duration threshold for the UE to determine whether to perform a side link transmission on a channel.

[025] In some implementations of the BS described in this document, at least one processor is configured to cause the BS to transmit configuration information via Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 17 / 84 9 / 60 at least one of: a Master Information Block (MIB) message, a System Information Block (SIB) message, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal, a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), or Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[026] Some implementations of the methods and devices described in this document may include a method performed by a UE. The method may include: selecting a set of channels for a transmission via SL, where the transmission is one of: S-SSB transmission, SL transmission or PSFCH transmission; and determining the availability of each channel within the set of channels by performing a type-independent multi-channel access procedure or a type-dependent multi-channel access procedure on the set of channels for the transmission.

[027] Some implementations of the methods and devices described in this document may include a method performed by a BS. The method may include: transmitting, to a UE, configuration information for multi-channel access via SL, wherein the configuration information indicates: a CAPC threshold for the UE to select channel(s) to perform S-SSB transmission; or a COT duration threshold for the UE to determine whether to perform a side link transmission on a channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[028] In order to describe how the advantages and features of the application can be obtained, a description of the application is made by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings represent only examples of embodiments of the application and, therefore, should not be considered limiting of its scope.

[029] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 18 / 84 10 / 60

[030] Figure 2A illustrates an exemplary S-SSB slot according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[031] Figure 2B illustrates an exemplary distribution of S-SSB occasions in the time domain according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[032] Figure 2C illustrates another exemplary distribution of S-SSB occasions in the time domain according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[033] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method performed by a UE or processor in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

[034] Figure 4 illustrates exemplary locations of S-SSB occasion(s) and a COT for side link transmission on a channel in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[035] Figure 5 illustrates an example of EU in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

[036] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a processor in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[037] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a BS in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[038] The detailed description in the accompanying drawings is intended to be a description of preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to represent the only way in which the present application may be practiced. It should be understood that the same functions or equivalent functions may be performed by different embodiments which are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this application.

[039] Although the operations are represented in the drawings in a specific order, persons skilled in the art will readily recognize that such operations need not be performed in the specific order shown or in a sequential order, or that all the operations illustrated need be Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 19 / 84 11 / 60 operations are performed to achieve desired results; sometimes one or more operations may be omitted. Furthermore, the diagrams may schematically represent one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart. However, other operations not represented may be incorporated into the example processes that are schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[040] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, embodiments are provided under specific network architectures and new service scenarios, such as third-generation partnership project (3GPP), long-term evolution (LTE) and advanced LTE, 3GPP 5G new radio (NR), advanced 5G, 6G and so forth. It is contemplated that, along with developments in network architectures and new service scenarios, all embodiments in the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems; and, furthermore, the terminologies cited in the present application may change, which shall not affect the principle of the present application.

[041] Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communications system.

[042] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a 100 wireless communications system according to aspects of this disclosure. The 100 wireless communications system may include one or more network equipment (NEs) (e.g., BSs) 102, one or more UEs 104 and a central network (CN) 106. The 100 wireless communications system may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the 100 wireless communications system may be a 4G network, such as a network Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 20 / 84 12 / 60 LTE or an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be an NR network, such as a 5G network, a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network, or a 5G ultra-wideband (5G-UWB) network. In other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network, or other suitable radio access technology, including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20. The wireless communications system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G, for example, 6G. In addition, the 100 wireless communications system can support technologies such as time-division multiple access (TDMA), frequency-division multiple access (FDMA), or code-division multiple access (CDMA), etc.

[043] One or more NEs 102 may be dispersed over a geographical region to form the wireless communications system 100. One or more of the NEs 102 described in this document may be or include or may be referred to as a network node, a base station, a network element, a network function, a network entity, a radio access network (RAN), a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), or other suitable terminology. An NE 102 and a UE 104 may communicate via a communication link, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, an NE 102 and a UE 104 may perform wireless communication (e.g., receive signaling, transmit signaling) via a Uu interface.

[044] An NE 102 can provide a geographic coverage area for which the NE 102 can support services for one or more UEs 104 within the geographic coverage area. For example, an NE 102 and a UE 104 can support wireless communication of NE signal services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc.) according to one or multiple radio access technologies. In some Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 21 / 84 In 13 / 60 implementations, a NE 102 can be mobile, for example, a satellite associated with a non-terrestrial network (NTN). In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas associated with the same or different radio access technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas may be associated with different NE 102s.

[045] One or more UEs 104 may be dispersed across a geographic region of the wireless communications system 100. A UE 104 may include or be referred to as a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a subscriber device, a transmitter device, a receiver device, or some other suitable terminology. In some implementations, the UE 104 may be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 104 may be referred to as an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine-type communication (MTC) device, among other examples.

[046] A UE 104 may be able to support wireless communication directly with other UE 104s via a communication link. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some deployments, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), or cellular-to-V2X deployments, the communication link may be referred to as a side link. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 via a PC5 interface.

[047] An NE 102 can support communications with CN 106, or with another NE 102, or both. For example, an NE 102 can interact with another NE 102 or with CN 106 through one or more backhaul links (e.g., S1, N2, N2 or network interface). In Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 22 / 84 14 / 60 In some implementations, the NEs 102 can communicate directly with each other. In some other implementations, the NEs 102 can communicate with each other indirectly (for example, through the CN 106). In some implementations, one or more NEs 102 may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). An ANC may communicate with one or more UEs 104 through one or more other access network transmission entities, which may be called radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmit-receive points (TRPs).

[048] CN 106 can support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. CN 106 can be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include a control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), access and mobility management function (AMF)) and a user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects external networks (e.g., a service gateway (S-GW), a packet data network gateway (PDN) (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). In some implementations, the control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management (e.g., data bearers, signal bearers, etc.) for one or more UEs 104 served by one or more NEs 102 associated with CN 106.

[049] A CN 106 can communicate with a packet data network via one or more backhaul links (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2 interface or other network). The packet data network may include an application server. In some implementations, one or more UEs 104 can communicate with the application server. A UE 104 can establish a session (e.g., a protocol data unit session). Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 23 / 84 15 / 60 (PDU or similar) with CN 106 via a NE 102. CN 106 can route traffic (e.g., control information, data, and the like) between UE 104 and the application server using the established session (e.g., the established PDU session). The PDU session can be an example of a logical connection between UE 104 and CN 106 (e.g., one or more network functions of CN 106).

[050] In the wireless communications system 100, NEs 102 and UEs 104 can use resources of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., timing resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or similar) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers)) to perform various operations (e.g., wireless communications). In some implementations, NEs 102 and UEs 104 can support different resource structures. For example, NEs 102 and UEs 104 can support different frame structures. In some implementations, such as in 4G, NEs 102 and UEs 104 can support a single frame structure. In some other implementations, such as in 5G and among other suitable radio access technologies, NEs 102 and UEs 104 can support multiple frame structures (e.g., multi-frame structures). NEs 102 and UEs 104 can support various chart structures based on one or more numerologies.

[051] One or more numerologies may be supported in the 100 wireless communications system, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing and a cyclic prefix. A first numerology (e.g., μ=0) may be associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. In some implementations, the first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with the first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may utilize one slot per subframe. A second numerology (e.g., μ=1) may be associated with a second subcarrier spacing (e.g., Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 24 / 84 A third numerology (e.g., μ=2) can be associated with a third subcarrier spacing (e.g., 60 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) can be associated with a fourth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 120 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A fifth numerology (e.g., μ=4) can be associated with a fifth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 240 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix.

[052] A time interval of a resource (for example, a communication resource) can be organized according to frames (also called radio frames). Each frame can have a duration, for example, a duration of 10 milliseconds (ms). In some implementations, each frame can include multiple subframes. For example, each frame can include 10 subframes, and each subframe can have a duration, for example, a duration of 1 ms. In some implementations, each frame can have the same duration. In some implementations, each subframe of a frame can have the same duration.

[053] Additionally or alternatively, a time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) can be organized according to slots. For example, a subframe can include a number (e.g., quantity) of slots. The number of slots in each subframe can also depend on one or more numerologies supported in the 100 wireless communication system. For example, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numerologies (e.g., μ=0, μ=1, μ=2, μ=3, μ=4) associated with the respective subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz can utilize a single slot per subframe, two slots per subframe, four slots per subframe, eight slots per subframe, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. Each slot can include a number (e.g., quantity) of symbols (e.g., multiplexing symbols). Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 25 / 84 17 / 60 by orthogonal frequency division (OFDM). In some implementations, the number (e.g., quantity) of slots for a subframe may depend on a numerology. For a normal cyclic prefix, a slot may include 14 symbols. For an extended cyclic prefix (e.g., applicable for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing), a slot may include 12 symbols. The relationship between the number of symbols per slot, the number of slots per subframe, and the number of slots per frame for a normal cyclic prefix and an extended cyclic prefix may depend on a numerology. It should be understood that the reference to a first numerology (e.g., / 1=0) associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may be used interchangeably between subframes and slots.

[054] In the 100 wireless communications system, an electromagnetic (EM) spectrum can be divided, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, frequency bands, frequency channels, etc. By way of example, the 100 wireless communications system can support one or multiple operating frequency bands, such as frequency band designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz), FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz - 114.25 GHz), FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz) and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz). In some implementations, NEs 102 and UEs 104 can perform wireless communications in one or more of the operating frequency bands. In some implementations, FR1 can be used by NEs 102 and UEs 104, among other equipment or devices, for cellular communications traffic (e.g., control information, data).In some implementations, FR2 can be used by NE 102s and UE 104s, among other equipment or devices, for short-range, high-data-rate capabilities.

[055] FR1 can be associated with one or multiple numerologies (for example, at least three numerologies). For example, FR1 Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 26 / 84 18 / 60 can be associated with a first numerology (e.g., μ=0), which includes a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz; a second numerology (e.g., μ=1), which includes a subcarrier spacing of 30 kHz; and a third numerology (e.g., μ=2), which includes a subcarrier spacing of 60 kHz. FR2 can be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least 2 numerologies). For example, FR2 can be associated with a third numerology (e.g., μ=2), which includes a subcarrier spacing of 60 kHz; and a fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3), which includes a subcarrier spacing of 120 kHz.

[056] In NR, accommodating multiple uncoordinated UEs in an unlicensed spectrum requires channel access procedures defined for NR. After a successful channel access procedure performed by a communication node, the channel can be used by the communication node for a period until the end of the period. This period can be called COT. During a COT, one or more transmissions can be exchanged between communication nodes, where a transmission can be a downlink (DL) transmission or an uplink (UL) transmission.

[057] Dynamic channel access procedures are generally used by a BS or UE to access a channel in an unlicensed spectrum. Dynamic channel access procedures can be listen-before-talk (LBT) based, where a transmitter listens for possible transmission activity on a channel before transmitting and applies a random wait time in some cases. Two main types of dynamic channel access procedures can be defined in the NR. One is the Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure, also known as Type 1 LBT or Cat4 LBT. The other is the Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure, also known as Type 2 LBT.

[058] The type 1 dynamic channel access procedure can be used to initiate data transmission at the beginning of a Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 27 / 84 19 / 60 COT. The initiator of the Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure can be a BS or a UE. The Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure can be summarized as follows.

[059] First, the initiator listens and waits until a channel (e.g., a frequency channel) is available for at least a period called the delay duration. The delay duration may consist of 16 ps and a number (e.g., mp in Table 1 or Table 2 below, which will be illustrated below) of 9 ps slots. As shown in Table 1 and Table 2, an mp value depends on a CAPC value (represented as p). Consequently, the delay duration depends on the CAPC value, as shown in Table 1 or Table 2 below. A channel is declared available if the power received during at least 4 ps of each 9 ps slot is below a threshold.

[060] After the channel is declared available during the postponement period, the transmitter initiates a random wait procedure during which it will wait for a random period of time.

[061] The UE initiates the random wait procedure by initializing a wait timer with a random number within a contention window (CW). The random number is drawn from a uniform distribution [0, CW] and represents that the channel must be available for a period of time (e.g., denoted by the random number multiplying 9 ps) before transmission can occur. The CW value can be selected from allowed CWp sizes (the minimum value is CJL·, represented as , and the maximum value is represented as ). CW )'p) in Table 1 or Table 2 below, which depends on the CAPC value.

[062] The wait timer is decreased by one for each detection slot duration (e.g., 9 ps) in which the channel Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 28 / 84 20 / 60 is detected as idle; whenever the channel is detected as busy, the standby timer is put on hold until the channel becomes idle for a delay period.

[063] Once the wait timer has expired (for example, the wait timer is reduced to 0), the random wait procedure is completed and the transmitter has acquired the channel and can use it for transmission until a time Maximum channel occupancy time (MCOT) (e.g., mcot!P in Table T below or ulna in Table 2 below, which depends on a CAPC value).

[064] Table 1 and Table 2 below illustrate exemplary CAPCs for DL ​​and CAPCs for UL, respectively, and corresponding m CW CW TT values ​​dep, “Y max,p , mcot,p, w / mcot^ , and sizes CW0_ , _ , _....... _ p allowed. Table 1 is the same as Table 4.1.1-1 in TS 37.213 and Table 2 is the same as Table 4.2.1-1 in TS 37.213. When a BS intends to initiate a channel occupation for DL ​​transmission, it can determine a CAPC value before performing a Type 1 channel access procedure and then determine the corresponding values ​​(e.g., p CW CW T CW, mn, p, max, ^, mcot, p, and allowed sizes) used in the Type 1 channel access procedure, as per Table 1. When a UE intends to initiate a channel occupation for UL transmission, it can determine a CAPC value before performing a Type 2 channel access procedure and then determine the corresponding values ​​(e.g., p CW CW T,tCW , mn, / >, max, / > , u / rncot,? , and allowed sizes) used in the Type 1 channel access procedure, as per Table 1. Table 1: Channel Access Priority Class for DL Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 29 / 84 21 / 60 Channel Access Priority Class (P) mp CW ΏBA,ρ CW max, / ? T m cot,pm , CWp Allowed r sizes 1 1 3 7 2 ms {3, 7} 2 1 7 15 3ms {7, 15} 3 3 15 63 8 or 10 ms {15, 31, 63} 4 7 15 1023 8 or 10 ms {15, 31, 63, 127, 255, 511, 1023} Table 2: Channel Access Priority Class for UL Channel Access Priority Class (P) 7^ CWmin, / ? CW max, / ? T ulmcotp m , CWP Allowed r sizes 1 2 3 7 2ms {3,7} 2 2 7 15 4ms {7,15} 3 3 15 1023 6 ms or 10 ms {15,31,63,127,255,51 1,1023} 4 7 15 1023 6 ms or 10 ms {15,31,63,127,255,51 1,1023} -34 T NOTE 1: For P~ ' , i4mcot,p =10ms if the top layer parameter 'absenceOfAnyOtherTechnology-r14' indicates TRUE, otherwise, T “'W =6ms. T NOTE 2: When =6ms it can be increased to 8 ms by inserting one or more gaps

[065] The contention window size can be adjusted based on HARQ reports received from the transmitter during a reference interval, which covers the start of COT. For each HARQ report received, the contention window is (approximately) doubled up to the limit CWmax,p if a negative HARQ report (e.g., non-acknowledgment (NACK)) is received. For a positive HARQ report (e.g., acknowledgment (ACK)), the contention window is reset to its minimum value, i.e., CW = CWmin,p.

[066] The type 2 dynamic channel access procedure can be used for COT sharing and discovery burst transmission. Depending on the duration of a gap (also called a COT sharing gap) in the COT, the Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 30 / 84 The 22 / 60 dynamic channel access procedure Type 2 can be further classified into the following three procedures, where the procedure to be used can be determined depending on the duration of the gap between two transmission bursts. • Type 2A dynamic channel access procedure (also known as LBT cat2 or LBT type 2A): used when the gap is 25 μs or more for discovery burst transmission. • Type 2B dynamic channel access procedure (also known as type 2B LBT): used when the gap is 16 ps. • Type 2C dynamic channel access procedure (also known as Type 2C LBT): used when the gap is 16 ps or less after the previous transmission burst.

[067] For the Type 2C dynamic channel access procedure, no idle detection is required between transmission bursts. In this scenario, the duration of a transmission burst is limited to a maximum of 584 ps. Such a short transmission burst may carry a small amount of user data, uplink control (UCI) information, such as HARQ status reports and channel state information (CSI) reports.

[068] The Type 2A dynamic channel access procedure and the Type 2B dynamic channel access procedure may be similar to the Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure, but without the random wait. That is, in the Type 2A dynamic channel access procedure and the Type 2B dynamic channel access procedure, if a channel is detected as idle in the gap, it will be declared available; if it is detected as busy, COT sharing has failed and transmission cannot occur using COT sharing in this COT. If the COT sharing gap is 16 ps, the Type 2B dynamic channel access procedure can be used and the channel must be detected as idle in the 16 ps gap before the next transmission burst. If the sharing gap Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 31 / 84 If the 23 / 60 COT is 25 μs or more, the Type 2A dynamic channel access procedure may be used and the channel must be detected as idle for at least 25 μs immediately prior to the next transmission burst.

[069] The above modalities provide various dynamic channel access procedures in an unlicensed spectrum for NR. These dynamic channel access procedures can also be applied to side-link transmissions in an unlicensed spectrum.

[070] Side-link synchronization information is carried in an S-SSB consisting of a physical side-link transmission channel (PSBCH), a primary side-link synchronization signal (S-PSS), and a secondary side-link synchronization signal (S-SSS). Figure 2A illustrates an exemplary S-SSB slot according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example in Figure 2A, a normal cyclic prefix (CP) is used.

[071] Referring to Figure 2A, an S-SSB occupies one slot in the time domain and occupies 11 resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain. Each RB spans 12 subcarriers, therefore the S-SSB bandwidth is 132 (11 x 12) subcarriers. In the example in Figure 2A, the S-SSB slot can include 14 OFDM symbols in total, for example, from symbol #0 to symbol #13. The S-PSS is transmitted repeatedly in the second and third symbols in the S-SSB slot, for example, symbol #1 and symbol #2. The S-SSS is transmitted repeatedly in the fourth and fifth symbols in the S-SSB slot, for example, symbol #3 and symbol #4. The S-PSS and S-SSS occupy 127 subcarriers in the frequency domain, ranging from the third subcarrier relative to the start of the S-SSB bandwidth to the 129th subcarrier.

[072] S-PSS and S-SSS are collectively called side link synchronization signal (SLSS). SLSS is used for time and frequency synchronization. Upon detecting the sent SLSS Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 32 / 84 Using a 24 / 60 synchronization reference UE (also known as SyncRef UE), a UE is able to synchronize with the SyncRef UE and estimate the start of the frame and carrier frequency offsets.

[073] The S-PSS can be generated from maximum-length sequences (m-sequences) that use the same design (i.e., generator polynomials, initial values ​​and cyclic shifts, etc.) that is used to generate the m-sequences in the primary synchronization signal (PSS) in the 3GPP documents. In NR Uu, there are three candidate sequences for PSS. However, only two candidate sequences are used for S-PSS.

[074] The S-SSS can be generated from the Gold sequences that use the same design (i.e., generator polynomials, initial values ​​and cyclic shifts etc.) that is used to generate the Gold sequences for the secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the 3GPP documents. This results in 336 candidate sequences for S-SSS, as for the SSS in NR Uu.

[075] For SLSS transmission within an S-SSB, a SyncRef UE can select one S-PSS and one S-SSS from the candidate sequences based on an SLSS identifier (ID). The SLSS ID represents a SyncRef UE identifier and transmits a SyncRef UE priority as in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) LTE. Each SLSS ID corresponds to a unique combination of one S-PSS and one S-SSS from the 2 candidate S-PSS sequences and the 336 candidate S-SSS sequences.

[076] The main purpose of PSBCH is to provide system-wide information and synchronization information that is necessary for an UE to establish a side link connection. In the example in Figure 2A, PSBCH is transmitted on the first symbol (e.g., symbol #0) and on the eight symbols (e.g., symbol #5 to symbol #12) after S-SSS in the SSSB slot. In the case where an extended CP is used, PSBCH is transmitted on the first symbol and on the six symbols after S. [Reference 870250087966, dated 29 / 09 / 2025, page 33 / 84] 25 / 60 SSS in the S-SSB slot. PSBCH occupies 132 subcarriers in the frequency domain. The PSBCH in the first symbol of the S-SSB slot is used for automatic gain control (AGC). The last symbol, for example, symbol #13, in the S-SSB slot is used as a guard symbol.

[077] The S-SSB slot structure in Figure 2A is for illustrative purposes only. It is considered that, along with developments in network architectures and new service scenarios, the S-SSB may have other structures (for example, the SSSB may include 4 OFDM symbols or 6 OFDM symbols in the time domain), which should not affect the principle of the present application.

[078] Figure 2B illustrates an exemplary distribution of S-SSB occasions in the time domain according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[079] Figure 2B illustrates an S-SSB period as an example. Resource clustering is also illustrated in the figure. A resource cluster can define the overall time-domain and frequency-domain resources that can be used for SL transmission within a carrier. SL transmission in the embodiments of the present application may refer to at least one physical side link control channel (PSCCH) transmission or physical side link shared channel (PSSCH) transmission. In the time domain, resource clustering consists of a set of slots repeated over a resource clustering period. Although the set of slots within the resource clustering is logically arranged consecutively, in reality the slots within the resource clustering may be discretely distributed in the time domain.

[080] As shown in Figure 2B, in the S-SSB period, N S-SSB occasions are included, which are labeled S-SSB occasion #0, S-SSB occasion #1, S-SSB occasion #2, ..., S-SSB occasion #N-1, respectively. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 34 / 84 26 / 60

[081] The duration of the S-SSB period is marked as SSSB Period in Figure 2B. There is a time offset between the start of the S-SSB period and the first S-SSB occasion within the SSSB period, which is marked as Toffset in Figure 2B. There is a time interval between two adjacent S-SSB occasions (for example, between the end point of the previous S-SSB occasion and the start point of the subsequent S-SSB occasion), which is marked as TInterval in Figure 2B.

[082] In 3GPP Version 16 (Rel-16) or Version 17 (Rel-17), the S-SSB period may include 160 ms, as specified in NR V2X. However, along with developments in network architectures and new service scenarios, the SSSB period may have other values, which should not affect the disclosure principle. In the examples in Figure 2B, the distribution of S-SSB occasions may be denoted by at least one of the following parameters: S-SSB Period, Toffset, Tinterval, or N, as stated above.

[083] Figure 2C illustrates an exemplary distribution of S-SSB occasions in the time domain, which are organized in a grouped manner, according to some modalities of the present disclosure.

[084] Figure 2C illustrates an S-SSB period as an example. The duration of the S-SSB period is marked as S-SSB Period in Figure 2C. The S-SSB period includes N1 S-SSB groups, which are SSSB group #0, S-SSB group #1, ..., and S-SSB group #N1-1. Each S-SSB group includes N2 consecutive S-SSB occasions, which are SSSB occasion #0, S-SSB occasion #1, and S-SSB occasion #N2-1.

[085] There is a time shift between the start of the S-SSB period and the start of the first S-SSB group within the SSSB period, which is marked as TGroup shift in Figure 2C. There is a time interval between two adjacent S-SSB groups (e.g., between the endpoint of the previous S-SSB group and the starting point of the subsequent S-SSB group), which is marked as TGroup of Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 35 / 84 27 / 60 interval in Figure 2C. Thus, the distribution of S-SSB occasions in the example of Figure 2C can be defined by at least one of the following parameters: the S-SSB Period parameter, the Offset Group parameter, the Interval Group parameter, the N1 parameter, or the N2 parameter.

[086] According to some embodiments of the present application, for unlicensed spectrum, a frequency band (e.g., a BWP, a carrier, a resource grouping, etc.) may be divided into multiple channels in which a channel access procedure is defined. Each channel may be called an RB set. Operating on the carrier may require shield bands between RB sets. In some embodiments, the size of the shield bands may be chosen so that no filtering is required to ensure that transmission on one RB set does not cause significant interference to a neighboring RB set unavailable for transmission.

[087] For example, the RB set concept is specified in 5G NR Version 16 in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U), which defines the exact available RBs without RBs in the intracell guard band or in the intracell guard band. The guard band and RB set are configured by RRC signaling in the common resource block (CRB) unit. In detail, when a UE is configured with intraCellGuardBand for a carrier, the UE is provided with intracell guard bands on the carrier, each defined by a start CRB and a end CRB, i.e., GB11 and GB21 respectively. The intracell guard bands separate RB sets, each defined by a start CRB and an end CRB, i.e., B11 and B21 respectively. The UE determines RB0 -Ngríà'=Mjrid +Ngrid , and the remaining final and initial CRBs are as ΒΒβ3ηα,μ= — 1 and RB^^t'11= GB^nd',í+ 1 . When the UE is not configured with intraCellGuardBand, the UE determines the intracell guardband and the RB set. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 36 / 84 28 / 60 corresponding according to the standard intracell guard band pattern of TS38.101 corresponding to μ and carrier size. Specific definitions of the variables or parameters mentioned above can be found in the 3GPP standard documents.

[088] As an example, a carrier with a bandwidth greater than 20 MHz can be divided into multiple 20 MHz channels in which a channel access procedure is defined. Each 20 MHz channel can be called an RB set.

[089] Table 3 below shows the number of RBs (e.g., Nrb) included in different bandwidths for different SCSs for FR1 (e.g., 450 MHz - 7125 MHz). Table 3: Maximum transmission bandwidth configuration Nrb for FR1 SCS (kHz) 5 MHz 10 MHz 15 MHz 20 MHz 25 MHz 30 MHz 40 MHz 50 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz Nrb Nrb Nrb Nrb Nrb Nrb Nrb Nrb Nrb Nrb Nrb 15 25 52 79 106 133

[160] 216 270 N / AN / AN / A 30 11 24 38 51 65

[78] 106 133 162 217 273 60 N / A 11 18 24 31

[38] 51 65 79 107 135

[090] Referring to Table 3, taking the 20 MHz bandwidth as an example, for 15 kHz SCS, the 20 MHz bandwidth includes 106 RBs (for example, a set of RBs may include 106 RBs); for 30 kHz SCS, the 20 MHz bandwidth includes 51 RBs.

[091] In the unlicensed NR spectrum (NR-U), a BS may access multiple channels to perform downlink transmissions in accordance with a Type A multi-channel access procedure or a Type B multi-channel access procedure.

[092] In the Type A multi-channel access procedure, a BS can perform a channel access procedure (e.g., Type 1 channel access procedure) on each QGC channel, where C is a set of channels on which the BS intends to transmit, ei=0,l,é.q — l, eq is the number of channels on which the Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 37 / 84 29 / 60 BS intends to broadcast.

[093] In the Type A multi-channel access procedure, if a BS configures a carrier without intra-cell guard bands, the BS will not be able to transmit on the qEC channel within the carrier bandwidth if the BS cannot access any of the channels in the dE carrier bandwidth.

[094] In the Type B multi-channel access procedure, a BS can perform operations as follows: 1) A BS can select a channel q 6 C, where C (for example, {c0, c7, ..., cQ_7}) is a set of channels on which the BS wants to transmit, and q is the number of channels on which the BS wants to transmit. The channel Cj can be selected by the BS as follows: • BS can select Cj by uniformly and randomly choosing Cj from C before each transmission on multiple channels q EC, or • BS can select Cj no more frequently than once every 1 second. 2) To transmit on channel q, the BS can perform a Type 1 channel access procedure on channel q. 3) To transmit on channel q, Ψ Cj, qEC, for each channel q, the BS can detect channel q for at least a detection interval Tmc = 25us immediately before transmission on channel q, and the BS can transmit on channel q immediately after detecting that channel q is idle for at least the detection interval Tmc. Channel q is considered idle by Tmc if channel q is detected as idle during all time durations in which such idle detection is performed on channel q at a given interval TJmc.

[095] In the Type B multi-channel access procedure, the BS cannot transmit a transmission on a channel q, q, q E Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 38 / 84 30 / 60 C, for a period greater than Tmcotp as shown in Table 1, where the value of TTOCOtp is determined using the channel access parameters used for the channel.

[096] In the Type B multi-channel access procedure, if a BS configures a carrier without intra-cell guard band(s), the BS will not be able to transmit on the qGC channel within the carrier bandwidth if the BS cannot access any of the channels within the carrier bandwidth.

[097] The Type A multi-channel access procedure and the Type B multi-channel access procedure in NR-U can be used as a basis for designing multi-channel access procedures in the unlicensed SL spectrum (SL-U). However, since both the Type A multi-channel access procedure and the Type B multi-channel access procedure are designed for NR-U, where channels for transmission are determined and allocated by a BS, these procedures are not suitable for direct use in SL-U. For example, in SL-U, a UE can independently determine which channel(s) to transmit. The UE can determine a channel access type (e.g., Type 1 or Type 2) used on a channel considering COT information. Furthermore, the selection of a channel for S-SSB transmission, SL transmission (e.g., at least one PSCCH transmission or one PSSCH transmission), or PSFCH transmission may need to consider its individual characteristics.Therefore, you need to study how to design multi-channel access procedures for SL-U.

[098] The embodiments of this disclosure provide solutions for multi-channel access in SL-U. Specifically, for dynamic channel access mode with multi-channel case in SL-U, the embodiments of this disclosure provide multi-channel access procedures for S-SSB transmission, SL transmission, and PSFCH transmission. The multi-channel access procedures in SL-U in the embodiments of this disclosure may be Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 39 / 84 31 / 60 based on Type A and Type B multi-channel access procedures in NR-U and also consider resource usage conditions, SL-U characteristics and transmission characteristics (e.g., S-SSB transmission, SL transmission or PSFCH transmission). More details will be described in the following text in combination with the attached drawings.

[099] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method illustrated in Figure 3 can be performed by an UE (e.g., UE 104 in Figure 1) as described in this document or other apparatus with similar functions. In some implementations, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the UE to perform the operations or functions described.

[100] As shown in Figure 3, in step 302, the UE can select a set of channels for transmission via SL. The transmission can be one of: S-SSB transmission, SL transmission (e.g., PSCCH transmission and / or PSSCH transmission) or PSFCH transmission. As described above, a channel can also be called an RB set.

[101] In step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel pool by performing a type-independent multichannel access procedure or a type-dependent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for transmission.

[102] In some embodiments, in the type-independent multi-channel access procedure: a channel access procedure is performed on each channel within the channel pool independently; and a channel access type on each channel within the channel pool is determined according to whether the channel is within a COT or whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to perform the transmission. The channel access type may refer, for example, to the procedure of Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 40 / 84 32 / 60 dynamic channel access Type 1 or to the dynamic channel access procedure Type 2, as described above.

[103] In some embodiments, in the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure: if at least one channel within the channel set is outside the COT(s), a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on the first channel within the at least one channel, and a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel; if all channels within the channel set are within the COT(s), a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on each channel within the channel set independently.

[104] The execution of the type-independent or type-dependent multi-channel access procedure may be at the discretion of the UE implementation.

[105] The following modes provide specific operations in steps 302 and 304 when the Type Independent multichannel access procedure or the Type Dependent multichannel access procedure is performed for different transmissions. Mode 1

[106] In Mode 1, the UE can perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure in step 304. Mode 1 can be divided into Mode 1-1, Mode 12 and Mode 1-3 for different transmissions. Mode 1-1

[107] In Mode 1-1, the UE may intend to transmit S-SSB and determine to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure. That is, in Mode 1-1, the transmission for which the UE selects the channel pool in step 302 is the S-SSB transmission, and the UE intends to select at least one channel from the channel pool for Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 41 / 84 33 / 60 S-SSB transmission.

[108] In some embodiments, the UE may randomly select channel(s) within a frequency range (e.g., a BWP, a carrier, a resource cluster, etc.) to constitute the channel pool.

[109] In some modes, when the UE selects the channel pool, the UE may prioritize the selection of an anchor channel to be included in the channel pool. As an example, the anchor channel may refer to a channel where S-SSB is indicated by sl-AbsoluteFrequencySSB-r16 as specified in the 3GPP standard document locations. As another example, the anchor channel may be defined as a channel on which standard S-SSB instances are located. Consequently, non-anchor channels may refer to channels other than the indicated anchor channel.

[110] In step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel pool by performing a type-independent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for S-SSB transmission. In some embodiments, performing a type-independent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for S-SSB transmission may include at least the following operations.

[111] First, the UE can individually determine a channel access type (e.g., Type 1 or Type 2) of a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel set, according to whether a target S-SSB occasion on the channel is within a COT. The location of the target S-SSB occasion in the time domain can be determined by a distribution of S-SSB occasions in the time domain, for example, the distribution as shown in Figure 2B or Figure 2C. The location of the target S-SSB occasion in the frequency domain can be indicated by a channel index or channel identity (ID). For example, if a target S-SSB occasion on a channel is within a COT, Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 42 / 84 34 / 60 The EU may determine that a channel access type in the channel is Type 2. Otherwise, the EU may determine that a channel access type in the channel is Type 1.

[112] Figure 4 illustrates exemplary locations of S-SSB occasion(s) and a COT for SL transmission on a channel according to aspects of the present disclosure. In the example in Figure 4, an S-SSB occasion is within the COT for SL transmission.

[113] Referring to Figure 4, in a channel (e.g., channel #j), a COT for SL transmission may start in slot #i and have a length of 4 slots (e.g., including slot #i, slot #i+1, slot #i+2, and slot #i+3). The COT may be initiated by a type 1 LBT procedure before slot #i. Each slot may include 14 OFDM symbols (e.g., from symbol 0 to symbol 13). Within the COT, slot #i+2 is an S-SSB occasion. Each of the other slots in the COT may be used for an SL transmission, which includes at least one PSCCH transmission or a PSSCH transmission.

[114] When the UE knows information related to a COT, for example, in the case where the UE is a COT initiator UE that initiates the COT, a COT responder UE to which the COT initiator UE can share the COT, or a UE that detects COT-related information (e.g., the remaining COT duration of the COT), the UE can determine whether a target S-SSB occasion on a channel is within the COT, for example, based on the COT-related information and the distribution of S-SSB occasions. If the UE does not know information related to a COT, the UE can assume that a target S-SSB occasion on a channel is outside the COT. The motivation for providing a UE that detects COT-related information with a greater opportunity for channel access (such as the COT initiator UE and the COT responder UE) is that its S-SSB transmission has less impact on COT disruption.

[115] After individually determining a channel access type (for example, Type 1 or Type 2) on each channel within the Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 43 / 84 35 / 60 channel set, the UE can perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel set based on the channel access type determined individually for each channel.

[116] For example, if the UE determines that a channel access type on a channel is Type 2, the UE may perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure towards a target S-SSB occasion on the channel to determine the availability of the channel (i.e., whether the channel is available). If the UE determines that a channel access type on a channel is Type 1, the UE may perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure towards a target S-SSB occasion on the channel to determine whether the channel is available.

[117] Consequently, in step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel set. In other words, the UE can determine which channel(s) within the channel set is / are available.

[118] After determining the available channel(s) within the channel pool, the UE can select the channel(s) from among the available channels to perform S-SSB transmissions. In some modes, the UE can prioritize performing the S-SSB transmission on an anchor channel.

[119] In some instances, if an anchor channel within the channel pool is determined to be available, the UE may select the anchor channel to perform S-SSB transmission. The UE may also determine whether to transmit S-SSB on available non-anchor channels, in accordance with the rules specified in SLU.

[120] In some other examples, if no anchor channel is determined to be available in step 304, the UE may perform one of the following operations. The motivation is to reduce COT loss. • Randomly select a channel from all channels Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 44 / 84 36 / 60 channels are available within the channel set to perform S-SSB transmission; • Randomly select a channel from at least one available channel that is within the channel pool and within COT(s) to perform S-SSB transmission; • Select all available channels within the channel set to perform S-SSB transmission; • SELECT all available channels that are within the channel pool and within the COT(s) to perform S-SSB transmission; or • select channel(s) from at least one channel that is within the channel pool and within COT(s) to perform S-SSB transmission based on CAPC(s) corresponding to the COT(s): for example, the UE can select a channel within a COT to perform S-SSB transmission if a CAPC corresponding to the COT is greater than or equal to a CAPC threshold.

[121] In some embodiments, the UE can obtain the CAPC threshold based on configuration (i.e., the CAPC threshold is configured for the UE). The CAPC threshold being configured for the UE refers to this: the CAPC threshold can be transmitted, for example, by a BS (e.g., NE 102 as shown in Figure 1) to the UE by means of at least one of: an SIB message, a MIB message, an RRC signal, a CE or DCI MAC, so that the UE can receive the CAPC threshold from the BS.

[122] In some embodiments, the UE can obtain the CAPC threshold based on pre-configuration, definition or pre-definition (i.e., the CAPC threshold is pre-configured, defined or pre-defined for the UE). The CAPC threshold being pre-configured, defined or pre-defined for the UE refers to this: the CAPC threshold can be connected to the UE or stored in a subscriber identity module (SIM) or universal subscriber identity module (USIM) card for the UE, so that the UE can obtain the CAPC threshold within the UE. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 45 / 84 37 / 60 Mode 1-2

[123] In Mode 1-2, the UE may intend to transmit PSCCH and / or PSSCH and determine to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure. That is, in Mode 1-2, the transmission for which the UE selects the channel set in step 302 is an SL transmission, and the UE wishes to select at least one channel from the channel set for SL transmission.

[124] In some modes, when the UE selects the set of channels for SL transmission, it may consider the following principle: • Principle #1: When conducting SL transmissions, a responding UE may use a COT shared by a COT initiating UE at least when the responding UE's SL transmissions within the channel(s) corresponding to the shared COT are destined for the COT initiating UE.

[125] Considering principle #1, when the UE selects the channel pool for an SL transmission, the UE may prioritize selecting a channel that is within a COT shared with the UE, at least when the SL transmission is destined for a UE that initiates the COT. In some examples, the UE may prioritize selecting a channel that is within a COT shared with the UE at least when the SL transmission is destined for a UE that initiates the COT and a remaining COT duration of the COT satisfies a UE transmission requirement. The motivation for this selection method is to increase the probabilities of success of the channel access procedure and increase the time domain resource on the channel.

[126] In step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel pool by performing a type-independent multi-channel access procedure on the channel pool for SL transmission. In some embodiments, performing an access procedure of Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 46 / 84 38 / 60 multiple channels, regardless of type, in the channel set for SL transmission may include at least the following operations.

[127] First, the UE can individually determine a channel access type (e.g., Type 1 or Type 2) on each channel within the channel pool according to whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to carry out at least one SL transmission and whether the SL transmission is at least destined for a UE that initiates the COT. This method of determining the channel access type also takes into account principle #1.

[128] For example, if a channel is within a COT shared with the UE (for example, the UE is a UE that responds to the COT) to carry out at least one SL transmission and the SL transmission is at least destined for a UE that initiates the COT, the UE may determine that a channel access type on the channel is Type 2. Otherwise, the UE may determine that a channel access type on the channel is Type 1.

[129] After individually determining a channel access type (e.g., Type 1 or Type 2) on each channel within the channel pool, the UE can perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool based on the channel access type individually determined for each channel.

[130] For example, if the UE determines that a channel access type on a channel is Type 2, the UE may perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on the channel to determine the availability of the channel (i.e., whether the channel is available). If the UE determines that a channel access type on a channel is Type 1, the UE may perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the channel to determine whether the channel is available.

[131] Consequently, in step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel pool. In other words, the UE can determine which channel(s) within Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 47 / 84 39 / 60 of the channel set is / are available. Next, the UE can select all channels within the channel set that are determined as available in step 304 to perform SL transmission.

[132] In some embodiments, in the case of a channel that is determined to be available being within a COT (for example, the channel is determined to be available based on a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure), the UE may determine whether to perform SL transmission on the channel based on the remaining COT duration. For example, the UE may determine to perform SL transmission on the channel if the remaining COT duration is greater than or equal to a COT duration threshold. The UE may obtain the COT duration threshold based on configuration, pre-configuration, definition, or pre-setting. All definitions mentioned above regarding configuration, pre-configuration, definition, and pre-setting may also apply here.

[133] In some embodiments, the initial symbol of the SL transmission may be the first symbol (e.g., symbol #0) in a slot. In some other embodiments, for slots with 2 initial candidate symbols for an SL transmission, the location of the 1st initial symbol may be (pre-)configured from symbol {#0, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6} by BWP and, in the case where no (pre-)configuration, the default location of the 1st initial symbol is symbol #0; and the location of the 2nd initial symbol may be (pre-)configured from symbol {#3, #4, #5, #6,#7} by BWP. The (pre-)configuration of the 2nd initial symbol must meet the following requirements: within a slot, the 2nd initial symbol is subsequent to the 1st initial symbol, and the number of symbols used for SL transmission of the 2nd initial symbol is not less than 6. In such modes, the initial symbol of the SL transmission can be either the 1st initial symbol or the 2nd initial symbol. Mode 1-3 Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 48 / 84 40 / 60

[134] In Mode 1-3, the UE may intend to transmit PSFCH and determine to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure. That is, in Mode 1-3, the transmission for which the UE selects the channel set in step 302 is a PSFCH transmission, and the UE wishes to select at least one channel from the channel set for PSFCH transmission.

[135] In some modes, the UE may select channel(s) whose PSFCH resources correspond to the SL transmission(s) for which the UE transmits HARQ feedback(s) to constitute the channel pool.

[136] In step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel pool by performing a type-independent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for PSFCH transmission. In some embodiments, performing a type-independent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for PSFCH transmission may include at least the following operations.

[137] First, the UE can individually determine a channel access type (e.g., Type 1 or Type 2) on each channel within the channel pool according to whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to carry out PSFCH transmissions and whether at least one of the PSFCH transmissions is destined for a UE initiating the COT. This method of determining the channel access type can take into account the following principle: • Principle #2: When conducting PSFCH transmissions, a responding UE may use a COT shared by a COT initiating UE at least when at least one of the responding UE's PSFCH transmissions on a symbol / slot within the channel(s) corresponding to the shared COT is destined for the COT initiating UE.

[138] For example, if a channel is inside a COT Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 49 / 84 If a 41 / 60 channel is shared with the UE (for example, the UE is a UE that responds to the COT) to carry out PSFCH transmissions and at least one of the PSFCH transmissions is destined for a UE that initiates the COT, the UE can determine that a channel access type on the channel is Type 2. Otherwise, the UE can determine that a channel access type on the channel is Type 1.

[139] After individually determining a channel access type (for example, Type 1 or Type 2) on each channel within the channel pool, the UE can perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool based on the channel access type individually determined for each channel.

[140] For example, if the UE determines that a channel access type on a channel is Type 2, the UE may perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure towards a target PSFCH occasion on the channel to determine the availability of the channel (i.e., whether the channel is available). If the UE determines that a channel access type on a channel is Type 1, the UE may perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure towards a target PSFCH occasion on the channel to determine whether the channel is available.

[141] Consequently, in step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel set. In other words, the UE can determine which channel(s) within the channel set is / are available. Then, in some modes, the UE can select all channels within the channel set that are determined as available in step 304 to perform PSFCH transmissions.

[142] In some modes, if the UE cannot transmit PSFCH on all channels that are determined to be available (for example, due to a power limitation), the UE may discard the PSFCH transmission(s) in accordance with the priority(ies) of the corresponding SL transmission(s). Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 50 / 84 42 / 60 For example, the EU may discard PSFCH transmissions whose corresponding SL transmissions have lower priority(ies). Mode 2

[143] In Mode 2, the UE can perform the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure in step 304. Mode 2 can be divided into Mode 2-1, Mode 22 and Mode 2-3 for different transmissions. Mode 2-1

[144] In Mode 2-1, the UE may intend to transmit S-SSB and determine to perform the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure. That is, in Mode 2-1, the transmission for which the UE selects the channel set in step 302 is the S-SSB transmission, and the UE wishes to select at least one channel from the channel set for S-SSB transmission. For example, the channel set may be denoted as C. Each channel in the channel set may be denoted as ,EC,Í=0,l,é.q — l, where q is the number of channels included in the channel set, which is a positive integer.

[145] In some embodiments, the UE may randomly select channel(s) within a frequency range (e.g., a BWP, a carrier, a resource cluster, etc.) to constitute the channel pool.

[146] In some modes, when the UE selects the channel pool, the UE may prioritize the selection of an anchor channel to be included in the channel pool. As an example, the anchor channel may refer to a channel where S-SSB is indicated by sl-AbsoluteFrequencySSB-r16 as specified in the 3GPP standard document locations. As another example, the anchor channel may be defined as a channel on which standard S-SSB occasions are located. In some modes, when the UE selects the channel pool, the UE may prioritize the selection of at least one channel outside the COT(s) to be included in the channel pool. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 51 / 84 43 / 60

[147] In step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel pool by performing a type-dependent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for S-SSB transmission. In some embodiments, performing a type-dependent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for S-SSB transmission may include at least the following operations.

[148] In the event that at least one channel within the channel pool is outside the COT(s), the UE may select (e.g., randomly select) a first channel within the at least one channel. The UE may perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel to determine if an S-SSB occasion on the first channel is available for S-SSB transmission (i.e., if the first channel is available). The motivation for this design is to increase the opportunity for success of the channel access procedure while decreasing the impact on the COT. The UE performs a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel pool other than the first channel before an initial S-SSB occasion on the first channel.

[149] As an example, at least one channel outside the COT(s) can be denoted as Ci, where C^ÇC, i.e., C? is a subset of C. The UE can perform the following operations: • The UE can select a first channel (e.g., denoted as ç·) from Ci, and perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure towards an S-SSB occasion on channel Cy to determine channel availability (e.g., whether the S-SSB occasion on channel Cj is available for SSSB transmission). • For each channel q1, q2, q3C, the UE can perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on channel Cj before an S-SSB occasion departure point on channel Cj to Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 52 / 84 44 / 60 determine the availability of channel q (i.e., whether the channel is available). For example, the UE can detect channel q for at least a detection interval Tmc (e.g., Tmc = 25µs) immediately before the start point of the S-SSB occasion on channel q, and determine that channel q is available after detecting that channel q is idle for at least the detection interval Tmc.

[150] If all channels within the channel pool are within COT(s), the UE may perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool independently to determine the availability of each channel (e.g., whether an S-SSB occasion on each channel is available for S-SSB transmission).

[151] Consequently, in step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel set. In other words, the UE can determine which channel(s) within the channel set is / are available.

[152] After determining the available channel(s) within the channel pool, the UE can select the channel(s) from among the available channels to perform the S-SSB transmission. All modes for selecting channel(s) from among the available channels to perform the S-SSB transmission, as described in Mode 1-1, can also be applied here. Therefore, details are omitted for simplicity. Mode 2-2

[153] In Mode 2-2, the UE may intend to transmit PSCCH and / or PSSCH and determine to perform the Type-dependent multi-channel access procedure. That is, in Mode 2-2, the transmission for which the UE selects the channel set in step 302 is an SL transmission, and the UE intends to select at least one channel from the channel set for SL transmission. For example, the channel set may be denoted as C. Each channel in the channel set may be Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 53 / 84 45 / 60 denoted as , EC,i= 0,1, ...q — 1, where q is the number of channels included in the channel set, which is a positive integer.

[154] In some modes, when the UE selects the channel set, the UE may prioritize the selection of at least one channel outside the COT(s) to be included in the channel set.

[155] In step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel pool by performing a type-dependent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for SL transmission. In some embodiments, performing a type-dependent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for SL transmission may include at least the following operations.

[156] In the event that at least one channel within the channel pool is outside the COT(s), the UE may select (e.g., randomly select) a first channel within the at least one channel. The UE may perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel to determine if the first channel is available for SL transmission. The motivation for this design is to increase the opportunity for success of the channel access procedure while decreasing the impact on the COT. Then, the UE may perform SL transmission on the first channel when the first channel is determined to be available.

[157] In addition, the UE may perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel before the SL transmission (e.g., before the initial SL transmission symbol) on the first channel. In some embodiments, the initial SL transmission symbol may be the first symbol (e.g., symbol #0) in a slot. In some other embodiments, for slots with 2 candidate initial symbols for an SL transmission, the initial SL transmission symbol may be Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 54 / 84 46 / 60 the 1st initial symbol or 2nd initial symbol mentioned above. The UE may carry out SL transmission on a remaining channel when the remaining channel is determined to be available.

[158] As an example, at least one channel outside the COT(s) can be denoted as C2, where C2— ^, that is, C2 is a subset of C. The UE can perform the following operations: • The UE can select a first channel (e.g., denoted as q) from C2, and perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on channel Cj to determine the availability of channel q. The UE can perform an SL transmission when channel Cj is determined to be available. • For each channel q1, q2, q3, q4, q5, q6, q7, q8, q9, q1, q1, q1, q1, q2, q1, q2, q3, q3, q4, q5, q6, q7, q8, q9, q1, q1, q2, q1, q1, q2, q1, q2, q1, q3, q1, q2, q1, q3, q1, q2, q3, q3, q3, q4, q2, q3, q3, q4, q5, q2, q3, q3, q4, q5, q6, q2, q3, q4, q5, q6, q7, q2, q3, q4, q5, q6, q7, q2, q6, q7, q8, q2, q7, q8, q2, q2, q3, q4, q5, q6, q7, q8, q2, q7, q8, q2, q2, q8, q2, q2, q3, q2, q3, q4, q2, q5, q2, q6, q7, q2, q2, q2, q3, q2, q2, q3, q3, q4, q2, q2, q3, q4, q5, q2, q2, q2, q3, q3, q4, q2, q4, q5, q2 ...

[159] If all channels within the channel set are within COT(s), the UE can perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each channel within the channel set independently to determine the availability of each channel. Then, the UE can select all channels within the channel set that are determined to be available in step 304 to perform SL transmission. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 55 / 84 47 / 60

[160] In some modes, if a channel that is determined to be available is within a COT, the UE may determine whether to perform SL transmission on the channel based on the remaining COT duration. For example, the UE may determine to perform SL transmission on the channel if the remaining COT duration is greater than or equal to a COT duration threshold. The UE may obtain the COT duration threshold based on configuration, pre-configuration, definition, or pre-definition. All definitions mentioned above regarding configuration, pre-configuration, definition, and pre-definition may also apply here. Mode 2-3

[161] In Mode 2-3, the UE may intend to transmit PSFCH and determine to perform the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure. That is, in Mode 2-3, the transmission for which the UE selects the channel set in step 302 is a PSFCH transmission, and the UE wishes to select at least one channel from the channel set for PSFCH transmission. For example, the channel set may be denoted as C. Each channel in the channel set may be denoted as , EC,i= 0,1, ...q — 1, where q is the number of channels included in the channel set, which is a positive integer.

[162] In some modes, the UE may select channel(s) whose PSFCH resources correspond to the SL transmission(s) for which the UE transmits HARQ feedback(s) to constitute the channel pool.

[163] In step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel pool by performing a type-dependent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for PSFCH transmission. In some embodiments, performing a type-dependent multichannel access procedure on the channel pool for PSFCH transmission may include at least the following Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 56 / 84 48 / 60 operations.

[164] In the event that at least one channel within the channel pool is outside the COT(s), the UE may select (e.g., randomly select) a first channel within the at least one channel. The UE may perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel to determine if a PSFCH occasion on the first channel is available for PSFCH transmission. The motivation for this design is to increase the opportunity for success of the channel access procedure while decreasing the impact on the COT. The UE performs a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel pool other than the first channel before a starting point of the PSFCH occasion on the first channel.

[165] As an example, at least one channel outside the COT(s) can be denoted as Cs, where Ç C, i.e., C3 is a subset of C. The UE can perform the following operations: • The UE can select a first channel (e.g., denoted as Cy) from Cs, and perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure towards a PSFCH occasion on the Cy channel to determine the availability of the Cy channel (e.g., whether the PSFCH occasion on the Cy channel is available for PSFCH transmission). • For each channel q, Cy, q EC, the UE can perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on channel Cj before a PSFCH occasion start point on channel Cy to determine the availability of channel Cj (i.e., whether the channel is available). For example, the UE can detect channel Cj for at least a detection interval Tmc (e.g., Tmc = 25µs) immediately before the PSFCH occasion start point on channel Cy, and determine that channel q is available after detecting that channel Cj is idle for at least the detection interval T2rnc. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 57 / 84 49 / 60

[166] If all channels within the channel pool are within COT(s), the UE may perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool independently to determine the availability of each channel (e.g., whether a PSFCH occasion on each channel is available for PSFCH transmission).

[167] Consequently, in step 304, the UE can determine the availability of each channel within the channel set. In other words, the UE can determine which channel(s) within the channel set are available. Then, in some modes, the UE can select all channels within the channel set that are determined as available in step 304 to perform PSFCH transmissions.

[168] In some modes, if the UE cannot transmit PSFCH on all channels that are determined to be available (for example, due to a power limitation), the UE may discard the PSFCH transmission(s) according to the priority(ies) of the corresponding SL transmission(s). For example, the UE may discard PSFCH transmissions whose corresponding SL transmissions have lower priority(ies).

[169] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, for a channel with SCS being 60 KHz, the UE may hold two symbols before an S-SSB occasion to perform a channel access procedure in the event that the S-SSB occasion is within a COT.

[170] According to some embodiments of the present application, a BS (e.g., NE 102 as shown in Figure 1) may transmit configuration information to one or more UEs (e.g., UE 104 as shown in Figure 1). The configuration information may indicate at least one of: • a CAPC threshold for a UE to select channel(s) to perform S-SSB transmission (e.g., that used in Mode 11); or Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 58 / 84 50 / 60 • A COT duration threshold for a UE to determine whether to perform an SL transmission on a channel (e.g., which is used in Mode 2-2).

[171] In one embodiment, the BS can transmit configuration information to one or more UEs by means of at least one of: a MIB message, a SIB message, an RRC signal, a CE MAC or a DCI.

[172] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a UE 500 according to aspects of this disclosure. The UE 500 may include at least one processor 502 and at least one memory 504. In addition, the UE 500 may also include one or more of at least one controller 506 or at least one transceiver 508. The processor 502, the memory 504, the controller 506, or the transceiver 508, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof, may be examples of means of carrying out various aspects of this disclosure as described in this document. These components may be coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) by means of one or more interfaces.

[173] Processor 502, memory 504, controller 506 or transceiver 508, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in hardware (e.g., circuit assembly). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in this disclosure.

[174] The 502 processor may include an intelligent hardware device (for example, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination thereof). In some implementations, the 502 processor may be configured to operate 504 memory. In some other Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 59 / 84 In implementations 51 / 60, memory 504 can be integrated into processor 502. Processor 502 can be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 504 to enable UE 500 to perform various functions of this disclosure.

[175] Memory 504 may include volatile or non-volatile memory. Memory 504 may store computer-readable and computer-executable code, including instructions which, when executed by the processor 502, cause the UE 500 to perform various functions described in this document. The code may be stored on a non-transient computer-readable medium, such as memory 504 or another type of memory. Computer-readable media include non-transient computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transient storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[176] In some implementations, the 502 processor and the 504 memory coupled to the 502 processor can be configured to make the UE 500 perform one or more of the functions described in this document (for example, executing instructions stored in memory 504 by the 502 processor). For example, the 502 processor can support wireless communication in the UE 500 according to the examples disclosed in this document. The UE 500 can be configured to support a means of performing the operations of the methods described in the embodiments of this disclosure. In one embodiment, the 502 processor can be configured to make the UE 500: select a set of channels for an SL transmission, where the transmission is one of: S-SSB transmission, SL transmission, or PSFCH transmission; and determine the availability of each channel within the set of channels by performing a multi-channel access procedure. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pages 60 / 84 52 / 60 type-independent or type-dependent multi-channel access procedure in the channel pool for transmission.

[177] The 506 controller can manage input and output signals for the UE 500. The 506 controller can also manage peripherals not integrated into the UE 500. In some implementations, the 506 controller may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, WINDOWS®, or other operating systems. In some implementations, the 506 controller may be implemented as part of the 502 processor.

[178] In some implementations, the UE 500 may include at least one 508 transceiver. In some other implementations, the UE 500 may have more than one 508 transceiver. The 508 transceiver may represent a wireless transceiver. The 508 transceiver may include one or more 510 receiver chains, one or more 512 transmitter chains, or a combination thereof.

[179] A 510 receiver chain can be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) via a wireless medium. For example, the 510 receiver chain may include one or more antennas to receive the signal over the air or wirelessly. The 510 receiver chain may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA)) configured to amplify the received signal. The 510 receiver chain may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the received signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during signal transmission. The 510 receiver chain may include at least one decoder to decode the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

[180] A 512 transmitter chain can be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets). The 512 transmitter chain may include at least one modulator to modulate data into a carrier signal, Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 61 / 84 53 / 60 preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. At least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques, such as amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), or digital modulation schemes such as phase-shift modulation (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). The 512 transmitter chain may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to a power level appropriate for transmission over the wireless medium. The 512 transmitter chain may also include one or more antennas to transmit the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

[181] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a processor 600 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 600 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations according to the examples described in this document. The processor 600 may include a controller 602 configured to perform various operations according to the examples described in this document. The processor 600 may optionally include at least one memory 604, which may be, for example, a layer 1 (L1), layer 2 (L2) or layer 3 (L3) cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 600 may optionally include one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs) 606. One or more of these components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operationally, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) by means of one or more interfaces (e.g., buses).

[182] The 600 processor may be a processor chipset and include a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receive, get, retrieve, transmit, send, forward, store, determine, identify, access, write, read) according to the examples Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 62 / 84 54 / 60 described in this document. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., local memory or memory included in the processor chipset (e.g., the 600 processor) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), flash memory, phase-change memory (PCM), and others).

[183] ​​The 602 controller can be configured to manage and coordinate various operations (e.g., signaling, receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) of the 600 processor to enable the 600 processor to support various operations as described in this document. For example, the 602 controller can operate as a control unit for the 600 processor, generating control signals that manage the operation of various components of the 600 processor. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating the timing of operations.

[184] Controller 602 can be configured to fetch (e.g., get, retrieve, receive) instructions from memory 604 and determine which subsequent instructions to execute to enable processor 600 to support various operations as described in the examples in this document. Controller 602 can be configured to track the memory address of instructions associated with memory 604. Controller 602 can be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, controller 602 can be configured to interpret the instruction and determine which control signals to send to Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pages 63 / 84 55 / 60 other components of the 600 processor to enable the 600 processor to support various operations as described in this document. Additionally, or alternatively, the 602 controller can be configured to manage the data flow within the 600 processor. The 602 controller can be configured to control data transfer between registers, ALUs, and other functional units of the 600 processor.

[185] Memory 604 may include one or more caches (e.g., local memory or memory included in processor 600 or other memory such as RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc.). In some implementations, memory 604 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to processor 600). In some other implementations, memory 604 may reside externally to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to processor 600).

[186] Memory 604 can store computer-readable and computer-executable code, including instructions that, when executed by processor 600, cause processor 600 to perform various functions described in this document. The code can be stored in a non-transient computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other types of memory. Controller 602 and / or processor 600 can be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 604 to cause processor 600 to perform various functions. For example, processor 600 and / or controller 602 can be coupled with or to memory 604, processor 600, controller 602, and memory 604 can be configured to perform various functions described in this document. In some examples, processor 600 can include multiple processors and memory 604 can include multiple memories.One or more of the multiple processors can be coupled to one or more of the multiple memories, which can... Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 64 / 84 56 / 60 individually or collectively, can be configured to perform various functions as outlined in this document.

[187] One or more 606 ALUs can be configured to support various operations as described in this document. In some implementations, one or more 606 ALUs may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the 600 processor). In some other implementations, one or more 606 ALUs may reside externally to the processor chipset (e.g., the 600 processor). One or more 606 ALUs can perform one or more calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of data. For example, one or more 606 ALUs may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be performed. One or more 606 ALUs are configured with a variety of logic and arithmetic circuits, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate the data according to the operation.Additionally, or alternatively, one or more 606 ALUs can support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR), not-OR (NOR), and not-AND (NAND), allowing one or more 606 ALUs to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.

[188] Processor 600 can support wireless communication according to examples disclosed in this document. Processor 600 can be configured or operable to support a means of performing the operations of the methods described in the embodiments of this disclosure. In one embodiment, controller 602 can cause processor 600 to: select a set of channels for an SL transmission, wherein the transmission is one of: S-SSB transmission, SL transmission, or PSFCH transmission; and determine the availability of each channel within the set of channels by performing a type-independent multi-channel access procedure or a type-dependent multi-channel access procedure on the set of channels for the Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pages 65 / 84 57 / 60 transmission.

[189] Figure 7 illustrates an example of BS 700 according to aspects of the present disclosure. BS 700 may include at least one processor 702 and at least one memory 704. In addition, BS 700 may also include one or more of at least one controller 706 or at least one transceiver 708. The processor 702, the memory 704, the controller 706, or the transceiver 708, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof, may be examples of means of carrying out various aspects of the present disclosure as described in this document. These components may be coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) by means of one or more interfaces.

[190] Processor 702, memory 704, controller 706 or transceiver 708, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in hardware (e.g., circuit assembly). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in this disclosure.

[191] The 702 processor may include an intelligent hardware device (for example, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination thereof). In some implementations, the 702 processor may be configured to operate the 704 memory. In some other implementations, the 704 memory may be integrated into the 702 processor. The 702 processor may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a 704 memory to enable the BS 700 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

[192] Memory 704 may include volatile or non-volatile memory. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 66 / 84 58 / 60 volatile. Memory 704 can store computer-readable and computer-executable code, including instructions that, when executed by processor 702, cause the BS 700 to perform various functions described in this document. The code can be stored on a non-transient computer-readable medium, such as memory 704 or another type of memory. Computer-readable media include non-transient computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transient storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[193] In some implementations, the 702 processor and the 704 memory coupled to the 702 processor can be configured to make the BS 700 perform one or more of the functions described in this document (for example, executing instructions stored in memory 704 by the 702 processor). For example, the 702 processor can support wireless communication on the BS 700 according to the examples disclosed in this document. The BS 700 can be configured to support a means of performing the operations of the methods described in the embodiments of this disclosure. In one embodiment, the 702 processor can be configured to make the BS 700: transmit to a UE configuration information for multi-channel access via SL, wherein the configuration information indicates: a CAPC threshold for the UE to select channel(s) to perform S-SSB transmission; or a COT duration threshold for the UE to determine whether to perform a side link transmission on a channel.

[194] The 706 controller can manage input and output signals for the BS 700. The 706 controller can also manage peripherals not integrated into the BS 700. In some implementations, the 706 controller may use an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, WINDOWS®, or other operating systems. In some Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pages 67 / 84 In implementations 59 / 60, the 706 controller can be implemented as part of the 702 processor.

[195] In some implementations, the BS 700 may include at least one 708 transceiver. In some other implementations, the BS 700 may have more than one 708 transceiver. The 708 transceiver may represent a wireless transceiver. The 708 transceiver may include one or more 710 receiver chains, one or more 712 transmitter chains, or a combination thereof.

[196] A 710 receiver chain can be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) via a wireless medium. For example, the 710 receiver chain may include one or more antennas to receive the signal over the air or wirelessly. The 710 receiver chain may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA)) configured to amplify the received signal. The 710 receiver chain may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the received signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during signal transmission. The 710 receiver chain may include at least one decoder to decode the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

[197] A 712 transmitter chain can be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets). The 712 transmitter chain may include at least one modulator to modulate data into a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques, such as amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), or digital modulation schemes such as phase-shift modulation (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). The 712 transmitter chain may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pages 68 / 84 60 / 60 for wireless transmission. The 712 transmitter chain may also include one or more antennas to transmit the amplified signal over the air or wirelessly.

[198] The description in this document is provided to enable a person with ordinary knowledge of the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined in this document can be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described in this document, but must conform to the broader scope consistent with the innovative principles and features disclosed in this document. Petition 870250087966, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, pp. 69 / 84

Claims

1 / 8 CLAIMS 1. User equipment (UE) for wireless communication, characterized in that it comprises: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with at least one memory and configured to make the UE: select a set of channels for a side-link (SL) transmission, wherein the transmission is one of: side-link synchronization signal block transmission (S-SSB), SL transmission or physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; and determine the availability of each channel within the channel set by performing a type-independent multi-channel access procedure or a type-dependent multi-channel access procedure on the channel set for the transmission.

2. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the independent type multi-channel access procedure: a channel access procedure is performed on each channel within the channel set independently; and a channel access type on each channel within the channel set is determined according to whether the channel is within a channel occupation time (COT) or whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to perform the transmission.

3. EU, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure: in the case where at least one channel within the channel set is outside the COT(s), a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on a first channel within the at least one channel, and a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel; or in the case where all channels within the channel set are within COT(s), a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure is performed on each channel within the channel set independently.

4. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case where the transmission is an SSSB transmission, to select the set of channels, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: randomly select channel(s) within a frequency range; prioritize the selection of an anchor channel; or prioritize the selection of at least one channel outside the COT(s) in the case of the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure.

5. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure for S-SSB transmission, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: individually determine a channel access type on each channel within the channel set according to whether a target S-SSB instance on the channel is within a COT; and perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel set based on the channel access type determined individually for each channel.

6. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case where the transmission is an SSSB transmission, at least one processor is still configured to perform the UE: in the case where an anchor channel within the channel pool is determined as available, select the anchor channel to perform the S-SSB transmission; or in the case where no anchor channel is determined as available. Petition 870250087966, dated 29 / 09 / 2025, p.71 / 84 3 / 8 available: randomly select a channel from all available channels within the channel set to perform S-SSB transmission; randomly select a channel from at least one available channel that is within the channel set and within COT(s) to perform S-SSB transmission; select all available channels within the channel set to perform S-SSB transmission; select all available channels that are within the channel set and within the COT(s) to perform S-SSB transmission; or select channel(s) from at least one channel that is within the channel set and within the COT(s) to perform S-SSB transmission based on the channel access priority class(es) (CAPC(s)) corresponding to the COT(s).

7. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of performing the type-independent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, to select the channel set, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: prioritize the selection of a channel that is within a COT shared with the UE, at least when the SL transmission is destined for a UE that initiates the COT.

8. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: individually determine a channel access type on each channel within the channel pool according to whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to perform at least one SL transmission and whether the SL transmission is at least destined for a UE initiating the COT; and Petition 870250087966, dated 29 / 09 / 2025, p. 72 / 84 4 / 8 perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool based on the channel access type determined individually for each channel.

9. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case where the transmission is an SL transmission, at least one processor is still configured to perform the UE: select all channels that are determined as available to carry out the SL transmission.

10. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case where the transmission is a PSFCH transmission, to select the channel set, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: select channel(s) whose PSFCH feature(s) correspond to the SL transmission(s) for which the UE transmits hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback(s).

11. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that to perform the type-independent multi-channel access procedure for PSFCH transmission, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: individually determine a channel access type on each channel within the channel pool according to whether the channel is within a COT shared with the UE to perform PSFCH transmission(s) and whether at least one of the PSFCH transmissions is destined for a UE initiating the COT; and perform a channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool based on the channel access type individually determined for each channel.

12. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case where the transmission is a PSFCH transmission, at least one processor is still configured to make the UE: select all channels that are determined as available to carry out PSFCH transmissions; or Petition 870250087966, dated 29 / 09 / 2025, p. 73 / 84 5 / 8 discard PSFCH transmission(s) according to the priority(ies) of the corresponding SL transmission(s) in the case where the UE cannot transmit PSFCH on all channels that are determined as available.

13. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that to perform the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for S-SSB transmission, at least one processor is configured to perform the UE: in the case where at least one channel within the channel set is outside the COT(s): select a first channel within the at least one channel; perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel to determine if an S-SSB occasion on the first channel is available for S-SSB transmission; and perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel before an initial point of the S-SSB occasion on the first channel; or in the case where all channels within the channel set are within COT(s), perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each channel within the channel set independently.

14. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of performing the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, to select the channel set, at least one processor is configured to make the UE: prioritize the selection of at least one channel outside the COT(s).

15. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that to perform the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, at least one processor is configured to perform the UE: in the case where at least one channel within the channel set is outside the COT(s): select a first channel within the at least one channel; perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel; and perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel before SL transmission on the first channel; or in the case where all channels within the channel set are within COT(s), perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each channel within the channel set independently.

16. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of performing the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for SL transmission, at least one processor is still configured to perform the UE: in the case where a channel determined as available is within a COT, determine whether to perform SL transmission on the channel based on the remaining COT duration.

17. UE, according to claim 1, characterized in that to perform the type-dependent multi-channel access procedure for PSFCH transmission, at least one processor is configured to perform the UE: in the case where at least one channel within the channel set is outside the COT(s): select a first channel within the at least one channel; perform a Type 1 dynamic channel access procedure on the first channel to determine if a PSFCH occasion on the first channel is available for PSFCH transmission; and perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each remaining channel within the channel set other than the first channel before a starting point of the PSFCH occasion on the first channel; or in the case where all channels within the channel set Petition 870250087966, dated 29 / 09 / 2025, p.75 / 84 7 / 8 are within COT(s), perform a Type 2 dynamic channel access procedure on each channel within the channel pool independently.

18. Processor for wireless communication, characterized in that it comprises: at least one controller coupled with at least one memory and configured to make the processor: select a set of channels for a side-link (SL) transmission, wherein the transmission is one of: side-link synchronization signal block transmission (S-SSB), SL transmission or physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; and determine the availability of each channel within the channel set by performing a type-independent multi-channel access procedure or a type-dependent multi-channel access procedure on the channel set for the transmission.

19. Base station (BS) for wireless communication, characterized in that it comprises: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with at least one memory and configured to make the BS: transmit, to a user equipment (UE), configuration information for access to multiple channels via side link (SL), wherein the configuration information indicates: a channel access priority class (CAPC) threshold for the UE to select the channel(s) to perform the side link synchronization signal block (S-SSB) transmission; or a channel occupation time duration (COT) threshold for the UE to determine whether to perform a side link transmission on a channel.

20. Method implemented by a user equipment (UE), Petition 870250087966, dated 29 / 09 / 2025, p. 76 / 84 8 / 8 characterized in that it comprises: selecting a set of channels for a side-link (SL) transmission, wherein the transmission is one of: side-link synchronization signal block transmission (S-SSB), SL transmission or physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; and determining the availability of each channel within the channel set by performing a type-independent multi-channel access procedure or a type-dependent multi-channel access procedure on the channel set for the transmission. Petition 870250087966, dated 29 / 09 / 2025, p. 77 / 84

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