Resource selection method and related device for secondary link multi-stream transmission in wireless communication system

Abstract

A method of operating a user equipment (UE) for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information (CSI) report and / or a CSI reference signal (CSI‑RS) is provided. The method may include identifying a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in the D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or the CSI‑RS. The method may include identifying a data selection window containing candidate resources used in the D2D transmission of data and at least partially overlapping an area of ​​the CSI selection window. The method may include controlling the transmission of data and the CSI report and / or the CSI‑RS to use at least one resource selected in an overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communications and, more particularly, to wireless communications and related wireless devices and network nodes. Background Art

[0002] LTE (Long Term Evolution) Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) was first specified in 3GPP Release 14 of 3GPP LTE and is currently being studied for 3GPP Release 15. LTE V2X includes new features and enhancements that allow vehicles to communicate. One of the most relevant aspects is the introduction of direct vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capabilities. The specification supports other types of V2X communications, including V2P (vehicle-to-pedestrian or pedestrian-to-vehicle), V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure), etc. Figure 1 shown.

[0003] These direct communication capabilities are built on LTE D2D (Device to Device), also known as ProSe (Proximity Services), as first specified in LTE Release 12, and include many important enhancements for specific features of vehicular communications. For example, LTE V2X operation is possible both with and without network coverage and with varying degrees of interaction between the UE (User Equipment) and the NW (Network), including support for standalone network-free operation. In order to improve system-level performance at high device density while meeting the latency requirements of V2X, new transmission modes (also known as resource allocation modes) are introduced: Mode 3 and Mode 4. In Mode 3, the network is responsible for performing resource allocation, while in Mode 4, the UE autonomously selects resources for its own transmissions. At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein in the context of Mode 4 operation.

[0004] For 5G NR (Fifth Generation New Radio), corresponding modes are specified as for LTE. NR Mode 1 corresponds to LTE Mode 3, while NR Mode 2 corresponds to LTE Mode 4. For the rest of this application, Mode 4 refers to LTE Mode 4. If NR modes are mentioned, they are explicitly referred to as NR Mode 1 or NR Mode 2.

[0005] 1. Autonomous resource selection for Mode 4 transmission:

[0006] In secondary link (SL) transmission mode 4, distributed resource selection is adopted, that is, there is no central node for scheduling, and the UE plays the same role in autonomous resource selection. Transmission mode 4 is based on two functions: semi-persistent transmission and sensing-based resource allocation. Semi-persistent transmission is a type of transmission in which the UE sending a message also informs the receiver of the UE's intention to use specific time-frequency resources for transmission at a subsequent point in time. For example, a UE transmitting at time T informs the receiver that the UE will use the same frequency resources for transmission at time T+100ms. This is called resource reservation or resource booking, and is particularly suitable for vehicular applications of the type targeted by LTE Release 14 that rely on periodic packet transmission.

[0007] Semi-persistent transmission allows the UE to predict future radio resource utilization. That is, by listening to the current transmission of another UE, the UE also obtains information about potential future transmissions. This information can be used by the UE to avoid conflicts when selecting its own resources. Specifically, the UE predicts the future utilization of radio resources by reading the received reservation message, and then schedules its current transmission to avoid using the same resources. This is called sensing-based resource selection.

[0008] The sensing-based resource selection scheme specified in Release 14 may include the following steps.

[0009] 1. The UE senses the transmission medium within the interval [na,nb], where n is an arbitrary time reference and a>b≥0 defines the duration of the sensing window.

[0010] 2. Based on the sensing results, the UE predicts the future utilization of the transmission medium in the future time interval [n+T1, n+T2], where T2>T1≥0. Here, [n+T1, n+T2] can be interpreted as a resource selection window for data transmission.

[0011] 3. The UE selects one or more time-frequency resources within the window [n+T1, n+T2]. The selection is performed according to the algorithm defined in specification TS36.213.

[0012] The algorithm details for the sensing process (ie, the enumerated step 1) described above) may include the following three key sub-steps.

[0013] Sub-step 1: All resources are considered available.

[0014] Sub-step 2: The UE excludes resources based at least on the scheduling assignment (SA) decoding and additional conditions. If a resource is indicated or reserved by the decoded SA and the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement in the associated data resource is above a threshold, the resource is excluded.

[0015] Sub-step 3: The UE measures and sorts the remaining PSSCH resources based on RSSI measurement, and selects a subset. The subset is a set of candidate resources with the lowest total received energy. The size of the subset is, for example, 20% of the total resources within the selection window.

[0016] 2. NR V2X unicast / multicast:

[0017] LTE V2X is designed for broadcast services only. However, in the current 3GPP New Radio (NR) studies, it is expected that unicast and multicast V2X transmissions will also become important, as some eV2X use cases (such as formation, perspective and cooperative maneuvering) do require unicast and multicast V2X transmissions. For unicast / multicast, channel state information (CSI) reports from the target receiver can be beneficial for many aspects (such as link adaptation, multi-antenna transmission schemes and resource allocation).

[0018] 3. Periodic CSI reporting and periodic CSI reference signal (CSI-RS):

[0019] In NR and LTE, periodic CSI reporting and periodic CSI-RS are configured by higher layers, such as radio resource control (RRC). From a transmission time perspective, the CSI reporting (or CSI-RS) configuration specifies: CSI reporting (or CSI-RS) period; CSI reporting (or CSI-RS) subframe offset within the CSI reporting (or CSI-RS) period. Then, based on some pre-configured mathematical formulas, the UE knows which time slots to use to send CSI reports (or which time slots to expect CSI-RS from).

[0020] For example, consider a periodic channel quality indicator (CQI) report N pd and N OFFSET,CQI The time slot used to report CQI is then determined by

[0021]

[0022] Where n f Indicates the system frame number (SFN), n s Indicates the timeslot number within a radio frame.

[0023] In NR, semi-persistent CSI-RS and semi-persistent CSI reporting are also supported, and the corresponding configuration is done by the higher layer (e.g., RRC). On the other hand, activation / deactivation is done dynamically, for example, by medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) and / or downlink control information (DCI).

[0024] Potential problems with previously known methods

[0025] The SL V2X studies for Release 14 and Release 15 focus on broadcasting and therefore do not consider SL CSI reporting or SL CSI-RS. Due to the lack of a central controller, the mechanism for sending periodic CSI reports and periodic CSI-RS in the cellular link (i.e., Uu link) cannot be applied to SL Mode 4 transmissions. Summary of the invention

[0026] According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, a method of operating a user equipment UE for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS is provided. The method comprises identifying a CSI selection window containing candidate resources for use in the D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or the CSI-RS. The method further comprises identifying a data selection window containing candidate resources for use in the D2D transmission of data and at least partially overlapping an area of ​​the CSI selection window. The method further comprises controlling the transmission of the data and the CSI report and / or the CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window.

[0027] A potential advantage of controlling the transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window is that the operation reduces problems associated with half-duplex, resource fragmentation, and reduces inter-modulation distortion.

[0028] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, a method of operating a user equipment (UE) for device-to-device (D2D) data transmission is provided. The method includes identifying a first data stream selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data of a first data stream. The method also includes identifying a second data stream selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data of a second data stream and at least partially overlapping an area of ​​the first data stream selection window. The method also includes controlling transmission of data of the first data stream and the second data stream to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping area of ​​the first data stream selection window and the second data stream selection window.

[0029] According to some other embodiments of the inventive concept, a method of operating a user equipment UE for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS is provided. The method comprises determining a temporal position of a CSI selection window based on a time when another CSI report and / or CSI-RS was previously transmitted, a period of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in the D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The method further comprises controlling (1702) the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0030] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, a method of operating a user equipment UE for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS is provided. The method comprises determining a temporal position of a CSI selection window based on a D2D frame number, a period of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window of candidate resources used in the D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The method further comprises controlling the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, a user equipment UE is provided, which is adapted to perform operations for device-to-device D2D transmission of channel state information CSI reports and / or CSI reference signals CSI-RS. The operations include identifying a CSI selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of the CSI reports and / or CSI-RS. The operations also include identifying a data selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data and at least partially overlapping an area of ​​the CSI selection window. The operations also include controlling the transmission of data and the CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window.

[0032] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, a user equipment (UE) is provided that performs operations for device-to-device (D2D) transmission. The operations include identifying a first data stream selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data of a first data stream. The operations also include identifying a second data stream selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data of a second data stream and at least partially overlapping an area of ​​the first data stream selection window. The operations also include controlling transmission of data of the first data stream and the second data stream to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping area of ​​the first data stream selection window and the second data stream selection window.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, a user equipment UE is provided, which performs operations for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS. The operations include determining a time position of a CSI selection window based on a time when another CSI report and / or CSI-RS was previously transmitted, a period of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in the D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The operations also include controlling the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0034] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, a user equipment UE is provided, which performs operations for device-to-device D2D transmission of channel state information CSI reports and / or CSI reference signals CSI-RS. The operations include determining a time position of a CSI selection window based on a D2D frame number, a period of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window of candidate resources used in the D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The operations also include controlling the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0035] According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, a computer program is provided, comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor of a user equipment UE, whereby execution of the program code causes the UE to perform operations, the operations comprising identifying a CSI selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The operations further comprise identifying a data selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data and at least partially overlapping with a region of the CSI selection window. The operations further comprise controlling transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window.

[0036] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, there is provided a computer program comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor (2003) of a user equipment UE, whereby execution of the program code causes the UE to perform operations, the operations comprising identifying a first data stream selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data of a first data stream. The operations further comprise identifying a second data stream selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data of a second data stream and at least partially overlapping an area of ​​the first data stream selection window. The operations further comprise controlling transmission of data of the first data stream and the second data stream to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping area of ​​the first data stream selection window and the second data stream selection window.

[0037] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, a computer program is provided, comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor of a user equipment UE, whereby execution of the program code causes the UE to perform operations, the operations comprising determining a temporal position of a CSI selection window based on a time when another CSI report and / or CSI-RS was previously transmitted, a period of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The operations also include controlling the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0038] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, a computer program is provided, comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor of a user equipment UE, whereby execution of the program code causes the UE to perform operations, the operations comprising determining a temporal position of a CSI selection window based on a D2D frame number, a period of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The operations also comprise controlling the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0039] According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, a method of operating a network node to control a device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS by a user equipment UE is provided. The method includes a criterion to be used by the UE to select a CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission resource and a data transmission resource within an overlapping region of a CSI selection window and a data selection window. The method also includes sending an indication of the criterion to the UE.

[0040] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, a network node is provided that performs operations for controlling device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS by a user equipment UE. The operations include determining a criterion to be used by the UE to select a CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission resource and a data transmission resource within an overlapping region of a CSI selection window and a data selection window. The operations also include sending an indication of the criterion to the UE.

[0041] According to other embodiments of the inventive concept, a computer program is provided, comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor of a network node, whereby execution of the program code causes the network node to perform operations, the operations comprising determining a criterion to be used by the UE to select CSI reports and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources within an overlapping region of a CSI selection window and a data selection window. The operations also include sending an indication of the criterion to the UE.

[0042] By reading the following drawings and detailed description, other methods, UEs, and computer program products according to embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention will be apparent or become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such additional methods, UEs, and computer program products are intended to be included in this specification, within the scope of the subject matter of the present invention, and protected by the appended claims. In addition, all embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be implemented individually or in combination in any manner and / or combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of the inventive concept. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 An example V2X wireless communication network is shown;

[0045] Figure 2a and 2b An operation for resource selection is shown;

[0046] Figure 3 illustrates a time diagram and corresponding operations for using frequency-adjacent resources in the same time slot for CSI reporting and data transmission according to some embodiments;

[0047] Figure 4 A time diagram and corresponding operations for using non-contiguous resources in the same time slot for CSI reporting and data transmission according to some embodiments are shown;

[0048] Figure 5 A time diagram and corresponding operations for selecting a resource for combined CSI reporting and data transmission according to some embodiments are shown;

[0049] Figure 6 illustrates a time diagram and corresponding operations for selecting resources that are adjacent in frequency to resources already allocated for data transmission for CSI reporting in accordance with some embodiments;

[0050] Figure 7 illustrates a time diagram and corresponding operations for selecting resources for CSI reporting that are non-contiguous in frequency to resources already allocated for data transmission in accordance with some embodiments;

[0051] Figure 8 A time diagram and corresponding operations for resource (re)selection triggered for SL periodic CSI reporting according to some embodiments are shown;

[0052] Fig. 9 shows a timing diagram and corresponding operations for candidate time slots when following a strict cycle according to some embodiments;

[0053] Fig.10 shows a time diagram and corresponding operations for candidate time slots when there are no time constraints according to some embodiments;

[0054] Fig.11 A time diagram and corresponding operations for determining candidate time slots in a progressive manner according to some embodiments are shown;

[0055] Fig.12 A time diagram and corresponding operations for determining candidate time slots in a DFN-based manner according to some embodiments are shown;

[0056] Figures 13 to 18 is a flow chart of operations performed by a UE for CSI reporting and / or SL transmission of CSI-RS according to some embodiments;

[0057] Fig.19 is a flow chart of operations performed by a network node for controlling CSI reporting and / or SL transmission of CSI-RS by a UE according to some embodiments;

[0058] Fig. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a UE having components configured according to some embodiments;

[0059] Fig.21 is a block diagram illustrating a network node having components configured according to some embodiments;

[0060] Fig. 22 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to some embodiments;

[0061] Fig.23 is a block diagram of a user equipment according to some embodiments;

[0062] Fig.24 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment according to some embodiments;

[0063] Fig.25 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network according to some embodiments;

[0064] Fig.26 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating with a user device via a base station over a partially wireless connection according to some embodiments;

[0065] Fig. 27 is a block diagram of a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment according to some embodiments;

[0066] Fig.28 is a block diagram of a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment according to some embodiments;

[0067] Fig.29 is a block diagram of a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment according to some embodiments; and

[0068] Fig.30 is a block diagram of a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The inventive concept will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. However, the inventive concept can be embodied in a variety of different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure detailed and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be defaulted to being present / used in another embodiment.

[0070] The following description provides various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. These embodiments are provided as teaching examples and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, specific details of the described embodiments may be modified, omitted, or expanded without departing from the scope of the described subject matter.

[0071] Embodiments of the present invention may be applied to LTE Mode 4 or NR Mode 2.

[0072] 4. Overview of current approaches and potential advantages:

[0073] One currently proposed approach is to consider SL periodic CSI reporting in part from the SL periodic data traffic from a scheduling perspective. Then, the typical Mode 4 resource selection mechanism can also be applied to periodic CSI reporting. In this way, the resource selection for SL CSI reporting and data is independent, but this is inefficient. Consider the following example. Assume that UE2 has both CSI reports and data to send to UE1. Using independent resource selection, Figure 2a and 2b The two situations in the above will most likely occur. Figure 2a , the half-duplex problem becomes more serious, which not only degrades the potential signal reception but also the sensing process. Note that due to the half-duplex constraint, when the UE is transmitting, it can neither receive signals nor detect or measure the channel. In addition, for Figure 2b , the non-adjacent frequency allocation of CSI reporting and data transmission will bring more serious intermodulation distortion problem. Note that intermodulation is the signal amplitude containing two or more different frequencies caused by nonlinearity in the system. In addition, for Figure 2a and Figure 2b Both, the resource fragmentation problem becomes more serious, which leads to inefficient resource utilization. Note that SL CSI reports usually have small payloads compared to data transmission.

[0074] Although the operations are described herein primarily in the context of SL communications, the operations are not limited thereto. The operations may be more generally used for device-to-device (D2D) communications. Therefore, it should be understood that the terms "side link" or "SL" used in the disclosure and drawings herein may be replaced with the terms "device-to-device" or "D2D".

[0075] Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to operations for resource selection for multi-stream transmission, which is particularly applicable to SLCSI reporting. Multi-stream transmission comes from the same UE, which can be SL CSI reporting + SL data transmission, SL data A transmission + SL data B transmission, SL control information transmission + SL data transmission, etc. Various embodiments are described below in the example context of = SL CSI reporting + potential data transmission.

[0076] The operation of at least some embodiments may involve one or both of the following two aspects:

[0077] 1) Efficiently select resources for sending SL CSI reports, especially when there is also potential data transmission from the same UE. To this end, resource selection for SL CSI reporting and data transmission is jointly considered to improve resource utilization.

[0078] 2) A good trade-off is achieved between reserving sufficient candidate resources and maintaining the periodic nature of SL periodic CSI reporting by pre-configuring or otherwise configuring the window and period (which indicates the allowed time variation of SL periodic CSI reporting) for the UE.

[0079] Various embodiments may provide one or more of the following operational advantages to more efficiently utilize resources:

[0080] 1. Reduces half-duplex issues, which is particularly useful for side link communications where sensing is required for Mode 4 resource selection.

[0081] 2. The resource fragmentation problem is reduced, which can further reduce the signaling overhead for indicating the selected resources.

[0082] 3. Reduced intermodulation distortion problems, which can reduce interference with other simultaneous transmissions.

[0083] 5. Various currently disclosed embodiments:

[0084] The various embodiments below are described in the context of SL or V2X communications, but may additionally be advantageously applied to other wireless communication scenarios, particularly scenarios involving wireless ad hoc networks.

[0085] These and other embodiments are also described in the context of SL CSI reporting, but they may also be advantageously applied to SL CSI-RS or other potential SL transmissions including both control signaling and data.

[0086] In the following description, resources may be interpreted as an integer multiple of subchannels, where a subchannel is defined as a minimum resource allocation unit.

[0087] Various embodiments are related to resource selection for SL CSI reporting. Relevant operations are disclosed, which are related to: 1) how to select resources for sending SL CSI reports; 2) how to determine candidate time slots for sending SL periodic CSI reports; 3) how to determine the window width of SL periodic CSI reports; 4) signaling aspects; 5) potential extensions for other transmissions.

[0088] 6. Embodiments involving selecting resources for sending SL CSI reports:

[0089] When selecting resources for SL CSI reporting, a valid selection window should first be identified, which contains candidate resources / time slots for selection. Note that for LTE Release 14 / 15 Mode 4 UEs, the time interval [n+T1, n+T2] described above in Section 1 "Autonomous resource selection for Mode 4 transmission" should be interpreted as the selection window for data transmission. Now, in NR, for SL non-periodic CSI reporting, the selection window can be determined by considering the deadline of CSI reporting and / or UE capabilities. Additionally, for SL periodic CSI reporting, the selection window can be determined by the embodiments that will be described later in Section 7 "Embodiments involving determining candidate time slots for sending SL periodic CSI reports".

[0090] After determining the selection window for SL CSI reporting, the next step is to select the resources within the window for sending the CSI report. Within these operations, several aspects are taken into account, especially when there is also (potential) data transmission from the same UE. More specifically, if possible, several issues explained in Section 4 "Potential Issues with Prior Approaches and Advantages of Current Approaches" need to be addressed, namely, half-duplex, resource fragmentation, and intermodulation distortion. To this end, the resource selection for CSI reporting can operate to take into account the resource selection of data or resources that have been allocated for data transmission from the same UE.

[0091] Some example embodiments are described below. Embodiments 1.1 and 1.2 are related to the case when resource selection for CSI reporting and data transmission is performed simultaneously. On the other hand, embodiments 1.3 and 1.4 are related to the case when resource allocation for data transmission from the same UE has been completed and resource selection is currently only performed for SL CSI reporting. Furthermore, embodiment 1.5 is related to the case of CSI reporting only transmission (i.e., no (potential) data transmission from the same UE).

[0092] Figures 13 to 18 is a flow chart of operations performed by a UE for CSI reporting and / or SL transmission of CSI-RS according to some embodiments.

[0093] Fig.13 Operations that may be performed by a UE for CSI reporting and / or SL transmission of a CSI reference signal (CSI-RS) according to some embodiments are shown. Fig.13 , the operation identifies 1300 a CSI selection window containing candidate resources for use in SL transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS. The operation identifies 1302 a data selection window containing candidate resources for use in SL transmission of data and at least partially overlapping an area of ​​the CSI selection window. The operation then controls 1304 transmission of data and a CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window.

[0094] The operation of identifying 1302 a data selection window may be performed to meet a deadline for transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS and / or the operation of identifying 1302 a data selection window may be performed in response to defined UE operating capabilities.

[0095] The operation of sending 1304 a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS may be configured to send a CSI report without sending a CSI-RS. Alternatively, the operation of sending 1304 a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS may be configured to send a CSI-RS without sending a CSI report.

[0096] 6.1 Example 1.1:

[0097] In some cases, resource selection for CSI reporting and data transmission is performed simultaneously, and their corresponding selection windows (i.e., their corresponding candidate time slots) overlap. Note that for data transmission, the time window [n+T1, n+T2] given in Section 1 is regarded as its selection window, where n is the time instance when resource selection is performed. Then, if certain conditions are met, the UE can select two frequency-adjacent resources in the same time slot for CSI reporting and data transmission, respectively, where the same time slot belongs to the overlapping time slots of the two resource selection windows. In this way, the problems of half-duplex, resource fragmentation, and intermodulation distortion can be reduced.

[0098] exist Figure 3 An example of this embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 3 A time diagram and corresponding operations for using frequency adjacent resources in the same time slot for CSI reporting and data transmission are shown. The specific conditions mentioned above may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of the following conditions in whole or in part:

[0099] 1. SA is not detected in the two corresponding resources during the sensing process;

[0100] 2. Although SA is detected in both corresponding resources, the associated RSRP and / or RSSI measurements are below a (pre-)configured threshold; and

[0101] 3. SA is detected in only one of the corresponding resources, but the associated RSRP and / or RSSI measurements are below a (pre-)configured threshold.

[0102] 4. The number of available resources in the overlapping window is above a certain threshold. For example, 20% of the total available resources within the selection window for data or CSI reporting. In some examples, the threshold can also be defined as a percentage of the union of available resources within the selection window for both data and CSI reporting.

[0103] In some other embodiments, resource selection 320 and 330 for CSI reporting and data transmission are performed simultaneously, and the two selection windows 300 and 310 overlap. However, when there are no two frequency-adjacent resources that meet the above conditions, the UE can responsively select two frequency-non-adjacent resources in the same time slot, provided that the two resources meet the above specific conditions. Figure 4 An example is shown in . Figure 4 A time diagram and corresponding operations for using non-contiguous resources 430 and 440 in the same time slot for CSI reporting and data transmission are shown. In this way, the problems of half-duplexing and resource fragmentation can be reduced, which provides better resource utilization.

[0104] In some other embodiments, resource selection for CSI reporting and data transmission is performed simultaneously. However, their corresponding selection windows do not overlap, or the above-mentioned specific conditions are not met for any two resources in the same time slot. Then, the UE can independently select resources for CSI reporting and data transmission within their own selection windows.

[0105] According to another sub-embodiment, the available resources are arranged according to selection priorities based on the time window area to which the available resources belong. For example, resources belonging to the overlapping area of ​​the selection window for data and CSI reporting will have a higher selection priority than resources associated with the non-overlapping area. This can be achieved by specifying or (pre) configuring the selection probability. For example, resources in the overlapping area have a probability p1, and resources in the overlapping area have a probability p2, where p1>p2 and p1+p2=1. Note that p1 and p2 give the probability of the resource being selected. In another sub-embodiment, the priority of resources is considered only when resource selection for CSI reporting and data transmission is performed simultaneously and the above-mentioned specific conditions are met.

[0106] Fig.14 Corresponding operations that may be performed according to some embodiments are shown.

[0107] refer to Fig.14 , the operation of controlling 1304 the transmission of data and CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected in the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window may include: selecting 1400 a first resource in the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window for the transmission of data; selecting 1402 a second resource in the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window for the transmission of CSI report and / or CSI-RS; using the first resource to initiate 1404 the transmission of data; and using the second resource to initiate 1406 the transmission of CSI report and / or CSI-RS.

[0108] The selection 1400 and 1402 of one of the first resource and the second resource may be performed in response to the selection of the other of the first resource and the second resource. Alternatively, the selection of one of the first resource and the second resource may be performed independently of the selection of the other of the first resource and the second resource.

[0109] The selection of the first resource and the second resource may be controlled so that the first resource and the second resource are adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot. In one embodiment, selecting the first resource and the second resource to be adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot is performed in response to determining that any one or more of the following conditions are satisfied:

[0110] a) The UE does not detect the scheduling allocation in the first resource and the second resource;

[0111] b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment in the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold;

[0112] c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment in one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; and

[0113] d) The amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold.

[0114] In another embodiment, selecting the first resource and the second resource to be adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot is performed in response to determining that any one or more of the following conditions are satisfied:

[0115] a) The UE does not detect the scheduling allocation for the first resource and the second resource;

[0116] b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold;

[0117] c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; and

[0118] d) The amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold.

[0119] The selection 1400 and 1402 of the first resource and the second resource may be controlled such that the first resource and the second resource are not adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot.

[0120] 6.2 Example 1.2:

[0121] In some cases, resource selection for CSI reporting and data transmission is performed simultaneously, and there is an overlap in the corresponding selection windows for CSI reporting and data transmission. Then, when specific conditions are met, the UE operates to responsively combine the transmission of CSI reporting and data, that is, selects a resource to send both of them. The word "combination" here can be performed in different ways, such as joint coding, separate coding, FDM, TDM, etc. In addition, in addition to the above criteria, the specific conditions here may also include but are not limited to: the payload of the SL CSI report is less than a predefined or (pre) configured threshold, the payload of the data is less than a predefined or (pre) configured threshold, or the sum of the CSI report and data payload is less than a predefined or (pre) configured threshold. In this way, the problems of half-duplex, resource fragmentation, and intermodulation distortion can be reduced. Figure 5 An example is shown in . Figure 5 A time diagram and corresponding operations for selecting a resource 500 for combined CSI reporting and data transmission are shown.

[0122] Fig.15 1 shows corresponding operations that may be performed by a UE according to some embodiments. Fig.15 , controlling 1304 the transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window may include: combining 1500 the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS into a combined payload; selecting 1502 a resource within the overlapping portion of the selection window and the data selection window; and initiating 1504 the transmission of the combined payload report using the selected resource.

[0123] The operation of combining 1500 the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS into a combined payload may include generating the combined payload by any one or more of the following: 1) jointly encoding the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS; 2) separately encoding the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS, and then combining the encoded data and the encoded CSI report and / or CSI-RS; 3) performing frequency division multiplexing of the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to provide transmission of the combined payload report; and 4) performing time division multiplexing of the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to provide transmission of the combined payload report.

[0124] The operations may also include signaling an indication of the combined payload in a scheduling assignment associated with the data.

[0125] The operation of controlling 1304 the transmission of data and CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected in the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window may also include: determining whether the condition is satisfied because at least one of the payload and the data is less than a defined threshold. The operation of combining the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS into a combined payload may be performed in response to determining that the condition is satisfied.

[0126] 6.3 Example 1.3:

[0127] In some cases, assuming that resource allocation for data transmission from the same UE has been completed and the allocated resources belong to the selection window of the CSI report, resource selection for CSI report transmission is performed. Then, when the allocated resource and one of its frequency-adjacent resources in the same time slot meet the specific conditions described under embodiment 1.1, the UE can responsively operate to select the frequency-adjacent resource for sending the CSI report. In this way, the problems of half-duplex, resource fragmentation, and intermodulation distortion can be reduced. Figure 6 An example of this embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 6 A time diagram and corresponding operations are shown for selecting a resource 620 for CSI reporting that is adjacent in frequency to a resource 630 already allocated for data transmission. The phrase "adjacent in frequency" means that no resources are located between the selected resource and the allocated resource for CSI reporting in the same time slot.

[0128] In some cases, assuming that resource allocation for data transmission from the same UE has been completed and the allocated resources belong to the selection window for CSI reporting, resource selection for CSI report transmission is performed. However, the allocated resources do not have their frequency-adjacent pairs so that they satisfy the specific conditions described according to embodiment 1.1. The UE can then responsively operate to select resources that are in the same time slot but are not adjacent in frequency to the allocated resources for CSI reporting. The phrase "non-adjacent in frequency" means that at least one resource or multiple resources are located between the selected resources in the same time slot and the allocated resources for CSI reporting. In this way, the problems of half-duplex and resource fragmentation can be reduced, which provides better resource utilization. Figure 7 An example of this embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 7 A time diagram and corresponding operations are shown for selecting resources 720 for CSI reporting that are non-contiguous in frequency to resources 730 already allocated for data transmission.

[0129] In certain other cases, resource selection for CSI report transmission is performed assuming that resource allocation for data transmission from the same UE has been completed. However, the allocated resources do not belong to the selection window for CSI reporting, or the allocated resources do not have a frequency-contiguous pair that satisfies the specific conditions described according to embodiment 1.1. The UE may then select resources for CSI reporting independently of the resources allocated for data transmission. Note that for this case, resource selection for CSI report transmission will be limited to the determined selection window.

[0130] According to another sub-embodiment, resources are prioritized for selection of CSI reports based on the above criteria. For example, resources that are adjacent in frequency are prioritized over resources that are not adjacent in frequency. In some cases, resources in the same time slot are prioritized over resources in different time slots.

[0131] 6.4 Example 1.4:

[0132] In some cases, assuming that resource allocation for data transmission from the same UE has been completed and the allocated resources belong to the selection window of the CSI report, resource selection for CSI report transmission is performed. Then, when specific conditions are met, the UE responsively operates to combine the transmission of CSI report and data, that is, selects a resource to send both of them. The word "combination" here can be performed in different ways, such as joint coding, separate coding, frequency division multiplexing (FDM), time division multiplexing (TDM), etc. In addition, in addition to the above criteria, the specific conditions here may also include but are not limited to: the payload of the SL CSI report is less than a predefined or (pre) configured threshold, the payload of the data is less than a predefined or (pre) configured threshold, or the sum of the CSI report and data payload is less than a predefined or (pre) configured threshold. In this way, the problems of half-duplex, resource fragmentation, and intermodulation distortion can be reduced.

[0133] According to one sub-embodiment, such a combination of data and CSI report may be signaled in an SA associated with the data. For example, a new SA format is defined that includes information related to the combined format of data and CSI report (e.g., time / frequency multiplexing, combined or separate coding and / or related modulation and coding scheme (MCS), etc.).

[0134] 6.5 Example 1.5:

[0135] In some cases, the transmission of data always takes precedence over the transmission of CSI reports. For example, when constrained by a limited number of available resources, the UE may responsively drop CSI transmissions and schedule only data. In some cases, CSI reports may take precedence over data transmissions. For example, if only CSI reports can be scheduled because the payload of the CSI report is small compared to the data transmission. In some other cases, the prioritization criteria / rules are (pre)configured by higher layers.

[0136] Furthermore, in case a power limited UE wants to send simultaneous data and CSI reports, power allocation is also done based on the described prioritization rules.

[0137] The corresponding operation of controlling 1304 the transmission of data and CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected in the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window may include: in response to determining that the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window does not have sufficient resources to perform the transmission of both data and CSI report and / or CSI-RS, giving priority to the transmission of data over the transmission of CSI report and / or CSI-RS by sending data without sending CSI report and / or CSI-RS.

[0138] The corresponding operation of controlling the transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected in the overlapping area between the CSI selection window and the data selection window may include: in response to determining that there are insufficient resources in the overlapping area between the CSI selection window and the data selection window to send data, giving priority to the transmission of CSI reports and / or CSI-RS over the transmission of data by sending CSI reports and / or CSI-RS instead of sending data.

[0139] 6.6 Example 1.6:

[0140] In the case where CSI reporting and data transmission have different periods, the above embodiments (e.g., embodiments 1.1 to 1.5) are only performed when the periods are integer multiples of each other (in terms of the number of time slots). For example, if the data period is 10 time slots (i.e., 10 ms), and the CSI reporting period is 5 time slots (i.e., 5 ms). If the periods are not integer multiples of each other, the above optimization is not applied and the data / CSI reports are scheduled independently.

[0141] In one embodiment, the operation of controlling 1304 the transmission of data and CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected in the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window is performed only when the transmission period of the data is an integer multiple of the transmission period of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. In an alternative embodiment, the operation of controlling 1304 the transmission of data and CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected in the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window is performed only when the transmission period of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS is an integer of the transmission period of the data.

[0142] 6.7 Example 1.7:

[0143] In some cases, there is a SL CSI report-only transmission, i.e., no (potential) data transmission from the same UE. The UE shall then operate according to a Mode 4 resource allocation mechanism also for SL CSI reporting, where the selection window for candidate resources is determined by the embodiments under Section 7 below. Note that the Mode 4 resource allocation mechanism may be either the existing Mode 4 resource allocation mechanism in LTE or an enhanced version of the Mode 4 resource allocation mechanism in NR.

[0144] 7. Embodiments involving determining candidate time slots for sending SL periodic CSI reports:

[0145] As described above, when resource (re)selection is triggered for SL CSI reporting, such as Figure 8 As shown, the UE needs to first identify a valid selection window containing candidate resources. Figure 8 A time diagram and corresponding operations for resource 800 (re)selection triggered for SL periodic CSI reporting are shown. In this section, it will be described how to determine the selection window for SL periodic CSI reporting.

[0146] From the perspective of the time domain, the temporal position of the selection window containing candidate resources should consider the following two aspects.

[0147] 1. Number of candidate resources. The period of SL CSI report is represented as p. If strict periodic CSI reporting is required, the candidate time slots for the next CSI report (i.e., SL CSI report 2) will only include time slots within t1+p, such as Fig. 9 shown. Fig. 9A timing diagram and corresponding operation for candidate time slots at a strict periodicity are shown. In this way, a too limited number of candidate resources will result in a much higher probability of collision. In addition, a too limited number of candidate resources will make the half-duplex constraint and resource fragmentation problem (as described in Section 4) more severe when there is also potential data transmission from the same UE, due to the lower probability of overlapping selection windows.

[0148] 2. Characteristics of periodic transmission. Another extreme case is that there is no time limit for candidate time slots, e.g. Fig.10 shown. Fig.10 1000 and the corresponding operation for candidate time slots when there is no time restriction. In this case, it may happen that the time slot selected for SL CSI report 2 at t2 is too close to CSI report 1 or too far from CSI report 1, i.e., t2-

[0149] t1 is too small or too large. This may reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of CSI reporting. Additionally, the periodicity property may also be destroyed to a large extent.

[0150] Note that the above operational difficulties may only occur at resource (re)selection for CSI reporting. In case of periodic transmission, once resource reservation is done based on sensing results, the same resource allocation is followed until resource reselection is triggered.

[0151] To address the above two aspects, the present invention proposes to (pre)configure the window width w and period to indicate the selection window containing candidate time slots for SL periodic CSI reporting, i.e., the allowed time variation when selecting resources for SL periodic CSI reporting. Two exemplary embodiments are described below.

[0152] 7.1 Example 2.1:

[0153] In one embodiment, the time position of the selection window is determined based on a progressive manner, i.e., the time position depends on the time instance of the previous CSI report (e.g., t1), the period p, and the window width w. Fig.11 An example is shown in . Fig.11 A time diagram and corresponding operations for determining candidate time slots within the selection window 1100 in a progressive manner are shown.

[0154] The corresponding operation of identifying 1300 a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in SL transmission of a CSI report and / or CSI-RS may include determining the time position of the CSI selection window based on the time when another CSI report and / or CSI-RS was previously sent, the periodicity of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and the width of the CSI selection window.

[0155] Fig.17 The corresponding operations that may be performed by the UE for CSI reporting and / or SL transmission of CSI-RS are shown. Fig.17 The operation determines 1700 a time position of the CSI selection window based on a time when another CSI report and / or CSI-RS was previously transmitted, a period of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in SL transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The operation controls 1702 transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0156] 7.2 Example 2.2:

[0157] In another embodiment, the time position of the selection window is determined in a manner based on the D2D frame number (DFN). In this manner, the time position depends on the DFN, the period p, and the window width w. More specifically, the time position of the selection window follows a periodic manner with a period of p. Fig.12 An example is shown in . Fig.12 A time diagram and corresponding operations for determining candidate time slots in a DFN-based manner are shown. Fig.12 As shown, the starting time slot of the selection window for each periodic CSI report follows a periodic manner, i.e., t2-t1=p. On the other hand, the actual time slots used for CSI reporting can be flexible and do not have to have a strict periodicity, as long as they belong to the corresponding selection window.

[0158] In some other examples, the selection window determined above includes certain time slots that cannot be used to send SL CSI reports. Then, these time slots will be excluded from the selection window accordingly.

[0159] The corresponding operation of identifying 1300 a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in SL transmission of CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS may include determining the time position of the CSI selection window based on the device-to-device D2D frame number, the period of CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission, and the width of the CSI selection window.

[0160] Fig.18 The corresponding operations that may be performed by the UE for CSI reporting and / or SL transmission of CSI-RS are shown. Fig.18The operation determines 1800 a time position of the CSI selection window based on a device-to-device D2D frame number, a period of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in SL transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS. The operation controls 1802 transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0161] 8. Embodiments related to determining the window width for SL periodic CSI reporting:

[0162] In this section, an explanation is provided on how to select the window width w for SL periodic CSI reporting.

[0163] In some cases, the window width w may depend on the period, for example the width is proportional to the period, for example w=0.4p, ie 40% of the period.

[0164] In some cases, the window width w may depend on some measure of the channel, such as a channel busy rate (CBR) measure or a variant thereof. For example, if the CBR is high, a larger window width w is used to include more candidate resources with low congestion.

[0165] In some cases, the window width w depends on the CSI-RS used to generate the CSI report. For example, the window width is selected so that the CSI report remains valid within the time.

[0166] The corresponding operation of the UE may include determining the width of the CSI selection window based on a proportional relationship with the CSI transmission period.

[0167] Alternatively, the operation of the UE may include determining the width of the CSI selection window based on measurements of a channel to be used for CSI reporting and / or transmission of CSI-RS.

[0168] The operation of determining the width of the CSI selection window based on the measurement of the channel to be used for CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission may include: determining the width of the CSI selection window based on a proportional relationship with a channel busy rate CBR measurement of the channel.

[0169] Alternatively, determining the width of the CSI selection window based on measurement of a channel to be used for transmission of CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS may include determining the width of the CSI selection window according to the timing of the CSI-RS used to generate the CSI report.

[0170] 9. Embodiments involving signaling:

[0171] From the operational perspective of a network node (e.g., e / next generation Node B (gNB)), a resource selection criterion as defined in embodiment 1.1 is provided, for example, via RRC or broadcast system information (e.g., system information block (SIB)). In addition, the network node signals the window width or the criteria for selecting the selection window width to the UE, for example, via an RRC message or SIB.

[0172] From the operation perspective of the UE, the UE receives information from the network node via broadcast system information such as RRC or SIB. In addition, the UE can also use the side link control information (for example, in the case of combined transmission as described in the above embodiment, using the SA indicating the time / frequency multiplexing of data and CSI report) to notify the change of the data transmission format.

[0173] From a UE operation perspective, the pre-configuration or provisioning also allows for correct UE behavior for transmission of data and / or CSI reports.

[0174] Another corresponding operation of the UE may include receiving, from the network node, an indication of a width of the CSI selection window and / or an indication of a criterion to be used to determine the width of the CSI selection window.

[0175] The UE may be operable to receive from the network node an indication of a criterion to be used for selecting CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window. The UE may then responsively select one of the following conditions based on the criterion:

[0176] a) The UE does not detect the scheduling allocation in the first resource and the second resource;

[0177] b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment in the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold;

[0178] c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment in one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; and

[0179] d) The amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold.

[0180] In another embodiment, the UE may then responsively select one of the following conditions based on the criteria:

[0181] a) The UE does not detect the scheduling allocation for the first resource and the second resource;

[0182] b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold;

[0183] c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; and

[0184] d) The amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold.

[0185] In response to determining that one of the selected conditions is satisfied, the UE may then select the CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and the data transmission resources to be adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot.

[0186] The UE may receive the standard indication via radio resource control RRC signaling and / or system information block SIB signaling. Alternatively or additionally, the standard indication may be pre-configured in a memory of the UE.

[0187] Fig.19 Corresponding operations that may be performed by a network node for controlling CSI reporting and / or SL transmission of CSI-RS by a UE are shown. Fig.19 The operation determines 1900 a criterion to be used by the UE to select CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources in an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window. The operation sends 1902 an indication of the criterion to the UE.

[0188] The indication of the standard may be sent to the UE using radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or system information block (SIB) signaling.

[0189] 10. Embodiments involving other transmissions:

[0190] The various embodiments above have been described in the context of SL CSI reporting, but they may also be advantageously applied to other types of SL transmissions. Various non-limiting examples of such extensions include the following.

[0191] The embodiments under Section 6 may be applied to resource selection for SL CSI-RS transmission.

[0192] The embodiments under Section 7 may be applied to determine a candidate time slot for transmitting a SL periodic CSI-RS. The embodiments under Sections 8 and 9 may be applied to determine a window width for transmitting a SL periodic CSI-RS.

[0193] The embodiments under Section 6 may be applied to resource selection for two transmission streams from the same UE. More specifically, instead of selecting resources for SL CSI reporting + SL data transmission, similar operations and methods may be used to select resources for SL data A transmission + SL data B transmission, SL control information transmission + SL data transmission, etc.

[0194] Fig.16 The corresponding operations that may be performed by the UE for data transmission are shown. Fig.16 , the operation identifies 1600 a first data stream selection window that includes candidate resources used in SL transmission of data of the first data stream. The operation identifies 1602 a second data stream selection window that includes candidate resources used in SL transmission of data of the second data stream and at least partially overlaps with an area of ​​the first data stream selection window. The operation controls 1604 transmission of data of the first data stream and the second data stream to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area of ​​the first data stream selection window and the second data stream selection window.

[0195] Example UE and network nodes

[0196] Fig. 20 2000 is a block diagram illustrating a UE 2000 having components configured according to some embodiments. UE 2000 may include, but is not limited to, a wireless terminal, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication terminal, a user equipment UE, a user equipment node / terminal / device, etc. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, UE 2000 is configured to provide wireless communication. As shown, UE 2000 may include an antenna 2007, a transceiver circuit 2001 (also referred to as a transceiver), and the transceiver circuit 2001 includes a transmitter and a receiver configured to provide uplink and downlink radio communications with other UEs (e.g., SL communications) and radio access network (RAN) nodes (e.g., base stations, evolved Node Bs (eNBs), gNBs, network nodes, etc.) of a wireless communication network. UE 2000 also includes a processor circuit 2003 (also referred to as a processor) coupled to the transceiver circuit 2001, and a memory circuit 2005 (also referred to as a memory) coupled to the processor circuit 2003. The memory circuit 2005 stores computer readable program code, which, when executed by the processor circuit 2003, causes the processor circuit 2003 to perform operations according to the embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, the processor circuit 2003 may be defined to include a memory so that a separate memory circuit is not required. The UE 2000 may also include an interface (e.g., a user interface) coupled to the processor 2003, and / or the UE may be an Internet of Things (IoT) and / or a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device.

[0197] As discussed herein, the operations of UE 2000 may be performed by processor 2003 and / or transceiver 2001. For example, processor 2003 may control transceiver 2001 to send uplink communications to another UE and / or RAN node of the wireless communication network over a radio interface through transceiver 2001, and / or receive downlink communications from another UE and / or RAN node of the wireless communication network over a radio interface through transceiver 2001. In addition, modules may be stored in memory 2005, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the instructions of the modules are executed by processor 2003, processor 2003 performs corresponding operations (e.g., operations discussed below for example embodiments).

[0198] Fig.21 2100 is a block diagram illustrating a network node 2100 having components configured according to some embodiments. The network node 2100 may include, but is not limited to, a base station, an eNB, a gNB, etc. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the network node 2100 is configured to provide wireless communication. As shown, the network node 2100 includes a network interface 2107, a processor circuit 2103 (also referred to as a processor) coupled to the network interface 2107, and a memory circuit 2105 (also referred to as a memory) coupled to the processor circuit 2103. The memory circuit 2105 stores computer-readable program code that, when executed by the processor circuit 2103, causes the processor circuit 2103 to perform operations according to the embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, the processor circuit 2103 may be defined to include a memory so that a separate memory circuit is not required.

[0199] List of examples:

[0200] 1. A method of operating a user equipment UE for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS, the method comprising:

[0201] Identifying (1300) a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in D2D transmission of CSI reports and / or CSI-RS;

[0202] identifying (1302) a data selection window that contains candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data and that at least partially overlaps with a region of the CSI selection window; and

[0203] Transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS is controlled (1304) to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window.

[0204] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein identification of the data selection window is further performed to meet a deadline for transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS, and / or in response to a defined UE operating capability.

[0205] 3. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 2, wherein the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS includes the transmission of the CSI report without the transmission of the CSI-RS.

[0206] 4. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 2, wherein the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS includes the transmission of the CSI-RS without the transmission of the CSI report.

[0207] 5. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein controlling (1304) transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window comprises:

[0208] Selecting (1400) a first resource in an overlapping area between the CSI selection window and the data selection window for transmission of data;

[0209] Selecting (1402) a second resource in an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window for transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS;

[0210] initiating (1404) transmission of data using the first resource; and

[0211] Transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS is initiated (1406) using the second resource.

[0212] 6. The method of embodiment 5, wherein:

[0213] The selection of one of the first resource and the second resource is performed in response to the selection of the other of the first resource and the second resource; or

[0214] The selection of one of the first resource and the second resource is performed independently of the selection of the other of the first resource and the second resource.

[0215] 7. The method of any one of embodiments 5 to 6, wherein:

[0216] Selection of the first resource and the second resource is controlled such that the first resource and the second resource are adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot.

[0217] 8. The method of embodiment 7, wherein:

[0218] Selecting the first resource and the second resource to be adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot is performed in response to determining that any one or more of the following conditions are satisfied:

[0219] a) The UE does not detect the scheduling allocation in the first resource and the second resource;

[0220] b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment in the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold;

[0221] c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment in one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; and

[0222] d) The amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold.

[0223] 9. The method of embodiment 7, wherein:

[0224] Selecting the first resource and the second resource to be adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot is performed in response to determining that any one or more of the following conditions are satisfied:

[0225] a) The UE does not detect the scheduling assignment for the first resource and the second resource;

[0226] b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold;

[0227] c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; and

[0228] d) The amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold.

[0229] 10. The method of any one of embodiments 5-6, wherein:

[0230] Selection of the first resource and the second resource is controlled such that the first resource and the second resource are not adjacent to each other in frequency and are in the same time slot.

[0231] 11. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein controlling (1304) transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window comprises:

[0232] combining (1500) the data and the CSI report and / or the CSI-RS into a combined payload;

[0233] selecting (1502) a resource within an overlapping portion of the selection window and the data selection window; and

[0234] Transmission of the combined payload report is initiated (1504) using the selected resources.

[0235] 12. The method of embodiment 11, wherein combining (1500) the data and the CSI report and / or the CSI-RS into a combined payload comprises:

[0236] The combined payload is generated by any one or more of: 1) jointly encoding the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS; 2) separately encoding the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS and then combining the encoded data and the encoded CSI report and / or CSI-RS; 3) performing frequency division multiplexing of the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to provide transmission of the combined payload report; and 4) performing time division multiplexing of the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to provide transmission of the combined payload report.

[0237] 13. The method according to embodiment 11, further comprising:

[0238] An indication of the combined payload is signaled in a scheduling assignment associated with the data.

[0239] 14. The method of any one of embodiments 11 to 13, wherein controlling (1304) transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window further comprises:

[0240] determining whether the condition is satisfied because at least one of the payload and the data is less than a defined threshold, and

[0241] Therein, combining the data and the CSI report and / or the CSI-RS into a combined payload is performed in response to determining that a condition is satisfied.

[0242] 15. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein controlling (1304) transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window comprises:

[0243] In response to determining that an overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window does not have sufficient resources to perform transmission of both data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS, transmission of data is prioritized over transmission of CSI reports and / or CSI-RS by sending data without sending CSI reports and / or CSI-RS.

[0244] 16. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein controlling transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window comprises:

[0245] In response to determining that the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window does not have sufficient resources to send data, the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS is prioritized over the transmission of data by sending the CSI report and / or CSI-RS without sending the data.

[0246] 17. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein controlling (1304) the transmission of data and CSI reports and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window is performed only when the transmission period of the data is an integer multiple of the transmission period of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS.

[0247] 18. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein identifying (1300) a CSI selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS comprises:

[0248] The temporal position of the CSI selection window is determined based on the time when another CSI report and / or CSI-RS was previously sent, the periodicity of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and the width of the CSI selection window.

[0249] 19. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein identifying (1300) a CSI selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS comprises:

[0250] The time position of the CSI selection window is determined based on the D2D frame number, the period of CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission, and the width of the CSI selection window.

[0251] 20. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, further comprising:

[0252] The width of the CSI selection window is determined based on a proportional relationship with the CSI transmission period.

[0253] 21. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 20, further comprising:

[0254] The width of the CSI selection window is determined based on measurements of a channel to be used for CSI reporting and / or transmission of CSI-RS.

[0255] 22. The method of embodiment 21, wherein determining a width of the CSI selection window based on a measurement of a channel to be used for CSI reporting and / or transmission of a CSI-RS comprises:

[0256] The width of the CSI selection window is determined based on a proportional relationship with a channel busy rate (CBR) measurement of the channel.

[0257] 23. The method of embodiment 21, wherein determining a width of the CSI selection window based on a measurement of a channel to be used for CSI reporting and / or transmission of a CSI-RS comprises:

[0258] The width of the CSI selection window is determined according to the timing of the CSI-RS used to generate the CSI report.

[0259] 24. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, further comprising:

[0260] An indication of a width of the CSI selection window and / or an indication of a criterion to be used to determine the width of the CSI selection window is received from the network node.

[0261] 25. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 24, further comprising:

[0262] receiving, from a network node, an indication of criteria to be used for selecting CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources within an overlap region of a CSI selection window and a data selection window;

[0263] Based on the criteria, select one of the following conditions:

[0264] a) The UE does not detect the scheduling allocation in the first resource and the second resource;

[0265] b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment in the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold;

[0266] c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment in one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; and

[0267] d) the amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold; and

[0268] In response to determining that a selected one of the conditions is satisfied, selecting the CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and the data transmission resources to be adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot is performed.

[0269] 26. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 24, further comprising:

[0270] receiving, from a network node, an indication of criteria to be used for selecting CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources within an overlapping region of a CSI selection window and a data selection window;

[0271] Based on the criteria, select one of the following conditions:

[0272] a) The UE does not detect the scheduling assignment for the first resource and the second resource;

[0273] b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold;

[0274] c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; and

[0275] d) the amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold; and

[0276] In response to determining that a selected one of the conditions is satisfied, selecting the CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and the data transmission resources to be adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot is performed.

[0277] 27. The method of any one of embodiments 25-26, wherein:

[0278] The indication of the standard is received via radio resource control RRC signaling and / or system information block SIB signaling, and / or the indication of the standard is preconfigured in a memory of the UE.

[0279] 28. A method of operating a user equipment (UE) for device-to-device (D2D) data transmission, the method comprising:

[0280] Identifying (1600) a first data stream selection window comprising candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data of a first data stream;

[0281] identifying (1602) a second data stream selection window that includes candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of data of the second data stream and that at least partially overlaps with a region of the first data stream selection window; and

[0282] Transmission of data of the first data stream and the second data stream is controlled (1604) to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping area of ​​the first data stream selection window and the second data stream selection window.

[0283] 29. A method of operating a user equipment UE for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS, the method comprising:

[0284] determining (1700) a temporal position of a CSI selection window based on a time when another CSI report and / or CSI-RS was previously transmitted, a periodicity of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmissions, and a width of a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in D2D transmission of CSI reports and / or CSI-RS; and

[0285] Transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS is controlled (1702) to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0286] 30. A method of operating a user equipment UE for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS, the method comprising:

[0287] Determining (1800) a time position of a CSI selection window based on a D2D frame number, a period of CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission, and a width of a CSI selection window containing candidate resources used in D2D transmission of CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS; and

[0288] Transmission of a CSI report and / or a CSI-RS is controlled (1802) to use at least one resource selected within the CSI selection window.

[0289] 31. A method of operating a network node (2100) to control device-to-device (D2D) transmission of a channel state information (CSI) report and / or a CSI reference signal (CSI-RS) by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:

[0290] determining (1900) criteria to be used by the UE to select CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources within an overlapping region of a CSI selection window and a data selection window; and

[0291] A standard indication is sent (1902) to the UE.

[0292] 32. The method of embodiment 31, wherein the indication of the standard is sent to the UE using radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or system information block (SIB) signaling.

[0293] 33. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 32, wherein the D2D transmission includes a side link (SL) transmission.

[0294] 34. A user equipment UE (2000), adapted to be executed according to any one of embodiments 1 to 28 or according to embodiment 31.

[0295] 35. A user equipment UE (2000), comprising:

[0296] Transceiver;

[0297] a processor, coupled to the transceiver; and

[0298] A memory is coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the UE to perform the operations according to any one of embodiments 1 to 29 or according to embodiment 31.

[0299] 36. A network node (2100) adapted to perform according to any one of embodiments 31 to 32.

[0300] 37. A network node (2100), comprising:

[0301] Transceiver;

[0302] a processor, coupled to the transceiver; and

[0303] A memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the network node to perform operations according to any one of embodiments 31 to 32.

[0304] 38. A computer program product comprising:

[0305] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising a computer-readable program code embodied in the medium, which, when executed by a processor (2003) of a user equipment UE (2000), causes the UE to perform operations according to any one of embodiments 1 to 31 or according to embodiment 33.

[0306] 39. A computer program comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor (2003) of a user equipment UE (2000), whereby execution of the program code causes the UE to perform operations according to any one of embodiments 1 to 31 or according to embodiment 33.

[0307] 40. A computer program product comprising:

[0308] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising a computer-readable program code embodied in the medium, which, when executed by a processor (2103) of a network node (2100), causes the network node to perform operations according to any one of embodiments 31 to 33.

[0309] 41 A computer program comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor (2103) of a network node (2100), whereby execution of the program code causes the network node to perform operations according to any one of embodiments 31 to 33.

[0310] A description of the abbreviations from the above disclosure is provided below:

[0311] Abbreviation

[0312] CBR Channel Busy Rate

[0313] CSI Channel State Information

[0314] CSI-RS channel state information reference signal

[0315] D2D Device to Device

[0316] DCI Downlink Control Channel

[0317] DFN D2D frame number

[0318] NW Network

[0319] ProSe Proximity Services

[0320] PSCCH Physical Secondary Link Control Channel

[0321] PSSCH Physical Secondary Link Shared Channel

[0322] PPPP ProSe per-packet priority

[0323] QoS Quality of Service

[0324] RS reference signal

[0325] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0326] RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

[0327] RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator

[0328] SA Scheduling Allocation

[0329] SIB System Information Block

[0330] SL Secondary Link

[0331] UE User Equipment

[0332] V2I Vehicle to Infrastructure

[0333] V2N Vehicle-to-Network

[0334] V2V Vehicle to Vehicle

[0335] V2P Vehicle to Pedestrian

[0336] V2X Vehicle-to-Everything Communication

[0337] Other definitions and examples are discussed below:

[0338] In the above description of various embodiments of the inventive concept, it will be understood that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limitations of the inventive concept. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as those of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. It will also be understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of this specification and related fields, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0339] When an element is referred to as being "connected to", "coupled to", "responsive to" (or variations thereof) another element, it may be directly connected to, coupled to or responsive to another element, or there may be an intermediate element. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected to", "directly coupled to", "directly responsive to" (or variations thereof) another element, there is no intermediate element. The same numbering refers to the same element herein. In addition, as used herein, "coupling", "connection", "response" or variations thereof may include wireless coupling, connection or response. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail. The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more listed associated items.

[0340] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used in this article to describe various elements / operations, these elements / operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element / operation from another element / operation. Therefore, the first element / operation in some embodiments can be referred to as the second element / operation in other embodiments without departing from the teaching of the present invention concept. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators in this specification represent the same or similar elements.

[0341] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "including," "having," or variations thereof are open ended and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components, or functions, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions, or combinations thereof. In addition, as used herein, the general abbreviation "such as," derived from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify one or more general examples of previously mentioned items, and is not intended as a limitation of such items. The general abbreviation "that is," derived from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a specific item from a more general description.

[0342] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and / or flow charts of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and / or devices), and / or computer program products. It will be understood that the blocks of the block diagrams and / or flow charts, and the combination of the blocks in the block diagrams and / or flow charts, can be implemented by computer program instructions executed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor circuit of a general-purpose computer circuit, a special-purpose computer circuit, and / or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine so that these instructions, when executed via a processor of a computer and / or other programmable data processing device, transform and control transistors, values ​​stored in storage cells, and other hardware components within such circuits to implement the functions / operations specified in one or more blocks in the block diagrams and / or flow charts, thereby generating a device (function) and / or structure that implements the functions / operations specified in the blocks in the block diagrams and / or flow charts.

[0343] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium, which may cause a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing the functions / operations specified in one or more blocks in the block diagram and / or flow chart. Therefore, embodiments of the inventive concept may be embodied in hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), which runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, and the hardware and / or software may be collectively referred to as "circuits", "modules" or variations thereof.

[0344] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the function / operation marked in the square frame can occur in a sequence different from that marked in the flow chart. For example, two continuous square frames can actually be performed substantially in parallel, and they can also be performed in reverse order sometimes, depending on the function / operation involved. In addition, the function of the given square frame of flow chart and / or block diagram can be divided into a plurality of square frames, and / or the function of two or more square frames of flow chart and / or block diagram can be integrated at least in part. Finally, other square frames can be added / inserted between the square frames shown, and / or square frame / operation can be omitted without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. In addition, although some figures include arrows on the communication path to illustrate the main direction of communication, it will be understood that communication can occur in the direction opposite to the arrows shown.

[0345] Many changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing substantially from the principles of the inventive concept. In this article, all these changes and modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, the subject matter disclosed above is considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and the examples of the embodiments are intended to cover all these modifications, enhancements and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of the inventive concept will be determined by the most widely permitted interpretation of the disclosure (including examples of the embodiments and their equivalents), and should not be limited or restricted by the above detailed description.

[0346] Additional instructions are provided below.

[0347] Generally, unless different meanings are clearly given and / or different meanings are implied in the context of using the term, all terms used in this article will be interpreted according to their common meanings in the relevant technical field. Unless clearly stated, all references to one / an / the element, device, assembly, part, step, etc. should be publicly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, assembly, part, step, etc. Unless a step is explicitly described as being after or before another step and / or a step must be after or before another step implicitly, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed. Where appropriate, any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment may be applicable to any other embodiment, and vice versa. By the following description, other purposes, features and advantages of the attached embodiments will be apparent.

[0348] Some embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided as examples to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0349] Fig. 22 : A wireless network according to some embodiments.

[0350] Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any suitable type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to wireless networks such as Fig. 22 For simplicity, Fig. 22 The wireless network of FIG. 1 depicts only the network QQ106, the network nodes QQ160 and QQ160b, and the WDQQ110, QQ110b, and QQ110c (also referred to as mobile terminals). In practice, the wireless network may further include any additional units suitable for supporting communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device (e.g., a landline phone, a service provider, or any other network node or terminal device). In the components shown, the network node QQ160 and the wireless device (WD) QQ110 are depicted with additional details. The wireless network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate wireless devices to access and / or use services provided by or via the wireless network.

[0351] A wireless network may include and / or be connected to any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular and / or radio network or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, a wireless network may be configured to operate according to a specific standard or other type of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, specific embodiments of a wireless network may implement: communication standards such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards such as IEEE 802.11 standards; and / or any other suitable wireless communication standards such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-wave, and / or ZigBee standards.

[0352] The network QQ106 may include one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTN), packet data networks, optical networks, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks that enable communication between devices.

[0353] The network node QQ160 and WD QQ110 include various components described in more detail below. These components work together to provide network node and / or wireless device functions, such as providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and / or any other components or systems that can facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals (whether via wired or wireless connections).

[0354] As used herein, a network node refers to a device that is capable of, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and / or with other network nodes or devices in a wireless network to enable and / or provide wireless access to a wireless device and / or perform other functions (e.g., management) in a wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, node Bs, evolved node Bs (eNBs), and NR node Bs (gNBs)). Base stations can be classified based on the amount of coverage provided by the base station (or in other words, their transmit power levels), and then they can also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station can be a relay node or a relay donor node that controls a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station (e.g., a centralized digital unit and / or a remote radio unit (RRU) (sometimes also referred to as a remote radio head (RRH))). Such a remote radio unit may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna-integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Other examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) devices such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and / or MDTs. As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below. However, more generally, a network node may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) that is capable of, configured, arranged, and / or operable to enable and / or provide access to a wireless network by a wireless device or to provide a certain service to a wireless device that has accessed a wireless network.

[0355] exist Fig. 22 In the embodiment, the network node QQ160 includes a processing circuit QQ170, a device readable medium QQ180, an interface QQ190, an auxiliary device QQ184, a power supply QQ186, a power supply circuit QQ187, and an antenna QQ162. Fig. 22The network node QQ160 shown in the example wireless network may represent a device including a combination of the hardware components shown, but other embodiments may include network nodes with different combinations of components. It should be understood that the network node includes any suitable combination of hardware and / or software required to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. In addition, although the components of the network node QQ160 are depicted as a single box located within a larger box or nested within multiple boxes, in reality, the network node may include multiple different physical components that make up a single shown component (for example, the device readable medium QQ180 may include multiple separate hard drives and multiple RAM modules).

[0356] Similarly, the network node QQ160 may include multiple physically separated components (e.g., a node B component and an RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), each of which may have its own corresponding components. In some cases where the network node QQ160 includes multiple separate components (e.g., a BTS and a BSC component), one or more separate components may be shared between multiple network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple node Bs. In such a scenario, in some cases, each unique node B and RNC pair may be considered as a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node QQ160 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such an embodiment, some components may be replicated (e.g., separate device-readable media QQ180 for different RATs), while some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna QQ162 may be shared by RATs). The network node QQ160 may also include multiple groups of various example components for different wireless technologies (e.g., GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies) integrated into the network node QQ160. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or chipsets and other components within network node QQ160.

[0357] The processing circuit QQ170 is configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being provided by the network node. Such operations performed by the processing circuit QQ170 may include: processing information obtained by the processing circuit QQ170, for example, by converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or the converted information with information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or the converted information; and making a determination as a result of the processing.

[0358] The processing circuit QQ170 may include a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or a combination of hardware, software, and / or encoded logic operable to provide network node QQ160 functionality alone or in combination with other network node QQ160 components (e.g., device readable medium QQ180). For example, the processing circuit QQ170 may execute instructions stored in the device readable medium QQ180 or in a memory within the processing circuit QQ170. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ170 may include a system on a chip (SOC).

[0359] In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ170 may include one or more of a radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit QQ172 and a baseband processing circuit QQ174. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit QQ172 and the baseband processing circuit QQ174 may be on separate chips (or chipsets), boards, or units (e.g., a radio unit and a digital unit). In alternative embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuit QQ172 and the baseband processing circuit QQ174 may be on the same chip or chipset, board, or unit.

[0360] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB, or other such network device may be performed by processing circuit QQ170 executing instructions stored on a device-readable medium QQ180 or a memory within processing circuit QQ170. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functions may be provided by processing circuit QQ170 without the need to execute instructions stored on a separate or separate device-readable medium, such as in a hardwired manner. In any of these embodiments, whether or not instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium are executed, processing circuit QQ170 can be configured to perform the described functions. The benefits provided by such functions are not limited to processing circuit QQ170 or other components of network node QQ160, but are enjoyed by network node QQ160 as a whole and / or generally by end users and wireless networks.

[0361] The device-readable medium QQ180 may include any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory, including but not limited to permanent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., flash drive, compact disk (CD), or digital video disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable storage device that stores information, data, and / or instructions that can be used by the processing circuit QQ170. The device-readable medium QQ180 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including computer programs, software, applications (including one or more of logic, rules, codes, tables, etc.), and / or other instructions that can be executed by the processing circuit QQ170 and utilized by the network node QQ160. The device-readable medium QQ180 may be used to store any calculations performed by the processing circuit QQ170 and / or any data received via the interface QQ190. In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ170 and the device-readable medium QQ180 may be considered to be integrated.

[0362] Interface QQ190 is used for wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between network node QQ160, network QQ106 and / or WD QQ110. As shown, interface QQ190 includes port / terminal QQ194 to send and receive data to network QQ106, for example, via a wired connection. Interface QQ190 also includes a radio front-end circuit QQ192 that can be coupled to antenna QQ162 or as a part of antenna QQ162 in some embodiments. Radio front-end circuit QQ192 includes filter QQ198 and amplifier QQ196. Radio front-end circuit QQ192 can be connected to antenna QQ162 and processing circuit QQ170. Radio front-end circuit QQ192 can be configured to adjust the signal transmitted between antenna QQ162 and processing circuit QQ170. Radio front-end circuit QQ192 can receive digital data that will be sent to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. The radio front end circuit QQ192 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ198 and / or amplifiers QQ196. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna QQ162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna QQ162 may collect the radio signal, which is then converted into digital data by the radio front end circuit QQ192. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuit QQ170. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0363] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node QQ160 may not include a separate radio front end circuit QQ192, but rather, the processing circuit QQ170 may include the radio front end circuit and may be connected to the antenna QQ162 without a separate radio front end circuit QQ192. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or part of the RF transceiver circuit QQ172 may be considered part of the interface QQ190. In other embodiments, the interface QQ190 may include one or more ports or terminals QQ194, the radio front end circuit QQ192, and the RF transceiver circuit QQ172 as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the interface QQ190 may communicate with the baseband processing circuit QQ174, which is part of the digital unit (not shown).

[0364] Antenna QQ162 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. Antenna QQ162 may be coupled to the radio front end circuit QQ190 and may be any type of antenna capable of wirelessly sending and receiving data and / or signals. In some embodiments, antenna QQ162 may include one or more omnidirectional, sector or flat panel antennas operable to send / receive radio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. Omnidirectional antennas may be used to send / receive radio signals in any direction, sector antennas may be used to send / receive radio signals from devices within a specific area, and flat panel antennas may be line of sight antennas for sending / receiving radio signals in a relatively straight line. In some cases, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In some embodiments, antenna QQ162 may be separated from network node QQ160 and may be connected to network node QQ160 via an interface or port.

[0365] Antenna QQ162, interface QQ190 and / or processing circuit QQ170 may be configured to perform any receiving operation and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and / or signal may be received from a wireless device, another network node and / or any other network device. Similarly, antenna QQ162, interface QQ190 and / or processing circuit QQ170 may be configured to perform any sending operation described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and / or signal may be sent to a wireless device, another network node and / or any other network device.

[0366] The power circuit QQ187 may include or be coupled to a power management circuit and is configured to provide power for performing the functions described herein to the components of the network node QQ160. The power circuit QQ187 may receive power from the power supply QQ186. The power supply QQ186 and / or the power circuit QQ187 may be configured to provide power to the various components of the network node QQ160 in a form suitable for the various components (e.g., with the voltage and current level required by each corresponding component). The power supply QQ186 may be included in the power circuit QQ187 and / or the network node QQ160 or outside thereof. For example, the network node QQ160 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet) via an input circuit or interface (e.g., a cable), whereby the external power source provides power to the power circuit QQ187. As another example, the power supply QQ186 may include a power source in the form of a battery or battery pack connected to or integrated in the power circuit QQ187. If the external power supply fails, the battery can provide backup power. Other types of power supplies, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

[0367] Alternative embodiments of network node QQ 160 may include Fig. 22 Additional components beyond those shown, which may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the functionality of the network node, including any functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node QQ 160 may include a user interface device to allow information to be input into the network node QQ 160 and to allow information to be output from the network node QQ 160. This may allow a user to perform diagnostics, maintenance, repair, and other management functions for the network node QQ 160.

[0368] As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device capable of, configured, arranged and / or operable to wirelessly communicate with a network node and / or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise specified, the term WD may be used interchangeably with user equipment (UE) in this article. Wireless communication may involve the use of electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information through the air to send and / or receive wireless signals. In some embodiments, WD may be configured to send and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, WD may be designed to send information to the network in a predetermined schedule when triggered by an internal or external event or in response to a request from the network. Examples of WD include, but are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, cellular phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, game consoles or devices, music storage devices, playback devices, wearable terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablet computers, laptop computers, laptop computer built-in devices (LEEs), laptop computer installation devices (LMEs), smart devices, wireless user premises equipment (CPEs), vehicle installation wireless terminal devices, etc. WD can support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example, by implementing 3GPP standards for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and in this case can be referred to as a D2D communication device. As another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, WD can represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurement and sends the results of such monitoring and / or measurement to another WD and / or network node. In this case, WD can be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which can be referred to as an MTC device in the 3GPP context. As a specific example, WD can be a UE that implements the 3GPP narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) standard. Specific examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or household or personal appliances (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, etc.), personal wearable devices (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other cases, WD can represent a vehicle or other device that can monitor and / or report its operating status or other functions associated with its operation. WD as described above can represent an endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device can be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, the WD as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

[0369] As shown, the wireless device QQ110 includes an antenna QQ111, an interface QQ114, a processing circuit QQ120, a device-readable medium QQ130, a user interface device QQ132, an auxiliary device QQ134, a power supply QQ136, and a power supply circuit QQ137. The WD QQ110 may include multiple groups of one or more of the components shown for different wireless technologies supported by the WD QQ110 (e.g., GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, to name a few). These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or chipsets as other components in the WD QQ110.

[0370] Antenna QQ111 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to send and / or receive wireless signals, and is connected to interface QQ114. In some alternative embodiments, antenna QQ111 may be separated from WD QQ110 and may be connected to WD QQ110 via an interface or port. Antenna QQ111, interface QQ114, and / or processing circuit QQ120 may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operation described herein as being performed by WD. Any information, data, and / or signal may be received from a network node and / or another WD. In some embodiments, the radio front-end circuit and / or antenna QQ111 may be considered an interface.

[0371] As shown, the interface QQ114 includes a radio front-end circuit QQ112 and an antenna QQ111. The radio front-end circuit QQ112 includes one or more filters QQ118 and an amplifier QQ116. The radio front-end circuit QQ114 is connected to the antenna QQ111 and the processing circuit QQ120, and is configured to adjust the signal transmitted between the antenna QQ111 and the processing circuit QQ120. The radio front-end circuit QQ112 may be coupled to the antenna QQ111 or as part of the antenna QQ111. In some embodiments, the WD QQ110 may not include a separate radio front-end circuit QQ112; instead, the processing circuit QQ120 may include a radio front-end circuit and may be connected to the antenna QQ111. Similarly, in some embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuit QQ122 may be considered as part of the interface QQ114. The radio front-end circuit QQ112 may receive digital data sent to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuit QQ112 may convert the digital data into a radio signal with appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ118 and / or amplifiers QQ116. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna QQ111. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna QQ111 may collect the radio signal, which may then be converted into digital data by radio front end circuit QQ112. The digital data may be passed to processing circuit QQ120. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0372] The processing circuit QQ120 may include a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or encoded logic operable to provide WDQQ110 functionality alone or in combination with other WD QQ110 components (e.g., device readable medium QQ130). Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, the processing circuit QQ120 may execute instructions stored in the device readable medium QQ130 or in a memory within the processing circuit QQ120 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

[0373] As shown, the processing circuit QQ120 includes one or more of the RF transceiver circuit QQ122, the baseband processing circuit QQ124, and the application processing circuit QQ126. In other embodiments, the processing circuit may include different components and / or different combinations of components. In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ120 of the WD QQ110 may include a SOC. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit QQ122, the baseband processing circuit QQ124, and the application processing circuit QQ126 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In an alternative embodiment, part or all of the baseband processing circuit QQ124 and the application processing circuit QQ126 may be combined into one chip or chipset, and the RF transceiver circuit QQ122 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In other alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuit QQ122 and the baseband processing circuit QQ124 may be on the same chip or chipset, and the application processing circuit QQ126 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In other alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuit QQ122, baseband processing circuit QQ124, and application processing circuit QQ126 may be combined in the same chip or chipset. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit QQ122 may be part of the interface QQ114. The RF transceiver circuit QQ122 may condition the RF signal for the processing circuit QQ120.

[0374] In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein as being performed by WD may be provided by processing circuit QQ120 executing instructions stored on device-readable medium QQ130 (which may be a computer-readable storage medium in some embodiments). In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functions may be provided by processing circuit QQ120 without the need to execute instructions stored on a separate or separate device-readable medium, such as in a hardwired manner. In any of these specific embodiments, processing circuit QQ120 can be configured to perform the described functions regardless of whether instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium are executed. The benefits provided by such functions are not limited to processing circuit QQ120 or other components of WD QQ110, but are enjoyed by WD QQ110 as a whole and / or by end users and wireless networks in general.

[0375] Processing circuit QQ120 may be configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., certain acquisition operations) described herein as being performed by the WD. Such operations performed by processing circuit QQ120 may include: processing information obtained by processing circuit QQ120, for example, by converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or the converted information with information stored by WD QQ110, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or the converted information; and making determinations as a result of the processing.

[0376] The device readable medium QQ130 is operable to store computer programs, software, applications (including one or more of logic, rules, codes, tables, etc.), and / or other instructions executable by the processing circuit QQ120 . The device-readable medium QQ130 may include computer memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a compact disk (CD) or a digital video disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable storage device that stores information, data, and / or instructions that can be used by the processing circuit QQ120. In some embodiments, the processing circuit QQ120 and the device-readable medium QQ130 may be considered to be integrated. The user interface device QQ132 may provide components that allow a human user to interact with the WD QQ110. Such interaction may have a variety of forms, such as visual, auditory, tactile, etc. The user interface device QQ132 may be operable to generate output to the user and allow the user to provide input to the WD QQ110. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface device QQ132 installed in the WD QQ110. For example, if the WD If QQ110 is a smart phone, the interaction can be via a touch screen; if WDQQ110 is a smart meter, the interaction can be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alarm (e.g., if smoke is detected). The user interface device QQ132 may include input interfaces, devices, and circuits, as well as output interfaces, devices, and circuits. The user interface device QQ132 is configured to allow information to be input into the WD QQ110, and is connected to the processing circuit QQ120 to allow the processing circuit QQ120 to process the input information. The user interface device QQ132 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity sensor or other sensor, a key / button, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuits. The user interface device QQ132 is also configured to allow information to be output from the WD QQ110, and to allow the processing circuit QQ120 to output information from the WD QQ110. The user interface device QQ132 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, a vibration circuit, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuits. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits of the user interface device QQ132, the WD QQ 110 may communicate with end users and / or wireless networks and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

[0377] The auxiliary device QQ134 is operable to provide more specific functions that may not normally be performed by the WD. This may include specialized sensors for measuring for various purposes, interfaces for other communication types such as wired communication, etc. The inclusion and type of components of the auxiliary device QQ134 may vary depending on the embodiment and / or scenario.

[0378] In some embodiments, the power supply QQ136 can take the form of a battery or a battery pack. Other types of power supplies can also be used, such as an external power supply (e.g., a power outlet), a photovoltaic device, or a battery. WD QQ110 may also include a power circuit QQ137 for delivering power from the power supply QQ136 to various parts of the WD QQ110, which require power from the power supply QQ136 to perform any function described or indicated herein. In some embodiments, the power circuit QQ137 may include a power management circuit. The power circuit QQ137 may be additionally or alternatively operable to receive power from an external power source. In this case, the WD QQ110 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet) through an input circuit or interface (e.g., a power cord). In some embodiments, the power circuit QQ137 may also be operable to deliver power from an external power source to the power supply QQ136. This can be used, for example, to charge the power supply QQ136. The power circuit QQ137 may perform any formatting, conversion, or other modification of the power from the power supply QQ136 to make the power suitable for the corresponding components of the WD QQ110 to which the power is provided.

[0379] Fig.23 : User equipment according to some embodiments

[0380] Fig.23 An embodiment of a UE according to various aspects described herein is shown. As used herein, a user equipment or UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the associated equipment. Rather, a UE may represent a device that is intended to be sold to or operated by a human user but may not be, or may not initially be, associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended to be sold to or operated by an end user but may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter). UEQQ2200 may be any UE identified by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a NB-IoT UE, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. As Fig.23As shown, UE QQ200 is an example of a WD that is configured to communicate according to one or more communication standards promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE and / or 5G standards. As mentioned above, the terms WD and UE can be used interchangeably. Therefore, although Fig.23 It is UE, but the components discussed in this article are also applicable to WD and vice versa.

[0381] exist Fig.23 In the embodiment, UE QQ200 includes a processing circuit QQ201, which is operatively coupled to an input / output interface QQ205, a radio frequency (RF) interface QQ209, a network connection interface QQ211, a memory QQ215 (including a random access memory (RAM) QQ217, a read-only memory (ROM) QQ219, and a storage medium QQ221, etc.), a communication subsystem QQ231, a power supply QQ233 and / or any other components or any combination thereof. The storage medium QQ221 includes an operating system QQ223, an application QQ225, and data QQ227. In other embodiments, the storage medium QQ221 may include other similar types of information. Some UEs may utilize Fig.23 All components shown may be used, or only a subset of these components may be used. The level of integration between components may vary from one UE to another. In addition, some UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0382] exist Fig.23 In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing circuit QQ201 can be configured to process computer instructions and data. The processing circuit QQ201 can be configured to implement any sequential state machine operable to execute machine instructions stored as a machine-readable computer program in a memory, such as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logic and appropriate firmware; one or more stored programs, general-purpose processors (e.g., microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs)) and appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuit QQ201 can include two central processing units (CPUs). The data can be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

[0383] In the depicted embodiment, the input / output interface QQ205 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, an output device, or an input and output device. The UE QQ200 may be configured to use an output device via the input / output interface QQ205. The output device may use an interface port of the same type as the input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to or output from the UE QQ200. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, a transmitter, a smart card, another output device, or any combination thereof. The UE QQ200 may be configured to use an input device via the input / output interface QQ205 to allow the user to capture information into the UE QQ200. The input device may include a touch-sensitive display or a presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a webcam, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a steering wheel, a trackpad, a roller, a smart card, etc. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from the user. The sensor can be, for example, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, another similar sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device can be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

[0384] exist Fig.23 In the embodiment of the present invention, the RF interface QQ209 can be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components such as transmitters, receivers and antennas. The network connection interface QQ211 can be configured to provide a communication interface to the network QQ243a. The network QQ243a can include a wired and / or wireless network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another similar network or any combination thereof. For example, the network QQ243a can include a Wi-Fi network. The network connection interface QQ211 can be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface, which is used to communicate with one or more other devices through a communication network according to one or more communication protocols (such as Ethernet, TCP / IP, SONET, ATM, or Ethernet, etc.). The network connection interface QQ211 can implement receiver and transmitter functions suitable for communication network links (such as optical, electrical, etc.). The transmitter and receiver functions can share circuit components, software or firmware, or can be implemented separately instead.

[0385] RAM QQ217 can be configured to be connected to processing circuit QQ201 via bus QQ202 to provide storage or cache of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as operating systems, applications and device drivers. ROM QQ219 can be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuit QQ201. For example, ROM QQ219 can be configured to store unchanged low-level system code or data for basic system functions (e.g., basic input and output (I / O), startup, reception of keystrokes stored in non-volatile memory from a keyboard). Storage medium QQ221 can be configured to include memories such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disk, optical disk, floppy disk, hard disk, removable cassette or flash drive. In one example, storage medium QQ221 can be configured to include operating system QQ223, application QQ225 such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file QQ227. The storage medium QQ221 may store any one of various operating systems or a combination of operating systems for use by the UE QQ200 .

[0386] The storage medium QQ221 may be configured to include multiple physical drive units, such as a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), a floppy disk drive, a flash memory, a USB flash drive, an external hard drive, a thumb drive, a pen drive, a key drive, a high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical drive, an internal hard drive, a Blu-ray optical drive, a holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical drive, an external mini dual in-line memory module (DIMM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), an external micro DIMM SDRAM, a smart card memory (e.g., a user identity module or a removable user identity (SIM / RUIM) module), other memories, or any combination thereof. The storage medium QQ221 may allow the UEQQ200 to access computer executable instructions, applications, etc. stored on a temporary or non-temporary storage medium to unload data or upload data. An article of manufacture such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied in the storage medium QQ221, which may include a device-readable medium.

[0387] exist Fig.23In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing circuit QQ201 can be configured to communicate with the network QQ243b using the communication subsystem QQ231. The network QQ243a and the network QQ243b can be the same network or different networks. The communication subsystem QQ231 can be configured to include one or more transceivers for communicating with the network QQ243b. For example, the communication subsystem QQ231 can be configured to include one or more transceivers for communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device (e.g., another WD, UE or base station of a radio access network (RAN)) capable of wireless communication according to one or more communication protocols (e.g., IEEE802.2, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, etc.). Each transceiver can include a transmitter QQ233 and / or a receiver QQ235 to respectively implement a transmitter or receiver function (e.g., frequency allocation, etc.) suitable for a RAN link. In addition, the transmitter QQ233 and the receiver QQ235 of each transceiver can share circuit components, software or firmware, or can be implemented separately instead.

[0388] In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of the communication subsystem QQ231 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communication such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication (GPS) such as using a global positioning system to determine the location, another similar communication function, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication subsystem QQ231 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. The network QQ243b may include a wired and / or wireless network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another similar network, or any combination thereof. For example, the network QQ243b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and / or a near-field network. The power supply QQ213 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to the components of the UE QQ200.

[0389] The features, benefits and / or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE QQ200, or may be divided among multiple components of UE QQ200. In addition, the features, benefits and / or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In one example, the communication subsystem QQ231 may be configured to include any component described herein. In addition, the processing circuit QQ201 may be configured to communicate with any such component on the bus QQ202. In another example, any such component may be represented by a program instruction stored in a memory, which executes the corresponding function described herein when executed by the processing circuit QQ201. In another example, the function of any such component may be divided between the processing circuit QQ201 and the communication subsystem QQ231. In another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any such component may be implemented in software or firmware, while the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0390] Fig.24 : Virtualized environment according to some embodiments

[0391] Fig.24 is a schematic block diagram showing a virtualization environment QQ300 in which functions implemented by some embodiments can be virtualized. In the current context, virtualization means creating a virtual version of a device or equipment, which may include a virtualized hardware platform, storage device, and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node) or a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device, or any other type of communication device) or a component thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functions are implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines, or containers executed on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

[0392] In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments QQ300 hosted by one or more hardware nodes QQ330. Furthermore, in embodiments where the virtual nodes are not radio access nodes or do not require radio connectivity (e.g., core network nodes), the network nodes may be fully virtualized.

[0393] These functions may be implemented by one or more applications QQ320 (which may alternatively be referred to as software instances, virtual devices, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) operable to implement certain features, functions, and / or benefits of some embodiments disclosed herein. Applications QQ320 run in a virtualized environment QQ300, which provides hardware QQ330 including processing circuitry QQ360 and memory QQ390. Memory QQ390 contains instructions QQ395 executable by processing circuitry QQ360, whereby applications QQ320 are operable to provide one or more features, benefits, and / or functions disclosed herein.

[0394] The virtualized environment QQ300 includes a general-purpose or special-purpose network hardware device QQ330, which includes a set of one or more processors or processing circuits QQ360, which can be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuit including digital or analog hardware components or special-purpose processors. Each hardware device may include a memory QQ390-1, which may be a non-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions QQ395 or software executed by the processing circuit QQ360. Each hardware device may include one or more network interface controllers (NICs) QQ370 (also known as network interface cards), which include a physical network interface QQ380. Each hardware device may also include a non-temporary persistent machine-readable storage medium QQ390-2 in which software QQ395 and / or instructions executable by the processing circuit QQ360 are stored. Software QQ395 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers QQ350 (also referred to as hypervisors), software for executing virtual machines QQ340, and software that enables them to perform the functions, features and / or benefits associated with some of the embodiments described herein.

[0395] The virtual machine QQ340 includes virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual network or interface, and virtual storage, and can be run by a corresponding virtualization layer QQ350 or a system hypervisor. Different embodiments of instances of the virtual device QQ320 can be implemented on one or more virtual machines QQ340 and can be implemented in different ways.

[0396] During operation, processing circuit QQ360 executes software QQ395 to instantiate a hypervisor or virtualization layer QQ350, which may sometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer QQ350 may present to virtual machine QQ340 a virtual operating platform that appears to be networked hardware.

[0397] like Fig.24As shown, hardware QQ330 can be an independent network node with common or specific components. Hardware QQ330 can include antenna QQ3225, and some functions can be implemented via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware QQ330 can be part of a larger hardware cluster (such as in a data center or customer premises equipment (CPE)), where many hardware nodes work together and are managed by management and orchestration (MANO) QQ3100, which, among other items, oversees the life cycle management of application QQ320.

[0398] In some contexts, virtualization of hardware is referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV can be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry-standard high-volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage devices that can be located in data centers and customer premises equipment.

[0399] In the context of NFV, a virtual machine QQ340 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs a program as if the program were executed on a physical, non-virtual machine. Each virtual machine QQ340 and the portion of the hardware QQ330 that executes the virtual machine (hardware dedicated to the virtual machine and / or hardware shared by the virtual machine with other virtual machines QQ340) form a separate virtual network element (VNE).

[0400] Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function (VNF) is responsible for handling specific network functions running in one or more virtual machines QQ340 on top of the hardware networking infrastructure QQ330 and corresponds to Fig.24 Application QQ320.

[0401] In some embodiments, one or more radio units QQ3200, each including one or more transmitters QQ3220 and one or more receivers QQ3210, may be coupled to one or more antennas QQ3225. The radio unit QQ3200 may communicate directly with the hardware node QQ330 via one or more appropriate network interfaces, and may be used in combination with virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or base station.

[0402] In some embodiments, some signaling may be implemented using a control system QQ3230 , which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware node QQ330 and the radio unit QQ3200 .

[0403] Fig.25 : A telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network according to some embodiments.

[0404] refer to Fig.25According to an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network QQ410 such as a 3GPP type cellular network, which includes an access network QQ411 such as a radio access network and a core network QQ414. The access network QQ411 includes a plurality of base stations QQ412a, QQ412b, QQ412c (e.g., NB, eNB, gNB) or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area QQ413a, QQ413b, QQ413c. Each base station QQ412a, QQ412b, QQ412c may be connected to the core network QQ414 via a wired or wireless connection QQ415. A first UE QQ491 located in the coverage area QQ413c is configured to be wirelessly connected to or paged by the corresponding base station QQ412c. A second UE QQ492 in the coverage area QQ413a may be wirelessly connected to the corresponding base station QQ412a. Although multiple UEs QQ491 , QQ492 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where only a UE is in the coverage area or only a UE is connected to the corresponding base station QQ412 .

[0405] The telecommunications network QQ410 itself is connected to a host computer QQ430, which may be embodied in the hardware and / or software of a stand-alone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer QQ430 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. The connections QQ421 and QQ422 between the telecommunications network QQ410 and the host computer QQ430 may extend directly from the core network QQ414 to the host computer QQ430, or may be via an optional intermediate network QQ420. The intermediate network QQ420 may be one of a public, private, or managed network, or a combination of more than one thereof; the intermediate network QQ420 (if any) may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network QQ420 may include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

[0406] Overall, Fig.25The communication system realizes the connectivity between the connected UE QQ491, QQ492 and the host computer QQ430. The connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection QQ450. The host computer QQ430 and the connected UE QQ491, QQ492 are configured to use the access network QQ411, the core network QQ414, any intermediate network QQ420 and possible other infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries to transmit data and / or signaling via the OTT connection QQ450. The OTT connection QQ450 can be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection QQ450 passes do not know the routes of the uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station QQ412 may not be notified or need not be notified of the past routes of the incoming downlink communications of the data to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected UE QQ491 originating from the host computer QQ430. Similarly, the base station QQ412 does not need to know the future routes of the outgoing uplink communications from the UE QQ491 to the host computer QQ430.

[0407] Fig.26 : A host computer that communicates with a user device over a partially wireless connection via a base station according to some embodiments.

[0408] Now refer to Fig.26 To describe the example implementation of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the previous paragraph according to the embodiment. In the communication system QQ500, the host computer QQ510 includes hardware QQ515, which includes a communication interface QQ516 configured to establish and maintain a wired or wireless connection with the interface of different communication devices of the communication system QQ500. The host computer QQ510 also includes a processing circuit QQ518, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuit QQ518 may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these items suitable for executing instructions (not shown). The host computer QQ510 also includes software QQ511, which is stored in the host computer QQ510 or can be accessed by the host computer QQ510 and can be executed by the processing circuit QQ518. The software QQ511 includes a host application QQ512. The host application QQ512 is operable to provide services to a remote user, such as a UE QQ530 connected via an OTT connection QQ550 terminating at the UE QQ530 and the host computer QQ510. In providing services to the remote user, the host application QQ512 may provide user data sent using the OTT connection QQ550.

[0409] The communication system QQ500 also includes a base station QQ520 provided in the telecommunication system, and the base station QQ520 includes hardware QQ525 that enables it to communicate with the host computer QQ510 and the UE QQ530. The hardware QQ525 may include a communication interface QQ526 for establishing and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with different communication devices of the communication system QQ500, and a communication interface QQ526 for establishing and maintaining a connection with a network located in a coverage area ( Fig.26 The communication interface QQ526 may be configured to facilitate a connection QQ560 with the host computer QQ510. The connection QQ560 may be direct, or the connection QQ560 may be through a core network (e.g., a wireless communication network) of the telecommunications system. Fig.26 The base station QQ520 also has software QQ521 that is stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0410] The communication system QQ500 also includes the UE QQ530 already mentioned. The hardware QQ535 of the UE QQ530 may include a radio interface QQ537, which is configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection QQ570 with a base station serving the coverage area where the UE QQ530 is currently located. The hardware QQ535 of the UE QQ530 also includes a processing circuit QQ538, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these items suitable for executing instructions (not shown). The UE QQ530 also includes software QQ531 stored in the UE QQ530 or accessible by the UE QQ530 and executable by the processing circuit QQ538. The software QQ531 includes a client application QQ532. The client application QQ532 is operable to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE QQ530 with the support of the host computer QQ510. In the host computer QQ510, the executing host application QQ512 can communicate with the executing client application QQ532 via the OTT connection QQ550 terminated at the UE QQ530 and the host computer QQ510. In providing services to users, the client application QQ532 can receive request data from the host application QQ512 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection QQ550 can transmit both the request data and the user data. The client application QQ532 can interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0411] Notice, Fig.26 The host computer QQ510, base station QQ520 and UE QQ530 shown can be respectively Fig.25 The host computer QQ430, one of the base stations QQ412a, QQ412b, QQ412c, and one of the UEs QQ491, QQ492 are similar or identical. That is, the internal working principles of these entities can be as follows Fig.26 shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Fig.25 The surrounding network topology.

[0412] exist Fig.26 , an OTT connection QQ550 has been abstractly drawn to illustrate communications between a host computer QQ510 and a UE QQ530 via a base station QQ520, without explicit reference to any intermediate devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure may determine the routing, which may be configured to hide the routing from the UE QQ530 or from the service provider operating the host computer QQ510, or both. When the OTT connection QQ550 is active, the network infrastructure may further make a decision according to which the network infrastructure dynamically changes the routing (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or reconfiguration of the network).

[0413] The wireless connection QQ570 between the UE QQ530 and the base station QQ520 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments may improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE QQ530 using the OTT connection QQ550 (where the wireless connection QQ570 forms the last segment). More specifically, the teachings of these embodiments may improve deblocking filtering for video processing, thereby providing benefits such as improved video encoding / decoding.

[0414] The measurement process may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rates, delays, and other factors on which one or more embodiments are improved. In response to changes in the measurement results, there may also be an optional network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection QQ550 between the host computer QQ510 and the UE QQ530. The measurement process and / or network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection QQ550 may be implemented in the software QQ511 and hardware QQ515 of the host computer QQ510 or in the software QQ531 and hardware QQ535 of the UE QQ530, or in both. In an embodiment, a sensor (not shown) may be deployed in a communication device through which the OTT connection QQ550 passes or is associated with such a communication device; the sensor may participate in the measurement process by providing the value of the monitored quantity of the above example or providing the value of other physical quantities from which the software QQ511, QQ531 can calculate or estimate the monitored quantity. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection QQ550 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routes, etc. The reconfiguration does not need to affect the base station QQ520, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station QQ520. Such processes and functions may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, the measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates host computer QQ510 to measure throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. The measurements may be achieved because software QQ511 and QQ531 cause messages, particularly empty or "dummy" messages, to be sent using OTT connection QQ550 during its monitoring of propagation time, errors, etc.

[0415] Fig. 27 : A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment according to some embodiments.

[0416] Fig. 27 is a flow chart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE, which can be reference Fig.25 and Fig.26 In order to simplify the present disclosure, only the host computers, base stations and UEs described in the present disclosure are included in this section. Fig. 27 Reference is made to the accompanying drawings of . In step QQ610, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step QQ611 of step QQ610 (which may be optional), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step QQ620, the host computer initiates a transmission to the UE carrying the user data. In step QQ630 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the base station sends the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer to the UE. In step QQ640 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0417] Fig.28 : A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment according to some embodiments.

[0418] Fig.28 is a flow chart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE, which can be reference Fig.25 and Fig.26 In order to simplify the present disclosure, this section only includes the host computers, base stations and UEs described in the present disclosure. Fig.28 . In step QQ710 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step QQ720, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the transmission may be through a base station. In step QQ730 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0419] Fig.29 : A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment according to some embodiments.

[0420] Fig.29 is a flow chart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE, which can be reference Fig.25 and Fig.26 In order to simplify the present disclosure, this section only includes the host computers, base stations and UEs described in the present disclosure. Fig.29 . In step QQ810 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step QQ820, the UE provides user data. In sub-step QQ821 of step QQ820 (which may be optional), the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In sub-step QQ811 of step QQ810 (which may be optional), the UE executes a client application, which provides user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner of providing user data, the UE initiates transmission of user data to the host computer in sub-step QQ830 (which may be optional). In step QQ840 of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the host computer receives user data sent from the UE.

[0421] Fig.30: A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment according to some embodiments.

[0422] Fig.30 is a flow chart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE, which can be reference Fig.25 and Fig.26 In order to simplify the present disclosure, this section only includes the host computers, base stations and UEs described in the present disclosure. Fig.30 In step QQ910 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. In step QQ920 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step QQ930 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0423] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions or benefits disclosed herein may be performed by one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may include a plurality of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via a processing circuit, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers and other digital hardware that may include a digital signal processor (DSP), dedicated digital logic, etc. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program codes stored in a memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a cache memory, a flash memory device, an optical storage device, etc. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols and instructions for executing one or more technologies described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuit may be used to cause the corresponding functional unit to perform the corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0424] The term "unit" may have a conventional meaning in the field of electronic devices, electrical equipment and / or electronic equipment, and may include, for example, electrical and / or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memories, logical solid-state and / or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for performing corresponding tasks, processes, calculations, output and / or display functions, etc. as described herein.

Claims

1. A method of operating a user equipment UE for device-to-device D2D transmission of a channel state information CSI report and / or a CSI reference signal CSI-RS, the method comprising: Identifying (1300) a CSI selection window comprising candidate resources used in D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS; identifying (1302) a data selection window that contains candidate resources used in D2D transmission of data and at least partially overlaps with a region of the CSI selection window; as well as Transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS is controlled (1304) to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The identification of the data selection window is further performed to meet a deadline for transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS, and / or in response to defined UE operating capabilities.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS includes transmission of the CSI report without transmission of the CSI-RS.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS includes transmission of the CSI-RS without transmission of the CSI report.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Controlling (1304) transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use the at least one resource selected within the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window comprises: Selecting (1400) a first resource in the overlapping area between the CSI selection window and the data selection window for transmission of data; selecting (1402) a second resource in the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window for transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS; initiating (1404) transmission of data using the first resource; and Transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS is initiated (1406) using the second resource.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The selection of one of the first resource and the second resource is performed in response to the selection of the other of the first resource and the second resource; or The selection of one of the first resource and the second resource is performed independently of the selection of the other of the first resource and the second resource.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein: Selection of the first resource and the second resource is controlled such that the first resource and the second resource are adjacent to each other in frequency and in the same time slot.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: Selecting the first resource and the second resource to be adjacent in frequency to each other and in the same time slot is performed in response to determining that any one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: a) The UE does not detect the scheduling allocation for the first resource and the second resource; b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold; c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; as well as d) The amount of available resources in the region between the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein: Selection of the first resource and the second resource is controlled such that the first resource and the second resource are not adjacent to each other in frequency and are in the same time slot.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Controlling (1304) transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window comprises: combining (1500) the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS into a combined payload; selecting (1502) resources within the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window; and Transmission of the combined payload report is initiated (1504) using the selected resources.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The operation of combining (1500) the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS into a combined payload includes: The combined payload is generated by any one or more of the following: 1) jointly encoding the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS; 2) separately encoding the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS, and then combining the encoded data and the encoded CSI report and / or CSI-RS; 3) performing frequency division multiplexing of the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to provide transmission of the combined payload report; and 4) performing time division multiplexing of the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to provide transmission of the combined payload report.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: An indication of the combined payload is signaled in a scheduling assignment associated with the data.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Controlling (1304) transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window further comprises: determining whether a condition is satisfied because at least one of the payload and the data is less than a defined threshold, and Therein, combining the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS into the combined payload is performed in response to determining that the condition is met.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Controlling (1304) transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window comprises: In response to determining that the overlapping area between the CSI selection window and the data selection window does not have sufficient resources to perform transmission of both the data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS, the transmission of the data is prioritized over the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS by sending the data without sending the CSI report and / or CSI-RS.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Controlling transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area between the CSI selection window and the data selection window comprises: In response to determining that the overlapping area between the CSI selection window and the data selection window does not have sufficient resources to send the data, the transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS is prioritized over the transmission of the data by sending the CSI report and / or CSI-RS instead of sending the data.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Controlling (1304) the transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window is performed only when the transmission period of the data is an integer multiple of the transmission period of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Controlling (1304) the transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS to use at least one resource selected within the overlapping area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window is performed only when the transmission period of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS is an integer of the transmission period of the data.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Identifying (1300) a CSI selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS includes: The time position of the CSI selection window is determined based on the time when another CSI report and / or CSI-RS was previously sent, the periodicity of CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission, and the width of the CSI selection window.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Identifying (1300) a CSI selection window containing candidate resources for use in D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS includes: The time position of the CSI selection window is determined based on the D2D frame number, the period of CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission, and the width of the CSI selection window.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising: The width of the CSI selection window is determined based on a proportional relationship with the CSI transmission period.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising: The width of the CSI selection window is determined based on a measurement of a channel to be used for transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: Determining the width of the CSI selection window based on measurement of a channel to be used for transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS includes: The width of the CSI selection window is determined based on a proportional relationship with a channel busy rate (CBR) measurement of the channel.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein: Determining the width of the CSI selection window based on measurement of a channel to be used for transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS includes: The width of the CSI selection window is determined according to the timing of the CSI-RS used to generate the CSI report.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising: An indication of a width of the CSI selection window and / or an indication of a criterion to be used to determine the width of the CSI selection window is received from a network node.

25. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: receiving, from a network node, an indication of criteria to be used for selecting CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources within the overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window; Based on the criteria, select one of the following conditions: a) The UE does not detect the scheduling allocation for the first resource and the second resource; b) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a first threshold; c) the UE detects a scheduling assignment for one of the first resource and the second resource, but the associated reference signal received power and / or received signal strength indication measurement is below a second threshold; as well as d) the amount of available resources in the area of ​​the CSI selection window and the data selection window is higher than a third threshold; as well as In response to determining that a selected one of the conditions is satisfied, selecting the CSI report and / or CSI-RS transmission resource and the data transmission resource to be adjacent to each other in frequency and in a same time slot is performed.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: The indication of the criterion is received via Radio Resource Control RRC signaling and / or System Information Block SIB signaling, and / or the indication of the criterion is preconfigured in a memory of the UE.

27. A method of operating a network node (2100) to control device-to-device (D2D) transmission of a channel state information (CSI) report and / or a CSI reference signal (CSI-RS) by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: determining (1900) criteria to be used by the UE to select CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources within an overlapping region of a CSI selection window and a data selection window; as well as An indication of the standard is sent (1902) to the UE.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein: The indication of the criterion is sent to the UE using Radio Resource Control, RRC, signaling and / or System Information Block, SIB, signaling.

29. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 28, wherein: The D2D transmission includes a secondary link SL transmission.

30. A user equipment UE (2000), adapted to perform operations for device-to-device D2D transmission of channel state information CSI reporting and / or CSI reference signal CSI-RS, the operations comprising: Identifying (1300) a CSI selection window comprising candidate resources used in D2D transmission of the CSI report and / or CSI-RS; identifying (1302) a data selection window that contains candidate resources used in D2D transmission of data and at least partially overlaps with a region of the CSI selection window; as well as Transmission of data and the CSI report and / or CSI-RS is controlled (1304) to use at least one resource selected within an overlapping region of the CSI selection window and the data selection window.

31. The UE according to claim 30, wherein: The UE is further adapted to perform operations according to any one of claims 2 to 26.

32. The UE according to claim 30, wherein: The UE is also adapted to be onboard or integrated into a vehicle.

33. A network node (2100), adapted to perform operations of controlling a device-to-device (D2D) transmission of a channel state information (CSI) report and / or a CSI reference signal (CSI-RS) by a user equipment (UE), the operations comprising: determining (1900) criteria to be used by the UE to select CSI reporting and / or CSI-RS transmission resources and data transmission resources within an overlapping region of a CSI selection window and a data selection window; as well as An indication of the standard is sent (1902) to the UE.

34. The network node according to claim 33, wherein: The indication of the criterion is sent to the UE using Radio Resource Control, RRC, signaling and / or System Information Block, SIB, signaling.

35. The network node according to any one of claims 33 to 34, wherein: The D2D transmission includes a secondary link SL transmission.

36. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising a computer-readable program code stored in the medium, which, when executed by at least one processor (2003) of a user equipment UE (2000), causes the UE to perform operations according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

37. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-readable program code stored in the medium, which, when executed by at least one processor (2103) of a network node (2100), causes the network node to perform operations according to any one of claims 27 to 29.

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