Systems and methods for handling sidelink feedback signaling

Abstract

Techniques for handling sidelink feedback signaling in situations where collisions would otherwise occur in network communication links are demonstrated and described. For example, sidelink feedback signaling handling techniques can provide collision resolution when a sidelink HARQ is transmitted simultaneously on one or more Uu channels (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, etc.) with uplink channel information (e.g., Uu HARQ, SR, CSI, etc.) of the network communication radio interface. In the operation of sidelink feedback handling, the transmitter or intermediate UE of the sidelink communication link decides whether and how to forward the sidelink HARQ to the corresponding base station. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to PCT / CN2019 / 110341, filed on October 10, 2019, entitled "Systems and methods for handling sidelink feedback signaling," the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, as fully set forth below, and for all applicable purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more specifically, to sidelink communication. Certain embodiments of the techniques discussed below can enable and provide sidelink feedback signaling, such as Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) and conflict handling, which can provide conflict handling regarding sidelink HARQ forwarding and radio interface (Uu) network communication. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, and broadcasting. These wireless networks can be multiple access networks capable of supporting multiple users by sharing available network resources. Such networks are typically multiple access networks that support communication among multiple users by sharing available network resources.

[0005] A wireless communication network may include multiple base stations or nodes (Bs) that can support communication between multiple user equipments (UEs). UEs can communicate with base stations via downlinks and uplinks. A downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the base station to the UE, and an uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UE to the base station.

[0006] A base station can transmit data and control information to a UE on the downlink and / or receive data and control information from a UE on the uplink. On the downlink, transmissions from the base station may encounter interference from neighboring base stations or other radio frequency (RF) transmitters. On the uplink, transmissions from the UE may encounter interference from uplink transmissions from other UEs communicating with neighboring base stations or from other RF transmitters. This interference may degrade the performance of both the downlink and uplink.

[0007] As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, and as more user units (UEs) access long-range wireless communication networks and more short-range wireless systems are deployed in communities, the likelihood of network interference and congestion increases. Research and development are continuously advancing wireless technologies not only to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband access but also to improve and enhance the user experience of mobile communications.

[0008] For example, sidelink communication capabilities have been developed to facilitate direct communication between UEs. Sidelink communication allows communication between two or more nearby UEs, such as using Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) technology, without requiring sidelink transmission through a base station. Such sidelink communication can be used in scenarios outside network coverage. For example, sidelink communication can be used to enable communication with UEs outside the network coverage area. Additionally or alternatively, sidelink communication can be used for public safety communications, such as providing public safety communications using different standards in different geographical areas (e.g., different countries) to UEs roaming within the network area. Sidelink communication functionality can also be combined with conventional wireless communication network connections to mobile networks to enable a wide range of innovative connected device services (e.g., connected cars). Summary of the Invention

[0009] The following outlines some aspects of this disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the techniques discussed. This invention is not a comprehensive overview of all intended features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to identify key or essential elements of all aspects of this disclosure, nor to depict the scope of any or all aspects of this disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of this disclosure in an overview form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0010] In one aspect of this disclosure, a method for wireless communication is provided. The method may include a UE operated by an intermediate user equipment (UE) acting as a sidelink communication link receiving a sidelink feedback signal from a UE operating as a sidelink UE. The method may further include the intermediate UE implementing sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending collisions related to forwarding sidelink feedback signaling to a base station via a network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the base station via a network communication link.

[0011] In an additional aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus configured for wireless communication is provided. The apparatus may include components for a UE operating as an intermediate UE in a sidelink communication link to receive a sidelink feedback signal from another UE operating as a sidelink UE in a sidelink communication link. The apparatus may also include components for the intermediate UE to perform sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending collisions related to forwarding sidelink feedback signaling to a base station via a network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the base station via a network communication link.

[0012] In an additional aspect of this disclosure, there is a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code for wireless communication recorded thereon. The program code may include program code for causing a computer operated by a UE acting as an intermediate UE (sidelink communication link) to receive a sidelink feedback signal from a UE operating as a sidelink communication link. The program code may also include program code for causing the computer, by the intermediate UE, to perform sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending collisions related to forwarding sidelink feedback signaling to a base station via a network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the base station via a network communication link.

[0013] In an additional aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus configured for wireless communication is provided. The apparatus includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The at least one processor can be configured to receive sidelink feedback signals from a UE operating as a sidelink communication link, operated by a UE operating as an intermediate UE. The at least one processor can also be configured to enable the intermediate UE to perform sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending conflicts related to forwarding sidelink feedback signaling to a base station via a network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the base station via a network communication link.

[0014] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the program code of the method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium can be configured to identify overlaps in the allocation of at least time or frequency resources used by sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling as impending conflicts concerning the forwarding of sidelink feedback signaling.

[0015] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the program code of the methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media can be configured to determine whether to discard or deliver sidelink feedback signaling, based at least in part on priority-based sidelink feedback signaling rules implemented by an intermediate UE.

[0016] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the program code of the methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media can be configured to determine whether to discard or transmit sidelink feedback signaling based at least in part on the priority between sidelink feedback signaling and at least a portion of other uplink signaling.

[0017] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the program code of the method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium can be configured to prioritize at least a portion of sidelink feedback signaling over other uplink signaling based at least in part on an index value associated with the other uplink signaling.

[0018] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the program code of the method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium can be configured to prioritize at least a portion of the sidelink feedback signaling over other uplink signaling based at least in part on a priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling.

[0019] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the program code of the method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium can be configured to include priority values ​​associated with sidelink feedback signaling, including priority values ​​corresponding to sidelink transmissions that are sidelink signaling feedback.

[0020] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the program code of the method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium can be configured to have a sidelink transmission priority value that is at least partially based on a sidelink transmission priority selected from: a transmission block priority provided for a sidelink transmission transmit block, a transmission block size priority for a sidelink transmission transmit block, or a sidelink data retransmission priority for a sidelink transmission.

[0021] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the program code of the methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media can be configured for sidelink feedback signaling including sidelink hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) responses.

[0022] Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. While features of the invention may be discussed with respect to certain embodiments and the drawings below, all embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more such features may also be used according to the various embodiments of the invention discussed herein. Similarly, while exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as embodiments of devices, systems, or methods, exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods. Attached Figure Description

[0023] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved by referring to the following figures. In the figures, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, various components of the same type can be distinguished by adding a dash after the reference numeral to differentiate between similar components, as well as a second reference numeral. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description applies to any similar component having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral.

[0024] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating details of a wireless communication system according to some aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figure 2 A block diagram is shown that conceptually illustrates the design of a base station and a UE configured according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating an example of data reception confirmation / negative confirmation forwarding.

[0027] Figure 4 This invention illustrates sidelink feedback signaling that conflicts with other uplink signals in a network interface, according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 5 , Figures 6A-6C and Figures 7A-7C The flowchart illustrates the sidelink feedback signaling processing operations according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the design of a UE configured to perform sidelink feedback signaling processing according to some aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The specific embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are intended as descriptions of various configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the specific embodiments include detailed descriptions to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not necessary in every case, and in some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form for clarity of presentation.

[0031] This disclosure generally relates to providing or participating in communication between two or more wireless devices in one or more wireless communication systems (also referred to as wireless communication networks). In various embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses can be used in wireless communication networks such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, Single Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, fifth-generation (5G) or new radio (NR) networks (sometimes referred to as "5G NR" networks / systems / devices), and other communication networks. As described herein, the terms "network" and "system" are used interchangeably.

[0032] CDMA networks can implement radio technologies such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) and CDMA2000. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) and Low Chip Rate (LCR). CDMA2000 covers the IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards.

[0033] TDMA networks can implement radio technologies such as GSM. 3GPP defines the standard for the GSM EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate Evolution of GSM) Radio Access Network (RAN), also known as GERAN. GERAN is the radio component of GSM / EDGE, along with the network connecting base stations (e.g., Ater and Abis interfaces) and base station controllers (A interface, etc.). A radio access network represents a component of a GSM network through which telephone calls and packet data are routed from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Internet to the subscriber's mobile phone, or from the subscriber's mobile phone to the PSTN and the Internet. The subscriber's mobile phone is also called a user terminal or user equipment (UE). A mobile phone operator's network can contain one or more GERANs. In the case of UMTS / GSM networks, the GERAN can be coupled to the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). Operator networks can also include one or more LTE networks and / or one or more other networks. Different network types can use different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) and Radio Access Networks (RANs).

[0034] OFDMA networks can implement radio technologies such as evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, and flash-OFDM. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Specifically, Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a version of UMTS using E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS, and LTE are described in documents provided by an organization called the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and cdma2000 is described in documents provided by an organization called 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2). These various radio technologies and standards are either known or under development. For example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration between telecommunications associations aimed at defining globally applicable third-generation (3G) mobile phone specifications. 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a 3GPP initiative aimed at improving the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile phone standard. 3GPP defines specifications for next-generation mobile networks, mobile systems, and mobile devices. This disclosure relates to the evolution of wireless technologies from LTE, 4G, 5G, NR, and beyond, where new and different sets of radio access technologies or radio air interfaces are used to share access to the radio spectrum between networks.

[0035] 5G networks are expected to be able to utilize different deployments, different spectrums, and different services and devices through a unified air interface based on OFDM. To achieve these goals, in addition to developing new radio technologies for 5G NR networks, further enhancements to LTE and LTE-A are also considered. 5G NR will be able to scale to provide coverage with: (1) ultra-high density (e.g., approximately 1 M nodes / km). 2 (1) Large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) with ultra-low complexity (e.g., about 10 s bits / second), ultra-low power consumption (e.g., about 10+ battery life) and deep coverage to reach challenging locations; (2) Mission-critical controls with strong security to protect sensitive personal, financial or classified information, ultra-high reliability (e.g., about 99.9999% reliability), ultra-low latency (e.g., about 1 ms), and users with wide mobility or lack of mobility; and (3) Enhanced mobile broadband, including extremely high capacity (e.g., about 10 Tbps / km). 2 ), extremely high data rates (e.g., multi-Gbps rates, 100+Mbps user experience rates), and deep awareness of advanced discovery and optimization.

[0036] 5G NR devices, networks, and systems can be implemented using optimized OFDM-based waveform characteristics. These characteristics can include: scalable parameter sets and transmission time intervals (TTIs); a general, flexible framework that efficiently multiplexes services and characteristics through dynamic, low-latency Time Division Duplex (TDD) / Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) designs; and advanced wireless technologies such as massive MIMO, robust millimeter-wave (mmWave) transmission, advanced channel coding and decoding, and device-centric mobility. The scalability of the numberology in 5G NR, and the scaling of subcarrier spacing, can effectively address the challenge of operating different services across different spectrums and deployments. For example, in various outdoor and macro coverage deployments with FDD / TDD implementations below 3 GHz, subcarrier spacing might appear at 15 kHz across bandwidths such as 1, 5, 10, and 20 MHz. For other outdoor and small-cell coverage deployments with TDD above 3 GHz, subcarrier spacing might appear at 30 kHz across 80 / 100 MHz bandwidths. For various other indoor broadband implementations using TDD in the unlicensed portion of the 5 GHz band, the subcarrier spacing might appear at 60 kHz over a 160 MHz bandwidth. Finally, for various deployments transmitting millimeter-wave components via TDD at 28 GHz, the subcarrier spacing might appear at 120 kHz over a 500 MHz bandwidth.

[0037] 5G NR's scalable digitization facilitates scalable TTIs to meet diverse latency and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. For example, shorter TTIs can be used for low latency and high reliability, while longer TTIs can be used for higher spectral efficiency. Effective multiplexing of long and short TTIs allows transmissions to begin at symbol boundaries. 5G NR also anticipates self-contained integrated subframe designs that incorporate uplink / downlink scheduling information, data, and acknowledgments within the same subframe. These self-contained integrated subframes support adaptive uplink / downlink communication in unlicensed or contention-based shared spectrum, and can be flexibly configured on a per-cell basis to dynamically switch between uplink and downlink to meet current service demands.

[0038] For clarity, certain aspects of the apparatus and technology may be described below with reference to exemplary LTE implementations or in an LTE-centric manner, and LTE terminology may be used as illustrative examples in parts of the following description; however, this description is not intended to be limited to LTE applications. In fact, this disclosure relates to wireless spectrum sharing access between networks using different radio access technologies or radio air interfaces (such as those in 5G NR).

[0039] Furthermore, it should be understood that, in operation, wireless communication networks adapted according to the concepts herein can operate with any combination of licensed or unlicensed spectrum, depending on load and availability. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein can be applied to other communication systems and applications besides the specific examples provided.

[0040] While aspects and embodiments have been described in this application by way of example, those skilled in the art will understand that additional implementations and use cases may arise in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, embodiments and / or uses may be implemented via integrated chip embodiments and / or other devices based on non-modular components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / purchasing devices, medical devices, AI-enabled devices, etc.). While some examples may or may not be specific to a particular use case or application, the broad applicability of the described innovations may emerge. The range of implementations can be from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations, and further to aggregated, distributed, or OEM devices or systems incorporating one or more of the described aspects. In some practical settings, devices incorporating the described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the claimed and described embodiments. The innovations described in this paper are intended to be implemented in a wide variety of ways, including large / small devices with different sizes, shapes and constructions, chip-level components, multi-component systems (e.g., RF chains, communication interfaces, processors), distributed deployments, end-user devices, etc.

[0041] Figure 1 A wireless network 100 for communication is illustrated according to some embodiments. The wireless network 100 may, for example, include a 5G wireless network. As those skilled in the art will understand, Figure 1 The components appearing in this may have corresponding counterparts in other network arrangements, including, for example, cellular network arrangements and non-cellular network arrangements (e.g., device-to-device, peer-to-peer, or self-organizing network arrangements).

[0042] Figure 1The wireless network 100 shown includes multiple base stations 105 and other network entities. Base stations can be stations communicating with UEs and can also be referred to as evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (gNB), access points, etc. Each base station 105 can provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" can refer to a specific geographic coverage area of ​​a base station and / or a base station subsystem serving that coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In the implementation of the wireless network 100 herein, base stations 105 can be associated with the same or different operators (e.g., the wireless network 100 can contain multiple operator wireless networks) and can use one or more frequencies (e.g., one or more bands of licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or combinations thereof) from the same frequencies as neighboring cells to provide wireless communication. In some examples, a single base station 105 or UE 115 can be operated by more than one network operating entity. In other examples, each base station 105 and UE 115 can be operated by a single network operating entity.

[0043] Base stations can provide communication coverage for macro cells or small cells (such as pico cells or femto cells) and / or other types of cells. Macro cells typically cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access for UEs subscribed to services by a network provider. Small cells, such as pico cells, will generally cover a relatively small geographic area and allow unrestricted access for UEs subscribed to services by a network provider. Small cells, such as femto cells, will also generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may provide restricted access for UEs associated with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), UEs of users in a home, etc.). Base stations used for macro cells can be called macro base stations. Base stations used for small cells can be called small cell base stations, pico base stations, femto base stations, or home base stations. Figure 1 In the example shown, base stations 105d and 105e are conventional macro base stations, while base stations 105a-105c are macro base stations supporting one of three-dimensional (3D), full-dimensional (FD), or massive MIMO. Base stations 105a-105c utilize their higher-dimensional MIMO capabilities to increase coverage and capacity through 3D beamforming in elevation and azimuth beamforming. Base station 105f is a small cell base station, which can be a home node or a portable access point. A base station can support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells.

[0044] Wireless Network 100 can support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, base stations can have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different base stations can be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, base stations can have different frame timings, and transmissions from different base stations can be misaligned in time. In some scenarios, the network can be enabled or configured to handle dynamic switching between synchronous and asynchronous operations.

[0045] UE 115 is distributed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE can be fixed or mobile. It should be understood that although mobile devices are generally referred to as User Equipment (UE) in the standards and specifications issued by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), those skilled in the art may also refer to such devices as mobile station (MS), subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, radio unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal (AT), mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, mobile phone, terminal, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term. In this document, a “mobile” device or UE does not necessarily need to be mobile and can be fixed. Some non-limiting examples of mobile devices, such as embodiments that may include one or more UE 115, include mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, laptop computers, personal computers (PCs), notebooks, netbooks, smartbooks, tablet computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Mobile devices can also be “Internet of Things” (IoT) or “Internet of Everything” (IoE) devices, such as automobiles or other vehicles, satellite radios, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, logistics controllers, drones, multi-rotor aircraft, quadcopters, smart energy or security equipment, solar panels or arrays, municipal lighting, water or other infrastructure; industrial automation and enterprise equipment; consumer and wearable devices, such as glasses, wearable cameras, smartwatches, health or fitness trackers, mammalian implantable devices, gesture tracking devices, medical devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, etc.; and digital home or smart home devices, such as home audio, video and multimedia equipment, appliances, sensors, vending machines, smart lighting, home security systems, smart meters, etc. In one aspect, a UE can be a device that includes a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). In another aspect, a UE can be a device that does not include a UICC. In some aspects, a UE that does not include a UICC can also be referred to as an IoE device. Figure 1The UEs 115a-115d in the illustrated embodiments are examples of mobile smartphone-type devices accessing the wireless network 100. The UE can also be a machine specifically configured for connectivity and communication, including Machine Type Communication (MTC), Enhanced MTC (eMTC), Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), etc. Figure 1 The UE 115e-115k shown is an example of various machines configured to access communications of the wireless network 100.

[0046] Mobile devices such as the UE 115 can communicate with any type of base station, whether it's a macro base station, pico base station, femto base station, relay station, etc. Figure 1 In this context, a lightning bolt (e.g., a communication link) indicates a radio transmission between the UE and a serving base station, which is designated to serve the UE on the downlink and / or uplink, or to facilitate desired transmissions between base stations and backhaul transmissions between base stations. Backhaul communication between base stations of the wireless network 100 can be performed using wired and / or wireless communication links.

[0047] In the operation of wireless network 100, base stations 105a-105c use 3D beamforming and coordinated spatial technologies (such as Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) or multi-connectivity) to serve UEs 115a and 115b. Macro base station 105d performs backhaul communication with base stations 105a-105c and the small cell (base station 105f). Macro base station 105d also transmits multicast services subscribed to and received by UEs 115c and 115d. Such multicast services may include mobile TV or streaming video, or may include other services for providing community information, such as weather emergencies or alerts, such as Amber Alerts or Grey Alerts.

[0048] The wireless network 100 of this embodiment supports mission-critical communication with highly reliable and redundant links for mission-critical devices such as UE 115e, which is a drone. The redundant communication links with UE 115e include links from macro base stations 105d and 105e and small cell base station 105f. Other machine-type devices such as UE 115f (thermometer), UE 115g (smart meter), and UE 115h (wearable device) can communicate directly with base stations such as small cell base station 105f and macro base station 105e via the wireless network 100, or in a multi-hop configuration by communicating with another user device relaying its information to / from the network (e.g., using sidelink communication). For example, UE 115f conveys temperature measurement information to smart meter UE 115g and then reports that information to the network via small cell base station 105f. Wireless network 100 can also provide additional network efficiency through dynamic, low-latency TDD / FDD communication, such as in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) mesh networks between UEs 115i-115k communicating with macro base station 105e.

[0049] Figure 2 Block diagrams showing examples of base station 105 and UE 115 designs are provided. Figure 1 One of any base station and UE. For restricted association scenarios (as mentioned above), base station 105 can be Figure 1 The small cell base station 105f is used, and UE 115 can be UE 115c or 115d operating within the service area of ​​base station 105f. To access small cell base station 105f, it will be included in the list of accessible UEs of small cell base station 105f. Base station 105 can also be another type of base station. Figure 2 As shown, base station 105 may be equipped with antennas 234a to 234t, and UE 115 may be equipped with antennas 252a to 252r to facilitate wireless communication.

[0050] At base station 105, transmission processor 220 can receive data from data source 212 and control information from controller / processor 240. The control information can be used for Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), Physical Control Format Indication Channel (PCFICH), Physical Hybrid ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request) Indication Channel (PHICH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH), MTC Physical Downlink Control Channel (MPDCCH), etc. The data can be used for PDSCH, etc. Transmission processor 220 can process (e.g., encode and symbol map) the data and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols, respectively. Transmission processor 220 can also generate reference symbols, such as for primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and cell-specific reference signal. Transmission (TX) Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) processor 230 can perform spatial processing (e.g., pre-coding and decoding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, and / or reference symbols (if applicable), and can provide output symbol streams to modulators (MODs) 232a to 232t. Each modulator 232 can process a corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 232 can additionally or alternatively process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and up-convert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The downlink signals from modulators 232a to 232t can be transmitted via antennas 234a to 234t, respectively.

[0051] At UE 115, antennas 252a to 252r can receive downlink signals from base station 105 and can provide the received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) 254a to 254r respectively. Each demodulator 254 can adjust (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) the corresponding received signal to obtain an input sample. Each demodulator 254 can further process the input sample (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. MIMO detector 256 can obtain received symbols from demodulators 254a to 254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols (if applicable), and provide the detected symbols. Receiver processor 258 can process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for UE 115 to data sink 260, and provide decoding control information to controller / processor 280.

[0052] On the uplink, at UE 115, transmission processor 264 can receive and process data from data source 262 (e.g., for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)) and control information from controller / processor 280 (e.g., for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH)). Transmission processor 264 can also generate reference symbols for reference signals. Symbols from transmission processor 264 can be pre-encoded / decoded (if applicable) by TX MIMO processor 266, further processed by demodulators 254a to 254r (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and transmitted to base station 105. At base station 105, uplink signals from UE 115 can be received by antenna 234, processed by demodulator 232, detected by MIMO detector 236 (if applicable), and further processed by receiver processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by UE 115. Processor 238 can provide decoded data to data sink 239 and decoded control information to controller / processor 240.

[0053] Controllers / processors 240 and 280 can respectively direct the operation of base station 105 and UE 115. The controller / processor 240 and / or other processors and modules at base station 105 and / or the controller / processor 280 and / or other processors and modules at UE 115 can perform or direct the execution of various processes of the technology described herein, such as performing or directing... Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figures 6A-6C and Figures 7A-7C The execution shown herein, and / or other processes of the techniques described herein. Memory 242 and 282 may store data and program code for base station 105 and UE 115, respectively. Scheduler 244 may schedule data transmission by the UE on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0054] One or more UEs operating in the wireless network 100 can be configured with sidelink communication capabilities, such as using E-UTRAN technology to facilitate direct communication between two or more nearby UEs without requiring sidelink transmission through the base station. UEs 115c, 115d, 115g, and 115i-115j are in... Figure 1The diagram shows a sidelink communication link. Sidelink communication link 126c-d between UEs 115c and 115d can be implemented, for example, with respect to a network coverage scenario where UE 115c is located in an area where direct communication with base station 105 is unavailable or insufficient. As another example, sidelink communication links 126i-j, 126j-k, and 126i-k between UEs 115i-115k can be implemented to enable various connected car services. When providing the aforementioned sidelink communication between UEs, one of the UEs can implement a communication link with a wireless network (e.g., network communication links 125d-d), which may include, for example, a conventional wireless communication link with one or more base stations 105, to operate as an intermediate communication device relative to the sidelinked UE. For example, the intermediate communication device may include communication equipment that provides a node in the sidelink communication link with the sidelinked UE, such as a node that provides a link between the sidelinked UE and a base station or other network node.

[0055] Various feedback signaling methods can be utilized between the UE and / or intermediate UE and the corresponding base station. For example, Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback can be used in conjunction with sidelink communication. As an example of HARQ feedback, data reception acknowledgment / negative acknowledgment (e.g., HARQ-ACK and / or HARQ-NACK) can be transmitted from the receiver UE to the transmitter UE of the sidelink communication pair via the Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH). In some cases, the transmitter UE (e.g., intermediate UE) can forward data reception acknowledgment / negative acknowledgment from the transmitter UE to the base station, such as via PUCCH / PUSCH, to obtain retransmission resources from the network. This forwarding operation... Figure 3 The communication flowchart is shown.

[0056] exist Figure 3 In the data reception acknowledgment / negative acknowledgment forwarding example of process 300 shown, it can be handled by base station 305 (e.g., Figure 1 Sidelink authorization can be performed by any of the base stations 105 shown, such as base stations 105d, 105e, or 105f. Sidelink authorization can be performed by base station 305 via the PDCCH of network communication link 325 (e.g., Figure 1 Any network communication link, such as network communication link 125d-d), is communicated to UE 315a (e.g., Figure 1 The example shown is any UE 115 served by base station 305 and configured to operate as an intermediate UE in sidelink communication, such as UE 115d, 115g, 115i, or 115k. In this example, UE 315a operating as a transmitter intermediate UE can correspondingly be via sidelink communication link 326 (e.g., Figure 1The Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH) of any sidelink communication link, such as sidelink communication links 126c-d, 126i-j, 126j-k, or 126i-k, is used to communicate sidelink authorization to UE 315b (e.g., any UE 115 within the communication range of an intermediate UE and configured to operate as a sidelink UE, such as UE 115c, 115f, 115i, 115j, or 115k). Based on the sidelink authorization, UE 315a can communicate sidelink data to UE 315b, such as via the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) of sidelink communication link 326. Subsequently, sidelink HARQ feedback can be transmitted from the receiver UE to the transmitter UE. For example, UE 315b can provide sidelink HARQ feedback to UE 315a, such as via the Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) of sidelink communication link 326. The sidelink HARQ can be forwarded from the transmitter UE to the base station to request one or more retransmission resources. For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, UE 315a can forward sidelink HARQ to base station 305 via PUCCH / PUSCH of network communication link 325.

[0057] Such as in Figure 3 The sidelink HARQ feedback forwarding provided in procedure 300 may impact existing radio interface (e.g., the radio interface between mobile and radio access networks, referred to as the Uu interface or Uu) network communication link PUCCH / PUSCH transmissions, such as regarding collision handling and criterion determination. For example, as Figure 4 As shown, the sidelink HARQ may conflict with other uplink signals in the Uu interface (e.g., Uu HARQ and / or other uplink channel information (UCI) in the PUCCH, such as scheduling requests (SR), channel state information (CSI), etc., and / or Uu HARQ and / or other UCIs in the PUSCH, such as SR, CSI, etc.). As an example of the conflict between the sidelink HARQ and other uplink signals in the Uu interface, the same time and / or frequency resources (e.g., time slots, channels, resource blocks, etc.) can be scheduled for UE 315a, which operates as an intermediate UE in the sidelink communication link, to forward the sidelink HARQ to the base station 305 and to convey one or more other uplink signals (e.g., Uu HARQ, SR, CSI, etc.) to the base station 305.

[0058] According to aspects of this disclosure, techniques are provided for handling sidelink feedback signaling in situations where conflicts would otherwise occur in a network communication link. For example, when a sidelink HARQ is to be transmitted simultaneously with a Uu UCI (e.g., Uu HARQ, SR, CSI, etc.) on one or more Uu channels (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, etc.), some implementations of sidelink feedback signaling handling techniques provide conflict resolution. In the operation of sidelink feedback signaling handling according to aspects of this disclosure, the transmitter or intermediate UE of the sidelink communication link decides whether and how to forward the sidelink HARQ to the corresponding base station.

[0059] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an implementation of aspects of this disclosure is provided for a technique to handle sidelink feedback signaling in situations where conflicts would otherwise occur in a network communication link. According to aspects of this disclosure, the functionality of process 500 can be, for example, performed by a UE configured to handle sidelink feedback signaling (e.g., Figure 1 The sidelink feedback signaling logic is executed by any UE (115). For example, the sidelink feedback signaling logic may include memory stored in UE-accessible memory (e.g., Figure 2 The program code in memory 282 operates when executed by one or more processors of the UE (e.g., the processor of controller / processor 280) to provide the functions described herein (e.g., controlling the transmission processor regarding the transmission of sidelink feedback signaling).

[0060] exist Figure 5 In the exemplary sidelink feedback signaling processing operation of process 500, a sidelink feedback signal is received in block 501. For example, a UE operating as an intermediate UE relative to a sidelink communication link can receive sidelink feedback signaling (e.g., sidelink HARQ) from the corresponding sidelink UE, such as for forwarding the sidelink feedback signaling to a base station or other network entity.

[0061] At block 502 of the example shown in process 500, sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending conflicts related to forwarding sidelink feedback signaling to the base station via the network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the base station via the network communication link is implemented. For example, the intermediate UE can identify impending conflicts in sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling communication regarding the forwarding of sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling from the intermediate UE, such as due to overlap in the allocation of at least time or frequency resources used by the sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling. Therefore, the intermediate UE can determine whether and / or how to forward the sidelink feedback signaling to the base station. For example, the intermediate UE can determine to discard the sidelink feedback signaling and convey other uplink signaling to the base station. Similarly, the intermediate UE can determine to discard other uplink signaling and convey the sidelink feedback signaling to the base station. See below for further details. Figures 6A-6C and Figures 7A-7C Further details are provided regarding the operation of sidelink feedback signaling processing implemented according to aspects of this disclosure. Although specific examples are given in the sidelink feedback signaling processing operation described below to aid in understanding the concepts of this disclosure, it should be understood that these examples are non-limiting in their applicability to the concepts herein.

[0062] Figures 6A-6C This demonstrates the operation of sidelink feedback signaling processing implemented according to aspects of this disclosure. Figure 6A In the example of process 600 shown, the sidelink feedback signaling includes a sidelink HARQ provided by the sidelink UE (UE 615b) to the UE (UE 615a) operating as an intermediary in the sidelink communication link with the sidelink UE, such as for forwarding to the corresponding base station (base station 605). In this exemplary implementation, base station 605 may correspond to Figure 1 For any of the base stations 105 shown, such as base stations 105d, 105e, or 105f, UE 615A can correspond to being served by base station 605 and configured to operate as an intermediate UE in sidelink communication. Figure 1 Any UE 115 shown, such as UE 115d, 115g, 115i, or 115k, and UE 615b may correspond to an intermediate UE within its communication range and be configured to operate as a sidelink UE. Figure 1 Any UE 115 shown, such as UE 115c, 115f, 115i, 115j or 115k.

[0063] exist Figure 6AIn the exemplary operation of process 600 shown, base station 605 can perform sidelink authorization. For example, using resource allocation mode 1, dynamic or configured sidelink authorization can provide resources for one or more sidelink transmissions. Sidelink authorization can be communicated by base station 605 to UE 615a via the PDCCH of network communication link 625. UE 615a is served by base station 605 and configured to operate as an intermediate UE in sidelink communication. Network communication link 625 may include, for example, a Uu network communication link, such as... Figure 1 The network communication link 125d-d. In this example, UE 615a, operating as an intermediate UE of the transmitter, can correspondingly convey a sidelink authorization to UE 615b via the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH) of the sidelink communication link 626. UE 615b is within the communication range of UE 615a and is configured to operate as a sidelink UE. The sidelink communication link 626 may, for example, include... Figure 1 Any sidelink communication link, such as sidelink communication links 126c-d, 126i-j, 126j-k, or 126i-k. Depending on the sidelink authorization, UE 615a may transmit sidelink data (e.g., data originating from UE 615a and / or data relayed by UE 615a from base station 605) to UE 615b, such as via the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) of sidelink communication link 626. Subsequently, sidelink HARQ feedback (e.g., SL HARQ 631) may be transmitted from UE 615b to UE 615a, such as via the Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) of sidelink communication link 626.

[0064] Sidelink HARQ may be intended for use by UE 615a to forward data from UE 615a to base station 605 via network communication link 625 in order to request one or more retransmission resources. However, UE 615a may itself have one or more other uplink UCIs (e.g., Uu HARQ, SR, CSI, etc.) to communicate with base station 605 via network communication link 625. For example, as shown in exemplary flow 600, UE 615a may have received downlink grants (e.g., PDCCH via network communication link 625) and corresponding downlink data (e.g., PDSCH via network communication link 625) from base station 605. Therefore, UE 615a may have Uu HARQ feedback (e.g., Uu HARQ 632) and / or other uplink signals to be transmitted from UE 615a to base station 605. When scheduling the same time and / or frequency resources (e.g., time slots, channels, resource blocks, etc.) for UE 615a to forward the sidelink HARQ to base station 605 and to deliver the Uu HARQ and / or one or more other uplink signals to base station 605, the sidelink HARQ may conflict with other uplink signals in the Uu interface.

[0065] According to this disclosure, Figure 6A The UE 615a shown in the example is configured to implement sidelink feedback signaling technology. Specifically, UE 615a includes sidelink feedback signaling logic configured to determine whether and how to forward sidelink feedback signaling (e.g., SL HARQ 631) to the corresponding base station 605. For example, the sidelink feedback signaling logic may include memory stored in a UE-accessible location (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The program code in memory 282 operates when executed by one or more processors of the UE (e.g., the processor of controller / processor 280) to provide the functions described herein (e.g., controlling the transmission processor regarding the transmission of sidelink feedback signaling).

[0066] according to Figure 6A In exemplary process 600, the sidelink feedback signaling logic of UE 615a implements sidelink feedback signaling processing 650 to handle sidelink feedback signaling in cases where conflicts would otherwise occur in network communication link 625. For example, the sidelink feedback signaling logic may analyze sidelink feedback signaling, Uu uplink signaling, and various aspects of network communication resources (e.g., uplink granting, resource block allocation, transport block utilization, etc.) to identify impending conflicts regarding communication of sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling. Impending conflicts may, for example, involve identifying overlaps in the allocation of one or more time and / or frequency resources used by sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling.

[0067] According to some aspects of this disclosure, when an impending conflict is identified in communication regarding sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling, the sidelink feedback signaling processing 650 of the sidelink feedback signaling logic determines the handling of the sidelink feedback signaling. For example, when an impending conflict is identified in communication regarding sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling, the sidelink feedback signaling processing 650 may determine to discard the sidelink feedback signaling and transmit the other uplink signaling to avoid the conflict. This operation is in Figure 6B The example of process 600b (e.g., Uu HARQ632 is transmitted from UE 615a to base station 605 via PUCCH or PUSCH of network communication link 625) can be invoked by sidelink feedback signaling logic to follow process 600. Alternatively, when an impending conflict is identified in communication regarding sidelink feedback signaling and other uplink signaling, sidelink feedback signaling processing 650 can determine to discard some or all of the other uplink signaling (e.g., portions of other uplink signaling that would overlap with sidelink feedback signaling) and transmit the sidelink feedback signaling to avoid the conflict. This operation is in Figure 6C As shown in the example of process 600c (e.g., SL HARQ 631 is transmitted from UE 615a to base station 605 via PUCCH or PUSCH of network communication link 625), it can be invoked by sidelink feedback signaling logic to follow process 600.

[0068] According to various aspects of this disclosure, the determination of whether to transmit or discard sidelink feedback signaling and / or other uplink signaling can be based on different foundations. For example, some implementations may be configured (e.g., during deployment, joining a specific network, establishing a communication link with a specific base station, etc.) to discard sidelink feedback signaling when an impending conflict is identified, wherein the determination of whether to transmit or discard the signaling is based on this configuration attribute. Alternatively, some implementations may be configured (e.g., during deployment, joining a specific network, establishing a communication link with a specific base station, etc.) to discard other uplink signaling (e.g., Uu HARQ, SR, CSI, etc.) when an impending conflict is identified, wherein the determination of whether to transmit or discard the signaling is based on this configuration attribute. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations may determine whether to transmit or discard the signaling based on higher-layer signaling, such as signaling regarding the handling of sidelink feedback signaling provided to the UE from the network (e.g., base stations, access and mobility management functions (AMF), etc.). Such higher-layer signaling can, for example, provide signaling to configure the UE to discard sidelink feedback signaling upon identifying an impending collision, discard other uplink signaling upon identifying an impending collision, dynamically determine to discard sidelink feedback signaling or other uplink signaling upon identifying an impending collision, and so on. Some implementations of sidelink feedback signaling handling according to aspects of this disclosure can, for example, determine whether to deliver or discard signaling based on one or more predefined rules (e.g., sidelink feedback signaling rules).

[0069] Determining whether to transmit or discard signaling based on one or more predefined rules can utilize various attributes regarding sidelink communication links, network communication links, the data being transmitted, and the devices transmitting and / or receiving data communications. Examples of the various attributes utilized according to some aspects of this disclosure include HARQ mode, data priority, data size, data retransmission attempts, and combinations thereof.

[0070] As an example of determining whether to deliver or discard signaling based on predefined rules, when an impending collision is identified based on a HARQ mode implemented by a sidelink UE (e.g., UE615b), the sidelink feedback signaling rules can provide either to discard or deliver sidelink feedback signaling. For example, when an impending collision is identified and UE 615b operates according to the "NACK only" HARQ mode, the sidelink feedback signaling processing 650 of the sidelink feedback signaling logic of UE 615a can determine to discard UuHARQ 632 and deliver sidelink HARQ 631 (e.g., by calling...). Figure 6C(Process 600c). Such rules facilitate obtaining retransmission resources for sidelink data from the network when the sidelink UE cannot recover data. When an impending collision is identified and UE 615b operates according to the “ACK / NACK” HARQ mode, the sidelink feedback signaling processing 650 of the sidelink feedback signaling logic of UE 615a can implement one or more other sidelink feedback signaling rules (e.g., based on the sidelink communication link, network communication link, the data being transmitted, the device transmitting and / or receiving data communication, etc.). When both the intermediate UE and the sidelink UE are unable to recover data, such rules can, for example, promote fairness in obtaining retransmission resources for sidelink data and Uu data from the network.

[0071] In another example of determining whether to transmit or discard signaling based on predefined rules, sidelink feedback signaling rules can provide either the transmission or discarding of sidelink feedback signaling when an impending conflict is identified based on priority. For example, according to aspects of this disclosure, data priority, size priority, retransmission priority, etc., can be used to determine whether to transmit or discard signaling.

[0072] Figures 7A-7C The operation of handling sidelink feedback signaling is demonstrated, wherein, according to aspects of this disclosure, signaling is determined to be transmitted or discarded based on predefined rules utilizing priority information. Similar to... Figures 6A-6C For example, in the example of process 700 shown in Figure 7, the sidelink feedback signaling includes a sidelink HARQ provided by the sidelink UE (UE 715b) to the UE (UE 715a) operating as an intermediary in the sidelink communication link with the sidelink UE, such as for forwarding to the corresponding base station (base station 705). As in the example above, base station 705 may correspond to Figure 1 For any of the base stations 105 shown, such as base stations 105d, 105e, or 105f, UE 715A can correspond to being served by base station 705 and configured to operate as an intermediate UE in sidelink communication. Figure 1 Any UE 115 shown, such as UE 115d, 115g, 115i, or 115k, and UE 715b may correspond to an intermediate UE within its communication range and be configured to operate as a sidelink UE. Figure 1 Any UE 115 shown, such as UE 115c, 115f, 115i, 115j or 115k.

[0073] UE 715a includes sidelink feedback signaling logic, which is configured to determine whether and how to forward sidelink feedback signaling (e.g., SL HARQ 731) to the corresponding base station 705. For example, the sidelink feedback signaling logic may include memory stored in a UE-accessible location (e.g., Figure 2 The program code in memory 282 operates when executed by one or more processors of the UE (e.g., the processor of controller / processor 280) to provide the functions described herein (e.g., controlling the transmission processor regarding the transmission of sidelink feedback signaling). The sidelink feedback signaling logic of UE 715a implements sidelink feedback signaling processing 750 to handle sidelink feedback signaling in cases where it would otherwise experience a conflict in network communication link 725 (e.g., SL HARQ 731 may have been transmitted from UE 715b to UE 715a by sidelink communication link 726 for forwarding to base station 705 via network communication link 725, and UE 715a may have Uu HARQ 732 and / or other uplink signals for transmission from UE 715a to base station 705 via network communication link 725).

[0074] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the sidelink feedback signaling handling operation according to process 700 can determine whether to deliver or discard signaling based on predefined rules utilizing data priorities. For example, data priority information can be provided regarding sidelink data of UE 715b and / or downlink data of UE 715a. In the example of process 700 shown, a transport block priority level (e.g., TB priority = Xp) can be provided regarding sidelink data corresponding to sidelink HARQ 731 (e.g., from higher layers of the network communication link, such as indicated by sidelink control information), and / or a transport block priority level (e.g., TB priority = Yp) can be provided regarding downlink data corresponding to UuHARQ 732 (e.g., from higher layers of the network communication link, such as in network link configuration information). The sidelink feedback signaling processing 750 of the sidelink feedback signaling logic in UE 715a can analyze such transport block priority level information to determine whether to discard Uu HARQ 732 and deliver sidelink HARQ 731, or discard sidelink HARQ 731 and deliver Uu HARQ 732. For example, if it is determined that the transport block priority level (Yp) of the downlink data corresponding to Uu HARQ 732 is greater than the transport block priority level (Xp) of the sidelink data corresponding to sidelink HARQ 731 (Yp>Xp), then the sidelink feedback signaling processing 750 can determine that sidelink HARQ 731 will be discarded and Uu HARQ 732 will be delivered (e.g., by calling...). Figure 7B(Flow 700b). For example, if it is determined that the transport block priority level (Xp) of the sidelink data corresponding to sidelink HARQ 731 is greater than or equal to the transport block priority level (Yp) of the downlink data corresponding to Uu HARQ 732 (Xp≥Yp), then the sidelink feedback signaling process 750 can determine that Uu HARQ 732 will be discarded and sidelink HARQ 731 will be conveyed (e.g., calling...). Figure 7C (Following procedure 700c). If the reported HARQ is for multiple transport blocks, priorities can be defined based on the minimum, maximum, or average priority of the transport blocks. When intermediate UEs and sidelink UEs are unable to recover data, data priority-based rules can, for example, facilitate obtaining retransmission resources from the network for data with higher priority.

[0075] Additionally or alternatively, the sidelink feedback signaling handling operation according to procedure 700 can determine whether to deliver or discard signaling based on predefined rules utilizing size priority. For example, transport block size information for sidelink data for UE 715b and / or downlink data for UE 715a can be obtained. In the example of procedure 700 shown, the transport block size (e.g., TB size = Xs) can be determined for sidelink data corresponding to sidelink HARQ 731 (e.g., based on analyzing the sidelink data block size, based on the transport block size configured for the sidelink, etc.), and / or the transport block size (e.g., TB size = Ys) can be determined for downlink data corresponding to Uu HARQ 732 (e.g., based on analyzing the downlink data block size, based on the transport block size configured for the downlink, etc.). The sidelink feedback signaling processing 750 of the UE 715a's sidelink feedback signaling logic can analyze such transport block size information by combining it with a transport block size rule that establishes size-based priority, to determine whether to discard Uu HARQ 732 and deliver sidelink HARQ 731 or discard sidelink HARQ 731 and deliver Uu HARQ 732. For example, if it is determined that the transport block size (Ys) of the downlink data corresponding to Uu HARQ 732 is greater than the transport block size (Xs) of the sidelink data corresponding to sidelink HARQ 731 (Ys>Xs), then the sidelink feedback signaling processing 750 can determine that sidelink HARQ 731 will be discarded and Uu HARQ 732 will be delivered (e.g., by calling...). Figure 7B (Flow 700B). For example, if it is determined that the transport block size (Xs) of the sidelink data corresponding to the sidelink HARQ 731 is greater than or equal to the transport block size (Ys) of the downlink data corresponding to the Uu HARQ 732 (Xs≥Ys), then the sidelink feedback signaling process 750 can determine that the Uu HARQ 732 will be discarded and the sidelink HARQ 731 will be conveyed (e.g., by calling...). Figure 7C (Procedure 700c). If the feedback signaling corresponds to multiple transport blocks, the transport block size can be the largest transport block indicated by the feedback signaling or the sum of all transport blocks. When intermediate UEs and sidelink UEs are unable to recover data, size-based priority rules can, for example, facilitate obtaining retransmission resources from the network for the larger portion of the unrecovered data.

[0076] Furthermore, the sidelink feedback signaling handling operation according to procedure 700 can additionally or alternatively determine whether to deliver or discard signaling based on predefined rules utilizing retransmission priorities. For example, retransmission data information (e.g., the number of times data retransmission has been requested or attempted) for sidelink data for UE 715b and / or downlink data for UE 715a can be obtained. In the example of procedure 700 shown, a retransmission index value (e.g., retransmission index = Xr) can be determined for sidelink data corresponding to sidelink HARQ 731 (e.g., based on analysis of the number of retransmission attempts for sidelink data, based on the retransmission index of the previous transmission block of the sidelink, etc.), and / or a retransmission index value (e.g., retransmission index = Yr) can be determined for downlink data corresponding to Uu HARQ 732 (e.g., based on analysis of the number of retransmission attempts for downlink data, based on the retransmission index of the previous transmission block of the downlink, etc.). The sidelink feedback signaling processing 750 of the UE 715a's sidelink feedback signaling logic can analyze such retransmission information by combining rules for establishing retransmission priorities to determine whether to discard Uu HARQ 732 and relay sidelink HARQ 731 or discard sidelink HARQ 731 and relay Uu HARQ 732. For example, if it is determined that the retransmission index value (Yr) of the downlink data corresponding to Uu HARQ 732 is greater than the retransmission index value (Xr) of the sidelink data corresponding to sidelink HARQ 731 (Yr>Xr), then the sidelink feedback signaling processing 750 can determine that sidelink HARQ 731 will be discarded and Uu HARQ 732 will be relayed (e.g., by calling...). Figure 7B (Flow 700B). For example, if it is determined that the retransmission index value (Xr) of the sidelink data corresponding to the sidelink HARQ 731 is greater than or equal to the retransmission index value (Yr) of the downlink data corresponding to the Uu HARQ 732 (Xr≥Yr), then the sidelink feedback signaling process 750 can determine that the Uu HARQ 732 will be discarded and the sidelink HARQ 731 will be conveyed (e.g., by calling...). Figure 7C(Following procedure 700c). If the feedback signaling corresponds to multiple transport blocks, the retransmission information for all transport blocks indicated by the feedback signaling can be averaged. When intermediate UEs and sidelink UEs are unable to recover data, rules based on retransmission priority can, for example, facilitate obtaining retransmission resources from the network for unrecovered data that has experienced the greatest difficulty in reaching the intended UE (e.g., transport blocks with more retransmission attempts can be given higher priority to request retransmission resources).

[0077] According to aspects of this disclosure, various determinations regarding the transmission or discarding of signaling in sidelink feedback signaling processing operations can be combined. For example, a combination of data priority, size priority, and / or retransmission priority rules can be implemented by sidelink feedback signaling logic. As a specific example, where data priority information provides the same priority (or no priority) for sidelink data and downlink data, one or more size priority and / or retransmission priority information can be analyzed when determining whether to transmit or discard signaling feedback.

[0078] Although examples of impending conflicts between sidelink HARQs and Uu HARQs have been discussed, the sidelink feedback signaling handling operations according to aspects of this disclosure apply not only to Uu HARQs but also to Uu signaling. For example, when an impending conflict is identified based on priority determination using UCI content information, the sidelink feedback signaling processing 750 of the sidelink feedback signaling logic of UE 715a can provide to discard or deliver sidelink feedback signaling. In some aspects of the operation according to this disclosure, signaling feedback priorities can be established using predefined rules of priority information, such that SRs are delivered and sidelink HARQs are discarded, while sidelink HARQs are delivered and UCIs other than SRs are discarded, possibly in combination with one or more of the aforementioned rules regarding the determination between sidelink HARQs and Uu HARQs when UCIs include Uu HARQs (e.g., SR > SL HARQ > UCI instead of SR / HARQ). As another example, in operations according to some aspects of this disclosure, predefined rules utilizing priority information can establish signaling feedback priorities such that sidelink HARQs are propagated and SRs are dropped, while SRs are propagated and UCIs other than sidelink HARQs are dropped. This can be combined with one or more of the aforementioned rules regarding the determination between sidelink HARQs and Uu HARQs when UCIs include Uu HARQs (e.g., SL HARQ > SR > UCI instead of SR / HARQ). As another example, in operations according to some aspects of this disclosure, predefined rules utilizing priority information can establish signaling feedback priorities such that Uu UCIs are propagated and sidelink HARQs are dropped (e.g., Uu UCI > SL HARQ).

[0079] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating exemplary blocks that are executed to implement aspects of this disclosure. Figure 8 UE 115 includes information about Figure 2 The structure, hardware, and components shown in UE 115, and therefore regarding Figure 2 The UE 115 shown is described below. For example, UE 115 includes a controller / processor 280 that operates to execute logical or computer instructions stored in memory 282, and to control components of UE 115 that provide the features and functionality of UE 115. According to aspects of this disclosure, controller / processor 280 may use one or more predefined rules of sidelink feedback signaling rule 803 to execute the logic of sidelink feedback signaling logic 802 to provide the sidelink feedback signaling processing operation as described above. Under the control of controller / processor 280, UE 115 transmits and receives signals (e.g., the aforementioned sidelink feedback signaling and / or other uplink signaling) via radio 800a-r and antenna 252a-r. Radio 800a-r includes various components and hardware, such as… Figure 2 As shown in the figure for UE115, it includes a modulator / demodulator 254a-r, a MIMO detector 256, a receiver processor 258, a transmitter processor 264, and a TXMIMO processor 266.

[0080] Those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.

[0081] The functional blocks and modules described in this article (e.g.) Figure 2 and Figure 8 The functional blocks and modules in this document can include processors, electronic devices, hardware devices, electronic components, logic circuits, memory, software code, firmware code, etc., or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the features related to processing side-link feedback signaling discussed in this document can be implemented via dedicated processor circuitry, via executable instructions, and / or a combination thereof.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the disclosure herein (e.g., Figure 5 , Figure 6A and Figure 7AThe logic blocks (in this document) can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally regarding their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the system as a whole. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as causing a departure from the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also readily recognize that the order or combination of components, methods, or interactions described herein is merely illustrative, and components, methods, or interactions of various aspects of this disclosure can be combined or performed in ways other than those shown and described herein.

[0083] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0084] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in conjunction with this disclosure can be directly embodied in hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, allowing the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integrated with the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0085] In one or more exemplary designs, the described functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality can be stored or transmitted thereon as one or more instructions or code. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. For example (and without limitation), such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code components in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Furthermore, a connection can be appropriately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL), then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or DSL are all included in the definition of media. As used herein, disks and optical discs include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), hard disks, solid-state drives (SSDs), and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0086] As used herein, including in the claims, the term “and / or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items may be used alone, or any combination of two or more listed items may be used. For example, if a combination is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, then the combination may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C. Furthermore, as used herein, including in the claims, the “or” used in a list of items ending with “at least one of” indicates a separate list, such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means any one of A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) or any combination thereof.

[0087] The prior description of this disclosure is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: A UE operated by a transmitter user equipment (UE) acting as a sidelink communication link receives a sidelink feedback signal from a UE operated by a receiver UE acting as the sidelink communication link; and The transmitter UE implements sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending collisions related to forwarding the sidelink feedback signaling to a network entity via the network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the network entity via the network communication link, wherein implementing the sidelink feedback signaling processing includes: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on the sidelink data retransmission priority of the sidelink transmission, wherein, The sidelink data retransmission priority is determined based on the number of times data retransmission has been requested or attempted for the sidelink data of the receiver UE and / or the downlink data of the transmitter UE.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises: Overlaps in the allocation of at least time or frequency resources used by the sidelink feedback signaling and the other uplink signaling are identified as impending conflicts concerning the forwarding of the sidelink feedback signaling.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on priority-based sidelink feedback signaling rules implemented by the transmitter UE.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and at least a portion of the other uplink signaling.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and the at least portion of the other uplink signaling is at least partially based on an index value associated with the other uplink signaling.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and the at least portion of the other uplink signaling is at least partially based on a priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling includes a priority value of the sidelink transmission corresponding to the sidelink feedback signaling.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the priority value of the sidelink transmission is at least partially based on a sidelink transmission priority selected from a group consisting of: The transport block priority provided for the transport blocks transmitted on the side link; The priority of the transport block size of the transport block transmitted by the side link.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the sidelink feedback signaling includes a sidelink hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) response.

10. An apparatus configured for wireless communication, comprising: A component for a UE operating as a transmitter user equipment (UE) in a sidelink communication link to receive a sidelink feedback signal from a UE operating as a receiver UE in the same sidelink communication link; and Components for the transmitter UE to implement sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending collisions, the collisions being related to forwarding the sidelink feedback signaling to a network entity via a network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the network entity via the network communication link, wherein the components for implementing sidelink feedback signaling processing include: The component is used to determine whether to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling based at least in part on the sidelink data retransmission priority of the sidelink transmission, wherein, The sidelink data retransmission priority is determined based on the number of times data retransmission has been requested or attempted for the sidelink data of the receiver UE and / or the downlink data of the transmitter UE.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the component for implementing sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises: A component for identifying overlaps in the allocation of at least time or frequency resources used by the sidelink feedback signaling and the other uplink signaling as the impending conflict regarding the forwarding of the sidelink feedback signaling.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the component for implementing sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises: A component for determining whether to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling based at least in part on priority-based sidelink feedback signaling rules implemented by the transmitter UE.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the component for implementing sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises: A component for determining whether to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling based at least in part on the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and at least a portion of the other uplink signaling.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and the at least portion of the other uplink signaling is based at least in part on an index value associated with the other uplink signaling, or at least in part on a priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling includes a priority value of the sidelink transmission corresponding to the sidelink feedback signaling.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code for wireless communication recorded thereon, the program code comprising: Program code executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the following operations A UE operated by a transmitter user equipment (UE) acting as a sidelink communication link receives a sidelink feedback signal from a UE operated by a receiver UE acting as the sidelink communication link; and The transmitter (UE) implements sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending collisions, the collisions being related to forwarding the sidelink feedback signaling to a network entity via the network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the network entity via the network communication link, wherein implementing the sidelink feedback signaling processing includes: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on the sidelink data retransmission priority of the sidelink transmission, wherein, The sidelink data retransmission priority is determined based on the number of times data retransmission has been requested or attempted for the sidelink data of the receiver UE and / or the downlink data of the transmitter UE.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the program code for causing the computer to perform sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises program code for causing the computer to perform the following operations: Overlaps in the allocation of at least time or frequency resources used by the sidelink feedback signaling and the other uplink signaling are identified as impending conflicts concerning the forwarding of the sidelink feedback signaling.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the program code for causing the computer to perform sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises program code for causing the computer to perform the following operations: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on priority-based sidelink feedback signaling rules implemented by the transmitter UE.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the program code for causing the computer to perform sidelink feedback signaling processing comprises program code for causing the computer to perform the following operations: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and at least a portion of the other uplink signaling.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and the at least portion of the other uplink signaling is based at least in part on an index value associated with the other uplink signaling, or at least in part on a priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling includes a priority value of the sidelink transmission corresponding to the sidelink feedback signaling.

22. An apparatus configured for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: Memory; and At least one processor coupled to the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: A UE operated by a transmitter user equipment (UE) acting as a sidelink communication link receives a sidelink feedback signal from a UE operated by a receiver UE acting as the sidelink communication link; and The transmitter (UE) implements sidelink feedback signaling processing to avoid impending collisions, the collisions being related to forwarding the sidelink feedback signaling to a network entity via the network communication link and forwarding other uplink signaling to the network entity via the network communication link, wherein implementing the sidelink feedback signaling processing includes: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on the sidelink data retransmission priority of the sidelink transmission, wherein, The sidelink data retransmission priority is determined based on the number of times data retransmission requests or attempts are made for the sidelink data of the receiver UE and / or the downlink data of the transmitter UE.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor configured to implement sidelink feedback signaling processing is configured to: Overlaps in the allocation of at least time or frequency resources used by the sidelink feedback signaling and the other uplink signaling are identified as impending conflicts concerning the forwarding of the sidelink feedback signaling.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor configured to implement sidelink feedback signaling processing is configured to: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on priority-based sidelink feedback signaling rules implemented by the transmitter UE.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor configured to implement sidelink feedback signaling processing is configured to: The decision to discard or transmit the sidelink feedback signaling is based at least in part on the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and at least a portion of the other uplink signaling.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and the at least portion of the other uplink signaling is at least partially based on an index value associated with the other uplink signaling.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the priority between the sidelink feedback signaling and the at least portion of the other uplink signaling is at least partially based on a priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the priority value associated with the sidelink feedback signaling includes a priority value of the sidelink transmission corresponding to the sidelink feedback signaling.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the priority value of the sidelink transmission is at least partially based on a sidelink transmission priority selected from a group consisting of: The transport block priority provided for the transport blocks transmitted on the side link; The transmission block size priority of the transmission blocks transmitted via the side link; and The retransmission priority of sidelink data transmitted on the sidelink.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the sidelink feedback signaling includes a sidelink hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) response.

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