A method of determining sidelink duration and apparatuses thereof

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a method for determining sidelink duration and a device thereof, which can be applied in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system, a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) system or the like. The method comprises the following steps: a terminal device receives a first DCI from a network device, wherein the first DCI comprises indication information; and determines a sidelink preparation duration according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, and the indication information. The indication information can comprise at least one of the following: resource allocation information, which is used to indicate time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; and switching duration, which is used to indicate a duration required for switching of a radio access technology. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the sidelink preparation duration can be determined, thereby saving resources and avoiding resource waste.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for determining the duration of a side link. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid increase in car ownership, intelligent mobility solutions based on connectivity, intelligence, sharing, and electrification are attracting increasing attention. Intelligent mobility is built upon intelligent transportation systems centered on assisted driving and autonomous driving, which involve human-vehicle-road collaboration. The introduction of new scenarios and new demands is driving the development of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks from traditional V2X networks that only support in-vehicle information services to next-generation V2X networks that support all vehicle-connected services.

[0003] In vehicular networks, terminals communicate with each other via sidelinks (SL). A sidelink includes the physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) and the physical sidelink share channel (PSSCH). The sidelink control information (SCI) in the PSCCH indicates the information needed to receive the PSSCH, such as PSSCH channel resources and transmission parameters. The PSSCH is used to carry data for sidelink communication.

[0004] In order to receive the PSSCH, the terminal needs to receive the PSCCH first. Similarly, if the terminal needs to send data to another terminal, it needs to send both the PSCCH and PSSCH to that other terminal. The PSSCH is used to carry the data that the terminal needs to send to the other terminal.

[0005] After receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the base station, the terminal needs a certain amount of time to prepare PSSCH data to send to another terminal. This required time can be called the sidelink preparation time. By determining the sidelink preparation time, it is possible to avoid the terminal sending PSSCH to another terminal before it has prepared the PSSCH data.

[0006] However, there is currently a lack of effective means to determine the preparation time of sidelinks. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a method and apparatus for determining the side link duration, which can be applied to vehicle networks, such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, long term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, etc., or can be used in fields such as intelligent driving and intelligent connected vehicles. By determining the side link preparation duration, it is possible to avoid sending PSSCH before the PSSCH data is ready, thereby saving resources and avoiding resource waste.

[0008] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for determining sidelink duration. The method includes: a terminal device receiving first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device, the first DCI including indication information; and determining a sidelink preparation duration based on one of the following: a configuration coefficient of subcarrier spacing of a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), a configuration coefficient of subcarrier spacing of a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), or a configuration coefficient of subcarrier spacing of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the indication information; the PDCCH being used to carry the first DCI; wherein the indication information may include at least one of the following: resource allocation information, which indicates the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; and a handover duration, which indicates the duration required for a handover of the radio access technology.

[0009] In this technical solution, the sidelink preparation time can be determined. Furthermore, if the duration of receiving the first DCI is greater than or equal to the sidelink preparation time, the terminal device can send a PSSCH to another terminal device. This avoids sending a PSSCH to another terminal device if the duration of receiving the first DCI is less than the sidelink preparation time, thus helping to prevent resource waste.

[0010] In one implementation, the terminal device determines the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the indication information. Specifically, if the handover conditions are not met, the sidelink preparation time is determined based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the resource allocation information.

[0011] In this technical solution, if the handover conditions are not met (such as the terminal device only supporting one wireless access technology), the terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, as well as the resource allocation information.

[0012] In one implementation, the method may further include: if the scrambling information of the first DCI is the same as the scrambling information of the second DCI, the terminal device determines that the aforementioned handover condition is not met, wherein the reception time of the second DCI is before the reception time of the first DCI.

[0013] In one implementation, when the handover conditions are not met, the terminal device determines the sidelink preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and resource allocation information. A specific implementation method may be as follows: determine the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH; determine the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain; and determine the sidelink preparation time based on the minimum configuration coefficient and the time-frequency interval.

[0014] In this technical solution, a smaller subcarrier spacing configuration coefficient during the determination of the sidelink preparation time allows for a longer sidelink preparation time. The time required for a terminal device to prepare PSSCH data is related to its hardware processing capabilities, and different terminal devices have different hardware processing capabilities. Therefore, by determining a longer sidelink preparation time, it is beneficial for terminal devices with different hardware processing capabilities to prepare PSSCH data for transmission to another terminal device when the duration of receiving the first DCI is greater than or equal to the sidelink preparation time.

[0015] In one implementation, the terminal device determines the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the indication information. Specifically, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after the handover is lower than that before the handover, the sidelink preparation time is determined based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the aforementioned handover time.

[0016] In this technical solution, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the wireless access technology after the handover is lower than that of the wireless access technology before the handover, the terminal device can determine the side link preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, as well as the handover duration.

[0017] In one implementation, the terminal device determines the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the indication information. Specifically, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after the handover is higher than that before the handover, the sidelink preparation time is determined based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, the aforementioned resource allocation information, and the aforementioned handover time.

[0018] In this technical solution, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the wireless access technology after the handover is higher than that of the wireless access technology before the handover, the terminal device can determine the side link preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, resource allocation information, and handover duration.

[0019] In one implementation, the terminal device determines the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, along with the aforementioned resource allocation information and the aforementioned handover duration. A specific implementation method for this can be: determining the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the PSCCH, PSSCH, or PDCCH; determining the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain; and determining the sidelink preparation time based on the minimum configuration coefficient, the time interval, and the handover duration.

[0020] In one implementation, the method may further include: the terminal device sending its capability information to the network device, the capability information of which is used to determine the handover duration.

[0021] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide another method for determining sidelink duration, the method comprising: a network device receiving capability information of the terminal device from a terminal device; determining a handover duration based on the capability information of the terminal device, the handover duration being used to indicate the duration required for a handover of the radio access technology; and, if it is determined that the terminal device meets the conditions required for a handover of the radio access technology, sending a first downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, the first DCI including indication information, the indication information including the handover duration; the handover duration may also be used to determine the sidelink preparation duration of the terminal device.

[0022] In this technical solution, the network device can determine the handover duration based on the capability information of the terminal device, and this handover duration can be used to determine the side link preparation duration.

[0023] In one implementation, when the priority of the wireless access technology after the handover is higher than the priority of the wireless access technology before the handover, the indication information may further include resource allocation information. The resource allocation information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources for carrying the Physical Side Link Control Channel (PSCCH) and the time-frequency resources for carrying the Physical Side Link Shared Channel (PSSCH). The resource allocation information is also used to determine the side link preparation time of the aforementioned terminal device.

[0024] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that implements some or all of the functions of the terminal device described in the first aspect above. For example, the communication device may have the functions of some or all of the embodiments in this application, or it may have the functions of any one embodiment in this application implemented individually. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0025] In one implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the above method. The transceiver module supports communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may also include a storage module, coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, which stores necessary computer programs and data for the communication device.

[0026] In one implementation, the communication device includes:

[0027] The transceiver module is used to receive a first DCI from the network device, the first DCI including indication information;

[0028] The processing module is configured to determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the indication information; the PDCCH is used to carry the first DCI; wherein the indication information may include at least one of the following: resource allocation information, which indicates the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; and handover time, which indicates the time required for the radio access technology to be switched.

[0029] As an example, the processing module can be a processor, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module can be a memory.

[0030] In one implementation, the communication device includes:

[0031] A transceiver for receiving a first DCI from a network device, the first DCI including indication information;

[0032] The processor is configured to determine a sidelink preparation duration based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the indication information; the PDCCH is used to carry the first DCI; wherein the indication information may include at least one of the following: resource allocation information, which indicates the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; and a handover duration, which indicates the duration required for a handover of the radio access technology.

[0033] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide another communication device that implements some or all of the functions of the network device in the method example described in the second aspect above. For example, the communication device may have the functions of some or all of the embodiments in this application, or it may have the functions of any one embodiment in this application implemented individually. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0034] In one implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the above method. The transceiver module is used to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may also include a storage module, which is coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, and stores the necessary computer programs and data of the communication device.

[0035] In one implementation, the communication device includes:

[0036] The transceiver module is used to receive capability information of the terminal device from the terminal device.

[0037] The processing module is used to determine the handover duration based on the capability information of the terminal device. The handover duration is used to indicate the duration required for the wireless access technology to be switched.

[0038] The transceiver module is also used to send a first DCI to the terminal device when it is determined that the terminal device meets the conditions required for the handover of the wireless access technology. The first DCI includes indication information, which includes the handover duration. The handover duration can also be used to determine the sidelink preparation duration of the terminal device.

[0039] As an example, the processing module can be a processor, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module can be a memory.

[0040] In one implementation, the communication device includes:

[0041] A transceiver is used to receive capability information of a terminal device from the terminal device.

[0042] The processor is used to determine the handover duration based on the capability information of the terminal device, the handover duration being used to indicate the duration required for the wireless access technology to be switched.

[0043] The transceiver is also configured to send a first DCI to the terminal device when it is determined that the terminal device meets the conditions required for a handover of the wireless access technology. The first DCI includes indication information, which includes the handover duration. The handover duration can also be used to determine the sidelink preparation duration of the terminal device.

[0044] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor, which executes the method described in the first aspect when it calls a computer program in memory.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor that, when the processor invokes a computer program in memory, executes the method described in the second aspect above.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0047] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0048] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the device including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, the processor being used to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0049] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, which is used to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0050] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a system for determining sidelink duration, the system including the communication device described in the third aspect and the communication device described in the fourth aspect, or the system including the communication device described in the fifth aspect and the communication device described in the sixth aspect, or the system including the communication device described in the seventh aspect and the communication device described in the eighth aspect, or the system including the communication device described in the ninth aspect and the communication device described in the tenth aspect.

[0051] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a readable storage medium for storing instructions for use by the aforementioned terminal device, which, when executed, cause the terminal device to perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0052] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a readable storage medium for storing instructions for use by the network device described above, which, when executed, cause the network device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0053] In a fourteenth aspect, this application also provides a computer program product including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0054] In a fifteenth aspect, this application also provides a computer program product including a computer program, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0055] In a sixteenth aspect, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor and an interface for supporting a terminal device in implementing the functions involved in the first aspect, such as determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0056] In a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor and an interface for supporting a network device in implementing the functions involved in the second aspect, such as determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the network device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Attached Figure Description

[0057] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0058] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining sidelink duration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 3a This is a flowchart illustrating another method for determining side link duration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 3b This is a schematic diagram illustrating four multiplexing relationships between time-frequency resources carrying PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying PSSCH, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0062] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating another method for determining side link duration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another method for determining side link duration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating another method for determining side link duration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of another communication device provided in this application embodiment;

[0067] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0068] To facilitate understanding, the terminology used in this application will be introduced first.

[0069] 1. Downlink control information (DCI)

[0070] The Downlink Control Channel (DCI) is carried by the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The DCI can include uplink and downlink resource allocation, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information, power control, etc. The PDCCH is a physical channel used to carry downlink scheduling information.

[0071] 2. Scrambling

[0072] Scrambling is a digital signal processing method that uses a scrambling code to perform an XOR operation with the original signal to obtain a new signal. Typically, uplink physical channel scrambling distinguishes different terminals, while downlink scrambling distinguishes cells and channels. Scrambling codes can be used to scramble and descramble the original signal. For example, scrambling codes can scramble downlink control information (DCI), also known as PDCCH scrambling. Specifically, DCI scrambling refers to scrambling the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field of the DCI. Correspondingly, the terminal descrambles the received DCI, specifically by using an appropriate type of scrambling code to descramble the CRC field of the DCI to determine its format or type.

[0073] Scrambling codes may include, but are not limited to: cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI), and random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0074] a) C-RNTI and TC-RNTI

[0075] If the terminal is in the radio resource control connected (RRC-connected) state, it means that the terminal has been assigned a C-RNTI, which the terminal needs to include when initiating a random access request to the network device. If the terminal is in the RRC idle or RRC inactive state, it means that the terminal has not yet been assigned a C-RNTI. If the terminal requests an RRC connection, the network device may assign a temporary C-RNTI to the terminal in the subsequent response information, denoted as TC-RNTI. After the terminal successfully accesses the network, the TC-RNTI can be converted into a C-RNTI.

[0076] b)RA-RNTI

[0077] In the random access procedure, the generation of RA-RNTI is related to the time-frequency resources used by the terminal to send the preamble. For example, when terminal A and terminal B initiate random access using the same random access channel time-frequency resources, their corresponding RA-RNTIs are the same.

[0078] 3. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication

[0079] V2X communication refers to communication between a vehicle and anything in the outside world. V2X communication can include, but is not limited to: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0080] To better understand the method for determining sidelink duration disclosed in the embodiments of this application, the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable is first described below.

[0081] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, a network device and a terminal device. Figure 1 The number and form of devices shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application. In actual applications, it may include two or more network devices and two or more terminal devices. Figure 1 The communication system shown is exemplified by a network device 101 and a terminal device 102.

[0082] The network device 101 can be used to send a first DCI to the terminal device 102. The first DCI may include indication information, which may include at least one of the following: resource allocation information and handover duration. The resource allocation information may be used to indicate the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; the handover duration may be used to indicate the duration required for the radio access technology to hand over.

[0083] Terminal device 102 can determine the side link preparation time based on one of the configuration factors of the sub-carrier spacing (SCS) of the PDCCH used to carry the first DCI, the configuration factor of the sub-carrier spacing of the PSCCH, or the configuration factor of the sub-carrier spacing of the PSSCH, and the aforementioned indication information.

[0084] After receiving the first DCI, terminal device 102 needs a certain amount of time to prepare to send PSSCH to another terminal device. The minimum required time threshold is the side link preparation time. If the time taken to receive the first DCI is greater than or equal to the side link preparation time, it indicates that terminal device 102 is ready to send PSSCH data to the other terminal device; if the time taken to receive the first DCI is less than the side link preparation time, it indicates that terminal device 102 is not yet ready to send PSSCH data to the other terminal device.

[0085] If terminal device 102 is preparing to send PSSCH to another terminal but is not yet ready to send PSSCH data, the other terminal will not be able to receive complete PSSCH data, resulting in wasted resources. In one implementation, if terminal device 102 is preparing to send PSSCH to another terminal but is not yet ready to send PSSCH data, the terminal device can cancel sending PSSCH to the other terminal. This would waste the time and frequency resources occupied by the first DCI and the PDCCH used to carry the first DCI.

[0086] In this embodiment, after determining the sidelink preparation time, the terminal device 102 can send a PSSCH to another terminal device if the duration of receiving the first DCI is greater than or equal to the sidelink preparation time. This avoids sending a PSSCH to another terminal device if the duration of receiving the first DCI is less than the sidelink preparation time, thus preventing resource waste.

[0087] It should be noted that the technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems. For example, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems, 5G New Radio (NR) systems, or other future new mobile communication systems. It should also be noted that the side link in this application embodiment can also be called a side link or a direct link.

[0088] The network device 101 in this embodiment is a network-side entity used for transmitting or receiving signals. For example, the network device 101 can be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. This application does not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device. The network device provided in this embodiment can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU can also be called a control unit. Using a CU-DU structure allows the protocol layer of a network device, such as a base station, to be separated. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining or all protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0089] In this application embodiment, the terminal device 102 is a user-side entity used to receive or transmit signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0090] In sidelink communication, there are four sidelink transmission modes. Sidelink transmission mode 1 and sidelink transmission mode 2 are used for device-to-device (D2D) communication. Sidelink transmission modes 3 and 4 are used for V2X communication. When sidelink transmission mode 3 is used, resource allocation is scheduled by network device 101. Specifically, network device 101 can send resource allocation information to terminal device 102, and then terminal device 102 can allocate resources to another terminal device so that the other terminal device can send information to network device 101 through the allocated resources. In V2X communication, a terminal device with a better signal or higher reliability can be used as terminal device 102. The first terminal device mentioned in this application embodiment can refer to terminal device 102, and the second terminal device can refer to the other terminal device.

[0091] It is understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0092] The method and apparatus for determining the duration of a side link provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0093] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining sidelink duration according to an embodiment of this application. In step S201, the executing entity is a first terminal device or a chip within the first terminal device; in step S202, the executing entity is a network device or a chip within the network device. The following explanation uses the first terminal device and the network device as examples of the executing entities for determining sidelink duration. Figure 2 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0094] Step S201: The network device sends a first downlink control information (DCI) to the first terminal device. The first DCI includes indication information, which includes at least one of the following: resource allocation information, which indicates the time and frequency resources for carrying the physical side link control channel (PSCCH) and the physical side link shared channel (PSSCH); and handover duration, which indicates the duration required for the radio access technology to be switched.

[0095] The network device sends a first DCI to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on the indication information in the first DCI. The multiplexing relationship between the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH affects the sidelink preparation time. The network device sends resource allocation information to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can determine the multiplexing relationship between the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH based on the resource allocation information. Therefore, in one implementation, the aforementioned indication information may include resource allocation information for indicating the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH.

[0096] In this embodiment, the first terminal device may support sidelink communication in only one radio access technology (RAT), or it may support sidelink communication in at least two radio access technologies. The RAT may include, but is not limited to, LTE, NR, or other future novel radio access technologies. For example, the first terminal device may support only NR sidelink, or it may support both NR sidelink and LTE sidelink.

[0097] When the first terminal device supports sidelink communication in at least two radio access technologies, the radio access technology may be switched. For example, if the first terminal device supports both NR sidelink and LTE sidelink, scheduling the LTE sidelink through the NR universal user to network interface (Uu) can allow the radio access technology used by the first terminal device to switch from NR to LTE.

[0098] When a wireless access technology handover occurs, it takes a certain amount of time to complete the handover; this time is the aforementioned handover duration, which affects the sidelink preparation time. Therefore, in one implementation, the aforementioned indication information may include this handover duration. This handover duration can be calculated by the network device. In one implementation, the handover duration may be related to the hardware processing capability of the first terminal device. The first terminal device can send its hardware processing capability information to the network device, and then the network device determines the handover duration based on the hardware processing capability of the first terminal device. The stronger the hardware processing capability of the first terminal device, the shorter the handover duration can be. The weaker the hardware processing capability of the first terminal device, the longer the handover duration can be.

[0099] Step S202: The first terminal device determines the side link preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the physical downlink control channel PDCCH, and the indication information; the PDCCH is used to carry the first DCI.

[0100] Specifically, after receiving the first DCI from the network device, the first terminal device can determine the side link preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, as well as the indication information.

[0101] In the embodiments of this application, the subcarrier spacing of a physical channel (such as PDCCH, PSCCH, or PSSCH) can have a one-to-one correspondence with the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of that physical channel. For example, in 5G NR, multiple subcarrier spacings are defined, and the correspondence between the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH and the configuration coefficient of the PDCCH subcarrier spacing in NR can be shown in Table 1. In one implementation, the smaller the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of a physical channel (such as PDCCH, PSCCH, or PSSCH), the smaller the subcarrier spacing of that physical channel can be; the larger the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of that physical channel, the larger the subcarrier spacing of that physical channel can be.

[0102] Table 1 shows the correspondence between the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH in NR and the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH.

[0103]

[0104] Before receiving the first DCI from the network device, the first terminal device needs to synchronize with the network device. The first terminal device can achieve synchronization with the network device by receiving a synchronization signal sent by the network device. This synchronization signal can consist of a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The synchronization signal may include a master information block (MIB). In this embodiment, the subcarrier spacing and bandwidth part (BWP) can have a corresponding relationship. By detecting the bandwidth part indicated by the MIB, the first terminal device can determine the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH sent by the network device to the first terminal device, and then determine the configuration coefficients of the PDCCH subcarrier spacing through the correspondence between the subcarrier spacing and the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing.

[0105] The first terminal device can determine the bandwidth resources occupied by the PSCCH and PSSCH to be sent to the second terminal device based on the aforementioned resource allocation information. Then, the first terminal device can determine the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH and the PSSCH based on the correspondence between subcarrier spacing and bandwidth resources. Further, the first terminal device can determine the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH and the PSSCH based on the correspondence between subcarrier spacing and its configuration coefficient.

[0106] In this embodiment, the subcarrier spacing of the physical channel affects the sidelink preparation time. Since the configuration coefficient of the physical channel's subcarrier spacing has a one-to-one correspondence with the physical channel's subcarrier spacing, the terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the PSCCH, PSSCH, or PDCCH subcarrier spacing, along with the aforementioned indication information.

[0107] As can be seen from step S201 above, when a wireless access technology switch occurs, the switching duration affects the sidelink preparation duration. If the wireless access technology does not switch, then there is no switching duration. In this embodiment, the first terminal device can determine whether the wireless access technology will change by judging whether the switching conditions are met. If the switching conditions are not met, then the wireless access technology will not change. At this time, the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation duration based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the aforementioned resource allocation information. The execution process can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 3a Detailed description of the illustrated embodiment.

[0108] If the handover conditions are met, the wireless access technology will change. At this time, the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the aforementioned handover duration. The execution process can be found in [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 , Figure 5 Detailed description of the illustrated embodiment.

[0109] By implementing the embodiments of this application, the sidelink preparation time can be determined. Furthermore, the first terminal device can send a PSSCH to the second terminal device if the duration of receiving the first DCI is greater than or equal to the sidelink preparation time. In this way, sending a PSSCH to the second terminal device when the duration of receiving the first DCI is less than the sidelink preparation time can be avoided, thus helping to prevent resource waste.

[0110] Please see Figure 3a , Figure 3a This is a flowchart illustrating another method for determining sidelink duration provided in this application embodiment. The method details how, when handover conditions are not met, the first terminal device determines the sidelink preparation duration based on one of the following: the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and resource allocation information. Specifically, the execution subject of step S301 is a network device or a chip within the network device, and the execution subject of step S302 is the first terminal device or a chip within the first terminal device. The following explanation uses the network device and the first terminal device as examples of the execution subjects for determining the sidelink duration. This method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0111] Step S301: The network device sends a first DCI to the first terminal device. The first DCI includes indication information, which includes resource allocation information. The resource allocation information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources carrying the aforementioned PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the aforementioned PSSCH.

[0112] In this embodiment, the network device can determine whether the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover. If it is determined that the first terminal device does not meet the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover, it means that the wireless access technology corresponding to the first terminal device will not be switched. In this case, the indication information in the first DCI sent by the network device to the first terminal device may not include the handover duration.

[0113] In one implementation, if the first terminal device supports only one radio access technology (such as 5G NR), the network device can determine that the first terminal device does not meet the conditions required for radio access technology handover. In another implementation, if the first terminal device supports at least two radio access technologies, the network device can determine whether the subcarrier spacing required for the service currently requested by the first terminal device is the same as the subcarrier spacing required for the service previously requested. If they are the same, it can be determined that the first terminal device does not meet the conditions required for radio access technology handover. If they are different, it can be determined that the first terminal device meets the conditions required for radio access technology handover. For example, when the first terminal device last requested a service, the corresponding radio access technology was LTE. If the service currently requested by the first terminal device has high latency requirements (services with high latency requirements require a larger subcarrier spacing), then the subcarrier spacing required for the service currently requested by the first terminal device can be greater than the subcarrier spacing required for the service previously requested. When the radio access technology is NR, a larger subcarrier spacing can be provided. Therefore, the network device can determine that the first terminal device meets the conditions required for radio access technology handover, and that the first terminal device can handover from LTE to NR.

[0114] It should be noted that the remaining execution process of step S301 can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 2 The specific description of step S201 will not be repeated here.

[0115] Step S302: If the handover conditions are not met, the first terminal device determines the side link preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the resource allocation information. The PDCCH is used to carry the first DCI.

[0116] Upon receiving the first DCI from the network device, the first terminal device can determine whether the handover conditions are met, i.e., whether a handover of the wireless access technology will occur. In one implementation, before receiving the first DCI from the network device, the first terminal device can also receive a second DCI from the same network device; that is, the second DCI is received before the first DCI. Before sending the DCI (including the first DCI and the second DCI) to the first terminal device, the network device scrambles the DCI using scrambling information. This scrambling information can be the aforementioned scrambling codes (such as C-RNTI, TC-RNTI, RA-RNTI).

[0117] When the scrambling information of the first DCI is the same as that of the second DCI, it indicates that the first and second DCIs have the same format. The same format of the first and second DCIs indicates that they originate from cells using the same radio access technology. For example, if an LTE cell scrambles the DCI using RAT I, and an NR cell scrambles the DCI using RAT II, ​​then if the first terminal device receives RATI scrambling information for both the first and second DCIs, it can be determined that the first terminal device will not switch from LTE to NR, thus confirming that the handover conditions are not met. If the first terminal device receives RAT I scrambling information for the first DCI and RAT II scrambling information for the second DCI, it can be determined that the first terminal device is about to switch from LTE to NR, thus confirming that the handover conditions are met. Therefore, if the scrambling information of the first DCI is the same as that of the second DCI, the first terminal device can determine that the handover conditions are not met.

[0118] If the handover conditions are not met, i.e., the radio access technology does not switch, then the handover duration does not need to be considered when determining the sidelink preparation duration. In this case, the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation duration based on one of the configuration coefficients of the PSCCH subcarrier spacing, PSSCH subcarrier spacing, or PDCCH subcarrier spacing, as well as the aforementioned resource allocation information. In one implementation, the first terminal device can determine the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the PSCCH subcarrier spacing, PSSCH subcarrier spacing, or PDCCH subcarrier spacing; and determine the time-domain interval duration of the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; then, based on the minimum configuration coefficient and the interval duration, determine the sidelink preparation duration.

[0119] Different radio access technologies can have configuration factors for one or more subcarrier intervals. For example, NR has multiple subcarrier intervals (such as 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz, 240kHz, and 480kHz), meaning NR has multiple subcarrier interval configuration factors. LTE includes one subcarrier interval (15kHz), meaning LTE has only one subcarrier interval configuration factor.

[0120] In determining the sidelink preparation time, a smaller subcarrier spacing configuration coefficient results in a longer sidelink preparation time. In this embodiment, the time required for the terminal device to prepare PSSCH data is related to the hardware processing capability of the terminal device, and different terminal devices have different hardware processing capabilities. Therefore, by determining a longer sidelink preparation time, it is beneficial to ensure that terminal devices with different hardware processing capabilities can prepare PSSCH data to be sent to the second terminal device when the duration of receiving the first DCI is greater than or equal to the sidelink preparation time.

[0121] In this embodiment, the time-domain interval between the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH can be determined by the multiplexing relationship between them. There can be various multiplexing relationships between the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH. For example... Figure 3b A schematic diagram illustrating four multiplexing relationships between time-frequency resources carrying PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying PSSCH.

[0122] The white-filled area represents the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH, and the gray-filled area represents the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH.

[0123] exist Figure 3b In the multiplexing relationships shown in (1) and (2), the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH are independent and non-overlapping in the time domain, meaning that the transmission time of the PSCCH is different from the transmission time of the PSSCH. Furthermore, in Figure 3b In the multiplexing relationships shown in (1) and (2), the time-frequency resources carrying PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying PSSCH are continuous in the time domain.

[0124] It should be noted that the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH can occupy one or more time units in the time domain. In one implementation, the number of time units occupied by the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH in the time domain can be any of the following values: 2, 3, 4, or 5. The time unit can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a slot, a mini-slot, a radio frame, a subframe, a transmission time interval (TTI), etc., and this application does not limit this. As can be seen from the above, in... Figure 3bIn the multiplexing relationship shown in (1) and (2), the time interval between the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain can be: the number of time units occupied by the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH in the time domain, that is, the time interval between the transmission time of the PSCCH and the transmission time of the PSSCH.

[0125] In this embodiment, the subcarrier spacing of the physical channel can affect the length of a time unit. For example, when the time unit is an OFDM symbol, the smaller the subcarrier spacing, the longer the OFDM symbol can be. Furthermore, since the configuration factor of the physical channel's subcarrier spacing has a one-to-one correspondence with the physical channel's subcarrier spacing, the configuration factor of the physical channel's subcarrier spacing can affect the length of a time unit. Specifically, the larger the configuration factor of the physical channel's subcarrier spacing, the shorter the length of a time unit can be; conversely, the smaller the configuration factor of the physical channel's subcarrier spacing, the longer the length of a time unit can be. The unit of measurement for the length of the time unit can be seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, etc.

[0126] exist Figure 3b In the multiplexing relationships shown in (3) and (4), the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH have overlapping start times in the time domain, that is, the transmission time of the PSCCH is the same as the transmission time of the PSSCH. At this time, the time interval between the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain is 0.

[0127] After the first terminal device determines the minimum configuration coefficient and interval duration, the sidelink preparation time can be determined according to the expression for the sidelink preparation time. Sidelink preparation time The expression can be:

[0128]

[0129] Where, μ = min(μ SLgrant ,μ PSSCH μ PSCCH ), μ SLgrant This can be the configuration factor for the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH used to carry the aforementioned first DCI, μ PSSCH The configuration factor for the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH is μ. PSCCH This can be the configuration factor for the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, where μ is μ SLgrant μ PSSCH and μ PSCCH The minimum configuration coefficient.

[0130] Based on different μ, N 2，SL It can be used to indicate the hardware processing capabilities of the first terminal device. Specifically, N2，SL This can be used to indicate the first terminal device's ability to demodulate the PDCCH. Only after the first terminal device successfully demodulates the first DCI in the PDCCH can it send the PSCCH to the second terminal device. Therefore, N 2，SL This can be used to indicate the time required between the first terminal device receiving the first DCI and sending the PSCCH to the second terminal device. In one implementation, N can be adjusted according to the hardware processing capabilities of the first terminal device. 2，SL They are divided into different value ranges. For first-terminal devices with weak hardware processing capabilities, μ and N 2，SL The correspondence between them can be shown in Table 2.

[0131] Table 2 shows the relationship between μ and N for first-terminal devices with weaker hardware processing capabilities. 2，SL Correspondence between

[0132]

[0133]

[0134] For first-terminal devices with strong hardware processing capabilities, μ and N 2，SL The correspondence between them can be shown in Table 3. Where N 2，SL The unit can be a time unit.

[0135] Table 3 shows the relationship between μ and N for first-terminal devices with stronger hardware processing capabilities. 2，SL Correspondence between

[0136] μ <![CDATA[N 2，SL (Unit: Time Unit) 0 4 1 6 2 10

[0137] d is a constant. d can be 0, 1, or any other constant. In one implementation, if the first OFDM symbol of the PSSCH consists only of the demodulation reference signal (DMRS), then d can be 0.

[0138] At this point, the side link preparation time is... The expression is:

[0139]

[0140] If the first OFDM symbol of the PSSCH consists of more than just DMRS, then d can be 1. In this case, the sidelink preparation time... The expression is:

[0141]

[0142] α can be the time interval between the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain, i.e., α is the time required between the first terminal device sending the PSCCH to the second terminal and sending the PSSCH to the second terminal. As mentioned above, the multiplexing relationship between the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH is as follows: Figure 3b As shown in (1) and (2), α can be any of the following values: 2, 3, 4, or 5. The multiplexing relationship between the time-frequency resources carrying PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying PSSCH is as follows: Figure 3b As shown in (3) and (4), α is 0. The unit of α can be a time unit. κ = 64; T c = 1 / (480000·4096) seconds. Sidelink preparation time. The unit can be seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, etc.

[0143] By implementing the embodiments of this application, when handover conditions are not met (e.g., the first terminal device only supports one radio access technology (e.g., 5G NR)), the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and resource allocation information. This avoids sending the PSSCH to the second terminal device when the duration of receiving the first DCI is less than the sidelink preparation time, thus helping to prevent resource waste.

[0144] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating another method for determining sidelink duration provided in this application embodiment. The method details how, when handover conditions are met and the priority of the new radio access technology is lower than that of the previous radio access technology, the first terminal device determines the sidelink preparation duration based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the handover duration. In step S401, the execution subject is a network device or a chip within the network device; in step S402, the execution subject is the first terminal device or a chip within the first terminal device. The following explanation uses the network device and the first terminal device as examples of the execution subjects for determining the sidelink duration. This method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0145] Step S401: The network device sends a first DCI to the first terminal device. The first DCI includes indication information, which includes a handover duration. The handover duration is used to indicate the duration required for the wireless access technology to be switched.

[0146] In this embodiment, the network device can determine whether the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover. If it is determined that the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover, it means that the wireless access technology corresponding to the first terminal device can be switched. In this case, the indication information in the first DCI sent by the network device to the first terminal device may include the handover duration. For details on how to determine whether the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover are met, please refer to the specific description in step S301, which will not be repeated here.

[0147] It should be noted that the remaining execution process of step S401 can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 2 The specific description of step S201 will not be repeated here.

[0148] Step S402: If the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after the handover is lower than that of the radio access technology before the handover, the first terminal device determines the side link preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the handover duration.

[0149] Upon receiving the first DCI from the network device, the first terminal device can determine whether the handover conditions are met, that is, whether a handover of the wireless access technology will occur. For a detailed description of how to determine whether the handover conditions are met, please refer to step S302; it will not be repeated here.

[0150] Furthermore, upon receiving the first DCI, the first terminal device can also determine the priority of the radio access technology after the handover and the priority of the radio access technology before the handover. In one implementation, the later the radio access technology is proposed, the higher its priority can be; the earlier the radio access technology is proposed, the lower its priority can be. For example, when the radio access technology after the handover is LTE and the radio access technology before the handover is NR, since LTE was proposed earlier than NR, the priority of LTE can be lower than the priority of NR.

[0151] When the handover conditions are met, and the priority of the new radio access technology is lower than that of the previous radio access technology, the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the handover duration. In one implementation, when the handover conditions are met, the priority of the new radio access technology is lower than that of the previous radio access technology, and there is only one subcarrier spacing configuration coefficient in the new radio access technology (such as LTE), the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, and the PDCCH are the same. In this case, the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on any one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the handover duration. The sidelink preparation time is... The expression can be:

[0152]

[0153] Where, N TA It can be used to calibrate the timing advance between downlink and uplink. Or, N TA This is a negative offset between the time of receiving the downlink subframe and the time of transmitting the uplink subframe. The downlink subframe can refer to the subframe carrying the first DCI, and the uplink subframe can refer to the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).

[0154] T S =κ·2 -μ ·T c μ is the configuration coefficient for the subcarrier spacing of the physical channel in the handed-over radio access technology. When the handed-over radio access technology is LTE, μ = 0, i.e., T S =κ·2 -μ ·T c = 64 / (480000·4096) seconds.

[0155] X1 represents the handover duration. Specifically, it can be the time required to handover from NR to LTE. The unit of handover duration can be... The units can be the same, or they can be different. For example, the unit for switching duration is milliseconds. The unit is seconds.

[0156] In one implementation, X1 can be determined by the values ​​of three bits (such as target bits) in the first DCI. X1 may be related to the hardware processing capabilities of the first terminal device. In one implementation, the first terminal device can send its capability information (i.e., hardware processing capabilities) to the network device so that the network device can determine the handover duration based on the hardware processing capabilities. In one implementation, when the hardware processing capabilities of the first terminal device are different, the X1 corresponding to the same value of the three target bits may be different or the same. For example, when the first terminal device is divided into three hardware processing capabilities (such as capability 1, capability 2, and capability 3), the correspondence between the values ​​of the three target bits and X1 under different hardware processing capabilities can be as shown in Table 4. It should be noted that dividing the first terminal device into three hardware processing capabilities and Table 4 are only examples and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application. In other feasible implementations, the first terminal device may also be divided into two, four, or other numbers of hardware processing capabilities, and the correspondence between the values ​​of the three target bits and X1 may be different from that in Table 4.

[0157] Table 4 shows the correspondence between the values ​​of the three target bits and X1 under different hardware processing capabilities.

[0158]

[0159] m can have a corresponding relationship with the "side link index indicator value" in the first DCI. This correspondence can be shown in Table 5. The first DCI can be a 5A format DCI.

[0160] Table 5 shows the correspondence between sidelink index indicators and m.

[0161] Side link index indicator value m 00 0 01 1 10 2 11 3

[0162] In one implementation, after determining the sidelink preparation time, the first terminal device can also determine the target time T based on the sidelink preparation time and the time when the subframe (carrying the first DCI) is received. The first terminal device sends the PSSCH to the second terminal device after the target time T, which avoids sending the PSSCH to the second terminal device before the first terminal device has prepared the PSSCH data. The expression for the target time T can be:

[0163]

[0164] Among them, T DL This refers to the moment when the first terminal device receives the subframe carrying the first DCI. Other parameters can be found in the aforementioned sidelink preparation time. The description in the expression is omitted here.

[0165] By implementing the embodiments of this application, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after handover is lower than that of the radio access technology before handover, the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the handover duration. Furthermore, a target time T can be determined. The first terminal device sending the PSSCH to the second terminal device after the target time T avoids the situation where the first terminal device sends the PSSCH before it has prepared the PSSCH data.

[0166] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another method for determining sidelink duration provided in this application embodiment. The method details how, when handover conditions are met and the priority of the new radio access technology is higher than that of the previous radio access technology, the first terminal device determines the sidelink preparation duration based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH; resource allocation information; and handover duration. Specifically, the execution subject of step S501 is a network device or a chip within the network device, and the execution subject of step S502 is the first terminal device or a chip within the first terminal device. The following explanation uses the network device and the first terminal device as examples of the execution subjects for determining the sidelink duration. This method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0167] Step S501: The network device sends a first DCI to the first terminal device. The first DCI includes indication information, which includes resource allocation information and handover duration. The resource allocation information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources carrying the aforementioned PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the aforementioned PSSCH. The handover duration is used to indicate the duration required for the wireless access technology to hand over.

[0168] In this embodiment, the network device can determine whether the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover. If it is determined that the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover, it means that the wireless access technology corresponding to the first terminal device can be switched. In this case, the indication information in the first DCI sent by the network device to the first terminal device may include the handover duration. For details on how to determine whether the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover are met, please refer to the specific description in step S301, which will not be repeated here.

[0169] Furthermore, upon receiving the first DCI, the first terminal device can also determine the priority of the radio access technology after handover and the priority of the radio access technology before handover. In one implementation, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after handover is higher than the priority of the radio access technology before handover, the indication information in the first DCI sent by the network device to the first terminal device may include resource allocation information. For example, when the radio access technology after handover is NR and the radio access technology before handover is LTE, the priority of the radio access technology after handover is higher than the priority of the radio access technology before handover. In this case, the indication information in the first DCI may include handover duration and resource allocation information.

[0170] It should be noted that the remaining execution process of step S501 can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 2 The specific description of step S201 will not be repeated here.

[0171] Step S502: If the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after the handover is higher than that of the radio access technology before the handover, the first terminal device determines the side link preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, resource allocation information, and handover duration.

[0172] In one implementation, when the handover conditions are met, the priority of the new radio access technology is higher than that of the previous radio access technology, and there are multiple subcarrier spacing configuration coefficients in the new radio access technology (such as NR), the first terminal device can determine the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH; and determine the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain; then, based on the minimum configuration coefficient, the interval duration, and the handover duration, the sidelink preparation duration is determined.

[0173] The process of determining the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, PSSCH, or PDCCH, and determining the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain, can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 3a The specific description of step S302 will not be repeated here.

[0174] After the first terminal device determines the minimum configuration coefficient and interval duration, it can determine the sidelink preparation time according to the expression for the sidelink preparation time, the minimum configuration coefficient, the interval duration, and the handover duration. Sidelink preparation time The expression can be:

[0175]

[0176] Wherein, X2 represents the handover duration. Specifically, it can be the duration required to handover from LTE to NR. In one implementation, X2 can be determined by the values ​​of three bits (such as target bits) in the first DCI. X2 may be related to the hardware processing capabilities of the first terminal device. In one implementation, when the hardware processing capabilities of the first terminal devices are different, the corresponding X2 may be different or the same when the values ​​of the three target bits are the same. It should be noted that X2 may be the same as or different from X1 in step S402, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0177] In this embodiment of the application, the expression for the target time T can be:

[0178]

[0179] Among them, T DL The moment when the first terminal device receives the subframe carrying the first DCI.

[0180] By implementing the embodiments of this application, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after handover is higher than that before handover, the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, resource allocation information, and handover duration. Furthermore, a target time T can be determined. The first terminal device sends the PSSCH to the second terminal device after the target time T, which avoids the situation where the first terminal device sends the PSSCH to the second terminal device before it has prepared the PSSCH data.

[0181] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6This is a flowchart illustrating another method for determining sidelink duration provided in this application embodiment. The method details how a network device determines the handover duration based on the capability information of a first terminal device. Specifically, the execution subject of steps S602 to S603 is the network device or a chip within the network device; the execution subject of steps S601 and S604 is the first terminal device or a chip within the first terminal device. The following explanation uses the network device and the first terminal device as examples of the execution subjects for determining the sidelink duration. This method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0182] Step S601: The first terminal device sends its capability information to the network device.

[0183] The capability information of the first terminal device can be its hardware processing capabilities. These capabilities can influence the time required for a wireless access technology switchover (i.e., the switchover duration). This is because a switchover only occurs if the first terminal device supports at least two wireless access technologies. Therefore, the first terminal device can send its hardware processing capabilities to the network device if it supports at least two wireless access technologies.

[0184] Step S602: The network device determines the handover duration based on the capability information of the first terminal device. The handover duration is used to indicate the time required for the wireless access technology to be switched.

[0185] Specifically, after receiving the capability information of the first terminal device, the network device can determine the handover duration based on this information. When the capability information refers to the hardware processing capability of the first terminal device, the stronger the hardware processing capability, the shorter the determined handover duration can be. Conversely, the weaker the hardware processing capability, the longer the determined handover duration can be. In one implementation, the capability information of the first terminal device can be a numerical value, which can be used to characterize the hardware processing capability of the first terminal device. For each numerical value, the network device can store the corresponding duration. Furthermore, the network device can determine the handover duration based on the duration corresponding to the received numerical value.

[0186] Step S603: When the first network device determines that the first terminal device meets the conditions required for the handover of the wireless access technology, the first network device sends a first DCI to the first terminal device. The first DCI includes indication information, which includes the handover duration.

[0187] Specifically, after determining the handover duration, the network device can determine whether the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a handover of the wireless access technology. If the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a handover of the wireless access technology, it means that the wireless access technology corresponding to the first terminal device can be switched. In this case, the indication information in the first DCI sent by the network device to the first terminal device may include the handover duration, which is also used to determine the sidelink preparation duration of the first terminal device. For a detailed description of how to determine whether the conditions required for a handover of the wireless access technology are met, please refer to step S301; it will not be repeated here.

[0188] Step S604: If the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after the handover is lower than that of the radio access technology before the handover, the first terminal device determines the side link preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and the handover duration.

[0189] It should be noted that the execution process of step S604 can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 4 The specific description of step S402 will not be repeated here.

[0190] In this embodiment, when the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover, and the priority of the wireless access technology after handover is lower than the priority of the wireless access technology before handover, the indication information in the first DCI includes the handover duration. In one implementation, when the first terminal device meets the conditions required for a wireless access technology handover, and the priority of the wireless access technology after handover is higher than the priority of the wireless access technology before handover, the indication information in the first DCI may include resource allocation information in addition to the handover duration. This resource allocation information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH. In this case, the first terminal device can determine the sidelink preparation duration based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, the resource allocation information, and the handover duration. The execution process can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 5 The specific description of step S502 will not be repeated here.

[0191] By implementing the embodiments of this application, the network device can determine the handover duration based on the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0192] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspectives of a network device and a first terminal device, respectively. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the network device and the first terminal device may include hardware structures and software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. One of the above functions may be executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules.

[0193] Please see Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 70 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 The communication device 70 shown may include a transceiver module 701 and a processing module 702. The transceiver module 701 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module implements the sending function, and the receiving module implements the receiving function. The transceiver module 701 can implement both sending and / or receiving functions. The transceiver module can also be described as a communication module.

[0194] The communication device 70 may be a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments), a device within a terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device 70 may be a network device, a device within a network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a network device.

[0195] The communication device 70 is a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment): a transceiver module 701, configured to receive a first DCI from a network device, the first DCI including indication information; a processing module 702, configured to determine a sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the indication information; the PDCCH is used to carry the first DCI; wherein the indication information may include at least one of the following: resource allocation information, the resource allocation information being used to indicate the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; and a handover time, the handover time being used to indicate the time required for the wireless access technology to hand over.

[0196] In one implementation, the processing module 702 can also be used to: determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and resource allocation information, if the handover conditions are not met.

[0197] In one implementation, the processing module 702 can also be used to determine that the aforementioned switching condition is not met if the scrambling information of the first DCI is the same as the scrambling information of the second DCI, wherein the reception time of the first DCI is before the reception time of the second DCI.

[0198] In one implementation, the processing module 702 may further be used to: determine the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH; determine the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain; and determine the side link preparation time based on the minimum configuration coefficient and the interval duration.

[0199] In one implementation, the processing module 702 can also be used to: determine the side link preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the aforementioned handover duration, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after handover is lower than that before handover.

[0200] In one implementation, the processing module 702 can also be used to: determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, the aforementioned resource allocation information, and the aforementioned handover duration, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after handover is higher than that before handover.

[0201] In one implementation, the processing module 702 may further be used to: determine the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH; determine the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain; and determine the side link preparation time based on the minimum configuration coefficient, the interval duration, and the handover duration.

[0202] In one implementation, the transceiver module 701 can also be used to: send the capability information of the terminal device to the network device, wherein the capability information of the terminal device is used to determine the handover duration.

[0203] The communication device 70 is a network device: a transceiver module 701 is used to receive capability information of the terminal device from the terminal device; a processing module 702 is used to determine the handover duration based on the capability information of the terminal device, the handover duration being used to indicate the duration required for the wireless access technology to hand over; the transceiver module 701 can also be used to send a first DCI to the terminal device when it is determined that the terminal device meets the conditions required for the wireless access technology to hand over, the first DCI including indication information, the indication information including the handover duration; the handover duration can also be used to determine the sidelink preparation duration of the terminal device.

[0204] In one implementation, when the priority of the wireless access technology after the handover is higher than the priority of the wireless access technology before the handover, the aforementioned indication information may further include resource allocation information, which is used to indicate the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH. The resource allocation information may also be used to determine the sidelink preparation time of the aforementioned terminal device.

[0205] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device 80 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 80 can be a network device, a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal device in implementing the above methods. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0206] The communication device 80 may include one or more processors 801. The processor 801 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal, terminal chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute computer programs, and process data from the computer programs.

[0207] Optionally, the communication device 80 may further include one or more memories 802, which may store a computer program 804. The processor 801 executes the computer program 804 to cause the communication device 80 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 802 may also store data. The communication device 80 and the memory 802 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0208] Optionally, the communication device 80 may also include a transceiver 805 and an antenna 806. The transceiver 805 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmission and reception functions. The transceiver 805 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or receiving circuit, etc., and is used to implement the receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0209] Optionally, the communication device 80 may further include one or more interface circuits 807. The interface circuits 807 are used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 801. The processor 801 executes the code instructions to cause the communication device 80 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0210] The communication device 80 is a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment): the processor 801 is used to execute Figure 2 Step S202; Execute Figure 3a Step S302 in the process; Figure 4 Step S402 in the process; Figure 5 Step S502 in the middle; or Figure 6 Step S604 in the process. Transceiver 805 is used to perform... Figure 6 Step S601 in the process.

[0211] Communication device 80 is a network device: transceiver 805 is used to perform... Figure 2 Step S201 in the process; execute Figure 3a Step S301 in the process; Figure 4 Step S401 in the process; Figure 5 Step S501 in the middle; or Figure 6 Step S603 in the process. Processor 801 is used to execute Figure 6 Step S602 in the process.

[0212] In one implementation, the processor 801 may include a transceiver for implementing receive and transmit functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receive and transmit functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit can be used for reading and writing code / data, or it can be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0213] In one implementation, processor 801 may store computer program 803, which runs on processor 801 and causes communication device 80 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Computer program 803 may be embedded in processor 801; in this case, processor 801 may be implemented in hardware.

[0214] In one implementation, the communication device 80 may include circuitry capable of performing the functions of transmitting, receiving, or communicating as described in the foregoing method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in this application can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), n-metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive-channel metal oxide semiconductors (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon-germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0215] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments), but the scope of the communication device described in this application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may vary. Figure 8 The communication device may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0216] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0217] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0218] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0219] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0220] (5) Receivers, terminals, smart terminals, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.

[0221] (6) Others, etc.

[0222] For cases where the communication device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 9 The diagram shows the structure of the chip. Figure 9 The chip shown includes a processor 901 and an interface 902. There can be one or more processors 901, and multiple interfaces 902.

[0223] For cases where the chip is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiments of this application (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments):

[0224] Interface 902 is configured to receive a first DCI from a network device, the first DCI including indication information; processor 901 is configured to determine a sidelink preparation duration based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the indication information; the PDCCH is used to carry the first DCI; wherein the indication information may include at least one of the following: resource allocation information, which indicates the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; handover duration, which indicates the duration required for a handover of the radio access technology.

[0225] In one implementation, the processor 901 can also be used to: determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH, and resource allocation information, if the handover conditions are not met.

[0226] In one implementation, the processor 901 can also be used to determine that the aforementioned switching condition is not met if the scrambling information of the first DCI is the same as the scrambling information of the second DCI, wherein the reception time of the second DCI is before the reception time of the first DCI.

[0227] In one implementation, the processor 901 can also be used to: determine the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH; determine the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain; and determine the side link preparation time based on the minimum configuration coefficient and the interval duration.

[0228] In one implementation, the processor 901 can also be used to: determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the aforementioned handover duration, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after the handover is lower than that of the radio access technology before the handover.

[0229] In one implementation, the processor 901 can also be used to: determine the sidelink preparation time based on one of the following: the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, the aforementioned resource allocation information, and the aforementioned handover duration, when the handover conditions are met and the priority of the radio access technology after handover is higher than that before handover.

[0230] In one implementation, the processor 901 can also be used to: determine the minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficients of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PDCCH; determine the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in the time domain; and determine the side link preparation time based on the minimum configuration coefficient, the interval duration, and the handover duration.

[0231] In one implementation, interface 902 can also be used to send the capability information of the aforementioned terminal device to the network device, wherein the capability information of the terminal device is used to determine the handover duration.

[0232] For cases where the chip is used to implement the functions of the network device in the embodiments of this application:

[0233] Interface 902 is used to receive capability information of the terminal device from the terminal device; processor 901 is used to determine the handover duration based on the capability information of the terminal device, the handover duration being used to indicate the duration required for the wireless access technology to hand over; interface 902 can also be used to send a first DCI to the terminal device when it is determined that the terminal device meets the conditions required for the wireless access technology to hand over, the first DCI including indication information, the indication information including the handover duration; the handover duration can also be used to determine the sidelink preparation duration of the terminal device.

[0234] In one implementation, when the priority of the wireless access technology after the handover is higher than the priority of the wireless access technology before the handover, the aforementioned indication information may further include resource allocation information, which is used to indicate the time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and the time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH. The resource allocation information may also be used to determine the sidelink preparation time of the aforementioned terminal device.

[0235] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory 903, which is used to store necessary computer programs and data.

[0236] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functionality is implemented through hardware or software depends on the specific application and the overall system design requirements. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality using various methods for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0237] This application also provides a system for determining sidelink duration, the system comprising the aforementioned... Figure 7 In the embodiments, the communication device serves as a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments) and the communication device serves as a network device; alternatively, the system includes the aforementioned... Figure 8 The embodiments include a communication device as a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments) and a communication device as a network device.

[0238] This application also provides a readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0239] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0240] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0241] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical designations such as "first," "second," etc., involved in this application are merely for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application, nor do they indicate the order of sequence.

[0242] At least one in this application can also be described as one or more, and multiple can be two, three, four or more, and this application does not impose any limitation. In the embodiments of this application, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", and there is no order or size among the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0243] The correspondences shown in the tables of this application can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this application is not limited to these values. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, the correspondences shown in some rows of the tables in this application may not be configured. Furthermore, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the headings of the above tables can also use other names that the communication device can understand, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations that the communication device can understand. In the implementation of the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables, etc.

[0244] The term "predefined" in this application can be understood as definition, pre-defined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0245] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0246] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0247] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining a sidelink duration, the method comprising: The method comprises: The terminal device receives first downlink control information DCI from the network device, the first DCI comprising indication information; The terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a physical sidelink control channel PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a physical sidelink shared channel PSSCH or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a physical downlink control channel PDCCH, and the indication information; the PDCCH is used to carry the first DCI; The indication information comprises at least one of: Resource allocation information, the resource allocation information being used to indicate time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; Switching time, the switching time being used to indicate a time required for switching of a radio access technology.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, and the indication information, comprising: In a case where a switching condition is not met, the terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, and the resource allocation information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further comprises: If scrambling information of the first DCI is the same as scrambling information of a second DCI, the terminal device determines that the switching condition is not met, wherein a receiving time of the second DCI is before a receiving time of the first DCI.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, and the resource allocation information, comprising: The terminal device determines a minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH; The terminal device determines an interval time in a time domain of time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; The terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time according to the minimum configuration coefficient and the interval time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, and the indication information, comprising: In a case where a switching condition is met and a priority of a radio access technology after switching is lower than a priority of a radio access technology before switching, the terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, and the switching time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time length according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH, or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, and the indication information, including: In a case where the switching condition is met and a priority of the radio access technology after the switching is higher than a priority of the radio access technology before the switching, the terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time length according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH, or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, the resource allocation information, and the switching time length.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time length according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH, or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH, the resource allocation information, and the switching time length, including: The terminal device determines a minimum configuration coefficient from a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSCCH, a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PSSCH, or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a PDCCH; The terminal device determines an interval time length of time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in a time domain; The terminal device determines a sidelink preparation time length according to the minimum configuration coefficient, the interval time length, and the switching time length.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device sends capability information of the terminal device to the network device, and the capability information of the terminal device is used to determine the switching time length.

9. A method for determining a sidelink duration, the method comprising: The method includes: The network device receives the capability information of the terminal device from the terminal device; The network device determines a switching time length according to the capability information of the terminal device, and the switching time length is used to indicate a time length required for switching of a radio access technology; The network device sends first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device, and the first DCI includes indication information, and the indication information includes at least one of resource allocation information and the switching time length; the resource allocation information is used to indicate time-frequency resources carrying a physical sidelink control channel PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying a physical sidelink shared channel PSSCH; and the indication information is further used to determine a sidelink preparation time length of the terminal device; In a case where a priority of the radio access technology after the switching is higher than a priority of the radio access technology before the switching, the indication information further includes the resource allocation information, and the resource allocation information is further used to determine the sidelink preparation time length of the terminal device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The network device sends first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device in a case where it is determined that the terminal device meets a condition required for switching of a radio access technology, and the first DCI includes indication information, and the indication information includes the switching time length.

11. A communications device, characterized by including: The transceiver module is configured to receive first downlink control information DCI from a network device, and the first DCI includes indication information. The processing module is configured to determine a sidelink preparation time length according to one of a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), or a configuration coefficient of a subcarrier spacing of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the indication information; and the PDCCH is used to carry the first DCI. The indication information includes at least one of the following: resource allocation information used to indicate time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH; a switching time length used to indicate a time length required for switching of a radio access technology.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing module is further configured to determine the sidelink preparation time length according to one of the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the resource allocation information in a case where a switching condition is not met.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, the processing module is further configured to determine that the switching condition is not met if scrambling information of the first DCI is the same as scrambling information of a second DCI, wherein a receiving time of the second DCI is before a receiving time of the first DCI.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein, the processing module is further configured to: determine a minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH; determine an interval time length of time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in a time domain; and determine the sidelink preparation time length according to the minimum configuration coefficient and the interval time length.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing module is further configured to determine the sidelink preparation time length according to one of the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, and the switching time length in a case where a switching condition is met and a priority of a radio access technology after switching is lower than a priority of a radio access technology before switching.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing module is further configured to determine the sidelink preparation time length according to one of the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH, the resource allocation information, and the switching time length in a case where a switching condition is met and a priority of a radio access technology after switching is higher than a priority of a radio access technology before switching.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein, the processing module is further configured to: determine a minimum configuration coefficient from the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSCCH, the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PSSCH, or the configuration coefficient of the subcarrier spacing of the PDCCH; determine an interval time length of time-frequency resources carrying the PSCCH and time-frequency resources carrying the PSSCH in a time domain; and The sidelink preparation time length of the terminal device is determined according to the minimum configuration coefficient, the interval time length and the switching time length.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 15-17, wherein, The transceiver module is further configured to send capability information of the communication device to the network device, the capability information of the communication device being used to determine the switching time length.

19. A communications device, characterized by The transceiver module is further configured to send capability information of the terminal device to the network device. The processing module is configured to determine a switching time length according to the capability information of the terminal device, the switching time length being used to indicate a time length required for switching of a radio access technology. The transceiver module is further configured to send first downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, the first DCI including indication information, the indication information including at least one of resource allocation information and the switching time length; the resource allocation information being used to indicate time-frequency resources carrying a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) and time-frequency resources carrying a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH); and the indication information being further used to determine a sidelink preparation time length of the terminal device. In a case where a priority of the radio access technology after the switching is higher than a priority of the radio access technology before the switching, the indication information further includes resource allocation information, the resource allocation information being further used to determine the sidelink preparation time length of the terminal device. The transceiver module is further configured to send first downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device in a case where it is determined that the terminal device satisfies a condition required for switching of a radio access technology, the first DCI including indication information, the indication information including the switching time length.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein, The apparatus includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-8.

21. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method of claim 9 or 10.

22. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit.

23. A communications device, characterized by The interface circuit is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor. The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method of any one of claims 1-8. The apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor.

24. A communications device, characterized by The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method of claim 9 or 10.

25. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1-8 to be implemented.

26. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of claim 9 or 10 to be implemented. ​ ​ ​

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