Sidelink communication during downlink time slots
Through beamforming technology during downlink time slots, the UE performs side link communication with the second UE within the resource set indicated by the base station, solving the interference problem of UE side link transmission on downlink communication, and improving communication reliability and efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202180018986.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-03-05
- Filing Date
- 2021-03-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-22
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-03-08
AI Technical Summary
The existing wireless communication systems have interference problems in side link communication between UEs during downlink time slots, especially the side link transmission of UEs will interfere with the downlink communication of the base station to other UEs, resulting in reduced communication reliability and efficiency.
By using beamforming technology during downlink time slots, the UE establishes a side link connection with the second UE and communicates using the beam set within the resource set indicated by the base station to avoid interference to downlink communication. The base station identifies the optimized beam and resource set through beam measurement and feedback mechanisms.
It improves the reliability and efficiency of side link communication, reduces signaling overhead, improves network operation and improves overall network performance.
Smart Images

Figure CN115211199B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross-references
[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 17 / 194,015, filed by RYU et al. on March 5, 2021, entitled “SIDELINK COMMUNICATION DURING A DOWNLINK SLOT,” and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 987,839, filed by RYU et al. on March 10, 2020, entitled “SIDELINK COMMUNICATION DURING A DOWNLINK SLOT,” each of which is assigned to the assignee of this application and expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] The following relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to sidelink communications during downlink timeslots.
[0004] background
[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems (such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems), and fifth generation (5G) systems, which may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ various technologies, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each base station or network access node simultaneously supporting communication with multiple communication devices, which may be further referred to as user equipment (UE).
[0006] Some wireless communication systems may support sidelink communication, so that a UE can communicate with other UEs via resources allocated by a base station for sidelink communication. In addition, some communication systems may support beamforming to use directional signal transmission to improve communication reliability and efficiency. In some examples, a UE may be restricted to specific resources for sidelink communication.
[0007] Overview
[0008] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting sidelink communications during downlink time slots. In general, the described technology provides for a first user equipment (UE) to establish a sidelink connection with a second UE. The sidelink connection may use a beam set for beamforming communication. The first UE may identify a frame structure for the first UE to communicate with a base station. In some examples, the frame structure may be identified based on a downlink grant or other scheduling indication received from the base station. The frame structure may include one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots. The base station may (e.g., via a grant) indicate a resource set for the sidelink connection with the second UE. The resource set may include at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots. Based on the indication, the first UE may communicate with the second UE using at least one beam and the indicated resource set on the sidelink connection. Communication with the second UE may utilize at least the resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0009] A method for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The method may include establishing a sidelink connection with a second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set; identifying a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with a base station, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; receiving from the base station an indication of a resource set for the sidelink connection with the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots; and communicating with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated resource set including resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0010] An apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: establish a sidelink connection with a second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set; identify a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with a base station, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; receive from the base station an indication of a resource set for the sidelink connection with the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots; and communicate with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated resource set including resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0011] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The apparatus may include means for establishing a sidelink connection with a second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set; identifying a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with a base station, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; receiving from the base station an indication of a resource set for the sidelink connection with the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots; and communicating with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated resource set including resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0012] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: establish a sidelink connection with a second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set; identify a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with a base station, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; receive from the base station an indication of a resource set for the sidelink connection with the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots; and communicate with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated resource set including resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0013] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatus, or instructions for: performing a beam measurement procedure on a set of beams to identify the beam set; and transmitting a report indicating a result of the beam measurement procedure to the base station, the indication of the resource set being based on the transmitted report.
[0014] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, performing a beam measurement procedure may include operations, features, apparatuses, or instructions for: measuring one or more first reference signals received using each receive beam in a receive beam set in the group of beams using the receive beam; and transmitting one or more second reference signals using a transmit beam set.
[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more first reference signals may be transmitted using resources in the one or more downlink time slots, or the one or more second reference signals may be received using resources in the one or more downlink time slots, or both.
[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating with the second UE may include operations, features, apparatus, or instructions for transmitting a signal to the second UE using at least one transmit beam of the side link connection on resources in the indicated resource set for the side link connection in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for: receiving feedback from the second UE in response to the transmitted signal; and transmitting the received feedback to the base station.
[0018] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating with the second UE may include operations, features, apparatus, or instructions for receiving a signal from the second UE using at least one receive beam of the side link connection on resources in the indicated resource set for the side link connection in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0019] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatuses, or instructions for: generating feedback in response to the received signal; and transmitting the feedback to the second UE, or the base station, or both.
[0020] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from the base station, an identification of the beam set for the sidelink connection.
[0021] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the base station, the first UE, and the second UE operate according to a Mode 1 sidelink operation mode.
[0022] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the resource set further indicates that the first UE may use the resources in the at least one downlink time slot to transmit a signal to the second UE or receive a signal from the second UE.
[0023] A method for wireless communication at a base station is described. The method may include: identifying a frame structure for the base station to use for communication with a first UE, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; transmitting to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and a second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection using a beam set at the first UE; and receiving feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink time slot.
[0024] An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify a frame structure for the base station to use for communicating with a first UE, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; transmit to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and a second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection using a beam set at the first UE; and receive feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink time slot.
[0025] Another apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described. The apparatus may include means for: identifying a frame structure for the base station to use for communicating with a first UE, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; transmitting to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and a second UE, the resource set comprising resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection using a beam set at the first UE; and receiving feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink time slot.
[0026] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a base station is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: identify a frame structure for the base station to use for communicating with a first UE, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; transmit to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and a second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection using a beam set at the first UE; and receive feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink time slot.
[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatuses, or instructions for: receiving a report from at least one of the first UE and the second UE indicating results of a beam measurement procedure performed by the at least one of the first UE and the second UE; and identifying the resource set, the beam set, or both for the side link connection based on the report.
[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatuses, or instructions for the following actions: transmitting an instruction to at least one of the first UE and the second UE to perform the beam measurement procedure.
[0029] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the beam measurement procedure can be performed using resources in the one or more downlink time slots.
[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatuses, or instructions for: receiving signal quality measurements corresponding to the beam set from the first UE, the second UE, the third UE, or a combination thereof; and identifying at least one beam pair in the beam set based on the received signal quality measurements.
[0031] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatus, or instructions for transmitting to the first UE, or the second UE, or both, an indication of the at least one beam pair to be used for communication on the side link connection during the at least one downlink time slot.
[0032] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatuses, or instructions for determining that a signal quality measurement for the at least one beam pair may be above a signal quality threshold, wherein the at least one beam pair may be identified based on the signal quality threshold.
[0033] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatuses, or instructions for: transmitting a downlink signal to the third UE using resources in the one or more downlink time slots; and receiving a signal quality measurement associated with the downlink signal from the third UE, wherein the at least one beam pair may be identified based on the signal quality measurement associated with the downlink signal.
[0034] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the resource set, the beam set, or both for the sidelink connection based on the feedback.
[0035] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a downlink signal to a third UE using resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0036] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, transmitting the downlink signal may include operations, features, apparatus, or instructions for the following actions: using a transmit beam to transmit the downlink signal to the third UE, the third UE being configured to receive the downlink signal using a receive beam.
[0037] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the base station, the first UE, and the second UE operate according to a Mode 1 sidelink operation mode.
[0038] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the resource set further indicates whether the first UE may use the resources in the at least one downlink time slot to transmit a signal to the second UE or receive a signal from the second UE, wherein communication may be performed based on the indication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] Figure 1
[0014] An example of a wireless communication system supporting sidelink communications during downlink timeslots in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.
[0041] Figure 2
[0014] An example of a wireless communication system supporting sidelink communications during downlink timeslots in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.
[0042] Figure 3 An example of a process flow diagram is illustrated that supports sidelink communications during downlink time slots in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0043] Figure 4 and 5 A block diagram of a device supporting sidelink communications during downlink time slots is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0044] Figure 6 A block diagram of a communications manager supporting sidelink communications during downlink time slots is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0045] Figure 7 A diagram of a system including devices supporting sidelink communications during downlink time slots is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0046] Figure 8 and 9 A block diagram of a device supporting sidelink communications during downlink time slots is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0047] Figure 10 A block diagram of a communications manager supporting sidelink communications during downlink time slots is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0048] Figure 11 A diagram of a system including devices supporting sidelink communications during downlink time slots is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0049] Figure 12 and 13 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting sidelink communications during downlink timeslots according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.
[0050] Detailed description
[0051] Some wireless communication systems may support sidelink communication so that user equipment (UE) can communicate with other UEs via resources allocated by the base station for sidelink communication. In some cases, the UE may be limited to specific resources for sidelink communication. For example, according to some sidelink operation modes (such as mode 1 sidelink operation mode), the UE may be limited to using the resources of the uplink time slot for sidelink transmission. This constraint can be implemented to avoid interfering with downlink transmission. That is, the sidelink transmission performed by the UE during the downlink time slot will interfere with the downlink communication by the base station to other UEs in the coverage area during the downlink time slot. The UE may not interfere with the uplink communication during the uplink time slot, because the UE can transmit with lower power for the sidelink communication.
[0052] UEs and base stations can use beamforming to improve communication reliability and throughput by restricting transmissions to one or more directions. These beamforming techniques can be used in sidelink communications to improve communication reliability and throughput. According to the implementations described herein, UE-to-UE sidelink communications can be improved by using beamforming to avoid interfering with downlink communications conducted by the base station during downlink time slots. That is, a UE can transmit sidelink communications during one or more downlink time slots and avoid interfering with other UEs receiving downlink communications conducted by the base station by using beamforming in the sidelink connection.
[0053] A pair of UEs may establish a sidelink communication connection using a beam set. One or both of the UEs may identify a frame structure for communicating with a base station. The frame structure may include one or more uplink and downlink time slots, which may determine whether the UE is to transmit (uplink) or receive (downlink) when communicating with the base station. The UE may receive an indication of a resource set to be used for a sidelink connection with another UE from the base station. The resource set may include at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots in the identified frame structure. The UE may communicate on the sidelink connection using at least one beam and the indicated resource set including resources in the at least one downlink time slot. Accordingly, the UE may communicate via the sidelink using the resources of the at least one downlink time slot by using beamforming.
[0054] In some examples, the base station may indicate one or more beams or beam pairs to be used for the sidelink connection. The base station may identify the beam to be used for the sidelink connection based on a beam measurement procedure performed by the UE on multiple beams. That is, each UE in the sidelink pair may measure the beamformed signal received from the other UE to identify the beam to be used for the sidelink connection. The UE may transmit one or more reports indicating the results of the beam measurement procedure to the base station, and the base station may identify the beam based on these reports. In some examples, the base station may receive feedback associated with the sidelink communication (e.g., hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback) and may identify the beam based on the received feedback. Accordingly, the base station may utilize beam measurements, feedback, and signal quality reports to identify resources and / or beams to be used for sidelink communication (and more specifically, sidelink communication using resources of at least one downlink timeslot).
[0055] Certain aspects of the subject matter described herein can be implemented to achieve one or more advantages. The described techniques can support advantages such as improved sidelink communication frameworks, reduced signaling overhead, and increased reliability. Thus, the supported techniques can include improved network operation and, in some examples, increased network efficiency, among other benefits. Various aspects of the present disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communication systems. Various aspects of the present disclosure are further described with respect to wireless communication systems and process flow diagrams. Various aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated and described by and with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow diagrams related to sidelink communications during downlink timeslots.
[0056] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 that supports sidelink communication during downlink time slots according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communication, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communication, low-latency communication, communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.
[0057] Base stations 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form wireless communication system 100 and may be different forms of devices or devices with different capabilities. Base stations 105 and UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110 over which UEs 115 and base stations 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. Coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which base stations 105 and UEs 115 may support signal communication according to one or more radio access technologies.
[0058] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. The UEs 115 may be different forms of devices or devices with different capabilities. Figure 1 1. The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, base stations 105, or network equipment (e.g., core network nodes, relays, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network equipment), such as Figure 1 As shown in .
[0059] Each base station 105 can communicate with the core network 130, with each other, or both. For example, the base stations 105 can interface with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). The base stations 105 can communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105), indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130), or both directly and indirectly on the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces). In some examples, the backhaul links 120 can be or include one or more wireless links.
[0060] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or may be referred to by one of ordinary skill in the art as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation Node B, or a Gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home Node B, a Home Evolved Node B, or other suitable terminology.
[0061] UE 115 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, etc. UE 115 may also include or be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects, such as appliances or vehicles, meters, etc.
[0062] The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, which may sometimes act as relays, as well as base stations 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 As shown in .
[0063] The UE 115 and the base station 105 may communicate wirelessly with each other via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term "carrier" may refer to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication link 125. For example, a carrier for the communication link 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating carrier operation, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. The UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.
[0064] In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates the operation of other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be located according to a channel grid for discovery by a UE 115. A carrier may operate in a standalone mode in which initial acquisition and connection may be performed by a UE 115 via the carrier, or a carrier may operate in a non-standalone mode in which the connection is anchored using a different carrier (e.g., a different carrier of the same or different radio access technology).
[0065] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include an uplink transmission from the UE 115 to the base station 105, or a downlink transmission from the base station 105 to the UE 115. A carrier may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in FDD mode) or may be configured to carry both downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode).
[0066] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the "system bandwidth" of the carrier or wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of several determined bandwidths (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)) of a carrier of a particular radio access technology. Devices of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., base station 105, UE 115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication on a particular carrier bandwidth, or may be configurable to support communication on one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 or UE 115 that supports simultaneous communication via carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate on a portion (e.g., a subband, a BWP) or all of the carrier bandwidth.
[0067] The signal waveform transmitted on the carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using a multicarrier modulation (MCM) technique such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may include one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Thus, the more resource elements received by UE 115 and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate of UE 115 can be. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers may further improve the data rate or data integrity of communications with UE 115.
[0068] One or more parameter designs for a carrier may be supported, where the parameter designs may include subcarrier spacing (Δf) and cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs with the same or different parameter designs. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time, and communications for the UE 115 may be limited to the one or more active BWPs.
[0069] The time interval of the base station 105 or the UE 115 can be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, which can be, for example, a sampling period T s =1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds, where Δf max It can represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N f The maximum supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size may be indicated. Time intervals of communication resources may be organized according to radio frames, each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).
[0070] Each frame may include a plurality of consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a number of time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include a number of code element periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix added before each code element period). In some wireless communication systems 100, a time slot may be further divided into a plurality of mini-time slots containing one or more code elements. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each code element period may contain one or more (e.g., N f The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating band.
[0071] A subframe, slot, mini-slot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).
[0072] Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for physical control channels may be defined by a number of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of a carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more of UEs 115 may monitor or search the control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to the number of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space sets may include a common search space set configured for transmitting control information to multiple UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set for transmitting control information to a specific UE 115 .
[0073] Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells (e.g., macro cells, small cells, hotspots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof). The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or other) used to distinguish between adjacent cells. In some examples, a cell may also refer to a geographic coverage area 110 or a portion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over which the logical communication entity operates. The scope of such a cell may range from a smaller area (e.g., a structure, a subset of structures) to a larger area depending on various factors (such as the capabilities of the base station 105). For example, a cell may be or include a building, a subset of buildings, or an external space between or overlapping geographic coverage areas 110, etc.
[0074] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have a service subscription with a network provider that supports the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower power base station 105 (compared to a macro cell), and the small cell may operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency band as the macro cell. A small cell may provide unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have a service subscription with the network provider, or may provide restricted access to UEs 115 associated with the small cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs 115 associated with users in a home or office). A base station 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communications over one or more cells using one or more component carriers.
[0075] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access to different types of devices.
[0076] In some examples, base stations 105 can be mobile and, therefore, provide communication coverage for mobile geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 can be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can be supported by different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 can include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of base stations 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.
[0077] The wireless communication system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations 105 may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations 105 may not be aligned in time in some examples. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operation.
[0078] Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technology that allows devices to communicate with each other or with a base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communications from devices that incorporate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay such information to a central server or application that utilizes the information or presents it to a person interacting with the application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or implement automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wilderness survival monitoring, weather and geographic event monitoring, queue management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based commercial charging.
[0079] Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ a reduced power consumption mode of operation, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports unidirectional communication via transmission or reception but not simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power saving techniques for UEs 115 include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not engaged in active communication, operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 may be configured to operate using a narrowband protocol type that is associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier, within a guard band of a carrier, or outside a carrier.
[0080] The wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) or mission-critical communication. The UE 115 can be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency or critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions). Ultra-reliable communication can include private communication or group communication and can be supported by one or more mission-critical services such as mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), mission-critical video (MCVideo), or mission-critical data (MCData). Support for mission-critical functions can include prioritization of services, and mission-critical services can be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low-latency can be used interchangeably herein.
[0081] In some examples, UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs 115 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocol). One or more UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105 or otherwise unable to receive transmissions from base station 105. In some examples, groups of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between UEs 115 without involving base station 105.
[0082] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 can be an example of a communication channel (such as a sidelink communication channel) between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, the vehicles can communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination of these communications. The vehicles can signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergency situations, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, the vehicles in the V2X system can use vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication to communicate with roadside infrastructure (such as roadside units), with the network, or with both via one or more network nodes (e.g., base station 105).
[0083] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), and the EPC or 5GC may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) that manages access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) that routes packets or interconnects to external networks. The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for UEs 115 served by base stations 105 associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be delivered through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to the network operator IP service 150. Operator IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.
[0084] Some network devices (such as base stations 105) may include subcomponents, such as access network entities 140, which may be examples of access node controllers (ANCs). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with each UE 115 through one or more other access network transport entities 145, which may be referred to as radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmit / receive points (TRPs). Each access network transport entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and ANCs) or consolidated into a single network device (e.g., base station 105).
[0085] The wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally speaking, the 300 MHz to 3 GHz region is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or the decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter long. UHF waves can be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, but these waves can penetrate various structures sufficiently for macrocells to provide service to UEs 115 located indoors. Transmissions using UHF waves can be associated with smaller antennas and a shorter range (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to transmissions using the lower frequencies and longer wavelengths in the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.
[0086] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the super high frequency (SHF) region of the frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz (also known as the centimeter band) or in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also known as the millimeter band). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the corresponding devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than the UHF antennas. In some examples, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may be subject to even greater atmospheric attenuation and a shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the use of frequency bands specified across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory agency.
[0087] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may employ licensed assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band, such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. When operating in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, devices (such as base stations 105 and UEs 115) may employ carrier sensing for conflict detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations in the unlicensed band may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration (e.g., LAA) in coordination with component carriers operating in the licensed band. Operations in the unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among others.
[0088] The base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of the base station 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that can support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly (such as an antenna tower). In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the base station 105 may be located at different geographical locations. The base station 105 may have an antenna array having several rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 can use to support beamforming for communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.
[0089] The base station 105 or the UE 115 can use MIMO communication to exploit multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technique may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. For example, a transmitting device may transmit multiple signals via different antennas or different antenna combinations. Similarly, a receiving device may receive multiple signals via different antennas or different antenna combinations. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.
[0090] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., base station 105, UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array so that some signals propagating at a particular orientation relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to signals communicated via antenna elements can include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to the signals carried via the antenna elements associated with that device. The adjustments associated with each antenna element can be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device, or relative to some other orientation).
[0091] The base station 105 or the UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as part of a beamforming operation. For example, the base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with the UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by the base station 105 in different directions. For example, the base station 105 may transmit signals according to different sets of beamforming weights associated with different transmission directions. The transmissions in different beam directions may be used (e.g., by a transmitting device (such as the base station 105) or a receiving device (such as the UE 115)) to identify a beam direction for later transmission or reception by the base station 105.
[0092] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular recipient device, may be transmitted by base station 105 in a single beam direction, e.g., a direction associated with a recipient device, such as UE 115. In some examples, a beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals transmitted by base station 105 in different directions and may report to base station 105 an indication of the signal received by UE 115 with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.
[0093] In some examples, transmission by a device (e.g., by a base station 105 or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from the base station 105 to the UE 115). The UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. The base station 105 may transmit reference signals that may be precoded or unprecoded (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS)). The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by base station 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 may use similar techniques to transmit signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115) or to transmit signals in a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).
[0094] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may attempt multiple receive configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from base station 105. For example, the receiving device may attempt multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array (e.g., different directional listening weight sets), or processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving data signals). The single receive configuration may be aligned on a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).
[0095] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, the communication of the bearer or packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer can be IP-based. The radio link control (RLC) layer can perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate on the logical channel. The media access control (MAC) layer can perform priority handling and multiplex the logical channel into the transport channel. The MAC layer can also use error detection technology, error correction technology, or both to support retransmission of the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the radio resource control (RRC) protocol layer can provide the establishment, configuration and maintenance of the RRC connection of the radio bearer that supports user plane data between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or the core network 130. At the physical layer, the transport channel can be mapped to the physical channel.
[0096] UE 115 and base station 105 may support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood that the data is successfully received. Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback is a technique for increasing the likelihood that data is correctly received on communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve MAC layer throughput in poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise ratio conditions). In some examples, a device may support simultaneous slot HARQ feedback, wherein the device may provide HARQ feedback in a particular time slot for data received in a previous symbol in that time slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent time slot or based on some other time interval.
[0097] A pair of UEs 115 may establish a sidelink communication link 135 using a beam set. The beam set may include one or more beam pairs, each comprising a transmit beam of the first UE 115 and a receive beam of the second UE 115, and / or a receive beam of the first UE 115 and a transmit beam of the second UE 115. One or both UEs 115 may identify a frame structure for communicating with base station 105. The frame structure may include one or more uplink and downlink time slots. UE 115 may receive from base station 105 an indication of a set of resources to be used for a sidelink connection with the other UE 115. The set of resources may include at least one downlink time slot from the one or more downlink time slots. UE 115 may communicate on the sidelink connection using at least one beam and the indicated set of resources, including resources in the at least one downlink time slot. Accordingly, UE 115 may communicate on the sidelink connection using resources of the at least one downlink time slot by using beamforming.
[0098] According to these techniques, UE 115 may be provided with more sidelink communication opportunities because UE 115 may not be limited to sidelink communications in uplink time slots. That is, UE 115 may be able to communicate on the sidelink connection using both downlink and uplink time slots of the frame structure identified for communicating with base station 105. Because UE 115 can utilize beamforming in the sidelink connection, sidelink communications may not interfere with downlink communications between base station 105 and other UEs 115. In some examples, the base station may identify resources for the sidelink connection and indicate these resources to UE 115 to minimize interference between sidelink and downlink communications.
[0099] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system 200 that supports sidelink communications during downlink time slots according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system includes a base station 105-a and UEs 115, including UE 115-a, UE 115-b, and UE 115-c. The base station 105-a and the UEs 115 can be Figure 1 Examples of corresponding devices.
[0100] The base station 105-a may be configured to transmit signals to the UE 115 within the coverage area 110 using resources (e.g., time slots) allocated for downlink communication in the frame structure 215, and the UE 115 may be configured to transmit signals to the base station 105-a using resources (e.g., time slots) allocated for uplink communication in the frame structure 215. In addition, the base station 105-a and the UE 115-a may support beamforming, in which the beams 205 may be used to transmit and / or receive signals in one or more directions to improve the reliability and throughput of the wireless communication system 200.
[0101] The wireless communication system 200 further supports sidelink communications between UEs 115. As illustrated, UE 115-b and UE 115-c may be configured to communicate on a sidelink connection 210. In some examples, the sidelink communications may be performed according to a Mode 1 sidelink communication mode, wherein base station 105-a may manage the sidelink communications. More specifically, base station 105-a may identify and schedule resources 230 and beams for UEs 115 to use for sidelink communications. In some cases, sidelink communication resources 230 may be limited to uplink time slots so that communications between UEs 115 do not interfere with downlink communications to other UEs 115. For example, UE 115-b may transmit signals to UE 115-c during one or more uplink time slots so that these signals do not interfere with signals transmitted by base station 105-a to UE 115-a during downlink time slots. Transmitting sidelink communications during an uplink timeslot may reduce, avoid, or otherwise not cause interference with uplink transmissions (e.g., by UE 115-a) because the sidelink transmissions may be transmitted with lower power. That is, there is a lower probability that a sidelink communication by UE 115-b during an uplink timeslot will reach base station 105-a and interfere with another transmission using resources of the uplink timeslot.
[0102] According to various aspects disclosed herein, UE 115 may communicate on sidelink connection 210 using resources 230 of one or more downlink time slots (and, in some examples, uplink time slots). UE 115 may use beamforming on the sidelink connection to avoid interfering with transmissions by base station 105-a (and other UEs 115) using resources of time slots scheduled for downlink communication (e.g., DL time slot 225). That is, by using beamforming, UE 115 may direct sidelink communications (e.g., using one or more beams) such that the sidelink communications reduce or avoid interfering with other communications. For example, UE 115-b may transmit communications to UE 115-c using beam 205-c. By using beam 205-c, communications may reduce or avoid interfering with communications between UE 115-a and base station 105-a.
[0103] UE 115 may identify a frame structure 215 for communication between UE 115 and base station 105-a. The frame structure may be identified based on a semi-static or aperiodic grant or a slot format indication received by one or more of UEs 115-a, 115-b, or 115-c from base station 105-a. In some cases, the grant is indicated via downlink control information (DCI) or RRC signaling. Frame structure 215 may include one or more uplink time slots 220 and one or more downlink time slots 225. One or both of UE 115-b and UE 115-c may receive an indication from the base station, and the indication may identify a resource set 230 for the sidelink connection. Resource set 230 may include resources in at least one of the one or more downlink time slots 225. Based on the indication, UE 115 may communicate on the sidelink connection 210 using the indicated resources 230 (e.g., resources including the at least one downlink timeslot 225). In some examples, base station 105-a may transmit downlink transmissions using resources of a downlink timeslot 225 of frame structure 215 (in which sidelink resources 230 appear). That is, base station 105-a may perform downlink communications with UE 115-a during the same period of time in frame structure 215 that UE 115-b and UE 115-c are communicating during the downlink timeslot 225 of sidelink resources 230. Downlink communications with UE 115-a may utilize beamforming. For example, base station 105-a may transmit a downlink signal using a transmit beam, and UE 115-a may receive the downlink signal using a receive beam. In some examples, the base station may configure a receive beam for UE 115-a to receive the downlink signal.
[0104] In some examples, base station 105-a may also transmit (e.g., as part of the sidelink resource indication) an indication of the direction of sidelink communications between UE 115-b and UE 115-c during resources 230. For example, base station 105-a may instruct UE 115-c to transmit to UE 115-b during downlink time slot 225 of sidelink resources 230 to minimize, avoid, or reduce potential interference with downlink communications from base station 105-a to UE 115-a during the same downlink time slot. Accordingly, UE 115-c may transmit sidelink communications in the opposite direction or in a direction away from UE 115-a to reduce interference.
[0105] In some examples, the UEs 115 of the sidelink connection may perform a beam measurement procedure to identify the beams (and other resources) to be used for the sidelink connection. One or more of the UEs 115 may transmit beam measurement reports to the base station 105-a, and the base station 105-a may identify the beams to be used for the sidelink connection based on these reports. Accordingly, the base station 105-a may transmit an indication of a beam set (e.g., one or more beam pairs) to be used for the sidelink connection. The beam pair may correspond to a transmit beam at one UE 115 and a receive beam at another UE 115. Thus, the beam set corresponding to the sidelink connection between UE 115-b and UE 115-c may include multiple beam pairs in a first direction from UE 115-b to UE 115-c or a second direction from UE 115-c to UE 115-b. The beam measurement procedure may include using each receive beam in the receive beam set of the sidelink connection to measure a reference signal set transmitted by the other UE 115. For example, UE 115-b may measure a reference signal received from UE 115-c on a receive beam set (e.g., beam 205-c). The receive beam measurement may be performed on a first set of resources allocated (e.g., by a base station) for a beam measurement procedure. On a second set of resources, UE 115-b may transmit a reference signal on each transmit beam in the beam set. UE 115-c may use the receive beam and measure the reference signal transmitted by UE 115-b.
[0106] The measurements may be transmitted by UE 115-b, or UE 115-c, or both to base station 105-a. Base station 105-a may identify one or more beam pairs to be used for sidelink connection 210 for UE 115-b and UE 115-c. In some examples, transmitting a reference signal for the beam measurement procedure may use resources of one or more downlink time slots. In this way, base station 105-a may communicate with a third UE 115-a on the resources of the downlink time slot and use feedback from UE 115-a to identify whether a particular beam or resource used by UE 115-b and UE 115-c interferes with downlink communications. The feedback may include HARQ-ACK feedback and / or signal quality reports.
[0107] Additionally or alternatively, base station 105-a may consider feedback associated with sidelink communications when identifying beams and / or resources 230. Base station 105-a may receive HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to communications on sidelink connection 210 from UE 115-b and / or UE 115-c. For example, UE 115-b may transmit a signal to UE 115-c on the sidelink, and UE 115-c may generate feedback corresponding to the signal. The feedback may be an acknowledgment (ACK) or a negative acknowledgment (NACK) and may be transmitted to UE 115-b and / or base station 105-a. In examples where UE 115-b receives feedback, UE 115-b may relay the feedback to base station 105-a.
[0108] In some examples, base station 105-a may schedule sidelink communications and downlink communications when the mutual interference between the sidelink communications and the downlink communications is below a particular threshold. Base station 105-a may determine the mutual interference based on the results of a beam measurement procedure, feedback associated with the sidelink communications and / or downlink communications, or signal quality measurements. For example, base station 105-a may determine whether the interference of sidelink communications on a particular beam pair with downlink communications of UE 115-a is above an acceptable threshold. In addition, base station 105-a may determine whether the interference of downlink communications with UE 115-a with sidelink communications between UE 115-b and UE 115-c is above a threshold. That is, the base station may consider explicit interference, signal quality measurements, or both between each UE 115 and between each beam pair with respect to the sidelink transmit / receive beam (e.g., beam pair) and the downlink receive beam (e.g., of UE 115-a). Accordingly, the base station 105 - a may use signal quality measurements and known beams for various transmissions to determine which beams to use and / or not to use, as well as various resources, when scheduling sidelink and downlink communications.
[0109] Additionally or alternatively, the base station 105-a may consider feedback received from the UE 115. For example, if sidelink and downlink communications are scheduled during the same time period (e.g., time slot) and negative feedback associated with either communication increases, the base station 105-a may determine not to schedule the sidelink and downlink simultaneously (or to use different beams) for subsequent communications. Similarly, if downlink and sidelink resources are scheduled simultaneously and the error rate does not increase (e.g., the NACK rate does not increase), the base station 105-a may then schedule those transmissions during the same transmission resources 230 (e.g., time slot) (or using the same beam) for subsequent communications.
[0110] Figure 3An example of a process flow diagram 300 for supporting sidelink communications during a downlink timeslot in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the process flow diagram 300 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The process flow diagram 300 includes UE 115-d, UE 115-e, and base station 105-b, which may be Figure 1 and 2 UE 115 - d may be an example of a first UE, and UE 115 - e may be an example of a second UE.
[0111] At 305, the first UE 115-d may establish a sidelink connection with the second UE 115-e. The sidelink connection may utilize a beam set. The beam set may include one or more beam pairs, each of which includes a receive beam at one UE 115 and a transmit beam at one UE 115. At 310, the base station may identify a frame structure to be used for communication with the first UE 115-d. The frame structure may include one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots.
[0112] The first UE 115-d may identify the frame structure at 315. In some cases, the frame structure may be identified based on a scheduled transmission received from the base station 105-b. The scheduled transmission may be an example of an RRC signal, a downlink control information signal, or the like.
[0113] At 320-a, the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e at 320-b may perform a beam measurement procedure on the plurality of beams to identify a beam set for the sidelink connection. To perform the beam measurement procedure, the first UE 115-d may use each receive beam in the receive beam set of the plurality of beams to measure one or more first reference signals received using the receive beam and transmitted by the second UE 115-e. The first UE 115-d may also use the transmit beam set to transmit one or more second reference signals.
[0114] At 325, the first UE 115-d may transmit a report indicating the results of the beam measurement procedure to the base station 105-b. Additionally or alternatively, the second UE 115-e may transmit a report indicating the results of the beam measurement procedure. In some examples, the first UE 115-d may receive measurements performed by the second UE 115-e and transmit such measurements to the base station 105-b in a report. Additionally or alternatively, the second UE 115-e may receive measurements performed by the first UE 115-d and transmit such measurements to the base station 105-b in a report.
[0115] At 330, UE 115-d may receive, from base station 105-b, an indication of a set of resources to use for a sidelink connection with a second UE 115-b. The set of resources may include resources in at least one downlink timeslot of the one or more downlink timeslots of the frame structure. In some examples, the set of resources may be based at least in part on a measurement report received from UE 115-d. Additionally or alternatively, the set of resources may be based at least in part on a measurement report received from UE 115-e. In some examples, base station 105-b may indicate one or more beams in the beam set that UE 115-d is to use for the sidelink connection.
[0116] At 335 , the UE 115 - a may communicate with a second UE 115 - e on a sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated set of resources including resources in the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0117] At 340 , the base station 105 - b may receive feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0118] Figure 4 A block diagram 400 is shown of a device 405 supporting sidelink communications during a downlink timeslot in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 405 may be an example of aspects of the UE 115 as described herein. The device 405 may include a receiver 410, a communication manager 415, and a transmitter 420. The device 405 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0119] Receiver 410 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to sidelink communications during downlink time slots, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of device 405. Receiver 410 may be a reference to Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The receiver 410 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.
[0120] The communication manager 415 may establish a sidelink connection with a second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set; identify a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with the base station, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; receive from the base station an indication of a resource set for the sidelink connection with the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots; and communicate with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated resource set including resources in the at least one downlink time slot. The communication manager 415 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 710 described herein.
[0121] The communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, in code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof.
[0122] The communication manager 415 or its subcomponents can be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents can be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents can be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof.
[0123] The transmitter 420 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 405. In some examples, the transmitter 420 may be co-located with the receiver 410 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 420 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The transmitter 420 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.
[0124] In some examples, the communication manager 415 may be implemented as an integrated circuit or chipset for a mobile device modem, and the receiver 410 and transmitter 420 may be implemented as analog components (e.g., amplifiers, filters, antennas) coupled with the mobile device modem to enable wireless transmission and reception on one or more frequency bands.
[0125] The communication manager 415 as described herein can be implemented to achieve one or more potential advantages. One implementation can allow the device 405 to communicate more efficiently with other devices on a sidelink connection, and more specifically, to communicate on the sidelink using resources of at least one downlink timeslot. For example, the device 405 can receive an indication of sidelink resources including at least one downlink timeslot and communicate with another device using the at least one downlink timeslot and at least one beam.
[0126] Based on implementing the sidelink technology as described herein, the processor of UE 115 (e.g., controlling the receiver 410, the transmitter 420, or the like) Figure 7 The described transceiver 720) can improve reliability and reduce signaling overhead in communications of sidelink transmissions because sidelink communications can be performed using resources of downlink time slots in addition to uplink time slots.
[0127] Figure 5 A block diagram 500 of a device 505 supporting sidelink communications during a downlink timeslot in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 505 may be an example of aspects of the device 405 or UE 115 as described herein. The device 505 may include a receiver 510, a communication manager 515, and a transmitter 540. The device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0128] The receiver 510 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to sidelink communications during downlink time slots, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 505. The receiver 510 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.
[0129] The communication manager 515 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 415 as described herein. The communication manager 515 can include a sidelink connection component 520, a frame structure component 525, a scheduling component 530, and a communication interface 535. The communication manager 515 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 710 described herein.
[0130] The sidelink connection component 520 can establish a sidelink connection with the second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set. The frame structure component 525 can identify a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with the base station, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots.
[0131] Scheduling component 530 can receive, from the base station, an indication of a set of resources for a sidelink connection with the second UE, the set of resources comprising resources in at least one downlink timeslot of the one or more downlink timeslots.
[0132] The communication interface 535 may communicate with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated set of resources including resources in the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0133] The transmitter 540 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 505. In some examples, the transmitter 540 may be co-located with the receiver 510 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 540 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The transmitter 540 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.
[0134] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 is shown of a communication manager 605 that supports sidelink communications during downlink time slots in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 605 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 415, the communication manager 515, or the communication manager 710 described herein. The communication manager 605 can include a sidelink connection component 610, a frame structure component 615, a scheduling component 620, a communication interface 625, a beam measurement component 630, a reporting interface 635, and a feedback component 640. Each of these modules can communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0135] The sidelink connection component 610 can establish a sidelink connection with the second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set. The frame structure component 615 can identify a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with the base station, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots.
[0136] Scheduling component 620 can receive, from the base station, an indication of a set of resources for a sidelink connection with the second UE, the set of resources comprising resources in at least one downlink timeslot of the one or more downlink timeslots.
[0137] In some examples, the scheduling component 620 can receive an identification of a beam set for the sidelink connection from the base station. In some cases, the indication of the resource set further indicates whether the first UE is to use the resources in the at least one downlink time slot to transmit a signal to the second UE or receive a signal from the second UE.
[0138] The communication interface 625 may communicate with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated set of resources including resources in the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0139] In some examples, the communication interface 625 may transmit a signal to the second UE using at least one transmit beam of the sidelink connection on resources in the indicated set of resources for the sidelink connection in the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0140] In some examples, the communication interface 625 may receive signals from the second UE using at least one receive beam of the sidelink connection on resources in the indicated set of resources for the sidelink connection in the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0141] In some cases, the base station, the first UE, and the second UE operate according to a Mode 1 sidelink mode of operation.Beam measurement component 630 may perform a beam measurement procedure on a group of beams to identify the beam set.
[0142] In some examples, beam measurement component 630 can use each receive beam in the receive beam set in the group of beams to measure one or more first reference signals received using the receive beam.
[0143] In some examples, beam measurement component 630 can transmit one or more second reference signals using a transmit beam set. In some cases, the one or more first reference signals are transmitted using resources in the one or more downlink time slots, or the one or more second reference signals are received using resources in the one or more downlink time slots, or both.
[0144] The reporting interface 635 may transmit a report indicating the results of the beam measurement procedure to the base station, the indication of the resource set being based on the transmitted report.
[0145] Feedback component 640 can receive feedback from the second UE in response to the transmitted signal. In some examples, feedback component 640 can transmit the received feedback to a base station.
[0146] In some examples, feedback component 640 can generate feedback in response to the received signal. In some examples, feedback component 640 can transmit the feedback to the second UE, or the base station, or both.
[0147] Figure 7A diagram of a system 700 including a device 705 supporting sidelink communications during a downlink timeslot in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 705 may be an example of, or include components of, the device 405, device 505, or UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication manager 710, an I / O controller 715, a transceiver 720, an antenna 725, a memory 730, and a processor 740. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 745).
[0148] The communication manager 710 may establish a side link connection with a second UE, the side link connection using a beam set; identify a frame structure for the first UE to communicate with the base station, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; receive from the base station an indication of a resource set for the side link connection with the second UE, the resource set comprising resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots; and communicate with the second UE on the side link connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated resource set comprising resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0149] I / O controller 715 can manage input and output signals for device 705. I / O controller 715 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 705. In some cases, I / O controller 715 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 715 can utilize an operating system, such as or another known operating system. In other cases, I / O controller 715 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 715 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with device 705 via I / O controller 715 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 715.
[0150] The transceiver 720 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, the transceiver 720 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 720 can also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and demodulate packets received from the antenna.
[0151] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 725. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 725, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.
[0152] The memory 730 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 730 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 735 including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 730 may include, among other things, a basic input / output system (BIOS), which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.
[0153] The processor 740 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 740 may be configured to operate the memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 740. The processor 740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 730) to cause the device 705 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support sidelink communications during downlink time slots).
[0154] The code 735 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The code 735 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, the code 735 may not be directly executed by the processor 740, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.
[0155] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 is shown of a device 805 that supports sidelink communications during downlink time slots according to aspects of the present disclosure. The device 805 can be an example of aspects of a base station 105 as described herein. The device 805 can include a receiver 810, a communication manager 815, and a transmitter 820. The device 805 can also include a processor. Each of these components can be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0156] The receiver 810 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to sidelink communications during downlink time slots, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may be a reference Figure 11 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.
[0157] The communication manager 815 may identify a frame structure for the base station to use for communicating with the first UE, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; transmit to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection using a beam set at the first UE; and receive feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink time slot. The communication manager 815 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1110 described herein.
[0158] The communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, in code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA or other programmable logic device designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof.
[0159] The communication manager 815 or its subcomponents can be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents can be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents can be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof.
[0160] The transmitter 820 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 805. In some examples, the transmitter 820 may be co-located with the receiver 810 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 820 may be a reference Figure 11 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The transmitter 820 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.
[0161] Figure 9A block diagram 900 is shown of a device 905 supporting sidelink communications during a downlink timeslot in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 may be an example of aspects of the device 805 or base station 105 as described herein. The device 905 may include a receiver 910, a communication manager 915, and a transmitter 935. The device 905 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0162] The receiver 910 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to sidelink communications during downlink time slots, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may be a reference Figure 11 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.
[0163] Communications manager 915 may be an example of aspects of communications manager 815 as described herein. Communications manager 915 may include frame structure component 920, scheduling component 925, and feedback component 930. Communications manager 915 may be an example of aspects of communications manager 1110 as described herein.
[0164] Frame structure component 920 can identify a frame structure for the base station to use for communicating with the first UE, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots.
[0165] The scheduling component 925 may transmit to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection uses a beam set at the first UE.
[0166] Feedback component 930 can receive feedback associated with communications between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0167] The transmitter 935 can transmit signals generated by other components of the device 905. In some examples, the transmitter 935 can be co-located with the receiver 910 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 935 can be a reference Figure 11 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The transmitter 935 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.
[0168] Figure 10A block diagram 1000 is shown of a communication manager 1005 that supports sidelink communications during downlink time slots in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 1005 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 815, the communication manager 915, or the communication manager 1110 described herein. The communication manager 1005 can include a frame structure component 1010, a scheduling component 1015, a feedback component 1020, a reporting interface 1025, a beam measurement component 1030, a signal quality component 1035, and a communication interface 1040. Each of these modules can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0169] The frame structure component 1010 can identify a frame structure for a base station to use for communicating with a first UE, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots.
[0170] The scheduling component 1015 may transmit to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection uses a beam set at the first UE.
[0171] In some examples, scheduling component 1015 can identify a set of resources, a set of beams, or both for the sidelink connection based on the report.
[0172] In some examples, scheduling component 1015 may identify at least one beam pair in a beam set based on the received signal quality measurement.
[0173] In some examples, scheduling component 1015 may transmit to the first UE, the second UE, or both, an indication of the at least one beam pair to be used for communication on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0174] In some examples, scheduling component 1015 can identify a set of resources, a set of beams, or both for the sidelink connection based on the feedback.
[0175] In some cases, the indication of the resource set further indicates whether the first UE is to use resources in the at least one downlink time slot to transmit a signal to or receive a signal from the second UE, wherein the communication is performed based on the indication.
[0176] Feedback component 1020 can receive feedback associated with communications between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0177] The reporting interface 1025 may receive a report from at least one of the first UE and the second UE indicating a result of a beam measurement procedure performed by the at least one of the first UE and the second UE.
[0178] The beam measurement component 1030 may transmit an instruction to at least one of the first UE and the second UE to perform a beam measurement procedure.
[0179] In some cases, beam measurement procedures are performed using resources in the one or more downlink time slots.
[0180] The signal quality component 1035 can receive signal quality measurements corresponding to the beam set from the first UE, the second UE, the third UE, or a combination thereof.
[0181] In some examples, the signal quality component 1035 can determine that a signal quality measurement for at least one beam pair is above a signal quality threshold, wherein the at least one beam pair is identified based on the signal quality threshold.
[0182] In some examples, the signal quality component 1035 may receive a signal quality measurement associated with the downlink signal from a third UE, wherein the at least one beam pair is identified based on the signal quality measurement associated with the downlink signal.
[0183] The communication interface 1040 may transmit a downlink signal to the third UE using resources in the one or more downlink time slots.
[0184] In some examples, the communication interface 1040 may use resources in the at least one downlink time slot to transmit a downlink signal to a third UE. In some examples, the communication interface 1040 may use a transmit beam to transmit a downlink signal to a third UE, and the third UE is configured to receive the downlink signal using a receive beam.
[0185] In some cases, the base station, the first UE, and the second UE operate according to a Mode 1 sidelink mode of operation.
[0186] Figure 11A diagram of a system 1100 including a device 1105 supporting sidelink communications during a downlink timeslot in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Device 1105 may be an example of, or include components of, device 805, device 905, or base station 105 as described herein. Device 1105 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communications manager 1110, a network communications manager 1115, a transceiver 1120, an antenna 1125, a memory 1130, a processor 1140, and an inter-station communications manager 1145. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1150).
[0187] The communication manager 1110 may identify a frame structure for the base station to use for communicating with the first UE, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; transmit to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and the second UE, the resource set comprising resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection using a beam set at the first UE; and receive feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink time slot.
[0188] The network communications manager 1115 may manage communications with the core network (eg, via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communications manager 1115 may manage the delivery of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.
[0189] The transceiver 1120 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, the transceiver 1120 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1120 can also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and demodulate packets received from the antenna.
[0190] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 1125. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 1125, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.
[0191] The memory 1130 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. The memory 1130 may store computer-readable code 1135 including instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 1140), cause the device to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1130 may include, among other things, a BIOS that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.
[0192] The processor 1140 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1140 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1140. The processor 1140 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1130) to cause the device 1105 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support sidelink communications during downlink time slots).
[0193] The inter-site communication manager 1145 can manage communications with other base stations 105 and can include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with the UE 115 in coordination with the other base stations 105. For example, the inter-site communication manager 1145 can coordinate the scheduling of transmissions to the UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques, such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-site communication manager 1145 can provide an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communications between the base stations 105.
[0194] The code 1135 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The code 1135 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, the code 1135 may not be directly executed by the processor 1140, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.
[0195] Figure 12 A flow chart illustrating a method 1200 for supporting sidelink communications during a downlink time slot according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by the UE 115 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by the UE 115 or components thereof as described herein. Figures 4 to 7 In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the following functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the following functions.
[0196] At 1205, the UE may establish a sidelink connection with a second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set. The operations of 1205 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be as described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 The described side link connection component is performed.
[0197] At 1210, the UE may identify a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with the base station, the frame structure including one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots. The operations of 1210 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 The described frame structure components are implemented.
[0198] At 1215, the UE may receive from the base station an indication of a resource set for the sidelink connection with the second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots. The operations of 1215 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1215 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 The described scheduling component is executed.
[0199] At 1220, the UE may communicate with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated resource set including resources in the at least one downlink time slot. The operations of 1220 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1220 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 The described communication interface is implemented.
[0200] Figure 13 A flow chart illustrating a method 1300 for supporting sidelink communications during a downlink time slot according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by the base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by the base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. Figures 8 to 11 In some examples, a base station may execute an instruction set to control functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described below.
[0201] At 1305, the base station may identify a frame structure for the base station to use for communicating with the first UE, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots. The operations of 1305 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11 The described frame structure components are implemented.
[0202] At 1310, the base station may transmit to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and a second UE, the resource set including resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection uses a beam set at the first UE. The operations of 1310 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11 The described scheduling component is executed.
[0203] At 1315, the base station may receive feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink time slot. The operations of 1315 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1315 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11 The feedback component described is executed.
[0204] The following provides an overview of various aspects of the disclosure:
[0205] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a first UE, comprising: establishing a side link connection with a second UE, the side link connection using a beam set; identifying a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with a base station, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; receiving from the base station an indication of a resource set for the side link connection with the second UE, the resource set comprising resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots; and communicating with the second UE on the side link connection using at least one beam in the beam set and the indicated resource set comprising resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0206] Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1 further includes: performing a beam measurement procedure on multiple beams to identify the beam set; and transmitting a report indicating the result of the beam measurement procedure to the base station, the indication of the resource set being at least partially based on the transmitted report.
[0207] Aspect 3: A method as in Aspect 2, wherein executing the beam measurement procedure includes: using each receive beam in the receive beam set of the multiple beams to measure one or more first reference signals received using the receive beam; and using the transmit beam set to transmit one or more second reference signals.
[0208] Aspect 4: A method as in Aspect 3, wherein the one or more first reference signals are transmitted using resources in the one or more downlink time slots, or the one or more second reference signals are received using resources in the one or more downlink time slots, or both.
[0209] Aspect 5: A method as described in any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein communicating with the second UE includes: transmitting a signal to the second UE using at least one transmit beam of the side link connection on resources in the indicated resource set for the side link connection in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0210] Aspect 6: The method of aspect 5 further comprises: receiving feedback from the second UE in response to the transmitted signal; and transmitting the received feedback to the base station.
[0211] Aspect 7: A method as described in any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein communicating with the second UE includes: receiving a signal from the second UE using at least one receive beam of the side link connection on resources in the indicated resource set for the side link connection in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0212] Aspect 8: The method of aspect 7 further comprises: generating feedback in response to the received signal; and transmitting the feedback to the second UE, or the base station, or both.
[0213] Aspect 9: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, further comprising: receiving an identification of the beam set used for the sidelink connection from the base station.
[0214] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the base station, the first UE and the second UE operate according to a mode 1 sidelink operation mode.
[0215] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the indication of the resource set further indicates whether the first UE is to use the resources in the at least one downlink time slot to transmit a signal to the second UE or to receive a signal from the second UE.
[0216] Aspect 12: A method for wireless communication at a base station, comprising: identifying a frame structure for the base station to use for communicating with a first UE, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; transmitting to the first UE an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and a second UE, the resource set comprising resources in at least one downlink time slot of the one or more downlink time slots, and the sidelink connection using a beam set at the first UE; and receiving feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink time slot.
[0217] Aspect 13: The method of Aspect 12 further includes: receiving a report from at least one of the first UE and the second UE indicating the results of a beam measurement procedure performed by the at least one of the first UE and the second UE; and identifying the resource set, the beam set, or both for the side link connection based at least in part on the report.
[0218] Aspect 14: The method of Aspect 13 further comprises: transmitting an instruction to at least one of the first UE and the second UE to perform the beam measurement procedure.
[0219] Aspect 15: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 14, wherein the beam measurement procedure is performed using resources in the one or more downlink time slots.
[0220] Aspect 16: The method of any one of Aspects 12 to 15 further includes: receiving signal quality measurements corresponding to the beam set from the first UE, the second UE, the third UE, or a combination thereof; and identifying at least one beam pair in the beam set based at least in part on the received signal quality measurements.
[0221] Aspect 17: The method of Aspect 16 further comprises: transmitting to the first UE, or the second UE, or both, an indication of the at least one beam pair to be used for communication on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink timeslot.
[0222] Aspect 18: The method of any one of Aspects 16 to 17, further comprising: determining that a signal quality measurement for the at least one beam pair is above a signal quality threshold, wherein the at least one beam pair is identified based at least in part on the signal quality threshold.
[0223] Aspect 19: The method of any one of Aspects 16 to 18 further includes: transmitting a downlink signal to the third UE using resources in the one or more downlink time slots; and receiving a signal quality measurement associated with the downlink signal from the third UE, wherein the at least one beam pair is identified at least in part based on the signal quality measurement associated with the downlink signal.
[0224] Aspect 20: The method of any one of Aspects 12 to 19, further comprising: identifying the resource set, the beam set, or both for the sidelink connection based at least in part on the feedback.
[0225] Aspect 21: The method according to any one of aspects 12 to 20, further comprising: transmitting a downlink signal to a third UE using resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
[0226] Aspect 22: The method of aspect 21, wherein transmitting the downlink signal comprises: transmitting the downlink signal to the third UE using a transmit beam, and the third UE is configured to receive the downlink signal using a receive beam.
[0227] Aspect 23: The method of any one of Aspects 12 to 22, wherein the base station, the first UE and the second UE operate according to a Mode 1 sidelink operation mode.
[0228] Aspect 24: A method as described in any one of Aspects 12 to 23, wherein the indication of the resource set further indicates whether the first UE is to use the resources in the at least one downlink time slot to transmit a signal to the second UE or receive a signal from the second UE, and the communication is performed at least in part based on the indication.
[0229] Aspect 25: An apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 11.
[0230] Aspect 26: An apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE, comprising at least one means for performing the method of any one of aspects 1 to 11.
[0231] Aspect 27: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a first UE, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any one of aspects 1 to 11.
[0232] Aspect 28: An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of aspects 12 to 24.
[0233] Aspect 29: An apparatus comprising at least one means for performing the method of any one of aspects 12 to 24.
[0234] Aspect 30: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any one of Aspects 12 to 24.
[0235] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.
[0236] Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes, and the terminology of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used throughout much of the description, the techniques described herein may also be applicable to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.
[0237] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout this description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
[0238] The various illustrative blocks and components described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).
[0239] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, each function may be stored on or transmitted by a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed so that parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.
[0240] Computer-readable media include both non-transient computer storage media and communication media, including any media that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transient storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general or special-purpose computer. As an example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or any other non-transient medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a general or special-purpose computer, or a general or special-purpose processor. Similarly, any connection is also properly referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwaves, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwaves are included in the definition of computer-readable media. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0241] As used herein (including in the claims), "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items followed by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Likewise, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be read as referencing a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" could be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be read in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on."
[0242] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference number. In addition, components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference number with a dash and a second reference number that distinguishes between the similar components. If only the first reference number is used in the specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference number, regardless of the second reference number or other subsequent reference numbers.
[0243] The description set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describes example configurations and does not represent all examples that can be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "better than" or "better than other examples." This detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
[0244] The description herein is provided to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A method for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising: Establishing a sidelink connection with a second UE, where the sidelink connection uses a beam set; Identify a frame structure for the first UE to use for communicating with a network device, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; receiving, from the network device, an indication of a set of resources for the sidelink connection with the second UE, the set of resources comprising resources in at least one downlink timeslot of the one or more downlink timeslots; as well as Communicate with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and an indicated set of resources including resources in the at least one downlink timeslot.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing a beam measurement procedure on a plurality of beams to identify the beam set; as well as A report is transmitted to the network device indicating results of the beam measurement procedure, the indication of the resource set being based at least in part on the transmitted report.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: Executing the beam measurement procedure includes: using each receive beam in a receive beam set among the plurality of beams to measure one or more first reference signals received using the receive beam; and One or more second reference signals are transmitted using the transmit beam set.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The one or more first reference signals are transmitted using resources in the one or more downlink time slots, or the one or more second reference signals are received using resources in the one or more downlink time slots, or both.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein Communicating with the second UE includes: Signals are transmitted to the second UE in the at least one downlink timeslot on resources in the indicated set of resources for the sidelink connection using at least one transmit beam for the sidelink connection.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: receiving feedback from the second UE in response to the transmitted signal; as well as The received feedback is transmitted to the network device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein: Communicating with the second UE includes: and receiving signals from the second UE using at least one receive beam of the sidelink connection on resources in the indicated set of resources for the sidelink connection in the at least one downlink timeslot.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: generating feedback in response to the received signal; as well as The feedback is transmitted to the second UE, or the network device, or both.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: An identification of the beam set for the sidelink connection is received from the network device.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein: The network device, the first UE, and the second UE operate according to a Mode 1 sidelink operation mode.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein: The indication of the resource set further indicates whether the first UE is to transmit a signal to the second UE or receive a signal from the second UE using resources in the at least one downlink timeslot.
12. A method for wireless communication at a network device, comprising: identifying a frame structure for use by the network device to communicate with a first user equipment (UE), the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; transmitting, to the first UE, an indication of a resource set for a sidelink connection between the first UE and a second UE, the resource set comprising resources in at least one downlink timeslot of the one or more downlink timeslots, the sidelink connection using a beam set at the first UE; and Feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink timeslot is received.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving, from at least one of the first UE and the second UE, a report indicating a result of a beam measurement procedure performed by the at least one of the first UE and the second UE; as well as The set of resources, the set of beams, or both for the sidelink connection are identified based at least in part on the report.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: An instruction is transmitted to at least one of the first UE and the second UE to perform the beam measurement procedure.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein: The beam measurement procedure is performed using resources in the one or more downlink time slots.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving a signal quality measurement corresponding to the beam set from the first UE, the second UE, a third UE, or a combination thereof; as well as At least one beam pair in the beam set is identified based at least in part on the received signal quality measurement.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: An indication of the at least one beam pair to be used for communication on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink timeslot is transmitted to the first UE, the second UE, or both.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: A determination is made that a signal quality measurement for the at least one beam pair is above a signal quality threshold, wherein the at least one beam pair is identified based at least in part on the signal quality threshold.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: transmitting a downlink signal to the third UE using resources in the one or more downlink time slots; as well as A signal quality measurement associated with the downlink signal is received from the third UE, wherein the at least one beam pair is identified based at least in part on the signal quality measurement associated with the downlink signal.
20. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The set of resources, the set of beams, or both, for the sidelink connection are identified based at least in part on the feedback.
21. The method of claim 12, further comprising: A downlink signal is transmitted to a third UE using resources in the at least one downlink time slot.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein: Transmitting the downlink signal includes: The downlink signal is transmitted to the third UE using a transmit beam, and the third UE is configured to receive the downlink signal using a receive beam.
23. The method of claim 12, wherein: The network device, the first UE, and the second UE operate according to a Mode 1 sidelink operation mode.
24. The method of claim 12, wherein: The indication of the resource set further indicates whether the first UE is to transmit signals to or receive signals from the second UE using resources in the at least one downlink time slot, wherein the communicating is performed at least in part based on the indication.
25. An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising: means for establishing a sidelink connection with a second UE, the sidelink connection using a beam set; means for identifying a frame structure for use by the first UE to communicate with a network device, the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; means for receiving, from the network device, an indication of a set of resources for the sidelink connection with the second UE, the set of resources comprising resources in at least one downlink timeslot of the one or more downlink timeslots; as well as means for communicating with the second UE on the sidelink connection using at least one beam in the beam set and an indicated set of resources including resources in the at least one downlink timeslot.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: means for performing a beam measurement procedure on a plurality of beams to identify the beam set; as well as means for transmitting a report to the network device indicating results of the beam measurement procedure, the indication of the resource set being based at least in part on the transmitted report.
27. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: means for transmitting signals to the second UE using at least one transmit beam for the sidelink connection on resources in the indicated set of resources for the sidelink connection in the at least one downlink timeslot.
28. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: means for receiving signals from the second UE using at least one receive beam for the sidelink connection on resources in the indicated set of resources for the sidelink connection in the at least one downlink timeslot.
29. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: Means for receiving, from the network device, an identification of the beam set for the sidelink connection.
30. A device for wireless communication at a network device, comprising: means for identifying a frame structure for use by the network device to communicate with a first user equipment (UE), the frame structure comprising one or more downlink time slots and one or more uplink time slots; means for transmitting, to the first UE, an indication of a set of resources for a sidelink connection between the first UE and a second UE, the set of resources comprising resources in at least one downlink timeslot of the one or more downlink timeslots, the sidelink connection utilizing a beam set at the first UE; and Means for receiving feedback associated with communication between the first UE and the second UE on the sidelink connection during the at least one downlink timeslot.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising means for performing the method of any one of claims 13-24.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Method and device for performing device-to-device communication by sharing uplink resource and sidelink resource in wireless communication system
CN110832926A