Sidelink beam scanning

Abstract

The present invention provides a computer-implemented method for sidelink beam scanning, the method comprising: a first electronic device uses N transmit beam patterns to send an uplink sounding reference signal (UL‑SRS) to a base station on N UL‑SRS resources, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; the first electronic device receives information associated with sidelink beam management (SL‑BM) from the base station, wherein the information associated with SL‑BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for SL‑BM; the first electronic device uses one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns to send one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL‑BMRS) to a second electronic device based on the received information associated with SL‑BM.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to sidelink beam scanning, and is specifically used for beam scanning in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) new radio (NR) system to support sidelink beam management. Background Art

[0002] In the 3GPP NR system, both downlink and uplink beam management are supported. The downlink refers to the link from the base station to the device, while the uplink refers to the link from the device to the base station. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention describes sidelink beam scanning for device to device (D2D) communication.

[0004] In a first implementation, a computer-implemented method includes: a first electronic device uses N transmit beam patterns to send an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to a base station on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; the first electronic device receives information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, wherein the information associated with SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for SL-BM; the first electronic device uses one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns to send one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to a second electronic device based on the received information associated with SL-BM.

[0005] In a second implementation, an electronic device includes: a non-volatile memory including instructions; one or more hardware processors communicating with the memory, wherein the one or more hardware processors execute the instructions to perform operations including the following: sending an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to a base station on N UL-SRS resources using N transmit beam modes, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; receiving information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM; based on the received information associated with the SL-BM, sending one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to a second electronic device using one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns.

[0006] In a third implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer instructions for transmission beam control in data communication, and when the computer instructions are executed by one or more hardware processors, the one or more hardware processors perform operations including the following: a first electronic device uses N transmission beam modes to send an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to a base station on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; the first electronic device receives information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, where the information associated with SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmission beam pattern for SL-BM; the first electronic device uses one or more of the indicated transmission beam patterns to send one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to a second electronic device based on the received information associated with SL-BM.

[0007] In a fourth implementation, a computer-implemented method includes: a base station receives an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from a first electronic device using N transmit beam patterns on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; the base station sends information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates the SL resources allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating the transmit beam pattern used for the SL-BM.

[0008] In a fifth implementation, a base station includes: a non-volatile memory including instructions; one or more hardware processors communicating with the memory, wherein the one or more hardware processors execute the instructions to perform operations including the following: receiving an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from a first electronic device using N transmit beam modes on N UL-SRS resources, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; and sending information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates the SL resources allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating the transmit beam pattern used for the SL-BM.

[0009] In a sixth implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer instructions for transmission beam control in data communication, and when the computer instructions are executed by one or more hardware processors, the one or more hardware processors perform operations including the following: a base station receives an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from a first electronic device using N transmission beam modes on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; the base station sends information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, where the information associated with SL-BM indicates SL resources allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmission beam pattern for SL-BM.

[0010] The above implementation may be implemented using: a computer-implemented method; a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions to perform the computer-implemented method; and a computer-implemented system comprising a computer memory interoperably coupled to a hardware processor for executing the computer-implemented method and the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0011] The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the specification. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 A block diagram of sidelink beam scanning for device-to-device (D2D) communication provided by an implementation is provided.

[0013] Figure 2 A block diagram of transmit beam scanning provided by an implementation is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 A swim-lane diagram of an exemplary method for sidelink beam scanning for D2D communications provided by an implementation.

[0015] Figure 4 A swim lane diagram of another exemplary method for sidelink beam scanning for D2D communications provided by an implementation.

[0016] Figure 5 A flowchart of an exemplary method for sidelink beam scanning for D2D communication provided by an implementation is provided.

[0017] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system for providing computing functionality associated with the described algorithms, methods, functions, processes, procedures, and programs, according to one implementation.

[0018] Figure 7 The present invention is provided in an implementation manner and is a schematic diagram of an exemplary structure of a terminal.

[0019] Figure 8 The present invention is provided as a schematic diagram of an exemplary structure of a base station according to an implementation method.

[0020] Like reference numbers and designations throughout the various drawings represent like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following detailed description describes sidelink beam scanning for device-to-device (D2D) communications and is intended to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed subject matter in the context of one or more specific implementations.

[0022] Various modifications, alterations, and permutations of the disclosed implementations may be made and will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. In some cases, details not necessary for an understanding of the described subject matter may be omitted so as not to obscure one or more of the described implementations without unnecessary detail, as such details are within the capabilities of those skilled in the art. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the implementations described or shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described.

[0023] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) system can support downlink beam management and uplink beam management. The downlink refers to the link from the base station to the device. The uplink refers to the link from the device to the base station. However, the current 3GPP NR system does not support sidelink beam management (for example, sidelinks within millimeter wave frequencies). Sidelinks can be defined as direct D2D communication without going through a base station (for example, a 5G base station (gNB)).

[0024] The present invention describes an exemplary implementation of sidelink beam scanning for D2D communication. In the present invention, a first electronic device may send an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) in multiple directions. A base station may measure multiple transmissions of the first electronic device. The base station may then send a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship (or Anti-Tx-QCL relationship) between the UL-SRS and a sidelink beam management reference signal (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device. The first electronic device may perform sidelink beam management based on the Tx-QCL relationship (or Anti-Tx-QCL relationship) between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS.

[0025] The subject matter described in this invention can be implemented in a specific implementation to achieve one or more of the following advantages. First, the described method can save sidelink resources. For example, when range extension is important, a first electronic device can perform sidelink beam management with a second electronic device outside the coverage range of a base station. Second, the described method can control unwanted sidelink (SL) interference on the base station. For example, the base station can guide the transmit beam scanning of the first electronic device away from the base station. Third, the described method can support spatial reuse between the sidelink and other links (e.g., uplink). Other advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0026] Figure 1 A block diagram 100 is provided for sidelink beam scanning for device-to-device (D2D) communication in an implementation. Block diagram 100 includes a base station 102, a user equipment (UE) 104, and a UE 106. For example, base station 102 can communicate with UE 104 via a downlink 112 and an uplink 114. UE 104 can communicate with UE 106 via a forward sidelink 116 and a reverse sidelink 118. If UE 106 is within coverage of base station 102, base station 102 can communicate with UE 106 via a downlink 122 and an uplink 124. In some implementations, additional, different, or fewer UEs can be included in block diagram 100.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, consider sidelink mode 1. In sidelink mode 1, a transmitting UE (TxUE) (e.g., UE 104) is within the coverage of base station 102. A receiving UE (RxUE) (e.g., UE 106) may or may not be within the coverage of base station 102. In some implementations, Figure 1 Other sidelink modes may be considered.

[0028] In some implementations, the sidelink beam management performed by the TxUE needs to support the sidelink in the mmWave frequency range. Typically, the TxUE needs to transmit beam scanning to accommodate different RxUEs at different locations. Transmit beam scanning is usually performed in an omnidirectional manner. For example, as follows Figure 2 As shown in Figure 2, N transmit beams at the TxUE can be used to simulate omnidirectional coverage. However, a larger N will result in larger beam scanning overhead and interference.

[0029] Figure 2FIG2 is a block diagram 200 illustrating transmit beam scanning provided by an implementation. Block diagram 200 includes a base station 202 and a UE 204. For example, UE 204 may perform transmit beam scanning using eight transmit beams 211-218. In some implementations, additional, different, or fewer transmit beams may be included in block diagram 200.

[0030] In some implementations, it is desirable for base station 202 to direct transmit beam scanning at UE 204 to avoid interference from base station 202. For example, when UE 204 transmits SL-BMRS, base station 202 may prefer that UE 204 transmit SL-BMRS using transmit beams 211-215, extending the range of UE 204 farther away from base station 202. In other words, base station 202 may prohibit UE 204 from transmitting SL-BMRS using transmit beams 216-218 that are directed toward base station 202.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, UE 204 is within the coverage of base station 202. UE 204 can perform transmit beam scanning in eight directions (i.e., using eight transmit beams 211-218). In some implementations, UE 204 can perform transmit beam scanning in any number of directions. These eight transmissions can be sent by UE 204 as sidelink transmissions on sidelink time or frequency resources, in which case base station 202 is not the intended receiver. In some implementations, these eight transmissions can be sent by UE 204 as uplink transmissions on uplink time or frequency resources, in which case base station 202 is the intended receiver. To simplify the discussion, the following process is described assuming that these eight transmissions are sent as uplink transmissions on uplink time or frequency resources. The following process can be applied to the case where the eight transmissions are sent as sidelink transmissions on sidelink time or frequency resources.

[0032] Base station 202 may perform measurements of eight transmissions. In some implementations, the scheduling of the eight transmissions and the configuration of the corresponding uplink time or frequency resources may be determined by base station 202, and the eight directions (i.e., eight transmit beams 211-218) may be determined by UE 204. Each transmission may include a reference signal. For example, the reference signal may be an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) in an uplink transmission and a sidelink sounding reference signal (SL-SRS) in a sidelink transmission. In some implementations, the UL-SRS or SL-SRS may be different from the SL-BMRS.

[0033] Based on the measurement results, the base station 202 may send a beam pattern (or direction) recommendation (e.g., an RxUE-specific recommendation) for sidelink beam scanning for a specific RxUE to the UE 204. The specific RxUE may be a UE with which the UE 204 wishes to establish a sidelink. For example, the base station 202 may indicate to the UE 204 that if the UE 204 wishes to perform sidelink beam management with the specific RxUE, the UE 204 should use transmit beams 211-215 to transmit the SL-BMRS. The indication may be a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the SL-BMRS and the UL-SRS. In order to establish the Tx-QCL relationship, the UE 204 may use the same transmit beamforming vector (or filter) to transmit the SL-BMRS on the sidelink resources and to transmit the UL-SRS on the uplink resources.

[0034] In some implementations, the beam pattern (or direction) recommendation may not be RxUE-specific. For example, there is no specific UE with which UE 204 wishes to establish a sidelink. In other words, regardless of which RxUE UE 204 wishes to perform sidelink beam management with, the recommendation may instruct UE 204 to use the recommended transmit beams 211-215.

[0035] In some implementations, the base station 202 may send a beam pattern (or direction) prohibition (e.g., RxUE-specific prohibition) for sidelink beam scanning for a specific RxUE to the UE 204 instead of a beam pattern (or direction) suggestion. The specific RxUE may be a UE with which the UE 204 wishes to establish a sidelink. For example, the base station 202 may indicate to the UE 204 that if the UE 204 wishes to perform sidelink beam management with the specific RxUE, the UE 204 should not use transmit beams 216-218 to transmit SL-BMRS. The indication may be an Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the SL-BMRS and the UL-SRS. The Anti-Tx-QCL relationship may indicate to the UE 204 that the UE 204 may use a transmit beamforming vector that has been detected but not prohibited to transmit SL-BMRS on the sidelink resources. In this case, the transmit beams 211-218 are detected and the transmit beams 216-218 are prohibited.

[0036] In some implementations, beam pattern (or direction) inhibition may not be RxUE-specific. For example, there may not be a specific UE with which UE 204 wishes to establish a sidelink. In other words, regardless of which RxUE UE 204 wishes to perform sidelink beam management with, inhibition may instruct UE 204 not to use the inhibited transmit beams 216-218.

[0037] In some implementations, the UE 204 may not transmit the SL-BMRS using a transmit beamforming vector that was not detected in the previously described transmit beam scanning.

[0038] Figure 3 FIG2 is a swim lane diagram of an exemplary method 300 for sidelink beam scanning for D2D communications, provided by one implementation. For clarity, the following description generally describes method 300 in the context of other figures in this description. However, it should be understood that method 300 can be performed, for example, by any system, environment, software, and hardware, or a combination of such systems, environments, software, and hardware, as appropriate. In some implementations, the various steps of method 300 can be performed in parallel, combined, looped, or in any order.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, UE 304 is within the coverage of base station 302. UE 306 may or may not be within the coverage of base station 302. UE 304 desires to perform sidelink beam management with UE 306. For example, UE 304 desires to transmit a SL-BMRS to UE 306. In some implementations, the SL-BMRS may be a sidelink channel state information reference signal (SL-CSIRS).

[0040] At 310, the base station 302 may configure N UL-SRS resources for uplink sounding of the UE 304. For example, the base station 302 may send configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources to the UE 304. In some implementations, N may be any integer greater than 1.

[0041] At 312, UE 304 may select up to N different transmit beams and transmit SRS on N UL-SRS resources to base station 302. For example, Figure 3 As shown, UE 304 may use eight transmit beams to transmit SRS.

[0042] At 314, the base station 302 may measure N transmissions on the N UL-SRS resources and, based on the measurement results, send a recommendation (or prohibition) to the UE 304 for sidelink beam management with the UE 306. In some implementations, based on the measurement results, the base station 302 may determine Q recommended transmit beams from the N transmit beams and send a Tx-QCL relationship to the UE 304, the Tx-QCL relationship indicating the Q recommended transmit beams for sidelink beam management with the UE 306. For example, each of the Q recommended transmit beams may cause interference (e.g., measured signal strength) at the base station 302 to be below a predetermined threshold.

[0043] In some implementations, based on the measurement results, the base station 302 may determine P prohibited transmit beams from the N transmit beams, and transmit an anti-Tx-QCL relationship to the UE 304, where the anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates the P prohibited transmit beams for sidelink beam management with the UE 306. For example, each of the P prohibited transmit beams may cause interference at the base station 302 to be higher than a predetermined threshold.

[0044] In some implementations, the base station 302 may transmit a bitmap having N bits corresponding to the N sounding beams instead of transmitting the Tx-QCL relationship or the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship to the UE 304. For example, a positive bit (e.g., 1) in the bitmap may indicate that the corresponding beam is recommended for sidelink beam management with the UE 306, while a negative bit (e.g., 0 or -1) in the bitmap may indicate that the corresponding beam is prohibited from being used for sidelink beam management with the UE 306.

[0045] At 316, base station 302 may schedule SL-BMRS transmission resources for UE 304. For example, base station 302 may send configuration information indicating the SL-BMRS transmission resources to UE 304. The SL-BMRS transmission resources may be scheduled based on the Q proposed transmit beams or the P prohibited transmit beams. In other words, the SL-BMRS transmission resources may accommodate SL-BMRS transmissions using the Q proposed transmit beams or the P prohibited transmit beams.

[0046] At 318, UE 304 may transmit SL-BMRS to UE 306 on the SL-BMRS transmission resources using the Q recommended transmit beams or the P prohibited transmit beams. Figure 3 As shown, UE 304 may use five of the eight transmit beams to transmit the SL-BMRS to UE 306. After transmitting the SL-BMRS to UE 306, UE 304 may wait for a sidelink beam report generated by UE 306.

[0047] At 320, UE 306 may measure the SL-BMRS on the SL-BMRS transmission resources to generate a sidelink beam report and send the sidelink beam report to UE 304 on a sidelink between UE 306 and UE 304. In some implementations, UE 306 may send the sidelink beam report to base station 302 on an uplink between base station 302 and UE 306. Base station 302 may forward the sidelink beam report to UE 304 on a downlink between base station 302 and UE 304.

[0048] In some implementations, the base station 302 may use prohibition instead of suggestion because the base station 302 may estimate the beam quality more accurately for undesirable beam directions (e.g., toward the base station 302) than for desired beam directions (e.g., away from the base station 302).

[0049] Figure 4 FIG2 is a swim lane diagram of another exemplary method 400 for sidelink beam scanning for D2D communications, provided by one implementation. For clarity, the following description generally describes method 400 in the context of other figures in this description. However, it should be understood that method 400 can be performed, for example, by any system, environment, software, and hardware, or a combination of such systems, environments, software, and hardware, as appropriate. In some implementations, the various steps of method 400 can be performed in parallel, combined, looped, or in any order.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, UE 404 is within the coverage of base station 402. There is no specific UE with which UE 404 wishes to perform sidelink beam management. In this case, UE 404 broadcasts the SL-BMRS without a specific Rx UE. In some implementations, the SL-BMRS can be a sidelink synchronization signal block (SL-SSB).

[0051] At 410, the base station 402 may configure N UL-SRS resources for uplink sounding of the UE 404. For example, the base station 402 may send configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources to the UE 404. In some implementations, N may be any integer greater than 1.

[0052] At 412, UE 404 may select up to N different transmit beams and transmit SRS on N UL-SRS resources to base station 402. For example, Figure 4 As shown, UE 404 may use eight transmit beams to transmit SRS.

[0053] At 414, the base station 402 may measure N transmissions on the N UL-SRS resources and, based on the measurement results, send a recommendation (or prohibition) for sidelink beam management to the UE 404. In some implementations, based on the measurement results, the base station 402 may determine Q recommended transmit beams from the N transmit beams and send a Tx-QCL relationship indicating the Q recommended transmit beams for sidelink beam management 4 to the UE 404. For example, each of the Q recommended transmit beams may cause interference (e.g., measured signal strength) at the base station 402 to be below a predetermined threshold.

[0054] In some implementations, based on the measurement results, the base station 402 may determine P prohibited transmit beams from the N transmit beams, and transmit an anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicating the P prohibited transmit beams for sidelink beam management to the UE 404. For example, each of the P prohibited transmit beams may cause interference at the base station 402 to be higher than a predetermined threshold.

[0055] In some implementations, the base station 402 may transmit a bitmap having N bits corresponding to the N sounding beams instead of transmitting the Tx-QCL relationship or the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship to the UE 404. For example, a positive bit (e.g., 1) in the bitmap may indicate that the corresponding beam is recommended for sidelink beam management without a specific RxUE, while a negative bit (e.g., 0 or -1) in the bitmap may indicate that the corresponding beam is prohibited from being used for sidelink beam management without a specific RxUE.

[0056] At 416, base station 402 may schedule SL-BMRS transmission resources for UE 404. For example, base station 402 may send configuration information indicating the SL-BMRS transmission resources to UE 404. The SL-BMRS transmission resources may be scheduled based on the Q proposed transmit beams or the P prohibited transmit beams. In other words, the SL-BMRS transmission resources may accommodate SL-BMRS transmissions using the Q proposed transmit beams or the P prohibited transmit beams.

[0057] At 418, UE 404 may broadcast SL-BMRS on the SL-BMRS transmission resources using the Q proposed transmit beams or the P prohibited transmit beams. Figure 4 As shown, UE 404 may broadcast SL-BMRS using five of the eight transmit beams. After broadcasting the SL-BMRS, UE 404 may wait for a sidelink beam report generated by any Rx UE.

[0058] In some implementations, the base station 402 may use prohibition instead of suggestion because the base station 402 may estimate the beam quality more accurately for an undesirable beam direction (e.g., toward the base station 402) than for a desired beam direction (e.g., away from the base station 402).

[0059] Figure 5 Flowchart of an exemplary method 500 for sidelink beam scanning for D2D communication provided by an implementation. For clarity of presentation, the following description generally describes the method 500 in the context of other figures in this description. The method 500 may be implemented by an electronic device, such as Figure 3 UE 304 is shown. However, it should be understood that, for example, method 500 can be performed by any suitable system, environment, software and hardware, or a combination of systems, environments, software and hardware. In some implementations, the various steps of method 500 can be performed in parallel, combined, looped, or in any order.

[0060] Method 500 begins at 502, where a first electronic device transmits an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to a base station on N UL-SRS resources using N transmit beam patterns. N is an integer greater than 1. For example, N can be 8, 16, 32, or 64. In some implementations, the base station can include a 5G base station (gNB), and the first electronic device is within coverage of the gNB.

[0061] In 504, the first electronic device receives information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station. The information associated with the SL-BM may indicate the SL resources allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM. For example, the information associated with the SL-BM may include a bitmap having N bits. A positive bit in the bitmap may indicate that the corresponding transmit beam pattern is allowed to be used to transmit one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS), and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap may indicate that the corresponding transmit beam pattern is prohibited from being used to transmit the SL-BMRS.

[0062] In some implementations, the first electronic device may receive a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station. For example, the Tx-QCL relationship may indicate Q transmit beam patterns allowed for SL-BM among N transmit beam patterns. Each of the Q transmit beam patterns may indicate a direction away from the base station at the first electronic device. Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N. The first electronic device may also receive an allocation of SL resources allocated by the base station for the SL-BMRS from the base station.

[0063] In some implementations, the first electronic device may receive an Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station. For example, the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship may indicate that P transmit beam patterns among N transmit beam patterns are not allowed to be used for SL-BM. P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N. The first electronic device may also receive an allocation of SL resources allocated by the base station for the SL-BMRS from the base station.

[0064] In 506, the first electronic device transmits one or more SL-BMRSs to the second electronic device using one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns based on the received information associated with the SL-BM. In some implementations, the second electronic device may be outside the coverage of the base station, and the first and second electronic devices may communicate via a sidelink. In some implementations, the first electronic device may broadcast the SL-BMRS without a specific receiving electronic device.

[0065] In some implementations, the first electronic device may use a beam in the Q transmit beam patterns to transmit the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource. In some implementations, the first electronic device may use a transmit beam pattern included in the N transmit beam patterns but not included in the P transmit beam patterns to transmit the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource.

[0066] In some implementations, before the first electronic device transmits the UL-SRS to the base station, the first electronic device may receive configuration information indicating N UL-SRS resources for uplink sounding from the base station. The first electronic device may determine N transmit beam patterns based on the N UL-SRS resources for uplink sounding.

[0067] In some implementations, after the first electronic device sends the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device, the first electronic device may receive an SL beam report from the second electronic device. The SL beam report may be generated by the second electronic device based on measurements of the SL-BMRS on the SL resources.

[0068] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system 600 for providing computing functions associated with the described algorithms, methods, functions, processes, procedures, and programs, according to one implementation. The computer system 600 or more than one computer system 600 may be used to implement the electronic devices previously described in the present invention, such as Figure 3 UE 304 is shown.

[0069] In some aspects, the computer 602 may include a computer including input devices, such as a keypad, keyboard, touch screen, or other device that can receive user information, and output devices that transmit information associated with the operation of the computer 602 (including digital data, visual or audio information (or a combination of information)), or a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0070] The computer 602 can act as a client, a network component, a server, a database or other persistence device, or any other component (or combination thereof) of a computer system for performing the subject matter described herein. The computer 602 is shown communicatively coupled to a network 630. In some implementations, one or more components of the computer 602 can be configured to operate within an environment, including a cloud-based, local, global, or other environment (or combination of environments).

[0071] At a high level, the computer 602 is an electronic computing device operable to receive, send, process, store, or manage data and information associated with the subject matter described. According to some implementations, the computer 602 may also include, or be communicatively coupled to, an application server, an email server, a web server, a cache server, a streaming data server, or other server (or combination of servers).

[0072] Computer 602 may receive requests from client applications (e.g., running on another computer 602) over network 630 and respond to received requests by processing the received requests using an appropriate software application. Requests may also be sent to computer 602 from internal users (e.g., from a command console or through other suitable access methods), external or third parties, other automated applications, and any other suitable entity, person, system, or computer.

[0073] Each component of computer 602 can communicate using system bus 603. In some implementations, any or all components of computer 602, hardware or software (or a combination of both), can connect to each other or to interface 604 (or a combination of both) over system bus 603 using an application programming interface (API) 612 or a service layer 613 (or a combination of API 612 and service layer 613). API 612 can include specifications for routines, data structures, and object classes. API 612 can be language-independent or language-dependent and refer to a complete interface, a single function, or even a set of APIs. Service layer 613 provides software services to computer 602 or other components communicatively coupled to computer 602 (whether or not shown). All service consumers can access the functionality of computer 602 using this service layer. Software services, such as those provided by service layer 613, provide reusable, defined functionality through defined interfaces. For example, the interface can be software written in JAVA, C++, or other suitable languages, providing data in extensible markup language (XML) format or other suitable format. Although shown as an integrated component of computer 602, alternative implementations may show API 612 or service layer 613 as a separate component relative to other components of computer 602 or other components communicatively coupled to computer 602 (whether shown or not). In addition, any or all portions of API 612 or service layer 613 may be implemented as a child or sub-module of another software module, enterprise application, or hardware module without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0074] Computer 602 includes interface 604. Although Figure 6 6. Although a single interface 604 is shown in the figure, two or more interfaces 604 may be used depending on the specific needs, desires, or specific implementation of the computer 602. The interface 604 is used by the computer 602 to communicate with other systems (whether or not shown) connected to the network 630 in a distributed environment. Generally, the interface 604 includes logic encoded in software or hardware (or a combination of software and hardware) and is operable to communicate with the network 630. More specifically, the interface 604 may include software that supports one or more communication protocols associated with the communication, such that the network 630 or the hardware of the interface is operable to transmit physical signals within and outside the computer 602 shown.

[0075] Computer 602 includes processor 605. Although Figure 6A single processor 605 is shown, but two or more processors may be used depending on the particular needs, desires, or particular implementation of the computer 602. Generally, the processor 605 executes instructions and operates on data to perform the operations of the computer 602 and any algorithms, methods, functions, procedures, processes, and programs described herein.

[0076] The computer 602 also includes a database 606 that can store data for the computer 602 or other components (whether or not shown) that can be connected to the network 630 (or a combination of both). For example, the database 606 can be an in-memory database, a traditional database, or other type of memory that stores data consistent with the present invention. In some implementations, the database 606 can be a combination of two or more different database types (e.g., a hybrid in-memory and traditional database) depending on the specific needs, desires, or specific implementation of the computer 602 and the described functionality. Although in Figure 6 6. Although a single database 606 is shown in FIG. 6, two or more databases (of the same type or a combination of types) may be used depending on the particular needs, desires, or particular implementation of the computer 602 and the functionality being described. Although the database 606 is shown as an integral component of the computer 602, in alternative implementations, the database 606 may be external to the computer 602.

[0077] The computer 602 also includes a memory 607 that can store data for the computer 602 or other components (whether or not shown) that can be connected to the network 630 (or a combination of both). For example, the memory 607 can be a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an optical memory, a magnetic memory, etc., that stores data consistent with the present invention. In some implementations, the memory 607 can be a combination of two or more different types of memory (e.g., a combination of RAM and magnetic memory), depending on the specific needs, desires, or specific implementation of the computer 602 and the described functionality. Although in Figure 6 602, two or more memories 607 (of the same type or a combination of types) may be used depending on the particular needs, desires, or particular implementation of the computer 602 and the described functionality. While the memory 607 is shown as an integral component of the computer 602, in alternative implementations, the memory 607 may be external to the computer 602.

[0078] Application 608 is an algorithmic software engine that provides functionality according to the specific needs, expectations, or specific implementation of computer 602 (particularly with respect to the functionality described herein). For example, application 608 can be implemented as one or more components, modules, or applications. Furthermore, although shown as a single application 608, application 608 can be implemented as multiple applications 608 on computer 602. Furthermore, although shown as integrated with computer 602, in alternative implementations, application 608 can be external to computer 602.

[0079] The computer 602 may also include a power supply 614. The power supply 614 may include a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery, which may be configured to be user-replaceable or non-user-replaceable. In some implementations, the power supply 614 may include power conversion or management circuitry (including recharging, standby, or other power management functions). In some implementations, the power supply 614 may include a power plug so that the computer 602 can be plugged into a wall outlet or other power source, for example, to power the computer 602 or charge a rechargeable battery.

[0080] Any number of computers 602 may be associated with the computer system including computer 602 or external to the computer system, each computer 602 communicating via network 630. Furthermore, the terms "client," "user," and other suitable terms may be used interchangeably as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates that many users may use a single computer 602, or that a single user may use multiple computers 602.

[0081] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary structure of a terminal 700 described in the present invention, provided in one implementation. Terminal 700 includes a receiving circuit 702 and a transmitting circuit 706. In some implementations, terminal 700 may also include one or more circuits for performing any one or a combination of steps described in the present invention.

[0082] The receiving circuit 702 is configured to receive information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from a base station. The information associated with SL-BM may indicate SL resources allocated to the terminal 700 and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM.

[0083] The transmitting circuit 706 is configured to transmit an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to the base station on N UL-SRS resources using N transmit beam patterns, and to transmit a sidelink beam management reference signal (SL-BMRS) to another terminal. N is an integer greater than 1.

[0084] Figure 8 The following is a schematic diagram of an exemplary structure of a base station 800 described in the present invention, provided in one implementation. The base station 800 includes a receiving circuit 802 and a transmitting circuit 806. In some implementations, the base station 800 may also include one or more circuits for performing any one or a combination of steps described in the present invention.

[0085] The receiving circuit 802 is configured to receive an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from a terminal.

[0086] The transmitting circuit 806 is configured to transmit information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the terminal. The information associated with the SL-BM may indicate SL resources allocated to the terminal and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM.

[0087] The described implementations of the present subject matter may include one or more features, alone or in combination.

[0088] In a first implementation, a computer-implemented method includes: a first electronic device uses N transmit beam patterns to send an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to a base station on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; the first electronic device receives information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, wherein the information associated with SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for SL-BM; the first electronic device uses one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns to send one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to a second electronic device based on the received information associated with SL-BM.

[0089] The above and other described implementations may each optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0090] The first feature can be combined with any one of the following features, wherein receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: the first electronic device receives the transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam modes for SL-BM among the N transmit beam modes, and Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the first electronic device receives the allocation of the SL resources from the base station, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; wherein the first electronic device sends the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: the first electronic device uses the beams in the Q transmit beam patterns to send the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resources.

[0091] The second feature may be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

[0092] The third feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein receiving the information associated with SL-BM includes: the first electronic device receives the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns among the N transmit beam patterns that are not used for SL-BM, and P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the first electronic device receives the allocation of the SL resources from the base station, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; wherein the first electronic device sends the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: the first electronic device sends the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource using a transmit beam pattern, and the transmit beam pattern is included in the N transmit beam patterns but not included in the P transmit beam patterns.

[0093] The fourth feature, which can be combined with any one of the above or following features, also includes: the first electronic device receives configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources from the base station; the first electronic device determines the N transmit beam modes based on the N UL-SRS resources; the first electronic device receives an SL beam report from the second electronic device, wherein the SL beam report is generated by the second electronic device based on the measurement results of the SL-BMRS on the SL resources.

[0094] The fifth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to send the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to send the SL-BMRS.

[0095] The sixth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB, the second electronic device is outside the coverage of the gNB, and the first electronic device and the second electronic device communicate via a side link.

[0096] In a second implementation, an electronic device includes: a non-volatile memory including instructions; one or more hardware processors communicating with the memory, wherein the one or more hardware processors execute the instructions to perform operations including the following: sending an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to a base station on N UL-SRS resources using N transmit beam modes, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; receiving information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM; based on the received information associated with the SL-BM, sending one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to a second electronic device using one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns.

[0097] The above and other described implementations may each optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0098] The first feature can be combined with any one of the following features, wherein receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: receiving a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam modes for SL-BM among the N transmit beam modes, and Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; receiving an allocation of the SL resource from the base station, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; wherein sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource using a beam in the Q transmit beam patterns.

[0099] The second feature may be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

[0100] The third feature may be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: receiving an Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns among the N transmit beam patterns that are not used for SL-BM, and P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; receiving an allocation of the SL resource from the base station, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; wherein sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource using a transmit beam pattern, and the transmit beam pattern is included in the N transmit beam patterns but not included in the P transmit beam patterns.

[0101] The fourth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the operation also includes: receiving configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources from the base station; determining the N transmit beam modes based on the N UL-SRS resources; receiving an SL beam report from the second electronic device, wherein the SL beam report is generated by the second electronic device based on the measurement results of the SL-BMRS on the SL resources.

[0102] The fifth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to send the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to send the SL-BMRS.

[0103] The sixth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB, the second electronic device is outside the coverage of the gNB, and the first electronic device and the second electronic device communicate via a side link.

[0104] In a third implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer instructions for transmission beam control in data communication, and when the computer instructions are executed by one or more hardware processors, the one or more hardware processors perform operations including the following: a first electronic device uses N transmission beam modes to send an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to a base station on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; the first electronic device receives information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, where the information associated with SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmission beam pattern for SL-BM; the first electronic device uses one or more of the indicated transmission beam patterns to send one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to a second electronic device based on the received information associated with SL-BM.

[0105] The above and other described implementations may each optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0106] The first feature can be combined with any one of the following features, wherein receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: the first electronic device receives the transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam modes for SL-BM among the N transmit beam modes, and Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the first electronic device receives the allocation of the SL resources from the base station, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; wherein the first electronic device sends the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: the first electronic device uses the beams in the Q transmit beam patterns to send the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resources.

[0107] The second feature may be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

[0108] The third feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein receiving the information associated with SL-BM includes: the first electronic device receives the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns among the N transmit beam patterns that are not used for SL-BM, and P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the first electronic device receives the allocation of the SL resources from the base station, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; wherein the first electronic device sends the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: the first electronic device sends the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource using a transmit beam pattern, and the transmit beam pattern is included in the N transmit beam patterns but not included in the P transmit beam patterns.

[0109] The fourth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the operation also includes: the first electronic device receives configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources from the base station; the first electronic device determines the N transmit beam modes based on the N UL-SRS resources; the first electronic device receives an SL beam report from the second electronic device, wherein the SL beam report is generated by the second electronic device based on the measurement results of the SL-BMRS on the SL resources.

[0110] The fifth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to send the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to send the SL-BMRS.

[0111] The sixth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB, the second electronic device is outside the coverage of the gNB, and the first electronic device and the second electronic device communicate via a side link.

[0112] In a fourth implementation, a computer-implemented method includes: a base station receives an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from a first electronic device using N transmit beam patterns on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; the base station sends information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates the SL resources allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating the transmit beam pattern used for the SL-BM.

[0113] The above and other described implementations may each optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0114] The first feature can be combined with any one of the following features, wherein sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: the base station sending the transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam modes for SL-BM among the N transmit beam modes, and Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the base station sends the SL resources to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

[0115] The second feature may be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

[0116] The third feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein sending the information associated with SL-BM includes: the base station sending the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam modes among the N transmit beam modes that are not used for SL-BM, and P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the base station sends the SL resources to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

[0117] The fourth feature, which can be combined with any one of the above or following features, further includes: the base station sends configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources to the first electronic device.

[0118] The fifth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to send the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to send the SL-BMRS.

[0119] The sixth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the base station includes a 5G base station (gNB) and the first electronic device is within the coverage range of the gNB.

[0120] In a fifth implementation, a base station includes: a non-volatile memory including instructions; one or more hardware processors communicating with the memory, wherein the one or more hardware processors execute the instructions to perform operations including the following: receiving an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from a first electronic device using N transmit beam modes on N UL-SRS resources, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; and sending information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates the SL resources allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating the transmit beam pattern used for the SL-BM.

[0121] The above and other described implementations may each optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0122] The first feature can be combined with any one of the following features, wherein sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: sending the transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam modes for SL-BM among the N transmit beam modes, and Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; sending the SL resources to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

[0123] The second feature may be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

[0124] The third feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: sending the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam modes among the N transmit beam modes that are not used for SL-BM, and P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; sending the SL resources to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

[0125] The fourth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the operation also includes: sending configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources to the first electronic device.

[0126] The fifth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to send the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to send the SL-BMRS.

[0127] The sixth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the base station includes a 5G base station (gNB) and the first electronic device is within the coverage range of the gNB.

[0128] In a sixth implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer instructions for transmission beam control in data communication, and when the computer instructions are executed by one or more hardware processors, the one or more hardware processors perform operations including the following: a base station receives an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from a first electronic device using N transmission beam modes on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; the base station sends information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, where the information associated with SL-BM indicates SL resources allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmission beam pattern for SL-BM.

[0129] The above and other described implementations may each optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0130] The first feature can be combined with any one of the following features, wherein sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: the base station sending the transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam modes for SL-BM among the N transmit beam modes, and Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the base station sends the SL resources to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

[0131] The second feature may be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

[0132] The third feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein sending the information associated with SL-BM includes: the base station sending the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam modes among the N transmit beam modes that are not used for SL-BM, and P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the base station sends the SL resources to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resources are allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

[0133] The fourth feature, which can be combined with any one of the above or following features, further includes: the base station sends configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources to the first electronic device.

[0134] The fifth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to send the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to send the SL-BMRS.

[0135] The sixth feature can be combined with any one of the above or following features, wherein the base station includes a 5G base station (gNB) and the first electronic device is within the coverage range of the gNB.

[0136] The subject matter and implementation of the functional operations described in this specification may be implemented in digital electronic circuits, tangibly embodied computer software or firmware, computer hardware, including in the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in a combination of one or more thereof. The implementation of the subject matter described in this specification may be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, which are encoded in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable computer storage medium to be executed by a data processing device or to control the operation of the data processing device. Alternatively or in addition, the program instructions may be encoded in an artificially generated propagation signal (e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal) that is generated to encode information and thereby transmit it to a suitable receiver device for execution by a data processing device. The computer storage medium may be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access storage device, or a combination of computer storage media.

[0137] The terms "real-time / real time / realtime," "real(fast) time (RFT)," "near(ly) real-time (NRT)," "quasi-real-time," or similar terms (as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art) mean that an action and a response are close in time such that an individual perceives the action and the response to occur substantially simultaneously. For example, the time difference between the display of the response data (or the initiation of display) may be less than 1 ms, less than 1 second, or less than 5 seconds following the individual's action of accessing the data. Although the requested data need not be displayed (or initiated for display) immediately, the requested data may still be displayed (or initiated for display) without any intentional delay, given the processing limitations of the computing system and the time required to collect, accurately measure, analyze, process, store, or transmit the data.

[0138] The terms "data processing apparatus", "computer" or "electronic computer equipment" (or equivalents understood by those skilled in the art) refer to data processing hardware and cover various types of apparatus, equipment and machines for processing data, including programmable processors, computers or multiple processors or computers, etc. The apparatus may also be or further include a dedicated logic circuit, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In some implementations, the data processing apparatus or dedicated logic circuit (or a combination of data processing apparatus or dedicated logic circuit) may be based on hardware or software (or based on a combination of hardware and software). The apparatus may optionally include code that creates an execution environment for a computer program, such as code that constitutes a combination of processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system or an execution environment. The present invention contemplates the use of a data processing apparatus with or without a traditional operating system, such as LINUX, UNIX, WINDOWS, MAC OS, ANDROID, IOS or any other suitable traditional operating system.

[0139] A computer program (which may also be referred to or described as a program, software, software application, module, software module, script, or code) may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages, and may be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may (but need not) correspond to a file in a file system. A program may be stored in a portion of a file that includes other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the relevant program, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files storing one or more modules, subroutines, or portions of code). A computer program may be deployed for execution on a single computer or on multiple computers located at a single site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. Although the various portions of the program shown in the various figures are shown as separate modules that implement various features and functions through various objects, methods, or other processes, the program may also include many submodules, third-party services, components, libraries, etc., as appropriate. Conversely, the features and functions of various components may be combined into a single component as appropriate. The thresholds used to make computational decisions may be determined statically, dynamically, or a combination of statically and dynamically.

[0140] The methods, processes, or logic flows described herein may be performed by one or more programmable computers executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The methods, processes, or logic flows may also be performed by, and apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, such as a CPU, FPGA, or ASIC.

[0141] A computer suitable for executing a computer program can be based on a general or special microprocessor, based on a general and special microprocessor, or any other type of CPU. Typically, the CPU receives instructions and data from a ROM or random access memory (RAM) or both. The essential elements of a computer are a CPU for executing instructions and one or more storage devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer also includes one or more large-capacity storage devices (such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks) for storing data, or is operably coupled to one or more large-capacity storage devices for storing data, receives data from the large-capacity storage device, and / or transfers data to the large-capacity storage device. However, a computer does not necessarily have such devices. In addition, a computer can be embedded in other devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile audio or video players, game consoles, global positioning systems (GPS) receivers, or portable storage devices (such as universal serial bus (USB) flash drives), etc.

[0142] Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data (transitory or non-transitory, as the case may be) include nonvolatile memory, media, and storage devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; CD-ROM, DVD+ / –R, DVD-RAM, and DVD-ROM disks. Memory can store a variety of objects or data, including caches, categories, frameworks, applications, backup data, tasks, web pages, web page templates, database tables, repositories for storing dynamic information, and any other suitable information, including any parameters, variables, algorithms, instructions, rules, constraints, or references. Memory can also include any other suitable data, such as logs, policies, security or access data, report files, and other data. The processor and memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated into, special-purpose logic circuitry.

[0143] To interact with a user, implementations of the subject matter described herein can be implemented in a computer having a display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED), or plasma monitor, for displaying information to the user, as well as a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse, trackball, or trackpad) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Input can also be provided to the computer using a touch screen, such as a pressure-sensitive tablet computer surface, a multi-touch screen using capacitive or inductive sensing, or other types of touch screens. Other types of devices can also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, voice, or tactile input. Furthermore, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; for example, by sending a web page to a web browser on a user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser.

[0144] The term "graphical user interface" or "GUI" may be used in the singular or plural to describe one or more graphical user interfaces and each display of a particular graphical user interface. Thus, a GUI may refer to any graphical user interface that processes information and efficiently presents the results of that information to a user, including but not limited to a web browser, a touch screen, or a command line interface (CLI). Typically, a GUI may include a plurality of user interface (UI) elements, some or all of which are associated with a web browser, such as interactive fields, drop-down lists, and buttons. These and other UI elements may be related to or represent the functionality of a web browser.

[0145] Implementations of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), or includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer with a graphical user interface or a web browser), through which a user may interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein, or any combination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of wired or wireless digital data communication (or combination of data communications), such as a communications network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN), a radio access network (RAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX), a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g., using 802.11a / b / g / n or 802.20 (or a combination of 802.11x and 802.20 or other protocols consistent with the present invention), all or a portion of the Internet, or any other communication system (or combination of communication networks) at one or more locations. For example, a network can communicate Internet Protocol (IP) packets, Frame Relay frames, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells, voice, video, data, or other suitable information (or combination of communication types) between network addresses.

[0146] A computing system may include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises from computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0147] Although this specification includes many specific implementation details, these details should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of any invention or the scope of what is claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be unique to a particular implementation of a particular invention. Certain features described in this specification in the context of separate implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented individually in multiple implementations or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although previously described features may be described as functioning in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, in some cases one or more features in a claimed combination may be removed from the combination, and a claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variant of a subcombination.

[0148] A specific implementation of the present subject matter has been described. Other implementations, modifications, and permutations of the described implementations are within the scope of the appended claims and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Although operations are described in a particular order in the drawings or claims, this should not be construed as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all operations shown (some operations may be considered optional) be performed to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking or parallel processing (or a combination of multitasking and parallel processing) may be advantageous and may be performed as appropriate.

[0149] Furthermore, the separation or integration of various system modules and components in the previously described implementations should not be understood as requiring such separation or integration in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0150] Therefore, the exemplary implementations described above do not define or limit the present invention. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0151] Furthermore, any claimed implementation is considered applicable to at least one computer-implemented method; a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions to perform the computer-implemented method; and a computer system comprising a computer memory interoperably coupled with a hardware processor for performing the computer-implemented method or the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, characterized in that: include: The first electronic device transmits an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to the base station on N UL-SRS resources using N transmit beam patterns, where N is an integer greater than 1; The first electronic device receives information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM; The first electronic device transmits, based on the received information associated with the SL-BM, one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the second electronic device using one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns; Receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Receiving, by the first electronic device, a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam patterns for the SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; The first electronic device receives an allocation of the SL resource from the base station, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; The first electronic device sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: the first electronic device sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource using beams in the Q transmission beam patterns; or Receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Receiving, by the first electronic device, an anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns not used for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; The first electronic device receives an allocation of the SL resource from the base station, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; Among them, the first electronic device sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: the first electronic device uses a transmission beam pattern to send the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource, and the transmission beam pattern is included in the N transmission beam patterns but not included in the P transmission beam patterns.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein: Each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

3. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Also includes: The first electronic device receives configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources from the base station; The first electronic device determines the N transmit beam patterns based on the N UL-SRS resources; The first electronic device receives a SL beam report from the second electronic device, wherein the SL beam report is generated by the second electronic device based on a measurement result of the SL-BMRS on the SL resource.

4. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The information associated with SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, wherein a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to transmit the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to transmit the SL-BMRS.

5. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB, the second electronic device is outside the coverage of the gNB, and the first electronic device and the second electronic device communicate via a side link.

6. A first electronic device, characterized in that: include: Non-transitory memory, including instructions; One or more hardware processors in communication with the memory, wherein the one or more hardware processors execute the instructions to perform operations including: Using N transmit beam patterns to transmit an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) on N UL-SRS resources to a base station, where N is an integer greater than 1; receiving information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates SL resources allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM; Based on the received information associated with the SL-BM, transmit one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the second electronic device using one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns; Receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: receiving, from the base station, a transmitter quasico-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam patterns for the SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; receiving an allocation of the SL resource from the base station, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; The sending of the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource using beams in the Q transmission beam patterns; or Receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Receiving, from the base station, an anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS, wherein the anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns not used for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; receiving an allocation of the SL resource from the base station, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; Wherein, sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource using a transmission beam pattern, wherein the transmission beam pattern is included in the N transmission beam patterns but is not included in the P transmission beam patterns.

7. The first electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

8. The first electronic device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The operations further include: receiving, from the base station, configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources; determining the N transmit beam patterns based on the N UL-SRS resources; An SL beam report is received from the second electronic device, wherein the SL beam report is generated by the second electronic device based on a measurement result of the SL-BMRS on the SL resource.

9. The first electronic device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The information associated with SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, wherein a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to transmit the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to transmit the SL-BMRS.

10. The first electronic device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB, the second electronic device is outside the coverage of the gNB, and the first electronic device and the second electronic device communicate via a side link.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions, characterized in that: When the computer instructions are executed by one or more hardware processors, the one or more hardware processors are caused to perform operations including: The first electronic device transmits an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) to the base station on N UL-SRS resources using N transmit beam patterns, where N is an integer greater than 1; The first electronic device receives information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) from the base station, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM; The first electronic device transmits, based on the received information associated with the SL-BM, one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the second electronic device using one or more of the indicated transmit beam patterns; Receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Receiving, by the first electronic device, a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam patterns for the SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; The first electronic device receives an allocation of the SL resource from the base station, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; The first electronic device sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: the first electronic device sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource using beams in the Q transmission beam patterns; or Receiving the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Receiving, by the first electronic device, an anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and the SL-BMRS from the base station, wherein the anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns not used for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; The first electronic device receives an allocation of the SL resource from the base station, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; Among them, the first electronic device sending the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device includes: the first electronic device uses a transmission beam pattern to send the SL-BMRS to the second electronic device on the SL resource, and the transmission beam pattern is included in the N transmission beam patterns but not included in the P transmission beam patterns.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein: Each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The operations further include: The first electronic device receives configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources from the base station; The first electronic device determines the N transmit beam patterns based on the N UL-SRS resources; The first electronic device receives a SL beam report from the second electronic device, wherein the SL beam report is generated by the second electronic device based on a measurement result of the SL-BMRS on the SL resource.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The information associated with SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, wherein a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to transmit the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to transmit the SL-BMRS.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB, the second electronic device is outside the coverage of the gNB, and the first electronic device and the second electronic device communicate via a side link.

16. A computer-implemented method, characterized in that: include: The base station receives an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from the first electronic device using N transmit beam patterns on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; The base station transmits information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM; Sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: The base station transmits, to the first electronic device, a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS), wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam patterns for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N. The base station sends the SL resource to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; or Sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Sending, by the base station, an Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns not used for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; The base station sends the SL resource to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein: Each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

18. The computer-implemented method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: Also includes: The base station sends configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources to the first electronic device.

19. The computer-implemented method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The information associated with SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, wherein a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to transmit the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to transmit the SL-BMRS.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 16 or 17, wherein: The base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), and the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB.

21. A base station, characterized in that: include: Non-transitory memory, including instructions; One or more hardware processors in communication with the memory, wherein the one or more hardware processors execute the instructions to perform operations including: receiving an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from a first electronic device using N transmit beam patterns on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; Sending information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM; Sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Transmitting a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam patterns for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; Sending the SL resource to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; or, Sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Sending an Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns not used for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; The SL resource is sent to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

22. The base station according to claim 21, characterized in that Each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

23. The base station according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The operations also include sending configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources to the first electronic device.

24. The base station according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The information associated with SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, wherein a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to transmit the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to transmit the SL-BMRS.

25. The base station according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), and the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions, characterized in that: When the computer instructions are executed by one or more hardware processors, the one or more hardware processors are caused to perform operations including: The base station receives an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) from the first electronic device using N transmit beam patterns on N UL-SRS resources, where N is an integer greater than 1; The base station transmits information associated with sidelink beam management (SL-BM) to the first electronic device, wherein the information associated with the SL-BM indicates an SL resource allocated to the first electronic device and a beam pattern index indicating a transmit beam pattern for the SL-BM; Sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: The base station transmits, to the first electronic device, a transmitter quasi co-located (Tx-QCL) relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS), wherein the Tx-QCL relationship indicates Q transmit beam patterns for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N. The base station sends the SL resource to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS; or Sending the information associated with the SL-BM includes: Sending, by the base station, an Anti-Tx-QCL relationship between the UL-SRS and one or more sidelink beam management reference signals (SL-BMRS) to the first electronic device, wherein the Anti-Tx-QCL relationship indicates P transmit beam patterns not used for SL-BM among the N transmit beam patterns, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; The base station sends the SL resource to the first electronic device, wherein the SL resource is allocated by the base station to the SL-BMRS.

27. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein: Each of the Q transmit beam patterns indicates a direction away from the base station.

28. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 26 or 27, wherein: Also includes: The base station sends configuration information indicating the N UL-SRS resources to the first electronic device.

29. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 26 or 27, wherein: The information associated with SL-BM includes a bitmap having N bits, wherein a positive bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is allowed to be used to transmit the SL-BMRS, and a negative or zero bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding transmit beam mode is prohibited from being used to transmit the SL-BMRS.

30. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 26 or 27, wherein: The base station includes a 5G base station (gNB), and the first electronic device is within the coverage of the gNB.

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