Allocating resources for direct user equipment communication

Abstract

A transmitting user equipment is disclosed, comprising means for generating assistance information for a network node. The network node provides a resource grant for a sidelink communication between the transmitting user equipment and at least one receiving user equipment. The receiving user equipment is configured to operate in a discontinuous reception mode comprising a discontinuous reception cycle with an active time and an inactive time. The assistance information comprises a plurality of elements indicative of sidelink communication characteristics, and at least one element of the plurality of elements comprises an indication of the discontinuous reception mode of the receiving user equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to allocating resources for direct communication between user equipments, and particularly for sidelink communication between user equipments. Background Technology

[0002] User equipment (UEs) can communicate directly with each other, using sidelink (SL) channels in some cases. The allocation of sidelink channels can be completed under the control of the network node. Semi-persistent scheduling of sidelink resources with authorized sidelink configurations may exist. To ensure this allocation reflects the UE's needs, information about sidelink transmissions can be sent to the network node as SL-UE-AssistanceInformationNR and / or SidelinkUEInformation. This information provides the network node with information that may include the periodicity of sidelink transmissions, message size, any timing offsets, and quality of service requirements (such as packet delay budget). The network node uses this information when generating authorizations for sidelink configurations.

[0003] Power-saving aspects have been introduced into user equipment, enabling discontinuous reception (DRX) of SL signals on the UE. When SL DRX is operational, for reliable reception, the transmission should be made during the active period of the receiving UE's (Rx UE) SL DRX. This can be complex, as the SL DRX cycle of the Rx UE can sometimes change in ways not visible to the network, even though the network may have some degree of SL DRX cycle visibility.

[0004] The aim is to provide a way to allocate resources for sidelink transmissions in order to increase the probability of successful transmission reception. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The scope of protection sought by the various embodiments of this invention is defined by the independent claims. Embodiments and features (if any) described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims should be interpreted as examples that aid in understanding the various embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to various, but not all, embodiments of the present invention, according to a first aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: components for generating auxiliary information for a network node that authorizes resources for sidelink communication between the apparatus and at least one receiving user equipment, the at least one receiving user equipment being configured to operate in a discontinuous reception mode comprising a discontinuous reception period having active and inactive times, the auxiliary information comprising a plurality of elements indicating characteristics of the sidelink communication; wherein at least one of the plurality of elements includes an indication of the discontinuous reception mode of the receiving user equipment.

[0007] In some example embodiments, the characteristics of the sidelink communication include at least one of sidelink service characteristics and sidelink quality of service characteristics.

[0008] In some example embodiments, the auxiliary information includes at least one of UE auxiliary information and UE-side link information.

[0009] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a component for comparing the service periodicity of the sidelink communication with the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period; the component for generating the auxiliary information updates at least one of the plurality of elements in response to the component for comparison indicating that the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period is different from the service periodicity, to provide the indication of the discontinuous reception mode.

[0010] In some example embodiments, at least one of the plurality of elements includes an element configured to indicate periodic data, the element being updated using an indication of the period of the discontinuous reception period.

[0011] In some example embodiments, at least one of the plurality of elements includes an element configured to indicate message size, which is updated by multiplying the element by a factor derived from the ratio of the discontinuous reception period to the service periodicity.

[0012] In some example embodiments, the comparison component is configured to compare the allowable delay time of the sidelink communication with the discontinuous reception period in response to the period of the discontinuous reception period being shorter than the service periodicity, and to instruct the generation component to update the message size only if the allowable delay time is longer than the discontinuous reception period.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a component for viewing a timing offset value for the sidelink communication, the timing offset value indicating the arrival time of data to be transmitted at the apparatus, and wherein the timing offset value provides an arrival time outside the active time, to instruct the component for generating to update one of the elements of the information configured to indicate the timing offset to a value indicating the arrival time of the data within the active time.

[0014] In some example embodiments, the component for viewing the timing offset value is also configured to trigger the component for generating the timing offset value to generate at least one timing offset value that provides an arrival time within at least one of a plurality of active times of the receiving user equipment falling within the allowed delay time.

[0015] In some example embodiments, the component for viewing the timing offset value is also configured to trigger the component for generating a plurality of timing offset values ​​that provide arrival times for the receiving user equipment within corresponding plurality of active time periods falling within the allowed delay time.

[0016] In some example embodiments, the comparison component is configured to compare the allowable delay time of the sidelink communication with the discontinuous reception period in response to determining that the period of the discontinuous reception period is longer than the service period, and wherein the allowable delay time is shorter, to trigger the generation component to derive the factor from a rounded value of the ratio of the discontinuous reception period to the service periodicity.

[0017] In some example embodiments, the comparison component is configured to compare the duration of the activity time with an allowable delay time for the sidelink communication, wherein the allowable delay time is longer than the duration of the activity time, to instruct the generation component to update one of the elements in the auxiliary information, the auxiliary information being configured to provide a value equal to or shorter than the allowable delay time of the activity time.

[0018] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: components for sending the auxiliary information toward the network node; and components for receiving authorization of the resource from the network node.

[0019] In some example embodiments, the component for transmission is also configured to send sidelink communication toward the receiving user equipment using resources indicated in the authorization of the resource.

[0020] In some example embodiments, the component used for generation generates updated auxiliary information in response to updates during the discontinuous reception period of the receiving user equipment.

[0021] In some example embodiments, the component includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory, including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause performance of the device.

[0022] According to various, but not all, embodiments of the present invention, according to a second aspect, a method is provided comprising generating auxiliary information for a network node that authorizes resources for sidelink communication between the device and at least one receiving user equipment, the at least one receiving user equipment being configured to operate in a discontinuous reception mode that operates during a discontinuous reception period including active and inactive times, the auxiliary information comprising a plurality of elements indicating characteristics of the sidelink communication; wherein at least one of the plurality of elements includes an indication of the discontinuous reception mode of the receiving user equipment.

[0023] In some example embodiments, the method includes: comparing the service periodicity of the sidelink communication with the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period, and in response to the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period being different from the service periodicity, generating the auxiliary information for the network node by updating at least one element of the plurality of elements in the auxiliary information to provide the indication of the discontinuous reception mode.

[0024] According to various, but not all, embodiments of the invention, in accordance with a third aspect, a computer program is provided, comprising computer-readable code that, when executed by a processor, is operable to control the processor to perform the method according to a second aspect.

[0025] According to various, but not all, embodiments of the invention, in another aspect, a circuit system is provided configured to generate auxiliary information for a network node that authorizes resources for sidelink communication between the device and at least one receiving user equipment, the at least one receiving user equipment being configured to operate in a discontinuous reception mode comprising a discontinuous reception period having active and inactive times, the auxiliary information comprising a plurality of elements indicating characteristics of the sidelink communication; wherein at least one of the plurality of elements includes an indication of the discontinuous reception mode of the receiving user equipment.

[0026] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a comparison circuit system configured to compare the service periodicity of the sidelink communication with the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period, and the generation circuit configured to update at least one of the plurality of elements in response to the comparison circuit system indicating that the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period is different from the service periodicity, to provide the indication of the discontinuous reception mode.

[0027] In some example embodiments, the comparison circuit is configured to compare the allowable delay time of the sidelink communication with the discontinuous reception period before the generation circuit system updates the message size in response to the period of the discontinuous reception period being shorter than the service periodicity, and to instruct the generation circuit system to update the message size only if the allowable delay time is longer than the discontinuous reception period.

[0028] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes circuitry configured to view timing offset values ​​for the sidelink communication, the timing offset values ​​indicating the arrival time of data to be transmitted at the apparatus, and wherein the timing offset values ​​provide arrival times outside the active time, to instruct the generating circuitry to update one of the elements of the information configured to indicate the timing offset to a value indicating the arrival time of the data within the active time.

[0029] In some exemplary embodiments, the viewing circuitry is further configured to trigger the generating circuitry to generate at least one timing offset value that provides an arrival time within at least one of a plurality of active times of the receiving user equipment falling within the allowed delay time.

[0030] In some example embodiments, the comparison circuit is configured to compare the allowable delay time of the sidelink communication with the discontinuous reception period in response to determining that the period of the discontinuous reception period is longer than the service periodicity, and wherein the allowable delay time is shorter, to derive the factor from the ratio of the discontinuous reception period to the service periodicity, the ratio being rounded to an integer value.

[0031] In some example embodiments, the comparison circuitry is configured to compare the duration of the activity time with an allowable delay time for the sidelink communication, wherein the allowable delay time is longer than the duration of the activity time, to trigger the generation circuitry to update one of the elements in the auxiliary information, the auxiliary information being configured to provide a value equal to or shorter than the allowable delay time of the activity time.

[0032] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes a transmitting circuit system configured to send the auxiliary information toward the network node; and a receiving circuit system configured to receive authorization of the resource from the network node.

[0033] In some example embodiments, the transmitting circuitry is also configured to transmit sidelink communication toward the receiving user equipment using resources indicated in the authorization of the resources.

[0034] In some example embodiments, the generating circuit generates updated auxiliary information in response to updates during the discontinuous reception period of the receiving user equipment.

[0035] Further specific and preferred aspects are set forth in the appended independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims where appropriate, and may also be combined with features expressly specified in the claims.

[0036] When a device feature is described as operable to provide a function, it should be understood that this includes device features that provide the function or are adapted or configured to provide the function. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the method steps performed at the UE to generate auxiliary information including DRX mode information is shown schematically.

[0039] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the steps performed when creating a SidelinkUEInformation message that includes DRX mode information is shown schematically.

[0040] Figure 3 Inconsistent DRX configurations and business models were observed.

[0041] Figure 4 Elements of auxiliary information that can be updated in the embodiments are schematically shown;

[0042] Figure 5 The signaling between the user equipment and the network node is illustrated schematically.

[0043] Figure 6 A user equipment according to one embodiment is illustrated schematically;

[0044] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating the steps in a method according to one embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Before discussing the example embodiments in more detail, an overview will first be provided.

[0046] The example implementation involves sidelink communication between user equipment (UEs). Sidelink communication has been used for V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication, and the UE is typically always on. However, power saving has been introduced for sidelink communication to make it more suitable for vulnerable road users and users in public safety and commercial use cases. With the introduction of power saving, the UE can operate in discontinuous reception mode (DRX), meaning that sometimes the UE is inactive and unable to receive signals.

[0047] There are two potential modes for sidelink resource allocation: Mode 1 – sidelink transmission resources are scheduled by network nodes, which can be gNBs or 5G network nodes; or Mode 2 – the UE autonomously selects sidelink transmission resources from the resource pool. When using sidelink DRX, the UE periodically receives data from other UEs to conserve power and is unable to receive signals during inactive periods. This can cause problems when allocating resources for sidelink communication, as allocating resources during the inactive periods of the receiving UE will result in no signal reception. In Mode 1, where resources are allocated by the gNB, the gNB may not have sufficient information about whether the receiving UE is active, and therefore may not guarantee that any allocated resources will be available during the receiving UE's active periods.

[0048] In current SL designs, the UE assistance information procedure is specified in 3GPP TS38.331, allowing the UE to notify the network of authorized assistance information configured for SL communication. This information may include:

[0049] SL-UE-AssistanceInformationNR-r16::=SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofTrafficPattern-r16))OF SL-TrafficPatternInfo-r16

[0050] SL-TrafficPatternInfo-r16::=SEQUENCE{

[0051] trafficPeriodicity-r16 ENUMERATED{ms20,ms50,ms100,ms200,ms300,ms400,ms500,ms600,ms700,ms800,ms900,ms1000},

[0052] timingOffset-r16 INTEGER(0..10239),

[0053] messageSize-r16 BIT STRING(SIZE(8)),

[0054] sl-QoS-FlowIdentity-r16 SL-QoS-FlowIdentity-r16}

[0055] The sl-QoS-FlowIdentity uniquely identifies a sidelink QoS flow between a UE and a network within the UE's range, and this is unique for different destinations and broadcast types. Therefore, the sl-QoS-FlowIdentity can be used to identify the destination of SL communication, i.e., the SL Rx UE.

[0056] Other information elements in SL-TrafficPatternInfo, such as trafficPeriodicity, timingOffset, and messageSize, are based on service business characteristics.

[0057] The inventors recognized that the auxiliary information sent to network nodes affects how resources are allocated to user equipment. Therefore, they realized that if the elements of the auxiliary information indicating the characteristics of the currently transmitted sidelink communication change, the timing of resource allocation will be altered accordingly, and thus, by carefully manipulating these elements, the allocation of sidelink resources can be controlled to always occur within the active time of the Rx UE without incurring additional signaling overhead.

[0058] In some examples, elements of the UE assistance information sent to the gNB in ​​the form of SL-TrafficPatternInfo in the UEAssistanceInformation message are updated to reflect the SL DRX configuration.

[0059] In practice, the embodiments seek to reuse at least one existing standard procedure and signaling message to report the SLDRX configuration of the Rx UE without introducing additional signaling and standardization overhead to address the inconsistency between the authorization of the SL configuration of the Mode 1 to SL transmitting UE (Tx UE) and the DRX activity time of the SL Rx UE.

[0060] The embodiment proposes a new UE behavior in reporting SL service mode to implicitly provide the DRX activity time information of the SL Rx UE to the serving gNB of the SL Tx UE, thereby facilitating the authorization of SL configuration for mode 1 resource allocation.

[0061] In summary, a UE configured for sidelink communication is configured to send auxiliary information to the gNB, which allows the gNB to provide notified semi-persistent resource scheduling for sidelink communication within a configured sidelink grant. The auxiliary information can be provided in a message with multiple elements that provide information about different characteristics of the sidelink communication, such as service periodicity, message size, timing offset, and the required quality of service. The auxiliary information is provided in a known format so that each element can be identified by the network node receiving the information. Updating one or more of these elements to reflect the RxUE's SL DRX configuration allows for consistent or at least more likely resource allocation during the RxUE's active time period.

[0062] Therefore, embodiments seek to use these existing auxiliary information messages to provide information about the discontinuous reception mode of the receiving UE-Rx UE, particularly about the activity time of the Rx UE. These existing auxiliary information messages are modified so that the information provided takes into account the activity time of the receiving user equipment. This process can be transparent to the network node.

[0063] In some example embodiments, additionally or alternatively, in consideration of the service characteristics of QoS and SL service, the SL Tx UE may also consider the DRX configuration of the SL Rx UE to formulate the following RRC IEs (Information Elements): UEAssistanceInformation and SidelinkUEInformation messages implicitly indicate the active time of the Rx UE's DRX configuration without introducing new signaling messages.

[0064] When the SL-DRX-cycle configured in the DRX configuration of the SL Rx UE is not equal to the service periodicity of the SL service for SL communication between the SL UE and the Rx UE, the IE of trafficPeriodicity in SL-TrafficPatternInfo of UEAssistanceInformation can be set to the SL-DRX-cycle of the SL Rx UE instead of the service periodicity.

[0065] Note that in the Uu interface, the SL-DRX-cycle parameter is equivalent to the periodic part (i.e., drx-LongCycle) of the drx-LongCycleStartOffset parameter in the DRX-config IE. In SL, the parameter name has not yet been defined.

[0066] Due to unequal SL-DRX cycles and service periodicity, the amount of SL services arriving within an SL-DRX-cycle is not equal to the actual message size of the SL service. To address this issue, the messageSize IE (information element) in the SL-TrafficPatternInfo of UEAssistanceInformation can be set to X times the actual message size of the SL service, where X = SL-DRX-cycle / service periodicity.

[0067] If the timing offset of the SL service's traffic mode is not within the active time of the SL Rx UE's DRX, then the IE of timingOffset in SL-TrafficPatternInfo of UEAssistanceInformation is set to SL-DRX-Start-Offset instead of the timing offset of the SL service. Thus, when the Rx UE enters the on-duration period according to the configured SL DRX, it will trigger the gNB to allocate mode 1 resources only after SL-DRX-Start-Offset.

[0068] Note that in the Uu interface, the SL-DRX-Start-Offset parameter is equivalent to the offset portion of the drx-LongCycleStartOffset parameter (i.e., drx-StartOffset) within the DRX-config IE.

[0069] If SL-DRX-OnDurationTimer is shorter than the packet delay budget of the QoS profile for the SL service, then the IE of SL-PacketDelayBudget in the SL-Non-StandardizedPQI of the SL-QoS-Profile in the SidelinkUEInformation message is set to the SL-DRX-OnDurationTimer value, instead of the actual packet delay budget of the SL service. This triggers the gNB to allocate Mode 1 resources for the DRX-enabled duration configured in the Rx UE's DRX configuration, as the gNB's scheduler must allocate resources to meet the QoS packet delay budget requirements.

[0070] Note that in the Uu interface, the SL-DRX-OnDurationTimer parameter is equivalent to the drx-onDurationTimer parameter in the DRX-Config IE.

[0071] Figure 1 and Figure 2A flowchart showing a method performed at an SL Tx UE according to some embodiments is given.

[0072] Figure 1 The method steps performed when corresponding relevant IEs are formulated in an updated UEAssistanceInformation message to reflect the Rx UE active time are shown, and Figure 2 The steps performed when corresponding relevant IEs are formulated in an updated SidelinkUEInformation message to reflect the Rx UE active time are shown.

[0073] Figure 1 The steps of a method performed when a UE is triggered to send a UEAssistanceInformation message to update the SL-TrafficPatternInfo at a network node are shown. This trigger is shown as step S10, and the UE responds by determining in step D5 whether the Sidelink DRX period is equal to the SL-trafficPeriodicity. If it is determined to be equal, the trafficPeriodicity element of the UEAssistanceInformation is simply set to the SL-trafficPeriodicity in step S30, and if it is determined to be unequal, the trafficPeriodicity element is set to the Sidelink DRX period length in step S20. After step S20, the message size in the assistance information is updated in step S40 to the original message size multiplied by a factor equal to the length of the Sidelink DRX period divided by the traffic periodicity. Thus, in the case where the discontinuous mode period is longer than the SL-trafficPeriodicity, the message size is increased, and in the case where the discontinuous mode period is shorter than the SL-trafficPeriodicity, the message size is decreased. This is because by using the time length of the Sidelink DRX period instead of the SL-trafficPeriodicity in the assistance information, the resource allocation for sidelink communication will be changed to correspond to this timing, and thus, in the case where the period is longer (Sidelink DRX period > SL-trafficPeriodicity), multiple messages can arrive at the UE in each DRX period, and thus more resources will be needed to send these multiple messages and to accommodate this, the message size in the SL-TrafficPatternInfo is increased, while in the case where the Sidelink DRX period < SL-trafficPeriodicity, the average number of bits to be sent per period is less because the average number of messages arriving in each DRX period is less than 1.

[0074] In step D15, the UE also determines whether the timing offset of the sidelinkTrafficPattern is within the active time of the SL DRX. If yes, the timing offset is simply set to the normal timing offset in step S50; otherwise, the timing offset is set to the start of the active time of the SL DRX in step S60. In this regard, the timing offset is the time when the data to be sent via the sidelink message arrives at the Tx UE.

[0075] Figure 2 Another method for generating and sending updated sidelink UE information messages is illustrated. In the initial step S100, the UE is triggered to send a SidelinkUEInformation message to update the Quality of Service profile used for sidelink communication. Then, in step D105, the UE determines whether the sidelink DRX on-time duration is less than the sidelink packet delay budget (PDB), i.e., the acceptable delay time for sending the message. If so, in step S110, the sidelink PDB element in the information message is set to the on-time duration of the DRX receive mode activity time; otherwise, in step S120, the sidelink packet delay budget element is simply set to the sidelink packet delay budget.

[0076] Typically, the service service model is one aspect to consider when configuring DRX. However, it's not always possible to have completely consistent DRX configurations and corresponding service models for the target service, especially when a single SL Rx UE involves multiple SL communications of different types. Some examples of inconsistencies between DRX configurations and service models are... Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. In this case, if the Tx UE reports SL service mode information without considering the Rx UE's DRX configuration, there is no guarantee that the Mode 1 resources authorized by the SL configuration allocated by the gNB will fall within the active time of the SL Rx UE's DRX. The embodiments seek to address this issue by using the SL-TrafficPatternInfo message in the RRC in some cases: the UEAssistanceInformation message sets the service mode based on the Rx UE's SL DRX rather than the SL Tx UE's service service, as follows:

[0077] SL-TrafficPatternInfo-r16::=SEQUENCE{

[0078] trafficPeriodicity-r16=SL-DRX-cycle,

[0079] timingOffset-r16=SL-DRX-Start-Offset,

[0080] messageSize-r16=message size of traffic*[SL-DRX-cycle / trafficperiodicity]

[0081] }

[0082] Therefore, the transmission of UEAssistanceInformation and / or SidelinkUEInformation messages from an SL Tx UE can be triggered not only by updates to the SL service mode and / or SL QoS profile, but also in response to updates to the SL DRX configuration in the SLRx UE.

[0083] Figure 4 The different elements of auxiliary information that can be sent to a network node to assist it in performing sidelink configuration authorization are illustrated very schematically. In this example, auxiliary information 10, as regular auxiliary information, includes element 10a indicating traffic periodicity, element 10b indicating timing offset, element 10C indicating message size, and element 10D indicating packet delay budget for SL communication. Updated auxiliary information 12 according to an embodiment shows each of these elements being updated to reflect the DRX cycle of the Rx UE. In this respect, although they are all shown as being updated in this example, in embodiments, only one or a subset of them may be updated.

[0084] Therefore, element 10a, which is typically SL-trafficPeriodicity, can be updated to reflect the period length of the receiving UE's DRX mode. Element 10b, which is typically the timing offset, can be updated to reflect the start of the Rx UE's active time. Element 10c, which is typically the message size, can be updated to provide an updated message size, which can be based on the original message size multiplied by a factor depending on the ratio of the SL DRX mode period to SL-trafficPeriodicity at the Rx UE. Element 10d, which is typically the packet delay budget, can be updated to reflect the duration of the SL DRX mode's active time at the Rx UE.

[0085] Figure 5The signaling between the receiving UE, the transmitting UE, and the network node gNB is illustrated schematically. Initially, the two user equipments can communicate directly with each other using sidelink communication. In one aspect, SL DRX can be configured, and the UE enters a power-saving mode with discontinuous reception. In response, the transmitting UE can generate updated auxiliary information reflecting the SL DRX mode cycle, and this updated auxiliary information can be sent to the network node as part of the UE auxiliary information and / or as part of the sidelink service privilege information. In response, the network node will provide the transmitting UE with authorized allocation of resources for the sidelink configuration, and these configured resources will reflect the receiving UE's SL DRX mode. The transmitting UE can then transmit to the receiving UE on the allocated resources.

[0086] Figure 6 A network node 20 configured to allocate resources for sidelink communication between a transmitting UE 50T and a receiving UE 50R is schematically shown. The transmitting UE 50T includes a generation circuitry system 54 configured to generate updated auxiliary information for transmission to the network node 20 by the transmitting circuitry system 56. The generation circuitry system 54 receives a signal from a comparison circuitry system 58 configured to compare a value such as the periodicity of the SL service with the DRX period of the receiving UE 50R. If they are not equal, it indicates this to the generation circuitry system 54, which responds by generating updated auxiliary information for transmission to the network node.

[0087] The transmitting UE 50T also includes a viewing circuitry 57 for viewing timing offset values ​​for sidelink communication, which indicate the arrival time of data to be transmitted by the transmitting UE 50T. The viewing circuitry compares these values ​​with the active time of the receiving UE, and when they are outside the active time, generates an indication to the generating circuitry 54 that the timing offset values ​​should be updated.

[0088] The comparison circuit system 54 also compares other values, such as the value of the packet delay budget, with the SL DRX cycle and sends the comparison results to the generation circuit system 54, which responds to the results by updating the message size in the auxiliary information.

[0089] The updated UE assistance information is transmitted to network node 20 by transmitting circuit system 56. Network node 20 responds to the reception of the UE assistance information by providing a configured sidelink grant, which is a semi-permanent grant of resources for sidelink communication.

[0090] These are received at the receiving circuit system 59 at the transmitting UE 50T, and the allocated SL resources are then used to send sidelink communications to the receiving user equipment 50R.

[0091] Below are additional examples of how different elements of auxiliary information can be updated to reflect the SL DRX mode at the receiving UE.

[0092] In addition to the DRX configuration of the SL Rx UE, the QoS of the service traffic of the SL Tx UE can also affect the parameter settings of SL-TrafficPatternInfo.

[0093] In one embodiment, if the SL-DRX-cycle is shorter than the service periodicity, the SL Tx UE can determine whether to provide the actual message size or a reduced message size (= actual message size * [SL-DRX-cycle / service periodicity]) based on the service's PDB (Packet Delay Budget). For example, if the PDB is greater than the SL-DRX-cycle, a reduced message size can be provided. Otherwise, the actual message size is provided.

[0094] In one embodiment, if the SL-DRX-cycle is shorter than the service periodicity, the SL Tx UE, based on the service's PDB, the determined message size (whether the actual message size or a reduced message size), and / or service density, can set the timing offset of the SL service's service mode to the time offset of SL-DRX-Start-Offset from the start of the first SL DRX cycle to any SL DRX cycle within the service periodicity (which has an SL DRX on-duration). In a simpler implementation, the timing offset can be equal to SL-DRX-Start-Offset + (SL-DRX-cycle * Y), where Y can be any integer value between 0 and a lower integer of [service periodicity / SL-DRX-cycle] - 1. This allows the SL UE to trigger the gNB to allocate the configured license, causing the SL service to be distributed across different SL DRX cycles of the SL Rx UE's DRX (thus resulting in different activity times) to meet PDB requirements.

[0095] In one embodiment, if the SL-DRX-cycle is greater than the service periodicity, the SL Tx UE can determine that if the PDB is shorter than the SL-DRX-cycle, it uses the integer value of [SL-DRX-cycle / service periodicity] multiplied by the actual message size as the message size reported in the SL-trafficPatternInfo. Thus, when the PDB is shorter than the SL-DRX-cycle, SL data arriving during two consecutive service arrival cycles can be sent within one SL DRX cycle. For example, if the SL-DRX-cycle is 40ms and the service periodicity is 30ms, two messages may arrive within one SL-DRX-cycle. Therefore, if the SL service's PDB is shorter than 40ms, the SL Tx UE can report a message size of 2 * actual message size to trigger the gNB's configured authorization of allocating data volume at twice the actual message size. Otherwise, if the PDB of the SL service is long and the SL data can wait for more than one SL-DRX-cycle, the SL Tx UE can report a message size of 1.3 * actual message size to trigger a more efficient mode 1 resource allocation from the gNB.

[0096] Figure 7 A flowchart of the steps of a method performed at a transmitting UE according to some of the embodiments described above is provided.

[0097] In step D200, it is determined whether the sidelink DRX period is equal to the service periodicity. If so, the UE does not update the auxiliary information. However, if the comparison indicates that they are not equal, in step S200, the service periodicity element in the auxiliary information can be updated using the sidelink DRX period.

[0098] In step D205, it is determined whether the SL DRX period is less than the service periodicity. If so, in step D215, it is determined whether the PDB used for SL communication is greater than the SL DRX period. If so, the message size is reduced by a factor that is the ratio of the DRX period to the service periodicity; otherwise, the message size remains unchanged. The timing offset is also updated and set to one or more values ​​of the start time of the active period at the Rx UE in the next or subsequent period. At this point, if the PDB is greater than the SL DRX period, there are more than one Rx UE active time, where messages can be sent in the PDB and still within the PDB, and therefore, the timing for sending messages can be set to any one or more of those active times within the PDB.

[0099] If the SL DRX mode period at Rx UE is found to be not less than the service periodicity (in other words, if it is found to be greater than the service periodicity at step D205), then in step D225, it is determined whether the PDB is less than the SL DRX period. If so, the message size is increased by a factor that is an integer value representing the ratio of the SL DRX period to the service periodicity. In other words, if the factor is 2.3, it will be set to 3, meaning the factor is rounded.

[0100] If the packet delay budget is not less than the SL DRX period, then in step S230, the message size is increased by a factor that is the ratio of the SL DRX period to the business periodicity.

[0101] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the steps of the various methods described above can be performed by a programmed computer. Some embodiments are also intended to cover program storage devices, such as digital data storage media, that are machine- or computer-readable and encode instructions for a machine-executable or computer-executable program, said instructions performing some or all of the steps of the methods described above. The program storage device may be, for example, a digital memory, a magnetic storage medium such as a disk and tape, a hard disk drive, or an optically readable digital data storage medium. These embodiments are also intended to cover computers programmed to perform the steps of the methods described above.

[0102] As used in this application, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0103] (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuit systems) and

[0104] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable):

[0105] (i) A combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0106] (ii) Any part of a hardware processor (including multiple digital signal processors), software, and memory (multiple of which work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions) and

[0107] (c) Multiple hardware circuits and / or multiple processors (such as multiple microprocessors or a portion thereof) that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but which may be absent when no software is required to operate.

[0108] This definition of "circuit system" applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit system" also covers implementations of hardware circuitry or processors (or processors in general) or portions thereof and their accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuit system" also covers (e.g., and if applicable to elements of a particular claim) baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or networking devices.

[0109] Although embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to various examples in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that modifications may be made to the given examples without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

[0110] The features described above can be used in combinations other than those explicitly described.

[0111] Although the functions have been described with reference to certain features, these functions can be performed by other features regardless of whether they are described or not.

[0112] Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, these features may exist in other embodiments, whether or not they are described.

[0113] Although efforts have been made in the foregoing description to draw attention to those features of the invention that are considered particularly important, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection for any patentable features or combinations thereof mentioned above and / or shown in the drawings, regardless of whether they have been specifically emphasized.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: A component for generating auxiliary information for a network node that grants resources for sidelink communication between the device and at least one receiving user equipment, the at least one receiving user equipment being configured to operate in a discontinuous reception mode, the discontinuous reception mode including a discontinuous reception period having active and inactive times, the auxiliary information including multiple elements indicating the characteristics of the sidelink communication; At least one of the plurality of elements includes an indication of the discontinuous reception mode of the receiving user equipment; as well as The apparatus further includes: a component for comparing the service periodicity of the sidelink communication with the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period; the component for generating the auxiliary information updates at least one element of the plurality of elements in response to the component for comparison indicating that the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period is different from the service periodicity, to provide the indication of the discontinuous reception mode. The at least one element among the plurality of elements includes at least one of the following: An element configured to indicate periodic data is updated using an indication of the period of the discontinuous reception period; An element configured to indicate message size is updated by multiplying the element by a factor derived from the ratio of the discontinuous reception period to the service periodicity. An element configured to indicate a timing offset, the device includes components for viewing a timing offset value for the sidelink communication, the timing offset value indicating the arrival time of data to be transmitted at the device, and wherein the timing offset value provides an arrival time outside the active time to trigger the components used for generation to update to a value indicating the arrival time of the data within the active time; and An element configured to provide an allowable delay time, the component for comparison being configured to compare the duration of the activity time with an allowable delay time for the sidelink communication, wherein the allowable delay time is longer than the duration of the activity time, to instruct the component for generation to update one of the elements in the auxiliary information, the auxiliary information being configured to provide the allowable delay time with a value equal to or shorter than the duration of the activity time.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of user equipment auxiliary information and user equipment side link information.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the comparison component is configured to compare the allowable delay time of the sidelink communication with the discontinuous reception period in response to the period of the discontinuous reception period being shorter than the service periodicity, and to instruct the component for generation only to update the message size element if the allowable delay time is longer than the discontinuous reception period.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the component for viewing the timing offset value is further configured to trigger the component for generating to generate at least one timing offset value, the timing offset value providing an arrival time falling within the allowed delay time and at least one of the plurality of active times of the receiving user equipment.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the comparison component is configured to compare the allowable delay time of the sidelink communication with the discontinuous reception period in response to determining that the period of the discontinuous reception period is longer than the periodicity, and wherein the shorter allowable delay time instructs the generation component to derive the factor from the ratio of the discontinuous reception period to the service periodicity, the ratio being rounded to an integer value.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising components for transmitting the auxiliary information to the network node; and A component for receiving authorization of the resources from the network node.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the component for transmitting is further configured to transmit sidelink communication to the receiving user equipment using resources indicated in the authorization of the resources.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the component for generating the information generates updated auxiliary information in response to an update of the discontinuous reception period of the receiving user equipment.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the component comprises: At least one processor; And at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to cause the execution of the device together with the at least one processor.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the component comprises: At least one processor; And at least one memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause performance issues in the device.

11. A method of communication, comprising generating auxiliary information for a network node that authorizes resources for sidelink communication between a device and at least one receiving user equipment, the at least one receiving user equipment being configured to operate in a discontinuous reception mode, the discontinuous reception mode comprising a discontinuous reception period having active and inactive times, the auxiliary information comprising a plurality of elements indicating characteristics of the sidelink communication; At least one of the plurality of elements includes an indication of the discontinuous reception mode of the receiving user equipment; The method further includes: The service periodicity of the sidelink communication is compared with the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period, and in response to the periodicity of the discontinuous reception period being different from the service periodicity, the auxiliary information is generated for the network node by updating at least one element of the plurality of elements in the auxiliary information to provide the indication of the discontinuous reception mode. The at least one element among the plurality of elements includes at least one of the following: An element configured to indicate periodic data, the method comprising updating the element configured to indicate periodic data using an indication of the period of the discontinuous reception period; An element configured to indicate message size, the method includes updating the element by multiplying it by a factor derived from the ratio of the discontinuous reception period to the service periodicity; An element configured to indicate a timing offset, the method comprising viewing a timing offset value for the sidelink communication, the timing offset value indicating the arrival time of data to be transmitted at the device, and wherein the timing offset value provides an arrival time outside the active time, thereby generating an updated timing offset value indicating the arrival time of the data within the active time; and The method includes updating one of the elements in auxiliary information configured to provide an allowable delay time, wherein the allowable delay time is longer than the duration of the activity time, and the auxiliary information is configured to provide the allowable delay time with a value equal to or shorter than the duration of the activity time.

12. A computer program product comprising computer-readable code that, when executed by a processor, is operable to control the processor to perform the method of claim 11.

13. An apparatus for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to perform at least the method according to claim 11.

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