Cooperative relay in sidelink network

Abstract

This document discloses apparatus, methods, and computer-readable media for cooperative relaying in a sidelink network. An example method for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE) includes: receiving a multicast signal from a second UE, the multicast signal including resource allocations assigned to a plurality of sidelink UEs including the first UE. The example method further includes: communicating a first relay signal to a remote device on a first resource included in the resource allocation, the first relay signal including at least a portion of the multicast signal, wherein the first relay signal corresponds to at least a portion of a second relay signal communicated by at least one other sidelink UE among the plurality of sidelink UEs to the remote device on a second resource included in the resource allocation.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. S / N. 63 / 083,047, entitled "COOPERATIVE RELAY IN SIDELINK NETWORKS", filed September 24, 2020, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 304,796, entitled "COOPERATIVE RELAY IN SIDELINK NETWORKS", filed June 25, 2021, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. background Technical Field

[0004] This disclosure generally relates to communication systems, and more particularly to cooperative relays in sidelink networks.

[0005] introduction

[0006] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunications services such as telephone, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems employ multiple access technologies that enable communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) systems, Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) systems, and Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0007] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol enabling different wireless devices to communicate at the city, country, region, and even global levels. An example telecommunications standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continuous evolution of mobile broadband, promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with the Internet of Things (IoT), and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NR can be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. Various aspects of wireless communication can include direct communication between devices, such as based on sidelinks. There is a need for further improvements to sidelink communication technologies. These improvements can also be applied to other multiple access technologies and telecommunications standards that employ them.

[0008] For example, some aspects of wireless communication include direct communication between devices, such as device-to-device (D2D) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X). There is a need for further improvements in this type of direct communication between devices. Improvements related to direct communication between devices can be applied to other multiple access technologies and telecommunications standards that employ these technologies.

[0009] Overview

[0010] The following provides a brief overview of one or more aspects to offer a basic understanding of such aspects. This overview is not an exhaustive summary of all conceived aspects, nor is it intended to identify the key or decisive elements of all aspects, nor to define the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description that follows.

[0011] In some wireless communication systems, base stations can provide user equipment (UE) with access to the core network. In some cases, the UE may be located outside the base station's coverage area, which may hinder access to the core network from the UE via the base station. In other cases, the UE can connect to the base station via a relay device, for example, when the UE is outside the coverage area or unable to decode signals from the base station due to interference. However, in multi-hop scenarios, uplink coverage via a single relay device between the UE and the base station may be limited.

[0012] It has been found that when direct transmission between the UE and the serving base station cannot be successfully achieved, the performance of user equipment (UE) at the cell edge can be significantly improved by employing cooperative sidelink relay. Sidelink cooperative relay transmission can include synchronous or asynchronous distributed sidelink relay of UE sidelink data by multiple UEs configured as relays in the network.

[0013] Various aspects of this disclosure provide mechanisms for managing various resources to achieve cooperative sidelink relay with advantages over standard relay communication systems. For example, the techniques of this subject matter provide diversity and power gains that outperform single-relay scenarios by improving the reliability and coverage of the relay link to the base station. If the destination is a base station (e.g., a gNB), the techniques of this subject matter can be used to improve uplink coverage, although at the cost of latency (e.g., more than two hops).

[0014] In one aspect of this disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are provided. The apparatus can receive a multicast signal from a second UE, the multicast signal including resource allocations assigned to a plurality of sidelink UEs including a first UE. The apparatus can also communicate a first relay signal to a remote device on a first resource included in the resource allocation, the first relay signal including at least a portion of the multicast signal, wherein the first relay signal corresponds to at least a portion of a second relay signal communicated by at least one other sidelink UE among the plurality of sidelink UEs to the remote device on a second resource included in the resource allocation.

[0015] In another aspect of this disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are provided. The apparatus can determine resource allocations assigned to a plurality of second UEs for forwarding data between a first UE and a remote device via cooperative relaying with the plurality of second UEs. The apparatus can also transmit a multicast signal including the resource allocations to the plurality of second UEs via a sidelink channel on the first resource.

[0016] In another aspect of this disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are provided. The apparatus is capable of receiving from a plurality of first user equipment (UEs) a plurality of relay signals cooperatively relayed by respective UEs among the plurality of first UEs. The apparatus is also capable of decoding each of the plurality of relay signals to recover a corresponding portion of a multicast signal originating from a second UE.

[0017] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, these one or more aspects include the features fully described below and specifically pointed out in the claims. Certain illustrative features of these one or more aspects are set forth in detail in the following description and drawings. However, these features merely indicate a few of the various ways in which the principles of these various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to cover all such aspects and their equivalents. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0019] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network.

[0020] Figure 2 An example aspect of the side link time slot structure was explained.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a first and second device participating in sidelink communication.

[0022] Figure 4 Examples of sidelink communication between wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure are explained.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of resource reservation according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of resource reservation according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a two-stage physical side link control channel (PSCCH) according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of cooperative relay in a sidelink network according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 9 This is an example communication flow of cooperative relay in a sidelink network based on one or more technologies disclosed herein.

[0028] Figure 10 It is a flowchart of a wireless communication process according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0029] Figure 11 It is a flowchart of a wireless communication process according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0030] Figure 12 It is a flowchart of a wireless communication process according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0031] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware implementation of the example device.

[0032] Detailed description

[0033] The detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent only the configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. This detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0034] Several aspects of a telecommunications system will now be described with reference to various apparatuses and methods. These apparatuses and methods will be described in detail below and explained in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively, “elements”). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0035] As an example, an element, or any part of an element, or any combination of elements, may be implemented as a "processing system" including one or more processors. Examples of processors include: microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, system-on-a-chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalities described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system can execute software. Software should be broadly interpreted as instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or other terms.

[0036] Accordingly, in one or more example embodiments, the described functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality can be stored or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media can be any available medium accessible to a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of computer-readable media of the types described above, or any other medium capable of being used to store computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures accessible to a computer.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. Some wireless communications can be exchanged directly between wireless devices based on a sidelink. Communication can be based on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) or other device-to-device (D2D) communication, such as proximity services (ProSe). For example, sidelink communication can be exchanged based on a PC5 interface.

[0038] In sidelink communication, the transmitting UE can indicate control information in multiple SCI portions. The SCI can indicate resources the UE anticipates, for example, for sidelink transmission. The UE can transmit a first portion of the control information in the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH) area, indicating information about resource reservations, and a second portion of the control information can be transmitted in the PSSCH area. For example, a first-stage control (e.g., SCI-1) can be transmitted on the PSCCH and may include information for resource allocation and information related to decoding the second-stage control (e.g., SCI-2). The second-stage control (SCI-2) can be transmitted on the PSSCH and may include information for decoding the data (SCH). Therefore, control information can be indicated by a combination of a first SCI portion (e.g., SCI-1) included in the PSCCH area and a second SCI portion (e.g., SCI-2) included in the PSSCH area. Alternatively, control information can be indicated in the Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (MAC-CE) portion of the PSSCH.

[0039] Some examples of sidelink communication may include vehicle-based communication, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) (e.g., from a vehicle-based communication device to a road infrastructure node, such as a roadside unit (RSU)), vehicle-to-network (V2N) (e.g., from a vehicle-based communication device to one or more network nodes, such as a base station), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), and / or combinations thereof and / or communication with other devices; these communications can be collectively referred to as V2X communication. As an example, in Figure 1 In this configuration, UE 104 (e.g., a transmitting vehicle user equipment (VUE) or other UE 104) can be configured to directly transmit messages to another UE 104. This communication can be based on V2X or other D2D communication, such as Proximity Service (ProSe). V2X- and / or D2D-based communication can also be transmitted and received by other transmitting and receiving devices (such as Roadside Unit (RSU) 107). Various aspects of the communication can be based on PC5 or sidelink communication, for example, by combining... Figure 2 The examples described herein are as follows. While the following description provides an example of V2X / D2D communication in conjunction with 5G NR, the concepts described herein can be applied to other similar fields such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0040] The wireless communication system (also known as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, a user interface (UE) 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and a core network (e.g., 5GC) 190. The base station 102 may include macrocells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). Macrocells include base stations. Small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0041] Base station 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) can interface with EPC 160 via backhaul link 132 (e.g., S1 interface). Base station 102 configured for NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with core network 190 via backhaul link 184. Among other functions, base station 102 can also perform one or more of the following functions: user data delivery, radio channel cryptography and cryptography decoding, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN Information Management (RIM), paging, location, and delivery of alarm messages. Base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC 160 or core network 190) on backhaul link 134 (e.g., X2 interface). Backhaul link 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0042] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for its respective geographical coverage area 110. Overlapping geographical coverage areas 110 may exist. For example, small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes small cells and macro cells may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network may also include a Home Evolved B Node (eNB) (HeNB) that can provide services to a restricted group referred to as a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also known as reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technologies, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. These communication links may use one or more carriers. For each carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation totaling up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction, base station 102 / UE104 may use a spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400 MHz, etc.). These carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Carrier allocation may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL compared to UL). Component carriers may include primary component carriers and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as the primary cell (PCell), and the secondary component carriers may be referred to as secondary cells (SCells).

[0043] Some UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. D2D communication link 158 may use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as the Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel (PSDCH), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), and Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH). D2D communication can be achieved through a wide variety of wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0044] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 communicating with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0045] Small cell 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, small cell 102' can employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as that used by Wi-Fi AP 150. Small cell 102' employing NR in unlicensed spectrum can enhance access network coverage and / or increase access network capacity.

[0046] Whether it's a small cell 102' or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station), base station 102 may include an eNB, a gB node (gNB), or other types of base stations. Some base stations (such as gNB 180) may operate in conventional sub-6 GHz spectrum, millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and / or near-mmW frequencies to communicate with UE 104. When gNB 180 operates in mmW or near-mmW frequencies, gNB 180 may be referred to as an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that contains radio frequency (RF). EHF has a range from 30 GHz to 300 GHz and wavelengths between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW extends down to 3 GHz frequencies with a wavelength of 100 mm. Ultra-high frequency (SHF) bands extend between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, and are also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near-mmW RF bands has extremely high path loss and short range. The mmW base station 180 can utilize beamforming 182 with UE 104 to compensate for extremely high path loss and short range.

[0047] The device can use beamforming to transmit and receive communications. For example, Figure 1It was explained that base station 180 can transmit beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmission directions 182'. UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from base station 180 in one or more receive directions 182”. UE 104 may also transmit beamformed signals to base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. Base station 180 may receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions. Base station 180 / UE 104 may perform beamforming to determine the optimal receive and transmit directions for each of base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions of base station 180 may be the same or different. The transmit and receive directions of UE 104 may be the same or different. Although the beamformed signal is interpreted between UE 104 and base stations 102 / 180, aspects of beamforming can be similarly applied by UE 104 or RSU 107 for communication with another UE 104 or RSU 107, such as V2X, V2V, or D2D based communication.

[0048] EPC 160 may include Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, Serving Gateway 166, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. MME 162 may communicate with Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. MME 162 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and EPC 160. Generally, MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through Serving Gateway 166, which is itself connected to PDN Gateway 172. PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. PDN Gateway 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to IP Service 176. IP Service 176 may include the Internet, intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming service, and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 provides functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 can serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS gateway 168 can be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base station 102 within a Broadcast-Specific Service Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area, and can be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting eMBMS-related billing information.

[0049] The core network 190 may include Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, Session Management Functions (SMF) 194, and User Plane Functions (UPF) 195. AMF 192 may communicate with Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. AMF 192 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and the core network 190. Generally, AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through UPF 195. UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. UPF 195 connects to IP services 197. IP services 197 may include the Internet, intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming service, and / or other IP services.

[0050] The base station may also be referred to as a gNB, B-node, evolved B-node (eNB), access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), transmit / receive point (TRP), or any other suitable term. Base station 102 provides UE 104 with access to EPC 160 or core network 190. Examples of UE 104 include cellular phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, laptop devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, GPS devices, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablet devices, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electricity meters, gas pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similar functional devices. Some UE 104 devices may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking timers, oil pumps, ovens, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, radio unit, remote unit, mobile device, radio device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, radio terminal, remote terminal, handheld device, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

[0051] Furthermore, while this disclosure may focus on vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication and pedestrian-to-vehicle (P2V) communication, the concepts and aspects described herein are applicable to other similar fields, such as D2D communication, IoT communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, or other standards / protocols for communication in wireless / access networks.

[0052] Figure 2The illustration in Figure 200 illustrates a non-limiting example of time and frequency resources that can be used for sidelink-based wireless communication. In some examples, time and frequency resources may be based on a time slot structure. In other examples, different structures may be used. In some examples, the time slot structure may be within a 5G / NR frame structure. Although the following description may focus on 5G NR, the concepts described herein are applicable to other similar domains such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies. This is merely an example, and other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. Subframes may also include mini-time slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each time slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the time slot configuration. For time slot configuration 0, each time slot may include 14 symbols, while for time slot configuration 1, each time slot may include 7 symbols. Figure 200 illustrates a single timeslot transmission, for example, which may correspond to a 0.5ms transmission time interval (TTI).

[0053] A resource grid can be used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot may include a resource block (RB) extending 12 coherent subcarriers (also called a physical RB (PRB)). The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme. Figure 200 also illustrates multiple subchannels, where each subchannel may include multiple RBs. For example, a subchannel in sidelink communication may include 10-100 RBs. Figure 2 As explained, the first symbol of a subframe can be a symbol used for Automatic Gain Control (AGC). Some REs may include control information, for example, along with the PSCCH and / or PSSCH. The control information may include Side Link Control Information (SCI). For example, the PSCCH may include a first-stage SCI. The PSCCH resource may begin with the first symbol of the time slot and may occupy 1, 2, or 3 symbols. The PSCCH may occupy up to one subchannel with the lowest subcarrier index. Figure 2 It also explains the symbols that may include PSSCH. Figure 2 The symbols indicated for use in PSCCH or PSSCH specify that these symbols include PSCCH or PSSCH REs. Such symbols corresponding to PSSCH may also include REs containing second-stage SCI and / or data. At least one symbol may be used for feedback (e.g., PSFCH), as described herein. Figure 12As explained, symbols 12 and 13 are indicated for use in the PSFCH, which indicates that these symbols include the PSFCH RE. In some respects, symbol 12 of the PSFCH can be a copy of symbol 13. Gap symbols before and / or after the feedback can be used to turn around between data reception and feedback transmission. For example... Figure 12 As explained herein, symbol 10 includes a gap symbol to allow feedback in symbol 11 to be rounded off. Another symbol (e.g., at the end of a time slot (symbol 14)) may be used as a gap. This gap allows the device to switch from operating as a transmitting device to preparing to operate as a receiving device (e.g., in a subsequent time slot). As explained herein, data may be transmitted in the remaining REs. This data may include the data message described herein. The positions of any of the PSCCH, PSSCH, PSFCH, and gap symbols may be consistent with... Figure 2 The examples given in the text are different.

[0054] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating communication between a first wireless communication device 310 and a second wireless communication device 350. This communication may be based on a sidelink, such as using a PC5 interface. In some examples, devices 310 and 350 may communicate based on V2X or other D2D communication. Devices 310 and 350 may include UEs, RSUs, base stations, etc. In some examples, device 310 may be a UE, and device 350 may also be a UE. Packets may be provided to a controller / processor 375 implementing Layer 3 and Layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and Layer 2 includes the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the Media Access Control (MAC) layer.

[0055] Transmit (TX) processor 316 and receive (RX) processor 370 implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) decoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. TX processor 316 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and subsequently combined using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. A channel estimate from channel estimator 374 can be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme and for spatial processing. This channel estimate can be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by device 350. Each spatial stream can then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0056] At device 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal via its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and RX processor 356 implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on this information to recover any spatial stream destined for device 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for device 350, they can be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal consists of a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, along with the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the signal constellation points most likely to have been transmitted by device 310. These soft decisions can be based on a channel estimate calculated by the channel estimator 358. These soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the original data and control signals transmitted by device 310 over the physical channel. This data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359 that implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0057] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program code and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. The controller / processor 359 can provide demultiplexing, packet reassembly, cipher decoding, header decompression, and control signal processing between transport and logical channels. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0058] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with the transmissions performed by device 310, controller / processor 359 can provide RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) capture, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (cryptography, cryptographic decoding, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with the transmission of upper-layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0059] The channel estimate derived by the channel estimator 358 from the reference signal or feedback transmitted by the device 310 can be used by the TX processor 368 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by the TX processor 368 can be provided to different antennas 352 via separate transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0060] Transmissions are processed at device 310 in a manner similar to that described for the receiver function at device 350. Each receiver 318RX receives signals via its corresponding antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides that information to the RX processor 370.

[0061] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program code and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. The controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, ciphertext decoding, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0062] The TX processor 368, RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359 of device 350, or at least one of TX 316, RX processor 370, or controller / processor 375, can be configured to perform combined operations. Figure 1 The aspects described in the collaborative relay configuration component 198 and / or relay component 199.

[0063] Figure 4 Example 400 illustrates sidelink communication between wireless devices. Communication can be based on, among other things... Figure 2 The description of the time slot structure or the link structure on the other side. Although Figure 4 The examples described are for UEs 402, 404, 406, and 408, but aspects can be applied to configure other wireless devices for sidelink-based communication, such as RSUs, IAB nodes, etc. Figure 4 As explained, transmitting UE 402 can transmit transmission 414, which includes control information (e.g., sidelink control information (SCI)) and / or a corresponding data channel, which can be received by receiving UEs 404, 406, and 408. The SCI may include information for decoding the corresponding data and can also be used by the receiving devices to avoid interference by suppressing transmissions on occupied resources during data transmission. For example, the SCI can reserve resources for sidelink communication. The number of TTIs and RBs that the data transmission will occupy can be indicated in the SCI from the transmitting device. In addition to being able to operate as receiving devices, UEs 402, 404, 406, and 408 can also each be able to operate as transmitting devices. Therefore, UEs 406 and 408 are explained as transmitting transmissions 416 and 420. Transmissions 414, 416, or 420 can be broadcast or multicast to nearby devices. For example, UE 402 can transmit communication intended to be received by other UEs within range 401 of UE 402. In other examples, transmissions 414, 416, or 418 may be groupcast to nearby devices that are group members. In other examples, transmissions 414, 416, or 420 may be unicast from one UE to another. Additionally or alternatively, RSU 407 may receive communications from UEs 402, 404, 406, and 408 and / or transmit communications 418 to UEs 402, 404, 406, and 408.

[0064] UEs 402, 404, 406, 408 and / or RSU 407 may include cooperative relay configuration components, similar to those combined with Figure 1 The described cooperative relay configuration component 198. UEs 402, 404, 406, 408 and / or RSU 407 may additionally or alternatively include relay components, similar to the combination of Figure 1 The relay component 199 is described.

[0065] Resource allocation refers to how resources are allocated to devices for transmitting packets. In sidelink communication, resource allocation can be performed in a centralized manner (Mode 1) or a distributed manner (Mode 2). When operating in Mode 1, the resource allocation for sidelink communication is determined by the base station. For example, the base station may transmit an indication to the UE indicating the resources allocated to that UE for transmitting sidelink communication (e.g., sidelink data packets to other UEs). When operating in Mode 2, the resource allocation for sidelink communication is determined by the UE performing the communication. For example, the transmitting UE may independently determine the resource allocation for transmitting sidelink control and data to one or more receiving UEs. When operating in Mode 2 (e.g., in a distributed manner), the transmitting UE can determine the resources for communication from a resource pool. A resource pool refers to a collection of time and / or frequency resources where sidelink communication can occur.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, the transmitting (Tx) UE 402 and the receiving (Rx) UE 404 can communicate with each other via a sidelink. In some sidelink modes, the base station 102 / 180 can communicate with the Tx UE 402 via a first access link (not shown). Additionally or alternatively, in some sidelink modes, the base station 102 / 180 can communicate with the Rx UE 404 via a second access link (not shown). The Tx UE 402 and / or Rx UE 404 may correspond to one or more UEs described elsewhere herein, such as... Figure 1 UE104. Therefore, the direct link between UEs 104 (e.g., via the PC5 interface) can be referred to as a side link, and the direct link between base stations 102 / 180 and UE 104 (e.g., via the Uu interface) can be referred to as an access link. Side link communication can be transmitted via the side link, and access link communication can be transmitted via the access link. Access link communication can be downlink communication (from base station 102 / 180 to UE 104) or uplink communication (from UE 104 to base station 102 / 180).

[0067] As described above, UE 402 can operate in Mode 1, where resource selection and / or scheduling are performed by base station 102 / 180. That is, in Mode 1, base station 102 / 180 assigns resources for transmitting sidelink communication. Specifically, base station 102 / 180 can transmit downlink control information (DCI) (e.g., in DCI format 3_0), which indicates resource allocation (e.g., time and / or frequency resources) and / or transmission timing. In Mode 1, UE 402 can select the MCS value for sidelink transmission (e.g., within the limits set by base station 102 / 180). Furthermore, Mode 1 can support dynamic or configured permission for scheduling sidelink transmission. Configured permission can be Type 1 (e.g., it can be activated by base station 102 / 180 via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling) or Type 2.

[0068] As described above, UE 402 can operate in Mode 2, where resource selection and / or scheduling are performed by UE 402. That is, the transmitting UE 402 can autonomously determine the resources used for sidelink transmission. In this case, the transmitting UE 402 can perform channel sensing by performing blind decoding on all PSCCH channels to determine the resources reserved for sidelink transmission (e.g., for use by other transmitting UEs for sidelink transmission). In this way, the transmitting UE 402 can determine the available resources, which can be reported to the upper layer of the transmitting UE 402 for resource usage determination. The receiving UE 404 operates according to the same behavior in Mode 1 or Mode 2. In some aspects, UE 402 can perform resource selection and / or scheduling by sensing the channel availability for transmission. For example, UE 402 can measure Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) parameters (e.g., Sidelink-RSSI (S-RSSI) parameters) associated with various sidelink channels; can measure Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) parameters (e.g., PSSCH-RSRP parameters) associated with various sidelink channels; can measure Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) parameters (e.g., PSSCH-RSRQ parameters) associated with various sidelink channels, and so on; and can select the channel for transmitting sidelink communication based at least in part on (these) measurements.

[0069] Radio resource allocation for sidelink communication can be based on resource reservation. For example, when a UE is ready to transmit data on a sidelink, it can first determine whether the resource has been reserved by other UEs. Then, the UE can reserve the resource from the remaining unreserved resources available. Figure 5Figure 500 illustrates an example of resource reservation for sidelink transmission. Resource allocation for each UE can be done on a unit of one or more sub-channels in the frequency domain (e.g., sub-channels SC1 to SC4) and can be based on a timeslot in the time domain. A UE can also use resources in the current timeslot to perform a first transmission and can reserve resources in future timeslots for retransmission. In this example, UEs (e.g., UE1 and UE2) can reserve resources for retransmission up to two different future timeslots. Resource reservation can be limited to a predefined window of timeslots and sub-channels, such as an example window of eight timeslots multiplied by four sub-channels, as shown in Figure 500, which provides a total of 32 available resource blocks. This example window can also be referred to as a "resource selection window." Each resource block in the resource selection window can be used to transmit data and control information together.

[0070] Figure 5 The document also explains examples of time-frequency resources that can be used for sidelink communication. Resource pools can be pre-configured (e.g., pre-loaded on the UE), configured by the base station, or determined separately by the UE. In some examples, the transmitting UE can randomly select resources from the resource pool for transmission. In such examples, the receiving UE can continuously monitor candidate resources to receive communication. Additionally, in some examples, collisions or interference may occur if nearby UEs randomly select the same resource.

[0071] In some examples, a UE can use the historical resource utilization of other UEs to predict future activity. For example, by identifying the first UE's periodic transmissions and the resources it uses during those transmissions, a second UE can determine on which resources the first UE's future transmissions might occur and when they might happen. Figure 5 The example of a periodic resource 550 that can be reserved by the UE for sidelink communication is also explained. Therefore, by “listening” to the past activities of other UEs (e.g., historical resource utilization), the second UE can predict the future activities of other UEs and select resources that are unlikely to cause conflicts and / or interference for transmission.

[0072] However, it can be understood that in order to identify historical resource utilization, the second UE may operate in an "always-on" mode to facilitate sensing or receiving transmissions from other UEs. Continuous monitoring of the second UE increases the power consumption or processing resources required to identify historical resource utilization and predict future activity.

[0073] In some examples, a UE can perform partial sensing to determine the historical resource utilization of other UEs. When performing partial sensing, the UE can selectively sense a subset of resources, thereby reducing power consumption compared to monitoring the entire resource set. However, partial sensing may be ineffective when the transmissions of other UEs are not periodic. For example, a UE using partial sensing may miss information about non-periodic transmissions and may therefore be unable to accurately predict the future activity of other UEs based on the determined historical resource utilization.

[0074] In one example, a first UE (“UE1”) may reserve a subchannel (e.g., SC 4) in the current time slot (e.g., time slot 1) for initial data transmission (e.g., resource 502) and may reserve additional future time slots in the resource selection window for data retransmission (e.g., resources 504, 506). For example, UE1 may reserve subchannel SC 2 in time slot 3 (e.g., resource 504) for a first future retransmission and may reserve subchannel SC 3 in time slot 5 (e.g., resource 506) for a second future retransmission, as... Figure 5 As shown. UE1 can then transmit information to other UEs about which resources are used and / or reserved by UE1, such as by including reservation information in the reserved resource field of the SCI (e.g., Phase 1 SCI). In some examples, a UE can be configured to use the SCI to reserve one, two, or three transmissions. In some examples, the maximum number of reservations allowed for a UE can be pre-configured. For example, a UE can be pre-configured to reserve up to three transmissions in the resource selection window.

[0075] like Figure 5 As explained, the second UE (“UE2”) can also reserve resources (e.g., resource 508) in sub-channels SC1 and SC2 of time slot 1 for current data transmission. UE2 can also reserve sub-channels SC1 and SC2 of time slot 4 (e.g., resource 510) for transmitting the first data retransmission, and can reserve sub-channels SC3 and SC4 of time slot 7 (e.g., resource 512) for transmitting the second data retransmission, such as... Figure 5As shown. Similar to the example of UE1, UE2 can then convey information about resource usage and / or reservation information to other UEs, such as by using the reserved resource field in the SCI. In some examples, the UE can be configured to use the same number of subchannels (e.g., bandwidth) for reservation. For example, the resources 502, 504, 506 reserved by UE1 have the same number of subchannels (e.g., 1), while the resources 508, 510, 512 reserved by UE2 have the same number of subchannels (e.g., 2). However, the starting subchannel of each reserved resource can be different. For example, the initial data transmission can start on subchannel SC 4, the first future retransmission can start on subchannel SC 2, and the second future retransmission can start on subchannel SC3, and so on.

[0076] Figure 6 is a diagram 600 illustrating an example of the resource reservation process. When a UE (e.g., a sidelink transmitter UE) transmits using a first resource 602 in slot i in a period (such as Figure 5 the period 552 illustrated in), the UE can reserve two additional resources in the same period, such as a first future resource 604 in slot i+x and a second future resource 606 in slot i+y. Each reserved resource 602, 604, 606 can be associated with a number of subchannels z. For example, if the period has 32 slots with slot indices from 0 to 31, the UE can transmit using the first resource 602 with z subchannels in slot 0, and can reserve the first future resource 604 with z subchannels in slot i+x, where 0 < x ≤ 31. The UE can also reserve the second future resource 606 with z subchannels in slot i+y, where x < y ≤ 31. Table 1 (below) illustrates an example reservation signaled by the UE's SCI in slot i corresponding to Figure 6 .

[0077]

[0078] Table 1

[0079] The UE can use the reserved first future resource 604 and the reserved second future resource 606 for retransmission, such as when the first transmission using the first resource 602 fails. The UE can additionally or alternatively use one or both of the reserved future resources 604, 606 for purposes other than retransmission.

[0080] A UE using reserved resources for transmission can request feedback from other UEs or base stations regarding the transmission. Based on the feedback from other UEs or base stations, the UE can choose not to use the reserved resources. For example, the transmitting UE can use the first resource 602 for data transmission and can request feedback from the receiving UE or base station that receives the data transmission. If the transmitting UE receives feedback from the receiving UE or base station confirming receipt of the data transmission, the transmitting UE can choose not to use the reserved future resources 604 and 606 that might have been initially reserved for retransmissions of the data transmission.

[0081] Sidelink resource reservations can be periodic or aperiodic. For example, a UE can periodically reserve resources, such as by indicating the reservation period in the SCI or in a section of the SCI (e.g., State Control 1 (SCI-1)). Thus, when periodic resource reservation is enabled, the reservation indicated by the SCI can be repeated at the periodic signaling notification. In some examples, if resource reservation is periodic, the reservation period can be configured to a value between 0 milliseconds (ms) and 1000 ms by signaling notification in the SCI, and periodic resource reservation can be additionally or alternatively disabled by (pre)configuration. In some examples, each resource reservation can have a priority level indicated in the SCI. In some such examples, higher-priority reservations can take precedence over lower-priority reservations.

[0082] In sidelink communication, the transmitting UE can indicate resource reservations in multiple SCI portions. An SCI can indicate resources that the UE anticipates, for example, for sidelink transmission. The UE can transmit a first portion of the reservation in the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH) area and a second portion of the reservation in the PSSCH area. For example, a first-stage control (e.g., SCI-1) can be transmitted on the PSCCH and may contain information for resource allocation and information related to decoding the second-stage control (e.g., SCI-2). The second-stage control (SCI-2) can be transmitted on the PSSCH and may contain information for decoding the data (SCH). Therefore, multiple resources can be indicated (or reserved) through a combination of a first SCI portion (e.g., SCI-1) included in the PSCCH area and a second SCI portion (e.g., SCI-2) included in the PSSCH area. For example, the first SCI portion in the PSCCH can reserve resources for the UE in the PSSCH, and the first SCI portion can also indicate to the receiving UE the presence of a second SCI portion or more SCI portions in the PSSCH (e.g., two-stage control SCI). The second SCI portion may reserve other resources, provide signaling and / or provide the receiving UE with information that may be unrelated to the resources reserved in the first SCI portion.

[0083] Figure 7 Figure 700 illustrates an example of a two-stage SCI. To reduce control overhead and improve processing timelines, the SCI used for sidelink authorization can be split into two or more parts. In the illustrated example, a first SCI part 702 (e.g., SCI-1) can be transmitted within a control area (e.g., PSCCH area 708), and a second SCI part 704 (e.g., SCI-2) can be transmitted within a sidelink traffic area (e.g., PSSCH area 710). PSCCH area 708 and PSSCH area 710 together can form a time slot. The first SCI part 702 may include initial control information about the sidelink transmission, such as resource allocation (RA) in SCH 706 or other resource reservation information in future time slots, the rank and modulation order of the sidelink allocation, the bandwidth of PSSCH area 710, etc. The first SCI part 702 is intended for decoding by all UEs, particularly to prevent resource conflicts for Mode 2 UEs. Furthermore, the first SCI section 702 may include control information regarding the second SCI section 704. In some examples, the control information may indicate the number (or size) of resource elements and the code rate of the second SCI section 704. The control information may further indicate the location (e.g., the starting resource element) and code rate of the second SCI section 704. In one aspect, the format of the first SCI section 702 (e.g., SCI-1) may include one or more of the following information: priority (QoS value), frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA), time domain resource allocation (TDRA), PSSCH resource assignment (e.g., frequency / time resources of PSSCH), resource reservation period (e.g., if enabled), PSSCH DMRS mode (e.g., if more than one mode is configured), second SCI format (e.g., information regarding the size of the second SCI section), a 2-bit beta offset for second-stage control resource allocation, the number of PSSCH DMRS ports (e.g., 1 or 2), 5 bits of MCS, and / or reserved bits. In one aspect, the second SCI section 704 (e.g., SCI-2) format may include one or more of the following information: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ), Redundancy Version (RV) identifier, New Data Indicator (NDI), etc. The second SCI section 704 may include residual control information regarding sidelink assignment. For example, residual control information may include non-time-critical control information or other resource allocations for data transmission in SCH 706, such as the source ID and destination ID of the data transmission.

[0084] In some implementations, sidelink communication can utilize a resource pool comprising one or more sub-channels (e.g., sub-channels SC1 through SC4). Accordingly, to receive sidelink packets, the receiving UE performs blind decoding across all sub-channels in the resource pool. The number of sub-channels in the resource pool can be relatively small (e.g., 1-27 sub-channels, as described above), making blind decoding of all sub-channels feasible for the UE. In C-V2X, for example, the UE is intended to decode all transmissions using blind decoding of all sub-channels. In some examples, the sub-channel size in V2X is relatively large (e.g., at least 10 RBs).

[0085] In some implementations, the PSCCH in PSCCH area 708 and the PSSCH in PSSCH area 710 can be transmitted in the same time slot. PSSCH area 710 can occupy adjacent sub-channels, up to the total number of sub-channels in the resource pool (e.g., PSSCH can occupy...). PSCCH region 708 can occupy only one subchannel (e.g., the subchannel in the resource pool associated with the lowest subchannel index, such as...). Figure 5 (SC1).

[0086] The UE can locate the PSSCH carrying the second SCI portion 704 after decoding the first SCI portion 702 in the PSSCH area 708. The packet in the second SCI portion 704 can indicate a source identifier and a destination identifier to indicate the UE that transmitted the packet and the UE to which the packet is intended.

[0087] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of cooperative relay in a sidelink network according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. Cooperative sidelink relay can be performed via a two-step process, wherein (1) a source UE transmits a multicast signal to other sidelink UEs acting as relay stations, and (2) the sidelink UE performs synchronous or asynchronous cooperative MIMO to relay the multicast signal to a remote device (e.g., other sidelink UEs or a base station).

[0088] like Figure 8 As shown, source UE 810 can broadcast a group broadcast signal on sidelink broadcast link 820. Relay UEs 822, 824, and 826 can receive this transmission of sidelink data from source UE 810, and can cooperatively relay the transmission to remote device 840 on corresponding relay links 832, 834, and 836. In some aspects, data transmission from source UE 810 can be transmitted to remote device 840 via multiple hops. For example, relay UEs 822, 824, and 826 can forward data transmission as a unicast transmission to remote device 840.

[0089] Source UE 810 can typically transmit uplink data to a base station via a single relay station. However, in multi-hop scenarios, uplink coverage via a single relay station between the source UE and the base station may be limited due to power constraints, interference from other stronger UEs in the vicinity, etc. In some aspects of this disclosure, source UE 810 can participate in cooperative relay transmission to a base station (e.g., base station 102 / 180) with one or more other sidelink UEs (e.g., UEs 822, 824, 826) in network 800. If the destination is a base station (e.g., gNB), the techniques of this subject matter can be used as a technique to improve uplink coverage, although at the cost of latency (e.g., more than two hops). In some aspects, source UE 810 can use intermediate relay stations (e.g., UEs 822, 824, 826) to cooperatively relay data transmitted by source UE 810 to convey UL data to a base station (e.g., 840).

[0090] The first relay station (e.g., relay UEs 822, 824, 826) can receive control information that configures the first relay station and at least one other sidelink UE (e.g., UEs 822, 824, 826) as relay stations between the source UE 810 and the remote device (e.g., 840). In some aspects, the remote device 840 may be a sidelink UE. In other aspects, the remote device 840 may be a base station.

[0091] The first relay station may receive a multicast signal from the source UE 810, which includes resource allocations assigned to multiple sidelink UEs including the first relay station. For example, the resource allocation includes time and frequency resource allocations for the relay station to transmit at least a portion of the multicast signal to the remote device 840. Specifically, the resource allocation may indicate in which time slot(s)(s) the relay station should transmit the at least portion of the multicast signal to the remote device 840. The resource allocation may also indicate, for a given time slot, in what time (or symbol duration) and frequency resources (e.g., resource blocks) the relay station should transmit the at least portion of the multicast signal to the remote device 840. In some implementations, the resource allocation includes: a first resource set indicating first time and frequency resources for a first-hop transmission path between the source UE 810 and the first relay station; and a second resource set indicating second time and frequency resources for a second-hop transmission path between the first relay station and the remote device 840. In some aspects, the first resource includes multiple Physical Sidelink Shared Channels (PSSCHs) multiplexed in time or frequency. In some aspects of receiving multicast signals, the first relay station can receive multicast signals in the first PSSCH of multiple PSSCHs. In some aspects, the first PSSCH includes Phase 2 Side Link Control Information (SCI-2). In this regard, when the synchronous relay mode is selected, the first relay station can receive resource allocations in the common portion of SCI-2. Alternatively, the relay station can receive resource allocations in the UE-specific portion of SCI-2. In other aspects, the first relay station can receive resource allocations in the MAC-CE of the first PSSCH.

[0092] In some implementations, at least a portion of the multicast signal includes second-phase sidelink control information (SCI-2). In some aspects of receiving the multicast signal, the wireless communication device may receive a shared virtual relay identifier in the SCI-2. In some aspects, the shared virtual relay identifier is equivalent between the first relay station and the at least one other sidelink UE.

[0093] The first relay station can determine whether it is operating in synchronous or asynchronous relay mode with the at least one other sidelink UE based on at least a portion of the multicast signal. The relay station can determine whether it is operating in synchronous relay mode with the at least one other sidelink UE based on receiving a shared virtual relay identifier in SCI-2. Based on the synchronous relay mode between the first relay station and the at least one other sidelink UE, the relay station can forward the shared virtual relay identifier in the first relay signal, which is equivalent to the relay identifier included in the second relay signal.

[0094] In some implementations, when the source UE 810 and the relay station operate in sidelink operation mode 2, the source UE 810 can select between synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode based on sidelink synchronization procedures with multiple second UEs, as shown in the reference. Figure 4 As described. For example, if synchronization is successful among all sidelink UEs, the source UE 810 can set the cooperative trunking mechanism to synchronous trunking. If all trunk UEs fail to synchronize, the source UE 810 can set the cooperative trunking to asynchronous trunking. In some implementations, if not all trunk UEs synchronize successfully (i.e., some trunk UEs can synchronize successfully), the source UE 810 can set a hybrid synchronous trunking mode, where some trunk UEs operate in synchronous trunking mode and others in asynchronous trunking mode. The source UE 810 may send separate resource allocations for each trunking mode, which may increase the cost and / or complexity of overhead sidelink signaling (e.g., SCI).

[0095] Based on the asynchronous relay mode between the first relay station and at least one other sidelink UE, the first relay station may transmit a unique relay identifier in the first relay signal, which is different from the relay identifier included in the second relay signal. In some aspects, the first relay station may determine the unique relay identifier independently of the base station and / or other sidelink UEs.

[0096] The first relay station can transmit an indication of a second resource set to a remote device, causing the remote device to combine the first relay signal with the second relay signal to recover data from the source UE. In this regard, depending on the relay operation mode between the relay stations (e.g., synchronous or asynchronous), the indication can indicate whether relay signals from multiple relay stations can be received in the same time and frequency resources or in different time and frequency resources. For example, in synchronous relay mode, the first resource used by the first relay station may include the same time and frequency resources as the second resource used by another relay station. In other examples, in asynchronous relay mode, the first resource includes different time and frequency resources than the second resource.

[0097] The first relay station can communicate a first relay signal to the remote device 840 on a first resource included in the resource allocation. The first relay signal includes at least a portion of a multicast signal. In some aspects, the first relay signal corresponds to at least a portion of a second relay signal communicated to the remote device by at least one other side-link UE (e.g., UE 822, 824, 826) on a second resource included in the resource allocation. The first relay station can concurrently transmit the first relay signal to the remote device 840 via a relay link (e.g., relay links 832, 836) with the at least portion of the second relay signal. In one or more implementations, the first relay station can transmit the first relay signal to the remote device 840 as a unicast transmission.

[0098] In some implementations, remote device 840 can obtain the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) value for each received relay signal and perform summation of the LLR values ​​to reconstruct the original signal originating from source UE 810. In some aspects, when the relay station operates in synchronous relay mode, remote device 840 can treat each relay signal as a virtual single relay and receive the relay signal as a single instance. In this regard, the relay signal received at remote device 840 can be processed as: Y = h1*s + h2*s + ... + h N *s + noise = (h1 + h2 + ... + h N )*s + noise = h BAR *s + noise. In other respects, when the relay station operates in asynchronous relay mode, the remote device 840 can receive relay signals on different resources. In this regard, the relay signal received at the remote device 840 can be processed as: Y1 = h1*s + noise 1; Y2 = h2*s + noise 2; ...; Y N =h N *s+noise N The remote device 840 can receive multiple relay signals at multiple times (or at different times), each relay signal originating from a relay station that serves as the data source.

[0099] Figure 9 This is an example communication flow 900 of cooperative relay in a sidelink network according to one or more technologies disclosed herein. According to call flow 900, sidelink communication between UE pairs is provided, wherein a first UE pair may include UE 904a and UE 904b, and a second UE pair may include UE 904a and UE 904c. Figure 1 In the context of this, in some implementations, each of UEs 904a, 904b, and 904c can be implemented as one of UEs 104, or in other implementations, each of UEs 904a and 904b can be implemented as one of UEs 104, while device 904c can be implemented as BS 102 / 180. Figure 3 In the context of this, in some implementations, each of UE 904a, 904b, and 904c can be implemented as UE 350, or in other implementations, each of UE 904a and 904b can be implemented as UE 350, while device 904c can be implemented as base station 310.

[0100] For sidelink communication, UEs 904a, 904b, and 904c can communicate directly with each other on a sidelink. Examples of such sidelinks may include the PC5 interface defined for V2X in LTE and / or 5G NR. Communication on a sidelink can be carried on at least one channel.

[0101] On the side link, control information can be carried on the side link control channel 910a (such as PSCCH). However, data on the side link can be carried on the side link data channel 910b, which may also be referred to as the side link shared channel. An example of the side link data channel 910b may include PSSCH.

[0102] To receive data directly on sidelink data channel 910b, data can be scheduled on the resource set of sidelink data channel 910b. Scheduling information for data on sidelink data channel 910b can be carried on sidelink control channel 910a. Therefore, to transmit data directly on sidelink data channel 910b, each of 904a, 904b, and 904c can first receive and decode sidelink control channel 910a.

[0103] For sidelink communication on the allocated resource set 922, each of UEs 904a, 904b, and 904c can identify the other UE, for example, to establish a UE pair for sidelink communication. UEs 904a, 904b, and 904c can identify the other UE for sidelink communication based on a discovery phase. The discovery phase can occur on a sidelink discovery channel (e.g., PSDCH), where one UE of UEs 904a, 904b, and 904c can announce services offered by that UE, and the other UE of UEs 904a, 904b, and 904c can determine that the announced services are of interest to that other UE.

[0104] In 920, in some implementations, when UE 904b and the relay station are operating in sidelink operation mode 2, UE 904b can select between synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode based on sidelink synchronization procedures with multiple second UEs, as referenced. Figure 4 As described. For example, if synchronization is successful among all sidelink UEs, UE 904b can set the cooperative trunking mechanism to synchronous trunking. If all trunk UEs fail to synchronize, UE 904b can set the cooperative trunking to asynchronous trunking. In some implementations, if not all trunk UEs synchronize successfully (i.e., some trunk UEs can synchronize successfully), UE 904b can set a hybrid synchronous trunking mode, where some trunk UEs operate in synchronous trunking mode and others in asynchronous trunking mode. UE 904b may send separate resource allocations for each trunking mode, which may increase the cost and / or complexity of overhead sidelink signaling (e.g., SCI).

[0105] In 922, UE 904b can determine a first resource set for the first-hop transmission path and a second resource set for the second-hop transmission path. In some implementations, the resource allocation includes: a first resource set indicating first time and frequency resources for the first-hop transmission path between UE 904b and the first relay station; and a second resource set indicating second time and frequency resources for the second-hop transmission path between the first relay station and UE 904c.

[0106] exist Figure 9 As explained, UE 904b may have first sidelink data 926 to be sent to UE 904a, and UE 904a may have second sidelink data 934 to be sent to UE 904c. In order to send data on the sidelink, UE 904a and UE 904b may determine the corresponding control information 924, 932 associated with the sidelink data channel 910b.

[0107] Control information 924 and 932 enables UE 904a and UE 904c to successfully detect and decode data from UE 904b and UE 904a on sidelink data channel 910b, respectively. For example, control information 924 and 932 may indicate at least one of the following: scheduling for receiving data on sidelink data channel 910b, MCS for communication on sidelink data channel 910b, information associated with the HARQ procedure of sidelink data channel 910b, resource set allocated on sidelink data channel 910b to carry data, and / or TCI status associated with sidelink data channel 910b.

[0108] UE 904b can allocate a set of resources for sidelink communication with UE 904a. For example, resource allocation includes time and frequency resource allocation for a relay station to transmit at least a portion of a multicast signal to UE 904c. Specifically, resource allocation can indicate in which time slot(s)(s) the relay station should transmit at least a portion of the multicast signal to remote device 840. Resource allocation can also indicate in what time (or symbol duration) and frequency resources (e.g., resource blocks) the relay station should transmit at least a portion of the multicast signal to UE 904c for a given time slot. By allocating a set of resources for sidelink communication, the first UE 904b can reduce or prevent collisions, interference, and links on resources within the cell. This resource set may include a set of PRBs and / or time / frequency resources. Sidelink communication can occur in mmW and / or near-mmW spectrum. For example, one or more 3GPP standards for 5G NR may define communication in mmW and / or near-mmW frequencies.

[0109] During one or more time slots configured for transmission by UE 904b, UE 904b may send sidelink control information 924 to UE 904a on sidelink control channel 910a. UE 904a may be monitoring the set of resources allocated to sidelink control channel 910a.

[0110] UE 904b can directly transmit sidelink data 926 to UE 904a on sidelink data channel 910b. UE 904b can also transmit sidelink data 926 on sidelink data channel 910b based on sidelink control information 924. For example, UE 904b can transmit sidelink data 926 on sidelink data channel 910b according to the schedule indicated in the sidelink control information 924. This schedule can indicate a first resource set for the first hop transmission path between UE 904b and UE 904a.

[0111] At 928, UE 904a can successfully detect and decode sidelink control information 924. Based on sidelink control information 924, UE 904a can successfully receive and decode sidelink data 926 on sidelink data channel 910b.

[0112] UE 904a can obtain various parameters for sidelink communication on sidelink data channel 910b from sidelink control information 924, such as scheduling for receiving sidelink data 926 (e.g., PSSCH) on sidelink data channel 910b. At 928, UE 904a can perform blind decoding on all subchannels to identify and decode sidelink control information 924, such as SCI-2. At 930, UE 904a can determine the resources associated with sidelink communication within the cooperative relay mechanism relative to other sidelink transmitting UEs, as referenced... Figure 8 As described in UE 822, 824, and 826.

[0113] During a set of time slots configured for transmission by UE 904a according to side link control information 924, UE 904a may send side link control information 932 to UE 904c on side link control channel 910a. UE 904c may be monitoring a set of resources allocated to side link control channel 910a. For example, side link control information 932 may include a second set of resources indicating second time and frequency resources for a second-hop transmission path between UE 904a and UE 904c.

[0114] Subsequently, UE 904a can directly transmit the second sidelink data 934 to UE 904c on the sidelink data channel 910b. UE 904a can transmit the sidelink data 934 on the sidelink data channel 910b based on the sidelink control information 932. For example, UE 904a can transmit the sidelink data 934 on the sidelink data channel 910b according to the scheduling indicated in the sidelink control information 932. In some aspects, when UE 904a operates in synchronous relay mode, the sidelink data 934 includes a shared virtual relay identifier. In other aspects, when UE 904a operates in asynchronous relay mode, the sidelink data 934 includes a unique relay identifier.

[0115] Within the set of time slots configured according to the sidelink control information 932, UE 904c can successfully detect and decode the sidelink control information 932 on the sidelink control channel 910a. UE 904c can obtain various parameters for sidelink communication on the sidelink data channel 910b from the sidelink control information 932, such as the scheduling for receiving second sidelink data 934 on the sidelink data channel 910b. In some aspects, when UE 904a operates in synchronous relay mode with other sidelink transmitting UEs acting as relay stations, UE 904c can receive sidelink data 934 on the same time and frequency resources as other relay stations. In other aspects, when UE 904a operates in asynchronous relay mode with other sidelink transmitting UEs, UE 904c can receive sidelink data 934 on different time and frequency resources than UE 904a and other relay stations.

[0116] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a wireless communication process 1000. Process 1000 can be executed by a wireless communication device (e.g., UEs 104, 402, 404, 406, 408; device 350, RSUs 107, 407, UEs 822, 824, 826, UE 904a; device 1302, which may include a memory, a cellular baseband processor 1304, and one or more components configured to perform 1000). As explained, process 1000 includes several enumeration steps, but various embodiments of process 1000 may include additional steps before, after, and between these enumeration steps. In some embodiments, one or more of these enumeration steps may be omitted or performed in a different order. Optionally, aspects are illustrated with dashed lines. Procedure 1000 enables wireless communication devices to facilitate cooperative relaying in a sidelink network by providing sidelink control information to other sidelink transmitting UEs, which act as relay stations to forward source UE data to a destination via synchronous or asynchronous relay mode. Cooperative relaying via sidelink transmitting UEs provides diversity and power gain by improving the reliability and coverage of the relay link between the sidelink transmitting UE and the destination. Thus, this mechanism can increase uplink coverage to a base station acting as the destination, or increase sidelink coverage to a sidelink receiving UE acting as the destination.

[0117] At 1002, the wireless communication device can receive control information that configures a first UE (e.g., UE 822, 824, 826) and at least one other sidelink UE (e.g., UE 822, 824, 826) as relay stations between a second UE (e.g., UE 810) and a remote device (e.g., 840). In some aspects, the remote device may be a UE. In other aspects, the remote device may be a base station. The control information may be, for example, provided by... Figure 13 The configuration component 1340 of device 1302 receives data through the receiving component 1330 of device 1302.

[0118] In some implementations, the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE operate in a first sidelink communication mode, as shown in the reference. Figure 4 As described. In this regard, the wireless communication device can receive downlink configuration from the base station at the first moment. In some aspects of receiving multicast signals, the wireless communication device can receive multicast signals from the second UE at a second moment after the first moment.

[0119] In other implementations, the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE operate in a second sidelink communication mode, as referenced. Figure 4 As described. In this regard, the wireless communication device can receive side-link configuration from the second UE at the first time. In some aspects of receiving multicast signals, the wireless communication device can receive multicast signals from the second UE at a second time after the first time.

[0120] As explained in 1004, the wireless communication device can receive a multicast signal from the second UE, the multicast signal including resource allocations assigned to multiple sidelink UEs, including the first UE. This multicast signal can, for example, be generated by... Figure 13 The multicast component 1342 of device 1302 receives data via the receiving component 1330 of device 1302. In some implementations, resource allocation includes: a first resource set indicating first time and frequency resources for a first-hop transmission path between the second UE and the first UE; and a second resource set indicating second time and frequency resources for a second-hop transmission path between the first UE and a remote device. In some aspects, the first resources include multiple physical sidelink shared channels (PSSCHs) multiplexed in time or frequency. In some aspects of receiving multicast signals, the wireless communication device may receive multicast signals in a first PSSCH of multiple PSSCHs. In some aspects, the first PSSCH includes second-stage sidelink control information (SCI-2). In this regard, when a synchronous relay mode is selected, the wireless communication device may receive resource allocation in a common portion of SCI-2. Alternatively, the wireless communication device may receive resource allocation in a UE-specific portion of SCI-2. In other aspects, the wireless communication device may receive resource allocation in the MAC-CE of the first PSSCH.

[0121] In step 1006, the wireless communication device can determine whether the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE are operating in synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode based on at least a portion of the multicast signal. The synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode can be determined, for example, by... Figure 13The relay mode component 1346 of device 1302 is determined in coordination with the determination component 1348 of device 1302. At 1008, the wireless communication device performs a determination operation, wherein if the wireless communication device determines that it is operating in synchronous relay mode, process 1000 proceeds to block 1014. Otherwise, the wireless communication device determines that it is operating in asynchronous relay mode, and process 1000 proceeds to block 1010.

[0122] In step 1010, based on the asynchronous relay mode between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, the wireless communication device can transmit a unique relay identifier in the first relay signal, which is different from the relay identifier included in the second relay signal. The unique relay identifier in the first relay signal can, for example, be derived from... Figure 13 The relay identifier component 1350 of device 1302 is transmitted through the transmission component 1334 of device 1302.

[0123] At 1012, the wireless communication device can transmit an indication of the second resource set to a remote device, causing the remote device to combine the first relay signal with the second relay signal to recover data from the second UE. This indication can, for example, be provided by... Figure 13 The resource component 1342 of device 1302 is indicated by the transmission component 1334 of device 1302.

[0124] In some implementations, at least a portion of the multicast signal includes second-phase sidelink control information (SCI-2). In some aspects of receiving the multicast signal, the wireless communication device may receive a shared virtual relay identifier in the SCI-2. In some aspects, the shared virtual relay identifier is equivalent between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE. At 1014, the wireless communication device may determine, based on receiving the shared virtual relay identifier in the SCI-2, that the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE are operating in a synchronous relay mode. The synchronous relay mode may, for example, be determined by… Figure 13 The relay mode component 1346 of device 1302 is determined in coordination with the determination component 1348 of device 1302.

[0125] In step 1016, based on the synchronization relay mode between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, the wireless communication device can transmit a shared virtual relay identifier as a source identifier in the first relay signal, which is equivalent to the relay identifier included in the second relay signal. The shared virtual relay identifier can, for example, be derived from... Figure 13 The relay identifier component 1350 of device 1302 is transmitted via the transmission component 1334 of device 1302. In some aspects, the source identifier can indicate that the first UE is a data source.

[0126] At 1018, the wireless communication device can transmit a first relay signal to a remote device (e.g., UE 840, UE 904c) on a first resource included in the resource allocation. The first relay signal includes at least a portion of a multicast signal. In some aspects, the first relay signal corresponds to at least a portion of a second relay signal transmitted by at least one other sidelink UE (e.g., UE 822, 824, 826) to a remote device on a second resource included in the resource allocation. The first relay signal may, for example, be transmitted by... Figure 13 The relay mode component 1346 and / or the processor component 1352 of the device 1302 are communicated through the transmission component 1334 of the device 1302.

[0127] In some aspects of transmitting the first relay signal, the wireless communication device can transmit the first relay signal to a remote device concurrently with at least a portion of the second relay signal. In one or more implementations, the wireless communication device can transmit the first relay signal to the remote device as a unicast transmission. In some implementations, in synchronous relay mode, the first resource includes the same time and frequency resources as the second resource. In some implementations, in asynchronous relay mode, the first resource includes different time and frequency resources than the second resource.

[0128] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a wireless communication process 1100. Process 1100 can be executed by a wireless communication device (e.g., UE 104, 402, 404, 406, 408; device 350, RSU 107, 407, UE 810, UE 904b; apparatus 1302, which may include a memory, a cellular baseband processor 1304, and one or more components configured to perform process 1100). As explained, process 1100 includes several enumeration steps, but various embodiments of process 1100 may include additional steps before, after, and between these enumeration steps. In some embodiments, one or more of these enumeration steps may be omitted or performed in a different order. Optionally, aspects are illustrated with dashed lines. Procedure 1100 enables wireless communication devices to facilitate cooperative relaying in a sidelink network by providing sidelink control information to other sidelink transmitting UEs, which act as relay stations to forward source UE data to a destination via synchronous or asynchronous relay mode. Cooperative relaying via sidelink transmitting UEs provides diversity and power gain by improving the reliability and coverage of the relay link between the sidelink transmitting UE and the destination. Thus, this mechanism can increase uplink coverage to a base station acting as the destination, or increase sidelink coverage to a sidelink receiving UE acting as the destination.

[0129] At 1102, the wireless communication device transmits control information that configures multiple second UEs as relay stations between the wireless communication device and the remote device. This control information may, for example, be provided by... Figure 13 The configuration component 1340 of the device 1302 is transmitted via the transmission component 1334 of the device 1302.

[0130] At 1104, the wireless communication device determines resource allocations assigned to multiple second UEs for forwarding data between the first UE and the remote device via cooperative relaying with the multiple second UEs. This resource allocation may, for example, be determined by... Figure 13 The resource component 1342 of the device 1302 is determined in coordination with the determination component 1348 of the device 1302. In some aspects, the resource allocation includes: a first resource set indicating first time and frequency resources for a first hop transmission path between a first UE and a plurality of second UEs; and a second resource set indicating second time and frequency resources for a second hop transmission path between the plurality of second UEs and a remote device.

[0131] At 1106, the wireless communication device selects between synchronous relay mode and asynchronous relay mode based on a sidelink synchronization protocol with multiple second UEs. This synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode can, for example, be determined by... Figure 13 The relay mode component 1346 is selected in coordination with the determining component 1348 of device 1302. At 1108, the wireless communication device performs a selection operation, wherein if the wireless communication device selects a synchronous relay mode, process 1100 proceeds to block 1110. Otherwise, the wireless communication device selects an asynchronous relay mode, and process 1100 proceeds to block 1112.

[0132] In step 1110, when the synchronous relay mode is selected, the wireless communication device can provide resource allocation in the common portion of the sidelink control information section of the multicast signal. Resource allocation in the common portion of the sidelink control information section can, for example, be provided by… Figure 13 The configuration component 1340 of the device 1302 is provided through coordination with the resource component 1342 of the device 1302.

[0133] Alternatively, at 1112, when the asynchronous relay mode is selected, the wireless communication device can provide resource allocation in the UE-specific portion of the sidelink control information section of the multicast signal. The resource allocation in the UE-specific portion of the sidelink control information section can, for example, be provided by… Figure 13 The configuration component 1340 of the device 1302 is provided through coordination with the resource component 1342 of the device 1302.

[0134] At 1114, the wireless communication device can transmit a multicast signal, including the resource allocation, to multiple second UEs via a sidelink channel on the first resource. This multicast signal can, for example, be generated by... Figure 13 The multicast component 1344 of device 1302 transmits data via the transmission component 1334 of device 1302. In some aspects, the plurality of second UEs operate in a second sidelink communication mode. In some aspects of transmitting control information, the wireless communication device can transmit sidelink configuration to the plurality of second UEs at a first time. In some aspects of transmitting multicast signals, the wireless communication device can transmit multicast signals to the plurality of second UEs at a second time after the first time.

[0135] In some aspects, the first resource includes multiple Physical Side Link Shared Channels (PSSCHs) multiplexed in time or frequency. In some aspects of transmitting multicast signals, the wireless communication device can transmit multicast signals in the first PSSCH of the multiple PSSCHs. In some aspects, the first PSSCH includes Phase 2 Side Link Control Information (SCI-2). In this regard, when a Synchronous Relay mode is selected, the wireless communication device can provide resource allocation in the shared portion of SCI-2. Alternatively, the wireless communication device can provide resource allocation in the UE-specific portion of SCI-2. In other aspects, the wireless communication device can provide resource allocation in the MAC-CE of the first PSSCH.

[0136] Figure 12This is a flowchart of a wireless communication process 1200. Process 1200 can be executed by a wireless communication device (e.g., UE 104, 402, 404, 406, 408; BS 102 or 180; device 310 or 350, RSU 107, 407, device 840, device 904c; apparatus 1302, which may include a memory, a cellular baseband processor 1304, and one or more components configured to perform process 1200). As explained, process 1200 includes several enumeration steps, but various embodiments of process 1200 may include additional steps before, after, and between these enumeration steps. In some embodiments, one or more of these enumeration steps may be omitted or performed in a different order. Optionally, aspects are illustrated with dashed lines. Procedure 1200 enables wireless communication devices to facilitate cooperative relaying in a sidelink network by providing sidelink control information to other sidelink transmitting UEs, which act as relay stations to forward source UE data to a destination via synchronous or asynchronous relay mode. Cooperative relaying via sidelink transmitting UEs provides diversity and power gain by improving the reliability and coverage of the relay link between the sidelink transmitting UE and the destination. Thus, this mechanism can increase uplink coverage to a base station acting as the destination, or increase sidelink coverage to a sidelink receiving UE acting as the destination.

[0137] As explained in 1202, the wireless communication device can receive an indication of a resource set, which indicates the time and frequency resources for hopping transmission paths between a plurality of first UEs and the device. The indication of the resource set can, for example, be provided by... Figure 13 The receiving component 1330 of the device 1302 receives.

[0138] At 1204, the wireless communication device can receive multiple relay signals relayed cooperatively by respective UEs among a plurality of first UEs. These multiple relay signals can, for example, be... Figure 13 The receiving component 1330 of the device 1302 receives.

[0139] In some aspects of receiving multiple relay signals, the wireless communication device may receive a first relay signal and a second relay signal based on the resource set. In some aspects of receiving multiple relay signals, the wireless communication device may concurrently receive a first relay signal associated with a first relay UE among the multiple first UEs, with at least a portion of the second relay signal associated with a second relay UE among the multiple first UEs. In some aspects of receiving the first relay signal, the wireless communication device may receive a shared virtual relay identifier in the first relay signal based on a synchronous relay mode among the multiple first UEs, the shared virtual relay identifier being equivalent to a relay identifier included in the second relay signal. In some aspects of receiving multiple relay signals, in synchronous relay mode, the wireless communication device may receive the first relay signal in the same time and frequency resources as the second relay signal. In other aspects of receiving multiple relay signals, the wireless communication device may receive a unique relay identifier in the first relay signal based on an asynchronous relay mode among the multiple first UEs, the unique relay identifier being different from a relay identifier included in the second relay signal. In some aspects of receiving multiple relay signals, in asynchronous relay mode, the wireless communication device can receive the first relay signal in a different time and frequency resource than the second relay signal. In some aspects of receiving multiple relay signals, the wireless communication device can receive multiple relay signals as corresponding unicast transmissions from multiple first UEs.

[0140] At 1206, the wireless communication device can decode each of the plurality of relay signals to recover the corresponding portion of the multicast signal originating from the second UE. The plurality of relay signals can, for example, be generated by... Figure 13 The processor component 1352 of the device 1302 in the device performs decoding. In some aspects, decoding includes combining a first relay signal with a second relay signal to recover data from the second UE.

[0141] Figure 13Figure 1300 illustrates an example of the hardware implementation of device 1302. Device 1302 can be a UE or other wireless device that communicates via a sidelink. Device 1302 includes a cellular baseband processor 1304 (also referred to as a modem) coupled to a cellular RF transceiver 1322 and one or more Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards 1320, an application processor 1306 coupled to a Secure Digital Card (SD) card 1308 and a screen 1310, a Bluetooth module 1312, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) module 1314, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module 1316, and a power supply 1318. Cellular baseband processor 1304 communicates with other wireless devices (such as UE 104 and / or base stations 102 / 180) via cellular RF transceiver 1322. Cellular baseband processor 1304 may include computer-readable media / memory. Cellular baseband processor 1304 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on computer-readable media / memory. When executed by the cellular baseband processor 1304, the software causes the cellular baseband processor 1304 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by the cellular baseband processor 1304 during software execution. The cellular baseband processor 1304 further includes a receiving component 1330, a relay communication manager 1332, and a transmitting component 1334. The relay communication manager 1332 includes one or more of the described components. The components within the relay communication manager 1332 may be stored in a computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the cellular baseband processor 1304. The cellular baseband processor 1304 may be a component of device 310 or 350 and may include memory 360 or 370 and / or at least one of the following: TX processor 316 or 368, RX processor 356 or 370, and controller / processor 359 or 375. In one configuration, device 1302 may be a modem chip and include only baseband processor 1304, while in another configuration, device 1302 may be the entire wireless device (e.g., see...). Figure 3 The device 310 or 350) and includes an additional module of the device 1302.

[0142] The relay communication manager 1332 includes a configuration component 1340, a resource component 1342, a multicast component 1344, a relay mode component 1346, a determination component 1348, a relay identifier component 1350, and / or a processor component 1352, which are configured to perform combined operations. Figure 10 , Figure 11 and / or Figure 12 The methods described herein. The apparatus is explained as including components for performing... Figure 10 , Figure 11 and / or Figure 12The method is a component because the wireless device can sometimes operate as a transmitting device and at other times as a receiving device. In other examples, apparatus 1302 may include components for... Figure 10 The method's components do not need to include those configured to execute Figure 11 and / or Figure 12 Components of the method, or may include methods for Figure 11 The method's components do not need to include those configured to execute Figure 10 and / or Figure 12 Components of the method, or may include methods for Figure 12 The method's components do not need to include those configured to execute Figure 10 and / or Figure 11 Components of the method.

[0143] Device 1302 may include execution Figure 10 , Figure 11 and / or Figure 12 The additional components of each block of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowchart. Thus, Figure 10 , Figure 11 Each block in the aforementioned flowchart of 12 and / or 12 may be executed by a component, and the apparatus may include one or more of these components. These components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0144] In one configuration, device 1302 (especially cellular baseband processor 1304) includes: means for receiving a multicast signal from a second UE at a first UE, the multicast signal including resource allocations assigned to a plurality of sidelink UEs including the first UE. Device 1302 may further include: means for communicating a first relay signal to a remote device on a first resource included in the resource allocation, the first relay signal including at least a portion of the multicast signal, the first relay signal corresponding to at least a portion of a second relay signal communicated by at least one other sidelink UE among the plurality of sidelink UEs to the remote device on a second resource included in the resource allocation.

[0145] The device 1302 may further include: means for determining a resource allocation assigned to a plurality of second UEs to forward data between a first UE and a remote device via a cooperative relay with the plurality of second UEs. The device 1302 may further include: means for transmitting a multicast signal including the resource allocation to the plurality of second UEs via a sidelink channel on the first resource.

[0146] The apparatus 1302 may further include: means for receiving from a plurality of first UEs a plurality of relay signals relayed cooperatively by respective UEs among the plurality of first UEs. The apparatus 1302 may further include: means for decoding each of the plurality of relay signals to recover a corresponding portion of a multicast signal originating from a second UE.

[0147] The aforementioned apparatus may be one or more of the aforementioned components in device 1302 configured to perform the functions described therein. As described above, device 1302 may include TX processor 316 or 368, RX processor 356 or 370, and controller / processor 359 or 375. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned apparatus may be TX processor 316 or 368, RX processor 356 or 370, and controller / processor 359 or 375 configured to perform the functions described therein.

[0148] The following examples are merely illustrative and may be combined with other embodiments or aspects of the teachings described herein without limitation.

[0149] Example 1 is a wireless communication method performed by a first user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a multicast signal from a second UE, the multicast signal including resource allocations assigned to a plurality of sidelink UEs including the first UE; and communicating a first relay signal to a remote device on a first resource included in the resource allocation, the first relay signal including at least a portion of the multicast signal, the first relay signal corresponding to at least a portion of a second relay signal communicated by at least one other sidelink UE among the plurality of sidelink UEs to the remote device on a second resource included in the resource allocation.

[0150] In Example 2, the method of Example 1 further includes: transmitting the first relay signal concurrently with at least a portion of the second relay signal to the remote device.

[0151] In Example 3, the method of either Example 1 or Example 2 further includes: transmitting a first relay signal including a synchronization relay mode based on the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, providing a shared virtual relay identifier in the first relay signal, the shared virtual relay identifier being equivalent to a relay identifier included in the second relay signal.

[0152] In Example 4, the method of any of Examples 1 to 3 further includes: in the synchronous relay mode, the first resource includes the same time and frequency resources as the second resource.

[0153] In Example 5, the method of any of Examples 1 to 4 further includes: transmitting a first trunk signal including an asynchronous trunk mode between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, and providing a unique trunk identifier in the first trunk signal that is different from the trunk identifier included in the second trunk signal.

[0154] In Example 6, the method of any of Examples 1 to 5 further includes: in the asynchronous relay mode, the first resource includes time and frequency resources that are different from the second resource.

[0155] In Example 7, the method of any of Examples 1 to 6 further includes: receiving control information that configures the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE as a relay station between the second UE and the remote device.

[0156] In Example 8, the method of any of Examples 1 to 7 further includes: the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE operating in a first sidelink communication mode, receiving the control information including receiving downlink configuration from the base station at a first time, and receiving the multicast signal including receiving the multicast signal from the second UE at a second time after the first time.

[0157] In Example 9, the method of any of Examples 1 to 7 further includes: the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE operating in a second sidelink communication mode, receiving the control information including receiving sidelink configuration from the second UE at a first time, and receiving the multicast signal including receiving the multicast signal from the second UE at a second time after the first time.

[0158] In Example 10, the method of any of Examples 1 to 9 further includes: determining whether the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE are operating in synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode based on at least a portion of the PBX signal.

[0159] In Example 11, the method of any of Examples 1 to 10 further includes: the at least portion of the multicast signal includes second-stage sidelink control information (SCI-2), receiving the multicast signal includes receiving a shared virtual trunk identifier in the SCI-2, and the shared virtual trunk identifier is equivalent between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, the method further includes: determining, based on receiving the shared virtual trunk identifier in the SCI-2, that the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE are operating in a synchronous trunk mode.

[0160] In Example 12, the method of Example 11 further includes: conveying the first relay signal includes transmitting the first relay signal having a shared virtual relay identifier as a source identifier to the remote device, the source identifier indicating that the first UE is a data source.

[0161] In Example 13, the method of any of Examples 1 to 10 further includes: conveying a first relay signal including, when the first UE is determined to be operating in asynchronous relay mode with the at least one other sidelink UE, transmitting a first relay signal having a unique relay identifier associated with the first UE as a source identifier, the source identifier indicating that the first UE is a data source.

[0162] In Example 14, the method of Example 13 further includes: the resource allocation includes: a first resource set indicating first time and frequency resources for a first hop transmission path between the second UE and the first UE; and a second resource set indicating second time and frequency resources for a second hop transmission path between the first UE and the remote device, and conveying the first relay signal includes transmitting the indication of the second resource set to the remote device such that the remote device combines the first relay signal with the second relay signal to recover data from the second UE.

[0163] In Example 15, the method of any of Examples 1 to 10 further includes: the first resource includes a plurality of physical sidelink shared channels (PSSCHs) multiplexed in time or frequency, receiving a multicast signal includes receiving the multicast signal in a first PSSCH of the plurality of PSSCHs, and the first PSSCH includes sidelink control information (SCI-2) of the second phase.

[0164] In Example 16, the method of Example 15 further includes: receiving a multicast signal includes receiving the resource allocation in the common part of SCI-2 when the first UE is determined to be operating in synchronous relay mode.

[0165] In Example 17, the method of any of Examples 1 to 16 includes: receiving a multicast signal includes receiving the resource allocation in a UE-specific part of SCI-2 when the first UE is determined to be operating in asynchronous relay mode.

[0166] In Example 18, the method of any of Examples 1 to 17 includes: transmitting the first relay signal includes transmitting the first relay signal as a unicast transmission to a remote device.

[0167] In Example 19, the method of any of Examples 1 to 18 includes: the remote device is a UE.

[0168] In Example 20, the method of any of Examples 1 to 19 includes: the remote device is a base station.

[0169] Example 21 is an apparatus that includes one or more processors and one or more memories in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the one or more memories storing instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors to cause a system or apparatus to perform a method as in any of Examples 1 to 20.

[0170] Example 22 is a system or device that includes means for implementing a method or device as described in any of Examples 1 to 20.

[0171] Example 23 is a non-transient computer-readable medium storing instructions that can be executed by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement the methods of any of Examples 1 to 20.

[0172] Example 24 is a method for wireless communication at a first UE, comprising: determining a resource allocation assigned to a plurality of second UEs to forward data between the first UE and a remote device via a cooperative relay with the plurality of second UEs; and transmitting a cascade signal including the resource allocation to the plurality of second UEs via a sidelink channel on the first resource.

[0173] In Example 25, the method of Example 24 further includes: selecting between synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode based on the side link synchronization procedure with the plurality of second UEs.

[0174] In Example 26, the method of either Example 24 or Example 25 further includes: the first resource includes a plurality of physical sidelink shared channels (PSSCHs) multiplexed in time or frequency, and transmitting the multicast signal includes transmitting the multicast signal in a first PSSCH of the plurality of PSSCHs, the first PSSCH including second-stage sidelink control information (SCI-2).

[0175] In Example 27, the method of any of Examples 24 to 26 further includes: transmitting a multicast signal including transmitting resource allocation in the common portion of SCI-2 when the synchronization relay mode is selected.

[0176] In Example 28, the method of any of Examples 24 to 26 further includes: transmitting a multicast signal including transmitting resource allocation in a UE-specific part of SCI-2 when the asynchronous relay mode is selected.

[0177] In Example 29, the method of any of Examples 24 to 28 further includes: the resource allocation includes: a first resource set indicating first time and frequency resources for a first hop transmission path between a first UE and a plurality of second UEs; and a second resource set indicating second time and frequency resources for a second hop transmission path between the plurality of second UEs and a remote device.

[0178] In Example 30, the method of any of Examples 24 to 29 further includes: transmitting control information that configures a plurality of second UEs as relay stations between the first UE and the remote device.

[0179] In Example 31, the method of any of Examples 24 to 30 further includes: the plurality of second UEs operating in a second sidelink communication mode, transmitting control information including transmitting sidelink configuration to the plurality of second UEs at a first time, and transmitting multicast signals including transmitting multicast signals to the plurality of second UEs at a second time after the first time.

[0180] Example 32 is a device that includes one or more processors and one or more memories in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the one or more memories storing instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors to cause a system or apparatus to perform the methods of any of Examples 24 to 31.

[0181] Example 33 is a system or device that includes means for implementing a method as in any of Examples 24 to 31 or an apparatus for implementing any of Examples 24 to 31.

[0182] Example 34 is a non-transient computer-readable medium storing instructions that can be executed by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement the methods of any of Examples 24 to 31.

[0183] Example 35 is a method for wireless communication at a device, comprising: receiving from a plurality of first user equipment (UEs) a plurality of relay signals cooperatively relayed by respective UEs among the plurality of first UEs; and decoding each of the plurality of relay signals to recover a corresponding portion of a multicast signal originating from a second UE.

[0184] In Example 36, the method of Example 35 further includes: receiving a plurality of relay signals including at least a portion of a second relay signal associated with a second relay UE among the plurality of first UEs, and receiving a first relay signal associated with a first relay UE among the plurality of first UEs.

[0185] In Example 37, the method of any of Example 35 or Example 36 further includes: receiving a first relay signal including a synchronization relay mode based on the plurality of first UEs, and receiving a shared virtual relay identifier in the first relay signal, the shared virtual relay identifier being equivalent to a relay identifier included in a second relay signal.

[0186] In Example 38, the method of any of Examples 35 to 37 further includes: receiving a plurality of relay signals including, in a synchronous relay mode, receiving a first relay signal in the same time and frequency resources as the second relay signal.

[0187] In Example 39, the method of any of Examples 35 to 38 further includes: receiving a plurality of relay signals including an asynchronous relay mode based on the plurality of first UEs, and receiving a unique relay identifier in the first relay signal, the unique relay identifier being different from a relay identifier included in the second relay signal.

[0188] In Example 40, the method of any of Examples 35 to 39 further includes: receiving multiple relay signals including receiving a first relay signal in an asynchronous relay mode, in a time and frequency resource different from that of a second relay signal.

[0189] In Example 41, the method of any of Examples 35 to 40 further includes: receiving an indication of a resource set, which indicates time and frequency resources for hopping transmission paths between a plurality of first UEs and the device, wherein: receiving a plurality of relay signals includes receiving a first relay signal and a second relay signal based on the resource set, and the decoding includes combining the first relay signal and the second relay signal to recover data from the second UE.

[0190] In Example 42, the method of any of Examples 35 to 41 further includes: receiving multiple relay signals includes receiving multiple relay signals as corresponding unicast transmissions from multiple first UEs.

[0191] In Example 43, the method of any of Examples 35 to 43 further includes: the device is a UE.

[0192] In Example 44, the method of any of Examples 35 to 44 further includes: the device is a base station.

[0193] Example 45 is a device that includes one or more processors and one or more memories in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the one or more memories storing instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors to cause a system or apparatus to perform a method as in any of Examples 35 to 44.

[0194] Example 46 is a system or device that includes means for implementing a method as in any of Examples 35 to 44 or an apparatus for implementing any of Examples 35 to 44.

[0195] Example 47 is a non-transient computer-readable medium storing instructions that can be executed by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement methods as in any of Examples 35 to 44.

[0196] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the boxes in the disclosed process / flowcharts is an explanation of exemplary methods. It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the boxes in these process / flowcharts can be rearranged based on design preferences. Furthermore, some boxes may be combined or omitted. The appended method claims present the elements of the various boxes in an exemplary order and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0197] The preceding description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be granted the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein references to the singular form of an element, unless specifically stated, are not intended to mean “one and only one,” but rather “one or more.” The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as superior to or overriding other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some / a” refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiple A, multiple B, or multiple C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" can be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. Elements of all aspects described throughout this disclosure that are now or hereafter known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended as a donation to the public, whether or not such disclosure is expressly stated in the claims. The terms "module", "mechanism", "element", "device", etc., may not be a substitute for the term "apparatus". Thus, no claim element should be interpreted as an apparatus plus a function unless the element is expressly stated using the phrase "apparatus for...".

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: At least one processor; transceiver; as well as A memory coupled to the at least one processor and the transceiver to store instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to: The transceiver receives a multicast signal from the second UE, the multicast signal including resource allocations assigned to multiple sidelink UEs, including the first UE; and The transceiver transmits a first relay signal to the remote device on a first resource included in the resource allocation, the first relay signal including at least a portion of the multicast signal, the first relay signal corresponding to at least a portion of a second relay signal transmitted by at least one other sidelink UE among the plurality of sidelink UEs to the remote device on a second resource included in the resource allocation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first relay signal comprises: The first relay signal is transmitted to the remote device concurrently with at least a portion of the second relay signal via the transceiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein transmitting the first relay signal comprises: Based on the synchronous relay mode between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, a shared virtual relay identifier is provided in the first relay signal, the shared virtual relay identifier being equivalent to the relay identifier included in the second relay signal, wherein in the synchronous relay mode, the first resource includes the same time and frequency resources as the second resource.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein transmitting the first relay signal comprises: Based on the asynchronous relay mode between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, a unique relay identifier is provided in the first relay signal, which is different from the relay identifier included in the second relay signal, wherein in the asynchronous relay mode, the first resource includes time and frequency resources different from the second resource.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the device to: Control information is received via the transceiver, which configures the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE as relay stations between the second UE and the remote device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: The first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE operate in a first sidelink communication mode. Receiving the control information includes receiving downlink configuration from the network node via the transceiver at the first moment, and Receiving the multicast signal includes receiving the multicast signal from the second UE via the transceiver at a second time after the first time.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: The first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE operate in a second sidelink communication mode. Receiving the control information includes receiving sidelink configuration from the second UE via the transceiver at a first time. Receiving the multicast signal includes receiving the multicast signal from the second UE via the transceiver at a second time after the first time, and The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the device to: The system determines whether the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE are operating in synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode based on at least a portion of the multicast signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: The at least portion of the multicast signal includes the second-stage sidelink control information SCI-2. Receiving the multicast signal includes receiving the shared virtual relay identifier in the SCI-2 via the transceiver. The shared virtual relay identifier is equivalent between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the device to: Based on the shared virtual relay identifier received in the SCI-2, it is determined that the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE are operating in the synchronous relay mode, and Transmitting the first relay signal includes transmitting the first relay signal, having the shared virtual relay identifier as the source identifier, to the remote device via the transceiver, the source identifier indicating that the first UE is a data source.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: Transmitting the first relay signal includes: when the first UE is determined to be operating in the asynchronous relay mode with at least one other sidelink UE, transmitting via the transceiver a first relay signal having a unique relay identifier associated with the first UE as a source identifier, the source identifier indicating that the first UE is a data source. The resource allocation includes: a first resource set indicating first time and frequency resources for a first-hop transmission path between the second UE and the first UE; and a second resource set indicating second time and frequency resources for a second-hop transmission path between the first UE and the remote device. Transmitting the first relay signal includes transmitting an indication of the second resource set to the remote device via the transceiver, such that the remote device combines the first relay signal with the second relay signal to recover data from the second UE.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: The first resource includes multiple physical sidelink shared channels (PSSCH) that are multiplexed in time or frequency. Receiving the multicast signal includes receiving the multicast signal via the transceiver in a first PSSCH of the plurality of PSSCHs, and The first PSSCH includes the second-stage side link control information SCI-2.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein receiving the multicast signal comprises: When the first UE is determined to be operating in the synchronous relay mode, it receives the resource allocation in the common part of the SCI-2 via the transceiver.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein receiving the multicast signal comprises: When the first UE is determined to be operating in the asynchronous relay mode, the resource allocation is received in the UE-specific part of the SCI-2 via the transceiver.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first relay signal comprises: The first relay signal is transmitted to the remote device via the transceiver as a unicast transmission.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The remote device is a UE.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The remote device is a network node.

16. A wireless communication method performed by a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Receive a multicast signal from the second UE, the multicast signal including resource allocations assigned to a plurality of sidelink UEs including the first UE; as well as A first relay signal is communicated to a remote device on a first resource included in the resource allocation, the first relay signal including at least a portion of the multicast signal, the first relay signal corresponding to at least a portion of a second relay signal communicated by at least one other sidelink UE among the plurality of sidelink UEs to the remote device on a second resource included in the resource allocation.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the first relay signal comprises: The first relay signal is transmitted to the remote device concurrently with at least a portion of the second relay signal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the first relay signal comprises: Based on the synchronous relay mode between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, a shared virtual relay identifier is provided in the first relay signal, the shared virtual relay identifier being equivalent to the relay identifier included in the second relay signal, wherein in the synchronous relay mode, the first resource includes the same time and frequency resources as the second resource.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the first relay signal comprises: Based on the asynchronous relay mode between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE, a unique relay identifier is provided in the first relay signal, which is different from the relay identifier included in the second relay signal, wherein in the asynchronous relay mode, the first resource includes time and frequency resources different from the second resource.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: The system receives control information that configures the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE as relay stations between the second UE and the remote device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: The first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE operate in a first sidelink communication mode. Receiving the control information includes receiving downlink configuration from the network node at the first moment, and Receiving the multicast signal includes receiving the multicast signal from the second UE at a second time after the first time.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein: The first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE operate in a second sidelink communication mode. Receiving the control information includes receiving sidelink configuration from the second UE at a first time. Receiving the multicast signal includes receiving the multicast signal from the second UE at a second time after the first time, and The method further includes: The system determines whether the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE are operating in synchronous relay mode or asynchronous relay mode based on at least a portion of the multicast signal.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein: The at least portion of the multicast signal includes the second-stage sidelink control information SCI-2. Receiving the multicast signal includes receiving the shared virtual relay identifier in the SCI-2. The shared virtual relay identifier is equivalent between the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE. The method further includes: Based on the shared virtual relay identifier received in the SCI-2, it is determined that the first UE and the at least one other sidelink UE are operating in the synchronous relay mode, and Transmitting the first relay signal includes transmitting the first relay signal, which has the shared virtual relay identifier as a source identifier, to the remote device, the source identifier indicating that the first UE is a data source.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein: Transmitting the first relay signal includes: when the first UE is determined to be operating in the asynchronous relay mode with at least one other sidelink UE, transmitting the first relay signal having a unique relay identifier associated with the first UE as a source identifier, the source identifier indicating that the first UE is a data source. The resource allocation includes: a first resource set indicating first time and frequency resources for a first-hop transmission path between the second UE and the first UE; and a second resource set indicating second time and frequency resources for a second-hop transmission path between the first UE and the remote device. Transmitting the first relay signal includes sending an indication of the second resource set to the remote device, such that the remote device combines the first relay signal with the second relay signal to recover data from the second UE.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein: The first resource includes multiple physical sidelink shared channels (PSSCH) that are multiplexed in time or frequency. Receiving the multicast signal includes receiving the multicast signal in the first PSSCH of the plurality of PSSCHs, and The first PSSCH includes the second-stage side link control information SCI-2.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein receiving the multicast signal comprises: When the first UE is determined to be operating in the synchronous relay mode, it receives the resource allocation in the common portion of the SCI-2.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein receiving the multicast signal comprises: When the first UE is determined to be operating in the asynchronous relay mode, the resource allocation is received in the UE-specific portion of the SCI-2.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the first relay signal comprises: The first relay signal is transmitted to the remote device as a unicast transmission.

29. The method of claim 16, wherein, The remote device is a UE.

30. The method of claim 16, wherein, The remote device is a network node.

31. An apparatus for performing wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: A means for determining resource allocations assigned to a plurality of second UEs to forward data between the first UE and a remote device via cooperative relay with the plurality of second UEs; as well as A means for transmitting a multicast signal including the resource allocation to the plurality of second UEs via a sidelink channel on a first resource, wherein the resource allocation is configured to be used by a corresponding UE among the plurality of second UEs to relay a plurality of relay signals corresponding to the multicast signal to the remote means in cooperation with the corresponding UE among the plurality of second UEs.

32. The device of claim 31, further comprising: A means for selecting between synchronous relay mode and asynchronous relay mode based on sidelink synchronization procedures with the plurality of second UEs. in: The first resource includes multiple physical sidelink shared channels (PSSCH) that are multiplexed in time or frequency. The means for transmitting the multicast signal is configured to transmit the multicast signal in a first PSSCH of the plurality of PSSCHs, and The first PSSCH includes the second-stage side link control information SCI-2.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the means for transmitting the multicast signal is configured to: transmit the resource allocation in the common portion of the SCI-2 when the synchronization relay mode is selected.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the means for transmitting the multicast signal is configured to: transmit the resource allocation in a UE-specific portion of the SCI-2 when the asynchronous relay mode is selected.

35. The device of claim 31, wherein the resource allocation includes: A first resource set, which indicates first time and frequency resources for a first hop transmission path between the first UE and the plurality of second UEs; And a second resource set, which indicates second time and frequency resources for a second hop transmission path between the plurality of second UEs and the remote device.

36. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising: A device for transmitting control information, wherein the control information configures the plurality of second UEs as relay stations between the first UE and the remote device. in: The plurality of second UEs operate in the second side link communication mode. The means for transmitting the control information is configured to transmit the sidelink configuration to the plurality of second UEs at a first time, and The means for transmitting the ensemble signal is configured to transmit the ensemble signal to the plurality of second UEs at a second time after the first time.

37. A wireless communication method performed by a device, the method comprising: Receive multiple relay signals from multiple first user equipment (UEs) that are cooperatively relayed by corresponding UEs among the multiple first UEs, the multiple relay signals being relayed using resource allocations assigned to the multiple first UEs included in a multicast signal originating from a second UE; as well as Decode each of the plurality of relay signals to recover the corresponding portion of the multicast signal originating from the second UE.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving the plurality of relay signals comprises: Concurrently receive, at least a portion of, the first relay signal associated with the first relay UE among the plurality of first UEs.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein: Receiving the first relay signal includes: based on the synchronization relay mode among the plurality of first UEs, receiving a shared virtual relay identifier in the first relay signal, wherein the shared virtual relay identifier is equivalent to the relay identifier included in the second relay signal, and Receiving the plurality of relay signals includes: in the synchronous relay mode, receiving the first relay signal in the same time and frequency resources as the second relay signal.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein: Receiving the plurality of relay signals includes: based on the asynchronous relay mode among the plurality of first UEs, receiving a unique relay identifier in the first relay signal, wherein the unique relay identifier is different from the relay identifier included in the second relay signal, and Receiving the plurality of relay signals includes: in the asynchronous relay mode, receiving the first relay signal in a time and frequency resource different from that of the second relay signal.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising receiving an indication of a resource set, indicating time and frequency resources for hopping transmission paths between the plurality of first UEs and the device. in: Receiving the plurality of relay signals includes receiving the first relay signal and the second relay signal based on the resource set, and The decoding includes combining the first relay signal and the second relay signal to recover data from the second UE.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving the plurality of relay signals comprises: The plurality of relay signals are received as corresponding unicast transmissions from the plurality of first UEs.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein, The device is a UE.

44. The method of claim 37, wherein, The device is a network node.

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