Enhanced sidelink channel cellular coverage

Abstract

Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented herein for a user equipment (UE) to establish communication with a second UE on a sidelink channel on a new radio (NR) physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH). Embodiments described herein provide coverage enhancement for NR PSSCH in the areas of narrowband transmission with frequency hopping, support for PSSCH repetition, and advanced PSSCH repetition.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to wireless networks for user equipment (UE) devices, and more specifically to a system and method for providing coverage enhancement for a sidelink channel such as a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH).

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The use of wireless communication systems is increasing rapidly. One proposed use of wireless communication is in vehicular applications, particularly in V2X (vehicle-to-anything) systems. V2X systems allow for communication between vehicles (e.g., through communication devices housed in or otherwise carried by vehicles), pedestrian UEs (including UEs carried by other people such as cyclists, etc.), and other wireless communication devices for various purposes such as for coordinating traffic activity, facilitating autonomous driving, and performing anti-collision.

[0004] The increased demand for V2X communication has increased the need for reliable, long-range wireless coverage for sidelink transmissions by which a UE can communicate directly with another UE. Accordingly, improvements in this area would be desirable. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented herein for a user equipment (UE) to establish communication with a second UE on a sidelink channel such as a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH). Embodiments described herein can provide coverage enhancement for a sidelink channel, e.g., an NR PSSCH, in the area of narrowband transmissions with frequency hopping, support for PSSCH repetition, and advanced PSSCH repetition.

[0006] Some embodiments relate to a user equipment (UE) comprising at least one antenna, a radio operably coupled to the at least one antenna, and a processor operably coupled to the radio. The UE can transmit data to a second UE on a PSSCH. The data can be transmitted on a narrowband frequency domain subchannel of the PSSCH using one or more physical resource blocks (PRBs). The number of PRBs can correspond to a narrowband bandwidth, and in some embodiments can include one PRB.

[0007] In some embodiments, the PSSCH comprises a plurality of subchannels, and each subchannel comprises a plurality of PRBs. The UE can then be configured to transmit on a narrow subset of the plurality of PRBs.

[0008] A UE can transmit data on a PSSCH according to a frequency hopping pattern. For example, the UE can first define a resource unit (RU) as one or more of a plurality of PRBs or a plurality of sub-channels in the frequency domain and a plurality of symbols in the time domain. Then, the UE can define a frequency hopping pattern on the PSSCH as including a plurality of predetermined RUs. Based on the frequency hopping pattern, each predetermined RU can be located at one or more of a different time or a different frequency. Then, the UE can transmit data according to the frequency hopping pattern using the predetermined RUs. An example of a frequency hopping pattern is: n(i) = (s + i x P) mod N, where n(i) is the frequency location of the (i+1)th hop, s is a starting frequency unit, P is a hop distance, and N is the total number of resource units.

[0009] The frequency hopping pattern can be configured differently for each sidelink resource pool P. The frequency hopping can also be designed to allow resource units to span across resource pool boundaries.

[0010] During performing frequency hopping, a UE can determine that an RU is unavailable through resource sensing. In response to determining that an RU in the frequency hopping pattern is unavailable, the UE can perform one of various procedures. For example, when the frequency hopping pattern collides with an unavailable RU, the UE can omit the corresponding hop location. As another example, when the frequency hopping pattern collides with an unavailable RU, the UE can shift the corresponding hop occasion to the next available RU. As another example, RUs that have been selected as available through resource sensing can be indexed in an increasing order, e.g., frequency domain first and time domain second. Then, the UE can perform frequency hopping based on the indices of the selected RUs. In some embodiments, the UE can be given the priority to select RUs in a resource pool, such that the UE does not need to perform sensing, only perform partial sensing or randomly select. In this case, the UE can not take any action in response to determining a potentially unavailable RU.

[0011] Embodiments described herein support flexible PSSCH repetition in order to provide coverage enhancement. PSSCH repetition can be adopted through one or more of the following steps. Step 1: A super resource unit (SRU) can be defined for PSSCH, and each SRU can contain multiple symbols or slots. Step 2: Each repetition can be configured to contain multiple SRUs. Step 3: The number of repetitions can be dynamically indicated by sidelink control information (SCI). The configuration of SRU and repetition can be achieved by hardcoding in the specification or via radio resource control (RRC) or medium access control - control element (MAC-CE).

[0012] Some embodiments are directed to a baseband processor having processing circuitry configured to perform at least some or all of the above operations.

[0013] The summary of the disclosure is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subject matter described in this document. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following DETAILED DESCRIPTION, Figures, and Claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] A better understanding of the present subject matter can be obtained when the following detailed description of various embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 An example vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0016] Figure 2 A base station in communication with a user equipment (UE) device is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0017] Figure 3 An example block diagram of a UE in accordance with some embodiments is shown;

[0018] Figure 4 An example block diagram of a base station in accordance with some embodiments is shown;

[0019] Figure 5 An example of a vehicle-to-everything network is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0020] Figure 6 An existing New Radio (NR) sidelink resource block (RB) allocation is shown;

[0021] Figure 7 An example New Radio (NR) sidelink resource block (RB) allocation on a narrowband is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0022] Figure 8 A flow diagram showing an example method for a UE to perform enhanced coverage for sidelink narrowband transmissions in accordance with some embodiments is shown;

[0023] Figure 9 A flow diagram showing an example method for a UE to perform PSSCH transmission repetition in accordance with some embodiments is shown.

[0024] Figure 10 An example of narrowband transmissions with frequency hopping is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 11 An example of flexible PSSCH repetition is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 12Examples of flexible PSSCH repetition using a beam-based system are shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 13 Three examples of advanced PSSCH repetition are shown in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0028] Figure 14 Management of interruption of repetition occasions is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0029] While the features described herein can be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Terminology

[0031] Various acronyms are used throughout the present disclosure. Definitions of the most prominent acronyms used throughout the present disclosure can appear as follows:

[0032] • UE: User Equipment

[0033] • RF: Radio Frequency

[0034] • BS: Base Station

[0035] • NW: Network

[0036] • DL: Downlink

[0037] • UL: Uplink

[0038] • BW: Bandwidth

[0039] • GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications

[0040] • UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0041] • LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0042] • NR: New Radio

[0043] • NR-U: NR Unlicensed

[0044] • TX: Transmission

[0045] • RX: Reception

[0046] • RAT: Radio Access Technology

[0047] • RAN: Radio Access Network

[0048] • DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0049] • V2X: Vehicle-to-Everything

[0050] • PSCCH: Physical Sidelink Control Channel

[0051] • PSSCH: Physical Sidelink Shared Channel

[0052] • PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0053] • PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0054] • PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0055] • RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0056] • SCI: Sidelink Control Information

[0057] • AGC: Automatic Gain Control

[0058] • CSI: Channel State Information

[0059] • RB: Resource Block

[0060] • PRB: Physical Resource Block

[0061] • RU: Resource Unit

[0062] • SRU: Super Resource Unit

[0063] • SCS: Subcarrier Spacing

[0064] • MAC-CE: Medium Access Control - Control Element

[0065] • HARQ: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0066] • Uu interface: Air interface linking a user equipment (UE) to a universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network

[0067] • dB: Decibel

[0068] • MCL: Maximum Coupling Loss

[0069] • ISM: Industrial, Scientific and Medical

[0070] • FR2: Frequency Range 2 - corresponds to 24250 MHz to 52600 MHz

[0071] • TB: Transport Block

[0072] • RV: redundancy version

[0073] • DMRS: demodulation reference signal

[0074] • QCL: quasi co-location

[0075] • NLOS: non-line-of-sight

[0076] • RSRP: reference signal received power

[0077] • OFDM: orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

[0078] The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

[0079] Memory medium—any of various types of memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include a non-transitory memory, such as installed memory, e.g., Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Electrically Programmable (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable (EEPROM) memory, flash memory, or non-volatile static memory such as read-only memory (ROM). The term "memory medium" also includes other types of storage media such as a disk drive, hard drive, solid state drive, tape drive, flash drive, etc. The term "memory medium" also includes a storage medium that is not a transitory signal per se, but is a non-transitory medium that is not intended for use with a signal for transitory signals per se. The term "memory medium" can also include a single memory or multiple memories that store programs for execution by one or more processors.

[0080] Programmable hardware element—includes various hardware devices including a plurality of programmable function blocks connected via a programmable interconnect. Examples include FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPOAs (field programmable object arrays), and CPLDs (complex PLDs). The programmable function blocks can range from fine grained (combinatorial logic units or lookup tables) to coarse grained (arithmetic logic units or processor cores). Programmable hardware elements can also be referred to as "configurable logic devices."

[0081] Computer system (or computer)—any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), television system, grid

[0082] User equipment (UE) (or “UE device”)—any of various types of computer systems or devices that are mobile or portable and that performs wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile telephones, tablet computers, portable gaming devices, media players, wearable devices, and various other consumer devices that include wireless communications capabilities. Typically, a UE device is implemented as a handheld TM computer, but a UE device also can be incorporated into a larger system or device, such as an automobile or a vending machine. A UE device typically has one or more processors that are coupled to one or more forms of memory media to enable operation of the device by a user. Generally, a UE device can include, among other things, one or more central processing units (CPU), memory storage devices, the various input / output interfaces, cash registers, and various other components. TM TM TM TM TM TM TM

[0083] Wireless device—any of various types of computer systems or devices that perform wireless communications. A wireless device can be portable (or mobile) or can be stationary or fixed at a location. A UE is one example of a wireless device.

[0084] Infrastructure equipment—as used herein, generally can refer in the context of a V2X system to certain devices in the V2X system that are not user equipment and are not carried by a traffic participant (i.e., a pedestrian, vehicle, or other mobile user), but rather facilitate user equipment participation in the V2X network. Infrastructure equipment includes base stations and roadside units (RSUs).

[0085] ​​​​​​​User Equipment - As used herein, can generally refer in the context of a V2X system to devices associated with mobile actors or traffic actors in a V2X system, i.e., mobile (capable of moving) communication devices such as vehicles and pedestrian user equipment (PUE) devices, as opposed to infrastructure devices such as base stations, roadside units (RSUs), and servers.

[0086] Pedestrian UE (PUE) device - a user equipment (UE) device that can be worn or carried by a variety of people, including not only pedestrians who are literally walking near a roadway, but also certain other peripheral or secondary actors or potential actors in a traffic environment. These include stationary people, people who are not on a vehicle and can not necessarily be near a roadway or traffic, people who are jogging, running, skating, etc., or people on vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, or certain motorized vehicles that can not substantially support the power capabilities of a UE. Examples of pedestrian UEs include smartphones, wearable UEs, PDAs, etc.

[0087] Base Station - The term "base station" has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and at least includes a wireless communication station installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

[0088] Processing Element - Refers to various elements or combinations of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuitry such as, without limitation, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), portions or circuits of individual processors, entire processors, programmable hardware devices such as, for example, FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), and / or larger portions of systems that include multiple processors.

[0089] Channel - A medium used to convey information from a sender (transmitter) to a receiver. It should be noted that the term "channel" is used in the broadest sense. "Channel" as used herein, can be considered as being logically separate from, but operatively coupled to, the physical medium through which is physically transmits the information. That is, communication media is the means used to transmit the information from one node to another. The transmission media of a channel can be wired or wireless. Examples of wired transmission media include, but are not limited to, copper wires, cables, and fiber optic cables. Examples of wireless transmission media include, but are not limited to, acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. As used herein, the term "channel" is used to refer to a communication medium, and also the entire system (including the logical and physical components) used to convey information from a sender to a receiver. Since the characteristics of the term "channel" can vary depending on the type of equipment to which the term is referenced, the term "channel" as used herein should be considered in light of the type of equipment with which it is used. In some standards, channel width can be variable (e.g., depending on device capabilities, band conditions, etc.). For example, LTE can support scalable channel bandwidths from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz. In contrast, a WLAN channel can be 22 MHz wide, while a Bluetooth channel can be 1 MHz wide. Other protocols and standards can include different definitions of a channel. Also, some standards can define and use multiple types of channels, e.g., different channels for uplink or downlink and / or different channels for different uses such as data, control information, etc.

[0090] Sidelink - In cellular communications, a sidelink is a transmission path from one user equipment (UE) directly to another user equipment (UE).

[0091] Contention - is a condition that occurs when two or more mobile devices or UEs contend for the same network resources.

[0092] Maximum Coupling Loss (MCL) - Maximum Coupling Loss is a measure that assesses the coverage of a radio access technology. In theory, it can be defined as the maximum loss of conducted power level that the system can tolerate and still be operational.

[0093] Resource Element (RE) - A RE is made up of one subcarrier on one OFDM symbol.

[0094] Resource Block (RB) - A RB is made up of 12 consecutive subcarriers with the same SCS, and thus the bandwidth of a RB depends on the SCS value of the subcarriers.

[0095] Resource Grid - A resource grid is made up of multiple RBs with the same SCS.

[0096] Resource Pool - A resource pool is a set of resources allocated for sidelink operation. It consists of subframes and resource blocks within them.

[0097] Device Pair (or UE Pair) - A pair of UEs that communicate with each other.

[0098] Figure 1 -V2X Communication System

[0099] Figure 1 One example of a cellular communication system in which sidelink communication can be employed is illustrated. As one specific example, Figure 1 An example vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments. Note that Figure 1 The system of FIG. 1 is merely one example of possible systems, and features of the present disclosure can be implemented in any of various systems as desired.

[0100] A vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system can be characterized as a network in which vehicles, UEs, and / or other devices and network entities exchange communications in order to coordinate traffic activity, as well as other possible purposes. V2X communications include communications transmitted between vehicles (e.g., wireless devices or communication devices that form part of a vehicle or are included in or otherwise carried by a vehicle) and various other devices. V2X communications include vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications, vehicle-to-network (V2N) communications, and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, as well as communications between vehicles and other possible network entities or devices. V2X communications can also refer to communications between other non-vehicle devices participating in a V2X network in order to share V2X-related information.

[0101] V2X communications can for example comply with 3GPP Cellular V2X (C-V2X) specifications, or one or more other or subsequent standards, whereby vehicles and other devices and network entities can communicate. V2X communications can utilize both long range (e.g., cellular) communications as well as short to medium range (e.g., non-cellular) communications. V2X communications with cellular capability can be referred to as Cellular V2X (C-V2X) communications. C-V2X systems can use various cellular radio access technologies (RATs), such as 4G LTE or 5G NR RATs. Certain LTE standards available in V2X systems can be referred to as LTE-Vehicle (LTE-V) standards.

[0102] As shown, the example V2X system includes a plurality of user equipment. As used herein in the context of a V2X system, and as defined above, the term “user equipment” can generally refer to devices associated with mobile actors or road users in the V2X system, i.e., mobile (capable of moving) communication devices such as vehicles and pedestrian user equipment (PUE) devices. User equipment in the example V2X system includes PUEs 104A and 104B and vehicles 106A and 106B.

[0103] Vehicles 106 can constitute various types of vehicles. For example, vehicle 106A can be a road vehicle or car, a public transit vehicle, or another type of vehicle. Vehicles 106 can communicate wirelessly in various ways. For example, vehicle 106A can include communication equipment that is part of the vehicle or housed in the vehicle, or can communicate through wireless communication devices that are currently contained within or otherwise carried by the vehicle, such as user equipment (UE) devices (e.g., smartphones or similar devices) carried or worn by a driver, passenger, or other person on the vehicle, among other possibilities. For simplicity, the term “vehicle” as used herein can include wireless communication equipment that represents and communicates for the vehicle. Thus, for example, when vehicle 106A is referred to as communicating wirelessly, it is to be understood that more particularly certain wireless communication equipment associated with and carried by vehicle 106A is performing the wireless communication.

[0104] Pedestrian UEs (PUEs) 104 can constitute various types of user equipment (UE) devices, i.e., portable devices capable of wireless communication such as smartphones, smartwatches, etc., and can be associated with various types of users. Thus, PUEs 104 are UEs and can be referred to as UEs or UE devices. Note that while UEs 104 can be referred to as PUEs (pedestrian UEs), they can not necessarily be carried by a person who is actively walking near a roadway or street. PUEs can refer to UEs that participate in a V2X system that are carried by a person who is stationary, carried by a person who is walking or running, or carried by a person on a vehicle such as a bicycle, scooter, or certain motor vehicles that can not substantially support the power capabilities of the devices. Note also that not all UEs that do not participate in a V2X system are PUEs.

[0105] User equipment can be capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, in addition to at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-V, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000, 5G NR, etc.), UE 104A can be configured to communicate using a wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi) and / or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.). If desired, UE 104A can also or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, e.g., GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcasting standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), and / or any other wireless communication protocol. Other combinations of wireless communication standards, including more than two wireless communication standards, are also possible.

[0106] As shown, certain user equipment can be capable of communicating directly with each other, i.e., without an intermediate infrastructure equipment such as a base station 102A or RSU 110A. As shown, vehicle 106A can communicate V2X-related communications directly with vehicle 106B. Similarly, vehicle 106B can communicate V2X-related communications directly with PUE 104B. In the case of some LTE and / or 5G NR implementations, such peer-to-peer communication can utilize a “sidelink” interface such as a PC5 interface. In some implementations, the PC5 interface supports direct cellular communication between user equipment (e.g., between vehicles 106), while the Uu interface supports cellular communication with infrastructure equipment such as a base station. The PC5 / Uu interface is used merely as an example, and as used herein PC5 can represent various other possible wireless communication technologies that allow for direct sidelink communication between user equipment, while Uu can represent cellular communication between user equipment and infrastructure equipment such as a base station. Some user equipment in a V2X system (e.g., PUE 104A) can not be capable of performing sidelink communication, e.g., because they lack certain hardware needed to perform such communication.

[0107] As shown, the example V2X system includes a number of infrastructure equipment in addition to the user equipment described above. As used herein, “infrastructure equipment” refers in the context of a V2X system to certain devices in the V2X system that are not user equipment and are not carried by a traffic participant (i.e., a pedestrian, vehicle, or other mobile user), but rather facilitate user equipment participating in the V2X network. Infrastructure equipment in the example V2X system includes base station 102A and roadside unit (RSU) 110A.

[0108] A base station (BS) 102A can be a base transceiver station (BTS) or cell site (“cell site station”), and can include hardware capable of communicating with user equipment (e.g., with user equipment 104A and 106A).

[0109] A base station’s area of communication (or coverage area) can be referred to as a “cell” or “coverage area.” Base station 102A and user equipment such as PUE 104A can be configured to communicate over a transmission medium using any of a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), also referred to as wireless communication technologies or telecommunication standards, such as GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Vehicle (LTE-V), HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000, 5G NR, etc. Note that if base station 102A is implemented in the context of LTE, it can alternatively be referred to as an “eNodeB” or eNB, while if base station 102A is implemented in the context of 5G NR, it can alternatively be referred to as a “gNodeB” or gNB.

[0110] As shown, base station 102A can also be equipped to communicate with network 100 (e.g., in various possibilities, a V2X network, and a cellular service provider’s core network, a telecommunications network such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and / or the Internet). Thus, base station 102A can facilitate communication between user equipment and / or between user equipment and network 100. Cellular base station 102A can provide user equipment such as UE 104A with various communication capabilities such as voice, SMS, and / or data services. In particular, base station 102A can provide connected user equipment (such as UE 104A and vehicle 106A) with access to a V2X network.

[0111] Thus, while base station 102A can act as a “serving cell” for user equipment 104A and 106A, as Figure 1The user devices shown, user devices 104B and 106B, can also be able to communicate with base station 102A. The user devices shown, user devices 104A, 104B, 106A, and 106B, can also be able to receive signals from (and possibly within communication range of) one or more other cells, which can be provided by base stations 102B through 102N and / or any other base stations, such cells can be referred to as “neighboring cells.” Such cells can also facilitate communication between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100. Such cells can include “macro” cells, “micro” cells, “pico” cells, and / or any of various other granularities of service area sizes. For example, in Figure 1 Base stations 102A through 102B shown in FIG. 1 can be macro cells, while base station 102N can be a micro cell. Other configurations are certainly possible.

[0112] Roadside unit (RSU) 110A constitutes another infrastructure equipment that can be used to provide access to a V2X network for certain user devices. RSU 110A can be one of various types of devices, such as a base station, e.g., a base transceiver station (BTS) or cell site (“cellular base station”), or another type of device that includes hardware capable of wirelessly communicating with user devices and facilitating their participation in a V2X network.

[0113] RSU 110A can be configured to communicate using one or more wireless networking communication protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi), cellular communication protocols (e.g., LTE, LTE-V, 5G NR, etc.), and / or other wireless communication protocols. In some embodiments, RSU 110A can be able to communicate with devices using “sidelink” technology, such as PC5.

[0114] RSU 110A can communicate directly with user devices, such as vehicles 106A and 106B as shown. RSU 110A can also communicate with base station 102A. In some cases, RSU 110A can provide access to base station 102A for certain user devices, e.g., vehicle 106B. While RSU 110A is shown as communicating with vehicles 106, it can also (or otherwise) be able to communicate with PUEs 104. Similarly, RSU 110A can not necessarily forward user device communications to base station 102A. In some embodiments, RSU 110A can constitute a base station itself, and / or can forward communications to server 120.

[0115] As shown in the figure, server 120 constitutes the network entity of the V2X system and can be referred to as a cloud server. Base station 102A and / or RSU 110A can relay certain V2X-related communications between user equipment 104 and 106 and server 120. Server 120 can be used to process certain information collected from multiple user equipments and can manage V2X communications to user equipments to coordinate traffic activities. In various other implementations of the V2X system, various functions of cloud server 120 may be performed by infrastructure equipment such as base station 102A or RSU 110A, by one or more user equipments, and / or not at all.

[0116] Figure 2 Communication between UE and base station

[0117] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a configuration of base station 102 according to some implementations (e.g., Figure 1 User equipment (UE) device 104 (e.g., communicating with base station 102A) in the base station 102A) Figure 1 (One of PUE 104A or 104B). UE 104 can be a device with cellular communication capabilities, such as a mobile phone, handheld device, computer or tablet computer, or virtually any type of portable wireless device.

[0118] UE 104 may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in memory. UE 104 may perform any of the method embodiments of the present invention by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or additionally, UE 104 may include programmable hardware elements, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein or any portion thereof.

[0119] The UE 104 can include one or more antennas to communicate using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In some embodiments, the UE 104 can be configured to communicate using, for example, CDMA2000 (lxRTT / lxEV-DO / HRPD / eHRPD) LTE, and / or 5G NR using a single shared radio, and / or 5G NR or LTE using a single shared radio. The shared radio can be coupled to a single antenna, or can be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., for MIMO) for performing wireless communication. Generally, a radio can include any combination of a baseband processor, analog RF signal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.), or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation as well as other digital processing). Similarly, the radio can implement one or more receive and transmit chains using the aforementioned hardware. For example, the UE 104 can share one or more portions of receive and / or transmit chains between multiple wireless communication technologies such as those discussed above.

[0120] In some embodiments, the UE 104 can include separate transmit and / or receive chains (e.g., including separate antennas and other radio components) for each wireless communication protocol configured to be used for communication. As another possibility, the UE 104 can include one or more radios shared between multiple wireless communication protocols, as well as one or more radios used exclusively by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, the UE 104 can include a shared radio for communicating using any of LTE, 5G NR, and / or lxRTT (or LTE or GSM), as well as separate radios for communicating using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible.

[0121] Figure 3 -UE block diagram

[0122] Figure 3An exemplary block diagram of a UE 104 is shown, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, the UE 104 can include a system on chip (SOC) 300, which can include portions for various purposes. For example, as shown, the SOC 300 can include a processor 302, which can execute program instructions for the UE 104, and a display circuit 304, which can perform graphics processing and provide display signals to a display 360. The one or more processors 302 can also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 340 (which can be configured to receive addresses from the one or more processors 302 and translate those addresses to locations in memory, such as a memory 306, a read only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310) and / or to other circuitry or devices, such as the display circuit 304, wireless communication circuitry 330, a connector I / F 320, and / or the display 360. The MMU 340 can be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or set up. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 can be included as a portion of the processor 302.

[0123] As shown, the SOC 300 can be coupled to various other circuitry of the UE 104. For example, the UE 104 can include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash memory 310), a connector interface 320 (e.g., for coupling to a computer system, docking station, charging station, etc.), a display 360, and wireless communication circuitry 330 (e.g., for LTE, LTE-A, LTE-V, 5G NR, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.). The UE can also include at least one SIM device, and can include two SIM devices, each providing a respective international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and associated functionality.

[0124] As shown, the UE device 104 can include at least one antenna (and in various possibilities, multiple antennas, for example for MIMO and / or for implementing different wireless communication technologies) for performing wireless communication with base stations, access points, and / or other devices. For example, the UE device 104 can use antenna 335 to perform wireless communication.

[0125] The UE 104 can also include and / or be configured for use with one or more user interface elements. User interface elements can include any of a variety of elements such as a display 360 (which can be a touchscreen display), a keyboard (which can be a discrete keyboard or can be implemented as part of a touchscreen display), a mouse, a microphone, and / or a speaker, one or more cameras, one or more buttons, and / or any of a variety of other elements capable of providing information to a user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0126] As described herein, the UE 104 can include hardware and software components for implementing features such as those described herein for performing more efficient vehicle-related communications. The processor 302 of the UE device 104 can be configured to implement part or all of the methods described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored in a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). In other embodiments, the processor 302 can be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or additionally) in conjunction with one or more of the other components 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 330, 335, 340, 350, 360, the processor 302 of the UE device 104 can be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein, such as the features described herein.

[0127] Figure 4 - Base station block diagram

[0128] Figure 4 An example block diagram of a base station 102 (e.g., base station 102A in Figure 1 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. Note that the base station of Figure 4 is just one example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 can include a processor 404 that can execute program instructions for the base station 102. The processor 404 can also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440, or other circuitry or

[0129] The base station 102 can include at least one network port 470. The network port 470 can be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide a plurality of devices, such as UE devices 104, access to the telephone network.

[0130] The network port 470 (or an additional network port) can also be, or alternatively be configured to be, coupled to a cellular network, such as a core network of a cellular service provider. The core network can provide mobility-related services and / or other services to a plurality of devices, such as the UE devices 104. In some cases, the network port 470 can couple to the telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network can provide the telephone network (e.g., to other UE devices served by the cellular service provider).

[0131] In some implementations, the base station 102 can be a next generation base station, e.g., a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station, or “gNB.” In such implementations, the base station 102 can connect to a traditional evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or to an NR core (NRC) network. Further, the base station 102 can be considered a 5G NR cell and can include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). Moreover, a UE capable of operating according to 5G NR can connect to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0132] The base station 102 can include at least one antenna 434, and possibly multiple antennas. The at least one antenna 434 can be configured to function as a wireless transceiver and can be further configured to communicate with UE devices 104 via the radio 430. The antenna 434 communicates with the radio 430 via a communication chain 432. The communication chain 432 can be a receive chain, a transmit chain, or both. The radio 430 can be configured to communicate via a variety of wireless communication standards including, but not limited to, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-V, GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, 5G NR, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0133] The base station 102 can be configured to communicate wirelessly using multiple wireless communication standards. In some cases, the base station 102 can include multiple radios that can enable the base station 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, as one possibility, the base station 102 can include an LTE radio for performing communications according to LTE and a 5G NR radio for performing communications according to 5G NR. In such cases, the base station 102 can be capable of operating as both an LTE base station and a 5G NR base station. As another example, the base station 102 can include a 5G NR radio for performing communications according to 5G NR and a Wi-Fi radio for performing communications according to Wi-Fi. In such cases, the base station 102 can be capable of operating as both a 5G NR base station and a Wi-Fi access point. As yet another possibility, the base station 102 can include a multi-mode radio capable of performing communications according to any of multiple wireless communication technologies, e.g., LTE and Wi-Fi, LTE and UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000, UMTS and GSM, etc.

[0134] As further described subsequently herein, the BS 102 can include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting an implementation of the features described herein. The processor 404 of the base station 102 can be configured, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium), to implement or support an implementation of part or all of the methods described herein. Alternatively, the processor 404 can be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively (or additionally) in conjunction with one or more of the other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, 470, the processor 404 of the base station 102 can be configured to implement or support an implementation of part or all of the features described herein.

[0135] Figure 5 - Sidelink resource management and coverage

[0136] As noted above, certain user equipment (or UE devices) can be capable of communicating directly with one another, i.e., without an intermediary infrastructure equipment such as a base station 102A or RSU 110A. Such direct communication between two wireless devices, such as between two vehicles or between a vehicle UE and a pedestrian UE, is referred to as sidelink communication. In other words, two UE devices that perform peer-to-peer (direct) communication with one another can each utilize a “sidelink” interface and can be said to communicate on a sidelink channel.

[0137] In some existing implementations, a listen-before-talk (LBT) mechanism can be used during sidelink communication to access a shared medium (e.g., an unlicensed band such as commonly used for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other short-to-mid range communications (e.g., non-3GPP access)) to avoid collisions (from transmissions emitted by two or more wireless devices attempting to access the shared medium) and improve medium utilization efficiency. However, LBT mechanisms are not collision-free. In other words, LBT mechanisms do not guarantee collision-free transmission.

[0138] In some implementations, to avoid collisions, a transmitter can reserve a periodic time slot for communication for a reservation period. In such implementations, if a collision occurs, the collision can persist for at least a portion of the reservation period (and, in the worst case, the duration of the reservation period) if the transmitter does not detect (or is unable to detect) the collision.

[0139] For example, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications (e.g., as specified by 3GPP TS 22.185 V 14.3.0) allow vehicles (e.g., mobile units within a vehicle, such as wireless devices included within or currently contained within a vehicle and / or another transmitter contained or included in a vehicle) to communicate with various wireless devices. For example, as shown in Figure 5 As shown, vehicles such as vehicle 502a can communicate with various devices (e.g., devices 502b-502f), such as roadside units (RSUs), infrastructure (V2I), networks (V2N), pedestrians (V2P), and / or other vehicles (V2V). Moreover, as shown, various devices within the V2X framework can all communicate with other devices. V2X communications can utilize long-range (e.g., cellular) communications as well as short- to mid-range communications (e.g., non-cellular). In some contemplated implementations, non-cellular communications can use unlicensed bands as well as the dedicated spectrum of 5.9 GHz. Moreover, V2X communications can include unicast, multicast, groupcast, and / or broadcast communications. Each type of communication can employ an LBT mechanism.

[0140] As described above, in accordance with V2X communication protocols, a transmitter can reserve a periodic time slot within a reservation period. More specifically, to help prevent collisions on the shared sidelink channel, various UEs in a network (e.g., a V2X network) can perform sidelink resource management for both network-assisted resource management and autonomous (e.g., non-network assisted) resource management. In other words, various UE devices can operate to determine or schedule the use of sidelink resources for transmissions to other UEs. In some embodiments, a UE, such as UE 106, can initiate a semi-persistent sidelink scheduling of resources. The UE can periodically broadcast a resource occupancy message (RO message). The RO message can include the resource blocks (RBs) and / or subframes to be used (scheduled), the periodicity of the resource occupancy (e.g., reservation), and / or the remaining time of the resource occupancy (e.g., reservation). Moreover, in some embodiments, a maximum allowed channel occupancy time (T_max_COT) can be defined. In such embodiments, the initial remaining time of the resource occupancy can not exceed the maximum allowed channel occupancy time. In other words, the resource occupancy can only last for less than the maximum allowed channel occupancy time.

[0141] In some embodiments, when a UE enters a new system (e.g., a new set of UEs and / or a new location), the UE can sense (listen) to the channel to collect existing UE RO messages to determine available resources in the new system. In other words, before transmitting a RO message when entering a new set of UEs / area (e.g., a proximate set of UEs communicating via sidelink), the UE can determine available resources via receiving RO messages from neighboring UEs. In some embodiments, upon expiration of a resource occupancy, the UE can determine available resources via receiving RO messages from neighboring UEs before transmitting a new RO message.

[0142] Figure 6 - Sidelink New Radio (NR) Data Channel

[0143] Figure 6 An example sidelink channel, such as a NR sidelink data channel, is shown. The NR Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) can have a time domain of up to 13 symbols. (Although a slot contains 14 symbols, one symbol can be used for a gap.) The frequency domain can include multiple sub-channels, and each sub-channel can contain 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, or 100 contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs). The starting sub-channel can be aligned with the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH).

[0144] The NR sidelink PSSCH can contain both data and Sidelink Control Information (SCI) stage 2. These can include a HARQ Process ID, a New Data Indicator (1 bit), a Redundancy Version (2 bits), a Source ID (8 bits), a Destination ID (16 bits), a Channel State Information (CSI) Request (1 bit) (SCI stage 2 format B), an A- Zone ID (12 bits) (SCI stage 2 format A), and a Communication Range Requirement (4 bits) (SCI stage 2 format A).

[0145] The current NR sidelink design can have limited coverage, similar to the Uu interface coverage of about 140 dB MCL. Thus, there are certain cases where sidelink communication that NR currently cannot support can be desirable. For example, in certain cases that require long distance communication of about 2 kilometers, where two UEs have a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) channel, the coverage requirement can be as high as 160 dB MCL. Thus, it is desirable to extend the current NR sidelink coverage in order to provide commercial use in such cases.

[0146] Different frequency bands have different regulatory requirements, such as FCC requirements (US), BEREC requirements (Europe), and TENAA requirements (China). In order to be widely deployed, sidelink communication should work well on globally universally available frequency bands. It is also preferred that, due to cost considerations, sidelink communication works well for one or more unlicensed or license-exempt frequency bands. An example of a suitable frequency band for sidelink communication is the 900 MHz ISM band, which requires narrowband transmission.

[0147] Accordingly, described herein are systems and methods for improving NR sidelink coverage using narrowband transmission of up to 1 MHz and, in some cases, up to 250 kHz. In the current implementation, when the NR subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz, the NR PRB is 180 kHz. Thus, in order to stay within 250 kHz, it is desirable that the narrowband transmission of the PSSCH be contained within 1 PRB. As Figure 6As shown, the current NR design does not meet this requirement because PSSCH is configured within a subchannel, and the minimum bandwidth of each subchannel is 10 PRBs, which is 1.8 MHz.

[0148] Accordingly, to provide narrowband transmission of PSSCH, it can be desirable to reduce the size of the subchannel to contain 1 PRB. Using 1 PRB per subchannel can also reduce UE complexity and power consumption. This design is illustrated by Figure 7 As shown, in such embodiments, all information contained in the PSSCH can be transmitted within a single PRB.

[0149] Alternatively, the existing subchannel size can be maintained, and the UE can be allowed to use a portion of the subchannel. In such embodiments, the UE can then only transmit on a subset of PRBs (e.g., 1 PRB in the subchannel).

[0150] Embodiments can include narrowband transmission with a subchannel size corresponding to a narrowband bandwidth (e.g., a subchannel size in the range of 1 to 10 PRBs, such as a subchannel size of 1 PRB, 3 PRBs, 5 PRBs, or 10 PRBs).

[0151] Figure 8 -NR sidelink narrowband transmission enhanced coverage flowchart

[0152] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for a UE to perform enhanced coverage for sidelink narrowband transmission, according to some embodiments. Note that the method described can be performed by a UE in communication with another UE, among other devices. Figure 8 The method shown in FIG. 2 can also be used with any of the systems, methods, or devices shown in the figures. The described method steps can be performed by a UE in communication with another UE.

[0153] At 802, the UE establishes communication with a second UE on a sidelink channel, including establishing a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) with the second UE.

[0154] At 804, the UE transmits data to the second UE on a narrowband frequency domain subchannel of the PSSCH using one or more physical resource blocks (PRBs). In some embodiments, the UE transmits data using a narrowband transmission (e.g., up to 1 MHz, and in some embodiments, e.g., up to 250 kHz). To remain within 250 kHz, the size of the subchannel can be reduced to contain 1 PRB. In some embodiments, all information contained in the PSSCH can be transmitted within a single PRB.

[0155] In some implementations, an existing subchannel size can be maintained, and a UE can use a portion of the subchannel. For example, a UE can transmit on only a subset of PRBs (e.g., one PRB in a subchannel).

[0156] Implementations can include narrowband transmissions with a subchannel size corresponding to a narrowband bandwidth (e.g., a subchannel size in a range of 1 to 10 PRBs, such as a subchannel size of 1 PRB, 3 PRBs, 5 PRBs, or 10 PRBs).

[0157] Figure 9 -PSSCH repetition

[0158] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for a UE to perform PSSCH transmission repetition. Note that the method shown in Figure 9 The method shown in can also be used with any of the systems, methods, or devices shown in the figures. The described method steps can be performed by a UE in communication with another UE.

[0159] At 902, the UE can establish communication with a second UE.

[0160] At 904, the UE can define super resource units (SRUs) for a PSSCH. Each SRU can contain multiple symbols or slots. In some implementations, for example, the length of an SRU can be hard-coded according to a specification, and the length of an SRU can be based on a subcarrier spacing (SCS). In some implementations, the UE can configure the length of an SRU via radio resource control (RRC) or medium access control - control element (MAC-CE). In some implementations, the UE and the second UE can collaborate to configure the length of an SRU.

[0161] At 906, the UE can configure a repetition unit to contain multiple SRUs. In some implementations, the UE can configure the number of SRUs in each repetition via RRC or MAC-CE. For example, when the UE is performing a radio resource connection (RRC) with the second UE, the two UEs can configure the number of SRUs in each repetition unit at that time. Alternatively or additionally, the two UEs can later configure or adjust the number of SRUs in each repetition unit using a MAC control element.

[0162] At 908, the UE can dynamically indicate a number of repetitions via sidelink control information (SCI). In some implementations, the UE can configure resource allocation differently for each resource pool. For example, the UE can configure the number of RUs per SRU and / or the number of SRUs per repetition differently for each resource pool.

[0163] Figure 10Embodiments of narrowband transmissions with frequency hopping are shown. Frequency hopping can provide coverage enhancement. In some embodiments, the frequency hopping pattern can be hard coded in the UE. In some embodiments where the UE is in network coverage, the frequency hopping pattern can be configured for the UE by the cellular network (e.g., base station). In some embodiments, the UE can configure its own frequency hopping pattern and can inform other UEs accordingly.

[0164] Reference Figure 10 The frequency domain resource granularity can be multiple PRBs or multiple sub-channels. The time domain resource granularity can be multiple symbols or multiple slots. The hopping pattern can follow a certain equation, such as

[0165] n(i) = (s + i x P) mod N,

[0166] where n(i) is the frequency location of the (i+1)th hop, s is the starting frequency unit, P is the hop distance, and N is the total number of frequency resource units.

[0167] Figure 10 An example of the above equation when s = 0, P = 3, and N = 10 is shown.

[0168] A UE can communicate with more than one other UE at the same time. A pair of UEs communicating with each other is referred to as a device pair (or as a UE pair). Each device pair can use a different pool of sidelink resources in communicating with each other. The frequency hopping pattern can be configured differently for each pool of sidelink resources. For example, when a UE is communicating with a device that is far away, a large frequency hopping pattern can be desired to maximize coverage. However, when a UE is communicating with a device that is nearby, maximum coverage is not necessary. Therefore, to minimize power consumption, a minimal frequency hopping or no frequency hopping can be desired. The frequency hopping can also be designed to allow resource units to span across resource pool boundaries.

[0169] A UE can perform resource sensing to determine which resource grid is available to perform a frequency hopping pattern. However, after sensing, it can be difficult for the UE to guarantee that all resource units (RUs) are available at any given time, as some RUs can be occupied by other devices. Thus, the frequency hopping pattern can collide with one or more RUs being employed by other UEs. The UE can handle this situation in a variety of ways. For example, in some embodiments, when the frequency hopping pattern collides with an unavailable RU, the UE can omit or shift the corresponding hop occasion to the next available RU. As another example, in some embodiments, the UE can index all RUs selected based on resource sensing in an ascending order, e.g., frequency domain first and time domain second. The frequency hopping can then be performed based at least in part on the indices of the selected RUs. In some embodiments, when employing narrowband frequency hopping, the UE can be given priority such that it will not have to yield an RU to another UE. In this case, the UE can not need to perform sensing, or the UE can only need to perform partial sensing or random selection, and can not need to take action when a potential collision is detected.

[0170] Support for PSSCH repetition

[0171] Embodiments described herein provide support for flexible PSSCH repetition in order to improve network coverage. Repetition can be used for coverage enhancement as it allows to accumulate more energy and achieve higher reliability. To provide this support, a UE can configure a super resource unit (SRU) as an alternative scheduling unit to a slot or a RU. Each SRU can contain multiple symbols or slots.

[0172] In some embodiments, the length of an SRU can be hard-coded according to a specification, e.g., based on a subcarrier spacing (SCS). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the length of an SRU can be configurable via radio resource control (RRC) or medium access control - control element (MAC-CE). In other words, a UE can exchange information with another UE (or a base station) during RRC to configure the length of an SRU. Alternatively or additionally, a first UE can transmit information to a second UE configuring the length of an SRU (e.g., further adjusting a length previously set during RRC). In addition to the configuration of an SRU, a UE can also configure a basic repetition unit. Each repetition unit can contain multiple SRUs. As described above, the number of SRUs in each repetition can be configured via RRC or MAC-CE. Like the configuration of an SRU, RRC can be used to configure a coarse repetition unit, and MAC-CE can be used to fine-tune the size of the repetition unit. In some embodiments, the number of repetitions can be dynamically indicated by SCI.

[0173] Figure 11An example resource allocation with four repetitions is shown, according to some embodiments, where 1 RU = 1 slot, 1 SRU = 2 RU = 2 slots, and 1 repetition unit = 2 SRU = 4 RU = 4 slots. In this example, the total repetition will span 16 slots, which can provide 16x better coverage and approximately 12 dB of enhancement compared to the current PSSCH design.

[0174] As previously mentioned, in some embodiments, a UE can be in communication with more than one other UE at a time, and can use a different resource pool for each individual communication. In some embodiments, a UE can configure resource allocation differently for each resource pool. For example, the number of RUs per SRU and / or the number of SRUs per repetition can vary from resource pool to resource pool.

[0175] In some embodiments, including beam-based systems (e.g., frequency range 2 (FR2)), a UE can utilize multiple beams to increase the reliability of a transmission. Beam cycling can be combined with PSSCH repetition. For example, a UE can assign different beams to different RUs and / or different SRUs and / or different repetition units, and can “scan” across multiple RUs, SRUs, and / or repetition units. Using multiple beams can further increase reliability by providing alternative signaling in the event that one or more beams are blocked, e.g., by a user’s head or hand.

[0176] Figure 12 An example involving two beams (beam 1 and beam 2) is shown. Each beam scans 2 slots at a frequency of every 2 SRUs.

[0177] In some embodiments, after a basic repetition unit is defined, a transport block (TB) can be defined. In some embodiments, a UE can make a TB size determination based only on the size of the first RU. In some embodiments, a UE can make a TB size determination based only on the size of the first SRU. In some embodiments, a TB size determination can be based only on the size of the first repetition unit. In some embodiments, a UE can make a TB size determination based on the size of all repetition units.

[0178] In determining the size of a TB, there can be a tradeoff between the data rate of the transmission and the reliability of the transmission. When the TB size is small, the data rate can be small but the reliability can be high. Conversely, when the TB size is large, the data rate can be large but the reliability can be small.

[0179] In some embodiments, a UE can configure different redundancy versions (RVs) for each RU. A UE can configure different RVs for each SRU, and can be based on the size of the RU, the size of the SRU, or the size of the repetition unit.

[0180] Advanced PSSCH repetition

[0181] Figure 13 Three alternative schemes for advanced PSSCH repetition are shown. Alt 1 shows an example of intra-slot repetition. In some embodiments, within a slot, the UE can configure PSSCH repetition, and then the UE can determine how many slots this configuration will repeat. In some embodiments, the PSSCH can repeat at the same location of each slot.

[0182] Alt 2 is a combination of intra-slot repetition and inter-slot repetition that increases the number of repetitions relative to Alt 1. Within each slot, the UE can configure a fixed number of repetitions and a fixed offset. In this example, the PSSCH is configured to repeat twice with a two-symbol offset. As in Alt 1, the UE determines how many slots this configuration will repeat, and these configurations can repeat at the same location in each slot.

[0183] Alt 3 shows a pattern with very dense repetition resulting in the possibility that a repetition can span a slot boundary. Although Figure 13 The examples shown do not show an offset, but such an alternative can have a fixed offset.

[0184] Figure 14 Three example alternative methods for addressing interruptions of repetition occasions are shown, according to some embodiments. Such interruptions can be caused, for example, by a repetition occasion that spans a slot boundary, e.g., as shown in Alt 3 of Figure 13

[0185] In a first example (Alt 1), the UE handles the interruption by omitting transmission of the entire repetition occasion. In a second example (Alt 2), the UE truncates the repetition occasion at the first collision. In a third example (Alt 3), the UE splits the repetition into multiple actual repetitions.

[0186] In embodiments involving precoding and / or beam diversity, the UE can configure resource bundling in both the frequency and time domains. In some embodiments, in the frequency domain, the UE can bundle resources in units of multiple PRBs / subchannels, and can change the beam for each resource bundle. In some embodiments, in the time domain, the UE can bundle resources in units of multiple symbols / slots, and likewise can change the beam for each resource bundle. In some embodiments, within the same frequency and / or time domain combination, the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) and PSSCH are assumed to be quasi co-located (QCL) in their channel properties.

[0187] ​It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices regarded as meeting or exceeding the requirements to maintain users' privacy, as set by the industry or by governments. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed so as to minimize the risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be made explicit to the users.

[0188] While the above implementations have been described in considerable detail, many variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art once fully understood the disclosure. It is the intention, therefore, to have the following claims interpreted as broadly as possible in order to encompass all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one antenna; a radio, operably coupled to the at least one antenna; and a processor, operably coupled to the radio; wherein the UE is configured to: establish communication with a second UE on a sidelink channel, including establishing a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) with the second UE; transmit data to the second UE on the PSSCH as a repetition pattern via one or more repetition units on a narrowband frequency domain subchannel of the PSSCH using one or more physical resource blocks (PRBs), wherein a number of the PRBs corresponds to a narrowband bandwidth, wherein the narrowband frequency domain subchannel of the PSSCH includes one physical resource block (PRB), or the PSSCH includes multiple subchannels, wherein each subchannel includes multiple physical resource blocks, and wherein when transmitting on a subchannel including multiple physical resource blocks, the UE is configured to transmit on a narrowband subset of the multiple physical resource blocks, wherein each of the repetition units includes multiple resource units, and wherein the multiple repetition units are transmitted to improve cellular coverage, wherein the multiple repetition units are configured for transmission at one or more repetition occasions according to the repetition pattern, wherein at least one of the repetition occasions spans a slot boundary, and wherein the UE is configured to: detect that a first repetition occasion spans a slot boundary; and omit the first repetition occasion from the repetition pattern, truncate the first repetition occasion at the slot boundary, or split the first repetition occasion into two repetition occasion segments, wherein a first repetition occasion segment ends at the slot boundary and a second repetition occasion segment begins after the slot boundary.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the narrowband subset of the multiple physical resource blocks includes one physical resource block.

3. The UE of claim 1, wherein the UE is further configured to: transmit the data on multiple frequency domain subchannels of the PSSCH using frequency hopping.

4. The UE of claim 3, wherein the UE is further configured to: define a resource unit as one or more of a number of PRBs or a number of subchannels in the frequency domain and a number of symbols in the time domain; define a frequency hopping pattern on the PSSCH as including a number of predetermined resource units, wherein each of the predetermined resource units is located at one or more of a different time or a different frequency; and transmit the data using the predetermined resource units according to the frequency hopping pattern.

5. The UE of claim 4, wherein the frequency hopping pattern is defined by: n(i) = (s + i x P) mod N, where n(i) is a frequency location of the (i + l)th hop, s is a starting frequency unit, P is a hop distance, and N is a total number of resource units.

6. The UE of claim 4, wherein the UE is further configured to: determining that a first resource unit of the plurality of predetermined resource units is unavailable; and in response to determining that the first resource unit is unavailable, omitting a hopping occasion corresponding to the first resource unit.

7. The UE of claim 4, wherein the UE is further configured to: determine that a first resource unit of the plurality of predetermined resource units is unavailable; and in response to determining that the first resource unit is unavailable, shift a hopping occasion corresponding to the first resource unit to a next available resource unit.

8. The UE of claim 3, wherein the UE is further configured to: define a resource unit as one or more of a plurality of PRBs or a plurality of sub-channels in a frequency domain and a plurality of symbols in a time domain; identify a set of available predetermined resource units; index the set of available predetermined resource units; define a frequency hopping pattern on the PSSCH to include a plurality of available predetermined resource units, wherein each of the available predetermined resource units is located at one or more of a different time or a different frequency; and transmit the data using the indexed set of available predetermined resource units according to the frequency hopping pattern.

9. The UE of claim 4, wherein the predetermined resource units are selected from a resource pool, wherein the UE prioritizes use of each of the resource units in the resource pool.

10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the UE is configured to define a super resource unit comprising a plurality of resource units; wherein the UE is configured to transmit the super resource unit for a plurality of repetitions to improve cellular coverage.

11. The UE of claim 10, wherein the UE is configured to specify a length of the super resource unit using at least one of: a radio resource connection (RRC) configuration; a medium access control control element (MAC-CE); or a sidelink control information (SCI).

12. The UE of claim 10, wherein the UE is configured to specify a first length of the super resource unit using a radio resource connection (RRC) configuration; wherein the UE is further configured to adjust the first length of the super resource unit using at least one of: a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) or a sidelink control information (SCI).

13. The UE of claim 10, wherein the UE is configured to specify a number of repetitions using a sidelink control information.

14. A baseband processor configured for use in a user equipment (UE), the baseband processor comprising: processing circuitry configured to: establish communication with a second UE on a sidelink channel, including establishing a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) with the second UE; transmit data to the second UE on the PSSCH as a repetition pattern via one or more repetition units on a narrowband frequency domain sub-channel of the PSSCH using one or more physical resource blocks (PRBs), wherein a number of the PRBs corresponds to a narrowband bandwidth, wherein The narrowband frequency domain subchannel of the PSSCH comprises one physical resource block (PRB), or The PSSCH comprises a plurality of subchannels, wherein each subchannel comprises a plurality of physical resource blocks, and wherein the UE is configured to transmit on a narrowband subset of the plurality of physical resource blocks when transmitting on a subchannel comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks, wherein each of the plurality of repetition units comprises a plurality of resource units, and wherein the plurality of repetition units are transmitted to improve cellular coverage, wherein the plurality of repetition units are configured for transmission at one or more repetition occasions according to the repetition pattern, wherein at least one of the repetition occasions spans a slot boundary, and wherein the baseband processor is configured to cause the UE to: detect that a first repetition occasion spans a slot boundary; and omit the first repetition occasion from the repetition pattern, truncate the first repetition occasion at the slot boundary, or split the first repetition occasion into two repetition occasion segments, wherein a first repetition occasion segment ends at the slot boundary and a second repetition occasion segment begins after the slot boundary.

15. The baseband processor of claim 14, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to: transmit the data on a plurality of frequency domain subchannels of the PSSCH using frequency hopping.

16. The baseband processor of claim 14, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to: define a resource unit as one or more of a plurality of PRBs or a plurality of subchannels in the frequency domain and a plurality of symbols in the time domain; define a frequency hopping pattern on the PSSCH as comprising a plurality of predetermined resource units, wherein each of the predetermined resource units is located at one or more of a different time or a different frequency; and transmit the data using the predetermined resource units according to the frequency hopping pattern.

17. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one antenna; a radio, operably coupled to the at least one antenna; and a processor, operably coupled to the radio; wherein the UE is configured to: establish communication with a second UE on a sidelink channel, including establishing a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) with the second UE; transmit data to the second UE on the PSSCH, wherein the transmitted data comprises the data and a plurality of repetition units of the data, wherein each of the repetition units comprises a plurality of resource units, and wherein the plurality of repetition units are transmitted to improve cellular coverage, wherein the UE is configured to define a super resource unit comprising a plurality of resource units; wherein the plurality of repetition units are configured for transmission at one or more repetition occasions according to the repetition pattern, wherein at least one of the repetition occasions spans a slot boundary, and wherein the UE is configured to: detect that a first repetition occasion spans a slot boundary; and omit the first repetition occasion from the repetition pattern, truncate the first repetition occasion at the slot boundary, or split the first repetition occasion into two repetition occasion segments, wherein a first repetition occasion segment ends at the slot boundary and a second repetition occasion segment begins after the slot boundary. omit the first repetition occasion from the repetition pattern, truncate the first repetition occasion at the slot boundary, or split the first repetition occasion into two repetition occasion segments, where a first repetition occasion segment ends at the slot boundary and a second repetition occasion segment begins after the slot boundary.

18. The UE of claim 17, wherein, each of the repetition units includes a plurality of super resource units, wherein the UE is configured to specify a different length of the super resource units for each pair of UEs of a plurality of different pairs of UEs.

19. The UE of claim 17, wherein the UE is configured to specify the length of the super resource units using at least one of: radio resource connection (RRC) configuration; medium access control control element (MAC-CE); or sidelink control information (SCI).

20. The UE of claim 17, wherein the UE is configured to specify a first length of the super resource units using radio resource connection (RRC) configuration; wherein the UE is further configured to adjust the first length of the super resource units using at least one of: medium access control control element (MAC-CE) or sidelink control information (SCI).

21. The UE of claim 17, wherein the UE is configured to specify a number of repetitions using sidelink control information.

22. The UE of claim 17, wherein each of one or more antennas transmits using a beam, and wherein the UE is further configured to: assign each beam to one or more resource units or one or more super resource units.

23. The UE of claim 17, wherein each of one or more antennas transmits using a beam, and wherein the UE is further configured to: assign each beam to one or more sub-channels or one or more physical resource blocks.

24. The UE of claim 17, wherein each of one or more antennas transmits using a beam, and wherein the UE is further configured to assign each beam to a different repetition unit.

25. The UE of claim 17, wherein the UE is further configured to: determine a transport block (TB) allocation based on one or more of: 1) a first resource unit of the plurality of resource units; 2) a first super resource unit of a plurality of transmitted super resource units; or 3) a first repetition of a plurality of repetitions of transmitted data.

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