Aligned sidelink communications

Abstract

In some examples, a method of wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, at a first UE, configured grant (CG) configuration data including bidirectional CG information for an aligned sidelink communication session between the first UE and a second UE, monitoring, at the first UE, for reception of a first transmission of the communication session, and obtaining, at the first UE, a channel for the sidelink communication session based on the monitoring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various aspects of the present invention generally relate to telecommunications networks, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to aligned sidelink communication between user equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In telecommunications networks, frameworks are widely deployed for downlink (i.e., signal relay from base station to user equipment (UE)) and uplink (i.e., signal relay from UE to base station). Within these frameworks, physical signals transmitted to / from the UE are relayed through network base stations. In contrast, sidelink transmission enables direct communication between two UEs without the need for signal relay through base stations. This transmission can be used for applications such as public safety and vehicle-to-the-world (V2X) services. Sidelink transmission continues to garner attention in 3GPP New Radio (NR) for enabling low-latency, high-reliability, and high-throughput services. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one example, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising: receiving configured authorized CG configuration data from a second UE at a first UE, the CG configuration data including bidirectional CG information for a communication session between the first UE and the second UE; monitoring the reception of a first transmission of the communication session at the first UE; and acquiring a channel for a sidelink communication session at the first UE based on the monitoring. In one example, the communication session is an aligned sidelink (SL) communication session between the first and second UEs. In this sense, the alignment of the SL communication session is made possible at least in part by CG data shared between the UEs. Therefore, advantageously, an operational CG mode is provided, wherein whenever an SL transmitting UE device (e.g., the second UE) fails to acquire access to the channel (e.g., due to an LBT type 1 failure), an SL receiving UE device (e.g., the first UE) attempts to acquire channel occupancy time. If successful, the SL receiving UE device can assist the SL transmitting UE device in acquiring the channel. In one implementation, the first UE may transmit CG configuration data, for example, to the second UE.

[0004] The method may further include: performing a first channel access procedure to enable access to the channel during the channel occupancy period, and sending a feedback message to the second UE to indicate acquisition of the channel during the channel occupancy period. The feedback message can be sent using a physical sidelink feedback channel specified in the CG configuration data. The feedback message can be sent using a physical sidelink control channel or a physical sidelink shared channel. The feedback message can be sent in a CG configuration data message. The feedback message can be sent in a resource allocation message. The channel access procedure may include performing a listen-before-speak radio protocol. A second channel access procedure can be performed at the second UE.

[0005] According to one example, a user equipment is provided, including: a radio frequency (RF) circuit assembly configured to transmit or receive communication signals on unlicensed spectrum; and a processor coupled to the RF circuit assembly, configured to: receive configured licensed CG configuration data, the configuration data including bidirectional CG information for aligning a sidelink communication session with a second UE on unlicensed spectrum; monitor the reception of a first transmission of the sidelink communication session; and acquire a channel for the sidelink communication session. The processor may also be configured to: generate a listen-before-talk (LBT) protocol to determine the sidelink channel state; and, in response to determining the idle channel state, convey a feedback message to indicate channel acquisition. The processor may also be configured to trigger a second LBT protocol at the second UE.

[0006] According to one example, a computer / machine-readable storage medium is provided for storing executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a processor of a user equipment to perform operations to assist in acquiring a communication session, such as an aligned sidelink communication session. The operations include: receiving CG configuration data including bidirectional CG information for the aligned sidelink communication session; monitoring the reception of a first transmission of the communication session; and, based on the monitoring, acquiring a channel for the sidelink communication session. The computer-readable storage medium may also include instructions that, in response to execution, use the processor to perform the following operations: generating a Listen-After-Talk (LBT) protocol to determine a sidelink channel state; and, in response to determining an idle channel state, transmitting a feedback message to indicate channel acquisition; and triggering a second LBT protocol at a second UE for the aligned sidelink communication session. Attached Figure Description

[0007] To better understand this disclosure, the following description is now given by way of example only, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating how a UE initiates the process of obtaining a COT via LBT Cat.4 (LBT Type 1), which is used to obtain a channel between a pair of UEs for a sidelink communication session.

[0009] Figures 2a to 2f This is a schematic diagram of a variant of LBT type 2;

[0010] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a scenario where the responding device must acquire a new COT.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the Type 1 configuration authorization mode between the UE and the gNB;

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the Type 2 configuration authorization mode between the UE and the gNB;

[0013] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of performing an LBT check;

[0014] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a method based on an example;

[0015] Figure 8 It is a flowchart based on an example method;

[0016] Figure 9 It is a flowchart based on an example method; and

[0017] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram based on an example UE. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Exemplary embodiments will be described in full detail below to enable those skilled in the art to implement and carry out the systems and processes described herein. It is important to understand that embodiments may be provided in various alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Therefore, although embodiments may be modified in various ways and take various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail below as examples. This is not intended to limit one to the specific forms disclosed. Rather, all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Throughout all the drawings and appropriate detailed descriptions, elements of exemplary embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0019] The terminology used to describe embodiments herein is not intended to be limiting. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular when they refer to a single object; however, their use in the singular form herein should not preclude the presence of more than one object. In other words, the number of elements mentioned in the singular can be one or more, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that when the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including” are used herein, they specify the presence of the stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall be interpreted in accordance with the conventions of the field. It should also be understood that commonly used terms should be interpreted as those of the relevant field, rather than idealized or overly formalized meanings, unless explicitly defined herein.

[0021] The scarcity of licensed spectrum for cellular communications has fueled interest in using unlicensed frequency bands. For example, the less congested 5 GHz band (primarily used for, for example, Wi-Fi) offers the potential for significantly increased throughput through side-link (SL) communication between UEs. However, there is currently no new radio (NR) side-link specification to describe operation in unlicensed spectrum (e.g., coexistence with IEEE 802.11).

[0022] In unlicensed frequency bands below 7 GHz, NR can coexist with other systems via a Listen-Before-Speak (LBT) channel access mechanism. In such an LBT mechanism, a UE intending to perform a sidelink transmission must first successfully complete an LBT check before initiating a sidelink transmission. That is, a UE intending to transmit to another UE (unicast) or multiple UEs (group / broadcast) via the channel listens to detect potential interference on the channel and only transmits if there are no interference signals exceeding a given threshold.

[0023] For a UE to pass the LBT check, it must observe channels available for multiple consecutive Free Channel Assessment (CCA) slots. For example, in the sub-7 GHz band, the duration of these slots is 9 μs. If the measured power (i.e., the energy collected during the CCA slot) is below a regulatory-specified threshold (which can vary depending on the operating band and geographic region), the UE considers the channel available in the CCA slot.

[0024] When a UE initiates communication (i.e., when the UE acts as the initiating device), the UE must obtain "right" to access the channel for a specific time period by applying an "extended" LBT procedure. This specific time period is called the Channel Occupied Time (COT), during which the channel must be considered idle for the entire duration of the Contention Window (CW). This "extended" LBT procedure is called LBT Category 4 (LBT Cat. 4), although it is identified as LBT Type 1 in, for example, the 3GPP technical specification TS37.213.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how a UE initiates a COT (Channel of Occupation) acquisition via LBT Cat.4 (LBT Type 1), used to acquire a channel between a pair of UEs for a sidelink communication session. The initiating UE 101 performs an LBT Cat.4 check within a time period defined by the CW (Concurrent Wave) duration. If the check succeeds, i.e., if the channel is idle for the entire CW duration, the channel is acquired for the COT duration.

[0026] The duration of COT and CW depends on the Channel Access Priority Class (CAPC) associated with the UE's service. For example, as shown in Table 1 below, when user plane services have p>1, control plane services (e.g., Physical Side Link Shared Channel (PSCCH)) are transmitted with p=1.

[0027]

[0028] Table 1: Channel Access Priority Class (CAPC) of UL. The contention window length in the CCA slot associated with each CAPC has a minimum value (CW). min，p ) and maximum value (CW) max，p The duration of COT is determined by T. ulm cot，p Provided.

[0029] refer to Figure 1 The UE initiating the transmission (initiating UE 101) acquires a COT after successfully completing LBT Cat.4. The COT has a duration associated with the corresponding CAPC, and the transmission is performed. The acquired COT remains valid even if the initiating device 101 suspends its transmission, although it still needs to perform a “reduced” LBT procedure if it wants to perform a new transmission (within the COT). This “reduced” LBT procedure is commonly referred to as LBT Category 2 (LBT Cat.2) or LBT Category 1 (LBT Cat.1), although it is identified as LBT Type 2 in 3GPP TS 37.213.

[0030] Figures 2a to 2f This is a schematic diagram of a variant of LBT type 2. Figure 2c and 2f A variant “Type 2A” (25μs LBTCat.2) is described for SL transmission within the COT acquired by the initiating device (in the case of an interval ≥25μs between two SL transmissions, and for SL transmission after another SL transmission). Figure 2b and 2e A variant “Type 2B” (16μsLBT Cat.2) is described for SL transmission within the COT acquired by the initiating device (only usable for SL transmission after another SL with a gap exactly equal to 16μs). Figure 2a and 2d A variant “Type 2C” (without UL LBT, LBT Cat.1) is described, which can only be used for SL transmissions following another SL, with a gap of <16μs and an allowable duration of SL transmission of ≤584μs.

[0031] Figure 2a , 2bThe variants of 2c illustrate the case where the gap lies between two transmissions from the initiating UE, and correspondingly, Figure 2d , 2e The variants of 2f illustrate the case where the gap lies between two different transmissions from the initiating UE and the responding UE 103.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a scenario where the responding device must acquire a new COT. The initiating device (UE A) 301 can share its acquired COT with its intended receiver (responding UE) UE B 303. For this purpose, UE A 101 explicitly notifies the responding device 303 of the duration of the COT (i.e., via control signaling 307). The responding device 303 can use this information to determine (309) which class / type of LBT should be applied when performing a transmission intended for the initiating device 301. If the responding device 303's transmission falls outside the COT, or if the responding device 303 wants to perform a transmission to another device 305 instead of the original initiating device 301, then... Figure 3 As described, the response device 303 will have to use the LBTCat.4 mechanism with a suitable CAPC to obtain the new COT.

[0033] The configured authorization settings and operations depend on the primary resource allocation mode. In Mode 1, where, for example, the next-generation node B (gNB) is responsible for allocating SL resources, the configuration and operations are similar to those on the radio interface (Uu interface) between the UE and the radio access network.

[0034] In Mode 2, the UE conducting the SL communication session autonomously performs resource selection through a sensing process, in which, for example, multiple SCIs and / or SL measurements from other UEs are decoded. Decoding the multiple SCIs provides information (at least) about the SL resources indicated by the UE that sent the SCI. When the corresponding SCI is decoded, the sensing process can use L1 SL RSRP measurements based on SLDMRS. The resource (re)selection process can use the results of the sensing process to determine multiple resources for SL transmission.

[0035] Therefore, whenever a UE requests sidelink resources, such as to transmit periodically occurring services (whether unicast, broadcast, or multicast), it can utilize the configured licenses. In the licensed spectrum, resources associated with CG transmission are secured by the scheduler on the network side in Mode 1, or by UE sensing and resource reservation indication in the SCI in Mode 2. In this connection, Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the Type 1 configuration authorization mode between UE 401 and gNB 404. Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the Type 2 configuration authorization mode between UE501 and gNB 503. CG mode Type 1 can be fully configured by RRC signaling, including periodicity and start time, while Type 2 is partially configured by RRC signaling, but its actual start time is triggered by PDCCH.

[0036] In unlicensed spectrum, the UE must perform an LBT check before it can transmit in any resource. This is also true for reserved CG resources. Therefore, if congestion exists on the transmitter side, the LBT check may fail, and the UE will be blocked from accessing resources reserved for the device's CG transmission.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the process of performing an LBT check. Figure 6 In the example, UE 601 performs an LBT type 1 check 603. However, as a result of congestion, for example, the check fails, and no instruction of control signaling 607 is given to UE 605 participating in the bidirectional SL communication session. A subsequent attempt to perform an LBT check 609 is successful, resulting in control signaling 611 notifying UE 605 of the COT duration.

[0038] Therefore, without considering the LBT mechanism required to support coexistence in unlicensed frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, where IEEE 802.11 and other systems are also deployed), SL CG operation is defined.

[0039] According to the example, a CG operation mode is provided, in which, when the SL transmitting UE device fails to acquire access to the channel (e.g., due to LBT type 1 failure), the SL receiving UE device attempts to acquire COT. If successful, the SL receiving UE device can assist the SL transmitting UE device in acquiring the channel under LBT type 2.

[0040] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the method used in the example. Figure 7 In the example, UE A 703 (the second UE) and UE B 701 (the first UE) share receiver-assisted COT acquisition of CG configuration 705, also known as bidirectional CG configuration data. In the event that transmitting UE 703 fails to gain access to the channel due to LBT failure, CG configuration data 705 configures resources for receiving UE 701 (UE B) that allow it to assist transmitting UE 703 (UE A) in accessing the channel via COT-shared signaling. This channel is used for aligned sidelink communication sessions between UE A 703 and UE B 701. Therefore, UE B 701 receives CG configuration data 705, which includes bidirectional CG information for aligned sidelink communication sessions between itself and UE A 701.

[0041] UE B 701 can monitor the reception of the first transmission of communication session 707, and based on this monitoring, can obtain the channel for the sidelink communication session. That is, as a result of the failure of LBT Type 1 check 709 at UE A 703, UE A's CG transmission 707 is not detected at UE B 701 (711). Therefore, UE B 701 can perform LBT Type 1 check 713 on its side.

[0042] A bidirectional CG / SPS configuration can be configured such that CG / SPS transmission resources from UE A to UE B can be associated with feedback (e.g., PSFCH) resources in a semi-persistent manner. In addition to using the PSFCH for HARQ feedback, the associated PSFCH resources can also be used by UE B to provide COT sharing information 715 to UE A 703, thereby enabling UE A to use, for example, LBT type 2C 716, the next CG / SPS timing for its SL transmission. To achieve this, the next CG / SPS timing should be within the effective COT duration 717 of the associated feedback resource in the time domain.

[0043] In an alternative example, the bidirectional CG / SPS configuration can be configured such that if UE B 701 does not receive an SL transmission during a previous CG / SPS period, then UE B 701 secondarily uses CG / SPS transmission resources to transmit to UE A 703. In this case, UE B 701 can use bidirectional CG / SPS to send a COT indication to UE A 703 to trigger UE A 703 to transmit to UE B 701 using LBT type 2C, which has dynamic resource allocation (RA).

[0044] exist Figure 7 In the example, UE A 701 is the master device performing its transmissions using the configured bidirectional CG / SPS. Therefore, it attempts to acquire a channel using LBT type 1 (or type 2, if UE A previously acquired a COT). However, in this example, LBT type 1 check 709 fails, and no COT is acquired. Therefore, according to the example, UE B 701 does not detect UE A's transmission 707 on the configured CG / SPS resources and thus initiates its own attempt to begin channel acquisition.

[0045] UE B 701 attempts LBT type 1 check 713 (assuming it did not previously obtain COT). Figure 7 In the example, LBT type 1 check 713 performed by UEB 701 is successful, and COT 717 is obtained by UEB 701.

[0046] The receiver (i.e., UE B 701) initiates receiver-assisted COT acquisition via COT sharing signaling 715. Based on the bidirectional CG / SPS configuration, UE B 701 can determine how to deliver the COT indication 715 to UE A 703. In the example, UE B 701 can perform its PSFCH transmission (assuming information about which PSFCH resources are used is given in the bidirectional CG configuration) to indicate to UE A 703 that UE B 701 has acquired the COT. In an alternative example, UE B 701 can use PSCCH / PSSCH to indicate shared COT. In this setting, UE B 701 can send COT sharing information in a dynamic resource allocation (RA) manner, or use the next opportune moment of the bidirectional CG configuration to indicate the details of the acquired COT to UE A 703. The choice of which method to use can also depend on whether UE B 701 has any QoS requirements for the data to be sent and / or in UE A 703. Furthermore, dynamic RA can be triggered closer to the next CG timing to give UE A 703 more time to use LBT type 2 for the upcoming CG transmission, for example, when UE A 703 should only use CG for its transmission (e.g., in the control between RATs).

[0047] The transmitter (UE A 703) receives COT information 715 from UE B 701 and initiates an LBT type 2 check 716. The selected LBT type depends on the time interval between the end of UE B's transmission and the start of UE A's transmission. Specifically, UE A 703 may initiate an LBT type 2C check (i.e., it is sent within 16µs of the end of UE B's transmission) or an LBT type 2A or B check (i.e., it is sent after 16µs of the end of UE B's transmission). UE A 703 receives COT from UE B 701 using either the associated PSFCH resource or the bidirectional CG / SPS PSCCH / PSSCH resource, and performs its PSCCH / PSSCH transmission 719 using either the bidirectional CG / SPS timing or dynamic RA.

[0048] According to the example, the communication session between UE A and UE B uses a bidirectional CG configuration. That is, the CG configuration ensures that the activities of both UE A and UE B are time-ordered, so that if UE A fails to acquire a channel, UE B can still assist it. Furthermore, the bidirectional CG configuration informs which of the multiple intended receivers are in the CG configuration. In the example, during LCP, transmissions to the multiple intended receivers are prioritized in the bidirectional CG configuration's resources compared to traffic from the other receivers.

[0049] As described above, in SL mode 2 (i.e., where the UE autonomously senses and selects which resources to use), the content of the CG configuration data and the process for performing bidirectional CG configuration are as follows, based on the example:

[0050] When UE A 703 acts as the master device, CG configuration data is sent from UE A to UE B 701, and includes information on when (time) and where (frequency) the transmission activities of UE A and UE B will occur. This configuration data may include, for example, a flag signaling UE B to attempt to acquire the channel whenever UE B misses a UE A transmission 707.

[0051] In the case of negotiation between UE A and UE B, CG configuration data is sent from UE A to UE B, including information regarding the time and frequency of UE A's transmission activities. Upon receiving this configuration, UE B can reply with its own configuration, which includes information regarding the time and frequency of UE B's transmission activities. An alternative approach in this case is for UE A to send its service cycles to UE B. Based on this, UE B can thus derive and send back to UE A time and / or frequency resources corresponding to UE B's activities / transmissions. This method provides UE B with flexibility to configure / select the optimal CG to assist UE A's transmissions based on UE B's local conditions. Furthermore, some inter-UE coordination can be utilized in the messages sent from UE A to UE B. For example, in addition to the mentioned service cycles, UE A can indicate some preferred time offsets to UE B. These preferred time offsets can be selected by considering UE A's conditions / activities; for example, UE A can exclude resources(s) based on the results of its sensing processes and / or resources(s) unsuitable due to half-duplex constraints. From the received set of preferred time offsets from UE A, UE B can select the optimal time offset by considering its local services (e.g., towards other UEs). Using this method, both conditions from UE A and UE B will be considered to select the optimal CG. In this case, each UE indicates whether it will help its peer obtain the COT, and if so, what resources it will use (e.g., to ensure that the peer can use LBT Type 2).

[0052] Figure 8 This is a flowchart based on an example method. Figure 8 In the flowchart, a first UE, representing a receiving device (e.g., UEB), assists a second UE, representing a transmitting device (e.g., UEA), in obtaining a COT as a result of a failed LBT check at the transmitting device. In block 801, an aligned sidelink communication session is initiated between the first UE (703) and the second UE (703). Figure 8In the example, the session is initiated by CG configuration data, which includes bidirectional CG information received by a first UE (e.g., UE B). In box 803, the first UE determines whether it is time to receive a CG transmission from the second UE. The CG transmission could be, for example, transmission 707. In box 805, the first UE determines whether it has received the CG transmission. If so, the transmission can be decoded in box 807. In box 809, if HARQ feedback is enabled, a PSFCH feedback message can be prepared (box 811); otherwise, the process returns to box 803. In box 813, an LBT type 2 check can be performed. If successful (box 815), a PSFCH feedback can be sent (box 817); otherwise, the process returns to box 803.

[0053] According to the example, in box 805, if the first UE determines that it has not received a CG transmission, it can prepare for the transmission of the auxiliary transmitting device (box 819) by performing an LBT type 1 check (box 821) (or an LBT type 2 check to see if a COT has been previously acquired), thus forming a first channel access procedure. In box 823, the first UE determines whether the LBT check in box 821 was successful. If so, in box 825, the first UE can indicate to the second UE that it has acquired a COT. It can then wait (box 827) for a PFSCH message from the second UE. If the LBT check in box 823 is unsuccessful, the procedure can return to box 803. This allows a device experiencing severe interference / congestion (e.g., the second UE) to still access the channel via a COT established by the intended receiver (e.g., the first UE).

[0054] Figure 9 It is a flowchart based on an example method. Figure 9 The flowchart illustrates the reference from the perspective of the second UE (i.e., the transmitting device). Figure 8 The process is described below. In the set of boxes 901, the second UE (i.e., the transmitting device) can perform an LBT type 1 (or 2) check. If the check fails, the set of boxes 903 is executed. More specifically, in this case, the second UE 703 will wait for a transmission 715 from the first UE 701. If received, the second UE can determine whether it can perform a transmission within 16µs—if so, the process returns to box 905. Otherwise, the second UE can perform an LBT type 2A / B check (i.e., the second channel access procedure). If successful, the process returns to box 905; otherwise, it returns to box 907.

[0055] Examples in this disclosure may be provided as methods, systems, or machine-readable instructions, such as any combination of software, hardware, firmware, etc. Such machine-readable instructions may be included on a computer-readable storage medium (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.), wherein or thereon has computer-readable program code.

[0056] This disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus, and systems according to examples of this disclosure. Although the flowcharts above show a specific execution order, the execution order may differ from that depicted. A block described in one flowchart may be combined with a block in another flowchart. In some examples, some blocks in the flowcharts may not be necessary and / or additional blocks may be added. It should be understood that each flowchart and / or block in a flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as combinations of flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented using machine-readable instructions.

[0057] Machine-readable instructions can be executed by a processor, such as a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device, to achieve the functions described in the specification and figures. In particular, a processor or processing device can execute machine-readable instructions. Therefore, modules of the device can be implemented by a processor that executes machine-readable instructions stored in memory, or by a processor that operates according to instructions embedded in logic circuitry. The term "processor" should be interpreted broadly to include CPUs, processing units, ASICs, logic units, or programmable gate arrays, etc. The method and modules can be executed entirely by a single processor or divided among several processors.

[0058] Such machine-readable instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable storage device that can instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific mode. For example, the instructions can be provided on a non-transient computer-readable storage medium that can be encoded by instructions executable by a processor.

[0059] Figure 10This is a schematic diagram based on an example UE. UE 1000 includes: a radio frequency (RF) circuitry 1001 configured to transmit or receive communication signals 1002 (e.g., using an antenna 1005) on unlicensed (and / or licensed) spectrum; and a processor 1003 coupled to the RF circuitry 1001. A machine / computer-readable storage medium, such as memory 1006, stores executable machine-readable instructions 1009 that, in response to execution, cause the processor 1003 of UE 1000 to perform operations to assist in the acquisition of an aligned sidelink communication session. In one example, this operation includes: receiving configured licensed CG configuration data, the configuration data including bidirectional CG information for an aligned sidelink communication session with a second UE 1011 in unlicensed spectrum; monitoring the reception of a first transmission of the sidelink communication session; and acquiring a channel for the sidelink communication session.

[0060] The processor 1003 can also be configured to: generate a Listen-Before-Speak (LBT) protocol to determine the sidelink channel state, and in response to determining the idle channel state, transmit a feedback message to indicate channel acquisition; and trigger a second LBT protocol at the second UE 1011.

[0061] Such machine-readable instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, causing the computer or other programmable data processing device to perform a series of operations to produce a computer-implemented process. Thus, the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide operations for implementing the functions specified by the flow in the flowchart and / or the boxes in the block diagram.

[0062] Furthermore, the teachings herein can be implemented in the form of a computer software product stored in a storage medium and including a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device to implement the methods described in the examples of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, the method comprising: The first user equipment (UE) is configured to transmit or receive communication signals on unlicensed spectrum; At the first UE, configured authorized CG configuration data is received from the second UE. The CG configuration data includes bidirectional CG information for a communication session between the first UE and the second UE, and for an aligned sidelink communication session with the second UE in the unlicensed spectrum. The reception of the first transmission of the communication session from the second UE is monitored at the first UE; Based on the monitoring, a channel for the sidelink communication session is obtained at the first UE; The first UE executes the Listen-After-Speak radio protocol, thereby enabling access to the channel during the channel occupancy period; as well as The first UE sends a feedback message to the second UE to indicate the acquisition of the channel during the channel occupancy period. The feedback message is sent using the physical side link control channel or the physical side link shared channel, and is also sent in the resource allocation message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback message is sent using the physical side link feedback channel specified in the CG configuration data.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The feedback message is sent in the CG configuration data message.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The second channel access procedure is performed at the second UE.

5. A user equipment, comprising: Radio frequency (RF) circuit components are configured to transmit or receive communication signals on unlicensed spectrum; as well as The processor coupled to the RF circuit assembly is configured to: Receive configured authorized CG configuration data, the CG configuration data including bidirectional CG information, for an aligned sidelink communication session with the second UE in the unlicensed spectrum; Monitor the reception of the first transmission of the sidelink communication session; Based on the monitoring, the channel used for the sidelink communication session is obtained; The listen-before-speak radio protocol is executed, thereby enabling access to the channel during the channel occupancy period; as well as A feedback message is sent to the second UE to indicate the acquisition of the channel during the channel occupancy period. The feedback message is sent using the physical side link control channel or the physical side link shared channel, and is also sent in the resource allocation message.

6. The user equipment according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to: The Listen-Before-Speak (LBT) protocol is generated to determine the sidelink channel state, and in response to determining the idle channel state, a feedback message is transmitted to indicate the acquisition of the channel.

7. The user equipment according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the processor is further configured to: The second LBT protocol is triggered at the second UE.

8. A computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions, said executable instructions causing a processor of a user equipment to perform operations to assist in the acquisition of a communication session in response to execution, said operations including: Receive configured authorized CG configuration data, the CG configuration data including bidirectional CG information for an aligned sidelink communication session with a second UE in unlicensed spectrum; Monitor the reception of the first transmission of the sidelink communication session; Based on the monitoring, the channel used for the sidelink communication session is obtained; The listen-before-speak radio protocol is executed, thereby enabling access to the channel during the channel occupancy period; as well as A feedback message is sent to the second UE to indicate the acquisition of the channel during the channel occupancy period. The feedback message is sent using the physical side link control channel or the physical side link shared channel, and is also sent in the resource allocation message.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, further comprising instructions that, in response to execution, cause the processor to perform the following operations: Generate a Listen-Before-Speak (LBT) protocol to determine the sidelink channel state; and In response to determining the idle channel state, a feedback message is transmitted to indicate the acquisition of the channel.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 or 9, further comprising instructions that, in response to execution, cause the processor to perform the following operations: A second LBT protocol is triggered at the second UE, the second LBT protocol being used for the aligned sidelink communication session.

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