Techniques for facilitating multiplexing of SCI-only grants and data-only SPS traffic on the sidelink

Abstract

Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and computer-readable media for facilitating multiplexing of SCI-only grants and data-only SPS traffic on a sidelink. An example method for wireless communication at a first UE includes sending a sidelink transmission at a first resource to a second UE, the sidelink transmission including data-only traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic. The example method also includes sending a time offset indicator indicating a starting resource for the future data traffic.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. non-provisional patent application serial number 17 / 394,317, filed on August 4, 2021, entitled “TECHNIQUES TO FACILITATEMULTIPLEXING SCI-ONLY GRANT AND DATA-ONLY SPS TRAFFIC ON SIDELINK,” which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems and, more particularly, to sidelink communications. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0005] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at a city, country, region, and even global level. An example of a telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continued mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with the Internet of Things (IoT)) and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). Certain aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. Some aspects of wireless communication may include direct communication between devices based on side links. There is a need for further improvements to side link technology. In addition, these improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunication standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following is a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all aspects considered and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that will be presented later.

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE) are provided. An example apparatus may transmit a sidelink transmission at a first resource to a second UE, the sidelink transmission comprising only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic. The example apparatus may also transmit a time offset indicator indicating a starting resource for the future data traffic.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE are provided. An example apparatus may receive a sidelink transmission from a second UE on a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic. The example apparatus may also receive a first indicator indicating a starting resource for the future data traffic. Additionally, the example apparatus may transmit SPS traffic at the starting resource, the future data traffic including the SPS traffic.

[0009] To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, one or more aspects include the features fully described below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are indicative of but some of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0011] Figure 2 Example aspects of a sidelink slot structure are shown.

[0012] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first device and a second device involved in wireless communication based on, for example, a side link.

[0013] Figure 4 An example of sidelink communication between devices according to various aspects presented herein is shown.

[0014] Figure 5Examples of time and frequency resources for resource reservation for sidelink communications are shown.

[0015] Figure 6 An example communication environment for wireless communication between devices in an IIoT deployment according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0016] Figure 7 Example downlink control information for allocating sidelink resources according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 8 A reservation window including time slots according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 9A Example first stage sidelink control information (SCI) according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] Figure 9B An example second stage SCI according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figure 10A A time slot sequence according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 10B Another example sequence including time slots according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0022] Figure 10C Depicted is a table showing a reservation signaled by an SCI in a first time slot in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 11 is an example communication flow between a first UE, a second UE, and a third UE according to the teachings disclosed herein.

[0024] Figure 12 is a flow chart of a method of conducting wireless communications at a first location according to the teachings disclosed herein.

[0025] Figure 13 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication at a first UE according to the teachings disclosed herein.

[0026] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an example apparatus according to the teachings disclosed herein.

[0027] Figure 15 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication at a first UE according to the teachings disclosed herein.

[0028] Figure 16is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication at a first UE according to the teachings disclosed herein.

[0029] Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an example apparatus according to the teachings disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Sidelink communication enables a UE to communicate directly with another UE. Sidelinks can be beneficial for vehicle-based communications that allow a vehicle UE to communicate directly with another UE or a pedestrian UE. Sidelinks can also be beneficial in an Industrial IoT (IIoT) environment, where they can enable direct communication between a programmable logic controller (PLC) and one or more sensors / actuators (SAs) located within the IIoT environment. In such an environment, it can be beneficial for the PLC to be a wireless PLC to provide flexible and simple deployment. In some such deployments, the PLC can control any suitable number of SAs. For example, the PLC can control 20 to 50 SAs. Communications within an IIoT deployment can be configured with requirements that provide acceptable communication. For example, IIoT traffic may have low latency requirements (e.g., 1-2 milliseconds (ms)) and ultra-reliability requirements (e.g., 10^-6) error rates. If the SAs of the IIoT deployment are configured to communicate through a base station, it is understood that such a deployment will use a large amount of over-the-air (OTA) resources, which will have a negative impact on latency and reliability.

[0031] For example, IIoT traffic may be deterministic and have a relatively small packet size (e.g., 32 to 256 bytes). For example, SA may be configured to send alarm events, which may use limited bandwidth resources. Therefore, the bandwidth used for IIoT traffic may be lower. For example, two RBs may be sufficient for some use cases. SA may have constraints on UE capabilities in terms of bandwidth and / or processing power. However, the total bandwidth within the IIoT deployment may be large and include dedicated bands and / or unlicensed bands. In addition, IIoT deployments may provide a challenging RF environment including congestion and interference.

[0032] In some examples, the UE may reserve resources for future transmissions. For example, a first reservation for a first resource (e.g., at time slot i) may begin in the same time slot as the resource reservation. That is, the SCI and corresponding data (e.g., PSSCH) in the first time slot i may be coupled. Furthermore, the SCI in each time slot is coupled with the PSSCH.

[0033] However, it is understood that this scheme includes the processing overhead of SCI. That is, the SCI of each side link transmission is processed. However, side link transmission may include retransmission, and therefore the processing of the SCI of this side link transmission may be repeated. In some examples, in order to reduce the processing overhead of the SCI of each side link transmission, semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) transmission based on SCI on the side link with only data can be used for forward link authorization (for example, the PLC schedules the traffic from the PLC to SA) and for reverse link authorization (for example, the PLC schedules the traffic from SA to the PLC). SPS transmission based on SCI enables side link equipment to skip sending the repetition SCI for SPS transmission, and therefore reduces the processing overhead associated with the SCI of this transmission. However, it is understood that by skipping this SCI, there may be unused SCI resources that are wasted in this SPS transmission.

[0034] In some examples, to reduce SA scheduling overhead, the PLC may send an SCI-only grant. The SCI-only grant may enable the PLC to schedule traffic from SA to itself (e.g., a reverse link grant). By scheduling traffic to itself, the PLC may reduce the overhead due to SA scheduling. However, PSSCH resources may be unused resources, which are wasted in the transmission of an SCI-only grant.

[0035] Sending only SCI grants or sending only data traffic may result in resources being unused and wasted. Data-only traffic may refer to data transmissions, such as PSSCH sent separately from SCI. SCI-only traffic may refer to SCI sent separately from PSSCH. Therefore, it can be understood that multiplexing SCI-only grants and data-only traffic can reduce unused resources. To facilitate such multiplexing, the various aspects disclosed herein help to decouple SCI from the corresponding PSSCH in the same time slot. For example, a transmitting side link UE (e.g., the PLC) may send SCI in a first time slot and indicate that the corresponding PSSCH is being sent in a second time slot that is different from the first time slot.

[0036] To indicate the start time of the grant, the disclosed technology provides a time indicator to help decouple the SCI from the corresponding PSSCH (e.g., the SPS traffic) in the same time slot, so that the PSSCH corresponding to the SCI does not necessarily start immediately (e.g., in the same time slot). For example, the SCI-only grant may include a time indicator that indicates to the receiving side link UE that the SCI of the current time slot is disassociated from the included data. That is, the time indicator may indicate that when the time slot may include SCI and PSSCH, the SPS traffic corresponding to the SCI is in another time slot. Therefore, the various aspects disclosed herein facilitate multiplexing SCI-only traffic with data-only traffic in a time slot. In some examples, the time indicator may be included with the SCI (e.g., in a first phase SCI).

[0037] In some examples, the transmitting sidelink UE (e.g., the PLC) can include a traffic direction indicator to schedule sidelink transmissions for both outbound and inbound traffic. For example, the SCI-only grant can include the traffic direction indicator, which is set to a first value (e.g., "0") to indicate that the SCI-only grant is a forward link grant and is set to a second value (e.g., "1") to indicate that the SCI-only grant is a reverse link grant. The traffic direction indicator can be included in the SCI (e.g., SCI-1 and / or SCI-2).

[0038] Multiplexing SCI-only grants with SPS traffic (e.g., from PLC to SA) can help reduce unused resources. For example, with respect to traffic from SA to PLC, even when the traffic is SPS configured, SCI-only grants may help the PLC schedule retransmissions from the SA to the PLC. For example, the SA may have limited computing power or may be outside of Uu coverage and unable to obtain a grant.

[0039] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. In order to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts, the detailed description includes specific details. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring these concepts.

[0040] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses and methods. These apparatuses and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively, "elements"). Such elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0041] For example, an element or any part of an element or any combination of elements can be implemented as a "processing system", which includes one or more processors. The example of a processor includes a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a system on a chip (SoC), a baseband processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, a gate logic, a discrete hardware circuit and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system can execute software. Whether it is referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or other names, software should be broadly interpreted as meaning an instruction, an instruction set, a code, a code segment, a program code, a program, a subroutine, a software component, an application, a software application, a software package, a routine, a subroutine, an object, an executable file, a thread of execution, a process, a function etc.

[0042] Accordingly, in one or more example embodiments, the described functions can be implemented with hardware, software or any combination thereof. If implemented with software, the functions can be stored or encoded on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. As an example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, a combination of these types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store instructions or data structure forms of computer executable code that can be accessed by a computer.

[0043] Although aspects and specific implementations are described in this application by the illustrations of some examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that additional specific implementations and use cases may be generated in many other arrangements and scenarios. The various aspects described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, specific implementations and / or uses can be generated via integrated chip specific implementations and other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / purchase equipment, medical devices, artificial intelligence (AI) enabled devices, etc.). Although some examples may or may not be specifically for each use case or application, the wide applicability of the described aspects may occur. Specific implementations can range from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level specific implementations, and further to the scope of aggregated, distributed or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems comprising one or more aspects of the described aspects. In some actual environments, the equipment incorporating the various aspects and features described may also include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the claimed and described aspects. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily include multiple components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, RF chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders / accumulators, etc.). The various aspects described herein are intended to be practiced in a wide variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, and the like, of various sizes, shapes, and configurations.

[0044] Figure 1 100 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network. The wireless communication system, also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN), includes a base station 102, a UE 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G core (5GC)). The base station 102 may include a macro cell (a high-power cellular base station) and / or a small cell (a low-power cellular base station). A macro cell includes a base station. Small cells include femto cells, pico cells, and micro cells.

[0045] The link between UE 104 and base station 102 or 180 can be established as an access link, for example, using a Uu interface. Other communications can be exchanged between wireless devices based on side links. For example, some UEs 104 can communicate directly with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. In some examples, the D2D communication link 158 can use the DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 can use one or more side link channels, such as a physical side link broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical side link discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical side link shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical side link control channel (PSCCH). D2D communications can be through a variety of wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0046] Some examples of sidelink communications may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) (e.g., from a vehicle-based communication device to a road infrastructure node such as a roadside unit (RSU)), vehicle-to-network (V2N) (e.g., from a vehicle-based communication device to one or more network nodes such as a base station), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), and / or combinations thereof, and / or vehicle-based communication devices communicating with other devices, which may be collectively referred to as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications. Sidelink communications may be based on V2X or other D2D communications, such as proximity services (ProSe), etc. In addition to the UE, sidelink communications may also be sent and received by other transmitting and receiving devices, such as a roadside unit (RSU) 107, etc. The PC5 interface may be used to exchange sidelink communications, such as in conjunction with Figure 2 Although including Figure 2 The following description of example slot structures may provide examples for sidelink communications related to 5G NR, but the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0047] Refer again Figure 1In certain aspects, a device configured to communicate using a sidelink, such as a UE 104, can be configured to manage one or more aspects of wireless communication by facilitating multiplexing of SCI-only grants and data-only SPS traffic on the sidelink. For example, the UE 104 can include a scheduling component 198 configured to send a sidelink transmission to a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including data-only traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic. The example scheduling component 198 can also be configured to send a time offset indicator indicating a starting resource for the future data traffic.

[0048] In another configuration, a device (such as UE 104) configured to communicate using a side link can be configured to manage one or more aspects of wireless communication by facilitating multiplexing of only SCI authorization and only data SPS traffic on the side link. For example, UE 104 may include a side link component 199, which is configured to receive a side link transmission from a second UE at a first resource, and the side link transmission includes only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic. Example side link component 199 may also be configured to receive a first indicator, which indicates the starting resource of the future data traffic. In addition, example side link component 199 may be configured to transmit SPS traffic at the starting resource, and the future data traffic includes the SPS traffic.

[0049] Aspects presented herein may enable a UE to multiplex an SCI-only grant and data-only traffic in a timeslot, which may help improve communication performance, for example, by reducing wasted SCI resources and / or data resources in the timeslot.

[0050] Although the following description provides examples for 5G NR (and specifically for sidelink communications), the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and / or other wireless technologies where a UE can communicate directly with another UE (e.g., without communicating through a base station).

[0051] Base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as the Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) can connect to the EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). Base stations 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as the Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can connect to the core network 190 via a second backhaul link 184. Among other functions, the base stations 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: transmission of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and transmission of warning messages. Base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (eg, via EPC 160 or core network 190) via a third backhaul link 134 (eg, an X2 interface). First backhaul link 132, second backhaul link 184, and third backhaul link 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0052] Base stations 102 can communicate wirelessly with UEs 104. Each of base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell 102' can have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cells and macro cells may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a Home Evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which can provide services to a restricted group known as a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also known as reverse link) transmissions from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmissions from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link may be through one or more operators. For each carrier allocated in the carrier aggregation for a total of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction, the base station 102 / UE 104 can use spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.). The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL compared to UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carriers may be referred to as secondary cells (SCells).

[0053] The wireless communication system may also include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154, e.g., in a 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum, etc. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine whether the channel is available prior to communication.

[0054] The small cell 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in the unlicensed spectrum, the small cell 102' can adopt NR and use the same unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz, etc.) as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' adopting NR in the unlicensed spectrum can improve the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0055] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified with the frequency range names FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as the "sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) which is identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0056] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125GHz-24.25GHz). The frequency bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and therefore the features of FR1 and / or FR2 can be effectively extended to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6GHz-71GHz), FR4 (52.6GHz-114.25GHz) and FR5 (114.25GHz-300GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0057] In view of the above aspects, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used herein, the term "sub-6 GHz" or the like can broadly refer to frequencies that can be less than 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used herein, the term "millimeter wave" or the like can broadly refer to frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1 and / or FR5, or can be within the EHF band.

[0058] Base station 102 (whether a small cell 102′ or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station)) may include and / or be referred to as an eNB, gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180, may operate in traditional sub-6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave frequencies, and / or near-millimeter wave frequencies to communicate with UE 104. When gNB 180 operates in millimeter wave or near-millimeter wave frequencies, gNB 180 may be referred to as a millimeter wave base station. Millimeter wave base station 180 may utilize beamforming 182 with UE 104 to compensate for path loss and short range. Base station 180 and UE 104 may each include multiple antennas (e.g., antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays) to facilitate beamforming. Similarly, beamforming may be applied, for example, to sidelink communications between UEs.

[0059] The base station 180 may transmit beamformed signals in one or more transmit directions 182′ to the UE 104. The UE 104 may receive the beamformed signals from the base station 180 in one or more receive directions 182″. The UE 104 may also transmit beamformed signals in one or more transmit directions to the base station 180. The base station 180 may receive the beamformed signals in one or more receive directions from the UE 104. The base station 180 / UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best receive direction and transmit direction for each of the base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions of the base station 180 may be the same or different. The transmit and receive directions of the UE 104 may be the same or different. Although this example is described with respect to the base station 180 and the UE 104, these aspects may be similarly applied between a first device and a second device (e.g., a first UE and a second UE) for sidelink communication.

[0060] The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may communicate with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to the IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming services, and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 can provide functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 can serve as the entry point for content providers' MBMS transmissions, authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services in the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 can distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to the Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area of a broadcast-specific service and is responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting eMBMS-related billing information.

[0061] The core network 190 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a session management function (SMF) 194, and a user plane function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may communicate with a unified data management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 is a control node for handling signaling between the UE 104 and the core network 190. Generally speaking, the AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to the IP services 197. The IP services 197 may include the Internet, the intranet, the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), the packet switched (PS) streaming (PSS) service, and / or other IP services.

[0062] A base station may include and / or be referred to as a gNB, Node B, eNB, access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver functionality, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), transmit receive point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology. Base station 102 provides an access point to EPC 160 or core network 190 for UE 104. Examples of UE 104 include a cellular phone, a smartphone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio unit, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., an MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, or any other similarly functional device. Some of UE 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., a parking meter, a gas pump, a toaster, a vehicle, a heart monitor, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other appropriate terminology.

[0063] Figure 2 Included are diagrams 200 and 210 illustrating example aspects of a slot structure that may be used for sidelink communications (e.g., between UE 104, RSU 107, etc.). In some examples, the slot structure may be within a 5G / NR frame structure. In other examples, the slot structure may be within an LTE frame structure. While the following description may focus on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies. Figure 2The example time slot structure in is only an example, and other side link communications may have different frame structures and / or different channels for side link communications. A frame (10ms) can be divided into 10 subframes of equal size (1ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. A subframe may also include mini-slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each time slot may include 14 or 12 symbols, depending on whether the cyclic prefix (CP) is normal or extended. For a normal CP, each time slot may include 14 symbols, and for an extended CP, each time slot may include 12 symbols. The symbol may be a CP orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) symbol. The symbol may be a CP-OFDM symbol (for high throughput scenarios) or a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbol (also known as a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbol) (for power-limited scenarios; limited to single-stream transmission). The number of time slots within a subframe is based on the CP and the digital scheme. The digital scheme defines a subcarrier spacing (SCS), and effectively defines a symbol length / duration, which is equal to 1 / SCS.

[0064]

[0065] For normal CP (14 symbols / time slot), different digital schemes μ0 to 4 allow 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 time slots per subframe respectively. For extended CP, digital scheme 2 allows 4 time slots per subframe. Accordingly, for normal CP and digital scheme μ, there are 14 symbols / time slot and 2 μ time slots / subframe. The subcarrier spacing can be equal to 2 μ *15kHz, where μ is a digital scheme 0 to 4. Thus, the subcarrier spacing for digital scheme μ=0 is 15kHz, and the subcarrier spacing for digital scheme μ=4 is 240kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. Figure 2 An example of a normal CP with 14 symbols per slot is provided. Within a set of frames, there may be one or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) that are frequency-division multiplexed. Each BWP may have a specific digital scheme and CP (normal or extended).

[0066] Figure 200 shows a single resource block for a single time slot transmission, which may correspond to a 0.5 ms transmission time interval (TTI), for example. The physical sidelink control channel may be configured to occupy multiple physical resource blocks (PRBs), for example, 10, 12, 15, 20, or 25 PRBs. The PSCCH may be restricted to a single subchannel. For example, the PSCCH duration may be configured to be 2 symbols or 3 symbols. For example, a subchannel may include 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, or 100 PRBs. Resources for sidelink transmission may be selected from a resource pool comprising one or more subchannels. As a non-limiting example, a resource pool may include between 1 and 27 subchannels. A PSCCH size may be established for the resource pool, for example, between 10% and 100% of a subchannel for a duration of 2 symbols or 3 symbols. Figure 2 Figure 210 in FIG. 210 shows an example in which the PSCCH occupies approximately 50% of a subchannel as an example to illustrate the concept of the PSCCH occupying a portion of a subchannel. The physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) occupies at least one subchannel. In some examples, the PSCCH may include a first portion of sidelink control information (SCI) and the PSSCH may include a second portion of the SCI.

[0067] A resource grid can be used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot can include a resource block (RB) (also called a physical RB (PRB)) that extends over 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme. Figure 2 As shown in , some REs may include control information in the PSCCH and some REs may include a demodulation RS (DMRS). At least one symbol may be used for feedback. Figure 2 An example is shown with two symbols for the Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) with adjacent gap symbols. The symbols before and / or after the feedback can be used to transition between receiving data and sending feedback. The gap enables the device to switch from operating as a transmitting device to preparing to operate as a receiving device, for example, in a subsequent time slot. As shown, data can be transmitted in the remaining REs. The data can include data messages as described herein. The location of any of the data, DMRS, SCI, feedback, gap symbols and / or LBT symbols can be different from the location in the Figure 2 An example is shown in . In some aspects, multiple time slots may be aggregated together.

[0068] Figure 33 is a block diagram 300 of a first wireless communication device 310 communicating with a second wireless communication device 350. The communication may be based on a side link or an access link. In some examples, the wireless communication devices 310, 350 may communicate based on V2X or other D2D communications. In other aspects, the wireless communication devices 310, 350 may communicate on an access link based on uplink transmissions and downlink transmissions. The communication may be based on a side link using a PC5 interface (e.g., between two UEs). The communication may be based on an access link using a Uu interface (e.g., between a base station and a UE). The wireless communication devices 310, 350 may include UEs, RSUs, base stations, etc. In some specific implementations, the first wireless communication device 310 may correspond to a base station, and the second wireless communication device 350 may correspond to a UE.

[0069] like Figure 3 , the first wireless communication device 310 includes a transmit processor (TX processor 316), a transceiver 318 including a transmitter 318a and a receiver 318b, an antenna 320, a receive processor (RX processor 370), a channel estimator 374, a controller / processor 375, and a memory 376. The exemplary second wireless communication device 350 includes an antenna 352, a transceiver 354 including a transmitter 354a and a receiver 354b, an RX processor 356, a channel estimator 358, a controller / processor 359, a memory 360, and a TX processor 368. In other examples, the first wireless communication device 310 and / or the second wireless communication device 350 may include additional or alternative components.

[0070] The packets may be provided to a controller / processor 375 that implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes the radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), and medium access control (MAC) layers.

[0071] The TX processor 316 and the RX processor 370 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transmission channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transmission channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles the mapping of the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), and M-order quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols can then be separated into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel for carrying the time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from channel estimator 374 may be used to determine coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. Channel estimates may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by second wireless communication device 350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318a. Each transmitter 318a may modulate a radio frequency (RF) carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0072] At the second wireless communication device 350, each receiver 354b receives a signal via its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354b recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the RX processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the second wireless communication device 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the second wireless communication device 350, the RX processor 356 can combine them into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, as well as the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point transmitted by the first wireless communication device 310. These soft decisions can be based on the channel estimates calculated by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted on the physical channel by the first wireless communication device 310. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0073] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. The controller / processor 359 may provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0074] Similar to the functions described in conjunction with transmissions performed by the first wireless communication device 310, the controller / processor 359 may provide RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0075] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator 358 from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the first wireless communication device 310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via separate transmitters 354 a. Each transmitter 354 a may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0076] UL transmissions are processed at the first wireless communication device 310 in a manner similar to that described with respect to the receiver functionality at the second wireless communication device 350. Each receiver 318b receives a signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318b recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the RX processor 370.

[0077] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program codes and data. Memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. The controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0078] At least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 may be configured to perform operations related to Figure 1 Various aspects related to the scheduling component 198.

[0079] At least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 may be configured to perform operations related to Figure 1 Various aspects related to the side link component 199.

[0080] Figure 4 An example 400 of sidelink communication between devices as proposed herein is shown. The communication may be based on a method including combining Figure 2 The time slot structure or another side link structure of the various aspects described. For example, the first UE 402 can send a side link transmission 414, for example, the side link transmission including a control channel (e.g., PSCCH) and / or a corresponding data channel (e.g., PSSCH), which can be received by the second UE 404, the third UE 406, and / or the fourth UE 408. The side link transmission 414 can be received directly from the first UE 402, for example, without being transmitted through the base station. Additionally or alternatively, the RSU 407 can receive communications from and / or send communications to the UEs 402, 404, 406, 408. Figure 4 As shown in , RSU 407 may send a sidelink transmission 418, which is received directly from RSU 407.

[0081] In addition to operating as receiving devices, UEs 402, 404, 406, 408, and / or RSUs 407 may each be capable of operating as transmitting devices. Thus, second UE 404 is shown transmitting sidelink transmissions 413, 415, third UE 406 is shown transmitting sidelink transmission 416, and fourth UE 408 is shown transmitting sidelink transmission 420. One or more of transmissions 413, 414, 415, 416, 418 may be broadcast or multicast to nearby devices. For example, first UE 402 may transmit communications intended for reception by other UEs within range 401 of first UE 402. In other examples, one or more of transmissions 413, 414, 415, 416, 418 may be multicast to nearby devices that are members of a group. In other examples, one or more of transmissions 413, 414, 415, 416, 418 may be unicast from one UE to another.

[0082] Sidelink transmissions may provide sidelink control information (SCI) including information to facilitate decoding of the corresponding data channel. The SCI may also include information that the receiving device can use to avoid interference. For example, the SCI may indicate reserved time resources and / or reserved frequency resources to be occupied by the data transmission, and may be indicated in a control message from the transmitting device.

[0083] One or more of the UEs 402, 404, 406, 408 and / or the RSU 407 may include a scheduling component similar to that in conjunction with Figure 1 Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the UEs 402, 404, 406, 408 and / or RSUs 407 may include a sidelink component similar to that described in conjunction with the scheduling component 198. Figure 1 Side link component 199 described.

[0084] In the examples disclosed herein, when a UE transmits a transmission for sidelink communication, the transmitting UE may be referred to as a "sidelink transmitting UE" or a "sidelink transmitting device." When a UE receives a transmission via a sidelink, the receiving UE may be referred to as a "sidelink receiving UE" or a "sidelink receiving device." For example, in Figure 4 In the example of , a first UE 402 (eg, a sidelink transmitting UE) can transmit a sidelink transmission 410 via a sidelink. A second UE 404 (eg, a sidelink receiving UE) can receive the sidelink transmission 410 via a sidelink.

[0085] Sidelink communications may be based on different types or modes of resource allocation mechanisms. In a first resource allocation mode (which may be referred to herein as "Mode 1"), centralized resource allocation may be provided by a network entity. For example and with reference to Figure 1 For example, the base station 102 / 180 can determine the resources for sidelink communication and can allocate resources to different UEs 104 for sidelink transmission. In this first mode, the UE receives the sidelink resource allocation from the base station 102 / 180. In the second resource allocation mode (which may be referred to as "mode 2" herein), distributed resource allocation can be provided. In mode 2, each UE can autonomously determine the resources for sidelink transmission. In order to coordinate the selection of sidelink resources by individual UEs, each UE can use sensing technology to monitor the resource reservations of other sidelink UEs and can select resources for sidelink transmission from unreserved resources. A device communicating based on the sidelink can determine one or more radio resources used by other devices in the time domain and frequency domain in order to select transmission resources that avoid conflicts with other devices. Sidelink transmission and / or resource reservation can be periodic or aperiodic, where the UE can reserve resources for transmission in the current time slot and up to two future time slots.

[0086] Thus, in a second mode (e.g., Mode 2), individual UEs may autonomously select resources for sidelink transmissions, e.g., without a central entity (such as a base station) directing resources for each device. A first UE may reserve the selected resources in order to inform other UEs about the resources that the first UE intends to use for sidelink transmission(s).

[0087] In some examples, resource selection for sidelink communication can be based on a sensing mechanism. For example, before selecting resources for data transmission, the UE can first determine whether the resources have been reserved by other UEs.

[0088] For example, as part of a listening mechanism for resource allocation mode 2, a UE may determine (e.g., listen) whether a selected sidelink resource has been reserved by (or by) other UEs before selecting a sidelink resource for data transmission. If the UE determines that the sidelink resource has not been reserved by other UEs, the UE may use the selected sidelink resource for transmitting data, for example, in a PSSCH transmission. The UE may estimate or determine which radio resources (e.g., sidelink resources) may be in use and / or reserved by other UEs by detecting and decoding sidelink control information (SCI) transmitted by other UEs. The UE may use a listening-based resource selection algorithm to estimate or determine which radio resources are in use and / or reserved by other UEs. The UE may receive an SCI from another UE that includes reservation information based on a resource reservation field included in the SCI. The UE may continuously monitor (e.g., listen) and decode the SCI from a peer UE. The SCI may include reservation information, for example, indicating the time slots and RBs that a particular UE has selected for future transmissions. The UE may exclude resources used and / or reserved by other UEs from the candidate resource set used by the UE for sidelink transmission, and the UE may select / reserve resources for sidelink transmission from resources that are not used and therefore form the candidate resource set. The UE may continuously perform sensing on the SCI with resource reservations in order to maintain a candidate resource set of one or more resources from which the UE may select for sidelink resources. Once the UE selects a candidate resource, the UE may transmit an SCI indicating its own reservation of resources for sidelink transmission. The number of resources reserved by the UE (e.g., subchannels per subframe) may depend on the size of the data to be sent by the UE. Although this example is described with respect to a UE receiving reservation information from another UE, the reservation information may also be received from an RSU or other device communicating based on a sidelink.

[0089] Figure 55 is an example 500 showing reserved time resources and frequency resources for sidelink transmission as proposed herein. For example, the resources may be included in a sidelink resource pool. Resource allocation for each UE may be in units of one or more subchannels in the frequency domain (e.g., subchannels SC 1 to SC 4) and may be based on one slot in the time domain (e.g., slots 1 to 8). The UE may also use resources in the current slot to perform an initial transmission and may reserve resources in future slots for retransmissions. Figure 5 In the example shown, two different future time slots are reserved by UE1 and UE2 for retransmission. Resource reservation can be limited to a window of predefined time slots and subchannels, such as the window of 8 time slots and 4 subchannels shown in example 500, which provides a total of 32 available resource blocks. This window can also be called a resource selection window.

[0090] A first UE ("UE1") may reserve a subchannel (e.g., SC 1) in a current time slot (e.g., time slot 1) for its initial data transmission 502 and may reserve additional future time slots within the window for data retransmissions (e.g., a first data retransmission 504 and a second data retransmission 506). For example, the first UE may reserve subchannel SC 3 at time slot 3 and SC 2 at time slot 4 for future retransmissions, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown. The first UE then communicates to the other UE(s) about which resources are being used and / or reserved by it. The first UE may do so by including the reservation information in the reserved resources field of the SCI (eg, the first stage SCI).

[0091] Figure 5 5. The second UE ("UE2") is shown to reserve resources in subchannels SC 3 and SC 4 at time slot 1 for a current data transmission 508, a first data retransmission 510 using subchannels SC 3 and SC 4 at time slot 4, and a second data retransmission 512 using subchannels SC 1 and SC 2 at time slot 7, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 Similarly, the second UE may transmit resource usage and reservation information to other UE(s), such as using the reserved resource field in the SCI.

[0092] The third UE may consider resources reserved by other UEs within a resource selection window to select resources for transmitting its data. The third UE may first decode the SCI within a time period to identify which resources are available (e.g., candidate resources). For example, the third UE may exclude resources reserved by UE1 and UE2 and may select other available subchannels and time slots from the candidate resources for its transmission and retransmission, which may be based on the number of adjacent subchannels into which the data to be transmitted (e.g., a packet) can fit.

[0093] Although Figure 5 It is shown that resources are reserved for an initial transmission and two retransmissions, but the reservation may be used for an initial transmission and a single retransmission or for the initial transmission only.

[0094] The UE may determine an associated signal measurement (such as RSRP) for each resource reservation received by another UE. The UE may consider the reserved resources available for use by the UE in transmissions for which the UE measures an RSRP below a threshold. The UE may perform signal / channel measurements on sidelink resources that have been reserved and / or used by other UE(s), such as by measuring the RSRP of a message (e.g., SCI) reserving sidelink resources. Based at least in part on the signal / channel measurements, the UE may consider using / reusing sidelink resources that have been reserved by other UE(s). For example, if the measured RSRP reaches or exceeds a threshold, the UE may exclude the reserved resources from the candidate resource set, and if the measured RSRP of the message for the reserved resources is below a threshold, the UE may consider the reserved resources available. When the message reserving resources has an RSRP below a threshold, the UE may include these resources in the candidate resource set and may use / reuse such reserved resources because the low RSRP indicates that the other UE is far away and reusing these resources is unlikely to cause interference to the UE. A higher RSRP indicates that the transmitting UE for which the resources were reserved is potentially closer to the UE and may experience a higher level of interference if the UE selects the same resources.

[0095] For example, in a first step, the UE may determine a set of candidate resources (e.g., by monitoring SCIs from other UEs and removing from the set of candidate resources resources reserved by other UEs in signals for which the UE measures an RSRP above a threshold). In a second step, the UE may select N resources for transmission and / or retransmission of a TB. For example, the UE may randomly select N resources from the set of candidate resources determined in the first step. In a third step, for each transmission, the UE may reserve future time and frequency resources for the initial transmission and up to two retransmissions. The UE may reserve resources by sending an SCI indicating resource reservation. For example, in Figure 5 In the example of , the second UE may send an SCI that reserves resources for data transmissions 508 , 510 , and 512 .

[0096] There may be a timeline for sensing-based resource selection. For example, a UE may sense and decode SCI received from other UEs during a sensing window (e.g., the duration before resource selection). Based on the sensing history during the sensing window, the UE can maintain a set of available candidate resources by excluding resources reserved by other UEs from the candidate resource set. The UE may select resources from its set of available candidate resources and transmit SCI for the selected resources reserved by the UE for sidelink transmission (e.g., PSSCH transmission). There may be a time gap between the UE's selection of resources and the UE's transmission of the SCI for the reserved resources.

[0097] Sidelink communication enables a UE to communicate directly with another UE. Figure 4 In the example of FIG, the first UE 402 and the second UE 404 can communicate without routing the communication through the base station. The side link can be beneficial for vehicle-based communications (e.g., V2V, V2I, V2N, V2P, C-V2X, etc.) that allow a vehicle UE to communicate directly with another UE or a pedestrian UE.

[0098] Sidelinks can also be beneficial in an Industrial IoT (IIoT) environment, where they can enable direct communication between a programmable logic controller (PLC) and one or more sensors / actuators (SAs) located within the IIoT environment. In such an environment, it can be beneficial for the PLC to be a wireless PLC to provide a flexible and simple deployment. In some such deployments, the PLC can control any suitable number of SAs. For example, the PLC can control 20 to 50 SAs. Communications within an IIoT deployment can be configured with requirements to provide acceptable communication. For example, IIoT traffic may have low latency requirements (e.g., 1-2 milliseconds (ms)) and ultra-reliability requirements (e.g., 10^-6) error rates. If the SAs of the IIoT deployment are configured to communicate through a base station, it can be understood that such a deployment will use a large amount of over-the-air (OTA) resources, which will have a negative impact on latency and reliability.

[0099] For example, IIoT traffic may be deterministic and have a relatively small packet size (e.g., 32 to 256 bytes). For example, SA may be configured to send alarm events, which may use limited bandwidth resources. Therefore, the bandwidth used for IIoT traffic may be lower. For example, two RBs may be sufficient for some use cases. SA may have constraints on UE capabilities in terms of bandwidth and / or processing power. However, the total bandwidth within the IIoT deployment may be large and include dedicated bands and / or unlicensed bands. In addition, IIoT deployments may provide a challenging RF environment including congestion and interference.

[0100] Figure 6An example communication environment 600 for wireless communication between devices in an IIoT deployment as presented herein is shown. Communication can be based on a Uu link (e.g., cellular access) and a side link. For example, a base station 602 can establish a Uu link connection 620 with a PLC 604. The PLC 604 can control an appropriate number of SAs within the IIoT deployment, such as 20 to 50 SAs. In the example shown, the PLC 604 communicates with n SAs based on side links. For example, the PLC 604 can communicate with a first SA 606 ("SA-1") using a first side link connection 632, can communicate with a second SA 608 ("SA-2") using a second side link connection 634 ... and can communicate with an nth SA 610 ("SA-n") using a third side link connection 636.

[0101] although Figure 6 The above examples reference PLC and SA, but it will be appreciated that aspects of PLC 604 may be implemented by a UE, and aspects of SA 606, 608, 610 may also be implemented by a UE.

[0102] As described above, in some examples, resources for sidelink communications may be allocated by the base station. For example, base station 602 may transmit downlink control information (e.g., DCI format 3_0) received by PLC 604 via connection 620. The DCI may schedule the PSCCH and PSSCH in the cell supported by base station 602. The cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the DCI may be scrambled using a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) such as a sidelink RNTI (SL-RNTI) or a scheduling RNTI (SL-CS-RNTI) configured for the sidelink.

[0103] The PLC 604 may then provide a grant for the sidelink transmission based on the DCI. For example, the PLC 604 may send a forward link grant scheduling the sidelink transmission from the PLC 604 to the SA. Additionally or alternatively, the PLC 604 may send a reverse link grant scheduling the sidelink transmission from the SA to the PLC.

[0104] Figure 7 An example DCI 700 for allocating sidelink resources as presented herein is shown. In the example shown, the DCI 700 is a DCI format 3_0. However, other examples may use additional or alternative formats. Figure 7 The example includes a first column 702 indicating information that may be included in the DCI 700 and a second column 704 indicating a number of bits that may be associated with the corresponding information.

[0105] Resources can be allocated via dynamic grants and configured grants. For dynamic grants, the sending UE requests the base station to schedule resources for sidelink transmissions. For example and again with reference to Figure 6 For example, after determining a transport block (TB) for sidelink transmission, PLC 604 (eg, a transmitting UE) may send a scheduling request to base station 602 and may receive DCI (eg, Figure 7 700), which allocates sidelink resources for the sidelink transmission, and then uses the allocated resources to send a TB to one or more SAs in SAs 606, 608, 610.

[0106] Conversely, the configured grant allows the sending UE to reduce the delay associated with sending the scheduling request and waiting for the DCI by pre-allocating sidelink resources. For example, using the configured grant, the base station can allocate a set of sidelink resources to the sending UE for transmitting several TBs. The configured grant is configured using a set of parameters that include the configured grant index, the time-frequency allocation, and the periodicity of the allocated sidelink resources. The sending UE can then use this first-stage SCI to notify other UEs of the resources allocated by the base station for the configured grant period. The UE can then decide how to use the allocated sidelink resources of the configured grant.

[0107] In the second resource allocation mode ("Mode 2"), the UE determines (e.g., without base station scheduling) sidelink transmission resources within a sidelink resource pool configured by the network (e.g., base station) or within a pre-configured sidelink resource pool. The transmitting UE can perform channel sensing by blindly decoding all PSCCH channels and discover which resources are reserved for other sidelink transmissions. The transmitting UE can report available resources to the upper layer, and the upper layer can decide on resource usage.

[0108] When the UE adopts the second resource allocation mode ("Mode 2"), the UE may use sensing and resource reservation to select sidelink transmission resources. The resource reservation may be carried in the Sidelink Control Information (SCI) (e.g., the first phase SCI). The sidelink transmission may reserve resources in the current time slot and future time slots.

[0109] Resource allocation can be per subchannel in the frequency domain and can be limited to one time slot in the time domain. Reservation information can be carried in the SCI (e.g., the first-stage SCI). In addition, reservation can be made within a window of 32 time slots. Figure 8 A reservation window 800 including 32 time slots as presented herein is shown. Aspects of the reservation window 800 may be similar to Figure 5, which shows an example showing reserved time and frequency resources for sidelink transmission with respect to a second UE ("UE2").

[0110] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the reservation window 800 includes frequency domain resources along the vertical axis and time domain resources along the horizontal axis. However, other examples may employ additional or alternative techniques for implementing the reservation window.

[0111] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, a UE may send a first transmission using first resources 810 at a first time slot i. The UE may also send an SCI (e.g., via the first transmission) that reserves future resources, e.g., for sending retransmissions of the first transmission. For example, the SCI may include a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) that points to frequency domain resources (e.g., subchannels) corresponding to one or more future resources. The SCI may also include a time domain resource assignment (TDRA) that points to time resources (e.g., time slots) corresponding to the one or more future resources.

[0112] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG, the UE reserves a first future resource 812 (e.g., at time slot i+x) and a second future resource 814 (e.g., at time slot i+y). In the example shown, resources 812 and 814 are associated with future resources, and the values of x and y are greater than 0. In addition, since the reservation window 800 includes 32 time slots, the values of x and y are also less than or equal to 31 (e.g., assuming that the first time slot is time slot 0). In the example shown, the value of x can be greater than 0 and less than or equal to 31. The value of y can be greater than x and less than or equal to 31 because the second future resource 814 appears after the first future resource 812 in the time domain.

[0113] Figure 8 Also included is an example sidelink slot structure 820 for the first resource 810 . Figure 8 The example sidelink slot structure 820 in FIG is only an example, and other sidelink communications may have different frame structures and / or different channels for sidelink communications. The example sidelink slot structure 820 may represent a sidelink transmission in the first time slot i. For example, data may be organized into transport blocks (TBs), and each TB may be associated with an SCI. The TBs may be carried in the PSSCH. The SCI indicates the resources used by the PSSCH (carrying the associated TB), as well as further information that may be helpful in decoding the TB. The PSCCH is transmitted together with the PSSCH.

[0114] like Figure 8As shown in , the SCI and the sidelink data (e.g., PSSCH 824) can be sent in the same time slot. The sidelink control information (e.g., PSCCH 822) can occupy up to one subchannel, where the lowest subchannel index is available. In some examples, the SCI can be sent in two stages. The first stage SCI ("SCI-1") can be sent in PSCCH 822 and contain information about the sidelink data and / or resource reservations in future time slots. The second stage SCI can be sent in PSSCH 824. A sidelink receiving device can decode the second stage SCI after decoding the PSCCH. A source identifier (ID) can indicate which UE sent the sidelink transmission, and a destination ID can be used to distinguish whether the sidelink transmission is for the sidelink receiving device.

[0115] In some examples, the resource may include feedback about a previous transmission. For example, the sidelink slot structure 820 includes a sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH), which may carry an acknowledgment (ACK) or a negative ACK (NACK) when processing a transmission. In some examples, the responding sidelink UE may be configured to include an ACK or NACK for each transmission (such as for a unicast or multicast transmission). In some examples, the responding sidelink UE may be configured to provide implicit feedback. For example, the responding sidelink UE may send a NACK when a transmission is not successfully processed, and may forgo sending an ACK when a transmission is successfully processed.

[0116] In the sidelink, each device receiving the sidelink transmission may be able to decode the first phase SCI. The first phase SCI may contain information about the sidelink data and / or resource reservations in future time slots. For example, Figure 9A An example first stage SCI 900 is shown. Figure 9A The example includes a first column 902 indicating information that may be included in the first stage SCI 900 and a second column 904 indicating a number of bits that may be associated with the corresponding information.

[0117] Figure 9B An example second stage SCI 950 is shown. Figure 9B An example includes a first column 952 indicating information that may be included in the second stage SCI 950 and a second column 954 indicating the number of bits that may be associated with the corresponding information. The second stage SCI 950 may be decoded by the target UE and any other UE within range of the transmitting UE. For example and with respect to Figure 4 , the second UE 404 may be the target UE of the sidelink transmission 410 , but the third UE 406 may also receive the sidelink transmission 410 .

[0118] The first stage SCI 900 can be decoded by the target UE and any other UE within range of the transmitting UE. Figure 4 , the second UE 404 may be the target UE of the sidelink transmission 410, but the third UE 406 may also receive the sidelink transmission 410. The third UE 406 may use information from the first stage SCI 900 of the sidelink transmission 410 for channel sensing and to avoid resource conflicts. The target UE (e.g., the second UE 404) may use the second stage SCI 950 of the sidelink transmission 410 to help decode the sidelink data.

[0119] Refer again Figure 8 , table 840 shows the reservation signaled by the SCI in the first time slot i. In the example shown, the SCI reserves three resources (e.g., the first resource 810, the first future resource 812, and the second future resource 814). It will be appreciated that this reservation facilitates semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). Each reservation is for the same number of subchannels (e.g., z subchannels). However, for any reservation, the starting subchannel can be different. For example, when the first resource 810 and the first future resource 812 start at the same subchannel in the example reservation window 800, the second future resource 814 starts at a different subchannel.

[0120] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG, the first reservation 842 for the first resource 810 (e.g., at time slot i) starts in the same time slot. That is, the SCI in the first time slot i is coupled with the corresponding PSSCH. In addition, the SCI in each time slot is coupled with the PSSCH.

[0121] In some examples, in order to reduce the processing overhead of the SCI of each side link transmission, the SPS transmission based on SCI on the side link with only data can be used for forward link authorization (for example, the PLC schedules the traffic from the PLC to SA) and for reverse link authorization (for example, the PLC schedules the traffic from SA to the PLC). The SPS transmission based on SCI enables the side link device to skip the repetition SCI for SPS transmission, and therefore reduces the processing overhead associated with the SCI of the transmission. However, in some examples, in order to reduce the processing overhead of the SCI of each side link transmission, the SPS transmission based on SCI on the side link with only data can be used for forward link authorization (for example, the PLC schedules the traffic from SA to the PLC) and for reverse link authorization (for example, the PLC schedules the traffic from SA to the PLC). The SPS transmission based on SCI enables the side link device to skip the repetition SCI for SPS transmission, and therefore reduces the processing overhead associated with the SCI of the transmission. However, in some examples, in order to reduce the processing overhead of the SCI of each side link transmission, the SCI resource that may exist is wasted in the SPS transmission.

[0122] In some examples, to reduce SA scheduling overhead, the PLC may send an SCI-only grant. The SCI-only grant may enable the PLC to schedule traffic from SA to itself (e.g., a reverse link grant). By scheduling traffic to itself, the PLC may reduce the overhead due to SA scheduling. However, PSSCH resources may be unused resources, which are wasted in the transmission of an SCI-only grant.

[0123] Figure 10A A time slot sequence 1000 as presented herein is shown. Figure 10A In the example of FIG, sequence 1000 includes a first time slot 1002 ("time slot i") carrying a first resource 1012. The first resource 1012 includes an SCI-only grant 1022. The SCI-only grant 1022 helps reduce scheduling overhead at the SA, for example, in an IIoT deployment. For example, the SCI-only grant 1022 can enable Figure 6 The PLC 604 is able to schedule traffic from the first SA 606 to the PLC 604 and thus remove the scheduling process from the first SA 606. The first resources 1012 also include a data portion 1032. However, the data portion 1032 may include unused resources.

[0124] Example sequence 1000 also includes a second time slot 1004 ("time slot i+x") carrying a second resource 1014. Second resource 1014 includes an SCI portion 1024 and a data portion 1034. SCI portion 1024 may include a first stage SCI associated with data portion 1034. That is, SCI portion 1024 and data portion 1034 may be coupled.

[0125] Example sequence 1000 also includes a third time slot 1006 ("time slot i+y"), which carries a third resource 1016 including an SCI portion 1026 and a data portion 1036. Third resource 1016 may include only data traffic. The data-only traffic of third resource 1016 may help reduce SCI processing overhead. For example, data portion 1036 of third resource 1016 may be a retransmission of data portion 1034 of second resource 1014. In such an example, PLC 604 may forgo including SCI in SCI portion 1026 of third resource 1016, thereby helping to reduce SCI processing overhead for third resource 1016 at first SA 606.

[0126] like Figure 10AIn the example shown, sending only an SCI grant (e.g., at the first time slot 1002) or sending only data traffic (e.g., at the third time slot 1006) may result in resources being unused and wasted. Therefore, it can be appreciated that multiplexing only SCI grants and only data traffic can reduce unused resources. To facilitate such multiplexing, various aspects disclosed herein facilitate decoupling SCI from corresponding PSSCH in the same time slot. For example, a transmitting side link UE (e.g., the PLC) may send SCI in a first time slot and indicate that the corresponding PSSCH is being sent in a second time slot different from the first time slot.

[0127] Figure 10B Another example sequence 1050 including time slots as presented herein is shown. In the example shown, sequence 1050 includes a first time slot 1052 ("time slot i") that carries a first resource 1062 including an SCI portion 1072 and a data portion 1082. The data portion 1082 of the first resource 1062 may include only data traffic. To reduce unused resources that may be associated with the first resource 1062, the SCI portion 1072 may include an SCI-only grant that is decoupled from the data portion 1082. That is, the SCI portion 1072 may include an SCI-only grant 1073 that schedules traffic for a future time slot rather than the current time slot.

[0128] For example, only the SCI grant 1073 may schedule traffic for the second time slot 1054 ("time slot i+m"), which carries the second resource 1064 including the SCI portion 1074 and the data portion 1084. Figure 10B In the example of FIG, data portion 1084 may include data corresponding to SCI-only grant 1073 of first resource 1062. For example, data portion 1084 may be decoded based on information included in SCI-only grant 1073 of first resource 1062.

[0129] Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of Figure 10A The unused resources associated with the data portion 1032 of the first resource 1012 and the data-only traffic (e.g., Figure 10A Unused resources associated with the SCI portion 1026 of the third resource 1016. For example, Figure 10B The example first resource 1062 multiplexes the SCI-only grant 1073 with data-only traffic in the data portion 1082 and thus helps reduce unused resources in the first time slot 1052.

[0130] Figure 10C Depicted is a table 1090 showing the reservations signaled by the SCI in the first time slot i as presented herein. Figure 10CIn the example shown, the SCI may include an SCI-only authorization 1092 such as Figure 10B For example, the SCI only grant 1073 may include an SCI that is decoupled from the corresponding data on the same time slot. For example, the SCI and the corresponding SPS traffic may be included in different time slots, such as Figure 10B Example SCI portion 1072 of first resource 1062 and data portion 1084 of second resource 1064. Similar to Figure 8 In the example of , the SCI in the first time slot i contributes to the reservation of three resources. Each reservation is for the same number of subchannels (e.g., z subchannels). However, for any reservation, the starting subchannel may be different.

[0131] like Figure 10C As shown in , an SCI-only grant 1092 can be received in time slot i. The SCI-only grant 1092 can help schedule SPS traffic. For example, the SCI-only grant 1092 can reserve a first resource at time slot i+a, can reserve a second resource at time slot i+x+a, and can reserve a third resource at time slot i+y+a. Therefore, the start of the SPS traffic corresponding to the SCI-only grant 1092 is offset by a certain number of time slots (e.g., a time slots) compared to time slot i. It will be understood that in some examples, the number of time slots can be 0 (e.g., a=0 time slots). In such examples, the SCI and the SPS data can be similar to Figure 8 An example of where the data associated with the first reservation starts in the same time slot as the SCI.

[0132] In order to indicate the start time of the grant (e.g., time slot i+a), the disclosed technology provides a time indicator to help decouple the SCI from the corresponding PSSCH (e.g., the SPS traffic) in the same time slot, so that the PSSCH corresponding to the SCI does not necessarily start immediately (e.g., in the same time slot). For example, the SCI-only grant may include a time indicator that indicates to the receiving side link UE that the SCI of the current time slot is disassociated from the included data. That is, the time indicator may indicate that when the time slot may include SCI and PSSCH, the SPS traffic corresponding to the SCI is located in another time slot. Therefore, the various aspects disclosed herein facilitate multiplexing SCI-only traffic with data-only traffic in a time slot. For example, in Figure 10B In the example of , the data portion 1082 includes only data traffic that is different from data corresponding to the SCI included in the SCI portion 1072 of the first resource 1062. In some examples, the time indicator can be included with the SCI (e.g., SCI-1).

[0133] In some examples, the transmitting sidelink UE (e.g., the PLC) can include a traffic direction indicator to schedule sidelink transmissions for both outbound and inbound traffic. For example, the SCI-only grant can include the traffic direction indicator, which is set to a first value (e.g., "0") to indicate that the SCI-only grant is a forward link grant and is set to a second value (e.g., "1") to indicate that the SCI-only grant is a reverse link grant. The traffic direction indicator can be included in the SCI (e.g., SCI-1 and / or SCI-2).

[0134] Multiplexing SCI-only grants with SPS traffic (e.g., from PLC to SA) can help reduce unused resources. For example, with respect to traffic from SA to PLC, even when the traffic is SPS configured, SCI-only grants may help the PLC schedule retransmissions from the SA to the PLC. For example, the SA may have limited computing power or may be outside of Uu coverage and unable to obtain a grant.

[0135] In some examples, a sidelink UE may schedule traffic between two different UEs. Figure 6 In an example, the PLC 604 may send an SCI-only grant to the first SA 606 and schedule sidelink transmissions between the first SA 606 and the second SA 608. In such an example, the SCI-only grant may include a source identifier (ID) and a destination ID to facilitate scheduling future transmissions. The source ID and the destination ID may be included in a first-phase SCI (e.g., SCI-1) to identify the transmitting UE and the receiving UE associated with the future transmission. For example, in a scenario where the UE receiving the SCI-only grant is not the transmitting UE of the future transmission (e.g., the SCI-only grant to the first SA 606 is scheduling future traffic from the second SA 608 to the first SA 606), the source ID and the destination ID enable the SA to prepare to send and receive the future traffic. That is, since the first-phase SCI can be decoded by each of the SAs in communication with the PLC, including the source ID and the destination ID in the first-phase SCI enables the corresponding UEs to determine when they are scheduled to send or receive the future traffic. However, in the example where the UE receiving the SCI-only grant is the transmitting UE of the future transmission, the source ID and the destination ID may be included in the second stage SCI (eg, SCI-2).

[0136] Figure 111 is an example communication flow 1100 between a first UE 1102 ("UE-1"), a second UE 1104 ("UE-2"), and a third UE 1106 ("UE-3") as presented herein. In the example shown, the communication flow 1100 facilitates multiplexing of SCI-only grants and sidelink SPS traffic. Aspects of the UEs 1102, 1104, 1106 may be provided by Figure 1 UE 104 and / or Figure 3 In the example shown, the first UE 1102 may be implemented by a wireless communication device 310, 350 such as Figure 6 The second UE 1104 and the third UE 1106 may be implemented by a controller such as a PLC 604, and the second UE 1104 and the third UE 1106 may be implemented by a controller such as a Figure 6 SA 606, 608, 610 and other SAs are implemented. Figure 11 Not shown in the illustrated example, but it will be appreciated that in additional or alternative examples, one or more of the UEs 1102 , 1104 , 1106 can be in communication with one or more other base stations or UEs.

[0137] exist Figure 11 In the example shown, the first UE 1102 may send an SCI-only grant on a time slot containing only data traffic, such as Figure 10B 1062. As described above, sending only an SCI grant in a timeslot may result in wasted unused PSSCH resources in that timeslot. Additionally, sending only data traffic in a timeslot may result in wasted unused SCI resources in that timeslot. However, as disclosed herein, by decoupling the SCI from the corresponding PSSCH, a timeslot may include only an SCI grant in the SCI portion of the timeslot and may also include only data traffic in the PSSCH portion of the timeslot.

[0138] like Figure 11 As shown in FIG, a first UE 1102 transmits a sidelink transmission 1110 via a sidelink, which is received by a second UE 1104 and a third UE 1106. The sidelink transmission 1110 may be received at time slot i. The sidelink transmission 1110 includes only an SCI grant 1112 and only data traffic 1114. The only SCI grant 1112 may be carried in the PSCCH of the sidelink transmission 1110. The only data traffic 1114 may be carried in the PSSCH of the sidelink transmission 1110. Although Figure 11 Not shown in the example of , but it will be appreciated that sidelink transmission 1110 may include additional channels and / or signals, such as a sidelink feedback channel.

[0139] The SCI-only grant 1112 helps reduce scheduling overhead at the SA. For example, the SCI-only grant 1112 can enable the first UE 1102 to schedule traffic from the second UE 1104 to the first UE 1102 and thus remove the scheduling process from the second UE 1104.

[0140] The data-only traffic 1114 helps reduce SCI processing overhead. For example, the data of the data-only traffic 1114 may be repeated (e.g., retransmitted), and thus the SCI may also be repeated. The data-only traffic 1114 may enable the first UE 1102 to forgo including the SCI in the repetitions, thereby reducing the SCI processing overhead at the second UE 1104 and / or the third UE 1106.

[0141] Although the second UE 1104 and the third UE 1106 can each receive the sidelink transmission 1110, in the illustrated example, the intended target of the sidelink transmission 1110 is the second UE 1104. That is, the first UE 1102 is scheduling SPS traffic with the second UE 1104.

[0142] like Figure 11 As shown in FIG, first UE 1102 transmits a time offset indicator 1120, which is received by second UE 1104. Time offset indicator 1120 indicates the start time of the grant. For example, time offset indicator 1120 may indicate when the corresponding SPS traffic is scheduled. The mapping between time offset indicator 1120 and time resources may be configured via RRC signaling and / or higher layer signaling.

[0143] For example and with reference Figure 10C For example, table 1090 includes a column ("Time Slot") that indicates the starting time slot associated with each reservation in table 1090. Figure 10C As shown, each reservation is offset by the same number of time slots (e.g., a time slots). Thus, the first reservation begins at time slot i+a. In such an example, SCI may be received at time slot i, but the corresponding data is scheduled at time slot i+a. In a similar manner, retransmission of the corresponding data is scheduled for time slot i+x+a and for time slot i+y+a.

[0144] In some examples, the time offset indicator 1120 may include a value that indicates a time gap. For example, the time offset indicator 1120 may be set to a value that indexes into a time slot offset table. The table value at the time gap value may indicate the time slot offset. For example and with reference to Figure 10CIn the example table 1090, the time offset indicator 1120 may be set to a time slot value, and the table value at the time slot value may be a time slots. The time slot offset table may be configured via upper layer signaling.

[0145] In some examples, the time offset indicator 1120 may include a bitmap. In some examples, the bitmap may be a fixed-length bitmap. The bitmap may help indicate when future traffic is scheduled.

[0146] Although illustrated as a separate transmission from the first UE 1102 to the second UE 1104, it is understood that the time offset indicator 1120 may be included in the sidelink transmission 1110. For example, the time offset indicator 1120 may be included in the first stage SCI (SCI-1) of the sidelink transmission 1110.

[0147] In the illustrated example, the first UE 1102 transmits a traffic direction indicator 1122, which is received by the second UE 1104. The traffic direction indicator 1122 indicates the traffic direction of the SPS traffic indicated by the SCI-only grant 1112. For example, the traffic direction indicator 1122 may indicate that the SCI-only grant 1112 corresponds to a forward link grant that schedules SPS traffic from the first UE 1102 to the second UE 1104, or may indicate that the SCI-only grant 1112 corresponds to a reverse link grant that schedules SPS traffic from the second UE 1104 to the first UE 1102.

[0148] In some examples, the flow direction indicator 1122 may be an implicit indication. For example and with reference to Figure 9B In the example second phase SCI 950, the second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission 1110 may include a source ID field and a destination ID field. Therefore, the second UE 1104 receiving the second phase SCI can determine the direction of the SPS traffic based on the indicated source ID and the indicated destination ID.

[0149] In some examples, traffic direction indicator 1122 may include a field for SCI. For example, traffic direction indicator 1122 may be set to a first value (e.g., "0") to indicate that the SPS traffic scheduled by SCI-only grant 1112 corresponds to a forward link grant, and may be set to a second value (e.g., "1") to indicate that the SPS traffic scheduled by SCI-only grant 1112 corresponds to a reverse link grant.

[0150] Although illustrated as a separate transmission from the first UE 1102 to the second UE 1104, it is understood that the traffic direction indicator 1122 may be included in the sidelink transmission 1110. For example, the traffic direction indicator 1122 may be included in a first stage SCI (SCI-1) or a second stage SCI (SCI-2) of the sidelink transmission 1110.

[0151] At 1130, the second UE 1104 can determine the location of the SPS traffic being scheduled by the SCI-only grant 1112. For example, the second UE 1104 can use the time offset indicator 1120 to determine the starting time slot of the SPS traffic. The time offset indicator 1120 can indicate that the starting time slot of the SPS traffic is a future resource (e.g., at time slot i+a). However, in some examples, the time offset indicator 1120 can indicate that the starting time slot of the SPS traffic is the current time slot (e.g., time slot i). For example, the time offset indicator 1120 can indicate an offset of 0 time slots (e.g., a=0 time slots). In such examples, the SCI is coupled with the SPS traffic.

[0152] At 1132, the second UE 1104 may determine the direction of the SPS traffic being scheduled by the SCI-only grant 1112. For example, the second UE 1104 may use the traffic direction indicator 1122 to determine whether the SCI-only grant 1112 corresponds to a forward link grant or a reverse link grant.

[0153] like Figure 11 As shown in , the first UE 1102 and the second UE 1104 can then communicate at time slot i+a based on the SCI-only grant 1112 of the sidelink transmission 1110. The location of time slot i+a can be indicated by a time offset indicator 1120. In addition, the direction of the SPS traffic at time slot i+a can be indicated by a traffic direction indicator 1122. For example, if the traffic direction indicator 1122 indicates that the SCI-only grant 1112 corresponds to a forward link grant, the first UE 1102 can send a forward sidelink transmission 1140 that is received by the second UE 1104. The forward sidelink transmission 1140 can include PSSCH data scheduled by the SCI-only grant 1112. The forward sidelink transmission 1140 can also include SCI associated with the PSSCH data.

[0154] In an example where the traffic direction indicator 1122 indicates that only the SCI grant 1112 corresponds to a reverse link grant, the second UE 1104 may then send a reverse sidelink transmission 1142 that is received by the first UE 1102 .

[0155] At 1144, the first UE 1102 can decode the SCI (e.g., SCI-1 and SCI-2) to determine whether the source is preempted by higher priority traffic. For example, the resources of the reverse sidelink transmission 1142 can overlap with the URLLC traffic with a higher priority. In such an example, the first UE 1102 can discard the overlapping resources of the reverse sidelink transmission 1142.

[0156] In some examples, the sidelink transmission 1110 can multiplex information targeted to different UEs. For example, only the SCI grant 1112 of the sidelink transmission 1110 can be directed to the second UE 1104, and only the data traffic 1114 of the sidelink transmission 1110 can be directed to the third UE 1106.

[0157] In some examples, sidelink transmission 1110 can facilitate scheduling SPS traffic between second UE 1104 and third UE 1106. For example, SCI-only grant 1112 can indicate resources for use by second UE 1104 to transmit to third UE 1106, or resources for use by third UE 1106 to transmit to second UE 1104.

[0158] To facilitate multiplexing of information targeted at different UEs, the first UE 1102 may transmit a time offset indicator 1120 to indicate the starting time slot of the SPS traffic. The first UE 1102 may also transmit a source indicator and a destination indicator. For example, the first UE 1102 may transmit a source indicator 1124 and a destination indicator 1126. The source indicator 1124 may include a source identifier (ID) and indicate the transmitting device of the SPS traffic. The destination indicator 1126 may include a destination ID and indicate the receiving device of the SPS traffic.

[0159] The first UE 1102 may transmit a source indicator 1124 and a destination indicator 1126 via a first-stage SCI (SCI-1). In some examples, the first UE 1102 may include the source indicator 1124 and the destination indicator 1126 when the transmitting device of the SPS traffic is different from the target of the sidelink transmission 1110. For example, the SCI-only grant 1112 may schedule the third UE 1106 to transmit SPS traffic to the second UE 1104 at time slot i+b. In such an example, the first UE 1102 may include an offset indicator 1120 with the SCI-only grant 1112 so that the second UE 1104 and the third UE 1106 can determine the location of the SPS traffic. The first UE 1102 may also include the source indicator 1124 and the destination indicator 1126 so that the second UE 1104 and the third UE 1106 can configure themselves to transmit and receive SPS traffic. At future resources (eg, time slot i+b) indicated by the SCI-only grant 1112 , the third UE 1106 may send SPS traffic 1150 that is received by the second UE 1104 .

[0160] In some examples, the source indicator 1124 and the destination indicator 1126 may be similar to the source ID and destination ID included in the second stage SCI, such as Figure 9B For example, the first UE 1102 may copy the source ID of the second-stage SCI as the source indicator 1124 in the first-stage SCI. The first UE 1102 may also copy the destination ID of the second-stage SCI as the destination indicator 1126 in the first-stage SCI.

[0161] In an example where the transmitting device of the SPS is the same as the target of the sidelink transmission 1110, the first UE 1102 may forgo including the source indicator 1124 and the destination indicator 1126 with the SCI-only grant 1112. For example, the SCI-only grant 1112 may schedule the second UE 1104 to transmit SPS traffic to the third UE 1106 at time slot i+b. In such an example, the first UE 1102 may send the time offset indicator 1120 in the SCI-only grant 1112 so that the second UE 1104 and the third UE 1106 can determine the location of the SPS traffic. In some examples, the first UE 1102 may include the source indicator 1124 and the destination indicator 1126 in the second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission 1110. Additionally, the second UE 1104 may include the source indicator 1124 and the destination indicator 1126 in the second phase SCI of the future data. For example, at future resources (e.g., time slot i+b) indicated by the SCI-only grant 1112, the second UE 1104 may send SPS traffic 1152 that is received by the third UE 1106. The SPS traffic 1152 may include a source indicator 1124 and a destination indicator 1126, as shown in FIG. Figure 9B An example of Phase II SCI 950 is shown.

[0162] Figure 12 1200 is a flow chart of a method for wireless communication. The method may be performed by a first UE (e.g., UE 104, communication device 310, 350, Figure 11 The first UE 1102 and / or Figure 14 The method can facilitate improved communication performance by multiplexing SCI-only grants and data-only SPS traffic on the side link.

[0163] At 1202, the first UE sends a sidelink transmission to a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic, such as in conjunction with Figure 11 In some examples, the data-only traffic may be directed to the second UE. In some examples, the data-only traffic may be directed to a third UE. The sidelink transmission at 1202 may be sent by Figure 14 The side link transmission component 1440 of the device 1402 is executed.

[0164] At 1204, the first UE sends a first indicator, the first indicator indicating the starting resource of the future data traffic, such as in combination with Figure 11The first UE may send the first indicator using the first phase SCI of the sidelink transmission. The first indicator sent at 1204 may be Figure 14 The time shift component 1442 of the device 1402 is executed.

[0165] In some examples, the starting resource can be different from the first resource. In such examples, the SCI of the sidelink transmission can be decoupled from the data-only traffic of the sidelink transmission. In some examples, the first indicator can include a time gap value that indexes the starting resource. In some examples, the first indicator can include a bitmap that indicates the starting resource.

[0166] Figure 13 1300 is a flow chart of a method for wireless communication. The method may be performed by a first UE (e.g., UE 104, communication device 310, 350, Figure 11 The first UE 1102 and / or Figure 14 The method can facilitate improved communication performance by multiplexing SCI-only grants and data-only SPS traffic on the side link.

[0167] At 1302, the first UE sends a sidelink transmission to a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic, such as in conjunction with Figure 11 In some examples, the data-only traffic may be directed to the second UE. In some examples, the data-only traffic may be directed to a third UE. Sending the sidelink transmission at 1302 may be performed by Figure 14 The side link transmission component 1440 of the device 1402 is executed.

[0168] At 1304, the first UE sends a first indicator, the first indicator indicating the starting resource of the future data traffic, such as in combination with Figure 11 The first UE may send the first indicator using the first phase SCI of the sidelink transmission. The first indicator sent at 1304 may be Figure 14 The time shift component 1442 of the device 1402 is executed.

[0169] In some examples, the starting resource can be different from the first resource. In such examples, the SCI of the sidelink transmission can be decoupled from the data-only traffic of the sidelink transmission. In some examples, the first indicator can include a time gap value that indexes the starting resource. In some examples, the first indicator can include a bitmap that indicates the starting resource.

[0170] At 1306, the first UE may send a second indicator, the second indicator indicating the flow direction of the future data flow, such as in conjunction with Figure 11 The first UE may send the second indicator using the first phase SCI or the second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission. The second indicator sent at 1306 may be Figure 14 The traffic direction component 1444 of the device 1402 is executed.

[0171] In some examples, the second indicator may include a source identifier of the future data traffic and a destination identifier of the future data traffic. In some examples, the second indicator may include a field, a first value of the field indicating that the future data traffic is from the first UE to the second UE, and a second value of the field indicating that the future data traffic is from the second UE to the first UE.

[0172] At 1308, the first UE may send a third indicator, the third indicator indicating the sending UE of the future data traffic, such as in combination with Figure 11 The third indicator sent at 1308 may be Figure 14 The source component 1446 of the device 1402 is executed.

[0173] At 1310, the first UE may send a fourth indicator, the fourth indicator indicating the target UE of the future data traffic, such as in combination with Figure 11 The fourth indicator sent at 1310 may be Figure 14 The destination component 1448 of the device 1402 is executed.

[0174] In some examples, the transmitting UE may be different from the second UE.In some such examples, the first UE may use the first phase SCI of the sidelink transmission to send the third indicator (e.g., at 1308) and the fourth indicator (e.g., at 1310).

[0175] In some examples, the transmitting UE may be the second UE.In some such examples, the first UE may use the second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission to send the third indicator (e.g., at 1308) and the fourth indicator (e.g., at 1310).

[0176] In some examples, the future data traffic may include SPS traffic. For example, at 1312, the first UE may transmit SPS traffic with the second UE at the starting resource, such as in conjunction with Figure 11The forward sidelink transmission 1140 and / or reverse sidelink transmission 1142 of FIG. 1312 may be described by transmitting the SPS traffic with the second UE. Figure 14 The SPS component 1450 of the device 1402 is executed.

[0177] Figure 14 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1402. Apparatus 1402 may be a UE or another device configured to send and / or receive sidelink communications. Apparatus 1402 includes a baseband processor 1404 (also referred to as a modem) coupled to an RF transceiver 1422. In some aspects, baseband processor 1404 may be a cellular baseband processor and / or RF transceiver 1422 may be a cellular RF transceiver. Apparatus 1402 may also include one or more subscriber identity module (SIM) cards 1420, an application processor 1406 coupled to a secure digital (SD) card 1408 and a screen 1410, a Bluetooth module 1412, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module 1414, a global positioning system (GPS) module 1416, and / or a power supply 1418. Baseband processor 1404 communicates with UE 104 and / or base station 102 / 180 via RF transceiver 1422. The baseband processor 1404 may include computer-readable media / memory. This computer-readable media / memory may be non-transitory. The baseband processor 1404 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable media / memory. When executed by the baseband processor 1404, this software enables the baseband processor 1404 to perform the various functions described herein. The computer-readable media / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by the baseband processor 1404 when executing the software. The baseband processor 1404 also includes a receive component 1430, a communication manager 1432, and a transmit component 1434. The communication manager 1432 includes one or more of the components shown. Components within the communication manager 1432 may be stored in the computer-readable media / memory and / or configured as hardware within the baseband processor 1404. The baseband processor 1404 may be a component of the second wireless communication device 350 and may include the memory 360 and / or at least one of the following: the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. In one configuration, the apparatus 1402 may be a modem chip and include only the baseband processor 1404, and in another configuration, the apparatus 1402 may be the entire UE (e.g., see Figure 3 The second wireless communication device 350) includes additional modules of the apparatus 1402.

[0178] The communications manager 1432 includes a sidelink transmission component 1440 configured to send a sidelink transmission to a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic, e.g., as described in conjunction with Figure 12 1202 and / or Figure 13 1302 described.

[0179] The communication manager 1432 also includes a time offset component 1442 configured to send a first indicator indicating a starting resource for the future data flow, for example, as described in conjunction with Figure 12 1204 and / or Figure 13 1304 described.

[0180] The communication manager 1432 also includes a traffic direction component 1444 configured to send a second indicator indicating a traffic direction of the future data traffic, for example, as described in conjunction with Figure 13 1306 described.

[0181] The communication manager 1432 also includes a source component 1446 configured to send a third indicator indicating the sending UE of the future data traffic, for example, as described in conjunction with Figure 13 1308 described.

[0182] The communication manager 1432 also includes a destination component 1448 configured to send a fourth indicator indicating a target UE for the future data traffic, for example, as described in conjunction with Figure 13 As described in 1310.

[0183] The communication manager 1432 also includes an SPS component 1450 that is configured to communicate the SPS traffic with the second UE at the starting resource, for example, as described in conjunction with Figure 13 1312 described.

[0184] The apparatus may include executing Figure 12 and / or Figure 13 The flowchart of each block of the algorithm is an additional component. Figure 12 and / or Figure 13 Each block in the flowchart of the process / algorithm may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. These components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0185] As shown, apparatus 1402 may include various components configured for various functions. In one configuration, apparatus 1402 (specifically, baseband processor 1404) includes means for sending a sidelink transmission to a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic. Example apparatus 1402 also includes means for sending a time offset indicator indicating a starting resource for the future data traffic.

[0186] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1402 further includes means for transmitting the time offset indicator using first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

[0187] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1402 further includes means for transmitting a traffic direction indicator indicating a traffic direction of the future data traffic.

[0188] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1402 further includes means for transmitting the traffic direction indicator using the first phase SCI or the second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission.

[0189] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1402 further includes means for transmitting a source indicator indicating a transmitting UE of the future data traffic. The example apparatus 1402 further includes means for transmitting a destination indicator indicating a target UE of the future data traffic.

[0190] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1402 further includes means for transmitting the source indicator and the destination indicator using first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

[0191] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1402 further includes means for transmitting the source indicator and the destination indicator using second stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

[0192] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1402 further includes means for communicating the SPS traffic with the second UE at the starting resource.

[0193] This means may be one or more of the components of the apparatus 1402 configured to perform the functions recited by this means. As previously described, the apparatus 1402 may include the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, this means may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by this means.

[0194] Figure 151500 is a flow chart of a method for wireless communication. The method may be performed by a first UE (e.g., UE 104, communication device 310, 350, Figure 11 The second UE 1104 and / or Figure 17 The method can facilitate improved communication performance by multiplexing SCI-only grants and data-only SPS traffic on the side link.

[0195] At 1502, the first UE receives a sidelink transmission from a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic, such as in conjunction with Figure 11 In some examples, the data-only traffic may be directed to the first UE. In some examples, the data-only traffic may be directed to a third UE. Receiving the sidelink transmission at 1502 may be performed by Figure 17 The side link transmission component 1740 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0196] At 1504, the first UE receives a first indicator, the first indicator indicating the starting resource of the future data traffic, such as in combination with Figure 11 The first UE may receive the first indicator in the first phase SCI of the sidelink transmission. The first indicator received at 1504 may be Figure 17 The time shift component 1742 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0197] In some examples, the starting resource can be different from the first resource. In such examples, the SCI of the sidelink transmission can be decoupled from the data-only traffic of the sidelink transmission. In some examples, the first indicator can include a time gap value that indexes the starting resource. In some examples, the first indicator can include a bitmap that indicates the starting resource.

[0198] At 1506, the first UE transmits SPS traffic at the starting resource, and the future data traffic includes the SPS traffic, as combined with Figure 11 The forward sidelink transmission 1140, the reverse sidelink transmission 1142, the SPS traffic 1150 and / or the SPS traffic 1152 are described. The SPS traffic transmitted at the starting resource at 1506 may be Figure 17 The SPS component 1750 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0199] In some examples, the first UE transmits the SPS traffic to the second UE at the starting resource. For example, the first UE may receive Figure 11A forward side link transmission 1140 of the figure or a reverse side link transmission 1142 of the figure may be sent.

[0200] In some examples, the first UE transmits the SPS traffic to a third UE different from the second UE at the starting resource. For example, the first UE may receive Figure 11 The SPS traffic 1150 of the figure or the SPS traffic 1152 of the figure can be sent.

[0201] Figure 16 1600 is a flow chart of a method for wireless communication. The method may be performed by a first UE (e.g., UE 104, communication device 310, 350, Figure 11 The second UE 1104 and / or Figure 17 The method can facilitate improved communication performance by multiplexing SCI-only grants and data-only SPS traffic on the side link.

[0202] At 1602, the first UE receives a sidelink transmission from a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic, such as in conjunction with Figure 11 In some examples, the data-only traffic may be directed to the first UE. In some examples, the data-only traffic may be directed to a third UE. Receiving the sidelink transmission at 1602 may be performed by Figure 17 The side link transmission component 1740 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0203] At 1604, the first UE receives a first indicator, the first indicator indicating the starting resource of the future data traffic, such as in combination with Figure 11 The first UE may receive the first indicator in the first phase SCI of the sidelink transmission. The first indicator received at 1604 may be Figure 17 The time shift component 1742 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0204] In some examples, the starting resource can be different from the first resource. In such examples, the SCI of the sidelink transmission can be decoupled from the data-only traffic of the sidelink transmission. In some examples, the first indicator can include a time gap value that indexes the starting resource. In some examples, the first indicator can include a bitmap that indicates the starting resource.

[0205] At 1606, the first UE may receive a second indicator indicating a flow direction of the future data flow, such as in conjunction with Figure 11The first UE may receive the second indicator in the first phase SCI or the second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission. The second indicator received at 1606 may be Figure 17 The traffic direction component 1744 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0206] In some examples, the second indicator may include a source identifier of the future data traffic and a destination identifier of the future data traffic. In some examples, the second indicator may include a field, a first value of the field indicating that the future data traffic is from the second UE to the first UE, and a second value of the field indicating that the future data traffic is from the first UE to the second UE.

[0207] At 1608, the first UE may receive a third indicator, the third indicator indicating the sending UE of the future data traffic, such as in conjunction with Figure 11 The third indicator received at 1608 may be Figure 17 The source component 1746 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0208] At 1610, the first UE may receive a fourth indicator indicating a target UE for the future data traffic, such as in conjunction with Figure 11 The fourth indicator received at 1610 may be Figure 17 The destination component 1748 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0209] In some examples, the transmitting UE may be different from the first UE. In some such examples, the first UE may receive the third indicator (e.g., at 1608) and the fourth indicator (e.g., at 1610) in the first phase SCI of the sidelink transmission.

[0210] In some examples, the transmitting UE may be the first UE. In some such examples, the first UE may receive the third indicator (e.g., at 1608) and the fourth indicator (e.g., at 1610) in the second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission.

[0211] At 1612, the first UE transmits SPS traffic at the starting resource, and the future data traffic includes the SPS traffic, as combined with Figure 11 The forward sidelink transmission 1140, the reverse sidelink transmission 1142, the SPS traffic 1150 and / or the SPS traffic 1152 are described. The SPS traffic transmitted at the starting resource at 1612 may be Figure 17 The SPS component 1750 of the device 1702 is executed.

[0212] In some examples, the first UE transmits the SPS traffic to the second UE at the starting resource. For example, the first UE may receive Figure 11 A forward side link transmission 1140 of the figure or a reverse side link transmission 1142 of the figure may be sent.

[0213] In some examples, the first UE transmits the SPS traffic to a third UE different from the second UE at the starting resource. For example, the first UE may receive Figure 11 The SPS traffic 1150 of the figure or the SPS traffic 1152 of the figure can be sent.

[0214] Figure 171700 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1702. Apparatus 1702 may be a UE or another device configured to send and / or receive sidelink communications. Apparatus 1702 includes a baseband processor 1704 (also referred to as a modem) coupled to an RF transceiver 1722. In some aspects, baseband processor 1704 may be a cellular baseband processor and / or RF transceiver 1722 may be a cellular RF transceiver. Apparatus 1702 may also include one or more subscriber identity modules (SIM) cards 1720, an application processor 1706 coupled to a secure digital (SD) card 1708 and a screen 1710, a Bluetooth module 1712, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module 1714, a global positioning system (GPS) module 1716, and / or a power supply 1718. Baseband processor 1704 communicates with UE 104 and / or base station 102 / 180 via RF transceiver 1722. The baseband processor 1704 may include computer-readable media / memory. This computer-readable media / memory may be non-transitory. The baseband processor 1704 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable media / memory. When executed by the baseband processor 1704, this software enables the baseband processor 1704 to perform the various functions described herein. The computer-readable media / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by the baseband processor 1704 when executing the software. The baseband processor 1704 also includes a receive component 1730, a communication manager 1732, and a transmit component 1734. The communication manager 1732 includes one or more of the components shown. Components within the communication manager 1732 may be stored in the computer-readable media / memory and / or configured as hardware within the baseband processor 1704. The baseband processor 1704 may be a component of the second wireless communication device 350 and may include memory 360 and / or at least one of the following: a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. In one configuration, the apparatus 1702 may be a modem chip and include only the baseband processor 1704, and in another configuration, the apparatus 1702 may be the entire UE (e.g., see Figure 3 The second wireless communication device 350) includes additional modules of the apparatus 1702.

[0215] The communications manager 1732 includes a sidelink transmission component 1740 configured to receive a sidelink transmission from a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic, e.g., as described in conjunction with Figure 15 1502 and / or Figure 16 Described in 1602.

[0216] The communication manager 1732 also includes a time offset component 1742 configured to receive a first indicator indicating a starting resource for the future data flow, such as in conjunction with Figure 15 1504 and / or Figure 16 Described in 1604.

[0217] The communication manager 1732 also includes a traffic direction component 1744 configured to receive a second indicator indicating a traffic direction of the future data traffic, for example, as described in conjunction with Figure 16 Described in 1606.

[0218] The communication manager 1732 also includes a source component 1746 configured to receive a third indicator indicating a sending UE of the future data traffic, for example, as described in conjunction with Figure 16 Described in 1608.

[0219] The communication manager 1732 also includes a destination component 1748 configured to receive a fourth indicator indicating a target UE for the future data traffic, for example, as described in conjunction with Figure 16 Described in 1610.

[0220] The communication manager 1732 also includes an SPS component 1750, which is configured to transmit SPS traffic at the starting resource, the future data traffic including the SPS traffic, for example, as combined with Figure 15 1506 and / or Figure 16 Described in 1612.

[0221] The apparatus may include executing Figure 15 and / or Figure 16 The flowchart of each block of the algorithm is an additional component. Figure 15 and / or Figure 16 Each block in the flowchart of the process / algorithm may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. These components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0222] As shown, the apparatus 1702 may include various components configured for various functions. In one configuration, the apparatus 1702 (specifically, the baseband processor 1704) includes a component for receiving a sidelink transmission from a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission including only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic. The example apparatus 1702 also includes a component for receiving a first indicator indicating a starting resource for the future data traffic. The example apparatus 1702 also includes a component for transmitting SPS traffic at the starting resource, the future data traffic including the SPS traffic.

[0223] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1702 further includes means for receiving the first indicator in first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

[0224] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1702 further includes means for receiving a second indicator indicating a flow direction of the future data flow.

[0225] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1702 further includes means for receiving the second indicator in the first phase SCI or the second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission.

[0226] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1702 further includes means for receiving a third indicator indicating a transmitting UE of the future data traffic. The example apparatus 1702 further includes means for receiving a fourth indicator indicating a target UE of the future data traffic.

[0227] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1702 further includes means for receiving the third indicator and the fourth indicator in the first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

[0228] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1702 further includes means for receiving the third indicator and the fourth indicator in the second stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

[0229] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1702 further includes means for communicating the SPS traffic with the second UE at the starting resource.

[0230] In another configuration, the example apparatus 1702 further includes means for communicating the SPS traffic at the starting resource with a third UE different from the second UE.

[0231] This means may be one or more of the components of the apparatus 1702 configured to perform the functions recited by this means. As previously described, the apparatus 1702 may include the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, this means may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by this means.

[0232] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is merely illustrative of an exemplary method. It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the process / flowchart can be rearranged based on design preferences. Further, some blocks can be combined or omitted. The attached method claims provide the elements of each block in a sample order, but are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy provided.

[0233] The foregoing description is provided to enable anyone skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be consistent with the full scope of the claims consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically stated otherwise, but rather "one or more." Terms such as "if," "when," and "while" should be interpreted as meaning "under the condition of," rather than implying an immediate temporal relationship or reaction. That is, these phrases, such as "when," do not imply a direct action in response to or during the occurrence of an action, but simply imply that if a condition is met, the action will occur, but no specific or immediate time limit is required for the action to occur. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and / or C and may include multiple A, multiple B, or multiple C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C, where any such combination may include one or more of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. In addition, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” etc. cannot replace the word “component.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as a functional component unless the element is explicitly recited using the phrase “means for….”

[0234] The following aspects are merely illustrative and may be combined with other aspects or teachings described herein without limitation.

[0235] Aspect 1 is a method for wireless communication at a first UE, the method comprising: sending a sidelink transmission to a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission comprising only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic; and sending a time offset indicator, the time offset indicator indicating a starting resource of the future data traffic.

[0236] Aspect 2 is a method according to aspect 1, further comprising: the starting resource is different from the first resource.

[0237] Aspect 3 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 and 2, the method further comprising: the time offset indicator comprises a time gap value, the time gap value indexing the starting resource.

[0238] Aspect 4 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, the method further comprising: the time offset indicator comprises a bitmap, the bitmap indicating the starting resource.

[0239] Aspect 5 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, the method further comprising: the first UE sending the time offset indicator using the first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

[0240] Aspect 6 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, the method further comprising: sending a traffic direction indicator, the traffic direction indicator indicating the traffic direction of the future data traffic.

[0241] Aspect 7 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, the method further comprising: the traffic direction indicator includes a source identifier of the future data traffic and a destination identifier of the future data traffic.

[0242] Aspect 8 is a method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, the method further comprising: the traffic direction indicator includes a field, the first value of the field indicates that the future data traffic is from the first UE to the second UE, and the second value of the field indicates that the future data traffic is from the second UE to the first UE.

[0243] Aspect 9 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, the method further comprising: the first UE uses the first stage SCI or the second stage SCI of the sidelink transmission to send the traffic direction indicator.

[0244] Aspect 10 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, the method further comprising: sending a source indicator, the source indicator indicating the sending UE of the future data traffic; and sending a destination indicator, the destination indicator indicating the target UE of the future data traffic.

[0245] Aspect 11 is a method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, the method further comprising: the sending UE is different from the second UE, and the first UE uses the first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission to send the source indicator and the destination indicator.

[0246] Aspect 12 is a method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, the method further comprising: the sending UE is the second UE, and the first UE uses the second stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission to send the source indicator and the destination indicator.

[0247] Aspect 13 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, the method further comprising: the future data traffic comprises SPS traffic, the method further comprising: transmitting the SPS traffic with the second UE at the starting resource.

[0248] Aspect 14 is a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, further comprising: the data-only traffic being directed to a third UE different from the second UE.

[0249] Aspect 15 is an apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor coupled to a memory and configured to: implement any one of aspects 1 to 14.

[0250] Aspect 16 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising means for implementing any one of aspects 1 to 14.

[0251] Aspect 17 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code, wherein the code, when executed, causes a processor to implement any one of aspects 1 to 14.

[0252] Aspect 18 is a method for wireless communication at a first UE, the method comprising: receiving a sidelink transmission from a second UE at a first resource, the sidelink transmission comprising only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic; receiving a first indicator, the first indicator indicating a starting resource of the future data traffic; and transmitting SPS traffic at the starting resource, the future data traffic comprising the SPS traffic.

[0253] Aspect 19 is a method according to aspect 18, further comprising: the starting resource is different from the first resource.

[0254] Aspect 20 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 and 19, the method further comprising: the first indicator comprising a time gap value, the time gap value indexing the starting resource.

[0255] Aspect 21 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 20, the method further comprising: the first indicator comprises a bitmap, the bitmap indicating the starting resource.

[0256] Aspect 22 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 21, the method further comprising: the first UE receiving the first indicator in the first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

[0257] Aspect 23 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 22, further comprising: receiving a second indicator, the second indicator indicating a traffic direction of the future data traffic.

[0258] Aspect 24 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 23, the method further comprising: the second indicator comprising a source identifier of the future data traffic and a destination identifier of the future data traffic.

[0259] Aspect 25 is a method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 24, the method further comprising: the second indicator includes a field, a first value of the field indicates that the future data traffic is from the second UE to the first UE, and the second value of the field indicates that the future data traffic is from the first UE to the second UE.

[0260] Aspect 26 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 25, the method further comprising: the first UE receiving the second indicator in the first stage SCI or the second stage SCI of the sidelink transmission.

[0261] Aspect 27 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 26, the method further comprising: receiving a third indicator, the third indicator indicating the sending UE of the future data traffic; and receiving a fourth indicator, the fourth indicator indicating the target UE of the future data traffic.

[0262] Aspect 28 is a method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 27, and the method also includes: the sending UE is different from the first UE, and the first UE receives the third indicator and the fourth indicator in the first stage side link control information of the side link transmission.

[0263] Aspect 29 is a method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 27, and the method also includes: the sending UE is the first UE, and the first UE receives the third indicator and the fourth indicator in the second stage side link control information of the side link transmission.

[0264] Aspect 30 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 29, further comprising: the first UE transmitting the SPS traffic with the second UE at the starting resource.

[0265] Aspect 31 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 29, further comprising: the first UE transmitting the SPS traffic with a third UE different from the second UE at the starting resources.

[0266] Aspect 32 is a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 31, further comprising: the data-only traffic being directed to a third UE different from the second UE.

[0267] Aspect 33 is an apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor coupled to a memory and configured to: implement any one of aspects 18 to 32.

[0268] Aspect 34 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising means for implementing any one of aspects 18 to 32.

[0269] Aspect 35 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code, wherein the code, when executed, causes a processor to implement any one of aspects 18 to 32.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: one or more memories; and at least one processor coupled to the one or more memories and configured to: sending a sidelink transmission to a second UE at the first resource, the sidelink transmission comprising only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic; sending a time offset indicator, wherein the time offset indicator indicates a starting resource of the future data flow; as well as sending a traffic direction indicator, the traffic direction indicator indicating a traffic direction of the future data traffic, The traffic direction indicator includes a field, a first value of the field indicates that the future data traffic is from the first UE to the second UE, and a second value of the field indicates that the future data traffic is from the second UE to the first UE. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the starting resource is different from the first resource.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the time offset indicator comprises a time gap value that indexes the starting resource. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the time offset indicator comprises a bitmap, the bitmap indicating the starting resource.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to send the time offset indicator using first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the traffic direction indicator comprises a source identifier of the future data traffic and a destination identifier of the future data traffic.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to send the traffic direction indicator using a first phase sidelink control information (SCI) or a second phase SCI of the sidelink transmission.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are further configured to: sending a source indicator, the source indicator indicating a sending UE of the future data traffic; and A destination indicator is sent, where the destination indicator indicates a target UE for the future data traffic.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sending UE is different from the second UE, and the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to send the source indicator and the destination indicator using the first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sending UE is the second UE, and the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to send the source indicator and the destination indicator using the second stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the future data traffic comprises semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) traffic, the one or more memories and the at least one processor being further configured to: The SPS traffic is transmitted with the second UE at the starting resource.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data-only traffic is directed to a third UE different from the second UE.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver coupled to the at least one processor.

14. An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: one or more memories; and at least one processor coupled to the one or more memories and configured to: receiving a sidelink transmission from a second UE at the first resource, the sidelink transmission comprising only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic; receiving a first indicator, the first indicator indicating a starting resource of the future data traffic; receiving a second indicator, the second indicator indicating a flow direction of the future data flow, wherein the second indicator comprises a field, a first value of the field indicates that the future data traffic is from the second UE to the first UE, and a second value of the field indicates that the future data traffic is from the first UE to the second UE; as well as Semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) traffic is transmitted at the starting resource, the future data traffic including the SPS traffic.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first indicator comprises a time gap value that indexes the starting resource. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first indicator comprises a bitmap indicating the starting resource.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to receive the first indicator in first-stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second indicator comprises a source identifier of the future data traffic and a destination identifier of the future data traffic.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to receive the second indicator in a first-stage sidelink control information (SCI) or a second-stage SCI of the sidelink transmission.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are further configured to: receiving a third indicator, the third indicator indicating a sending UE of the future data traffic; and A fourth indicator is received, where the fourth indicator indicates a target UE for the future data traffic.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the transmitting UE is different from the first UE, wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to: receive the third indicator and the fourth indicator in the first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the transmitting UE is the first UE, and wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to: receive the third indicator and the fourth indicator in the second stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to communicate the SPS traffic with the second UE at the starting resources.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to transmit the SPS traffic with a third UE different from the second UE at the starting resources.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data-only traffic is directed to a third UE different from the second UE.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a transceiver coupled to the at least one processor.

27. An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: one or more memories; and at least one processor coupled to the one or more memories and configured to: sending a sidelink transmission to a second UE at the first resource, the sidelink transmission comprising only data traffic and scheduling information corresponding to future data traffic; sending a time offset indicator, wherein the time offset indicator indicates a starting resource of the future data flow; sending a source indicator, where the source indicator indicates a sending UE of the future data traffic; as well as sending a destination indicator, the destination indicator indicating a target UE for the future data traffic, in: The sending UE is different from the second UE, and the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to: use the first stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission to send the source indicator and the destination indicator, or the sending UE is the second UE, and the one or more memories and the at least one processor are configured to: use the second stage sidelink control information of the sidelink transmission to send the source indicator and the destination indicator.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the starting resource is different from the first resource.

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