Resource selection for subnetwork

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to resource selection for a subnet. A first device obtains state information associated with a first subnetwork of a radio access network. The first device determines, based at least on the state information, a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode, the resource selection mode for selecting resources for communication within the first subnetwork. And the first device sends configuration information at least associated with the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and in particular to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for resource selection for a subnet. Background Art

[0002] The intra-X subnet (hereinafter referred to as the subnet) is a promising component to meet the extreme performance requirements in terms of latency, reliability and / or throughput envisioned by certain sixth generation (6G) short-range scenarios. The subnet is usually installed in a specific entity, such as inside a car, inside a body, indoors, etc., to provide life-critical data services with extreme performance in terms of local fine network coverage. For example, for high-demand periodic deterministic communication services, the use cases of the intra-robot subnet, the intra-production module subnet, and the intra-vehicle subnet have extreme performance requirements in terms of reliability (up to 6 nines or higher) and latency (as low as 100us or even lower). These use cases can be the most challenging scenarios in 6G systems. Summary of the invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a first device in a radio access network is provided. The first device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least perform: obtaining state information associated with a first subnet of the radio access network; determining a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode based at least on the state information, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet; and sending configuration information associated with at least the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network is provided. The second device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least perform: receiving configuration information associated with a resource selection mode from a first device in the radio access network, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet, wherein the resource selection mode is at least one of a first mode and a second mode.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a third device in a second subnet is provided. The third device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least perform: receiving a second parameter associated with a second mode from a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, the second mode being used to select resources for communication within the second subnet, wherein the second subnet is outside the radio access network; and selecting resources for communication within the second subnet based at least on the second parameter.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: obtaining, at a first device in a radio access network, state information associated with a first subnet of the radio access network; determining, based at least on the state information, a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet; and sending configuration information associated with at least the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving, at a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, configuration information associated with a resource selection mode from a first device in the radio access network, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet, wherein the resource selection mode is at least one of a first mode and a second mode.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at a third device in a second subnet, from a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, a second parameter associated with a second mode for selecting resources for communication within the second subnet, wherein the second subnet is outside the radio access network; and selecting resources for communication within the second subnet based at least on the second parameter.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a first device in a radio access network is provided. The first device includes: a component for acquiring state information associated with a first subnet of the radio access network; a component for determining a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode based at least on the state information, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet; and a component for sending configuration information associated with at least the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network is provided. The second device comprises: a component for receiving configuration information associated with a resource selection mode from the first device in the radio access network, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet, wherein the resource selection mode is at least one of a first mode and a second mode.

[0011] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a third device in a second subnet is provided. The third device includes: a component for receiving, at the third device in the second subnet, a second parameter associated with a second mode from a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, the second mode being used to select resources for communication within the second subnet, wherein the second subnet is outside the radio access network; and a component for selecting resources for communication within the second subnet based at least on the second parameter.

[0012] In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, and the instructions are used to cause a device to at least execute the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0013] In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, and the instructions are used to cause a device to at least execute the method according to the fifth aspect.

[0014] In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, and the instructions are used to cause a device to at least execute the method according to the sixth aspect.

[0015] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 An example communication environment is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0018] Figure 2 shows a signaling diagram for determining a resource selection mode according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 shows examples of parameters associated with a resource selection mode according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4shows a signaling diagram for selecting resources in a distributed resource selection mode according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5 shows a signaling diagram for selecting resources in a centralized resource selection mode according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig. 6A shows example scenarios according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 6B shows example parameters for the example scenario of FIG. 6 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 7 A flowchart showing a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figure 8 A flowchart showing a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0026] Fig. 9 A flowchart of a method implemented at a third device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0027] Fig.10 shows a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0028] Fig.11 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are only for illustrative purposes and are helpful for those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways different from the ways described below.

[0031] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0032] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it is considered that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect these features, structures, or characteristics in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0033] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiment, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0034] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements, where the list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”.

[0035] As used herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, performing a step "in response to A" does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after "A" occurs, and may include one or more intermediate steps.

[0036] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "include", "comprises", "has", "includes", and / or "comprising" when used herein specify the presence of the features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0037] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only) and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions), and (c) hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g. firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when not required for operation.

[0038] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portions of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0039] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal device and the network equipment in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols and / or any other protocols currently known or developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there are of course future types of communication technologies and systems that can implement the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be considered to be limited to the above-mentioned systems.

[0040] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network, via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from it. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a Node B (Node B or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNode B or eNB), a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low-power node such as a femto, a micro, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or a non-grounded network device (such as a satellite network device), a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. In some example embodiments, a radio access network (RAN) separation architecture includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion that behaves like a UE toward a parent node, and a DU portion of the IAB node behaves like a base station to a next-hop IAB node.

[0041] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, the terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a user station (SS), a portable user station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a game terminal device, a music storage and playback facility, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronic devices, equipment operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. The terminal device may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) part of the IAB node (eg, a relay node).In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably. Example Environment

[0042] Figure 1An example communication environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication environment 100 includes a radio access network 101 (hereinafter also referred to as network 101) and a first device 110 in the network 101. The network 101 may be a wide area network (WAN). The first device 110 may be a base station of the network 101.

[0043] A plurality of subnets 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3, collectively referred to as the first subnet 102 or individually referred to as the first subnet 102, are located in the coverage of the network 101. The subnets 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 include second devices 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3, respectively, which are collectively referred to as the second devices 120 or individually referred to as the second devices 120. Each subnet 102 may include a plurality of terminal devices 140-1 and 140-2, which are collectively referred to as the terminal devices 140 or individually referred to as the terminal devices 140.

[0044] The second device 120 may be a device that serves and manages the terminal device 140 in the first subnet 102. The second device 120 may be connected to the first device 110 of the network 101 so that the first device 110 may control and coordinate the first subnet 102 to a certain extent. The second device 120 may include any suitable entity of the first subnet 102. In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may be an access point (AP) of the first subnet 102.

[0045] In some example embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the environment 100 may include a second subnet located outside the coverage of the network 101. The second subnet 103 includes a third device 130 and a plurality of terminal devices 150-1 and 150-2, which are collectively referred to as terminal devices 150 or individually referred to as terminal devices 150. The third device 130 may be a device that serves and manages the terminal devices 150 in the second subnet 103. The second subnet 103 (e.g., the third device 130) may communicate with one or more first subnets 102.

[0046] The third device 130 may include any suitable entity of the second subnet 103. In some example embodiments, the third device 130 may be an AP of the second subnet 103.

[0047] The first subnet 102 and the optional second subnet 103 may be referred to as a subnet or multiple subnets. The subnets in the environment 100 may include any suitable type of intra-X subnet, including but not limited to intra-robot subnets, intra-production module subnets, intra-vehicle subnets, intra-body subnets, and indoor subnets. It should be understood that Figure 1The number of subnets, second devices, and terminal devices shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration purposes only and does not imply any limitation. Communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices configured to implement the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), etc., wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, etc., and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. In addition, communications may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including, but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technology currently known or developed in the future.

[0049] The communication within the first subnet (also referred to as "intra-subnet communication") includes at least one of the communication between the second device 120 and the terminal device 140 or the communication between the terminal device 140-1 and the terminal device 140-2. In some example embodiments, sub-band channelization may be used for intra-subnet communication. That is, the carrier bandwidth is divided into a plurality of sub-bands, and each subnet operates in one or more sub-bands.

[0050] The resource selection mode (RSM) is a mode for selecting resources for communications within the first subnet 102. In order to operate efficiently, the first subnet 102 requires a resource selection mode.

[0051] As mentioned above, the intra-X subnet is a promising component in the 6G system. The subnet has specific characteristics, such as extreme performance requirements in terms of latency, reliability and / or throughput, low transmit power that implies limited coverage (e.g., within a few meters); a star or tree topology with one intra-X AP and one or more intra-X UEs under the control of the AP; overall mobility of the AP and associated UEs, but lack of / limited mobility across different subnets; part of an overlay WAN, but it must continue to work when it is out of WAN coverage. The system design for the intra-X subnet should take the above characteristics into account.

[0052] Considering the extreme performance requirements especially in terms of delay and reliability, it is important to design an efficient resource selection process for the subnets to adapt the subnets to the temporal and spatial interference situation variations to keep the inter-subnet interference as low as possible.

[0053] In order to achieve extreme performance, on the one hand, the subnets within X should be designed to fully utilize all potential diversity gains, such as frequency diversity, space diversity, time diversity under certain conditions, etc. On the other hand, the subnets should be operated by suitable (time / frequency) resources. Such suitable resources can meet some standards. For example, the resource can be reused by a subnet with little cross interference to improve resource efficiency. For another example, using this resource, the interference level between subnets is kept low enough for extreme reliability. For another example, the configuration of resources should be able to adapt to changes in interference conditions (e.g., due to the mobility of the subnets) to constantly keep the interference at a low level.

[0054] Furthermore, there are various possible subnet scenarios and conditions. For example, some subnets move at relatively high speeds, while some subnets are more static or quasi-static. Some subnets are under the coverage of the WAN, and therefore have connections to the BS of the WAN to enjoy control or coordination from the WAN, while some subnets may be outside the coverage of the WAN. Despite all these different scenarios or conditions, extreme performance requirements apply to all of these subnets. Different resource selection patterns are needed to support the various possible subnet scenarios and conditions.

[0055] In view of the above situation, a mechanism for resource selection of a subnet is needed to meet the extreme performance requirements for the subnet. How it works and example signaling used for communication

[0056] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a solution for resource selection for a subnet is provided. In the solution, a first device in a radio access network obtains state information associated with a first subnet of the radio access network. The first device determines a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode based at least on the state information, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet. The first device sends configuration information associated with at least the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

[0057] In this way, different subnets can operate in corresponding appropriate resource selection modes. Different resource selection modes can coordinate and coexist in the radio access network to support subnets in various states. Such an effective resource selection mechanism can adapt to the temporal and spatial interference variations between subnets, which is conducive to meeting extreme performance requirements for subnets.

[0058] The following will refer to Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail. Generally, the resource selection modes supported in the environment 100 include at least a first mode and a second mode different from the first mode.

[0059] In some example embodiments, if the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode for the first subnet 102, the first device 110 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102. For the purpose of discussion and without any limitation, the first mode is also referred to as a centralized resource selection (CRS) mode. In other words, in the CRS mode, resources are allocated to the first subnet 102 by the first device 110. The first mode and the CRS mode are used interchangeably herein.

[0060] If the second mode is determined as the resource selection mode for the first subnet 102, the second device 120 in the first subnet 102 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102. For the purpose of discussion without any limitation, the second mode is also referred to as a distributed resource selection (DRS) mode. In other words, in the DRS mode, resources are selected by the second device 120 of the first subnet 102. The second mode and the DRS mode are used interchangeably herein.

[0061] On the one hand, the characteristics of the subnet as described above allow the CRS mode of the subnet to achieve extreme performance. On the other hand, some subnets may move at a relatively large speed or be located outside the radio access network 101, which means that the DRS mode should also be supported. There is a performance gap between the CRS mode and the DRS mode. Considering that in order to achieve extreme performance for the subnet, the CRS mode can be applied if possible. At the same time, the DRS mode can be optimized to support subnets for which the CRS mode is not suitable. Therefore, a suitable resource selection mode for a specific subnet is determined.

[0062] Figure 2 2 shows a signaling diagram 200 for determining a resource selection mode according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, the signaling diagram 200 involves the first device 110 and the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the signaling diagram 200 also involves the third device 130. For discussion purposes, reference is made to Figure 1 To describe signaling diagram 200. Figure 2 , one second device 120 and one third device 130 are shown, but it should be understood that there may be multiple second devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the second device 120 and multiple third devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the third device 130.

[0063] At 205, the first device 110 obtains state information associated with the first subnet 102. The state information may be obtained in any suitable manner, such as based on relevant information available at the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the state information may be received from the second device 120 of the first subnet 102. For example, the second device 120-1 may send state information associated with the first subnet 102-1 to the first device 110. Alternatively or additionally, the state information may be obtained by the first device 110 from a source different from the second device 120. For example, in an industrial scenario, a digital twin (DT) of all robots and machines may be available, and the DT may be connected to the network 101 and provide such information to the first device 110.

[0064] The state information may indicate a mobility state or a communication state of the first subnet 102. In some example embodiments, the state information may indicate a channel quality of the first subnet 102. The channel quality may be a subnet channel quality (SCQ) of the first subnet 102. The SCQ of a subnet refers to the comprehensive channel quality of all transmission links in the subnet on the resources (e.g., subbands) in use. For example, the SCQ may include an average or minimum value of the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of all transmission links.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, the status information may indicate an interference level sensed within the first subnet 102. The interference level may be a subnet aggregate interference (SAI) of the first subnet 102. The SAI of a subnet refers to the sum of all potential interference from all other subnets on each subband.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, the state information may indicate a mobility state associated with the first subnet 102. In an example, the state information may include an indication of whether the first subnet 102 is in a fast moving state. For example, for a first subnet associated with a moving vehicle or a mobile robot, the state information may indicate a fast moving state. For a first subnet associated with a pedestrian or a vehicle in a traffic jam, the state information may indicate a non-fast moving state. In another example, the state information may include an indication of a moving speed of the first subnet 102. Based on the moving speed, whether the first subnet 102 is in a fast moving state may be determined.

[0067] Additionally, in some example embodiments, the second device 120 may indicate its preference for the resource selection mode to the first device 110. For example, the second device 120 may indicate to the first device 110 that the CRS mode or the DRS mode is preferred in the first subnet 102.

[0068] Acquiring the status information may be performed periodically. For example, the first device 110 may periodically receive status information from the second device 120 or another source.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, obtaining the status information may be in response to determining to activate the resource selection mode. Before obtaining the status information at 205, all first subnets 102 in the network 101 may operate in a default mode. Based on a triggering event, the first device 110 may activate another mode and notify the first subnet 102. In response to the activation, the second device 120 may feedback status information to the first device 110. For example, before obtaining the status information at 205, all first subnets 102 operate in DRS mode, which means that all first subnets 102 autonomously select resources based on local channel measurements and related parameters / resource (pre) configuration. Based on performance degradation of some first subnets 102, the first device 110 may activate the CRS mode and notify the first subnet 102 of the activation of the CRS mode. In response to the activation of the CRS mode, the second device 120 may feedback status information to the first device 110.

[0070] continue Figure 2 At 210, the first device 110 determines a resource selection mode for the first subnet 102 from at least the first mode and the second mode based on the state information. The resource selection mode determined for the first subnet 102 may depend on at least one of a mobility state of the first subnet 102 or a communication quality of the first subnet 102. The communication quality may include at least one of a channel quality of the first subnet 102 or an interference level sensed within the first subnet 102.

[0071] In some example embodiments, if the communication quality of the first subnet 102 is below a threshold and the mobility state indicates a non-fast moving state, the first device 110 may determine the first mode as the RSM for the first subnet 102. Otherwise, the first device 110 may determine the second mode as the RSM for the first subnet 102.

[0072] Specifically, for a specific first subnet 102, if the mobility state indicates a fast moving state, the DRS mode is determined as the RSM for the first subnet 102. Alternatively or additionally, if the channel quality exceeds a first threshold (e.g., SCQ exceeds threshold 1) and / or the interference level sensed within the first subnet 102 is less than a second threshold (e.g., SAI is less than threshold 2), the DRS mode is determined as the RSM for the first subnet 102.

[0073] If the mobility state indicates a non-fast moving state and the channel quality does not exceed a first threshold (e.g., SCQ is less than or equal to threshold 1), the CRS pattern is determined as the RSM for the first subnet 102. If the mobility state indicates a non-fast moving state and the interference level is higher than a second threshold (e.g., SAI is greater than or equal to threshold 2), the CRS pattern is determined as the RSM for the first subnet 102. If the mobility state indicates a non-fast moving state, the channel quality does not exceed the first threshold (e.g., SCQ is less than or equal to threshold 1) and the interference level is higher than a second threshold (e.g., SAI is greater than or equal to threshold 2), the CRS pattern is determined as the RSM for the first subnet 102.

[0074] By determining the RSM based on the state information associated with the subnet, the subnet can adapt to temporal and spatial interference variations to provide extreme performance. Hereinafter, the first subnet 102 whose first mode or CRS mode is determined to be the RSM is also referred to as the CRS subnet. The first subnet 102 whose second mode or DRS mode is determined to be the RSM is also referred to as the DRS subnet.

[0075] The first device 110 may send an indication indicating the determined RSM to the second device 120. The indication may be sent to the second device 120 in dedicated signaling along with other information. For example, if the first mode is determined to be the RSM for the first subnet 102, the indication may be as described with reference to Figure 5 As described above, the indication may be sent together with measurement configuration information associated with interference measurement. If the second mode is determined to be the RSM of the first subnet 102, the indication may be as described above. Figure 4 As described, along with another indication of the sensed offset is sent.

[0076] Continue to use Figure 2 At 215, the first device 110 sends configuration information associated with at least the determined RSM to the second device 120. The configuration information may be further associated with another mode. For example, if the first mode is determined to be the RSM for the first subnet 102, the configuration information is at least associated with the first mode. The configuration information may also be associated with the second mode.

[0077] In some example embodiments, the configuration information may include a first parameter associated with the first mode. For purposes of discussion and without limitation, the first parameter is also referred to as a CRS parameter. The CRS parameter may include at least one of the following: a duration of a first period associated with the first mode, or a starting offset indicating when the first period begins.

[0078] The first period is a period during which the first device 110 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102, and is also referred to as a CRS period. The duration of the CRS period may be represented by any suitable time unit, for example, in units of transmission (TX) cycles. The duration of the CRS period may be set to a relatively large value. For example, the duration of the CRS period may be set to 1000 TX cycles, which corresponds to 100 ms in the case of a 100 μs TX cycle duration.

[0079] The starting offset indicating when the first period starts is also referred to as a CRS offset. The CRS offset corresponds to the moment or TX cycle at which the first subnet 102 in CRS mode starts using resources for intra-subnet communication according to the latest resource allocation of the first device 110. In an example, the CRS offset can be represented by a TX cycle that satisfies the criterion "TX cycle index modulo CRS period = CRS offset".

[0080] Figure 3 Examples of parameters associated with resource selection modes according to some example embodiments of the invention are shown. Figure 3 The Nth CRS cycle 310 is shown starting from the TX cycle 311. The TX cycle 311 meets the criterion "TX cycle index modulo CRS cycle = CRS offset". This means that the first subnet 102 in CRS mode starts using the resources newly allocated by the first device 110 for intra-subnet communication.

[0081] In some example embodiments, the configuration information may include a second parameter associated with the second mode. For purposes of discussion and without limitation, the second parameter is also referred to as a DRS parameter. The DRS parameter may include at least one of the following: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, or a duration of a sensing window within the second period.

[0082] The second period is a period in which the second device 120 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102 based on channel sensing, and is also referred to as a DRS period. The duration of the DRS period may be represented by any suitable time unit, for example, in units of TX cycles. The DRS period may be shorter than the CRS period. In some example embodiments, the duration of the CRS period may be an integer multiple of the duration of the DRS period. For example, where the duration of the CRS period includes 1000 TX cycles, the duration of the DRS period may include 1000 TX cycles. This facilitates the coordinated coexistence of subnets in DRS mode and subnets in CRS mode.

[0083] The sensing window within the second period is a period during which channel sensing is performed. The duration of the sensing window may be expressed in units of TX cycles. The sensing window may start from a TX cycle that satisfies the criterion “TX cycle index modulo DRS period = CRS offset modulo DRS period”.

[0084] Figure 3 A plurality of DRS cycles 320-0, 320-2, 320-3, 320-3, ... 320-M are shown, which are collectively referred to as DRS cycles 320 or individually referred to as DRS cycles 320, where M is a positive integer. It can be seen that the CRS cycle 310 corresponds to more than one DRS cycle 320. Each DRS cycle 320 may include a sensing window 321 and a non-sensing window 322. During the non-sensing window 322, no subnet performs channel sensing. Figure 3 As shown, the sensing window is aligned with the start of the CRS period, which mitigates cross interference between the CRS subnet and the neighboring DRS subnet.

[0085] Reference Figure 2 In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may send the configuration information including the CRS parameters and the DRS parameters to the second device 120 in a multicast or broadcast manner, for example, via common RRC signaling, so that the first subnet 102 in the CRS mode or the DRS mode acquires the CRS parameters and the DRS parameters. For example, the CRS parameters and the DRS parameters may be sent via common radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0086] Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the first device 110 may send CRS parameters and DRS parameters to the second device 120 of the CRS subnet and the DRS subnet, respectively, via dedicated signaling. For example, if the CRS mode is determined to be RSM for the first subnet 102-1, the first device 110 may send CRS parameters to the second device 120-1 via dedicated signaling. If the DRS mode is determined to be RSM for the first subnet 102-3, the first device 110 may send DRS parameters to the second device 120-3 via dedicated signaling.

[0087] In some example embodiments, DRS parameters or CRS parameters may be sent together with other information. Figure 5 As described, the CRS parameters may be sent together with measurement configuration information associated with interference measurement. Figure 4 As described, the DRS parameters may be sent along with an indication indicating a sensing offset.

[0088] It should be understood that the determination of the DRS parameters and the CRS parameters may occur before step 210 or after step 210. The example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard. For example, if the determination of the parameters depends on the result of step 210, the parameters are determined after step 210. Otherwise, the parameters may be determined before step 210.

[0089] continue Figure 2 , at 220, the second device 120 receives configuration information associated with at least the determined RSM from the first device 110. Accordingly, the first subnet 102 operates in the determined RSM. Depending on the state of the first subnet 102, various scenarios may occur. For example, in some example scenarios, all first subnets 102 operate in DRS mode. Alternatively, in some other example scenarios, all first subnets 102 operate in CRS mode. Alternatively, in some other example scenarios, one or more of the first subnets 102 operate in CRS mode, and other subnets in the first subnet 102 operate in DRS mode.

[0090] In this way, coordinated coexistence of subnets operating in different modes can be achieved.In addition, by determining the RSM based on state information associated with the subnet, the subnet can adapt to temporal and spatial interference variations to provide extreme performance. Example Operations for Distributed Resource Selection Mode

[0091] Some example embodiments are now described with respect to the first subnet 102 operating in DRS mode. Figure 4 A signaling diagram 400 for selecting resources in a DRS mode according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The signaling diagram 400 involves a first device 110 and a second device 120 in a DRS subnet 102. For example, if the DRS mode is determined to be RSM for the first subnet 102-3, the signaling diagram 400 involves the second device 120-3. Figure 4 One second device 120 is shown, but it should be understood that there may be multiple second devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the second device 120.

[0092] At 405, for the DRS subnet, the first device 110 determines a sensing offset within the sensing window based at least on the state information. The sensing offset indicates a start time within the sensing window at which channel sensing is performed. Figure 3 .like Figure 3 As shown, the sensing window 321 includes L sensing offsets, where L is a positive integer. The length of the sensing offset can be represented by any suitable time unit, for example, in units of TX cycles. In an example, each sensing offset can include one or more TX cycles, such as 3 TX cycles.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may determine sensing offsets for different DRS subnets based on state information associated with the corresponding DRS subnets, so that a DRS subnet with lower communication quality (e.g., lower SCQ or larger SAI) is assigned a smaller sensing offset. For example, if the DRS mode is determined to be the RSM of the first subnets 102-2 and 102-3, and the first subnet 102-2 has a lower SCQ or a larger SAI than the first subnet 102-3, the sensing offset assigned to the first subnet 102-2 is less than the sensing offset assigned to the first subnet 102-3. In such an example embodiment, a DRS subnet with lower communication quality may have a higher priority in resource selection. In such an example embodiment, cross-interference between a CRS subnet and an adjacent DRS subnet may be mitigated.

[0094] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may determine a sensing offset based on the locations of different DRS subnets, such that adjacent DRS subnets are assigned different sensing offsets. For example, if the distance between two DRS subnets is below a threshold distance, the two DRS subnets are assigned different sensing offsets. Information associated with the location of the DRS subnet may be fed back by the second device 120, such as in status information or obtained by the first device 110 in any suitable manner. In such an example embodiment, by configuring different sensing offsets for different adjacent subnets, potential cross-interference between different DRS subnets in the coverage area of ​​the overlay WAN is kept as low as possible.

[0095] Reference Figure 4 At 410, first device 110 sends an indication indicating a sensing offset to second device 120. The indication may be sent to second device 120 via a physical control channel (PDCCH), or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling, or dedicated RRC signaling. As described above, in some example embodiments, a DRS parameter or an indication indicating a determined RSM may be sent together with the indication indicating a sensing offset.

[0096] At 415, the second device 120 receives an indication indicating a sensing offset. At 420, the second device 120 causes channel sensing to be performed within the DRS subnet based on the sensing offset and the sensing window. For example, if the first subnet 102-3 is allocated the 3rd sensing offset of the sensing window 321, channel sensing is performed at one or more TX cycles corresponding to the 3rd sensing offset of the sensing window in each DRS period 320.

[0097] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may perform channel sensing based on the sensing offset and the sensing window. Alternatively or additionally, the second device 120 may request the terminal device 140 in the DRS subnet to perform channel sensing based on the sensing offset and the sensing window. The terminal device 140 may feed back the result of the channel sensing to the second device 120.

[0098] At 425, the second device 120 selects resources (e.g., one or more subbands) for communication within the DRS subnet based on the channel sensing. The DRS subnet may then switch to the selected resources and use the selected resources for intra-subnet communication. In some example embodiments, the DRS subnet may use the selected resources for intra-subnet communication starting from a sensing offset immediately after the sensing offset assigned by the first device 110. In this way, the likelihood that another DRS subnet selects the same resources is reduced, which is beneficial for extreme performance. Example Operation of Centralized Resource Selection Mode

[0099] Some example embodiments are now described with respect to the first subnet 102 operating in CRS mode. Figure 5 A signaling diagram 500 for selecting resources in a CRS mode according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The signaling diagram 500 involves a first device 110 and a second device 120 in a CRS subnet 102. For example, if the CRS mode is determined to be RSM for the first subnet 102-1, the signaling diagram 500 involves the second device 120-1. Figure 5 One second device 120 is shown in the figure, but it should be understood that there may be multiple second devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the second device 120.

[0100] At 505, first device 110 sends measurement configuration information associated with interference measurement performed within the CRS subnet to second device 120. The measurement configuration information may indicate a reference signal for interference measurement, measurement and reporting configuration, etc. As described above, in some example embodiments, an indication indicating the determined RSM or CRS parameter may be sent together with the measurement configuration information associated with the interference measurement.

[0101] At 510, the second device 120 receives measurement configuration information associated with interference measurement from the first device 110. At 515, based on the measurement configuration information, interference measurement is performed within the CRS subnet. In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may perform interference measurement based on the measurement configuration information. Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, the second device 120 may request a terminal device 140 in the CRS subnet to perform interference measurement based on the measurement configuration information.

[0102] At 520, the second device 120 sends a measurement report associated with the interference measurement to the first device 110. The measurement report indicates interference sensed within the CRS subnet. In some example embodiments, the measurement report may indicate interference from the first subnet operating in CRS mode. For example, such interference may be per-subnet interference from other CRS subnets. Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, the measurement report may indicate interference on a frequency subband. Interference on a frequency band includes interference from other DRS subnets, but does not include interference from other CRS subnets.

[0103] By including such interference in the measurement report, interference to / from the DRS subnet can be considered in the centralized resource selection. This helps to mitigate potential cross-interference between the CRS subnet and the DRS subnet.

[0104] At 525, the first device 110 receives a measurement report associated with interference measurement from the second device 120. At 530, the first device 110 selects resources for communication within the CRS subnet based at least on the measurement report. For example, the first device 110 may select one or more subbands for the CRS subnet by using a CRS algorithm.

[0105] At 535, the first device 110 sends an indication indicating the selected resources to the second device 120. For example, the indication may indicate one or more subbands selected for the CRS subnet. At 540, the second device 120 receives an indication indicating the selected resources from the first device 110.

[0106] In some example embodiments, steps 505, 510, 515, 520, 525, 530, 535, and 540 may be performed during a non-sensing window of the last DRS cycle within a CRS cycle. For example, these steps may be performed during a non-sensing window 322 of a DRS cycle 320-0, which is the last DRS cycle within the (N-1)th CRS cycle. Dividing the DRS cycle into a sensing window and a non-sensing window and performing operations associated with the CRS pattern within the non-sensing window is advantageous for interference control. This is conducive to keeping cross-interference between the CRS subnet and the DRS subnet as low as possible.

[0107] At 545 , the second device 120 performs intra-CRS subnet communication using the selected resources in the CRS period starting from the start offset. For example, the second device 120 performs intra-subnet communication using the subband allocated by the first device 110 in the Nth CRS period 310 from the TX cycle 311 . Example operation for a subnet outside a radio access network

[0108] Due to the complexity of subnet scenarios, there may be one or more subnets outside the coverage (OoC) of the radio access network, also referred to as OoC subnets. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the second subnet 103 is located outside the network 101. Figure 2 Now refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Some example embodiments of the RSM are described with respect to an OoC subnet.

[0109] At 225, the first device 110 may send a request to the second device 120 to send DRS parameters to a third device 130 in a second subnet 103 outside the network 101. In some example embodiments, the request may be an explicit indication sent via dedicated signaling. The explicit indication may be sent via separate signaling or together with the configuration information sent at 215, or together with the indication sent at 410 for the DRS subnet, or together with the measurement configuration information sent at 505 for the CRS subnet. Alternatively or additionally, the request may be an implicit indication, for example, by configuring a cell edge threshold for reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement for the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the request also instructs the second device 120 to send the determined sensing offset for the DRS subnet 102 to the third device 130.

[0110] In some example embodiments, second device 120 requested by first device 110 to send DRS parameters may be located in first subnet 102, which is located at or near the edge of network 101. For example, first device 110 may determine that first subnet 102-3 is close to the edge of network 101 based on the location of first subnet 102-3 or the strength of a link between first device 110 and second device 120-3. Therefore, first device 110 may request second device 120-3 to send DRS parameters to third device 130 of second subnet 103.

[0111] At 230, second device 120 may receive a request from first device 110 to send DRS parameters to third device 130. In response to the request, second device 120 may send the DRS parameters to third device 130 at 235. For example, second device 120 may broadcast the DRS parameters in a channel similar to a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). In some example embodiments, second device 120 may also send a sensing offset determined for DRS subnet 102 to third device 130.

[0112] At 240, third device 130 may receive DRS parameters from second device 120. In some example embodiments, third device 130 may also receive a sensing offset determined for DRS subnet 102 from second device 120. At 245, third device 130 may select resources for communication within second subnet 103 based at least on the DRS parameters. In this way, DRS parameters for OoC subnets and their operation are aligned with those subnets within the coverage of network 101.

[0113] In some example embodiments, the third device 130 may determine the sensing offset of the second subnet 103 based at least on the DRS parameter from the second device 120. In an example, the third device 130 may randomly determine the sensing offset of the second subnet 103 within the sensing window. In another example, the third device 130 may determine the sensing offset of the second subnet 103 based on the communication quality of the second subnet 103 (such as the SCQ of the second subnet 103 or the SAI sensed within the second subnet 103).

[0114] Channel sensing may be performed within the second subnet 103 based on the sensing window and the sensing offset. In some example embodiments, the third device 130 may perform channel sensing based on the sensing window and the sensing offset. Alternatively or additionally, the third device 130 may request the terminal device 150 in the second subnet 103 to perform channel sensing based on the sensing window and the sensing offset. Based on the channel sensing, the third device 130 may select resources for communication within the second subnet 103. For example, the third device 130 may select one or more subbands for communication within the subnet.

[0115] The second subnet 103 may then switch to the selected resources and use the selected resources for intra-subnet communication. In some example embodiments, the second subnet 103 may use the selected resources for intra-subnet communication starting from a sensing offset immediately after the sensing offset determined by the third device 130 .

[0116] In such an example embodiment, by sending the DRS parameters to the out-of-coverage DRS subnet, conflicts between the in-coverage DRS subnet and the out-of-coverage DRS subnet can be avoided as much as possible. This helps keep the potential cross-interference between the in-coverage DRS subnet and the out-of-coverage DRS subnet as low as possible. Example scenario

[0117] As can be seen from the above description, some example embodiments provide an effective resource selection framework to enable a subnet (whether or not in the coverage of a WAN) to adapt to temporal and spatial interference variations to provide extreme performance (e.g., 7 nines or higher low latency down to 100us). The framework enables the organic integration and coordinated coexistence of a subnet operating in a CRS mode and a subnet in a DRS mode.

[0118] In addition, in the framework, CRS is implemented as much as possible to provide extreme performance, while for subnets that must perform distributed resource selection (e.g., those outside the coverage of the WAN), performance is also optimized by mitigating various potential interferences as described above. Subnets that do not suffer too much interference are selected to operate in DRS mode, which allows energy and signaling overhead to be saved at these subnets, because these subnets can communicate less frequently with the base station of the WAN (which is usually far away) and may require high transmission power.

[0119] To better understand the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6B An example scenario is described. It should be understood that the number of subnets, parameters, devices are given for illustration purposes without any limitation. Fig. 6A An example scenario 600 is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0120] like Fig. 6A As shown, the example scenario 600 includes subnets 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, and 627 in a radio access network 601. In these subnets, subnets 621, 622, 623, 624, and 625 are close to each other. The local high subnet density in this area means that there may be potential large interference between these subnets if resource selection for intra-subnet communication is not performed well. Assume that one or more of these subnets 621, 622, 623, 624, and 625 report a critical situation to a BS 610 of the radio access network 601. The BS 610 further triggers the activation of the CRS. Through transmission link 611, BS 610 indicates activation of CRS to APs of subnets 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, and 627. Then, the AP feeds back the measurement of SCQ and / or SAI together with the mobility state to BS 610. It is assumed here that subnets 621, 622, 623, 624, 626, and 627 are quasi-static, and subnet 625 is moving quickly.

[0121] Based on the feedback from subnets 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, BS 610 determines that subnets 621, 622, 623, 624 operate in CRS mode because they (potentially) suffer from severe interference and at the same time they are in a non-fast moving state. BS 610 determines that subnets 625, 626, 627 operate in DRS mode because subnet 625 is in a fast moving state and subnets 626, 627 suffer from little interference. Then, BS 610 can determine CRS parameters and DRS parameters, and broadcast or multicast the CRS parameters and DRS parameters to all subnets via transmission link 611.

[0122] BS 610 may assign sensing offsets to subnets 625, 626, and 627, which are subnets in DRS mode in network 601. In particular, subnet 625 is assigned a very small sensing offset (e.g., sensing offset 0) because subnet 625 may have severe cross-interference with subnets 621, 622, 623, and 624. Meanwhile, subnets 626 and 627 may be assigned relatively large sensing offsets because they are relatively isolated and have little impact on other subnets. Fig. 6A As shown, the assigned sensing offset is transmitted to the subnet via transmission link 613. Some subnets, especially those on the edge of network 601 (e.g., subnet 623, subnet 624, subnet 627), can broadcast DRS parameters and / or the assigned sensing offset via transmission link 614 so that subnets 628 and 629 outside the coverage of network 601 can obtain these parameters.

[0123] For the subnets in CRS mode (i.e., subnet 621, subnet 622, subnet 623, subnet 624), BS 610 configures reference signals to these subnets so that interference from each CRS subnet and aggregate interference from the DRS subnets of each subband can be measured. These subnets report the interference measurements to BS 610. BS 610 further performs centralized subband selection / allocation and then indicates the selected subbands to these subnets. Fig. 6A As shown, all of these transmissions are through transmission link 612. Figure 6B As shown, all subnets in CRS mode switch to the assigned subband simultaneously from time 661, which is the first TX cycle of the CRS period (i.e., the TX cycle corresponding to the configured CRS offset). The subnets in DRS mode (i.e., subnets 625, 626, 627, 628, and 629) perform channel sensing within the sensing window based on the assigned or selected sensing offset, and then perform subband selection and switching.

[0124] Figure 6B Shown for Fig. 6A Example parameters of the example scenario 600. In this example, it is assumed that the DRS period is 20 ms, including a sensing window 671 of 12 ms duration and a non-sensing window 672 of 8 ms duration. During the non-sensing window 672 of the last DRS period 670-0 before the Nth CRS period 660, the CRS subnets (i.e., subnet 621, subnet 622, subnet 623, subnet 624) perform interference measurement and reporting, and the BS 610 uses the allocated subbands (i.e., as shown in FIG. 6A ) from the beginning of the Nth CRS period 660. Figure 6B 6. In this example, it is assumed that the sensing window consists of 40 sensing offsets and each sensing offset corresponds to 3 consecutive TX cycles. It is assumed that distributed sensing and subband selection and indication to the AP via signaling are performed within 3 TX cycles. For the DRS subnets in the coverage of network 601, BS 610 allocates sensing offsets based on the SCQ and / or SAI of these DRS subnets. Figure 6B In the example shown, subnet 625 is assigned a sensing offset of 0 because this subnet suffers more potential interference than other DRS subnets. Subnet 626 and subnet 627 are assigned sensing offsets of 2 and 1, respectively. For subnets outside the coverage of network 601 (i.e., subnet 628, subnet 629), these subnets select sensing offsets for distributed sensing and subband selection based on received DRS parameters. In this example, the sensing offsets selected by subnet 628, subnet 629 are sensing offsets of 10 and 11, respectively.

[0125] Table 1 provides Fig. 6A. The first column shows the subnet index and the subband (SB) used by the subnet before the start of a new CRS cycle. As shown, the indexes for subnet 621, subnet 622, subnet 623, subnet 624, subnet 625, subnet 626, and subnet 627 are SNW1, SNW2, SNW3, SNW4, SNW5, SNW6, and SNW7, respectively. As shown in Table 1, from sensing offset 0, CRS subnet 621, subnet 622, subnet 623, and subnet 624 only keep using their original subbands. That is, according to the result of centralized subband selection, the CRS subnet does not need to perform subband switching. For subnet 625, since it is assigned sensing offset 0, it performs channel sensing and subband selection within the TX cycle corresponding to sensing offset 0, and based on the subband selection result, it continues to use subband 5 (SB5) from the TX cycle corresponding to sensing offset 1. Similarly, subnet 627 performs channel sensing and subband selection in a TX cycle corresponding to sensing offset 1. As subnet 625 moves nearby, subnet 7, which uses SB5 in this example, needs to select a different subband (SB1 in this example) and switch to SB1 from a TX cycle corresponding to sensing offset 2. Other subnets perform similar operations and are not described in detail here. Table 1 Examples of subband selection and switching Example Method

[0126] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, Figure 1 The method 700 is described from the perspective of a first device 110 in a radio access network 101 in FIG.

[0127] At block 710, the first device 110 obtains state information associated with the first subnet 102 of the radio access network 101. At block 720, the first device 110 determines a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode based at least on the state information, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet 102. At block 730, the first device 110 sends configuration information associated with at least the determined resource selection mode to the second device 120 in the first subnet 102.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 is caused to perform: receiving state information associated with the first subnet 102 from the second device 120 .

[0129] In some example embodiments, when the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device 110 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102, and when the second mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device 110 instructs the second device 120 to select resources for communication within the first subnet 102.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the state information indicates at least one of: a channel quality of the first subnet 102 , an interference level sensed within the first subnet 102 , or a mobility state associated with the first subnet 102 .

[0131] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 is caused to perform: determining whether at least one of the following criteria is met: the channel quality of the first subnet 102 exceeds a first threshold and / or the interference level sensed within the first subnet 102 is less than a second threshold, or the mobility state of the first subnet 102 indicates a fast moving state; if at least one criterion is met, determining the second mode as the resource selection mode; and if none of the criteria are met, determining the first mode as the resource selection mode.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the configuration information includes at least one of: a first parameter associated with the first mode or a second parameter associated with the second mode. The first parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a first period associated with the first mode, during which the first device 110 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102, or a starting offset indicating when the first period begins. The second parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the second device 120 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102 based on channel sensing, or a duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which channel sensing is performed.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the duration of the first period is an integer multiple of the duration of the second period.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the second mode is determined to be a resource selection mode, and the first device 110 is further caused to perform: determining a sensing offset within the sensing window based at least on the state information, the sensing offset indicating a start time at which channel sensing within the sensing window is performed; and sending an indication indicating the sensing offset to the second device 120.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the channel sensing is performed by the second device 120 or a terminal device in the first subnet 102 .

[0136] In some example embodiments, the first mode is determined for the first subnet, and the first device 110 is further caused to perform: sending measurement configuration information associated with interference measurements performed within the first subnet 102 to the second device 120; receiving a measurement report associated with the interference measurement from the second device 120; selecting resources for communication within the first subnet 102 based at least on the measurement report; and sending an indication to the second device 120 indicating the selected resources.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the measurement report indicates at least one of the following: interference in a subnet where the first mode is determined to be a resource selection mode, or interference on a frequency subband. The interference on the frequency band includes interference from other subnets in the second mode, but does not include interference from other subnets in the first mode.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 is further caused to perform: sending a request to the second device 120 to send second parameters associated with the second mode to a third device 130 in the second subnet 103 outside the radio access network 101 .

[0139] In some example embodiments, first device 110 comprises a base station, second device 120 comprises an access point, and third device 130 comprises an access point.

[0140] Figure 8 1 is a flow chart showing an example method 800 implemented at the second device 120 according to some example embodiments of the present invention. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described in detail in the following manner. Figure 1 1. Description from the perspective of the second device 120 in the first subnet 102.

[0141] At block 810 , the second device 120 receives configuration information associated with a resource selection mode for selecting resources for communication within the first subnet 102 from the first device 110 in the radio access network 101 , wherein the resource selection mode is at least one of a first mode and a second mode.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 is caused to perform: sending state information associated with the first subnet 102 to the first device 110 .

[0143] In some example embodiments, when the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device 110 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102, and when the second mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device 110 instructs the second device 120 to select resources for communication within the first subnet 102.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the state information indicates at least one of: a channel quality of the first subnet 102 , an interference level sensed within the first subnet 102 , or a mobility state associated with the first subnet 102 .

[0145] In some example embodiments, the configuration information includes at least one of: a first parameter associated with the first mode or a second parameter associated with the second mode. The first parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a first period associated with the first mode, during which the first device 110 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102, or a starting offset indicating when the first period begins. The second parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the second device 120 selects resources for communication within the first subnet 102 based on channel sensing, or a duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which channel sensing is performed.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the duration of the first period is an integer multiple of the duration of the second period.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the second mode is determined to be a resource selection mode, and the second device 120 is further caused to perform: receiving an indication of a sensing offset for the second device 120 from the first device 110, the sensing offset indicating a start time at which channel sensing within the sensing window is performed; based on the sensing window and the sensing offset, performing channel sensing and / or requesting a terminal device in the first subnet 102 to perform channel sensing; and selecting resources for communication within the first subnet 102 based on the channel sensing.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the first mode is determined to be a resource selection mode, and the second device 120 is further caused to perform: receiving measurement configuration information associated with interference measurement performed within the first subnet 102 from the first device 110; performing interference measurement and / or requesting a terminal device within the first subnet 102 to perform interference measurement based on the measurement configuration information associated with the interference measurement; sending a measurement report associated with the interference measurement to the first device 110; receiving an indication from the first device 110 indicating resources for communication within the first subnet 102; and performing communication within the first subnet 102 using resources in a first period starting from a starting offset.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the measurement report indicates at least one of the following: interference in a subnet where the first mode is determined as a resource selection mode, interference on a frequency subband, and interference on a frequency subband including interference from other subnets in the second mode but excluding interference from other subnets in the first mode.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 is further caused to perform: receiving a request from the first device 110 to send a second parameter associated with the second mode to a third device 130, the third device 130 being in a second subnet 103 outside the radio access network 101; and sending the second parameter associated with the second mode to the third device 130.

[0151] In some example embodiments, first device 110 comprises a base station, second device 120 comprises an access point, and third device 130 comprises an access point.

[0152] Fig. 9 1 is a flow chart showing an example method 900 implemented at the third device 130 according to some example embodiments of the present invention. For the purpose of discussion, the method 900 will be described in detail in the following manner. Figure 1 The third device 130 in the second subnet 103 is described from the perspective of FIG.

[0153] At block 910, the third device 130 receives, from the second device 120 in the first subnet 102 of the radio access network 101, a second parameter associated with a second mode for selecting resources for communication within a second subnet 103, wherein the second subnet 103 is outside the radio access network 101. At block 920, the third device 130 selects resources for communication within the second subnet 103 based at least on the second parameter.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the second parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the third device 130 selects resources for communication within the second subnet 103 based on channel sensing, or a duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which channel sensing is performed.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the third device 130 is further caused to perform: determining a sensing offset based at least on a second parameter, the sensing offset indicating a start time at which channel sensing is performed within a sensing window; performing channel sensing and / or requesting a terminal device in the second subnet 103 to perform channel sensing based on the sensing window and the sensing offset; and selecting resources for communication within the second subnet 103 based on the channel sensing. Example devices, equipment, and media

[0156] In some example embodiments, any of the methods 700 can be performed (e.g., Figure 1 The first device of the first device 110 in the embodiment of the present invention may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of the method 700. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in Figure 1In the first device 110.

[0157] In some example embodiments, a first device in a radio access network includes: means for obtaining state information associated with a first subnet of the radio access network; means for determining a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode based at least on the state information, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet; and means for sending configuration information associated with at least the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

[0158] In some example embodiments, means for acquiring state information includes means for receiving state information associated with the first subnet from the second device.

[0159] In some example embodiments, when the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device selects resources for communication within the first subnet, and when the second mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device instructs the second device to select resources for communication within the first subnet.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the state information indicates at least one of: a channel quality of the first subnet, an interference level sensed within the first subnet, or a mobility state associated with the first subnet.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the component for determining includes: a component for determining whether at least one of the following criteria is met: a channel quality of the first subnet exceeds a first threshold and / or an interference level sensed within the first subnet is less than a second threshold, or a mobility state of the first subnet indicates a fast moving state; a component for determining the second mode as the resource selection mode if at least one of the criteria is met; and a component for determining the first mode as the resource selection mode if none of the criteria are met.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the configuration information includes at least one of: a first parameter associated with the first mode or a second parameter associated with the second mode. The first parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a first period associated with the first mode, during which the first device selects resources for communication within the first subnet, or a starting offset indicating when the first period begins. The second parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the second device selects resources for communication within the first subnet based on channel sensing, or a duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which channel sensing is performed.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the duration of the first period is an integer multiple of the duration of the second period.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the second mode is determined to be a resource selection mode, and the first device further includes: a component for determining a sensing offset within a sensing window based at least on state information, the sensing offset indicating a start time at which channel sensing within the sensing window is performed; and a component for sending an indication indicating the sensing offset to the second device.

[0165] In some exemplary embodiments, the channel sensing is performed by the second device or a terminal device in the first subnet.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the first mode is determined for a first subnet, and the first device further includes: means for sending measurement configuration information associated with interference measurements performed within the first subnet to a second device; means for receiving a measurement report associated with the interference measurements from the second device; means for selecting resources for communication within the first subnet based at least on the measurement report; and means for sending an indication to the second device indicating the selected resources.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the measurement report indicates at least one of the following: interference in a subnet where the first mode is determined to be a resource selection mode, or interference on a frequency subband. The interference on the frequency band includes interference from other subnets in the second mode, but does not include interference from other subnets in the first mode.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for sending a request to the second apparatus to send a second parameter associated with the second mode to a third apparatus, the third apparatus being in a second subnet outside the radio access network.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a base station, the second device comprises an access point, and the third device comprises an access point.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 700 or the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to perform.

[0171] In some example embodiments, any of the methods 800 can be performed (e.g., Figure 1 The second device of the second device 120 in the embodiment of the present invention may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of the method 800. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The second device may be implemented as or included in Figure 1 In the second device 120.

[0172] In some example embodiments, a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network includes: means for receiving, from the first device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a resource selection mode for selecting resources for communication within the first subnet, wherein the resource selection mode is at least one of a first mode and a second mode.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for sending state information associated with the first subnet to the first apparatus.

[0174] In some example embodiments, when the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device selects resources for communication within the first subnet, and when the second mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device instructs the second device to select resources for communication within the first subnet.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the state information indicates at least one of: a channel quality of the first subnet, an interference level sensed within the first subnet, or a mobility state associated with the first subnet.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the configuration information includes at least one of: a first parameter associated with the first mode or a second parameter associated with the second mode. The first parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a first period associated with the first mode, during which the first device selects resources for communication within the first subnet, or a starting offset indicating when the first period begins. The second parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the second device selects resources for communication within the first subnet based on channel sensing, or a duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which channel sensing is performed.

[0177] In some example embodiments, the duration of the first period is an integer multiple of the duration of the second period.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the second mode is determined to be a resource selection mode, and the second device further includes: a component for receiving an indication of a sensing offset for the second device from the first device, the sensing offset indicating a start time at which channel sensing within a sensing window is performed; a component for performing channel sensing and / or requesting a terminal device in the first subnet to perform channel sensing based on the sensing window and the sensing offset; and a component for selecting resources for communication within the first subnet based on the channel sensing.

[0179] In some example embodiments, the first mode is determined to be a resource selection mode, and the second device further includes: a component for receiving measurement configuration information associated with interference measurement performed within the first subnet from the first device; a component for performing interference measurement and / or requesting a terminal device within the first subnet to perform interference measurement based on the measurement configuration information associated with the interference measurement; a component for sending a measurement report associated with the interference measurement to the first device; a component for receiving an indication of resources used for communication within the first subnet from the first device; and a component for performing communication within the first subnet using resources in a first period starting from a starting offset.

[0180] In some example embodiments, the measurement report indicates at least one of the following: interference of a subnet whose first mode is determined as a resource selection mode, interference on a frequency subband, and interference on a frequency band including interference from other subnets in the second mode but excluding interference from other subnets under the first module.

[0181] In some example embodiments, the second device further comprises: means for receiving a request from the first device to send a second parameter associated with the second mode to a third device, the third device being in a second subnet outside the radio access network; and means for sending the second parameter associated with the second mode to the third device.

[0182] In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a base station, the second device comprises an access point, and the third device comprises an access point.

[0183] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 800 or the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to perform.

[0184] In some example embodiments, any of the methods 900 can be performed (e.g., Figure 1 The third device of the third device 130 in the embodiment may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 900. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The third device may be implemented as or included in Figure 1 In the third device 130.

[0185] In some example embodiments, a third device in a second subnet includes: means for receiving, at the third device in the second subnet and from a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, a second parameter associated with a second mode for selecting resources for communication within the second subnet, wherein the second subnet is outside the radio access network; and means for selecting resources for communication within the second subnet based at least on the second parameter.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the second parameter includes at least one of: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the third device selects resources for communication within the second subnet based on channel sensing, or a duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which channel sensing is performed.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the component for selecting resources includes: a component for determining a sensing offset based at least on a second parameter, the sensing offset indicating a start time at which channel sensing within a sensing window is performed; a component for performing channel sensing and / or requesting a terminal device in a second subnet to perform channel sensing based on the sensing window and the sensing offset; and a component for selecting resources for communication within the second subnet based on the channel sensing.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 900 or the third device 130. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third apparatus to perform.

[0189] Fig.10 1 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1000 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 1000 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 The first device 110 or the second device 120 or the third device 130 is shown. As shown, the device 1000 includes one or more processors 1010, one or more memories 1020 coupled to the processor 1010, and one or more communication modules 1040 coupled to the processor 1010.

[0190] The communication module 1040 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 1040 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 1040 may include at least one antenna.

[0191] As non-limiting examples, processor 1010 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and may include one or more of the following: a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 1000 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips, which are controlled in time by a clock that synchronizes a main processor.

[0192] The memory 1020 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 1024, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), optical disk, laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 1022 and other volatile memories that do not persist during a power outage.

[0193] The computer program 1030 includes computer executable instructions executed by the associated processor 1010. The instructions of the program 1030 may include instructions for performing the operations / actions of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 1030 may be stored in a memory, such as ROM 1024. The processor 1010 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading the program 1030 into the RAM 1022.

[0194] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by components of the program 1030 so that the device 1000 may perform the operations described in reference to Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figures 7 to 9 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0195] In some example embodiments, the program 1030 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 1000 (such as in the memory 1020) or other storage device accessible by the device 1000. The device 1000 may load the program 1030 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 1022 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible rather than a signal), not a limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0196] Fig.11An example of a computer readable medium 1100 is shown, which may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 1100 has a program 1030 stored thereon.

[0197] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that the boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof in non-limiting examples.

[0198] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product, which is tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions to perform any method as described above, such as those included in a program module and executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. The functions of the program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed in various embodiments. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in local and remote storage media.

[0199] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code enables the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented when the processor or controller executes the program code. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0200] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier wave to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carrier waves include signals, computer readable media, and the like.

[0201] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, device or apparatus, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media would include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0202] In addition, although the operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence, or all the operations shown to be performed to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although some specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these details should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but should be used as descriptions of possible specific features of a particular embodiment. Unless explicitly stated, certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, unless explicitly stated, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0203] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device in a radio access network, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the first device to at least perform: obtaining status information associated with a first subnet of the radio access network; determining, based at least on the state information, a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communications within the first subnet; as well as Sending configuration information at least associated with the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is configured to perform: The state information associated with the first subnet is received from the second device.

3. A first device according to claim 1, wherein when the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device selects the resources for the communication within the first subnet, and when the second mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device instructs the second device to select the resources for the communication within the first subnet.

4. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the status information indicates at least one of the following: the channel quality of the first subnet, the level of interference sensed within said first subnet, or A mobility state associated with the first subnet.

5. The first device according to claim 4, wherein the first device is caused to perform: Determine whether at least one of the following criteria is met: The channel quality of the first subnet exceeds a first threshold and / or the interference level sensed in the first subnet is less than a second threshold, or The mobility state of the first subnet indicates a fast moving state; If at least one of the criteria is met, determining the second mode as the resource selection mode; and If none of the criteria are met, the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode.

6. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of the following: a first parameter associated with the first mode, the first parameter comprising at least one of the following: a duration of a first period associated with the first mode, during which the first device selects the resources for the communication within the first subnet, or a starting offset indicating when the first period begins; or a second parameter associated with the second mode, the second parameter comprising at least one of the following: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the second device selects the resources for the communication within the first subnet based on channel sensing, or The duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which the channel sensing is performed. The first device of claim 6 , wherein the duration of the first cycle is an integer multiple of the duration of the second cycle.

8. The first device according to claim 6, wherein the second mode is determined as the resource selection mode, and the first device is further caused to execute: determining a sensing offset within the sensing window based at least on the state information, the sensing offset indicating a start time at which the channel sensing within the sensing window is performed; and An indication is sent to the second device indicating the sensing offset. 9 . The first device according to claim 8 , wherein the channel sensing is performed by the second device or a terminal device in the first subnet.

10. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first mode is determined for the first subnet, and the first device is further caused to perform: Sending measurement configuration information associated with interference measurement performed in the first subnet to the second device; receiving, from the second device, a measurement report associated with the interference measurement; selecting the resources for the communication within the first subnet based at least on the measurement report; as well as An indication is sent to the second device indicating the selected resource.

11. The first device of claim 10, wherein the measurement report indicates at least one of the following: The first mode is determined to be interference in a subnet of the resource selection mode, or Interference on a frequency sub-band, wherein the frequency sub-band is the resource used for the communication within a subnet and is not used within the subnet in which the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode.

12. The first device of claim 6, wherein the first device is further configured to perform: A request is sent to the second device to send the second parameter associated with the second mode to a third device, the third device being in a second subnet outside the radio access network.

13. The first device of claim 12, wherein the first device comprises a base station, the second device comprises an access point, and the third device comprises an access point.

14. A second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the second device to at least perform: Configuration information associated with a resource selection mode for selecting resources for communications within the first subnet is received from a first device in the radio access network, wherein the resource selection mode is at least one of a first mode and a second mode.

15. The second device according to claim 14, wherein the second device is caused to perform: The status information associated with the first subnet is sent to the first device.

16. The second device according to claim 14, wherein when the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device selects the resources for the communication within the first subnet, and when the second mode is determined as the resource selection mode, the first device instructs the second device to select the resources for the communication within the first subnet.

17. The second device according to claim 14, wherein the status information indicates at least one of the following: the channel quality of the first subnet, the level of interference sensed within said first subnet, or A mobility state associated with the first subnet.

18. The second device according to claim 14, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of the following: a first parameter associated with the first mode, the first parameter comprising at least one of the following: a duration of a first period associated with the first mode, during which the first device selects the resources for the communication within the first subnet, or a starting offset indicating when the first period begins; or a second parameter associated with the second mode, the second parameter comprising at least one of the following: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the second device selects the resources for the communication within the first subnet based on channel sensing, or The duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which the channel sensing is performed. The second device of claim 18 , wherein the duration of the first period is an integer multiple of the duration of the second period.

20. The second device according to claim 18, wherein the second mode is determined to be the resource selection mode, and the second device is further caused to execute: receiving, from the first device, an indication indicating a sensing offset for the second device, the sensing offset indicating a start time within the sensing window at which the channel sensing is performed; Based on the sensing window and the sensing offset, perform the channel sensing and / or request a terminal device in the first subnet to perform the channel sensing; Based on the channel sensing, the resources are selected for the communication within the first subnet.

21. The second device according to claim 18, wherein the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode, and the second device is further caused to execute: receiving, from the first device, measurement configuration information associated with interference measurements performed within the first subnet; Based on the measurement configuration information associated with the interference measurement, perform the interference measurement and / or request a terminal device in the first subnet to perform the interference measurement; sending a measurement report associated with the interference measurement to the first device; receiving, from the first device, an indication indicating the resources to be used for the communication within the first subnet; as well as During the first period starting from the start offset, the communication is performed within the first subnet using the resources.

22. The second device of claim 21, wherein the measurement report indicates at least one of the following: The first mode is determined to be interference in a subnet of the resource selection mode; Interference on a frequency sub-band, wherein the frequency sub-band is the resource used for the communication within a subnet and is not used within the subnet in which the first mode is determined as the resource selection mode.

23. The second device of claim 18, wherein the second device is further configured to perform: receiving, from the first device, a request to send the second parameter associated with the second mode to a third device, the third device being in a second subnet outside the radio access network; and The second parameter associated with the second mode is sent to the third device.

24. The second device of claim 23, wherein the first device comprises a base station, the second device comprises an access point, and the third device comprises an access point.

25. A third device in a second subnet, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least perform: receiving, from a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, a second parameter associated with a second mode for selecting resources for communications within the second subnet, wherein the second subnet is external to the radio access network; as well as The resources for the communication within the second subnet are selected based at least on the second parameter.

26. The third device according to claim 25, wherein the second parameter comprises at least one of the following: a duration of a second period associated with the second mode, during which the third device selects the resources for the communication within the second subnet based on channel sensing, or The duration of a sensing window within the second period, during which the channel sensing is performed.

27. The third device according to claim 26, wherein the third device is further configured to perform: determining a sensing offset based at least on the second parameter, the sensing offset indicating a start time at which the channel sensing within the sensing window is performed; Based on the sensing window and the sensing offset, perform the channel sensing and / or request a terminal device in the second subnet to perform the channel sensing; as well as Based on the channel sensing, the resources for the communication within the second subnet are selected.

28. A method comprising: At a first device in a radio access network, obtaining state information associated with a first subnet of the radio access network; determining, based at least on the state information, a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communications within the first subnet; as well as Sending configuration information at least associated with the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

29. A method comprising: At a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, configuration information associated with a resource selection mode is received from a first device in the radio access network, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet, wherein the resource selection mode is at least one of a first mode and a second mode.

30. A method comprising: receiving, at a third device in a second subnet, from a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, a second parameter associated with a second mode for selecting resources for communications within the second subnet, wherein the second subnet is outside the radio access network; as well as Based at least on the second parameter, the resources for the communication within a second subnet are selected.

31. A first device in a radio access network, comprising: means for obtaining status information associated with a first subnet of a radio access network; means for determining a resource selection mode from at least a first mode and a second mode based at least on the state information, the resource selection mode being used to select resources for communication within the first subnet; as well as Means for sending configuration information associated with at least the determined resource selection mode to a second device in the first subnet.

32. A second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, comprising: Means for receiving, from a first device in a radio access network, configuration information associated with a resource selection mode for selecting resources for communications within a first subnet, wherein the resource selection mode is at least one of a first mode and a second mode.

33. A third device in a second subnet, comprising: means for receiving, at said third device in a second subnet from a second device in a first subnet of a radio access network, a second parameter associated with a second mode for selecting resources for communications within said second subnet, wherein said second subnet is outside of said radio access network; as well as Means for selecting resources for communications within the second subnet based at least on the second parameter.

34. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method of claim 28 or the method of claim 29 or the method of claim 30.

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