Resource allocation for different frame structures in sidelink communications

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to equipment, a method and a device for resource allocation of different frame structures in sidelink communication, and a computer readable storage medium. The method comprises, in accordance with a determination that a first frame structure is allowed to be used in coexistence with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication, reserving a first set of resources for a first transmission, the first set of resources associated with a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission using the first frame structure, the second transmission using the second frame structure, the second transmission uses a second frame structure; and transmitting an indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources via at least one sidelink control channel. Based on the scheme of the invention, an efficient resource allocation scheme is realized so as to better support the coexisting full-time slot and sub-time slot frame structure for the SL-U.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for resource allocation of different frame structures in sidelink communications. Background Art

[0002] As one of the topics of interest in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), support of sidelink on New Radio Unlicensed Spectrum (NR-U) has been studied. The frame structure of a control channel or data channel supporting the sidelink in NR-U needs to be further discussed. Summary of the invention

[0003] Generally, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions for resource allocation for different frame structures in sidelink communications.

[0004] In a first aspect, a first device 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: reserve a first resource set for a first transmission based on determining that a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication, the first resource set is associated with a second resource set reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission uses the first frame structure, and the second transmission uses the second frame structure; and send an indication of the first resource set and the second resource set via at least one sidelink control channel.

[0005] In a second aspect, a second device 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: determine whether a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication; and determine, based on determining that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot, at least a first resource set reserved for a first transmission and a second resource set reserved for a second transmission based on at least one sidelink control channel, the first transmission using the first frame structure, and the second transmission using the second frame structure.

[0006] In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: reserving a first set of resources for a first transmission, the first set of resources being associated with a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission using the first frame structure and the second transmission using the second frame structure, based on determining that a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication; and sending an indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources via at least one sidelink control channel.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: determining whether a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication; and determining, based on determining that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot, at least a first resource set reserved for a first transmission and a second resource set reserved for a second transmission based on at least one sidelink control channel, the first transmission using the first frame structure and the second transmission using the second frame structure.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a component for reserving a first resource set for a first transmission based on determining that a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for side link communication, the first resource set being associated with a second resource set reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission using the first frame structure, and the second transmission using the second frame structure; and a component for sending indications of the first resource set and the second resource set via at least one side link control channel.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a component for determining whether a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for side link communication; and a component for determining at least a first set of resources reserved for a first transmission and a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission based on at least one side link control channel according to determining that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot, wherein the first transmission uses the first frame structure and the second transmission uses the second frame structure.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a computer readable medium is provided, having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to perform the method according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0011] Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will also be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The embodiments of the present disclosure are presented in an exemplary sense, and their advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 An example environment is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0014] Figure 2 A signaling diagram illustrating a process for resource allocation of different frame structures in sidelink communications according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0015] Figure 3 A diagram showing full slot and sub-slot structures according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating an example method for resource allocation for different frame structures in sidelink communications according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example method for resource allocation for different frame structures in sidelink communications according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 6 shows a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figure 7 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] The same or similar reference numbers may refer to the same or similar elements throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and help 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 except for the ways described below.

[0022] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein may have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0023] 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 to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0024] 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, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0025] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions (wherein a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) refer to at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0026] As used herein, unless explicitly stated, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs, but may include one or more intermediate steps.

[0027] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the example embodiments. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. It will be further understood that "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes", and / or "including" specify the presence of features, elements, and / or parts, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof.

[0028] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one, more, or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementation only (e.g., implementation only in analog and / or digital circuits), and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (where applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of a hardware processor with software (including a digital signal processor, software and memory that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions); and (c) A hardware circuit and / or processor that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, but the software may not be present when not required for operation.

[0029] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including 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 a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to a particular claim element, 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.

[0030] 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 device in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocol, 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 protocol and / or any other protocol 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 communication technologies and systems of future types that can embody the present disclosure. It should not be considered that the scope of the present disclosure is limited to the aforementioned system.

[0031] 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 (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB 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 repeater, 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-terrestrial 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) split 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 an IAB node behaves like a base station toward a next-hop IAB node.

[0032] 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 subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber 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 mounted 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 an 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.

[0033] As used herein, the term "resource", "transmission resource", "resource block", "physical resource block" (PRB), "uplink resource" or "downlink resource" may refer to any resource used to perform communication (e.g., communication between a terminal device and a network device), such as a resource in the time domain, a resource in the frequency domain, a resource in the space domain, a resource in the code domain, or any other resource capable of communication. In the following, unless explicitly stated, resources in the frequency domain and the time domain will be used as examples of transmission resources for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that the example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains. Example Environment

[0034] Figure 1 1 shows an example communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Figure 1 As shown, the communication network 100 may include a terminal device 110-1 (hereinafter may also be referred to as a transmitting (Tx) UE 110-1 or a first device 110-1) and a terminal device 110-2 (hereinafter may also be referred to as a receiving (Rx) UE 110-2 or a second device 110-2). The terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2 may communicate with each other.

[0035] It should be understood that in some other scenarios, the terminal device 110 - 1 may act as an Rx UE, and the terminal device 110 - 2 may act as a Tx UE.

[0036] In some scenarios, the communication between UE 110-1 and 110-2 in the communication network 100 may be referred to as sidelink communication. In sidelink communication, communication between terminal devices (e.g., V2V, V2P, V2I communication) may be performed via a sidelink. For sidelink communication, information may be sent from a TX terminal device to one or more RX terminal devices in a broadcast, multicast, or unicast manner.

[0037] It should be understood that Figure 1 The number of terminal devices shown is given for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitation. Communication network 100 may include any suitable number of terminal devices.

[0038] In addition, the communication network 100 may further include a network device 120 (hereinafter may also be referred to as gNB 120). The network device 120 may communicate with the UEs 110-1 and 110-2.

[0039] In some scenarios, network device 120 may be responsible for resource allocation for sidelink transmissions, which may be referred to as resource allocation mode 1. For example, gNB 120 may provide a grant of sidelink resources to UE 110-1 under resource allocation mode 1 for sidelink communications between UEs 110-1 and 110-2.

[0040] In some other scenarios, the Tx UE may autonomously select transmission resources for sidelink communication, which may be referred to as resource allocation mode 2. For example, if UE 110-1 autonomously selects transmission resources for sidelink communication between UE 110-1 and 110-2, UE 110-1 may perform a sensing process on a configured sidelink transmission resource pool to obtain knowledge of the reserved resources by other nearby sidelink Tx UEs. Based on the knowledge obtained from resource sensing, UE 110-1 may select resources from available sidelink resources accordingly.

[0041] Sidelink control information (SCI) may be decoded for UE 110-1 to perform sensing and obtain necessary information associated with sidelink transmission. The SCI associated with data transmission may include a stage 1 SCI and a stage 2 SCI. For example, the stage 1 SCI may be carried by a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), and includes information for enabling sensing operations and for determining resource allocations for a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) and information required for decoding the stage 2 SCI.

[0042] The Stage 2 SCI may be carried by the PSSCH, which may be multiplexed with the Sidelink Shared Channel (SL-SCH) and includes source and destination identities for sidelink transmissions, information for identifying and decoding associated SL-SCH transport blocks (TBs), control of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback in unicast / multicast, and triggering for channel state information (CSI) feedback in unicast.

[0043] In the sub-7 GHz unlicensed band, coexistence of NR with other systems (e.g., IEEE 802.11) can be ensured via a listen-before-talk (LBT) channel access mechanism. That is, a UE intending to perform a sidelink transmission may need to successfully complete an LBT check before being able to initiate a transmission.

[0044] In order for a UE to pass the LBT check, it must observe the channel as available for a number of consecutive Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) slots. In sub-7GHz, the duration of these slots is 9μs. If the measured power (i.e., the energy collected during the CCA slot) is below a specified threshold (which may depend on the operating band and geographic region), the UE may consider the channel available in the CCA slot.

[0045] When the UE initiates communication (i.e., the UE assumes the responsibility of initiating the communication) Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , a UE 110-1 may be a UE that has a role in a channel. The UE may have to obtain the "right" to access the channel for a period of time, which may be referred to as the channel occupancy time (COT), by applying an "extended" LBT procedure in which the channel must be considered idle for the entire duration of the contention window (CW). This "extended" LBT procedure may be referred to as LBT Type 1.

[0046] The duration of both COT and CW depends on the channel access priority class (CAPC) associated with the UE's traffic, as shown below. Table 1: Channel Access Priority Classes (CAPC) for UL

[0047] In Table 1, the contention window length in the CCA slot associated with each CAPC has a minimum value (CW min,p ) and maximum value (CW max,p ). The duration of COT is determined by T ulm cot,p Given. Control panel traffic (eg, PSCCH) is sent with p=1. In Table 1, LBT Type 1 details are depicted for the Uu uplink (UL) case, and downlink (DL) case LBT Type 1 parameters may also be used in sidelink communications.

[0048] The UE initiating the transmission can obtain a COT with a duration associated with the corresponding CAPC when LBT Type 1 is successfully completed and the transmission is performed. The obtained COT is valid even if the initiating device suspends its transmission. If the initiating device intends to perform a new transmission (within the COT), it is still necessary to perform a "reduced" LBT process. This "reduced" LBT process can be called LBT Type 2.

[0049] LBT Type 2 may refer to different variants, namely Type 1 LBT, Type 2A / 2B LBT, and Type 2C LBT. LBT Type 2A and LBT Type 2B (also referred to as LBT Category 2 (LBT Cat. 2)) may be used in different situations. For example, when the gap between two side link transmissions is ≥ 25 μs, Type 2A LBT may be used for side link transmissions within the COT acquired by the initiating device, and for side link transmissions after another side link transmission. When the side link transmission after another side link transmission has a gap exactly equal to 16 μs, LBT Type 2B may be used for side link transmissions within the COT acquired by the initiating device.

[0050] In addition, LBT Type 2C (which may also be referred to as LBT Category 1 (LBT Cat. 1)) may be used only for sidelink transmissions following another sidelink, where the gap is <16 μs and the allowed duration of the sidelink transmission is ≤584 μs.

[0051] The initiating device may share the acquired COT with its intended receiver (responding device or Rx UE). To this end, the initiating device may inform the responding device (e.g., via control signaling) of the duration of the COT. The responding device may use this information to decide which type of LBT to apply when performing a transmission toward the initiating device. In the event that the responding device transmission falls outside the COT, the responding device may have to use LBT Type 1 with an appropriate CAPC to acquire a new COT.

[0052] The configuration of resources in the sidelink resource pool may define the minimum information required for the Rx UE to be able to decode the transmission, which may include, for example, the number of subchannels, the number of PRBs per subchannel, the number of symbols in the PSCCH.

[0053] However, the details of the actual sidelink transmission (i.e., payload) may be provided in the PSCCH used for each individual transmission (Phase 1 SCI), which may include, for example, time and frequency resources, demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration of the PSSCH, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH), etc.

[0054] The configuration of the PSCCH (e.g., DMRS, MCS, number of symbols used) is part of the resource pool configuration. In addition, the indication of which time slots have PSFCH symbols is also part of the resource pool configuration. However, the configuration of the PSSCH (e.g., number of symbols used, DMRS pattern and MCS) is provided by the Phase 1 SCI, which is the payload sent within the PSCCH.

[0055] In the NR sidelink, the bandwidth part (BWP) level configuration can define the start symbol and symbol length of all sidelink time slots in the BWP. In other words, a certain sidelink start symbol is indicated by the higher layer parameter "SL start symbol", so only one start position is configured in the time slot in the resource pool belonging to the BWP.

[0056] However, in an unlicensed band, a sidelink UE may face an LBT failure problem for a single start symbol position and may not be able to perform transmission until the next start symbol in a future time slot with available candidate resources, which results in transmission delays and may also have the risk of losing the channel. Therefore, it is expected that multiple sidelink starting points may be introduced for one transmission time slot in the sidelink unlicensed spectrum (SL-U) to give the UE more channel access opportunities. For this topic, further discussion may be needed on whether / how to support an additional starting point within a time slot for sidelink transmissions (such as PSCCH / PSSCH), which means that at least two starting points within a transmission time slot may be supported for sidelink transmissions in an unlicensed band.

[0057] For example, if two starting points can be configured corresponding to the starting point of the full time slot frame structure and the starting point of the sub-time slot frame structure within one transmission time slot, the Tx UE can perform PSCCH / PSSCH transmission based on the full time slot frame structure. Even if LBT fails before the first starting point, the Tx UE can have an additional LBT opportunity in the time slot before the second starting point. If LBT succeeds before the second starting point, the UE can perform PSCCH / PSSCH transmission based on the sub-time slot frame structure. With the "full time slot frame structure", transmission can be performed in the entire time slot, which can occupy 14 symbols, while with the "sub-time slot frame structure", transmission can be performed in a part of the time slot. It should be understood that the full time slot frame structure can coexist with multiple sub-time slot frame structures, which means that at least two starting points can be configured for the full time slot frame structure and the corresponding sub-time slot frame structure.

[0058] To support both the full-slot frame structure and the sub-slot structure, the Tx UE may need to prepare at least two OFDM waveforms with different starting points (i.e., the number of waveforms to be prepared matches the number of starting points). In addition, the TB to be sent in the PSSCH may have to be prepared before transmission. The time between TB preparation and TB transmission is not short.

[0059] Since the actual length of the transmission is unknown at the moment of TB preparation, the Tx UE may need to prepare two different TBs for each start point of the transmission slot, which results in significant overhead, or may need to adjust the modulation and coding rate of the transmission, which may result in reduced decoding performance.

[0060] In addition, one Tx UE may be a hidden node of another Tx UE with an ongoing full-slot transmission. That is, a Tx UE intending to start a sub-slot transmission may not be able to hear the ongoing full-slot transmission through LBT. If an Rx UE attempting to receive a full-slot transmission is near a sub-slot Tx UE, the sub-slot transmission may interfere with the full-slot transmission and thus cause problems with automatic gain control (AGC).

[0061] Therefore, how to reduce the complexity and cost of SL-U with coexisting full-slot and sub-slot frame structures in a time slot will be further discussed. Working principles and example signaling for communication

[0062] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a scheme for resource allocation of different frame structures in sidelink communication is provided. In the scheme, if a first frame structure (e.g., a sub-slot frame structure) is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure (e.g., a full-slot frame structure) in a time slot for sidelink transmission, the Tx UE reserves a first resource set for a first transmission using the first frame structure. The first resource set is associated with a second resource set reserved for a second transmission, wherein the second transmission uses a second frame structure, and the Tx UE indicates the first resource set and the second resource set via at least one sidelink control channel. Based on the scheme of the present disclosure, an efficient resource allocation scheme is implemented to better support coexisting full-slot and sub-slot frame structures for SL-U.

[0063] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Reference now Figure 2 , which shows a signaling diagram 200 for communication according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, signaling diagram 200 involves Tx UE 110-1 and Rx UE 110-2. For discussion purposes, reference is made to Figure 1 To describe the signaling diagram 200. Figure 2 Two UEs are shown in FIG. 1 , but it should be understood that there may be multiple UEs that perform operations similar to those described below with respect to Tx UE 110 - 1 or Rx UE 110 - 2 .

[0065] In some embodiments, if Tx UE 110-1 initiates sidelink transmission, Tx UE 110-1 may search for candidate resources potentially available for full-slot transmission by monitoring the first-stage SCI of other Tx UEs in at least one of the full-slot PSCCH or the sub-slot PSCCH based on the network configuration, and then reserve resources from the candidate resources to start full-slot transmission (e.g., AGC / PSCCH / PSSCH). Hereinafter, the resources reserved by Tx UE 110-1 for full-slot transmission may be referred to as a second resource set.

[0066] The Tx UE 110-1 may determine whether a sub-slot frame structure is allowed to coexist with a full-slot structure in the same slot for sidelink communication. One condition for the Tx UE 110-1 to determine whether resources may be reserved for sub-slot transmission in a (future) slot is that resources for full-slot transmission in the same slot are reserved. That is, only when resources are reserved for full-slot transmission in the same slot can the Tx UE 110 further reserve resources for sub-slot transmission in the slot. In the following, the resources reserved by the Tx UE 110-1 for sub-slot transmission may be referred to as a first resource set.

[0067] If the sub-slot frame structure is allowed to coexist with the full slot structure in the same slot for sidelink communication, then Figure 2 As shown, Tx UE 110-1 may determine 202 a first resource set reserved for sub-slot transmission. Resource allocation of the first resource set for sub-slot transmission may refer to a time domain range and a frequency domain range.

[0068] For time domain resource allocation, a first resource set reserved for sub-slot transmission may be reserved in the same time slot in which a second resource set is reserved for full-slot transmission. In the time slot, sub-slot transmission and full-slot transmission may be configured with different starting points. For example, if sub-slot transmission is to be performed, the time domain resource allocation (i.e., which time slots) for sub-slot transmission may be implicitly determined by full-slot transmission.

[0069] For frequency domain resource allocation, Tx UE 110 may reserve frequency domain resources (i.e., which subchannels) for sub-slot transmissions, which are the same as the frequency domain resources for full-slot transmissions, or which are separate from the frequency domain resources for full-slot transmissions. If sub-slot transmissions are configured with frequency domain resource allocations that are different from the frequency domain resource allocations for full-slot transmissions, Tx UE 110-1 may need to find out candidate resources in (future) time slots that are potentially available for sub-slot transmissions by monitoring the SCI of other Tx UEs in the full-slot PSCCH or sub-slot PSCCH, and then select / reserve frequency resources from the candidate resources to start sub-slot transmissions (e.g., AGC / PSCCH / PSSCH).

[0070] For example, the size of the frequency range of the first resource set reserved for sub-slot transmission can be determined based on the size of the frequency range of the second resource set reserved for full-slot transmission and the corresponding starting points of full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission. In other words, the frequency resource size (i.e., the number of subchannels) used for sub-slot transmission can achieve similar decoding performance as full-slot transmission, for example, the transmitter can reserve twice the frequency resources for sub-slot transmission as for full-slot transmission.

[0071] It should be understood that the frequency resource allocation method may also be pre-configured by the network (i.e., gNB) or configured to the SL UE.

[0072] As described above, by introducing additional starting points in the same time slot, resource allocation for both full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission can increase channel access opportunities for SL-U, while being achieved with low complexity after considering certain constraints during resource allocation for sub-slot transmission.

[0073] In addition, the Tx UE 110 - 1 may prepare 204 TB for full-slot transmission and / or sub-slot transmission.

[0074] A transport block size (TBS) may be determined for full-slot transmissions and sub-slot transmissions. The same TBS may be used for both full-slot transmissions and sub-slot transmissions and may be further dynamically determined based on resource allocations for full-slot transmissions or resource allocations for sub-slot transmissions.

[0075] Tx UE 110 may determine the TBS based on at least one of the metrics, such as: the size of the traffic arriving at the buffer (e.g., large or small traffic size, traffic volume); the type of traffic arriving at the buffer (e.g., enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), or Internet of Things (IoT)); a channel busy rate (CBR) at an inter-RAT or / and intra-RAT or channel occupancy ratio (CR) measurement level; or a sensing result, such as a resource reservation status or an interference level.

[0076] For example, it can be determined based on resource allocation for full-slot transmission under large service size, eMBB service, low CBR or / and low interference on reserved resources. Alternatively, it can be determined based on resource allocation for sub-slot transmission under small service size, URLLC service or / and high interference on reserved resources.

[0077] As another option, if a sub-slot frame structure is used / indicated by Tx UE 110-1, the TBS may be implicitly determined based on resource allocations for sub-slot transmissions by default.

[0078] Furthermore, the TBS may also be predefined / configured based on resource allocation for full-slot transmission or sub-slot transmission.

[0079] Tx UE 110 - 1 may prepare TBs for full-slot transmission and / or sub-slot transmission.

[0080] In the case where the TBS is determined by the sub-slot frame structure, as an option, one TB may be prepared for sub-slot transmission, and then two copies of the TB may be used for full-slot transmission. That is, one copy of the TB is used for the first half of the slot, and the other copy of the TB is used for the second half of the slot. As another option, Tx UE 110-1 may prepare one TB for sub-slot transmission and adapt the modulation order of the sub-slot TB to the next lower value for full-slot transmission.

[0081] In the case where the TBS is determined by the full-slot frame structure, as an option, the Tx UE 110-1 can prepare one TB for full-slot transmission and then adapt the modulation order of the full-slot TB to the next higher value for sub-slot transmission. The Tx UE 110-1 can also prepare a single TB for full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission. If the Tx UE 110-1 fails to access the channel at the first starting point, it can attempt to perform sub-slot transmission from the second starting point by puncturing the first part of the slot or puncturing the slot when LBT is successful.

[0082] It should be understood that the TBS determined based on the resource allocation of full-slot transmission or the resource allocation of sub-slot transmission can be predefined / configured for both the Tx UE or the Rx UE, or dynamically signaled by the Tx UE to the Rx UE through the stage 1 SCI or stage 2 SCI of the full-slot PSCCH or the sub-slot PSCCH in the time slot.

[0083] Predefined / configured TBS for both full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission can facilitate TB preparation for coexistence of full-slot and sub-slot frame structures with low implementation complexity (e.g., modulation order adjustment, TB repetition or data puncturing) to meet time budget requirements. In addition, dynamic TBS determination can well meet scheduling / traffic requirements considering the actual channel status.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown, Tx UE 110 may indicate 206 the allocated resources for full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission to, for example, Rx UE 110-2 via a control channel (ie, PSCCH).

[0085] In some embodiments, when resource allocation is indicated via PSCCH, the Phase 1 SCI carried by the PSCCH may contain information to determine the resource allocation of the PSSCH, i.e., to determine which time slots and which sub-time slots are selected / allocated for PSSCH transmission, wherein the time resource allocation (i.e., which time slot) is determined based on the time resource assignment and resource reservation period in the Phase 1 SCI carried in the PSCCH, and the frequency time resource allocation (i.e., which subchannel) is determined based on the frequency resource assignment in the Phase 1 SCI carried in the PSCCH.

[0086] Different PSCCHs may be configured for full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission, respectively. For example, a full-slot PSCCH and a sub-slot PSCCH may be associated with a full-slot transmission and a sub-slot transmission, respectively.

[0087] It should be understood that the timing at which Tx UE 110-1 indicates resource allocation to Rx UE 110-2, for example, may be in a previous slot before a slot in which full slot transmission or sub slot transmission is to be performed. Tx UE 110-1 may also indicate resource allocation in a slot in which full slot transmission or sub slot transmission is to be performed.

[0088] In some embodiments, an indication of both the first resource set and the second resource set is sent, for example, to Rx UE 110-2, in a previous slot prior to a slot in which a full slot transmission or a sub-slot transmission is to be performed.

[0089] As an option, resource allocation for both full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission (i.e., first resource set and second resource set) may be indicated via only full-slot PSCCH. As another option, resource allocation for both full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission may also be indicated via sub-slot PSCCH. In another option, resource allocation for sub-slot transmission may also be indicated via sub-slot PSCCH.

[0090] In this case, the time / frequency resource allocation of both PSCCH and PSSCH for sub-slot transmission can be indicated in the full-slot PSCCH. That is, the SL-U UE only needs to monitor the full-slot PSCCH to determine the resource allocation for both full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission, which may not increase the additional PSCCH blind detection complexity after introducing the additional starting point of sub-slot transmission.

[0091] In some other embodiments, resource allocation for full-slot transmission or sub-slot transmission may also be indicated in a time slot where full-slot transmission or sub-slot transmission is performed via a full-slot PSCCH or a sub-slot PSCCH according to the LBT result.

[0092] For example, before the starting point of the full-slot transmission in the time slot, the Tx UE 110 may perform an LBT process. If the LBT is successful, the Tx UE 110 may perform a full-slot transmission and indicate resource allocation, i.e., for full-slot transmission via the full-slot PSCCH. If the LBT is unsuccessful, the Tx UE 110 may perform another LBT process before the starting point of the sub-slot transmission in the time slot. If the LBT is successful, the Tx UE 110 may perform a sub-slot transmission and indicate resource allocation, i.e., for sub-slot transmission via the sub-slot PSCCH. In this case, the PSCCH blind detection complexity may be increased, but more resource allocation opportunities for full-slot transmission and sub-slot transmission may be obtained.

[0093] Regarding the indication of time resource allocation, one bit of information can be used to indicate the use and resource allocation of sub-slot transmission. For example, if this bit of information is set to 0, sub-slot transmission is not used in all time slots indicated by the time resource allocation in the full-slot PSCCH. Otherwise, sub-slot transmission will be used and has the same time resource allocation as full-slot transmission, but has a different starting point than full-slot transmission.

[0094] In addition, resource allocation indication for full-slot transmission can be configured in the full-slot PSCCH, which can allocate resources involved in multiple time slots. The bitmap carried in the full-slot PSCCH can be used to indicate the time resource allocation for sub-slot transmission, for example, which time slot in multiple time slots for full-slot transmission can be used / allocated for sub-slot transmission.

[0095] Regarding the indication of frequency resource allocation, assuming that sub-slot transmission is predefined / preconfigured to use the same frequency resource allocation as full-slot transmission, this means that the frequency resource allocation of sub-slot transmission can be determined based on the frequency resource allocation of full-slot transmission. In this case, no additional indication of frequency resource allocation for sub-slot transmission is required. Alternatively, assuming that sub-slot transmission is allowed to have a different frequency resource allocation than full-slot transmission based on predefinition or preconfiguration, additional indication of frequency resource allocation for sub-slot transmission of these time slots scheduled for sub-slot transmission is required.

[0096] In addition to the resource allocation information for full-slot transmission, some other information may also be included in the control information to indicate the resource allocation for sub-slot transmission. For example, an indication of sub-slot transmission use may be included, which may indicate which time slots indicated by the resource allocation for full-slot transmission will be used / allocated for sub-slot transmission. In addition, frequency resource assignments for sub-slot transmission may be included. This information may be omitted if the sub-slot transmission has the same frequency range of resource allocation as the full-slot transmission.

[0097] In some embodiments, in the case where the PSCCH timing is determined based on the resource allocation for sub-slot transmission, the stage 1 SCI included in the sub-slot PSCCH mainly includes information to determine the resource allocation and decoding information of the second stage SCI (e.g., DMRS mode, stage 2 SCI format, Beta_Offset indicator, number of DMRS ports, additional MCS table indicator, etc.). Alternatively or optionally, based on different PSCCH designs, the stage 1 SCI may or may not include resource allocation information for the full slot / sub-slot. The stage 2 SCI may mainly include information such as: source and destination identities, information for identifying and decoding associated SL-SCH TBs, control of HARQ feedback in unicast / multicast, and triggering of CSI feedback in unicast. In addition, TBS determination based on the full slot or sub-slot may also be placed in the stage 2 SCI.

[0098] If full slot transmission or sub-slot transmission is performed, the Tx UE 110-1 may transmit 208 TB via the PSSCH. It should be understood that the transmission of the TB may also be performed in the same slot indicating resource allocation and other corresponding information to the Rx UE 110-2, which is Figure 2 This is shown in action 206 in .

[0099] For example, when Tx UE 110-1 initiates TB transmission, Tx UE 110-1 may (e.g., Tx UE 110) may perform an LBT process before the start point of full-slot transmission in the time slot. If LBT is successful, Tx UE 110 may send the TB via full-slot transmission. If LBT is unsuccessful, Tx UE 110 may perform another LBT process before the start point of sub-slot transmission in the time slot. If LBT is successful, Tx UE 110 may send the TB via sub-slot transmission.

[0100] In some embodiments, if at least one of the following conditions is met, the Tx UE 110 (110-1) may perform sidelink transmission (e.g., AGC / PSCCH / PSSCH), i.e., subslot transmission, using a subslot frame structure. For example, if resources are reserved / allocated in the current slot for subslot transmission toward the Rx UE 110-2, the subslot transmission may be performed, wherein the resource reservation / allocation in the current slot has been indicated to the Rx UE 110-2 in the previous slot. The subslot transmission may also be performed if the LBT fails for the full-slot transmission in the current slot and / or the LBT succeeds for the subslot transmission in the current slot. Alternatively, the subslot transmission may be performed if a non-ongoing transmission from other TX UEs toward the Rx UE 110-2 on the reserved resources for the subslot is detected in the current slot for the full slot, wherein the detection may be accomplished by monitoring the (full-slot) PSCCH of the other TX UEs.

[0101] If full-slot transmission is performed, an AGC symbol may be sent at the start point of the full-slot frame structure for the Rx UE to perform AGC. If a sub-slot frame structure is allowed for sidelink transmission, the Tx UE 110-1 may also send an AGC symbol at the start point of the sub-slot transmission (i.e., at the start point of the sub-slot) for full-slot transmission.

[0102] In some embodiments, for sub-slot transmission, an AGC symbol may be sent by the Tx UE at the start point of the sub-slot frame structure.

[0103] Figure 3A diagram of a full slot and sub-slot structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, full slot frame structures 310 and 320 may start at the 0th symbol in a slot. Full slot frame structures 310 and 320 may include symbols AGC (e.g., 311 and 321), PSCCH, PSSCH, DMRS, etc. The difference between full slot frame structures 310 and 320 is that in the full slot frame structure, an additional AGC symbol 322 is configured at the 6th symbol in the slot, which may be the starting point of the sub-slot frame structure. Similarly, there is an AGC symbol 331 (at the 6th symbol in the slot) at the starting point of the sub-slot frame structure 330.

[0104] like Figure 3 As shown, the full time slot frame structure and the sub-time slot frame structure can be supported in the same time slot, as described above. For the frequency domain, the full time slot frame structure and the sub-time slot frame structure can be configured with the same frequency range or different frequency ranges. For example, one subchannel can be allocated for full time slot transmission, and two subchannels can be allocated for sub-time slot transmission in the same time slot to ensure similar decoding performance of TBs with full time slot transmission.

[0105] Now return to reference Figure 2 , when acting as a receiver in sidelink transmission, Rx UE 110-2 may perform 210 PSCCH blind detection based on a configured timing associated with the PSCCH and determine whether to perform sub-slot transmission.

[0106] For example, if Rx UE 110-2 detects a use indication of subslot transmission, Rx UE 110-2 may determine that subslot transmission is used for at least one slot.Rx UE 110-2 may also determine frequency resource allocation for subslot transmission through a full-slot PSCCH or a subslot PSCCH.

[0107] For example, if resources for subslot transmission are reserved / allocated for Rx UE 110-2 in a current slot, Rx UE 110-2 may perform subslot PSCCH blind detection, where resource reservation / allocation has been indicated to Rx UE 110-2 in previous slot(s) prior to the current slot associated with the subslot transmission.

[0108] It is also possible that Rx UE 110-2 may obtain an indication of resource allocation for a subslot transmission in the same slot as the subslot transmission.For example, Rx UE 110-1 may perform subslot PSCCH blind detection if a non-ongoing full-slot transmission from Tx UE 110-1 is detected in that slot.

[0109] Based on the solution of the present disclosure, channel access opportunities for sidelink transmission in unlicensed bands can be increased by introducing additional starting points in a time slot, while being implemented with low complexity after considering certain constraints during resource allocation for sub-time slots.

[0110] In addition, by indicating the resource allocation of subslot transmission through full-slot PSCCH, the PSCCH blind detection complexity can be reduced, and due to the joint resource allocation indication of full-slot and subslot through full-slot PSCCH or subslot PSCCH, the resource allocation opportunities for full-slot and subslot can be increased.

[0111] Furthermore, the TB preparation complexity is reduced by considering the same TBS design for both full-slot and sub-slot transmissions, while the scheduling / traffic requirements can be better met by using a dynamic TBS determination method.

[0112] Figure 4 A flowchart of an example method 400 for resource allocation of different frame structures in sidelink communication according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The method 400 may be used in Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 400 is described.

[0113] At 410, if the first device determines that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication, the first device reserves a first set of resources for a first transmission using the first frame structure at 420. The first set of resources is associated with a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission, the second transmission using the second frame structure.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the first frame structure is a sub-slot frame structure and the second frame structure is a full-slot frame structure.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the first device may reserve the first set of resources for the first transmission in the same time slot if the second set of resources has been reserved for the second transmission.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first set of resources is reserved at the same or a different frequency range as the second set of resources.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the first set of resources and the second set of resources are reserved in the same time slot with different starting points.

[0118] In some example embodiments, a first size of a first frequency range on which a first resource set is reserved is associated with a second size of a second frequency range on which a second resource set is reserved and at least one of: a starting point for the first transmission; or if the first resource set and the second resource set are reserved on different frequency ranges, a starting point for the second transmission.

[0119] At 430, the first device transmits an indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources via at least one sidelink control channel.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the first device may indicate the first set of resources and the second set of resources in a previous time slot prior to the time slot via at least one of: a first sidelink control channel for a first frame structure, or a second sidelink control channel for a second frame structure.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the first device may indicate, via at least a first sidelink control channel for a first frame structure, a first set of resources in a timeslot.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the first device may also indicate at least one of: a first frame structure is used; a portion of a time slot for a second transmission is used for the first transmission; or if the first resource set is reserved on a different frequency range than the second resource set, a frequency range associated with the first resource set is reserved for the first transmission.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the first device may indicate, via one-bit information, the use of the first frame structure and the first set of resources being reserved for the first transmission.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the first device may indicate a time domain assignment for the first set of resources by using a bitmap associated with the second set of resources.

[0125] In some example embodiments, indications of the first set of resources and the second set of resources are included in or excluded from the first stage sidelink control information.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the transport block size is determined based on the first frame structure or the second frame structure.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the same transport block size is configured for the first transmission and the second transmission.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the transport block size is determined based on at least one of: a traffic size arriving at a buffer of the first device, a traffic type arriving at the buffer, a channel busy rate, or a result of a sensing process.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the determination of the transport block size is indicated in the first stage sidelink control information or in the second stage sidelink control information.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the first device may also send an AGC symbol at at least one of: a starting point of the second transmission, or a starting point of the first transmission.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the first transmission is allowed to be performed in the sidelink communication if at least one condition is satisfied, the at least one condition comprising at least one of: the first set of resources reserved for the first transmission has been indicated to the second device in a previous time slot prior to the time slot associated with the first transmission, a listen-before-talk procedure for the second transmission fails, a listen-before-talk procedure for the first transmission succeeds, or a transmission using the second frame structure in the time slot is not detected at the first device.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a transmitter in sidelink communications, and wherein the second device comprises a receiver in sidelink communications.

[0133] Figure 5 A flowchart of an example method 500 for resource allocation of different frame structures in sidelink communication according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The method 500 may be used in Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 500 is described.

[0134] At 510, if the second device determines that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot for sidelink communication, then at 520, the second device determines at least a first set of resources reserved for a first transmission and a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission based on at least one sidelink control channel, wherein the first transmission uses the first frame structure and the second transmission uses the second frame structure.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the first frame structure is a sub-slot frame structure and the second frame structure is a full-slot frame structure.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the second device may determine that the first frame structure is permitted to coexist with the second frame structure in a time slot based on the indication of use of the first frame structure.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the second device may receive an indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources in a previous time slot prior to the time slot via at least one of: a second side link control channel for the second frame structure, or a first side link control channel for the first frame structure.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the second device may receive an indication of the first set of resources in a time slot via a first sidelink control channel for the first frame structure.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the second device may determine that the first set of resources is reserved on the same or a different frequency range as the second set of resources.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the second device may determine that the first set of resources is reserved on the same or a different frequency range as the second set of resources.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the second device may determine that the first set of resources and the second set of resources are reserved in the same time slot with different starting points.

[0142] In some example embodiments, a first size of a first frequency range on which a first resource set is reserved is associated with a second size of a second frequency range on which a second resource set is reserved and at least one of: a starting point for the first transmission; or if the first resource set and the second resource set are reserved on different frequency ranges, a starting point for the second transmission.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the second device may receive, via one-bit information, an indication of the use of the first frame structure and that the first resource set is reserved for the first transmission.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the second device may receive an indication of the time domain assignment for the first set of resources via a bitmap associated with the second set of resources.

[0145] In some example embodiments, indications of the first set of resources and the second set of resources are included in or excluded from the first stage sidelink control information.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the second device may receive the first transmission on the first set of resources or the second transmission on the second set of resources.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the transport block size is determined based on the first frame structure or the second frame structure.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the same transport block size is configured for the first transmission and the second transmission.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the transport block size is indicated in the first stage sidelink control information or in the second stage sidelink control information.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the second device may detect the AGC symbol for the second transmission at at least one of: a starting point of the second transmission, or a starting point of the first transmission.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the second device may perform detection on a first control channel for a first frame structure if at least one condition is met, the at least one condition including at least one of: a first set of resources reserved for the first transmission has been indicated to the second device in a previous time slot prior to the time slot associated with the first transmission, and no transmission using the second frame structure is detected from the first device in the time slot.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a transmitter in sidelink communications, and wherein the second device comprises a receiver in sidelink communications. Example devices, equipment, and media

[0153] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 400 (e.g., implemented at first device 110-1) may include components for performing corresponding steps of method 400. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for reserving a first set of resources for a first transmission based on determining that a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication, the first resource set being associated with a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission using the first frame structure, and the second transmission using the second frame structure; and a component for sending indications of the first resource set and the second resource set via at least one sidelink control channel.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the first frame structure is a sub-slot frame structure and the second frame structure is a full-slot frame structure.

[0156] In some example embodiments, means for reserving the first set of resources may include means for reserving the first set of resources for the first transmission in the same time slot if the second set of resources has been reserved for the second transmission.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the first set of resources is reserved at the same or a different frequency range as the second set of resources.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the first set of resources and the second set of resources are reserved in the same time slot with different starting points.

[0159] In some example embodiments, a first size of a first frequency range on which a first resource set is reserved is associated with a second size of a second frequency range on which a second resource set is reserved and at least one of: a starting point for the first transmission; or if the first resource set and the second resource set are reserved on different frequency ranges, a starting point for the second transmission.

[0160] In some example embodiments, means for transmitting the indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources may include means for transmitting the indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources via at least one sidelink control channel.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a component for indicating a first set of resources and a second set of resources in a previous time slot prior to the time slot via at least one of: a first side link control channel for a first frame structure, or a second side link control channel for a second frame structure.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for indicating the first set of resources in a time slot via a first sidelink control channel for the first frame structure.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include a component for indicating at least one of: a first frame structure is used; a portion of a time slot for a second transmission is used for the first transmission; or if the first resource set is reserved on a frequency range different from that of the second resource set, a frequency range associated with the first resource set is reserved for the first transmission.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for indicating, via one-bit information, use of the first frame structure and that the first resource set is reserved for the first transmission.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for indicating a time domain assignment for the first resource set by using a bitmap associated with the second resource set.

[0166] In some example embodiments, indications of the first set of resources and the second set of resources are included in or excluded from the first stage sidelink control information.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the transport block size is determined based on the first frame structure or the second frame structure.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the same transport block size is configured for the first transmission and the second transmission.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the transport block size is determined based on at least one of: a traffic size arriving at a buffer of the first device, a traffic type arriving at the buffer, a channel busy rate, or a result of a sensing process.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the determination of the transport block size is indicated in the first stage sidelink control information or in the second stage sidelink control information.

[0171] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for transmitting the AGC symbol at at least one of: a starting point of the second transmission, or a starting point of the first transmission.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the first transmission is allowed to be performed in the sidelink communication if at least one condition is satisfied, the at least one condition comprising at least one of: the first set of resources reserved for the first transmission has been indicated to the second device in a previous time slot prior to the time slot associated with the first transmission, a listen-before-talk procedure for the second transmission fails, a listen-before-talk procedure for the first transmission succeeds, or a transmission using the second frame structure in the time slot is not detected at the first device.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a transmitter in sidelink communications, and wherein the second device comprises a receiver in sidelink communications.

[0174] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 500 (e.g., implemented at second device 110-2) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 500. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes a component for determining whether a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication; and a component for determining, based on at least one sidelink control channel, at least a first set of resources reserved for a first transmission and a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission using the first frame structure and the second transmission using the second frame structure, in accordance with determining that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the first frame structure is a sub-slot frame structure and the second frame structure is a full-slot frame structure.

[0177] In some example embodiments, the means for determining that the first frame structure is permitted to be used may include means for determining that the first frame structure is permitted to be used coexistently with the second frame structure in a time slot based on the indication of use of the first frame structure.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving indications of a first set of resources and a second set of resources in a previous time slot preceding the time slot via at least one of: a second side link control channel for a second frame structure, or a first side link control channel for a first frame structure.

[0179] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise means for receiving an indication of the first set of resources in a time slot via a first sidelink control channel for the first frame structure.

[0180] In some example embodiments, means for at least determining a first set of resources reserved for a first transmission may include means for determining that the first set of resources is reserved on the same or a different frequency range as the second set of resources.

[0181] In some example embodiments, means for at least determining a first set of resources reserved for a first transmission may include means for determining that the first set of resources is reserved on the same or a different frequency range as the second set of resources.

[0182] In some example embodiments, means for at least determining a first set of resources reserved for a first transmission may include means for determining that the first set of resources and the second set of resources are reserved in the same time slot with different starting points.

[0183] In some example embodiments, a first size of a first frequency range on which a first resource set is reserved is associated with a second size of a second frequency range on which a second resource set is reserved and at least one of: a starting point for the first transmission; or if the first resource set and the second resource set are reserved on different frequency ranges, a starting point for the second transmission.

[0184] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for receiving an indication of use of the first frame structure and that the first resource set is reserved for the first transmission via one-bit information.

[0185] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise means for receiving an indication of a time domain assignment for the first set of resources via a bitmap associated with the second set of resources.

[0186] In some example embodiments, indications of the first set of resources and the second set of resources are included in or excluded from the first stage sidelink control information.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise means for receiving a first transmission on the first set of resources or a second transmission on the second set of resources.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the transport block size is determined based on the first frame structure or the second frame structure.

[0189] In some example embodiments, the same transport block size is configured for the first transmission and the second transmission.

[0190] In some example embodiments, the transport block size is indicated in the first stage sidelink control information or in the second stage sidelink control information.

[0191] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for detecting an AGC symbol for the second transmission at at least one of: a starting point of the second transmission, or a starting point of the first transmission.

[0192] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a component for performing detection on a first control channel for a first frame structure if at least one condition is met, the at least one condition comprising at least one of: indicating to the second device in a previous time slot prior to the time slot associated with the first transmission a first set of resources reserved for the first transmission, and not detecting a transmission using the second frame structure from the first device in the time slot.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a transmitter in sidelink communications, and wherein the second device comprises a receiver in sidelink communications.

[0194] Figure 6 600 is a simplified block diagram of a device 600 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 600 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 The Tx UE 110 - 1 or the Rx UE 110 - 2 is shown. As shown in the figure, the device 600 includes one or more processors 610 , one or more memories 620 coupled to the processors 610 , and one or more communication modules 640 coupled to the processors 610 .

[0195] The communication module 640 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 640 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 to communicate with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 640 may include at least one antenna.

[0196] As non-limiting examples, processor 610 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 600 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0197] The memory 620 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) 624, 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) 622 and other volatile memories that will not persist during a power outage.

[0198] The computer program 630 includes computer executable instructions executed by the associated processor 610. The instructions of the program 630 may include instructions for performing the operations / actions of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 630 may be stored in a memory, such as ROM 624. The processor 610 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading the program 630 into the RAM 622.

[0199] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of a program 630, so that the device 600 may execute the Figures 2 to 5 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0200] In some example embodiments, the program 630 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 600 (such as in the memory 620) or in other storage devices accessible by the device 600. The device 600 may load the program 630 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 622 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. The term "non-transitory" as used herein is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal), not a limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0201] Figure 7 An example of a computer readable medium 700 is shown, which may be in the form of a CD, DVD or other optical storage disc. The computer readable medium 700 has a program 630 stored thereon.

[0202] 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, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0203] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transient computer-readable medium). The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as those included in a program module executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform any method as described above. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of the program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0204] 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, when executed by the processor or controller, causes the realization of the function / operation specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram. 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.

[0205] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0206] 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, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or apparatuses, 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 component, a magnetic storage component, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0207] In addition, although 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 a sequential manner, or performing all of the operations shown, to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but should be interpreted as descriptions of features that may be specific to 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, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0208] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the 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, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least: Reserving a first set of resources for a first transmission based on determining that a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication, the first set of resources being associated with a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission using the first frame structure, and the second transmission using the second frame structure; as well as An indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources is sent via at least one sidelink control channel.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first frame structure is a sub-slot frame structure, and the second frame structure is a full-slot frame structure.

3. The first device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is configured to: If the second set of resources has been reserved for the second transmission, the first set of resources for the first transmission is reserved in the same time slot. 4 . The first device according to claim 1 , wherein the first resource set is reserved in the same or different frequency range as the second resource set. 5 . The first device according to claim 1 , wherein the first resource set and the second resource set are reserved in the same time slot with different starting points.

6. The first device of claim 5, wherein a first size of a first frequency range on which the first set of resources is reserved is associated with a second size of a second frequency range on which the second set of resources is reserved and at least one of: the starting point of the first transmission, or If the first resource set and the second resource set are reserved on different frequency ranges, a starting point of the second transmission.

7. The first device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is configured to: Indicating the first resource set and the second resource set in a previous time slot before the time slot via at least one of: a first sidelink control channel for said first frame structure, or A second sidelink control channel for the second frame structure.

8. The first device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is configured to: The first set of resources in the time slot is indicated via at least a first sidelink control channel for the first frame structure.

9. The first device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is further configured to: Indicate at least one of the following: The first frame structure is used, a portion of the time slot used for the second transmission is used for the first transmission, or If the first set of resources is reserved on a different frequency range than the second set of resources, the frequency range associated with the first set of resources is reserved for the first transmission.

10. The first device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is further configured to: The use of the first frame structure and the first resource set being reserved for the first transmission are indicated via one-bit information.

11. The first device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is further configured to: A time domain assignment for the first set of resources is indicated by using a bitmap associated with the second set of resources.

12. The first device according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the indication of the first resource set and the second resource set is included in the first stage sidelink control information or is excluded from the first stage sidelink control information.

13. The first device according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein a transport block size is determined based on the first frame structure or the second frame structure.

14. The first device of claim 13, wherein the same transport block size is configured for the first transmission and the second transmission.

15. The first device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the transport block size is determined based on at least one of the following: the size of the traffic arriving at the buffer of the first device, the type of traffic arriving at the buffer, Channel busy rate, or The result of the sensing process.

16. The first device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the determination of the transport block size is indicated in first stage sidelink control information or in second stage sidelink control information.

17. The first device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first device is caused to: The AGC symbol is sent by at least one of the following: the starting point of the second transmission, or The starting point of the first transmission.

18. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the first transmission is allowed to be performed in the sidelink communication if at least one condition is satisfied, the at least one condition comprising at least one of the following: having indicated to a second device in a previous time slot preceding a time slot associated with the first transmission that the first set of resources is reserved for the first transmission, the listen-before-talk procedure for the second transmission fails, the listen-before-talk process for the first transmission is successful, or No transmission using the second frame structure in the time slot is detected at the first device.

19. The first device of claim 18, wherein the first device comprises a transmitter in the sidelink communication, and wherein the second device comprises a receiver in the sidelink communication.

20. A second device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least: determining whether the first frame structure is permitted to coexist with the second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication; as well as Based on determining that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot, based on at least one side link control channel, at least a first resource set reserved for a first transmission and a second resource set reserved for a second transmission are determined, the first transmission uses the first frame structure, and the second transmission uses the second frame structure.

21. The second device of claim 20, wherein the first frame structure is a sub-slot frame structure, and the second frame structure is a full-slot frame structure.

22. The second device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the second device is caused to: Based on the indication of use of the first frame structure, it is determined that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot.

23. The second device according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the second device is configured to: Receiving an indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources in a previous time slot before the time slot via at least one of: a second sidelink control channel for said second frame structure, or A first sidelink control channel for the first frame structure.

24. The second device according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the second device is configured to: An indication of the first set of resources is received in the time slot via a first sidelink control channel for the first frame structure.

25. The second device according to any one of claims 20-24, wherein the second device is configured to: It is determined that the first set of resources is reserved on the same or different frequency range as the second set of resources.

26. The second device according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the second device is configured to: It is determined that the first resource set and the second resource set are reserved in the same time slot with different starting points.

27. The second device of claim 26, wherein a first size of a first frequency range on which the first set of resources is reserved is associated with a second size of a second frequency range on which the second set of resources is reserved and at least one of: the starting point of the first transmission, or If the first resource set and the second resource set are reserved on different frequency ranges, a starting point of the second transmission.

28. The second device according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the second device is configured to: An indication of use of the first frame structure and that the first resource set is reserved for the first transmission is received via one-bit information.

29. The second device according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the second device is configured to: An indication of a time domain assignment for the first set of resources is received via a bitmap associated with the second set of resources.

30. The second device according to any one of claims 20-29, wherein the indication of the first resource set and the second resource set is included in the first stage sidelink control information or is excluded from the first stage sidelink control information.

31. The second device according to any one of claims 20-30, wherein the same transport block size is configured for the first transmission and the second transmission.

32. The second device of claim 31 , wherein the transport block size is indicated in the first stage sidelink control information or in the second stage sidelink control information.

33. The second device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the second device is caused to: detecting an AGC symbol for the second transmission at at least one of: the starting point of the second transmission, or The starting point of the first transmission.

34. The second device according to any one of claims 20 to 33, wherein the second device is configured to: If at least one condition is met, performing detection on the first control channel for the first frame structure, the at least one condition comprising at least one of the following: having indicated to the second device the first set of resources reserved for the first transmission in a previous time slot preceding a time slot associated with the first transmission, and No transmission from the first device using the second frame structure is detected in the time slot.

35. The second device of claim 34, wherein the first device comprises a transmitter in the sidelink communication, and wherein the second device comprises a receiver in the sidelink communication.

36. A method comprising: Reserving, at the first device, a first set of resources for a first transmission, the first set of resources being associated with a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission using the first frame structure, the second transmission using the second frame structure, based on determining that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication; as well as An indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources is sent via at least one sidelink control channel.

37. A method comprising: determining, at the second device, whether the first frame structure is permitted to coexist with the second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication; as well as Based on determining that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot, based on at least one side link control channel, at least a first set of resources reserved for a first transmission and a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission are determined, the first transmission uses the first frame structure, and the second transmission uses the second frame structure.

38. An apparatus comprising: means for reserving a first set of resources for a first transmission based on determining that a first frame structure is allowed to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communication, the first set of resources being associated with a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission, the first transmission using the first frame structure, the second transmission using the second frame structure; as well as Means for transmitting, via at least one sidelink control channel, an indication of the first set of resources and the second set of resources.

39. An apparatus comprising: means for determining whether a first frame structure is permitted to coexist with a second frame structure in a time slot for sidelink communications; as well as A component for determining at least a first set of resources reserved for a first transmission and a second set of resources reserved for a second transmission based on at least one side link control channel according to determining that the first frame structure is allowed to coexist with the second frame structure in the time slot, the first transmission using the first frame structure and the second transmission using the second frame structure.

40. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method according to claim 36 or the method according to claim 37.

Images