Systems, methods, and devices for multi-slot, continuous, unlicensed sidelink transmission

Abstract

Techniques for enabling indication, selection, allocation, and use of sidelink (SL) resources for sidelink (SL) communications (SL-U communications) using unlicensed wireless spectrum and multiple consecutive slots. One or more of these techniques may be applicable to scenarios in which SL resources are allocated by a base station and / or scenarios in which SL resources are allocated by a user equipment (UE). The SL resource may include a frequency domain, a time domain, a number of consecutive slots, etc., may be selected from a pool of SL-U resources, and may be indicated using downlink control information (DCI) and / or sidelink control information (SCI). The techniques may include allocating SL-U resources using additional or higher layer parameters, such as candidate SL resource slots, sub-channels, data priority values, reference signal received power (RSRP), etc. The techniques may involve scenarios in which the allocated SL resources collide or overlap with channel occupancy times (COTs).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communication networks and mobile device capabilities. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication networks and wireless communication services are becoming increasingly dynamic, complex, and ubiquitous. For example, some wireless communication networks may be developed to implement fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) technology, sixth generation (6G) technology, etc. Such technologies may include solutions for enabling user equipment (UE) to communicate directly with each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The present disclosure will be easily understood and implemented through the specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The same figure numerals may designate the same features and structural elements. The accompanying drawings and corresponding descriptions are provided as non-limiting examples of aspects, specific implementations, etc. of the present disclosure, and reference to "one" or "an" aspect, specific implementation, etc. may not necessarily refer to the same aspect, specific implementation, etc., and may mean at least one, one or more, etc.

[0004] Figure 1 is a diagram of an example overview according to one or more implementations described herein.

[0005] Figure 2 is a diagram of an example network according to one or more implementations described herein.

[0006] Figure 3 is a diagram of an example process for multiple consecutive time slot side link (SL) communications (SL-U communications) in an unlicensed spectrum in a mode 1 resource allocation scenario according to one or more specific implementations described herein.

[0007] Figures 4 to 5 is a diagram of an example of multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication according to one or more specific implementations described herein.

[0008] Figure 6 is a diagram of an example process for multi-contiguous time slot SL-U communication in a Mode 2 resource allocation scenario according to one or more implementations described herein.

[0009] Figures 7 and 8 is a diagram of examples of transmission times for multiple consecutive time slots SL-U communications according to one or more specific implementations described herein.

[0010] Fig. 9 is a diagram of an example process for determining a transmit time for a multi-consecutive time slot SL-U communication according to one or more implementations described herein.

[0011] Fig.10is a diagram of an example of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmission for multiple consecutive time slots SL-U communication according to one or more specific implementations described herein.

[0012] Figures 11 to 13 is a diagram of an example of allocating resources for multiple consecutive time slots SL-U communications with time slot conflicts according to one or more specific implementations described herein.

[0013] Fig.14 is a diagram of an example process for allocating or determining SL-U resources for multi-contiguous time slot SL-U communications according to one or more specific implementations described herein.

[0014] Figures 15 to 17 is a diagram of an example of channel occupancy time (COT) for multiple consecutive time slots SL communications in an unlicensed spectrum according to one or more implementations described herein.

[0015] Fig.18 is a diagram of an example of components of a device according to one or more implementations described herein.

[0016] Fig.19 is a block diagram illustrating components capable of reading instructions from a machine-readable medium or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium) and performing any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein in accordance with one or more specific implementations described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same figure numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar features, elements, operations, etc. Additionally, the present disclosure is not limited to the following description, as other specific implementations may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] A wireless network may include user equipment (UE) capable of communicating with base stations, wireless routers, satellites, and other network nodes. Such devices may operate according to one or more communication standards, such as the 2nd generation (2G) communication standard of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the 3rd generation (3G) communication standard, the 4th generation (4G) communication standard (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)), and / or the 5th generation (5G) communication standard (e.g., New Radio (NR)). UE may refer to a smart phone, a tablet computer, a wearable wireless device, a vehicle capable of wireless communication, and / or another type of a wide range of wireless-capable devices.

[0019] UEs may communicate directly with each other using one or more types of communication technologies. Examples of such technologies may include proximity services (ProSe) or device-to-device (D2D) communications, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, sidelink (SL) communications, and the like. As described herein, SL communications may include scenarios in which a UE operates to discover one or more other UEs, establish connections with the one or more other UEs, and communicate directly with the one or more other UEs. SL communications using unlicensed wireless spectrum may be referred to as SL-U communications.

[0020] SL transmissions may use time division duplex (TDD) (e.g., half-duplex) on a dedicated carrier or a shared carrier together with conventional Uu transmissions between the base station and the UE. A transmit resource pool (also referred to as a resource pool, SL resource pool, etc.) may be used to manage resource allocation and interference between conflicting transmissions. A resource pool may include a set of time-frequency resources from which resources for SL transmissions may be selected. And a UE may be configured with multiple transmit and receive resource pools.

[0021] Additionally, the UE may use different operating modes for SL resource allocation and communication. Base station. Mode 1 may be used when the UE is within the coverage area of ​​the base station. In Mode 1, scheduling and resource assignment may be performed by the base station (e.g., via DCI) (and may be based on dynamic grant (DG) or configuration grant (CG)). When the UE is outside the coverage area of ​​the base station, Mode 2 may be used. In Mode 2, the UE may select SL resources by itself (e.g., in the absence of a base station). Therefore, the UE may use sensing-based resource allocation, which may include: performing a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure before selecting SL resources for use and sending SL control information (SCI) to other UEs to indicate the use and reservation of the SL resources. In some specific implementations, the UE may also use channel occupancy time (COT) to indicate how long certain resources (e.g., channels) are to be used. The SCI may be sent via unicast, multicast, and / or broadcast, and may indicate to the receiving UE which SL resources are scheduled for use. The SCI may indicate reserved SL resources for both the first transmission of a transport block (TB) of data and retransmissions of the TB to improve reliability (eg, if the initial transmission fails).

[0022] Currently available technologies for SL communications may be limited to SL-U transmissions involving only one time slot. In other words, the UE may not be configured, for example, to select and reserve multiple consecutive time slots for initial SL-U communications (e.g., SL access procedures). Therefore, when the initial SL-U transmission, for example, involves multiple time slots, the UE may have to execute multiple LBT procedures to complete the initial transmission. Additionally, currently available technologies may use time resource indicator values ​​(TRIV) and frequency resource indicator values ​​(FRIV) to indicate SL resources. TRIV and FRIV may be communicated by the base station using DCI and / or communicated between UEs via SCI. However, since currently available technologies are designed for single-slot SL communications, current technologies cannot implement indicating and reserving resources for multi-slot SL communications. In addition, currently available technologies fail to address scenarios in which the COT asserted by the UE involves some SL resources that are not within the SL resource pool.

[0023] The techniques described herein provide solutions for implementing the indication, selection, allocation, and use of SL resources for SL-U communications involving multiple consecutive time slots. One or more of these techniques may be applicable to scenarios in which SL resources are allocated by a base station and / or scenarios in which SL resources are allocated by a UE (for example, without the participation of a base station). SL-U resources may be defined in the frequency domain, time domain, multiple consecutive time slots, etc., may be selected from a SL-U resource pool, and may be indicated using DCI and / or SCI. One or more of the techniques described herein may additionally or alternatively include allocating SL-U resources using additional or higher layer parameters (such as candidate SL resource time slots, subchannels, data priority, reference signal received power (RSRP), etc.). One or more of the techniques described herein may additionally or alternatively relate to scenarios in which one or more time slots of the allocated SL-U resources conflict or overlap with the COT.

[0024] Figure 1 1 is a diagram of an overview of example 100 according to one or more specific implementations described herein. As shown, example 100 may include UE 110-1, UE 110-2, and base station 120. UE 110-1 and 110-2 may be configured to communicate with each other via multiple consecutive time slots SL-U transmissions. As depicted, multiple consecutive time slots SL-U transmissions may include two or more unlicensed spectrum SL communications (e.g., initial Tx and re-Tx), where each transmission spans multiple consecutive time slots. Each transmission may correspond to a different frequency, and the time slots within a transmission may correspond to the same frequency or different frequencies.

[0025] When UEs 110-1 and 110-2 are within the coverage area of ​​base station 120, a mode 1 resource allocation approach may be implemented, wherein SL resources are allocated by base station 120 via DCI. When UEs 110-1 and 110-2 are not within the coverage area of ​​base station 120, a mode 2 resource allocation approach may be implemented, wherein SL resources are allocated by UEs 110-1 and 110-2. Multi-continuous slot SL-U resources may be determined based on the number of consecutive slots per transmission, SL-U resource pool, resource selection window, RSRP measurement results, whether the expected resource slot has been reserved, data priority, and the like. UEs 110-1 and 110-2 may use SCI to notify each other about the reservation of SL resources and determine the timing and other aspects of certain transmissions. Multi-continuous slot SL-U transmissions may be used to transmit a single TB or multiple TBs, and SL hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) procedures, retransmissions, and SL HARQ reports to base station 120 may also be enabled for multi-continuous slot SL-U transmissions. Examples and details of these and other features are described below with reference to the following drawings.

[0026] Figure 2 2 is an example network 200 according to one or more implementations described herein. The example network 200 may include UE 210-1, UE 210-2, etc. (collectively referred to as "UE 210" and individually referred to as "UE 210"), a radio access network (RAN) 220, a core network (CN) 230, an application server 240, and an external network 250.

[0027] The systems and devices of the example network 200 may operate in accordance with one or more communication standards, such as the 2nd generation (2G), 3rd generation (3G), 4th generation (4G) (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)), and / or 5th generation (5G) (e.g., New Radio (NR)) communication standards of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the systems and devices of the example network 200 may operate in accordance with other communication standards and protocols discussed herein, including future versions or generations of 3GPP standards (e.g., 6th generation (6G) standards, 7th generation (7G) standards, etc.), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards (e.g., Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), etc.), etc.).

[0028] As shown, UE 210 may include a smart phone (e.g., a handheld touch screen mobile computing device capable of connecting to one or more wireless communication networks). Additionally or alternatively, UE 210 may include other types of mobile or non-mobile computing devices capable of wireless communication, such as a personal data assistant (PDA), a pager, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a wireless handheld phone, etc. In some specific implementations, UE 210 may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device (or IoT UE), which may include a network access layer designed for low-power IoT applications that utilize short-term UE connections. Additionally or alternatively, the IoT UE may utilize one or more types of technologies, such as machine-to-machine (M2M) communication or machine-type communication (MTC) (e.g., to exchange data with an MTC server or other device via a public land mobile network (PLMN)), proximity services (ProSe) or device-to-device (D2D) communication, sensor networks, IoT networks, etc. Depending on the scenario, the M2M or MTC exchange of data may be a machine-initiated exchange, and the IoT network may include IoT UEs (which may include uniquely identifiable embedded computing devices within the Internet infrastructure) interconnected with short-lived connections. In some scenarios, the IoT UE may execute background applications (eg, keep-alive messages, status updates, etc.) to facilitate connectivity to the IoT network.

[0029] UE 210 may communicate with and establish a connection with one or more other UEs 210 via one or more wireless channels 212, each of which may include a physical communication interface / layer. The connection may include an M2M connection, an MTC connection, a D2D connection, an SL connection, etc. The connection may involve a PC5 interface. In some specific implementations, UE 210 may be configured to discover each other, negotiate wireless resources between each other, and establish a connection between each other without involving intervention or communication with a RAN node 222 or another type of network node. In some specific implementations, discovery, authentication, resource negotiation, registration, etc. may involve communication with a RAN node 222 or another type of network node.

[0030] UE 210 may communicate with each other using one or more wireless channels 212. As described herein, UE 210-1 may communicate with RAN node 222 to request SL resources. RAN node 222 may respond to the request by providing UE 210 with a dynamic grant (DG) or a configuration grant (CG) regarding SL resources. DG may involve granting a resource based on a grant request from UE 210. CG may involve granting a resource without a grant request and may be based on the type of service provided (e.g., a service with strict timing or latency requirements). UE 210 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure based on DG or CG, select SL resources based on the CCA procedure and DG or CG; and communicate with another UE 210 based on the SL resources. UE 210 may communicate with RAN node 222 using a licensed band and communicate with another UE 210 using an unlicensed band.

[0031] UE 210 may communicate with and establish a connection (e.g., be communicatively coupled) with RAN 220, which may involve one or more radio channels 214-1 and 214-2, each of which may include a physical communication interface / layer. In some implementations, the UE may be configured with dual connectivity (DC) as a multi-radio access technology (multi-RAT) or multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), where UEs capable of multiple reception and transmission (Rx / Tx) may use resources provided by different network nodes (e.g., 222-1 and 222-2), which may be connected via non-ideal backhaul (e.g., where one of the network nodes provides NR access and the other network node provides E-UTRA for LTE or NR access for 5G). In such a scenario, one network node may act as a master node (MN) and the other node may act as a secondary node (SN). The MN and the SN may be connected via a network interface, and at least the MN may be connected to CN 230. Additionally, at least one of the MN or the SN may operate via a shared spectrum channel access, and the functionality specified for the UE 210 may be used for an integrated access and backhaul mobile terminal (IAB-MT). Similar to the UE 210, the IAB-MT may access the network using one network node or using two different nodes with an enhanced dual connectivity (EN-DC) architecture or a new radio dual connectivity (NR-DC) architecture, etc. In some implementations, a base station (as described herein) may be an example of a network node 222.

[0032] As described herein, the UE 210 and / or the base station 222 may transmit, receive, process and / or store one or more configurations, instructions and / or other types of information (e.g., multi-continuous time slot SL-U Tx information) to enable selection, indication, allocation and use of SL resources for SL-U communications involving multiple continuous time slots. SL resources may be allocated by the base station and / or UE (e.g., without the participation of the base station). SL resources may include frequency domain, time domain, multiple continuous time slots, etc., may be selected from a SL resource pool, and may be indicated using DCI and / or SCI. Allocating SL resources may include using additional or higher layer parameters, such as candidate SL resource time slots, subchannels, data priority values, RSRP, and the like. Additionally, in a scenario where the allocated SL resources conflict or overlap with the COT, the use of the SL resources and / or COT used for SL-U communications may be modified.

[0033] As shown, UE 210 may additionally or alternatively connect to access point (AP) 216 via connection interface 218, which may include an air interface that enables UE 210 to communicatively couple with AP 216. AP 216 may include a wireless local area network (WLAN), a WLAN node, a WLAN termination point, etc. Connection 216 may include a local wireless connection, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 702.11 protocol, and AP 216 may include a wireless fidelity router or other AP. Figure 2 218. Although not explicitly depicted in the drawings, AP 216 may be connected to another network (e.g., the Internet) without being connected to RAN 220 or CN 230. In some scenarios, UE 210, RAN 220, and AP 216 may be configured to utilize LTE-WLAN aggregation (LWA) technology or LTE / WLAN radio level technology integrated with IPsec tunneling (LWIP). LWA may involve UE 210 in RRC_CONNECTED state being configured by RAN 220 to utilize radio resources of LTE and WLAN. LWIP may involve UE 210 using WLAN radio resources (e.g., connection interface 218) to authenticate and encrypt packets (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP) packets) communicated via connection interface 218 via IPsec protocol tunneling. IPsec tunneling may include encapsulating the entire original IP packet and adding a new packet header, thereby protecting the original header of the IP packet.

[0034] The RAN 220 may include one or more RAN nodes 222-1 and 222-2 (collectively referred to as RAN nodes 222 and individually referred to as RAN nodes 222) that enable establishment of the channel 214-1 and the channel 214-2 between the UE 210 and the RAN 220. The RAN node 222 may include a network access point configured to provide a radio baseband function for data and / or voice connectivity between a user and a network based on one or more of the communication technologies described herein (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, WiFi, etc.). Thus, as an example, the RAN node may be an E-UTRAN node B (e.g., an enhanced node B, eNodeB, eNB, 4G base station, etc.), a next generation base station (e.g., a 5G base station, an NR base station, a next generation eNB (gNB), etc.). The RAN node 222 may include a road side unit (RSU), a transmit receive point (TRxP or TRP), and one or more other types of ground stations (e.g., a ground access point). In some scenarios, the RAN node 222 may be a dedicated physical device such as a macrocell base station and / or a low power (LP) base station for providing a femtocell, picocell, etc. having a smaller coverage area, smaller user capacity, or higher bandwidth than a macrocell.

[0035] Some or all of the RAN nodes 222, or portions thereof, may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network that may be referred to as a centralized RAN (CRAN) and / or a virtual baseband unit pool (vBBUP). In these implementations, the CRAN or vBBUP may implement a RAN functional split, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) split, where the radio resource control (RRC) and PDCP layers may be operated by the CRAN / vBBUP, and other layer 2 (L2) protocol entities may be operated by a separate RAN node 222; a medium access control (MAC) / physical (PHY) layer split, where the RRC, PDCP, radio link control (RLC), and MAC layers may be operated by the CRAN / vBBUP, and the PHY layer may be operated by a separate RAN node 222; or a "lower PHY" split, where the RRC, PDCP, RLC, MAC layer, and upper portions of the PHY layer may be operated by the CRAN / vBBUP, and the lower portions of the PHY layer may be operated by a separate RAN node 222. The virtualization framework may allow idle processor cores of the RAN node 222 to perform or execute other virtualized applications.

[0036] In some implementations, the separate RAN nodes 222 may represent separate gNB distributed units (DUs) connected to a gNB control unit (CU) via separate F1 or other interfaces. In such implementations, the gNB-DU may include one or more remote radio heads or radio frequency (RF) front end modules (RFEMs), and the gNB-CU may be operated by a server (not shown) located in the RAN 220 or by a server pool (e.g., a group of servers configured to share resources) in a manner similar to CRAN / vBBUP. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the RAN nodes 222 may be next generation eNBs (i.e., gNBs) that may provide Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) user plane and control plane protocol terminations to the UE 210 and may be connected to the 5G core network (5GC) 230 via an NG interface.

[0037] Any of the RAN nodes 222 may serve as an endpoint for an air interface protocol and may be the first point of contact for the UE 210. In some implementations, any of the RAN nodes 222 may perform various logical functions of the RAN 220, including but not limited to functions of a radio network controller (RNC), such as radio bearer management, uplink and downlink dynamic radio resource management, and data packet scheduling, and mobility management. The UE 210 may be configured to communicate with each other or with any of the RAN nodes 222 over a multi-carrier communication channel using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals according to various communication techniques, such as but not limited to OFDMA communication techniques (e.g., for downlink communications) or single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink (SL) communications), although the scope of such implementations is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signal may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0038] In some implementations, a downlink resource grid may be used for downlink transmissions from any of the RAN nodes 222 to the UE 210, and similar techniques may be used for uplink transmissions. The grid may be a time-frequency grid (e.g., a resource grid or a time-frequency resource grid) that represents the physical resources for the downlink in each time slot. Such a time-frequency plane representation is common practice for OFDM systems, which makes radio resource allocation intuitive. Each column and each row of the resource grid corresponds to an OFDM symbol and an OFDM subcarrier, respectively. The duration of the resource grid in the time domain corresponds to a time slot in a radio frame. The smallest time-frequency unit in the resource grid is represented as a resource element. Each resource grid includes resource blocks, which describe the mapping of certain physical channels to resource elements. Each resource block may include a set of resource elements (REs); in the frequency domain, this may represent the minimum amount of resources that can currently be allocated. Such resource blocks are used to transport several different physical downlink channels.

[0039] Further, the RAN node 222 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the UE 210 and / or with each other via a licensed medium (also referred to as a "licensed spectrum" and / or a "licensed band"), an unlicensed shared medium (also referred to as an "unlicensed spectrum" and / or an "unlicensed band"), or a combination thereof. For example, the licensed spectrum may include channels operating in a frequency range of approximately 400 MHz to approximately 3.8 GHz, and the unlicensed band or spectrum may include a 5 GHz band. In additional or alternative examples, the unlicensed spectrum may include a 5 GHz unlicensed band, a 6 GHz band, a 60 GHz millimeter wave band, and the like.

[0040] Licensed spectrum may correspond to channels or frequency bands that are selected, reserved, regulated, etc. for certain types of wireless activities (e.g., wireless telecommunications network activities), while unlicensed spectrum may correspond to one or more frequency bands that are not restricted for certain types of wireless activities. Whether a particular frequency band corresponds to a licensed medium or an unlicensed medium may depend on one or more factors, such as frequency allocations determined by a public sector organization (e.g., a government agency, a regulatory agency, etc.) or by a private sector organization involved in developing wireless communication standards and protocols, etc.

[0041] To operate in the unlicensed spectrum, the UE 210 and the RAN node 222 may operate using standalone unlicensed operation, license assisted access (LAA), eLAA, and / or feLAA mechanisms. In these implementations, the UE 210 and the RAN node 222 may perform one or more known medium sensing operations or carrier sensing operations to determine whether one or more channels in the unlicensed spectrum are unavailable or otherwise occupied before transmitting in the unlicensed spectrum. The medium / carrier sensing operations may be performed in accordance with a listen-before-talk (LBT) protocol.

[0042] The LAA mechanism can be built on the carrier aggregation (CA) technology of the LTE-Advanced system. In CA, each aggregated carrier is called a component carrier (CC). In some cases, each CC may have a different bandwidth from other CCs. In a time division duplex (TDD) system, the number of CCs and the bandwidth of each CC may be the same for DL ​​and UL. CA also includes individual service cells to provide individual CCs. The coverage of the service cells may be different, for example, because CCs on different frequency bands will experience different path losses. The primary service cell or PCell can provide a primary component carrier (PCC) for both UL and DL, and handle RRC and non-access stratum (NAS) related activities. Other service cells are called SCells, and each SCell can provide a single secondary component carrier (SCC) for both UL and DL. SCCs can be added and removed as needed, and changing PCCs may require UE 210 to undergo handover. In LAA, eLAA, and feLAA, some or all of the SCells in the SCell may operate in an unlicensed spectrum (referred to as "LAA SCell"), and the LAA SCell is assisted by the PCell operating in the licensed spectrum. When a UE is configured with more than one LAA SCell, the UE may receive UL grants on the configured LAA SCells indicating different physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) starting positions within the same subframe. To operate in unlicensed spectrum, the UE 210 and the RAN node 222 may also operate using independent unlicensed operation, where in the unlicensed spectrum, the UE may be configured with a PCell in addition to any SCell.

[0043] The PDSCH may carry user data and higher layer signaling to the UE 210. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) may carry information about, among other things, transport formats and resource allocations associated with the PDSCH channel. The PDCCH may also inform the UE 210 about transport formats, resource allocations, and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information associated with uplink shared channels. Typically, downlink scheduling (assignment of control and shared channel resource blocks to the UE 210-2 within the cell) may be performed on any of the RAN nodes 222 based on channel quality information fed back from any of the UEs 210. Downlink resource allocation information may be sent on the PDCCH for (e.g., assigned to) each of the UEs 210.

[0044] PDCCH uses control channel elements (CCEs) to convey control information, where several CCEs (e.g., 6, etc.) may be composed of resource element groups (REGs), where REGs are defined as physical resource blocks (PRBs) in OFDM symbols. Before being mapped to resource elements, PDCCH complex-valued symbols may first be organized into quaternions, which may then be arranged, for example, using a sub-block interleaver for rate matching. Each PDCCH may be sent using one or more of these CCEs, where each CCE may correspond to nine sets of four physical resource elements, respectively, referred to as REGs. Four quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) symbols may be mapped to each REG. Depending on the size of the DCI and channel conditions, one or more CCEs may be used to send PDCCH. Four or more different PDCCH formats may be defined in LTE with different numbers of CCEs (e.g., aggregation levels, L=1, 2, 4, 8, or 16).

[0045] Some implementations may use concepts for resource allocation for control channel information, which are extensions of the above concepts. For example, some implementations may utilize an extended (E)-PDCCH that uses PDSCH resources for control information transmission. One or more ECCEs may be used to transmit EPDCCH. Similar to the above, each ECCE may correspond to nine sets of four physical resource elements, referred to as EREGs. In some cases, an ECCE may have other numbers of EREGs.

[0046] The RAN nodes 222 may be configured to communicate with each other via an interface 223. In an implementation where the system is an LTE system, the interface 223 may be an X2 interface. In an NR system, the interface 223 may be an Xn interface. In some implementations such as an independent (SA) implementation, the interface 223 may be an Xn interface. In some implementations such as a non-independent (NSA) implementation, the interface 223 may represent an X2 interface and an XN interface. The X2 interface may be defined between two or more RAN nodes 222 (e.g., two or more eNBs / gNBs or a combination thereof) connected to an evolved packet core (EPC) or CN 230, or between two eNBs connected to the EPC. In some implementations, the X2 interface may include an X2 user plane interface (X2-U) and an X2 control plane interface (X2-C). The X2-U may provide a flow control mechanism for user data packets transferred over the X2 interface, and may be used to convey information about the delivery of user data between eNBs or gNBs. For example, X2-U may provide specific sequence number information about user data transferred from a master eNB (MeNB) to a secondary eNB (SeNB); information about successful in-sequence delivery of PDCP packet data units (PDUs) from the SeNB to the UE 210 for user data; information about PDCP PDUs that were not delivered to the UE 210; information about the current minimum expected buffer size at the SeNB for sending user data to the UE; etc. X2-C may provide intra-LTE access mobility functionality (e.g., including context transfer from a source eNB to a target eNB, user plane transmission control, etc.), load management functionality, and inter-cell interference coordination functionality.

[0047] As shown, RAN 220 may be connected (e.g., communicatively coupled) to CN 230. CN 230 may include a plurality of network elements 232 configured to provide various data and telecommunication services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UE 210) connected to CN 230 via RAN 220. In some implementations, CN 230 may include an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G CN, and / or one or more additional or alternative types of CNs. The components of CN 230 may be implemented in one physical node or in separate physical nodes, including components for reading and executing instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium). In some implementations, network function virtualization (NFV) may be used to virtualize any or all of the above-mentioned network node roles or functions via executable instructions stored in one or more computer-readable storage media (described in further detail below). A logical instance of CN 230 may be referred to as a network slice, and a logical instance of a portion of CN 230 may be referred to as a network sub-slice. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) architecture and infrastructure can be used to virtualize one or more network functions onto physical resources including a combination of industry-standard server hardware, storage hardware, or switches (alternatively performed by proprietary hardware). In other words, the NFV system can be used to perform a virtual or reconfigurable implementation of one or more EPC components / functions.

[0048] As shown, CN 230, application server 240 and external network 250 may be connected to each other via interfaces 234, 236 and 238, which may include IP network interfaces. Application server 240 may include one or more server devices or network elements (e.g., virtual network functions (VNFs)) that provide applications (e.g., universal mobile telecommunications system packet service (UMTS PS) domain, LTE-PS data services, etc.) that use IP bearer resources with CM 230. Application server 240 may be additionally or alternatively configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., IP voice (VoIP sessions, push-to-talk (PTT) sessions, group communication sessions, social networking services, etc.) of UE 210 via CN 230. Similarly, external network 250 may include one or more networks (including the Internet) of a variety of networks, thereby providing network access to a variety of additional services, information, interconnectivity and other network features for mobile communication networks and UE 210.

[0049] Figure 33 is a diagram of an example process 300 for multiple consecutive time slots SL-U communication in a mode 1 resource allocation scenario according to one or more implementations described herein. Process 300 may be implemented by UE 210-1, UE 210-2, and base station 222. In some implementations, some or all of process 300 may be implemented by one or more other systems or devices (including Figure 2 Additionally, process 300 may include: Figure 3 One or more fewer, additional, differently ordered, and / or arranged operations than those shown may include other processes and / or operations discussed herein. For example, process 300 may include operations that precede, are performed in parallel with, and / or are performed after one or more of the operations depicted. Furthermore, some or all of the operations of process 300 may be performed independently, sequentially, simultaneously, etc., relative to one or more of the other operations of process 300. Thus, the techniques described herein are not limited to Figure 3 The number, sequence, arrangement, timing, etc. of the operations or processes depicted. Figures 4 to 5 A description of process 300 is provided.

[0050] As shown, the process 300 may include: the base station 222 determines SL-U resources for multiple consecutive time slots (box 310). Examples of SL-U resources for multiple consecutive time slots may include frequency resources, time resources, channel information, sub-channel information, the number of consecutive time slots for each SL communication, etc. The base station 222 may determine the SL-U resources in conjunction with a dynamic grant (DG) scenario or a configured grant (CG) scenario. The SL-U resources may include a specific set of SL-U resources that the UE 210-1 will use for SL-U communication or a SL-U resource pool from which the UE 210-1 can select for SL-U communication. Additionally or alternatively, the base station 222 may determine the SL-U resources based on one or more conditions, parameters, or factors (such as a pre-configured SL-U resource pool stored in a local memory or storage device of the base station 222, data priority corresponding to SL communication, UE capability information, etc.).

[0051] Process 300 may include: communicating a SL-U resource having multiple consecutive time slots to UE 210-1 (box 320). For example, base station 222 may communicate DCI to UE 210-1 via PDCCH. DCI may include one or more TRIVs, FRIVs, and may be provided as DCI format 3_0 information. In some scenarios, a single TRIV and FRIV pair may be provided for the entire multi-slot transmission. In some scenarios, a TRIV and FRIV pair may be provided for each time slot of the multi-slot transmission. In other scenarios, a TRIV and FRIV pair may be provided for the first time slot of the multi-slot transmission, and a frequency offset may be provided for each subsequent time slot of the multi-slot transmission.

[0052] As shown, the base station 222 may also communicate the SL-U resource information to one or more other UEs 210, such as UE 210-2. In such implementations, the other UEs 210 may use the SL-U resource information to perform Figure 3 In such a scenario, the UE communicating with UE 210-2 may further perform one or more of the operations depicted as being performed by UE 210-1. Figure 3 2. One or more operations are depicted in FIG. 2 as operations performed by UE 210-2.

[0053] Process 300 may include selecting a SL-U resource having a plurality of consecutive time slots (block 330). For example, UE 210-2 may select a SL-U resource having a plurality of consecutive time slots. UE 210-1 may do so based on SL-U resource information received from base station 222. In some implementations, selecting the SL-U resource may include UE 210-2 using a particular set of SL-U resources indicated by base station 222. Selecting the SL-U resource may additionally or alternatively include UE 210-2 selecting a particular set of SL-U resources from a pool of SL-U resources indicated by base station 222. The resources selected by UE 210-1 may be part of a DG or CG scenario. In some implementations, UE 210 may select a SL-U resource having a plurality of consecutive time slots (as opposed to a SL-U resource one time slot at a time) when the SL-U resource having a plurality of consecutive time slots is based on quality of service (QoS) or priority of data to be sent. In such a scenario, all data to be sent in a multi-slot continuous transmission may have the same QoS or data priority, eg, to simplify the resource selection procedure.

[0054] Figures 4 to 5 4 and 5 are diagrams of examples 400 and 500 of multiple consecutive time slot SL-U communications according to one or more implementations described herein. Figure 4As shown, multi-continuous time slot SL communication may include an initial set of continuous Tx time slots and a subsequent set of continuous Tx time slots (e.g., a retransmission (Re-Tx) time slot set). For each set of continuous time slots, the number of continuous time slots (A) may be the same. The maximum number of time slots that can be applied in multi-continuous time slot transmission may be preconfigured per resource pool. Additionally, when multi-continuous time slot transmission is not applied or indicated, a value of 1 may be supported or implemented (e.g., by default).

[0055] In example 400, A is equal to 3; however, in other implementations, A may be another number greater than or less than 3. Similarly, while example 500 includes two sets of consecutive Tx slots, another number of sets with consecutive Tx slots may be implemented. The initial set of consecutive Tx slots and the subsequent set of consecutive Tx slots may share the same basic sequence or pattern (e.g., multiple consecutive Tx slots using the same frequency), but belong to different frequencies, channels, and / or subchannels. In some implementations, the initial set of consecutive Tx slots and the subsequent set of consecutive Tx slots may be separated in the time domain by a gap, which may be equal to one slot or another number of specified slots.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, the continuous slot SL communication may include an initial set of continuous Tx slots and a subsequent set of continuous Tx slots (e.g., a retransmission (Re-Tx) slot set). For each continuous slot set, the number of continuous slots (A) may be the same. In example 500, A is equal to 3; however, in other specific implementations, A may be another number greater than or less than 3. Similarly, although example 500 includes two sets of continuous Tx slots, another number of sets with continuous Tx slots may be implemented.

[0057] The time slots within each set of continuous Tx time slots may correspond to different frequencies or subchannels, which may together form an overall frequency pattern for the set of continuous Tx time slots. Additionally, each set of continuous Tx time slots may include the same number of time slots with corresponding frequency patterns; however, the frequency pattern of one set of continuous Tx time slots may be offset from the frequency pattern of another set of continuous Tx time slots. In some implementations, an initial set of continuous Tx time slots and a subsequent set of continuous Tx time slots may be separated in the time domain by a gap, which may be equal to one time slot or another number of specified time slots. Therefore, one or more of the techniques described herein may be applied to sets of continuous Tx time slots that may vary in pattern, number of continuous time slots, frequency, frequency pattern, and number of sets of continuous Tx time slots.

[0058] refer to Figure 3, process 300 may include: UE 210-1 indicating to UE 210-2 a SL-U resource having multiple consecutive time slots (box 340). In some specific implementations, UE 210-1 may provide this information via a physical SL control channel (PSCCH) carrying an SCI (e.g., a first-level SCI). The SCI may indicate one or more TRIVs, FRIVs, the number of time slots for each SL-U transmission set, the frequency offset of the time slots within the SL-U transmission, the frequency offset between the SL-U transmissions, the time or time slot gap between the SL-U transmission sets, the number of SL-U transmissions (e.g., the initial transmission plus one or more possible retransmissions), COT, etc. In some scenarios, a single TRIV and FRIV pair may be indicated for the entire multi-slot transmission. In some scenarios, the TRIV and FRIV pair may be indicated for each time slot of the multi-slot transmission. In yet other scenarios, the TRIV and FRIV pair may be indicated for the first time slot of the multi-slot transmission, and the frequency offset may be provided for each subsequent time slot of the multi-slot transmission.

[0059] The process 300 may also include: UE 210-1 provides data to UE 210-2 using SL-U resources having multiple consecutive time slots (box 340). UE 210-1 may do so via a physical SL shared channel (PSSCH) during the corresponding COT. In some specific implementations, each consecutive time slot of the SL-U transmission can be used for a single TB. In other specific implementations, the consecutive time slots of the SL-U transmission can be used for different TBs. As shown, the process 300 may include: UE 210-2 provides HARQ feedback to UE 210-1 via a physical SL feedback channel (PSFCH) (box 350), and UE 210-1 responds to one or more retransmissions of data using SL-U resources having multiple consecutive time slots (box 360). Additionally or alternatively, process 300 may include UE 210-1 generating a SL-HARQ report regarding SL-U communications between UE 210-1 and UE 210-2 and providing the SL-HARQ report to base station 222 via the PUCCH (block 370).

[0060] Figure 6 6 is a diagram of an example process 600 for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication in a mode 2 resource allocation scenario according to one or more implementations described herein. Process 600 may be implemented by UE 210-1 and UE 210-2. In some implementations, some or all of process 600 may be implemented by one or more other systems or devices (including Figure 2 Additionally, process 600 may include: Figure 6One or more fewer, additional, differently ordered, and / or arranged operations than those shown may include other processes and / or operations discussed herein. For example, process 600 may include operations that precede, are performed in parallel with, and / or are performed after one or more of the operations depicted. Furthermore, some or all of the operations of process 600 may be performed independently, sequentially, simultaneously, etc., relative to one or more of the other operations of process 600. Thus, the techniques described herein are not limited to Figure 6 The number, order, arrangement, timing, etc. of the operations or processes depicted.

[0061] As shown, process 600 may include: UE 210-1 determines and selects SL-U resources for multiple consecutive time slots (box 610). Examples of SL-U resources for multiple consecutive time slots may include frequency resources, time resources, channel information, sub-channel information, the number of consecutive time slots for each SL communication, the number of SL-U transmissions (e.g., initial transmission and one or more retransmissions), etc. UE 210-1 may determine the SL-U resources based on a resource pool designated for SL-U communication. Additionally or alternatively, UE 210-1 may determine the SL-U resources based on one or more parameters, conditions, or procedures (such as reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement results, COT, data priority, QoS requirements, LBT procedures, UE capability information, etc.).

[0062] Process 600 may include: UE 210-1 indicates to UE 210-2 a SL-U resource having multiple consecutive time slots (block 620). In some specific implementations, UE 210-1 may provide this information via a PSCCH carrying an SCI. The SCI may include a level 1 SCI. The SCI may indicate one or more TRIVs, FRIVs, the number of time slots per SL-U transmission set, the frequency offset of the time slots within the SL-U transmission, the frequency offset between the SL-U transmissions, the time or time slot gap between the SL-U transmission sets, the number of SL-U transmissions (e.g., the initial transmission plus one or more possible retransmissions), the COT, etc. In some scenarios, a single TRIV and FRIV pair may be indicated for the entire multi-slot transmission. In some scenarios, the TRIV and FRIV pair may be indicated for each time slot of the multi-slot transmission. In yet other scenarios, the TRIV and FRIV pair may be indicated for the first time slot of the multi-slot transmission, and the frequency offset may be provided for each subsequent time slot of the multi-slot transmission. Additional examples of information that UE 210-1 may provide to UE 210-2 to facilitate multiple consecutive time slots SL communication may be discussed with reference to one or more other examples provided herein.

[0063] Process 600 may also include: UE 210-1 provides data to UE 210-2 using SL-U resources having multiple consecutive time slots (box 630). UE 210-1 may do so via a physical SL shared channel (PSSCH) during the corresponding COT. In some specific implementations, each consecutive time slot of the SL-U transmission can be used for a single TB. In other specific implementations, the consecutive time slots of the SL-U transmission can be used for different TBs. As shown, process 600 may include: UE 210-2 provides HARQ feedback to UE 210-1 via a physical SL feedback channel (PSFCH) (box 640), and UE 210-1 uses the SL-U resources having multiple consecutive time slots to respond to one or more retransmissions of data (box 650). Additionally or alternatively, process 300 may include UE 210-1 generating a SL-HARQ report regarding SL-U communications between UE 210-1 and UE 210-2 and providing the SL-HARQ report to base station 222 via the PUCCH.

[0064] Figures 7 and 8 Graphs of examples 700 and 800 of transmission times for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communications according to one or more specific implementations described herein. As shown, example 700 represents frequency along the vertical axis and time along the horizontal axis. Example 700 also depicts several multi-continuous time slot SL-U communications for an initial Tx and two retransmissions (retransmit Tx 1 and retransmit Tx 2). Each SL-U communication includes two time slots (A=2) at different times and frequencies, including an initial Tx time slot set, a Re Tx set. As shown, Re-Tx 1 starts after a first amount of time (T1), and Re-Tx 2 starts after a second amount of time (T2), where T1 and T2 are measured from the first time slot of the initial Tx to the first time slot of the corresponding Tx. In contrast, as shown in example 800, T1 and T2 may alternatively be measured according to another time (such as from the last time slot of the initial Tx to the first time slot of the corresponding Tx). T1 and T2 may be measured according to the number of time slots.

[0065] In some specific implementations, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may calculate or determine the transmission time (e.g., T1, T2, etc.) to enable multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication. For example, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may determine the maximum number of time slots (N) that can be reserved (each time) for SL-U communication. N can be the maximum number of transmissions that can be reserved for a TB (e.g., initial transmission plus retransmissions). N can be determined based on locally stored or (pre-) configured data and / or communication standards. N can be a value corresponding to the sl-MaxNumPerReserve information element (IE) and / or another parameter. Additionally, N can be used to determine the transmission time of multi-continuous time slot SL-U transmissions (e.g., re-Tx 1 and re-Tx 2).

[0066] For example, refer to Figure 7 , when N=3, the time between the initial Tx and the first subsequent Tx (e.g., re-Tx1) (e.g., T1) can be expressed as [A, 32-2*A], and the time between the initial Tx and the second subsequent Tx (e.g., re-Tx 2) (e.g., T2) can be expressed as [T1+A, 32-A]. 32 can be a constant defined by locally stored configuration data. The value of A can be the maximum number of time slots for a single transmission (e.g., initial Tx or re-Tx) and can be defined by locally stored configuration data. Alternatively, the value of A can be the actual number of time slots transmitted, which can be indicated in the SCI (e.g., level 1 SCI). In a similar example but with N=2, the time between the initial Tx and the subsequent Tx (e.g., re-Tx) (e.g., T1) can be expressed as [A, 32-A].

[0067] For example, refer to Figure 8, when N=3, the time between the initial Tx and the first subsequent Tx (e.g., re-Tx1) (e.g., T1) can be expressed as [1,32-2*A], and the time between the initial Tx and the second subsequent Tx (e.g., re-Tx 2) (e.g., T2) can be expressed as [T1+A,32-A]. 1 can indicate the time measured from the last time slot of the initial Tx. 32 can be a constant defined by locally stored configuration data. The value of A can be the maximum number of time slots used for a single transmission (e.g., initial Tx or re-Tx) and can be defined by locally stored configuration data. Alternatively, the value of A can be the actual number of time slots transmitted, which can be indicated in the SCI (e.g., level 1 SCI). In a similar example but with N=2, the time between the initial Tx and the subsequent Tx (e.g., re-Tx) (e.g., T1) can be expressed as [1,32-A]. The base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may use the transmission times (eg, T1, T2, etc.) to determine the TRIV value for multiple consecutive time slot SL-U communications.

[0068] Fig. 9 9 is a diagram of an example process 900 for determining a time resource indicator value (TRIV) for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication according to one or more implementations described herein. Process 900 can be implemented by UE 210 and can be applicable to mode 1 resource selection scenarios or mode 2 resource selection scenarios. In some implementations, some or all of process 900 can be implemented by one or more other systems or devices (including Figure 2 Additionally, process 900 may include: Fig. 9 One or more fewer, additional, differently ordered, and / or arranged operations than those shown may include other processes and / or operations discussed herein. Furthermore, some or all of the operations of process 900 may be performed independently, sequentially, simultaneously, etc., relative to one or more of the other operations of process 900. Thus, the techniques described herein are not limited to Fig. 9 The number, order, arrangement, timing, etc. of the operations or processes depicted.

[0069] As shown, process 900 may include determining a maximum number of time slots for multi-contiguous time slot SL-U communication (block 910). For example, UE 210 may determine a maximum number of time slots (e.g., A) for multi-contiguous time slot SL-U communication based on a preconfigured or locally stored SL-U resource pool. The SL-U resource pool may include channels, subchannels, frequencies, times, etc., including one or more combinations thereof, for SL-U communication.

[0070] The process 900 may also include receiving an SCI including the number of time slots for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication (block 920). For example, the UE 210 may receive an SCI (e.g., a level 1 SCI) from another UE 210. The SCI may be a level 2 SCI. The UE 210 may determine a transmission time or TRIV for an initial transmission (e.g., initial Tx), the number of transmissions (e.g., N) for a TB or multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication, and / or one or more other types of information based on the SCI.

[0071] Process 900 may include determining a transmit time for a multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication (block 930). For example, UE 210 may determine a transmit time for one or more transmissions of a multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication. As described above, for example, UE 210 may determine a time difference, range, or number of time slots (e.g., T1, T2, etc.) between an initial Tx and a subsequent Tx (re-Tx 1, re-Tx 2, etc.). In some implementations, the time difference, range, or number of time slots may be measured from the first time slot of the initial Tx or the last time slot of the initial Tx. Additionally, UE 210 may do so based on one or more parameters, such as a maximum number of continuous time slots for each transmission, a number of transmissions, a time of the first time slot or the last time slot of the initial transmission, and the like. Thus, one or more of the techniques described herein may enable UE 210 to determine the transmit time or time slots for multiple SL-U transmissions based on a preconfigured maximum number of continuous time slots for each Tx and the corresponding SCI.

[0072] Fig.10 1 is a diagram of an example of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmission for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication according to one or more specific implementations described herein. As shown, example 1000 represents frequency along the vertical axis and time along the horizontal axis. Example 1000 also includes several signal and information features that may correspond to information transmitted and received by UE 210, which may correspond to a mode 1 resource allocation scenario. Additionally, the placement, size, orientation and / or relative positioning of one or more features of example 1000 are provided as non-limiting examples intended to express the concepts of one or more of the techniques described herein.

[0073] As shown, UE 210 may receive DCI format 3_0 information about SL-U communication with one or more other UEs 210 from base station 222. Based on the DCI, information and instructions stored locally by UE 210, and / or one or more processes (e.g., LBT procedures) executed by UE 210, UE 210 may select SL-U resources for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication. Based on the selected resources, UE 210 may communicate an initial SL transmission including two consecutive time slots via PSSCH.

[0074] The DCI format 3_0 information received from the base station 222 may also include or specify a SL HARQ reporting resource, which may include a frequency domain, a time domain, a plurality of consecutive time slots, multiple repetitions, etc. for receiving SL HARQ feedback. UE210 may convey information describing some or all of the SL HARQ reporting resources in the SL HARQ reporting resource via PSCCH and / or SCI. UE 210 may receive SL-U feedback information (e.g., SL HARQ information) via PSFCH, and based on the SL-U feedback information, UE 210 may resend some or all of the initial transmission according to the selected resources. Similar to the initial transmission, the retransmission may involve two consecutive time slots of PSSCH. And then, UE 210 may receive SL-U feedback information (e.g., HARQ information) via PSFCH related to the retransmission. As shown in the figure, UE 210 may receive SL HARQ information via PSFCH in a resource whose pattern is consistent with a plurality of consecutive time slots of the first transmission.

[0075] In some implementations, the DCI format 3_0 information received from the base station 222 may include instructions and / or information about providing a SL-HARQ report to the base station 222. In some implementations, some or all of these instructions may be included in the PSFCH to HARQ feedback timing indicator field of the DCI format 3_0. The information may specify the time, time slot, and / or other resources for conveying the SL-HARQ report to the base station 222. In some implementations, the timing information or indicator may be based on a PSFCH event or timing, such as the last PSCCH / PSSCH resource of the last time slot of a multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication. For example, as depicted, the DCI format 3_0 information may enable the UE 210 to provide a SL-HARQ report to the base station 222 when the PSFCH to HARQ feedback timing indicator measured from the last PSFCH resource associated with the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication expires.

[0076] Figures 11 to 131 is a diagram of examples 1100, 1200, and 1300 of allocating resources for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communications with time slot conflicts according to one or more specific implementations described herein. Examples 1100, 1200, and 1300 represent frequency along the vertical axis and time along the horizontal axis, as well as various multi-continuous time slot transmissions (e.g., initial Tx, re-Tx 1, and re-Tx2). As shown, SL-U resources used for multi-continuous time slot transmissions may overlap or otherwise conflict with resources (e.g., time slots) that are not in a pre-configured SL-U resource pool. In a resource pool configuration, a bitmap can be used to indicate which time resources (e.g., time slots) are within a resource pool. Some time slots (such as time slots designated for SL system synchronization block (S-SSB) transmissions or time slots otherwise reserved) may be outside the resource pool. Thus, during the resource selection or allocation process, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may determine whether the selection of SL-U resources for multiple consecutive time slot transmissions conflicts with assigned or reserved time slots. For example, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may use the bitmap to determine whether the set of time slots to be allocated for SL-U communication is indicated as being consecutive according to the corresponding time slot bitmap. And in the event that a conflict is detected (e.g., the bitmap indicates that the selected time slots are not actually consecutive), the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may determine whether and / or how to count multiple consecutive time slots on time slots that are not in the resource pool.

[0077] In some scenarios, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 can allocate SL resources such that a set of multiple consecutive time slots continues after the conflicting time slot outside the resource pool. In some implementations, the duration of the conflicting time slot outside the resource pool can be counted into (e.g., as part of) the total multi-slot duration. In other words, the conflicting time slot can be counted as one of the consecutive time slots according to the specified number of consecutive time slots. For example, Fig.12 As shown, the initial Tx, re-Tx 1, and re-TX 2 may each include two consecutive SL-U slots, even if one slot of re-Tx 1 collides with a reserved slot.

[0078] In other scenarios, base station 222 and / or UE 210 may allocate SL resources such that the duration of time slots outside the resource pool may not be counted in the total multi-slot duration. In such implementations, additional time slots may be added before and / or after the reserved time slots, thereby maintaining the total number of consecutive time slots (e.g., A) without counting the reserved time slots. For example, Fig.13As shown, although the initial Tx and re-Tx 2 may each include two consecutive SL-U time slots, re-Tx 1 conflicts with a time slot that is not in the resource pool. Therefore, an additional time slot may be added after the reserved time slot so that re-Tx 1 includes the same number of resource pool time slots as the initial Tx and re-Tx 2.

[0079] In yet other scenarios, base station 222 and / or UE 210 may allocate SL resources so that multiple time slots of each transmission may be stopped or interrupted at reserved time slots outside the resource pool. Fig.13 As shown, although the initial Tx and re-TX 2 may each include two consecutive SL-U time slots, re-Tx1 conflicts with a time slot that is not in the resource pool. Therefore, the time slot allocated to re-Tx1 may stop after the first time slot of re-Tx 1. In some specific implementations, the time slots determined to be in conflict or outside the resource pool may be limited to S-SSB or other reserved time slots used only for SL transmission. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of Examples 1100, 1200, and 1300 may be applicable, depending on whether a single TB is sent in a multi-slot continuous transmission or multiple TBs are transmitted in a multi-slot continuous transmission. For example, when sending a single TB, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may apply Example 1200, and when sending multiple TBs in a multi-continuous time slot SL transmission, the base station and / or the UE may apply Example 1100. Therefore, when determining that multi-continuous time slot selection and allocation conflicts with reserved time slots or includes time slots that are not within the SL resource pool, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may be configured to determine one or more qualities, conditions, or characteristics related to the multi-continuous time slot SL transmission, and apply an SL resource allocation strategy associated with these qualities, conditions, or characteristics.

[0080] Fig.14 1 is a diagram of an example process 1400 for allocating or determining SL-U resources for multiple consecutive time slot SL-U communications according to one or more implementations described herein. Process 1400 may be implemented by UE 210 and may be applicable to Mode 2 resource selection scenarios. In some implementations, some or all of process 1400 may be implemented by one or more other systems or devices (including Figure 2 Additionally, process 1400 may include: Fig.14 One or more fewer, additional, differently ordered, and / or arranged operations than those shown may include other processes and / or operations discussed herein. Furthermore, some or all of the operations of process 1400 may be performed independently, sequentially, simultaneously, etc., relative to one or more of the other operations of process 1400. Thus, the techniques described herein are not limited to Fig.14 The number, order, arrangement, timing, etc. of the operations depicted.

[0081] As shown, process 1400 may include: determining a time slot for multiple consecutive time slots SL-U transmission (R x,y ) of candidate A time slot resources and a resource selection window (block 1410). For example, UE 210 may receive higher layer signaling indicating SL resource selection involving an indicated number (A) of consecutive time slots ("A time slots" or "A time slot resources") and subchannels (L subCH ). It may also indicate a priority value or QoS. When multiple time slots are used to send different TBs with different data priorities, the priority (prio) applied to the transmission of multiple consecutive time slots SL-U TX ) is the lowest value among these data priorities (lower priority values ​​indicating higher actual data priorities).

[0082] UE 210 may determine the number of consecutive time slots for SL-U transmission (R x,y ) of the candidate A time slot resources. Here, x may be a subchannel index (e.g., a frequency resource index), and y may be a time slot index (e.g., a time resource index). Multiple consecutive time slots SL-U transmission (R x,y ) can be defined or determined as a continuous subchannel (L subCH ), where subchannel x+j is in time slot t ′ y+k Where j = 0, ..., L subCH -1; k=0, ..., A-1. UE 210 may also determine a resource selection window, which may be defined as an interval [n+T1, n+T2]; where n may be the time (or time slot index) when the resource selection procedure is triggered; and n+T1 may be the starting time slot of the resource selection window; and n+T2 may be the ending time slot of the resource selection window. The total number of candidate time slots (A) may be denoted as M total .

[0083] Process 1400 may include determining a sensing window (block 1420). For example, UE 410 may determine a sensing window for evaluating a plurality of consecutive time slots SL-U transmissions (R x,y ) of the candidate resources (e.g., time slots and subchannels). The sensing window can be defined or represented as an interval [n-T0, nT proc0 ]. T0 may be the sensing window size, and T proc0It may be the processing time of the sensing result. Process 1400 may include: UE 210 determines or obtains an RSRP threshold (block 1430). In some implementations, UE 210 may determine the RSRP threshold based on locally stored configuration data and / or the RSRP threshold may be a default threshold. In some implementations, UE 210 may additionally or alternatively determine the RSRP threshold based on higher layer signaling. In some implementations, the RSRP threshold may be based on a QoS or priority value associated with data to be sent by UE 210. In such implementations, the RSRP threshold may be greater for data associated with a higher priority or QoS. The RSRP threshold may be additionally or alternatively determined based on one or more other types of information (such as a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a block error rate (BLER), etc.). As described below, the RSRP threshold may include an RSRP value or level that can be used to estimate a conflicting or competing time slot reservation (e.g., a single time slot reservation from another UE 210).

[0084] Process 1400 may include: A ) is set to all candidate A time slot resources in the candidate A time slot resources in the resource selection window (block 1440). For example, UE 210 may determine or define a theoretical maximum value of A time slot resources in the resource selection window for multiple consecutive time slot SL-U transmissions. The theoretical maximum value of A time slot resources may be referred to as an initial candidate set (S A ).

[0085] Process 1400 may include eliminating candidate A time slot resources that overlap with unmonitored time slots (block 1450). For example, UE 210 may analyze an initial candidate set (S A ) to determine the initial candidate set (S A ) overlaps with a time slot that UE 210 has not yet monitored with the supported periodicity extension. For example, assume that the resource pool supports a resource reservation periodicity of 50ms. If UE 210-1 does not monitor the SL channel at time slot 0 (i.e., UE 210-1 does not decode the SCI sent at time slot 0), UE 210-1 may not know whether the resources in time slots 50, 100, 150, ..., etc. have SL transmissions. This is because UE 210-2 may transmit in time slot 0 and reserve resources in time slots 50, 100, 150, etc. If, for example, time slots 50, 100 and 150 are within the resource selection window of UE 210-1, UE 210-1 may not select resources of time slots 50, 100 and 150 because UE 210-1 does not monitor time slot 0. When UE 210 determines that the candidate A time slot resource overlaps with the unmonitored time slot, UE 210 may select a candidate A time slot resource from the initial candidate set (SA ) removes the candidate A time slot resource.

[0086] Process 1400 may include eliminating candidate A-slot resources that overlap with any single-slot resources reserved by other UEs 210 that meet a certain threshold RSRP and priority value (block 1460). For example, UE 210 may analyze the initial candidate set (S A ) to determine the initial candidate set (S A ) overlaps with a single slot resource reserved by another UE 210. Upon detecting such a scenario, UE 210 may determine the RSRP and priority values ​​associated with the other UE 210 and / or the single slot reservation, and may compare the RSRP and priority values ​​with certain criteria. For example, UE 210 may compare the RSRP with the RSRP threshold discussed above. As another example, UE 210 may compare the priority value with the priority value of an upcoming multi-continuous time slot SL-U transmission. In another example, UE 210 may compare the priority value with a pre-configured priority value threshold for single slot reservation. When UE 210 determines that the RSRP and priority values ​​meet certain criteria, UE 210 may remove the candidate A slot resources that overlap with the single slot reservation. Otherwise, UE 210 may leave the candidate A slot resources in the initial candidate set (S A )Inside.

[0087] Process 1400 may include: determining an initial candidate set (S A ) is less than X*M total (Block 1470). Here, X may be 20%, 30%, or 50% in a single-slot SL transmission scenario, and may be different in a multi-continuous-slot SL transmission scenario. For example, UE 210 may determine an initial candidate set (S A ) is less than the candidate A time slot resources remaining in X*M total The threshold is defined. When the initial candidate set (S A ) is not less than X*M total Process 1400 may be performed by UE 210 increasing the RSRP threshold by a preconfigured amount (block 1480), and returning to the initial candidate set (S A ) is set to all candidate A time slot resources in the candidate A time slot resources in the resource selection window (block 1440). A ) is not less than X*M total Process 1400 may report the initial candidate set (S) to higher layer processes and signaling via UE 210. A) is performed by using the remaining candidate A time slot resources in ). Doing so may, for example, enable UE 210 to allocate SL-U resources suitable for performing multiple consecutive time slot SL-U communications.

[0088] Figures 15 to 17 1 is a diagram of examples 1500, 1600, and 1700 of COT for multiple consecutive time slot SL communications in an unlicensed spectrum according to one or more implementations described herein. Examples 1500, 1600, and 1700 represent frequency along the vertical axis and time along the horizontal axis, and the overall COT across time slots outside the SL-U resource pool.

[0089] As described herein, a bitmap may be used to indicate which time resources (e.g., time slots) are within a resource pool for SL-U communications. Some time slots (such as time slots designated for S-SSB transmissions or time slots otherwise reserved) may be outside the resource pool. Thus, during a resource selection or allocation process, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may determine whether the selection of SL-U resources for multi-continuous time slot transmission conflicts with an assigned or reserved time slot. For example, the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may use the bitmap to determine whether a set of time slots to be allocated to SL-U communications is indicated as being contiguous by a corresponding time slot bitmap. And in the event that a conflict is detected (e.g., the bitmap indicates that the selected time slots are not actually contiguous), the base station 222 and / or the UE 210 may apply the corresponding COT in one or more ways.

[0090] As shown in examples 1500 and 1600, in some implementations, a COT spanning time slots outside of the SL-U resource pool may start before these time slots and continue or resume after these time slots. Fig.15 As shown, in some implementations, the duration of the COT may be consistent with the original, default, or typical duration of the COT. That is, the conflicting time slot may not affect the overall or total COT duration, or may be included in the overall or total COT duration. In contrast and as Fig.16 As depicted, the overall or total COT duration may be modified (e.g., extended) based on time slots outside of the resource pool corresponding to the COT. That is, time slots outside of the reference pool may effectively extend the overall or total DOT duration based on the number of time slots outside of the reference pool. In other specific implementations, time slots outside of the resource pool corresponding to the overall or total COT may shorten or terminate the COT. Figure 1 As shown in example 1700, the initial COT may not extend beyond an intermediate set of time slots outside a given resource pool.

[0091] Fig.181800 is a diagram of an example of components of a device according to one or more implementations described herein. In some implementations, the device 1800 may include at least an application circuit 1802, a baseband circuit 1804, an RF circuit 1806, a front-end module (FEM) circuit 1808, one or more antennas 1810, and a power management circuit (PMC) 1812 coupled together as shown. The components of the illustrated device 1800 may be included in a UE or a RAN node. In some implementations, the device 1800 may include fewer elements (e.g., the RAN node may not utilize the application circuit 1802, but include a processor / controller to process IP data received from the CN or the Evolved Packet Core (EPC)). In some implementations, the device 1800 may include additional elements, such as a memory / storage device, a display, a camera, a sensor (including one or more temperature sensors, such as a single temperature sensor, multiple temperature sensors at different locations in the device 1800, etc.) or an input / output (I / O) interface. In other implementations, the components described below may be included in more than one device (e.g., the circuitry may be separately included in more than one device for a Cloud-RAN (C-RAN) implementation).

[0092] The application circuit 1802 may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuit 1802 may include circuits such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. These processors may include any combination of general-purpose processors and special-purpose processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). These processors may be coupled to or may include a memory / storage device and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory / storage device to enable various applications or operating systems to run on the device 1800. In some specific implementations, the processor of the application circuit 1802 may process IP data packets received from the EPC.

[0093] The baseband circuit 1804 may include circuits such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuit 1804 may include one or more baseband processors or control logic components to process baseband signals received from the receive signal path of the RF circuit 1806 and generate baseband signals for the transmit signal path of the RF circuit 1806. The baseband circuit 1804 may interact with the application circuit 1802 to generate and process baseband signals and control the operation of the RF circuit 1806. For example, in some specific implementations, the baseband circuit 1804 may include a 3G baseband processor 1804A, a 4G baseband processor 1804B, a 5G baseband processor 1804C, or other baseband processors 1804D of other existing generations, generations under development, or generations to be developed in the future (e.g., 5G, 6G, etc.). The baseband circuit 1804 (e.g., one or more of the baseband processors 1804A to 1804D) may handle various radio control functions that can communicate with one or more radio networks via the RF circuit 1806. In other implementations, some or all of the functionality of baseband processors 1804A to 1804D may be included in a module stored in memory 1804G and executed via central processing unit (CPU) 1804E. Radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some implementations, the modulation / demodulation circuitry of baseband circuitry 1804 may include fast Fourier transform (FFT), pre-coding, or constellation mapping / demapping functionality. In some implementations, the encoding / decoding circuitry of baseband circuitry 1804 may include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, or low-density parity check (LDPC) encoder / decoder functionality. The implementation of modulation / demodulation and encoder / decoder functionality is not limited to these examples and may include other suitable functionality in other aspects.

[0094] In some specific implementations, memory 1804G may receive and store one or more configurations, instructions and / or other types of information to enable indication, selection, allocation and use of SL resources for SL-U communications involving multiple consecutive time slots. SL resources may be allocated by a base station and / or a UE (for example, without the participation of a base station). SL resources may include frequency domain, time domain, multiple consecutive time slots, etc., may be selected from a SL resource pool, and may be indicated using DCI and / or SCI. Allocating SL resources may include using additional or higher layer parameters, such as candidate SL resource time slots, subchannels, data priority values, RSRP, and the like. Additionally, in a scenario where the allocated SL resources conflict or overlap with the COT, the use of the SL resources and / or COT used for SL-U communications may be modified.

[0095] In some implementations, the baseband circuit 1804 may include one or more audio digital signal processors (DSPs) 1804F. The audio DSP 1804F may include elements for compression / decompression and echo cancellation, and may include other suitable processing elements in other implementations. In some implementations, the components of the baseband circuit may be appropriately combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on the same circuit board. In some implementations, some or all of the components of the baseband circuit 1804 and the application circuit 1802 may be implemented together, such as, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

[0096] In some implementations, the baseband circuitry 1804 may provide communications compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some implementations, the baseband circuitry 1804 may support communications with NG-RAN, Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) or other wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless personal area network (WPAN), etc. Implementations in which the baseband circuitry 1804 is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry.

[0097] RF circuit 1806 may use modulated electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a wireless network through a non-solid medium. In various specific implementations, RF circuit 1806 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate communication with a wireless network. RF circuit 1806 may include a receive signal path, which may include circuits that down-convert RF signals received from FEM circuit 1808 and provide baseband signals to baseband circuit 1804. RF circuit 1806 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuits that up-convert baseband signals provided by baseband circuit 1804 and provide RF output signals to FEM circuit 1808 for transmission.

[0098] In some implementations, the receive signal path of the RF circuit 1806 may include a mixer circuit 1806A, an amplifier circuit 1806B, and a filter circuit 1806C. In some implementations, the transmit signal path of the RF circuit 1806 may include a filter circuit 1806C and a mixer circuit 1806A. The RF circuit 1806 may also include a synthesizer circuit 1806D for synthesizing frequencies used by the mixer circuit 1806A of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 1806A of the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert the RF signal received from the FEM circuit 1808 based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuit 1806D. Amplifier circuit 1806B may be configured to amplify the down-converted signal, and filter circuit 1806C may be a low pass filter (LPF) or a band pass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signal to generate an output baseband signal. The output baseband signal may be provided to baseband circuit 1804 for further processing. In some implementations, the output baseband signal may be a zero frequency baseband signal, but this is not required. In some implementations, mixer circuit 1806A of the receive signal path may include a passive mixer, but the scope of the implementation is not limited in this regard.

[0099] In some embodiments, mixer circuit 1806A of the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert an input baseband signal based on a synthesized frequency provided by synthesizer circuit 1806D to generate an RF output signal for FEM circuit 1808. The baseband signal may be provided by baseband circuit 1804 and may be filtered by filter circuit 1806C.

[0100] In some implementations, the mixer circuit 1806A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1806A of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature down-conversion and up-conversion, respectively. In some implementations, the mixer circuit 1806A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1806A of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some implementations, the mixer circuit 1806A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1406A may be arranged for direct down-conversion and direct up-conversion, respectively. In some implementations, the mixer circuit 1806A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1806A of the transmit signal path may be configured for superheterodyne operation.

[0101] In some implementations, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be analog baseband signals, but the scope of the implementation is not limited in this respect. In some alternative implementations, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be digital baseband signals. In these alternative implementations, the RF circuit 1806 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit, and the baseband circuit 1804 may include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuit 1806.

[0102] In some dual-mode implementations, separate radio IC circuits may be provided to process signals for each spectrum, although the scope of the implementations is not limited in this respect.

[0103] In some implementations, synthesizer circuit 1806D may be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional N / N+1 synthesizer, although the scope of the implementation is not limited in this respect, as other types of frequency synthesizers may also be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuit 1806D may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer including a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider.

[0104] The synthesizer circuit 1806D can be configured to synthesize an output frequency based on the frequency input and the divider control input for use by the mixer circuit 1806A of the RF circuit 1806. In some implementations, the synthesizer circuit 1806D can be a fractional-N / N+1 synthesizer.

[0105] In some implementations, the frequency input may be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), but this is not required. The divider control input may be provided by the baseband circuit 1804 or the application circuit 1802 according to the desired output frequency. In some implementations, the divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a lookup table based on the channel indicated by the application circuit 1802.

[0106] The synthesizer circuit 1806D of the RF circuit 1806 may include a frequency divider, a delay locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer, and a phase accumulator. In some implementations, the frequency divider may be a dual-mode frequency divider (DMD), and the phase accumulator may be a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some implementations, the DMD may be configured to divide the input signal by N or N+1 (e.g., based on a carry output) to provide a fractional frequency division ratio. In some example implementations, the DLL may include a set of cascaded, tunable, delay elements, phase detectors, charge pumps, and D-type flip-flops. In these implementations, the delay elements may be configured to divide the VCO cycle into Nd equal phase groups, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this way, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

[0107] In some implementations, the synthesizer circuit 1806D can be configured to generate a carrier frequency as an output frequency, while in other implementations, the output frequency can be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and can be used with a quadrature generator and divider circuit to generate multiple signals with multiple different phases relative to each other at the carrier frequency. In some implementations, the output frequency can be an LO frequency (fLO). In some implementations, the RF circuit 1806 can include an IQ / polarity converter.

[0108] The FEM circuitry 1808 may include a receive signal path that may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 1810, amplify the received signals, and provide an amplified version of the received signals to the RF circuitry 1806 for further processing. The FEM circuitry 1808 may also include a transmit signal path that may include circuitry configured to amplify transmit signals provided by the RF circuitry 1806 for transmission via one or more of the one or more antennas 1810. In various implementations, amplification by the transmit or receive signal path may be accomplished only in the RF circuitry 1806, only in the FEM circuitry 1808, or in both the RF circuitry 1806 and the FEM circuitry 1808.

[0109] In some implementations, the FEM circuit 1808 may include a TX / RX switch to switch between transmit mode operation and receive mode operation. The FEM circuit may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuit may include an LNA to amplify a received RF signal and provide the amplified received RF signal as an output (e.g., to provide to the RF circuit 1806). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuit 1808 may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify an input RF signal (e.g., provided by the RF circuit 1806); and one or more filters to generate an RF signal for subsequent transmission (e.g., through one or more of the one or more antennas 1810).

[0110] In some implementations, the PMC 1812 can manage the power provided to the baseband circuit 1804. Specifically, the PMC 1812 can control power selection, voltage scaling, battery charging, or DC-DC conversion. When the device 1800 is capable of being powered by a battery, for example, when the device is included in a UE, the PMC 1812 can generally be included. The PMC 1812 can improve power conversion efficiency while providing a desired implementation size and heat dissipation characteristics.

[0111] Although Fig.18The PMC 1812 is shown coupled only to the baseband circuit 1804. However, in other implementations, the PMC 1812 may additionally or alternatively be coupled to other components (such as, but not limited to, the application circuit 1802, the RF circuit 1806, or the FEM 1808) and perform similar power management operations for these other components.

[0112] In some implementations, the PMC 1812 can control or otherwise be part of various power saving mechanisms of the device 1800. For example, if the device 1800 is in the RRC_Connected state, where the device is still connected to the RAN node because it expects to receive traffic immediately, then after a period of inactivity, the device can enter a state known as discontinuous reception mode (DRX). During this state, the device 1800 can be powered off for short time intervals to save power.

[0113] If there is no data traffic activity for an extended period of time, the device 1800 may transition to the RRC_Idle state, in which the device is disconnected from the network and does not perform operations such as channel quality feedback, handover, etc. The device 1800 enters a very low power state, and it performs paging, in which the device wakes up again periodically to listen to the network, and then powers down again. The device 1800 may not receive data in this state; in order to receive data, the device may transition back to the RRC_Connected state.

[0114] An additional power saving mode can prevent a device from using the network for a period longer than the paging interval (which can range from a few seconds to several hours). During this period, the device cannot connect to the network and can be completely powered down. Any data transmitted during this period will be significantly delayed, assuming that the delay is acceptable.

[0115] The processor of the application circuit 1802 and the processor of the baseband circuit 1804 can be used to execute elements of one or more instances of the protocol stack. For example, the processor of the baseband circuit 1804 can be used alone or in combination to perform the functionality of layer 3, layer 2, or layer 1, and the processor of the baseband circuit 1804 can utilize data received from these layers (e.g., packet data) and further perform the functionality of layer 4 (e.g., transmit communication protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP) layer). As mentioned herein, layer 3 may include an RRC layer, which will be described in further detail below. As mentioned herein, layer 2 may include a medium access control (MAC) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, which will be described in further detail below. As mentioned herein, layer 1 may include a physical (PHY) layer of a UE / RAN node, which will be described in further detail below.

[0116] Fig.19 is a block diagram illustrating components that can read instructions from a machine-readable medium or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium) and perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein, according to some example implementations. Specifically, Fig.19 A schematic diagram of hardware resources 1900 is shown, including one or more processors (or processor cores) 1910, one or more memory / storage devices 1920, and one or more communication resources 1930, each of which may be communicatively coupled via a bus 1940. For specific implementations in which node virtualization (e.g., NFV) is utilized, a hypervisor may be executed to provide an execution environment for one or more network slices / sub-slices to utilize the hardware resources 1900.

[0117] Processor 1910 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP) (such as a baseband processor), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, processor 1912 and processor 1914.

[0118] The memory / storage device 1920 may include main memory, disk storage, or any suitable combination thereof. The memory / storage device 1920 may include, but is not limited to, any type of volatile or non-volatile memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, solid-state storage, etc.

[0119] In some specific implementations, the memory / storage device 1920 may receive and store one or more configurations, instructions and / or other types of information 1955 for implementing the indication, selection, allocation and use of SL resources for SL-U communications involving multiple consecutive time slots. SL resources may be allocated by a base station and / or a UE (for example, without the participation of a base station). SL resources may include frequency domain, time domain, multiple consecutive time slots, etc., may be selected from a SL resource pool, and may be indicated using DCI and / or SCI. Allocating SL resources may include using additional or higher layer parameters, such as candidate SL resource time slots, subchannels, data priority values, RSRP, etc. Additionally, in a scenario where the allocated SL resources conflict or overlap with the COT, the use of the SL resources and / or COT used for SL-U communications may be modified.

[0120] The communication resources 1930 may include interconnect or network interface components or other suitable devices to communicate with one or more peripheral devices 1904 or one or more databases 1906 via the network 1908. For example, the communication resources 1930 may include a wired communication component (e.g., for coupling via a universal serial bus (USB)), a cellular communication component, an NFC component, Components (e.g. Low power consumption), components and other communication components.

[0121] The instructions 1950 may include software, programs, applications, applets, application software, or other executable code for causing at least any one of the processors 1910 to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. The instructions 1950 may reside in whole or in part in at least one of the processor 1910 (e.g., in a cache memory of the processor), the memory / storage device 1920, or any suitable combination thereof. In addition, any portion of the instructions 1950 may be transferred to the hardware resources 1900 from any combination of the peripheral device 1904 or the database 1906. Therefore, the memory of the processor 1910, the memory / storage device 1920, the peripheral device 1904, and the database 1906 are examples of computer-readable and machine-readable media.

[0122] Embodiments herein may include subject matter, such as a method, components for performing actions or blocks of the method, and at least one machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a machine (e.g., a processor with memory, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.), cause the machine to perform actions of a method or apparatus or system for concurrent communication using multiple communication technologies according to the described specific implementations and embodiments.

[0123] In embodiment 1 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), a UE may include: a memory; and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE, when executing instructions stored in the memory, to: determine an unlicensed spectrum side link (SL-U) resource for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication with another UE, wherein the SL-U communication includes transmissions involving multiple consecutive time slots; and use the multiple consecutive time slots of the SL-U resources to send data to the other UE.

[0124] In embodiment 2 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE will determine the SL-U resources so that the data sent by the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication is sent in a manner consistent with the quality of service (QoS) associated with the data.

[0125] In embodiment 3 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE is configured to send SL control information (SCI) to the other UE, and the SCI is configured to indicate a time resource indicator value (TRIV) and a frequency resource indicator value (FRIV) of the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication.

[0126] In embodiment 4 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the transmitting includes an initial transmission having a plurality of consecutive time slots, each time slot corresponding to the first frequency.

[0127] In Embodiment 5 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication also includes a first retransmission, wherein the first retransmission includes a plurality of consecutive time slots each corresponding to a second frequency.

[0128] In embodiment 6 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE will receive hybrid automatic repeat request SL (HARQ) information corresponding to the initial transmission, wherein the SL HARQ information is received via a physical side link (SL) feedback channel (PSFCH) in a mode of SL-U resources consistent with the multiple consecutive time slots transmitted for the first time.

[0129] In Example 7 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the SL-U communication also includes a third retransmission, wherein the third retransmission includes a plurality of consecutive time slots, each time slot corresponding to a third frequency different from the first frequency and the second frequency.

[0130] In embodiment 8 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE will receive additional SL HARQ information corresponding to the one or more retransmissions, wherein the additional SL HARQ information is received via the PSFCH in a pattern of SL-U resources consistent with the multiple consecutive time slots of the one or more retransmissions.

[0131] In Embodiment 9 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the number of consecutive time slots of the initial transmission is equal to the number of consecutive time slots of each retransmission in the one or more second retransmissions.

[0132] In embodiment 10 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the total number of transmissions (n) is: 2, including the initial transmission and one retransmission; or 3, including the initial transmission and two retransmissions.

[0133] In embodiment 11 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the transmitting includes an initial transmission having a plurality of consecutive time slots, wherein each time slot of the plurality of consecutive time slots corresponds to a different frequency of the frequency pattern.

[0134] In embodiment 12 (which may also include one or more embodiments of the embodiments described herein), the SL-U communication also includes one or more retransmissions having multiple consecutive time slots, wherein each of the multiple consecutive time slots corresponds to an offset frequency pattern shifted according to the frequency offset of the frequency pattern of the initial transmission.

[0135] In embodiment 13 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the plurality of consecutive time slots initially transmitted are all allocated for transmitting a single TB.

[0136] In embodiment 14 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the plurality of consecutive time slots of the initial transmission are each allocated for transmitting a different TB.

[0137] In embodiment 15 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), a base station may include: a memory; and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to enable the base station, when executing instructions stored in the memory, to: determine unlicensed spectrum side link (SL-U) resources for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communications between user equipment (UEs); generate downlink control information (DCI) indicating the SL-U resources, wherein the DCI includes an indication of frequency domain resources, time domain resources, and the number of time slots used for the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communications; and communicate the DCI to one or more of the UEs.

[0138] In embodiment 16, which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein, the DCI is provided as part of a mode 1 resource allocation procedure.

[0139] In embodiment 17 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the DCI includes DCI format 3_0 information.

[0140] In embodiment 18 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the DCI format 3_0 information includes a time resource indicator value (TRIV) and a frequency resource indicator value (FRIV) of the multiple consecutive time slots SL-U communication.

[0141] In embodiment 19 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), when the frequency domain resource remainder is common to multiple time slots in a multi-continuous time slot transmission, the DCI includes a single pair of FRIV and TRIV fields.

[0142] In embodiment 20 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the DCI includes a single pair of FRIV and TRIV fields for a first time slot of a multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication and a frequency offset relative to the first time slot for each subsequent time slot of the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication.

[0143] In embodiment 21 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), a UE may include: a memory; and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE, when executing instructions stored in the memory, to: receive control information, the control information including unlicensed spectrum side link (SL-U) resources for communicating with another UE; determine SL-U resources for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication based on the control information, the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication including an initial multi-continuous time slot SL-U transmission; and communicate with the other UE via the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication.

[0144] In embodiment 22 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the control information includes frequency domain resources, time domain resources, channel occupancy time (COT), the number of consecutive time slots (A) for each SL-U transmission, and the maximum number of SL-U transmissions (N) for each multi-consecutive time slot SL-U communication set.

[0145] In embodiment 23 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the control information includes at least one time resource indicator value (TRIV) and at least one frequency resource indicator value (FRIV).

[0146] In embodiment 24 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the control information includes downlink control information (DCI) format 3_0 information for resource allocation mode 1 received from the base station.

[0147] In embodiment 25 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the control information includes level 1 SL control information (SCI) received from the other UE.

[0148] In embodiment 26 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the UE will determine the first time slot for multiple retransmissions based on the maximum number (N) of SL-U transmissions.

[0149] In embodiment 27 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE will determine the first time slot of the first retransmission of the continuous time slot SL-U communication based on the maximum number of SL-U transmissions (N), the preconfigured constant (32), the number of consecutive time slots transmitted each time SL-U is transmitted (A), and the first time slot of the initial transmission.

[0150] In embodiment 28 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE will determine the first time slot of the second retransmission of the continuous time slot SL-U communication based on the number of time slots (T1) from the first time slot of the initial transmission and the first time slot of the first retransmission, the maximum number of SL-U transmissions (N), the preconfigured constant (32), the number of consecutive time slots of each SL-U transmission (A), and the first time slot of the initial transmission.

[0151] In embodiment 29 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE will determine the first time slot of the first retransmission of the continuous time slot SL-U communication based on the maximum number of SL-U transmissions (N), a preconfigured constant (32), the number of consecutive time slots transmitted each time SL-U is transmitted (A), and the last time slot of the initial transmission.

[0152] In embodiment 30 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE will determine the first time slot of the second retransmission of the continuous time slot SL-U communication based on the number of time slots (T1) from the last time slot of the initial transmission and the first time slot of the first retransmission, the maximum number of SL-U transmissions (N), the preconfigured constant (32), the number of consecutive time slots of each SL-U transmission (A), and the last time slot of the initial transmission.

[0153] In embodiment 31 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), the UE determines the sending time of the SL hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) report based on the physical SL feedback channel (PSFCH) to HARQ feedback timing indicator and the last PSFCH resource used for the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication.

[0154] In embodiment 32 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), a UE may include: a memory; and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to enable the UE, when executing instructions stored in the memory, to: determine initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources for unlicensed spectrum side link (SL-U) transmission within a resource selection window; remove multi-continuous time slot resources from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold measured during a sensing window corresponding to the resource selection window; and when the number of multi-continuous time slot resources for multi-continuous time slot SL transmission is less than the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window in the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources, report the multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window for higher layer processing.

[0155] In embodiment 33 (which may also include one or more embodiments described herein), when a multi-continuous time slot resource has not been monitored by the UE with a supported periodic extension, the UE removes the multi-continuous time slot resource from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resource.

[0156] In embodiment 34 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), when a multi-continuous time slot resource overlaps with any single time slot resource reserved by another UE with an RSRP higher than the RSRP threshold, the UE removes the multi-continuous time slot resource from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources.

[0157] In embodiment 35 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), when the multi-continuous time slot resources overlap with any single time slot resources reserved by another UE associated with a priority value that satisfies certain criteria, the UE will remove the multi-continuous time slot resources from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources.

[0158] In embodiment 36 (which may also include one or more embodiments of the embodiments described herein), when the number of multi-continuous time slot resources sent by the multi-continuous time slots SL is equal to or greater than the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window in the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources, the RSRP threshold is increased and the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window in the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources is determined based on the increased RSRP threshold.

[0159] In embodiment 37 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the total duration of the channel occupancy time (COT) used for the transmission of the multiple consecutive time slots SL is not modified by the SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

[0160] In embodiment 38 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the total duration of a channel occupancy time (COT) used for the transmission of the multiple consecutive time slots SL is extended by the SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

[0161] In embodiment 39 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), the total duration of the channel occupancy time (COT) used for the transmission of the multiple consecutive time slots SL is stopped by the SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

[0162] In embodiment 40 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), a method performed by a UE may include: one or more of the operations described herein, such as determining an unlicensed spectrum side link (SL-U) resource for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communication with another UE, wherein the SL-U communication includes transmissions involving multiple consecutive time slots; and using the multiple consecutive time slots of the SL-U resources to send data to the other UE.

[0163] In embodiment 41 (which may also include one or more of the embodiments described herein), a method performed by a base station may include: one or more of the operations described herein, such as determining unlicensed spectrum sidelink (SL-U) resources for multi-continuous time slot SL-U communications between user equipment (UEs); generating downlink control information (DCI) indicating the SL-U resources, wherein the DCI includes an indication of frequency domain resources, time domain resources, and the number of time slots used for the multi-continuous time slot SL-U communications; and communicating the DCI to one or more of the UEs.

[0164] The above description of illustrative examples, implementations, aspects, etc. of the disclosed subject matter, including what is described in the abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific examples, implementations, aspects, etc. are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are contemplated within the scope of such examples, implementations, aspects, etc., as can be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art.

[0165] In this regard, while the subject matter of the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with various examples, implementations, aspects, etc. and corresponding figures, it should be understood that other similar aspects may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the disclosed subject matter, where applicable, for performing the same, similar, alternative or alternative functions of the subject matter without departing from the disclosed subject matter. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single example, implementation, or aspect described herein, but should be interpreted in accordance with the breadth and scope of the following claims.

[0166] Specifically with respect to the various functions performed by the above-described components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), unless otherwise specified, the terms used to describe such components (including references to "components") are intended to correspond to any component or structure that performs the specified function of the component (e.g., functionally equivalent), even if not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structures that perform the functions in the exemplary implementations illustrated herein. In addition, although particular features have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, for any given application, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other implementations, which may be desirable and advantageous.

[0167] As used herein, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any natural inclusive arrangement of natural inclusive arrangements. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied in any of the foregoing cases. In addition, the articles "one" and "an" used in this application and the appended claims should generally be interpreted as meaning "one or more" unless otherwise specified or clear from the context to point to a singular form. In addition, to the extent that the terms "including", "comprising", "having", "having", "with", or variations thereof are used in the detailed description or claims, such terms are intended to be included in a manner similar to the term "comprising". Additionally, where one or more numbered items (e.g., "first X", "second X", etc.) are discussed, generally, the one or more numbered items may be different or they may be the same, but in some cases, the context may indicate that they are different or that they are the same.

[0168] It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: Memory; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to, when executing instructions stored in the memory, cause the UE to: determining, within a resource selection window, initial candidate multiple consecutive time slot resources for unlicensed spectrum side link (SL-U) transmission; removing multiple consecutive time slot resources from the initial candidate multiple consecutive time slot resources based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold measured during a sensing window corresponding to the resource selection window; as well as When the number of multi-continuous time slot resources transmitted by the multi-continuous time slots SL is less than the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window among the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources, the multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window are reported for higher layer processing.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein when a multi-continuous time slot resource has not been monitored by the UE with a supported periodicity extension, the UE will remove the multi-continuous time slot resource from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources.

3. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the UE removes the multi-continuous time slot resources from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources when the multi-continuous time slot resources overlap with any single time slot resources reserved by another UE with an RSRP higher than the RSRP threshold.

4. The UE of claim 3, wherein when the multi-continuous time slot resource overlaps with any single time slot resource reserved by another UE associated with a priority value that satisfies certain criteria, the UE removes the multi-continuous time slot resource from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources.

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein when the number of multi-continuous time slot resources sent by the multi-continuous time slots SL is equal to or greater than the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window in the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources, the RSRP threshold is increased and the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window in the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources is determined based on the increased RSRP threshold.

6. The UE of claim 1, wherein a total duration of a channel occupation time (COT) used for the multiple consecutive time slots SL transmission is not modified by the SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein a total duration of a channel occupation time (COT) used for the multiple consecutive time slots SL transmission is extended by the SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

8. The UE of claim 1, wherein a total duration of a channel occupation time (COT) for the multiple consecutive time slots SL transmission is stopped by the SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

9. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: determining, within a resource selection window, initial candidate multiple consecutive time slot resources for unlicensed spectrum side link (SL-U) transmission; removing multiple consecutive time slot resources from the initial candidate multiple consecutive time slot resources based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold measured during a sensing window corresponding to the resource selection window; as well as When the number of multi-continuous time slot resources transmitted by the multi-continuous time slots SL is less than the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window among the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources, the multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window are reported for higher layer processing.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: When a multi-continuous time slot resource has not been monitored by the UE with a supported periodicity extension, the multi-continuous time slot resource is removed from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the UE removes the multi-continuous time slot resource from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources when the multi-continuous time slot resource overlaps with any single time slot resource reserved by another UE with an RSRP higher than the RSRP threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the UE removes the multi-continuous time slot resource from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources when the multi-continuous time slot resource overlaps with any single time slot resource reserved by another UE associated with a priority value that satisfies a certain criterion.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein when the number of multi-continuous time slot resources sent by the multi-continuous time slots SL is equal to or greater than the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window in the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources, the RSRP threshold is increased and the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window in the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources is determined based on the increased RSRP threshold.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein a total duration of a channel occupation time (COT) for the multiple consecutive time slots SL transmissions is not modified by SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein a total duration of a channel occupation time (COT) for the multiple consecutive time slots SL transmission is extended by SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein a total duration of a channel occupation time (COT) for the multiple consecutive time slots SL transmission is stopped by the SL-U resources reserved within the COT.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, the non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising: One or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: determining, within a resource selection window, initial candidate multiple consecutive time slot resources for unlicensed spectrum side link (SL-U) transmission; removing multiple consecutive time slot resources from the initial candidate multiple consecutive time slot resources based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold measured during a sensing window corresponding to the resource selection window; as well as When the number of multi-continuous time slot resources transmitted by the multi-continuous time slots SL is less than the number of multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window among the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources, the multi-continuous time slot resources remaining in the resource selection window are reported for higher layer processing.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors are to remove a multi-continuous time slot resource from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources when the multi-continuous time slot resource has not been monitored by the UE with a supported periodicity extension.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors are to remove multi-continuous time slot resources from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources when the multi-continuous time slot resources overlap with any single time slot resources reserved by another UE with an RSRP higher than the RSRP threshold.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors remove the multi-continuous time slot resource from the initial candidate multi-continuous time slot resources when the multi-continuous time slot resource overlaps with any single time slot resource reserved by another UE associated with a priority value that satisfies certain criteria.

Images