Comparison-based channel occupancy time operation

Abstract

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for comparison-based channel occupancy time (COT) operations. A method (700) includes, prior to initiating a COT, determining (702) whether there is at least one resource reservation for a COT duration. The method (700) includes, in response to determining that at least one resource reservation is present within a COT duration, determining that at least one resource reservation is present within the COT duration, a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one reference signal received value (RSRP) value, a first oversubscription factor, or some combination thereof, is compared (704) to a second priority at which the UE performs listen before talk (LBT) to initiate COT, a second at least one RSRP value, a packet data block (PDB), or some combination thereof. The method (700) includes determining (706) initiating a COT, terminating a COT, deferring a COT, or sharing a COT based on a result of the comparison.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to wireless communication and, more particularly, to comparison-based channel occupancy time (COT) operations. Background Art

[0002] In certain wireless communication systems, a clear channel assessment process may be performed. In such systems, transmissions may occur after a successful execution of the clear channel assessment process. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Methods for comparison-based COT operations are disclosed. Apparatuses and systems also perform the functions of these methods. One embodiment of a method includes determining, at a user equipment (UE), whether there is at least one resource reservation during a COT duration before initiating the COT. In some embodiments, the method includes: in response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, comparing a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one reference signal received power (RSRP) value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof, with a second priority of the UE performing listen-before-talk (LBT) to initiate the COT, a second at least one RSRP value, a PDB, or some combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method includes determining to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, defer the COT, or share the COT based on the result of the comparison.

[0004] An apparatus for comparison-based COT operations includes a processor configured to: determine whether there is at least one resource reservation during a COT duration before initiating the COT; in response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, compare a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof, with a second priority of the UE performing LBT to initiate the COT, a second at least one RSRP value, a PDB, or some combination thereof; and determine to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, defer the COT, or share the COT based on the result of the comparison. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] The above embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only some embodiments and are thus not considered to limit the scope. The embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a wireless communication system for comparison-based COT operations;

[0007] Figure 2FIG. is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus that can be used for comparison-based COT operations;

[0008] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus that can be used for comparison-based COT operations;

[0009] Figures 4A to 4D FIG. is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a sidelink time slot structure;

[0010] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a system for COT postponement;

[0011] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a system for COT sharing in reserved resources; and

[0012] Figure 7 FIG. is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for comparison-based COT operations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Accordingly, the embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects, which are generally referred to herein as "circuits," "modules," or "systems." In addition, the embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer-readable storage devices storing machine-readable code, computer-readable code, and / or program code, hereinafter referred to as code. The storage device may be tangible, non-transitory, and / or non-transmissive. The storage device may not embody a signal. In certain embodiments, the storage device only accesses the code by means of a signal.

[0014] Certain of the functional units described in this specification may be labeled as modules for the purpose of more particularly emphasizing their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit, including custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field-programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, etc.

[0015] The module can also be implemented in code and / or software for execution by various types of processors. The identified code module can include, for example, one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code, which can be organized, for example, as objects, procedures, or functions. However, the executable programs of the identified modules do not need to be physically located together, but can include different instructions stored in different locations, which when logically connected together include the module and achieve the purpose of the module.

[0016] In fact, a code module can be a single instruction, or many instructions, and can even be distributed over several different code segments, different programs, and several memory devices. Similarly, the operating data can be identified and illustrated within the module and can be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operating data can be collected as a single data set, or can be distributed over different locations, including on different computer-readable storage devices. In the case where the module or part of the module is implemented in software, the software part is stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices.

[0017] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media can be utilized. The computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be a storage device that stores code. The storage device can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micro-mechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0018] More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of storage devices include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0019] The code for performing the operations of the embodiments can be any number of lines and can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages (such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, etc.), traditional procedural programming languages (such as the "C" programming language, etc.) and / or machine language (such as assembly language). The code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, executed as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter case, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network connection, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or a connection to an external computer (e.g., using an Internet service provider via the Internet) can be achieved.

[0020] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, unless otherwise explicitly specified, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but rather to "one or more but not all embodiments". Unless otherwise explicitly specified, the terms "including", "comprising", "having", and their variants mean "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise explicitly specified, a list of enumerated items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive. Unless otherwise explicitly specified, the terms "a", "an", and "the" also mean "one or more".

[0021] In addition, the features, structures, or characteristics of the described embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0022] Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products according to the embodiments. It should be understood that each block of the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code. This code can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that instructions executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device can create components for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more of the schematic flowchart blocks and / or schematic block diagram blocks.

[0023] The code can also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to work in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more of the schematic flowchart blocks and / or schematic block diagram blocks.

[0024] The code can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device, such that a series of operational steps are performed on the computer, other programmable device, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the code executed on the computer or other programmable device provides a process for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more of the flowchart blocks and / or block diagram blocks.

[0025] The schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams in the figures illustrate the possible architectures, functions, and operations of apparatuses, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0026] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may not occur in the order noted in the figures. For example, in fact, two consecutive blocks shown may be executed substantially concurrently, or these blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. Other steps and methods equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more of the blocks or portions thereof shown in the figures can be envisioned.

[0027] Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in flowcharts and / or block diagrams, it should be understood that they do not limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. In fact, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiments. For example, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between the recited steps of the depicted embodiments. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, can be implemented by a system based on dedicated hardware that performs the specified functions or actions, or by a combination of dedicated hardware and code.

[0028] The description of the elements in each figure may refer to the elements of the subsequent figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements in all of the figures, including alternative embodiments of like elements.

[0029] Figure 1 An embodiment of a wireless communication system 100 for comparison-based COT operations is depicted. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 includes a remote unit 102 and a network unit 104. Although Figure 1 a specific number of remote units 102 and network units 104 are depicted, those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of remote units 102 and network units 104 may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

[0030] In one embodiment, the remote unit 102 may include a computing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, smart phone, smart TV (e.g., a TV connected to the Internet), set-top box, game console, security system (including security cameras), in-vehicle computer, network device (e.g., router, switch, modem), aircraft, drone, etc. In some embodiments, the remote unit 102 includes a wearable device such as a smart watch, fitness band, optical head-mounted display, etc. Additionally, the remote unit 102 may be referred to as a subscriber unit, mobile station, mobile terminal, user, terminal, mobile terminal, fixed terminal, subscriber station, UE, user terminal, device, or other terms used in the art. The remote unit 102 may communicate directly with one or more of the network units 104 via UL communication signals. In certain embodiments, the remote unit 102 may communicate directly with other remote units 102 via sidelink communication.

[0031] Network element 104 can be distributed over a geographical area. In some embodiments, network element 104 may also be referred to as and / or may include one or more of the following: access point, access terminal, base, base station, location server, core network (CN), radio network entity, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), 5G Node B (gNB), home Node B, relay node, device, core network, air server, radio access node, access point (AP), New Radio (NR), network entity, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), UDM / UDR, Policy Control Function (PCF), Radio Access Network (RAN), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Operation, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), application function, Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Security Anchor Function (SEAF), Trusted Non-3GPP Gateway Function (TNGF), or any other term used in the art. Network element 104 is typically part of a radio access network, which includes one or more controllers communicatively coupled to one or more corresponding network elements 104. The radio access network is typically communicatively coupled to one or more core networks, which may be coupled to other networks such as the Internet and the public switched telephone network, as well as other networks. These and other elements of the radio access network and the core network are not shown, but are generally known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0032] In one implementation, wireless communication system 100 complies with the NR protocol standardized in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), where network element 104 transmits on the downlink (DL) using an OFDM modulation scheme, and remote unit 102 transmits on the uplink (UL) using a single-carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) scheme or an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme. However, more generally, wireless communication system 100 may implement some other open or proprietary communication protocol, such as WiMAX, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 variants, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long-Term Evolution (LTE) variants, Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), ZigBee, Sigfox, and other protocols. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementation of any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol.

[0033] Network element 104 can serve multiple remote units 102 within a service area (e.g., a cell or cell sector) via a wireless communication link. Network element 104 transmits DL communication signals to serve remote units 102 in the time domain, frequency domain, and / or spatial domain.

[0034] In various embodiments, the remote unit 102 may determine whether there is at least one resource reservation during a COT duration before initiating the COT. In some embodiments, in response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, the remote unit 102 may compare a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof, with a second priority of the UE performing LBT to initiate the COT, a second at least one RCRP value, a PDB, or some combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the remote unit 102 may determine to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, postpone the COT, or share the COT based on the result of the comparison. Thus, the remote unit 102 may be used for comparison-based COT operations.

[0035] Figure 2 An embodiment of an apparatus 200 that may be used for comparison-based COT operations is depicted. The apparatus 200 includes an embodiment of the remote unit 102. Additionally, the remote unit 102 may include a processor 202, a memory 204, an input device 206, a display 208, a transmitter 210, and a receiver 212. In some embodiments, the input device 206 and the display 208 are combined into a single device, such as a touchscreen. In certain embodiments, the remote unit 102 may not include any input device 206 and / or display 208. In various embodiments, the remote unit 102 may include one or more of the processor 202, the memory 204, the transmitter 210, and the receiver 212, and may not include the input device 206 and / or the display 208.

[0036] In one embodiment, the processor 202 may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or capable of performing logical operations. For example, the processor 202 may be a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a co-processing unit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a similar programmable controller. In some embodiments, the processor 202 executes instructions stored in the memory 204 to perform the methods and routines described herein. The processor 202 is communicatively coupled to the memory 204, the input device 206, the display 208, the transmitter 210, and the receiver 212.

[0037] In one embodiment, the memory 204 is a computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes volatile computer storage media. For example, the memory 204 may include RAM, including dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), and / or static RAM (SRAM). In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes non-volatile computer storage media. For example, the memory 204 may include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computer storage device. In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media. In some embodiments, the memory 204 also stores program code and associated data, such as an operating system or other controller algorithms operating on the remote unit 102.

[0038] In one embodiment, the input device 206 may include any known computer input device, including a touchpad, buttons, a keyboard, a stylus, a microphone, etc. In some embodiments, the input device 206 may be integrated with the display 208, for example, as a touchscreen or a similar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the input device 206 includes a touchscreen such that text can be input using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touchscreen and / or by handwriting on the touchscreen. In some embodiments, the input device 206 includes two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touchpad.

[0039] In one embodiment, the display 208 may include any known electronically controllable display or display device. The display 208 may be designed to output visual, auditory, and / or tactile signals. In some embodiments, the display 208 includes an electronic display capable of outputting visual data to a user. For example, the display 208 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a projector, or a similar display device capable of outputting images, text, etc. to a user. As another non-limiting example, the display 208 may include a wearable display such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, a heads-up display, etc. Additionally, the display 208 may be a component of a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a television, a desktop computer, a notebook (laptop) computer, a personal computer, a vehicle dashboard, etc.

[0040] In some embodiments, the display 208 includes one or more speakers for generating sound. For example, the display 208 can generate an audible alert or notification (e.g., a beep or a buzzer). In some embodiments, the display 208 includes one or more haptic devices for generating vibration, movement, or other haptic feedback. In some embodiments, all or part of the display 208 can be integrated with the input device 206. For example, the input device 206 and the display 208 can form a touch screen or a similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments, the display 208 can be located near the input device 206.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the processor 202 is configured to: determine whether there is at least one resource reservation during a COT duration before initiating the COT; in response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, compare a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof, with a second priority of the UE performing LBT to initiate the COT, a second at least one RCRP value, a PDB, or some combination thereof; and determine to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, postpone the COT, or share the COT based on the result of the comparison.

[0042] Although only one transmitter 210 and one receiver 212 are illustrated, the remote unit 102 can have any suitable number of transmitters 210 and receivers 212. The transmitters 210 and receivers 212 can be of any suitable type of transmitter and receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitters 210 and receivers 212 can be part of a transceiver.

[0043] Figure 3 An embodiment of an apparatus 300 that can be used for comparison-based COT operation is depicted. The apparatus 300 includes an embodiment of a network unit 104. In addition, the network unit 104 can include a processor 302, a memory 304, an input device 306, a display 308, a transmitter 310, and a receiver 312. It can be understood that the processor 302, the memory 304, the input device 306, the display 308, the transmitter 310, and the receiver 312 can be substantially similar to the processor 202, the memory 204, the input device 206, the display 208, the transmitter 210, and the receiver 212 of the remote unit 102, respectively.

[0044] It should be noted that one or more of the embodiments described herein can be combined into a single embodiment.

[0045] In certain embodiments, sidelink (SL) unlicensed operation can be used, and a channel access mechanism for SL in an unlicensed band can be used.

[0046] In some embodiments, gNB-initiated COT sharing and / or UE-initiated COT sharing may be used. In various embodiments, group common downlink control information (DCI) format 2_0 may indicate, to each of multiple cells, one or more COT sharing indicators initiated by the gNB, and the UE-initiated COT sharing indicator may be shared with the gNB using a field in configured grant (CG) uplink control information (UCI) (CG-UCI).

[0047] In certain embodiments, the COT sharing indicator may be used in SL for unlicensed spectrum to obtain feedback from a receiver (RX) UE, obtain physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) transmission, etc. from the RX UE during the remaining channel occupancy duration. In some embodiments, the UE-to-UE COT sharing process may consider a transmitter (TX) UE connection with multiple RX UEs and / or destination identifiers (IDs).

[0048] In some embodiments, when a sidelink device successfully performs a clear channel assessment process using mode 1 grant on the indicated resources, or otherwise successfully performs a clear channel assessment process using mode 2 process on the selected and / or reserved resources, the sidelink device starts burst transmission until the channel occupancy duration specified according to the channel access priority class (CAPC) value ends, and may block listen-before-talk (LBT) from other UEs, which may lead to an LBT blocking problem.

[0049] In various embodiments, if a UE successfully performs a clear channel assessment process while blocking resources reserved by other UEs, the LBT blocking problem can be analyzed, so that there can be a solution for avoiding LBT blocking.

[0050] Table 1: CAPC

[0051]

[0052] As used herein, the terms eNB and / or gNB may be used for a base station (BS), but it may be replaced by any other radio access node (e.g., access point (AP), NR, etc.). In addition, certain embodiments described herein are mainly discussed in the context of 5G NR; however, the embodiments herein may be applicable to other mobile communication systems supporting serving cells and / or carriers configured for sidelink communication via the vehicle-to-vehicle (PC5) interface.

[0053] In various embodiments, the UE - to - UE LBT blocking problem can be solved in the following ways: 1) Before initiating a COT, the TX UE checks if there are any reserved resources (e.g., reservations) within the maximum COT (MCOT) duration, including priority, reference signal received power (RSRP) value, overbooking factor, or some combination thereof, and a) decides to initiate the COT when the priority, RSRP value, overbooking factor, packet delay budget (PDB), or some combination of the reserved resources is below a specific configured threshold, and b) decides to postpone the COT until after the reserved resources or re - select resources or trigger resource re - selection to find resources according to the postponed duration when the priority, RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination of the reserved resources is above a certain configured threshold; 2) As part of sensing and / or resource re - evaluation, the COT initiator checks for any reserved resources within the MCOT to determine if there are reservations with high priority, RSRP value, overbooking, or some combination thereof, and then the COT initiator can: a) terminate the COT before one or more reserved resources when the priority, RSCP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination of the reserved resources is above a certain configured threshold, by not performing transmissions within the reserved resources to allow high - priority transmissions of another UE, to allow another UE to successfully complete the LBT process, and b) perform COT sharing of one or more reserved resources when the priority, RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination of the reserved resources is above a certain configured threshold, to allow high - priority transmissions of another UE; and 3) When the priority, RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination of the reserved resources is above a certain configured threshold, the candidate resource selection process of the TX UE can be enhanced such that the resource exclusion process can check for any high - priority reservations within the MCOT duration and can exclude candidate consecutive resources until the MCOT can overlap with the high - priority reservation of one or more reserved resources.

[0054] As used herein, the following definitions can be used for the sidelink channel access mechanism: 1) TX UE: The UE that sends COT sharing information (e.g., COT sharing indicator) via a sidelink connection; 2) RX UE: The UE that receives COT sharing information (e.g., COT sharing indicator) via a sidelink connection; 3) COT initiator: The sidelink device that initiates channel occupancy (e.g., TX UE); 4) COT donor: The sidelink device that sends COT sharing information (e.g., COT sharing indicator, TX UE) - the COT donor can be the same as the COT initiator; and 5) COT recipient: The sidelink device that receives COT sharing information (e.g., COT sharing indicator, RX UE).

[0055] In some embodiments, the SL time slot structure includes an automatic gain control (AGC) symbol at the start of the SL time slot, followed by physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) symbols, followed by PSSCH symbols, and the last symbol in the SL time slot is configured as a gap symbol (e.g., the guard as Figures 4A to 4D shown) to achieve the switching time from TX to RX.

[0056] In various embodiments, the resource pool may be configured and / or preconfigured with one or two physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) symbols using a PSFCH period of 1, 2, 4, or 8 time slots, and the time slot in which the PSFCH occurs may be configured with additional AGC symbols and gap symbols, as Figures 4A to 4D shown, to achieve the switch from TX to RX to receive hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback.

[0057] Figures 4A to 4D is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment showing the sidelink time slot structure. Specifically, Figure 4A 400 shows time slot 402, which has 14 available sidelink symbols, a first repetition symbol 404, and a second repetition symbol 406. Additionally, Figure 4B 408 shows time slot 410, which has 14 available sidelink time slots, M PSSCH physical resource blocks (PRBs) 412 on L PSSCH sub-channels, M PSCCH PRBs 414, a repetition symbol 416, and a symbol 418. Additionally, Figure 4C 420 shows time slot 422, which has 13 available sidelink time slots and a repetition symbol 424. Figure 4D 426 shows a time slot that has 14 available sidelink time slots, 127 sub-carriers 428, and M S-SSB 430 = 11 RBs.

[0058] In certain embodiments, after the COT initiator UE initiates channel occupancy, it may be necessary to perform continuous transmission in the sidelink unlicensed spectrum, and the gap duration required to perform category (Cat) 2 LBT to access the shared COT of the COT receiver UE (e.g., Figures 4A to 4D the guard in) may be less than or equal to 16 and / or 25 microseconds. Thus, in such embodiments, to achieve continuous transmission in the SL, it may be necessary to define a time slot structure without gap symbols and use cyclic prefix extension (CP-Ext) symbols to reduce the gap duration.

[0059] In the first embodiment, a solution for the LBT blocking problem between UEs is described. According to the first embodiment, the LBT blocking problem between UEs can be solved in the following cases:

[0060] 1) Before successfully initiating LBT using the CAPC value on the indicated resources and / or the selected resources, the TX UE performs a new evaluation mechanism at a first time (e.g., T1) within a time domain interval from the indicated resources and / or the selected resources until the T1-X time slot, where X is the number of time domain time slots. The new evaluation mechanism checks whether there is any future reservation (e.g., Y time slots) in the past X time domain time slots that can fall within the expected COT duration, and in addition, it also compares the priority of the LBT expected by the TX UE using the CAPC value (or the logical channel (LCH) priority) on the selected resources, the RSRP value, the overbooked resources, or some combination thereof with the priority, the RSRP value, the overbooked resources, or some combination thereof of the sidelink control information (SCI) signaling the reserved resources within the time domain interval. The TX UE can also decide whether to initiate a COT, abort and / or terminate the acquired COT, or postpone the COT based on the result of the new evaluation mechanism. The overbooking factor refers to the number of UEs allowed to reserve the same time-frequency resources;

[0061] In the first option (e.g., option 1): When the priority, the RSRP value, the overbooking factor, the PDB, or some combination thereof of the reservation is lower than a certain configured priority threshold, the TX UE can successfully initiate a COT. In another implementation, when the priority, the RSRP value, the overbooking factor, the PDB, or some combination thereof of the reservation (e.g., the reserved resources) is of lower priority compared to the transmission block priority of the TX UE that can be used to initiate a COT (e.g., the lower priority can indicate a higher PDSCH rate matching and quasi co-location indicator (PQI) and / or LCH priority value), the TX UE can successfully initiate a COT;

[0062] In the second option (e.g., option 2): When the priority, the RSRP value, the overbooking factor, the PDB, or some combination thereof of the reservation is lower than a certain configured threshold, the TX UE can decide to postpone the COT until the reserved resources or after the reserved resources. In another implementation, when the priority, the RSRP value, the overbooking factor, the PDB, or some combination thereof of the reservation (e.g., the reserved resources) is of lower priority compared to the transmission block priority of the TX UE that can be used to initiate a COT (e.g., the lower priority can indicate a higher PQI and / or LCH priority value), the TX UE can postpone the COT;

[0063] Figure 5FIG. is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system 500 for COT postponement. In system 500, reserved resources 502 are shown on a reserved time period 504 of another UE on time axis 506 and LBT bandwidth (BW) 508. At time 510, resource selection (e.g., or reselection) trigger and LBT are indicated. Based on the decision to postpone the COT until there is a postponement time 512 for the COT duration 514, the step of initiating COT 516 is postponed. The postponement value can be selected from a set of values configured in the resource pool, or the UE can select the duration value of the postponement based on the number of time slots or milliseconds after the reserved resources 502. Reselect the resource or trigger resource reselection to find the resource that appears after the postponed duration.

[0064] In a third option (e.g., option 3): When the reserved priority, RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination thereof is higher than a certain configured threshold, the TX UE may not initiate the COT (e.g., not perform any SL transmissions within the COT duration). In another implementation, when the priority of the reservation (e.g., reserved resources), RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination thereof is of higher priority compared to the transmission block priority of the TX UE that can be used to initiate the COT (e.g., higher priority can indicate a lower PQI and / or LCH priority value), the TX UE may not initiate the COT;

[0065] In a fourth option (e.g., option 4): When the reserved priority, RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination thereof is higher than a certain configured threshold, the TX UE may share the COT with one or more UEs with reserved resources within the TX UE COT duration to allow high-priority transmissions of another UE;

[0066] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system 600 for COT sharing in reserved resources. In system 600, reserved resources 602 are shown on a reserved time period 604 of another UE on time axis 606 and LBT BW 608. At time 610, resource selection (e.g., or reselection) trigger is indicated. Based on the decision to share the COT, the COT duration 612 includes the step of initiating COT 614 without delay, and the reserved resources 602 are within the shared COT duration 612.

[0067] In the fifth option (e.g., option 5): Based on the reserved priority, RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination thereof being below a certain configured threshold, the TX UE may successfully initiate a COT, perform SL transmission on the initiated COT, and may stop and / or postpone SL transmission on one or more reserved resources. In another implementation, when the priority of the reservation (e.g., reserved resources), RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination thereof is of lower priority compared to the transmission block priority of the TX UE that can be used to initiate a COT (e.g., lower priority may indicate a higher PQI and / or LCH priority value), the TX UE may successfully initiate a COT. In the fifth option, after allowing other UEs to transmit on one or more reserved resources, within the remaining COT duration of the initially initiated COT, the TX UE may perform Cat 2 LBT for transmission, otherwise the TX UE may initiate a new COT.

[0068] In the sixth option (e.g., option 6): One or more of the first option to the fifth option may be combined.

[0069] In some embodiments, the UE may send mode 1 signaling to notify the gNB of the UE's decision, i.e., the UE decides whether to initiate a COT, abort and / or terminate the acquired COT, or postpone the COT. According to one implementation, a separate physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource may be provided to signal the selected option to the BS. According to another implementation, the UE may send a negative acknowledgment (NACK) to request more retransmission resources to perform LBT.

[0070] In the second embodiment, when the reserved priority, RSRP value, overbooking factor, PDB, or some combination thereof is higher than a certain configured threshold, the candidate resource selection process of the TX UE may be enhanced such that the resource exclusion process may check any high - priority reservation, may exclude candidate continuous resources that include one or more reserved resources, and may find candidate continuous resources after one or more reserved resources if the PDB is satisfied. The candidate resource selection algorithm may require MCOT to select continuous candidate resources to perform LBT, where the starting position and duration of the first resource may be reported in set S A is reported.

[0071] In the third embodiment, the TX UE may indicate the remaining channel occupancy duration received from the COT sharing indicator in the candidate resource selection algorithm to immediately select and report candidate resources within the COT, and may also report candidate resources outside the COT (which may be in a separate S AResource centralized provision). Since the candidate resource selection process involves processing time, considering the minimum processing time requirement, the COT sharing indicator can be received X time slots in advance.

[0072] In the fourth embodiment, when the COT sharing indicator is received X time slots in advance according to the scheduling request (SR) configuration for SL authorization and the SR processing turnaround time and the minimum gap is provided, the UE can send the SR immediately after receiving the COT sharing. The SR, buffer status report (BSR), or media access control (MAC) control element (CE) can include the remaining channel occupancy duration for obtaining the SL authorization.

[0073] Figure 7 FIG. is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method 700 for COT operation based on comparison. In some embodiments, the method 700 is performed by a device such as the remote unit 102. In certain embodiments, the method 700 can be performed by a processor executing program code, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, etc.

[0074] In various embodiments, the method 700 includes, before initiating a COT, determining 702 whether there is at least one resource reservation within the COT duration. In some embodiments, the method 700 includes comparing 704 a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof, with a second priority of the UE performing LBT to initiate the COT, a second at least one RSRP value, PDB, or some combination thereof. In certain embodiments. The method 700 includes determining 706 whether to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, postpone the COT, or share the COT based on the result of the comparison.

[0075] In certain embodiments, the method 700 further includes determining to initiate the COT in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being lower than a corresponding threshold. In some embodiments, the method 700 further includes determining to terminate the COT in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold. In various embodiments, the method 700 further includes determining to postpone the COT in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold.

[0076] In one embodiment, determining to defer the COT includes deferring the COT until after at least one resource reservation. In certain embodiments, method 700 further includes determining to share the COT in response to a first priority of at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold. In some embodiments, method 700 further includes sending information indicating whether the UE is to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, defer the COT, or share the COT.

[0077] In various embodiments, the information includes mode 1 signaling. In one embodiment, the information is sent in a PUCCH resource. In certain embodiments, the information is sent to a network device.

[0078] In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a processor configured to, before initiating the COT, determine whether there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration; in response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, compare a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof, with a second priority of the UE performing LBT to initiate the COT, a second at least one RSRP value, a PDB, or some combination thereof; and determine to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, defer the COT, or share the COT based on the result of the comparison.

[0079] In certain embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine to initiate the COT in response to a first priority of at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being lower than a corresponding threshold.

[0080] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine to terminate the COT in response to a first priority of at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold.

[0081] In various embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine to defer the COT in response to a first priority of at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold.

[0082] In one embodiment, determining to defer the COT includes deferring the COT until after at least one resource reservation.

[0083] In certain embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine to share the COT in response to a first priority of at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold.

[0084] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a transmitter configured to send information indicating whether the UE is to initiate, terminate, postpone, or share a COT.

[0085] In various embodiments, the information includes mode 1 signaling.

[0086] In one embodiment, the information is sent in a PUCCH resource.

[0087] In certain embodiments, the information is sent to a network device.

[0088] In one embodiment, a method at a UE includes: before initiating a COT, determining whether there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration; in response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, comparing a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one RSRP value, a first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof, with a second priority of the UE performing LBT to initiate the COT, a second at least one RSRP value, a PDB, or some combination thereof; and determining whether to initiate, terminate, postpone, or share the COT based on the result of the comparison.

[0089] In certain embodiments, the method further includes determining to initiate the COT in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being lower than a corresponding threshold.

[0090] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining to terminate the COT in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold.

[0091] In various embodiments, the method further includes determining to postpone the COT in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold.

[0092] In one embodiment, determining to postpone the COT includes postponing the COT until after the at least one resource reservation.

[0093] In certain embodiments, the method further includes determining to share the COT in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or some combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold.

[0094] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending information indicating whether the UE is to initiate, terminate, postpone, or share the COT.

[0095] In various embodiments, the information includes Mode 1 signaling.

[0096] In one embodiment, the information is sent in a PUCCH resource.

[0097] In some embodiments, the information is sent to a network device.

[0098] Embodiments may be practiced in other specific forms. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Thus, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory and configured to cause the UE to: before initiating a channel occupancy time (COT), determine whether there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration; in response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, compare a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one reference signal received power (RSRP) value, a first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof, with a second priority, a second at least one RSRP value, a PDB, or some combination thereof, for which the UE performs listen - before - talk (LBT) to initiate the COT; and based on the result of the comparison, determine to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, postpone the COT, or share the COT.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof being lower than a corresponding threshold, determine to initiate the COT.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold, determine to terminate the COT.

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the UE to: in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold, determine to postpone the COT.

5. The UE according to claim 4, wherein determining to defer the COT comprises: Postpone the COT until after the at least one resource reservation.

6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: in response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold, determine to share the COT.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: send information indicating whether the UE will initiate the COT, terminate the COT, postpone the COT, or share the COT.

8. The UE according to claim 7, wherein the information includes mode 1 signaling.

9. The UE according to claim 7, wherein the information is sent in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource.

10. The UE according to claim 7, wherein the information is sent to a network device.

11. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: before initiating a channel occupancy time (COT), determine whether there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration; In response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, compare a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one reference signal received power (RSRP) value, a first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof, with a second priority of the processor performing listen-before-talk (LBT) to initiate the COT, a second at least one RSRP value, a PDB, or a combination thereof; and Based on the result of the comparison, determine to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, postpone the COT, or share the COT.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprises: In response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof being lower than a corresponding threshold, determine to initiate the COT.

13. The method according to claim 11 further comprises: In response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold, determine to terminate the COT.

14. The method according to claim 11 further comprises: In response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold, determine to postpone the COT.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein determining to defer the COT comprises: Postpone the COT until after the at least one resource reservation.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: In response to the first priority of the at least one resource reservation, the first at least one RSRP value, the first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof being higher than a corresponding threshold, determine to share the COT.

17. The method according to claim 11 further comprises: Send information indicating whether the UE will initiate the COT, terminate the COT, postpone the COT, or share the COT.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the information includes mode 1 signaling.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the information is sent in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource.

20. A processor for wireless communication, comprising: at least one controller, coupled to at least one memory and configured to cause the processor to: Before initiating a channel occupancy time (COT), determine whether there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration; In response to determining that there is at least one resource reservation during the COT duration, compare a first priority of the at least one resource reservation, a first at least one reference signal received power (RSRP) value, a first overbooking factor, or a combination thereof, with a second priority of the processor performing listen-before-talk (LBT) to initiate the COT, a second at least one RSRP value, a PDB, or a combination thereof; and Based on the result of the comparison, determine to initiate the COT, terminate the COT, postpone the COT, or share the COT.

Images