Sidelink physical channel structure for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing in unlicensed spectrum

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) is configured to receive a sidelink (SL) configuration for a set of resource blocks (RBs) having a 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), wherein the RB set comprises a plurality of physical resource blocks (PRBs); and sending the SL data by using the RB set. In some cases, the plurality of PRBs includes a common PRB and a dedicated PRB, where the common PRB is located at a highest frequency and a lowest frequency of the set of RBs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and particularly to a sidelink physical channel structure for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing in unlicensed spectrum. Background Art

[0002] Several aspects of user equipment (UE) sidelink behavior in unlicensed spectrum remain undefined. For New Radio (NR) sidelink resources, there is no subchannel design for 60kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS). Additionally, the transmission and reception of feedback information on the Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) transmission for 60kHz SCS remains undefined. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a sidelink (SL) configuration for a set of resource blocks (RBs) having a 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), wherein the RB set includes a plurality of physical resource blocks (PRBs); and transmitting SL data using the RB set.

[0004] Other exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a sidelink (SL) configuration for a set of resource blocks (RBs), wherein the set of RBs includes a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource, the physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource including a physical resource block (PRB), wherein the PSFCH resource includes a plurality of transmission opportunities associated with a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) transmission and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) transmission; and receiving the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0005] Other exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a sidelink (SL) configuration for a set of resource blocks (RBs) having a 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), wherein the set of RBs includes a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource, the physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource including a physical resource block (PRB), wherein the PSFCH resource includes a plurality of transmission opportunities associated with a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) transmission and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) transmission; and transmitting the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 Exemplary network arrangements are shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0007] Figure 2An exemplary UE according to various exemplary embodiments is shown.

[0008] Figure 3 An exemplary base station is shown in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

[0009] Figure 4A A first sub-channel structure according to various exemplary embodiments is shown.

[0010] Figure 4B A second sub-channel structure is shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0011] Figure 5A A third sub-channel structure is shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0012] Figure 5B A fourth sub-channel structure is shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0013] Figure 6A A first subchannel structure for the PSFCH is shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0014] Figure 6B A second subchannel structure for the PSFCH is shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0015] Figure 7A A third subchannel structure for the PSFCH is shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0016] Figure 7B A fourth subchannel structure for the PSFCH is shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0017] Figure 8A A first flow chart for transmitting PSFCH in multiple opportunities according to various exemplary embodiments is shown.

[0018] Figure 8B A second flow chart for transmitting PSFCH in multiple opportunities according to various exemplary embodiments is shown.

[0019] Figure 8C A third flow chart for transmitting PSFCH in multiple opportunities is shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0020] Figure 9 A flow chart illustrating receiving PSFCH in multiple PSFCH opportunities according to various exemplary embodiments is shown.

[0021] Figure 10A A timeline of a conventional hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-ACK is shown, according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0022] Figure 10B A timeline of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)-ACK with multiple PSFCH opportunities is shown, according to various exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and associated drawings, wherein like elements are provided with like reference numerals.The exemplary embodiments relate to improvements to UE sidelink operation in unlicensed spectrum, particularly with 60kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS).

[0024] The exemplary embodiments are described with reference to a UE. However, reference to a UE is provided for illustrative purposes only. The exemplary embodiments may be used with any electronic component that can establish a connection to an accessory device and is configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the accessory device. Therefore, the term UE as described herein is used to represent any electronic component.

[0025] The exemplary embodiments are also described with reference to a 5G New Radio (NR) network. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments may also be implemented in other types of networks, including but not limited to LTE networks, future evolutions of cellular protocols, or any other type of network.

[0026] Example embodiments are also described with reference to sidelink connections. A sidelink connection can generally be understood as transmission between UEs (e.g., phones, tablets, smartwatches, connected vehicles, etc.) without requiring a base station to send or receive data. Sidelink operation may be desirable in scenarios requiring ultra-low latency transmission between connected devices (e.g., connected vehicles).

[0027] Several aspects of user equipment (UE) sidelink behavior in unlicensed spectrum remain undefined. As used herein, unlicensed spectrum may include, but is not limited to, spectrum (e.g., frequency band) where spectrum access is contention-based. Example embodiments relate to a channel structure for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing and a procedure for transmitting feedback in multiple feedback opportunities.

[0028] Figure 1An exemplary network arrangement 100 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. Exemplary network arrangement 100 includes UE 110 and UE 115. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that UE 110 and UE 115 can be any type of electronic component configured to communicate via a network, such as, for example, a mobile phone, tablet computer, desktop computer, smartphone, phablet, embedded device, wearable device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc. It should also be understood that a practical network arrangement can include any number of UEs used by any number of users. Therefore, the example with two UEs 110 and UE 115 is provided for illustrative purposes only. Further description will refer to UE 110, but it should be understood that all descriptions of UE 110 throughout this disclosure apply to UE 115.

[0029] UE 110 can be configured to communicate with one or more networks. In the example of network configuration 100, the network with which UE 110 can wirelessly communicate is a 5G NR radio access network (RAN) 120. However, it should be understood that UE 110 can also communicate with other types of networks (e.g., 5G cloud RAN, next-generation RAN (NG-RAN), traditional cellular networks, etc.), and that UE 110 can also communicate with networks via a wired connection. In the exemplary embodiment, UE 110 can establish a connection with 5G NR RAN 120. Thus, UE 110 can include a 5G NR chipset to communicate with NR RAN 120. UE 110 can also communicate with UE 115 via an unlicensed sidelink connection, where data is exchanged between UE 110 and UE 115 without gNB 120A.

[0030] 5G NR RAN 120 may be part of a cellular network that may be deployed by a network operator (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). RAN 120 may include cells or base stations configured to transmit and receive traffic from UEs equipped with appropriate cellular chipsets. In this example, 5G NR RAN 120 includes gNB 120A. However, reference to gNB is provided for illustrative purposes only; any suitable base station or cell (e.g., Node B, eNodeB, HeNB, eNB, gNB, gNodeB, macrocell, microcell, small cell, femtocell, etc.) may be deployed.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any relevant procedures may be performed for UE 110 to connect to 5G NR RAN 120. For example, as described above, 5G NR RAN 120 may be associated with a specific network operator, for which UE 110 and / or its user has protocol and credential information (e.g., stored on a SIM card). Upon detecting the presence of 5G NR RAN 120, UE 110 may send corresponding credential information to associate with 5G NR RAN 120. More specifically, UE 110 may associate with a specific cell (e.g., gNB 120A).

[0032] Network arrangement 100 also includes a cellular core network 130, the Internet 140, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 150, and a network services backbone 160. Cellular core network 130 manages traffic flowing between the cellular network and the Internet 140. IMS 150 can generally be described as an architecture for delivering multimedia services to UE 110 using IP protocols. IMS 150 can communicate with cellular core network 130 and the Internet 140 to provide multimedia services to UE 110. Network services backbone 160 communicates directly or indirectly with the Internet 140 and cellular core network 130. Network services backbone 160 can generally be described as a collection of components (e.g., servers, network storage arrangements, etc.) that implement a set of services that can be used to extend the functionality of UE 110 in communicating with various networks.

[0033] Figure 2 An exemplary UE 110 is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. The UE 110 will refer to Figure 1 100. UE 110 may represent any electronic device and may include a processor 205, a memory arrangement 210, a display device 215, an input / output (I / O) device 220, a transceiver 225, and other components 230. Other components 230 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery providing a limited power source, a data acquisition device, a port for electrically connecting UE 110 to other electronic devices, sensors for detecting conditions of UE 110, and the like.

[0034] Processor 205 may be configured to execute multiple engines of UE 110. For example, these engines may include an unlicensed sidelink engine 235 for performing operations such as: receiving a subchannel configuration for a sidelink resource with a 60 kHz SCS; sending feedback on multiple occasions using a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH); and receiving feedback using the PSFCH. These and other exemplary operations are described in greater detail below.

[0035] The aforementioned engine as an application (e.g., a program) executed by processor 205 is merely exemplary. The functionality associated with the engine may also be represented as a separate, integrated component of UE 110, or may be a modular component coupled to UE 110, such as an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry for receiving signals and processing circuitry for processing signals and other information. The engine may also be embodied as a single application or multiple separate applications. Furthermore, in some UEs, the functionality described with respect to processor 205 is split between two or more processors, such as a baseband processor and an application processor. The exemplary embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of the UE.

[0036] Memory arrangement 210 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by UE 110. Display device 215 may be a hardware component configured to display data to a user, while I / O device 220 may be a hardware component that enables a user to enter input. Display device 215 and I / O device 220 may be separate components or may be integrated together (such as a touch screen). Transceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to establish a connection with 5G-NR RAN 120. Thus, transceiver 225 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of contiguous frequencies).

[0037] Figure 3 An exemplary base station 300 is shown in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Base station 300 may represent gNB 120A or any other access node through which UE 110 may establish a connection and manage network operations.

[0038] The base station 300 may include a processor 305, a memory arrangement 310, an input / output (I / O) device 315, a transceiver 320, and other components 325. These other components 325 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery, a data acquisition device, ports for electrically connecting the base station 300 to other electronic devices and / or a power source, and the like.

[0039] Processor 305 may be configured to execute multiple engines of UE 110. For example, these engines may include a PSFCH resource engine 330 for performing operations such as sending a configuration for sidelink resources with a 60 kHz SCS. This operation and other exemplary operations are described in more detail below.

[0040] Memory 310 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by base station 300. I / O device 315 may be a hardware component or port that enables a user to interact with base station 300. Transceiver 320 may be a hardware component configured to exchange data with UE 110 and any other UEs in network arrangement 100. Transceiver 320 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of contiguous frequencies). Thus, transceiver 320 may include one or more components (e.g., radios) to enable data exchange with various networks and UEs.

[0041] In a first aspect of the exemplary embodiments, a subchannel structure for a 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS) is disclosed. It should be understood that while the exemplary subchannel design is described with reference to a 60 kHz SCS design for a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), the exemplary embodiments are also applicable to physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) operation.

[0042] Before discussing the subchannel structure, it should be understood that a resource block (RB) set spanning a 20 MHz frequency with a 60 kHz SCS results in approximately 24 to 25 physical resource blocks (PRBs). Because the exemplary sidelink transmission is in unlicensed spectrum, and the current IEEE standard for WiFi (e.g., unlicensed communications) uses a 20 MHz RB set, the exemplary embodiments will be considered to use a 20 MHz RB set. It should also be understood that within an RB set with a 15 kHz SCS (e.g., such as that used for LTE sidelink communications), there may be interlaces that include 10 or 11 PRBs. In some exemplary embodiments described below, reference to 10 / 11 PRBs may be made to comparing the number of PRBs in an interlace with a 60 kHz SCS versus a 15 kHz SCS. Furthermore, some exemplary embodiments may be limited to 10 or 11 PRBs to maintain consistency with the 15 kHz design.

[0043] In some exemplary embodiments, a set of RBs with a 60 kHz SCS may have a sub-channel structure comprising contiguous dedicated PRBs with common PRBs at the edges. In these exemplary embodiments, interleaving may not be supported.

[0044] Figure 4AA first subchannel structure 400 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. Subchannel structure 400 includes RB set 401. RB set 401 includes common PRBs 402 and 406 at the edges of RB set 401. Between common PRBs 402 and 406 are subchannels 403, 404, and 405, which are composed of consecutive PRBs with a 60 kHz SCS. The SCS is Figure 4A It is illustrated as SCS 407 in FIG. 4 , but it should be understood that the SCS is applicable to all subcarriers.

[0045] Common PRBs 402 and 406 can be used to meet occupied channel bandwidth (OCB) requirements, which typically require that at least 80% of the channel bandwidth be used for transmission. Common PRBs 402 and 406 are placed at the edges of RB set 401, surrounding subchannels 403 through 405. Any UE using a subchannel in an RB set (e.g., RB set 401) can use common PRBs 402 and 406 for PSCCH / PSSCH transmission. Subchannels 403 through 405 can also be considered dedicated resources (compared to common PRB resources 402 and 406). Common PRBs 402 and 406 may have predefined sequences for transmission.

[0046] In some cases, if the total number of dedicated PRBs is not divisible by the subchannel size (ie, the total number of dedicated PRBs modulo the subchannel size ≠ 0), the remaining PRBs may not be used.

[0047] In other exemplary embodiments, the subchannels may be composed of interleaved RBs. In these exemplary embodiments, the number of interleavings may be at least five (5) per RB set. This would mean that each interleaving would use fewer than ten (10) PRBs, e.g., if five (5) interleavings are used and there are 25 PRBs in an RB set, each interleaving would include 5 PRBs.

[0048] Figure 4B A second subchannel structure 408 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. The subchannel structure 408 includes an RB set 409. The RB set 409 includes five interlaces 410, 411, 412, 413, and 414. Interlaces 410 to 414 are repeated periodically throughout the RB set 409. The number of interlaces may be predefined (e.g., five) or (pre)configured by the resource pool. Additionally, the number of PRBs in each interlace may be predefined or (pre)configured by the resource pool. For example, each interlace 410 to 414 may have five PRBs in each interlace, but this is exemplary only, and those skilled in the art may implement other numbers of PRBs per interlace based on the number of interlaces and the total number of PRBs in the RB set. It should be noted that similar to Figure 4A , Figure 4B Characterized by 60kHz SCS.

[0049] In further exemplary embodiments, the number of interlaces in an RB set may be limited to two (2), where each PSSCH / PSCCH / PSFCH transmission is located on an interlace. However, since an interlace may occupy all PRBs, the number of PRBs per interlace may be greater than 10.

[0050] Figure 5A 5. A third sub-channel structure 500 is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that Figure 5A The numbers within the boxes represent the index numbers of the interlaces and are not themselves reference numerals. Interlaces 502 and 503 are within RB set 501. In this example, it can be assumed that RB set 501 may have 25 PRBs (e.g., 20 MHz / (792 kHz / PRB) < 26 PRBs). Interlaces 502 and 503 repeat periodically, with interlace 502 including 13 PRBs and interlace 503 including 12 PRBs. Although 13 PRBs per interlace may be considered a maximum when two interlaces are used, 12, 11, or 10 PRBs per interlace may also be used.

[0051] In another exemplary embodiment, the number of interlaces in an RB set may be limited to two (2). However, an interlace may occupy only 10 or 11 PRBs to maintain consistency with the 15 kHz or 30 kHz SCS subchannel structure.

[0052] Figure 5B A fourth subchannel structure 504 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. RB set 505 includes interlaces 506 and 507. It should be noted that the numbers in the interlaces are used as exemplary index numbers and are not themselves reference numerals. In this exemplary embodiment, each interlace 506 and 507 occupies 10 PRBs, resulting in a set of unused PRBs 508. In this example, unused PRBs 508 are PRBs that are lower in frequency than the PRBs used for interlaces 506 and 507. However, it should be understood that interlaces 506 and 507 may occupy any contiguous PRBs in RB set 505. For example, if interlaces 506 and 507 begin at the lowest frequency, unused PRBs 508 may be PRBs that are higher in frequency than the PRBs used for interlaces 506 and 507. Alternatively, if interlaces 506 and 507 occupy PRBs in intermediate frequencies, unused PRBs 508 may exist at both higher and lower frequencies.

[0053] In a second aspect of the exemplary embodiments, a PSFCH design for a 60kHz SCS is disclosed herein. In some exemplary embodiments, each PSFCH transmits a common PRB and a number ( K There are two variations in these exemplary embodiments. Figure 6A A first variant is shown, and Figure 6B A second variant is shown.

[0054] Figure 6A 6 shows a first subchannel structure 600 for PSFCH according to various exemplary embodiments. In this example, common PRBs 602 and 604 appear at the edges of RB set 601. In a first variant, a certain number ( K ) dedicated PRBs 603 appear in groups between the common PRBs 602, 604. Figure 6A Dedicated PRBs 603 are shown in specific locations within RB set 601, but this is exemplary only, as dedicated PRBs 603 may be located in any consecutive PRBs between common PRBs 602 and 604 in RB set 601. For example, the number (denoted as "K") and locations of dedicated PRBs 603 may be (pre-)configured by a resource pool.

[0055] Figure 6B 6. A second subchannel structure 605 for PSFCH is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. The subchannel structure 605 includes an RB set 606 that includes a common PRB 607. Although only the common PRB 607 has a reference number, it should be understood that Figure 6B All similar boxes (ie, black boxes) in the RB set 606 also represent common PRBs. Common PRBs (including common PRB 607) are members of the same interlace in the entire RB set 606. In contrast, dedicated PRBs 608 (and Figure 6B All other similar patterns in the dashed boxes are dedicated PRBs for PSFCH that are not in the interlace containing common PRBs. PRBs in RB set 606 that do not include any padding or shading are not used for PSFCH.

[0056] The number and / or location of common PRBs in RB set 606 may be (pre)configured by the resource pool. For example, common PRBs may be located at the same Figure 6B In different interlaces than those shown in , common PRBs may be distributed throughout the RB set 606 (eg, not in an interlace) as defined by the resource pool, and so on.

[0057] In other exemplary embodiments of the PSFCH design, each PSFCH transmission can occupy a certain number of dedicated PRBs within an RB set. The number (K) and location of dedicated PRBs within an RB set can be allocated at the two edges of the RB set. The dedicated PRBs for the PSFCH can be mapped one-to-one at the two edges of the RB set.

[0058] Figure 7A A third subchannel structure 700 for the PSFCH is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. RB set 701 includes a dedicated PRB set 702 for the PSFCH at a first edge of RB set 701 and a copy 703 of the dedicated PRB set for the PSFCH at a second edge of RB set 701. Both the dedicated PRB set 702 and the copy 703 of the dedicated PRB set include the same number of dedicated PRBs. While the dedicated PRB set 702 and the copy 703 of the dedicated PRB set are shown as each having 6 PRBs, this is exemplary only, and other sizes of dedicated PRBs are possible.

[0059] In a first variation, the same cyclic shift may be applied on the two dedicated PRBs 702 and 703. In a second variation, opposite cyclic shifts may be applied to the two dedicated PRBs 702 and 703.

[0060] Figure 7B A fourth subchannel structure 704 for the PSFCH is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. In this exemplary embodiment, more than two dedicated PRB sets are used for the PSFCH. Again, the number and location of dedicated PRB sets may be determined by the resource pool (pre)configuration. Within RB set 705 is a dedicated PRB set 706, a first copy of the dedicated PRB set 707, and a second copy of the dedicated PRB set 708, for a total of three dedicated PRB sets. Although Figure 7B Three PRB sets are shown in , but this is merely exemplary and other integer values ​​greater than 2 may be selected for the number of dedicated PRB sets within RB set 705 .

[0061] It should be pointed out that in Figure 7A or Figure 7B References to "copy" PRBs in are not intended to describe an ordinal relationship. Figure 7A or Figure 7B The PRB sets in 703 should not be understood to mean that a "copy" must be based on the "original" PRB from which it is derived. For example, the "copy" label of 703 can be swapped with 702 without changing the scope of the exemplary embodiment.

[0062] In further exemplary embodiments of the PSFCH design, each PSFCH transmission can occupy one interlace. Code-domain multiplexing can be used to increase PSFCH capacity. Interleaved PRBs can use common cyclic shifts, dedicated cyclic shifts, or some combination of common and dedicated cyclic shifts.

[0063] In a third aspect of the exemplary embodiments, a process for transmitting PSFCH in multiple opportunities is disclosed. The first PSFCH opportunity may follow the conventional design, i.e., in the first time slot with PSFCH resources, which may be, for example, two or three time slots after PSSCH / PSCCH transmission.

[0064] A receiving UE typically attempts a PSFCH retransmission if it has not already transmitted on all previous PSFCH opportunities corresponding to the same transmission block (TB) for both PSSCH initial transmission and PSSCH retransmission. Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B and Figure 8C Several variations of the transmission of the PSFCH are shown. Those skilled in the art will recognize that UE feedback is typically required in sidelink unicast or multicast operations. In sidelink unicast operations, the receiver UE may transmit ACK / NACK to the sending UE based on decoding success / failure.

[0065] In multicast operation, two main feedback schemes are disclosed herein. In the first scheme, a NACK is transmitted only in the event of a decoding failure, but no corresponding ACK is transmitted for a successful decoding. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the time and power savings that come from not transmitting an ACK. In this scheme, as long as the sending UE does not receive a NACK from the receiving UE, the sending UE can assume that its transmission has been received. This first scheme may also be referred to as "NACK-only feedback."

[0066] In the second scheme, even if the decoding operation is successful, each receiver UE may independently transmit ACK / NACK (unlike the first scheme). This second scheme may also be referred to as "ACK / NACK" feedback.

[0067] Figure 8A A first flow chart 800 is shown for transmitting PSFCH in multiple opportunities according to various exemplary embodiments. Figure 8AThis is from the perspective of a receiver UE (e.g., a UE that has received a sidelink PSCCH / PSSCH from another UE and is attempting to provide feedback for the PSCCH / PSSCH using the PSFCH). Flowchart 800 applies to scenarios where UE 110 is participating in unicast or ACK / NACK-based multicast operations. In this example, UE 115 can be considered the transmitting UE, while UE 110 is considered the receiving UE.

[0068] In 801, UE 110 receives a resource pool (pre-)configuration that includes multiple PSFCH opportunities for each PSCCH / PSSCH transmission. In 802, UE 110 receives a PSCCH / PSSCH transmission from UE 115. In 803, UE 110 attempts to transmit feedback in the initial PSFCH opportunity. At 804, UE 110 determines whether transmission 803 failed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that failure to transmit 803 may be due to various reasons, such as a listen-before-talk (LBT) failure, other contention failures, prioritization of other transmissions, etc. If UE 110 determines that the answer to 804 is yes (transmission 803 failed), UE 110 proceeds to 805. In 805, UE 110 attempts to transmit a PSFCH in the next PSFCH opportunity. If the answer to 804 is no, UE 110 proceeds to 806. In 806, UE 110 stops PSFCH transmission in the next PSFCH opportunity.

[0069] Figure 8B A second flowchart 807 is shown for transmitting a PSFCH in multiple opportunities according to various exemplary embodiments. Again, UE 115 can be considered the transmitting UE, while UE 110 can be considered the receiving UE. Flowchart 807 applies to the case where receiving UE 110 utilizes only NACK feedback. Operations 808 and 809 are performed identically to operations 801 and 802 described in flowchart 800.

[0070] In 810, UE 110 determines whether its PSCCH / PSSCH decoding operation is successful. If the decoding operation is successful, UE 110 proceeds to 811, where UE 110 does not transmit a PSFCH. If the decoding operation 810 is unsuccessful, UE 110 transmits a NACK on all candidate PSFCH opportunities in 813. For example, UE 110 does not need to determine whether NACK transmission has failed because UE 110 will transmit on every available PSFCH opportunity of the TB.

[0071] Figure 8CA third flowchart 813 illustrates transmitting a PSFCH in multiple opportunities according to various exemplary embodiments. Again, UE 115 can be considered a transmitting UE, while UE 110 can be considered a receiving UE. Similar to flowchart 807, flowchart 813 is applicable to a receiving UE operating with NACK-only feedback in a multicast scenario. Operations 814 and 815 are identical to operations 808 and 809 in flowchart 807. Operation 816 is identical to operation 810. Operation 817 is identical to operation 811.

[0072] If the PSCCH / PSSCH decoding operation 816 is unsuccessful, the UE 110 may transmit a NACK in the initial PSFCH opportunity at 818. If transmission 818 fails at 819, the UE 110 proceeds to 820. At 820, the UE 110 transmits a NACK in the next PSFCH opportunity. If the answer to determination 819 is no, the UE 110 proceeds to 821 and stops PSFCH transmission in the next PSFCH opportunity.

[0073] Although Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B and Figure 8C The present invention is applicable to transmitting PSFCH in multiple occasions, but the exemplary embodiments also relate to a process of receiving multiple PSFCH in multiple PSFCH opportunities, for example, UE 115 receives feedback.

[0074] For unicast sidelink operation (e.g., broadcast type "10" in sidelink control information 2-A), there are two alternative operations. In the first alternative operation, if the transmitting UE 115 receives an ACK or NACK from one of the multiple PSFCH opportunities, the transmitting UE 115 stops monitoring subsequent PSFCH opportunities. The transmitting UE 115 may report the first received ACK / NACK result to higher layers.

[0075] In a second alternative operation, the transmitting UE 115 may monitor all PSFCH opportunities.The transmitting UE 115 may report the last received ACK / NACK result to higher layers.

[0076] In the scenario of multicast sidelink operation with ACK / NACK feedback (e.g., broadcast type "10" in sidelink control information 2-A), the transmitting UE 115 may continue to monitor all PSFCH opportunities. If the transmitting UE 115 determines an ACK value from at least one PSFCH reception opportunity among all PSFCH opportunities corresponding to all PSSCH retransmissions from each receiving UE 110, the transmitting UE 115 may report an ACK to higher layers. If the UE 115 does not determine an ACK value from at least one PSFCH reception opportunity among all PSFCH opportunities corresponding to all PSSCH retransmissions from each receiving UE 110, the transmitting UE 115 may report a NACK.

[0077] An example of the above-described behavior can be described as follows. Assume that a sender UE 115 is participating in a multicast sidelink operation with two receiver UEs 110. In this example, there are two PSFCH opportunities (e.g., opportunity 1 and opportunity 2). In response to PSFCH opportunity 1, both receiver UEs 110 may transmit an ACK / NACK back to the sender UE. Similarly, on PSFCH opportunity 2, both receiver UEs 110 may send an ACK / NACK. There is no relationship between which receiver UE 1 transmits an ACK / NACK and which receiver UE 2 transmits an ACK / NACK; each receiver UE 110 makes an independent determination. However, it should be noted that if either receiver UE 110 transmits an ACK on PSFCH opportunity 1, the sender UE 115 may assume that the corresponding receiver UE 110 will transmit an ACK on PSFCH opportunity 2 (i.e., it is likely that the first ACK will precede the second ACK).

[0078] When the transmitting UE 115 participates in sidelink multicast with only NACK feedback (e.g., the broadcast type in the sidelink control information 2-A is "11"), the transmitting UE 115 may monitor all PSFCH opportunities. If the transmitting UE 115 determines that all PSFCH reception opportunities corresponding to the most recent PSFCH transmission do not have PSFCH reception, the transmitting UE 115 may report an ACK to a higher layer; otherwise, the transmitting UE 115 may report a NACK to a higher layer.

[0079] Figure 9A flowchart 900 is shown for receiving a PSFCH in multiple PSFCH opportunities according to various exemplary embodiments. At 901, a transmitting UE (e.g., UE 115) receives a (pre-)configuration of a resource pool for multiple PSFCH opportunities for each PSCCH / PSSCH transmission. At 902, UE 115 transmits a PSCCH / PSSCH to one or more receiver UEs 110. At 903, UE 115 monitors and combines the PSFCH receptions from the multiple PSFCH opportunities. At 904, UE 115 determines whether to retransmit the PSCCH / PSSCH based on the feedback.

[0080] In a final aspect of the exemplary embodiments, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-ACK timeline for multiple PSFCH opportunities is disclosed. Generally, when a UE selects resources for a single transmit block (TB) transmission, the UE ensures a minimum time gap ("Z") = a + b between any two selected resources of the TB, where HARQ feedback for the first resource is expected to be received at the UE. Parameter "a" is the time gap between the end of the last symbol of the PSSCH transmission and the beginning of the first symbol of the corresponding PSFCH reception for the first resource, based on MinTimeGapPSFCH and periodPSFCHresource. Parameter "b" is the time required for PSFCH reception and processing, plus PSSCH retransmission preparation, and is determined by the UE implementation.

[0081] Figure 10A A timeline 1000 of conventional hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-ACK is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. Figure 10A It is worth noting that the transmitting UE (eg, UE 110 ) ensures that there is a minimum time gap Z equal to time gap a 1002 and time gap b 1005 . Time gap a 1002 is between PSSCH 1001 and PSFCH 1003 , and time gap b 1004 is between PSFCH 1003 and PSSCH 1005 .

[0082] As mentioned above, time slot a 1002 may be based on an information element (IE) MinTimeGapPSFCH and periodPSFCHresource The time gap b 1004 is the time gap between the end of the last symbol of the PSSCH transmission of the first resource (e.g., PSSCH 1001) and the start of the first symbol of the corresponding PSFCH reception (e.g., PSFCH 1003). Time gap b 1004 may be the amount of time required for PSFCH reception and processing plus PSSCH retransmission preparation as determined by the UE implementation and is beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0083] In a scenario where multiple PSFCH opportunities are supported in a resource pool, when a UE selects resources for a single TB transmission, when HARQ feedback is expected for the first resource, the UE can ensure a minimum time gap between any two selected resources of the TB: (Z = a + b + c).

[0084] Figure 10B An exemplary timeline 1006 of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-ACK with multiple PSFCH opportunities is shown in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

[0085] and Figure 10A different, Figure 10B There are multiple PSFCH opportunities 1009, 1010, and 1011. Time gap "a" 1008 is substantially similar to time gap a 1002 described with respect to timeline 1000. Time gap b 1012 separates PSFCH 1011 (the last PSFCH) and PSSCH 1013. Time gap b may be the amount of time required for PSFCH reception and processing plus PSSCH retransmission preparation; b may be determined by the UE implementation and is beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0086] The value "c" can be understood as the time gap between the first PSFCH opportunity 1009 and the last PSFCH opportunity 1011 corresponding to a PSSCH transmission. Knowing this amount is valuable because the UE may need time to process feedback after receiving the last PSFCH. "c" can be equal to a multiple of the time gap c11014 between two consecutive PSFCH opportunities (PSFCH 1009 and PSFCH 1010) corresponding to a PSSCH transmission (e.g., PSSCH 1013) and the total number of additional PSFCH opportunities c21015 corresponding to PSSCH transmissions. In this example, c21015 equals 2 because there are two additional PSFCHs (1010 and 1011). c11014 and c21015 can be preconfigured for each resource pool.

[0087] Example In a first embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a sidelink (SL) configuration for a set of resource blocks (RBs), wherein the set of RBs comprises a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource, wherein the physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource comprises a physical resource block (PRB), wherein the PSFCH resource comprises a plurality of transmission opportunities associated with a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) transmission and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) transmission; and receiving the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0088] In a second embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the method further comprises: using an initial PSFCH opportunity corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission to transmit feedback corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0089] In a third embodiment, according to the method described in the second embodiment, the method further includes: determining that sending the feedback using the initial PSFCH opportunity fails; and sending the feedback using a next PSFCH opportunity corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0090] In a fourth embodiment, according to the method described in the first embodiment, the method further includes: determining that the feedback is sent successfully using the initial PSFCH opportunity; and stopping further transmission for subsequent PSFCH opportunities corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0091] In a fifth embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the method further includes: performing a decoding operation on the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0092] In a sixth embodiment, according to the method of the fifth embodiment, the method further comprises: when the decoding operation is successful, avoiding using the PSFCH opportunity corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission to send feedback.

[0093] In a seventh embodiment, according to the method of the fifth embodiment, the method further comprises: when the decoding operation fails, sending a NACK message on all PSFCH opportunities corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0094] In an eighth embodiment, according to the method of the fifth embodiment, the method further comprises: when the decoding operation fails, sending a NACK message in an initial PSFCH opportunity corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0095] In a ninth embodiment, according to the method described in the eighth embodiment, the method further includes: determining that sending the NACK message using the initial PSFCH opportunity fails; and sending the NACK message using the next PSFCH opportunity corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0096] In a tenth embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a sidelink (SL) configuration for a set of resource blocks (RBs) having a 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), wherein the set of RBs includes a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource, the physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource including a physical resource block (PRB), wherein the PSFCH resource includes a plurality of transmission opportunities associated with a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) transmission and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) transmission; and transmitting the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission.

[0097] In an eleventh embodiment, the method according to the tenth embodiment, wherein the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission are SL unicast transmissions, the method further includes: receiving ACK or NACK on one of the PSFCH opportunities corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission; interrupting monitoring of any subsequent PSFCH opportunities after the one of the PSFCH opportunities; and reporting the ACK or NACK to a higher layer in the protocol stack.

[0098] In a twelfth embodiment, according to the method described in the tenth embodiment, wherein the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission are SL unicast transmissions, the method further includes: monitoring all PSFCH opportunities corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission; and reporting the last received ACK or NACK in the PSFCH opportunity to a higher layer in the protocol stack.

[0099] In a thirteenth embodiment, the method according to the tenth embodiment, wherein the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission are SL multicast transmissions to multiple additional UEs, the method further includes: for each of the additional UEs, monitoring all PSFCH opportunities corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission, wherein, when ACK is received from each of the additional UEs, reporting ACK to a higher layer in the protocol stack, otherwise reporting NACK to the higher layer in the protocol stack.

[0100] In a fourteenth embodiment, the method according to the tenth embodiment, wherein the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission are SL multicast transmissions to multiple additional UEs, the method further includes: for each of the additional UEs, monitoring all PSFCH opportunities corresponding to the PSSCH transmission and the PSCCH transmission, wherein, when no feedback is received from each of the additional UEs in any PSFCH opportunity in the PSFCH opportunities, reporting ACK to a higher layer in the protocol stack, otherwise reporting NACK to the higher layer in the protocol stack.

[0101] In a fifteenth embodiment, the method according to the tenth example, wherein the (SL) configuration includes a time gap between each PSFCH opportunity to accommodate a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) operation for each PSFCH opportunity.

[0102] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodiments described above can be implemented with any suitable software configuration or hardware configuration or combination thereof. Exemplary hardware platforms for implementing the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, Intel x86-based platforms with compatible operating systems, Windows OS, Mac platforms and MAC OS, mobile devices with operating systems such as iOS, Android, etc. The exemplary embodiments of the above-described methods may be embodied as a program comprising lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which, when compiled, can be executed on a processor or microprocessor.

[0103] Although this application describes various embodiments, each having different features in various combinations, those skilled in the art will understand that any feature of one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments in any manner that is not expressly disavowed or that is not functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation of the device or the stated function of the disclosed embodiment.

[0104] It is understood 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 processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0105] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers modifications and variations of the present disclosure as long as they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a sidelink (SL) configuration for a resource block (RB) set having a 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), wherein the RB set includes a plurality of physical resource blocks (PRBs); and The SL data is sent using the RB set. 2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of PRBs include common PRBs and dedicated PRBs, wherein the common PRBs are located at the highest frequency and the lowest frequency of the RB set. The method of claim 2 , wherein the dedicated PRBs are contiguous in frequency. 4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the dedicated PRB comprises a plurality of subchannels having a subchannel size of a predetermined number of PRBs.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein When the total number of dedicated PRBs is not divisible by the subchannel size, any remaining PRBs are not used for SL communication.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the RB set comprises a plurality of interlaces, wherein the SL configuration comprises a total number of interlaces of the RB set. The method of claim 6 , wherein the SL configuration comprises a total number of PRBs in an interlace.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the RB set comprises two interlaces, wherein each PRB in the RB set belongs to one of the two interlaces.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the RB set comprises two interlaces, wherein each of the two interlaces comprises 10 or 11 PRBs, and any remaining PRBs are not used for SL communication.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein one of the following is satisfied: a set of PRBs that are highest in frequency among the RB set includes the two interlaces, or a set of PRBs that are lowest in frequency among the RB set includes the two interlaces.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of RBs comprises physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resources, wherein the PSFCH resources comprise common PRBs and dedicated PRBs. 12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the common PRBs are located at the highest frequency and the lowest frequency of the RB set.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the dedicated PRBs are contiguous and located between the highest frequency and the lowest frequency of the RB set. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the SL configuration includes the number of dedicated PRBs and the positions of the PRBs in the RB set.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the common PRBs comprise PRBs in a first interlace of the RB set, and the dedicated PRBs comprise PRBs in a second interlace of the RB set.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein The SL configuration includes the number and location of the common PRBs.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of RBs comprises physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resources, wherein the PSFCH resources comprise dedicated PRBs.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the dedicated PRB comprises: a first set of consecutive PRBs, the first set of consecutive PRBs starting at a highest frequency PRB of the set of RBs; and a second set of consecutive PRBs, the second set of consecutive PRBs starting at a lowest frequency PRB of the set of RBs, wherein PSFCH content of the first set of consecutive PRBs is the same as the PSFCH content of the second set of consecutive PRBs.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: The same cyclic shift is applied to the first set and the second set.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: Opposite cyclic shifts are applied to the first set and the second set.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the dedicated PRBs further include a third set of consecutive PRBs located between the first set and the second set, wherein the PSFCH content of the third set is the same as the PSFCH content of the first set and the second set.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the dedicated PRBs comprise an interlace, and wherein, When transmitting the PSFCH using the dedicated PRBs, a common cyclic shift is applied to a first set of the dedicated PRBs, and a dedicated cyclic shift is applied to a second set of the dedicated PRBs.

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