Communication device and method for communication

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a technical scheme for communication. In one aspect of the technique, a first terminal device receives, from a second terminal device performing a sidelink transmission to the first terminal device, second QoE information about the second terminal device. The second QoE information includes at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device. And then, the first terminal equipment sends the second QoE information to the first network equipment. And the first terminal device also sends first QoE information about the first terminal device to the first network device. The first QoE information comprises the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device. Furthermore, the first terminal device receives, from the first network device, first configuration information about the QoE measurement, the first configuration information comprising a first indication, the first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for sidelink transmission.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication device and a method for communication. BACKGROUND

[0002] Quality of Experience (QoE) Measurement Collection (QMC) functionality enables the collection of application layer measurements from User Equipment (UE). Radio Access Network (RAN) visible QoE (RVQoE) measurements are also supported, where a configured subset of QoE metrics is reported from the UE to the gNB as explicit information elements (IEs) readable by the gNB.

[0003] New Radio (NR) sidelink (SL) communication is introduced in Release 16. NR sidelink communication can provide support for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) services via a PC5 interface. NR sidelink communication can be used to support other services in addition to V2X services.

[0004] QoE measurements on sidelink have not been supported. To improve user experience using NR sidelink communication and to optimize sidelink performance (e.g., to optimize radio resource selection), it is meaningful to support QMC functionality as well as RVQoE measurements on sidelink. SUMMARY

[0005] Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication technical solution.

[0006] In a first aspect, a first terminal device is provided. The first terminal device includes a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, second QoE information about a second terminal device from the second terminal device performing sidelink transmission to the first terminal device, the second QoE information including at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device; send, via the transceiver, the second QoE information to a first network device; send, via the transceiver, first QoE information about the first terminal device to the first network device, the first QoE information including a QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device; and receive, via the transceiver, first configuration information about QoE measurement from the first network device, the first configuration information including a first indication, the first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for the sidelink transmission.

[0007] In a second aspect, a first network device is provided. The first network device includes a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to: obtain, via the transceiver, second configuration information about QoE measurement, the second configuration information including a first indication, the first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for sidelink transmission; receive, via the transceiver, first QoE information about the first terminal device from the first terminal device, the first QoE information including QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device; receive, via the transceiver, second QoE information about the second terminal device from the first terminal device, the second terminal device performing sidelink transmission to the first terminal device, the second QoE information including at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device; determine the first terminal device for the QoE measurement based on at least one of the second configuration information, the first QoE information, or the second QoE information; and transmit, via the transceiver, first configuration information about the QoE measurement to the first terminal device, the first configuration information including the first indication.

[0008] In a third aspect, a second network device is provided. The second network device includes a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a report of QoE measurement from the first network device or the second terminal device, the report being for sidelink transmission from the second terminal device to the first terminal device, the second network device and the first network device serving the second terminal device and the first terminal device, respectively.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a second terminal device is provided. The second terminal device includes a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a report of QoE measurement from the network device or the first terminal device, the report being for sidelink transmission from the second terminal device to the first terminal device.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a first terminal device is provided. The first terminal device includes a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a broadcast message from the first network device, the broadcast message including: first configuration information about QoE measurement, the first configuration information including a first indication, the first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for sidelink transmission; determine, based on the first configuration information, to perform the QoE measurement; and transmit, via the transceiver, dedicated signaling to the first network device, the dedicated signaling including a report of the QoE measurement.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, a first network device is provided. The first network device includes a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to: transmit, via the transceiver, a broadcast message, the broadcast message including: first configuration information about QoE measurement, the first configuration information including a first indication, the first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for sidelink transmission; and receive, via the transceiver, dedicated signaling from a first terminal device, the dedicated signaling including a report of the QoE measurement.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, a method performed by a first terminal device is provided. The method includes: receiving, from a second terminal device performing sidelink transmission to the first terminal device, second QoE information about the second terminal device, the second QoE information including at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device; transmitting, to a first network device, the second QoE information; transmitting, to the first network device, first QoE information about the first terminal device, the first QoE information including a QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device; and receiving, from the first network device, first configuration information about QoE measurement, the first configuration information including a first indication, the first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for sidelink transmission.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, a method performed by a first network device is provided. The method includes: obtaining second configuration information about QoE measurement, the second configuration information including a first indication, the first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for sidelink transmission; receiving, from a first terminal device, first QoE information about the first terminal device, the first QoE information including a QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device; receiving, from the first terminal device, second QoE information about a second terminal device, the second terminal device performing sidelink transmission to the first terminal device, the second QoE information including at least an ID of the second terminal device; determining the first terminal device for the QoE measurement based on at least one of the second configuration information, the first QoE information, or the second QoE information; and transmitting, to the first terminal device, first configuration information about the QoE measurement, the first configuration information including the first indication.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, a method performed by a second network device is provided. The method includes: receiving, from a first network device or a second terminal device, a report of QoE measurement, the report being for sidelink transmission from the second terminal device to a first terminal device, the second network device and the first network device serving the second terminal device and the first terminal device, respectively.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, a method performed by a second terminal device is provided. The method includes: receiving, from a network device or a first terminal device, a report of QoE measurement, the report being for sidelink transmission from the second terminal device to the first terminal device.

[0016] In an eleventh aspect, a method performed by a first terminal device is provided. The method includes: receiving a broadcast message from a first network device, the broadcast message including first configuration information regarding a QoE measurement, the first configuration information including a first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for a side-link transmission; determining, based on the first configuration information, that a QoE measurement should be performed; and sending dedicated signaling to the first network device, the dedicated signaling including a report of the QoE measurement.

[0017] In a twelfth aspect, a method performed by a first network device is provided. The method includes: transmitting a broadcast message via a transceiver, the broadcast message including: first configuration information regarding QoE measurements, the first configuration information including a first indication indicating that the QoE measurements are for sidelink transmissions; and receiving dedicated signaling from a first terminal device, the dedicated signaling including a report of the QoE measurements.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided. Instructions are stored on the computer-readable medium. When executed on at least one processor of a device, the instructions cause the device to perform the methods of any one of the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth aspects.

[0019] It should be understood that the summary portion is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Some embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B Schematic diagrams are shown of communication environments in which some embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0022] FIG. 2 The diagram illustrates a signaling diagram that shows an example communication process according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 3 The diagram illustrates a signaling diagram that shows an example communication process according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 4 The diagram illustrates a signaling diagram that shows an example communication process according to other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 5 The diagram illustrates a signaling diagram that shows an example communication process according to other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 6The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a first terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 7 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a first network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 8 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a second network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 9 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a second terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 10 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a first terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 11 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a first network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0032] FIG. 12 A simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described merely for illustration and to help those skilled in the art understand and implement this disclosure, and do not limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. This disclosure described herein can be implemented in various other ways besides those described below. In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0035] The references to "an embodiment," "example embodiment," "embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., in this disclosure indicate that the embodiments(s) described may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes specific features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments(s). Additionally, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is believed that in conjunction with other embodiments (whether explicitly described or not) affecting such a feature, structure, or characteristic is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0036] It should be understood that although the terms “first” and “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element may also be referred to as a second element without departing from the scope of the embodiments, and similarly, a second element may also be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms. In some examples, values, processes, or devices are referred to as “best,” “lowest,” “highest,” “minimum,” “maximum,” etc. It should be understood that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a choice can be made among many functional alternatives used, and that such a choice need not be better, smaller, higher, or more desirable than other choices.

[0037] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” should also include the plural forms unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” and / or “containing” as used herein specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. For example, the term “comprising” and its variations should be understood as open terms meaning “including, but not limited to.” The term “based on” should be understood as “at least partially based on.” The terms “one embodiment” and “embodiment” should be understood as “at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” should be understood as “at least one other embodiment.” The use of expressions such as “A and / or B” can mean “A only” or “B only” or “both A and B.” Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below.

[0038] As used herein, the term "communication environment" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as 5G New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices in a communication environment can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G), sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. Given the rapid development of communications, there will also be communication technologies and systems that embody future types of this disclosure. This should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure to the systems described above.

[0039] As used herein, the term "network device" generally refers to a node in a communication environment through which terminal devices can access the communication environment and receive services. Network devices can refer to base stations (BS) or access points (APs), such as Node B (NodeB or NB), Radio Access Network (RAN) nodes, Evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), NR NB (also known as gNB), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Radio Header (RH), infrastructure equipment for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, Transmitter Receiver Point (TRP), Receiver Point (RP), Remote Radio Header (RRH), relay, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes, low-power nodes (such as femtoBS, picoBS), etc., depending on the terminology and technology used.

[0040] As used herein, the term "terminal device" generally refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), end-user equipment, subscriber station (SS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, VoIP phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPEs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices (e.g., remote surgical equipment), industrial equipment (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronics devices, and devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks. In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "communication device," "terminal," "user equipment," and "UE" are used interchangeably.

[0041] As mentioned above, QoE measurement on the sidelink is not yet supported. To improve the user experience of communication using the NR sidelink and optimize sidelink performance (e.g., optimize radio resource selection), it would be meaningful to support the QMC function and RVQoE measurement on the sidelink.

[0042] To support QMC functionality on the sidelink, several issues may need to be addressed. For example, how to support direct transmission of QoE measurement configurations and reports between the destination gNB (D-gNB) and the destination UE (D-UE) needs to be resolved.

[0043] In view of the above, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication technology solution. In this solution, a first terminal device receives second QoE information about a second terminal device from a second terminal device performing a sidelink transmission to the first terminal device. The second QoE information includes at least the identifier (ID) of the second terminal device. Then, the first terminal device sends the second QoE information to a first network device. The first terminal device also sends first QoE information about itself to the first network device. The first QoE information includes the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device. Furthermore, the first terminal device receives first configuration information about QoE measurement from the first network device. The first configuration information includes a first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for a sidelink transmission.

[0044] The following will be referenced FIGS. 1A-12 The principles of this disclosure are described.

[0045] FIG. 1A The illustration shows a schematic diagram of a communication environment 100A in which some embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. For example... FIG. 1A As shown, the communication environment 100A may include a first terminal device 110, a second terminal device 120, a first network (NW) device 130, a second network device 140, a core network (CN) 150, and an OAM 160. The first network device 130 and the second network device 140 serve the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120, respectively. In other words, the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 are connected to different network devices, namely, the first network device 130 and the second network device 140.

[0046] In some embodiments, each of the first network device 130 and the second network device 140 may be a gNB in ​​NR or an eNB in ​​a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system.

[0047] FIG. 1B A schematic diagram of a communication environment 100B in which some embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is illustrated. Communication environment 100B is similar to communication environment 100A. The difference between communication environment 100B and communication environment 100A is that the first network device 130 serves both the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120. In other words, both the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 are connected to the same network device, namely, the first network device 130.

[0048] It should be understood that FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B The number of devices given is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute any limitation on this disclosure. Communication environments 100A and 100B may include any suitable number of network devices and / or terminal devices appropriate for implementing embodiments of this disclosure.

[0049] Communication in communication environments 100A and 100B can conform to any suitable standard, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), LTE, LTE-Evolution, LTE-A Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. Furthermore, communication can be performed according to any generation of communication protocols currently known or developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, and fifth-generation (5G) communication protocols.

[0050] In some embodiments, communication in communication environments 100A and 100B may include cellular network communication. For example, in cellular network communication, the first terminal device 110 may send data to the first network device 130 (i.e., uplink transmission) or receive data from the first network device 130 (i.e., downlink transmission).

[0051] In some embodiments, communication in communication environments 100A and 100B may include sidelink communication. Sidelink communication is a type of wireless communication that occurs directly between two or more terminal devices, such as two or more terminal devices in first terminal device 110 and second terminal device 120. In this type of communication, two or more terminal devices that are geographically close to each other can communicate directly without going through first network device 130, second network device 140, or CN 150.

[0052] Therefore, data transmission in sidelink communication differs from that in cellular network communication. In sidelink communication, data is transmitted directly from the source terminal equipment (also known as the source UE or S-UE) to the destination terminal equipment (also known as the destination UE or D-UE) via the sidelink. Data transmission via the sidelink is also referred to as sidelink transmission or sidelink data transmission. The interface between the source terminal equipment and the destination terminal equipment may include a PC5 interface. To perform sidelink communication, a PC5 radio resource control (RRC) connection can be established between the source terminal equipment and the destination terminal equipment.

[0053] In some embodiments, it makes sense to support QMC functionality on the sidelink in order to improve user experience and optimize sidelink performance using sidelink communication.

[0054] In an embodiment where the second terminal device 120 performs a sidelink transmission to the first terminal device 110, the first terminal device 110 may perform a QoE measurement on the sidelink transmission. This QoE measurement may be referred to as a sidelink QoE measurement or a QoE measurement on the sidelink.

[0055] Furthermore, the first terminal device 110 can send a report on the QoE measurement of the sidelink to the first network device 130. Additionally, the first network device 130 can forward the sidelink QoE measurement report to CN 150 or via CN150 to OAM 160. In this way, the user experience of using sidelink communication can be improved based on the report.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first network device 130 may forward a report of the QoE measurement of the sidelink to the second network device 140. The second network device 140 may forward the report of the QoE measurement of the sidelink to the second terminal device 120. In this way, at least one of the second network device 140 and the second terminal device 120 may use the QoE measurement report for radio resource optimization.

[0057] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may send a report of the QoE measurement of the sidelink to the second terminal device 120. The second terminal device 120 may forward the report of the QoE measurement of the sidelink to the second network device 140. In this way, at least one of the second network device 140 and the second terminal device 120 may use the QoE measurement report to perform radio resource optimization.

[0058] FIG. 2 A signaling diagram of an example communication process 200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B Describe process 200. Process 200 may involve a first terminal device 110, a second terminal device 120, a first network device 130, a CN 150, and an OAM 160.

[0059] Typically, in process 200, the second terminal device 120 performs a side link transmission to the first terminal device 110. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the second terminal device 120 is also referred to as the source terminal device or S-UE 120, and the first terminal device 110 is also referred to as the destination terminal device or D-UE 110.

[0060] Specifically, the second terminal device 120 sends 210 second QoE information about the second terminal device 120 to the first terminal device 110.

[0061] In some embodiments, after PC5-RRC establishment and UE capability exchange, if both the second terminal device 120 and the first terminal device 110 support QoE measurement, the second terminal device 120 may send second QoE information about the second terminal device 120 to the first terminal device 110.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may send a request for second QoE information about the second terminal device 120 to the second terminal device 120 via a PC5 RRC message. After receiving the request, the second terminal device 120 sends the second QoE information about the second terminal device 120 back to the first terminal device 110.

[0063] In some embodiments, when the second terminal device 120 moves to a new cell (e.g., during handover or cell reselection to a new cell), the second terminal device 120 provides the first terminal device 110 with updated second QoE information about the second terminal device 120.

[0064] The second QoE information about the second terminal device 120 includes at least the identifier (ID) of the second terminal device 120.

[0065] In some embodiments, the ID of the second terminal device 120 may include a source layer 2 ID, which identifies the second terminal device 120 in the side walkway.

[0066] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the ID of the second terminal device 120 may include a user information ID. The user information ID may be configured for Model A or Model B group member discovery and 5G Proximity-Based Service (ProSe) UE-to-network relay discovery, for public safety or commercial applications based on Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) policies or via the ProSe application server that assigns it.

[0067] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the ID of the second terminal device 120 may include a source UE ID, which is used for the Uu interface in the serving cell of the second terminal device 120. For example, the source UE ID may be the cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) of the second terminal device 120 in the serving primary cell (PCell).

[0068] In some embodiments, the second QoE information may further include at least one of the following: • The serving cell ID of the second terminal device 120 • The fourth indication of the Radio Resource Control (RRC) status of the second terminal device 120, • The resource allocation mode of the second terminal device 120, or • A fifth indication that specifies whether the signaling radio bearer (SRB) for QoE measurement reports is available between the second terminal device 120 and the second network device 140 serving the second terminal device 120.

[0069] In some embodiments, the serving cell ID of the second terminal device 120 may include: the NR cell ID of the serving PCell or the NR cell global ID (NCGI).

[0070] In some embodiments, the fourth indication of the RRC state of the second terminal device 120 may indicate that the second terminal device 120 is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the RRC_INACTIVE state, or the RRC_IDLE state. Alternatively or additionally, the fourth indication of the RRC state may indicate whether the second terminal device 120 is in the RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0071] In some embodiments, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device 120 may include: mode 1 of the scheduling mode, or mode 2 of the autonomous resource allocation mode.

[0072] Continue to refer to FIG. 2 The first terminal device 110 sends the second QoE information 215 to the first network device 130.

[0073] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may send to the first network device 130 SidelinkUEInformation information. SidelinkUEInformation The message may include a second QoE message.

[0074] In some embodiments, after receiving the second QoE information about the second terminal device 120, the first terminal device 110 sends the second QoE information 215 to the first network device 130.

[0075] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first network device 130 may send a request for second QoE information to the first terminal device 110. Upon receiving the request, the first terminal device 110 sends the second QoE information to the first network device 130.

[0076] In addition, the first terminal device 110 sends 220 pieces of first QoE information about the first terminal device 110 to the first network device 130. The first QoE information includes the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device 110.

[0077] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may send to the first network device 130 SidelinkUEInformation information. SidelinkUEInformation The message may include the first QoE information.

[0078] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may send the first QoE information and the second QoE information together. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110 may send the first QoE information and the second QoE information separately.

[0079] In some embodiments, the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device 110 can indicate whether the first terminal device 110 supports QoE measurement on the side link as a destination UE.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device 110 may indicate whether the first terminal device 110 supports QoE measurement on the sidelink as a destination UE of a service type. For example, the service type may include at least one of the following: streaming media service, multimedia telephony service (MTSI) for IP multimedia subsystem, or augmented reality (AR) service.

[0081] Alternatively or additionally, the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device 110 may indicate whether the first terminal device 110 supports RVQoE measurement on the side link as a destination UE for a service type (such as streaming service).

[0082] In some embodiments, different service types can be distinguished by different Layer 2 IDs. In such an embodiment, if the ID of the first terminal device 110 is specific to a particular service type, the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device 110 can include the ID of the first terminal device 110. In this way, the first network device 130 can distinguish service types by the ID of the first terminal device 110.

[0083] The first network device 130 receives a 225 QoE measurement activation message from CN 150 or OAM 160.

[0084] In some embodiments, the QMC function can be activated in the first network device 130 via direct configuration from OAM 160. In such embodiments, activation may be referred to as managed activation, and QoE measurement may be referred to as managed QoE measurement. In such embodiments, the first network device 130 may receive a QoE measurement activation message from OAM 160.

[0085] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the QMC function can be activated in the first network device 130 via signaling from OAM 160 through CN 150. In such embodiments, activation can be referred to as signaling-based activation, and QoE measurement can be referred to as signaling-based QoE measurement. In such embodiments, the first network device 130 can receive a QoE measurement activation message from CN 150 via UE-associated signaling.

[0086] The QoE measurement activation message may include second configuration information regarding the QoE measurement. This second configuration information includes a first indication that the QoE measurement is for a side link. Hereinafter, for the purposes of discussion, the first indication will also be referred to as a side link QoE measurement indication.

[0087] In some embodiments, the side link QoE measurement indication may include an indicator that the QoE measurement is a dedicated indicator for the side link.

[0088] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the sidelink QoE measurement indication may include an indication that the QoE measurement is for a service type specific to the sidelink. In other words, the sidelink QoE measurement indication may be implicitly indicated by a dedicated or new service type. For example, a new service type may be a sidelink service type.

[0089] In some embodiments, the second configuration information may include a second application layer measurement configuration list. The second application layer measurement configuration list may include one or more application layer measurement configurations.

[0090] In some embodiments, the second configuration information may further include: information on QoE measurement collection associated with each of the one or more application layer measurement configurations. For example, the information on QoE measurement collection associated with the first application layer measurement configuration may include at least one of the following: QoE reference, service type, area range, Measurement Collection Entity (MCE) Internet Protocol (IP) address, slice range, Minimized Drive Test (MDT) alignment information, and an indication of available RAN-visible QoE metrics.

[0091] After receiving the second configuration information, the first QoE information, and the second QoE information, the first network device 130 selects one of the 230 source terminal devices for QoE measurement based on at least one of the second configuration information, the first QoE information, or the second QoE information. In process 200, it is assumed that the first network device 130 selects the first terminal device 110 for QoE measurement. In other words, the first network device 130 determines the first terminal device 110 for QoE measurement.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first network device 130 may select one of the source terminal devices for QoE measurement based on first QoE information about the first terminal device 110 and a sidelink QoE measurement indication from OAM 160 or CN 150. When selecting a terminal device for QoE measurement, the first network device 130 may consider the terminal device's QoE measurement capabilities, such as whether the terminal device supports sidelink QoE measurement as a destination UE of the service type.

[0093] For example, the first network device 130 selects only the terminal device that supports QoE measurement on the side link for the destination UE of the service type.

[0094] In another example, the first network device 130 may also consider the serving cell of the second terminal device 120. For example, if the serving cell of the second terminal device 120 is not served by the first network device 130, then the first network device 130 should not select the first terminal device 110 for QoE measurement.

[0095] In another example, the first network device 130 may also consider the RRC state of the second terminal device 120. If the second terminal device 120 is not in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the first network device 130 should not select the first terminal device 110 for QoE measurement.

[0096] Then, the first network device 130 sends 235 first configuration information about QoE measurement to the first terminal device 110. The first configuration information includes a first indication that the QoE measurement is for side link transmission.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement may include the ID of the first terminal device 110. For example, the ID of the first terminal device 110 may include the destination layer 2 ID of the first terminal device 110.

[0098] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement may include the ID of the second terminal device 120. For example, the ID of the second terminal device 120 may include: a source layer 2 ID that identifies the second terminal device 120 in the sidelink, a user information ID, or a source UEID used in the Uu interface of the serving cell of the second terminal device 120.

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement may include: the sidelink service type associated with the QoE measurement.

[0100] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding the QoE measurement may include an ID identifying the QoE measurement. In some embodiments, the ID identifying the QoE measurement may include an RRC ID (i.e., measConfigApplayerId) for the QoE measurement on the side-link interface, which is used to identify the QoE measurement on the side-link interface. The RRC ID for the QoE measurement on the side-link interface may be assigned by the first network device 130 or the first terminal device 110.

[0101] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding QoE measurements may include at least one of the following: application layer measurement configuration for QoE measurements, or RAN visibility configuration for QoE measurements.

[0102] The second terminal device 120 performs a side link transmission from 240 to the first terminal device 110.

[0103] The first terminal device 110 performs 245 QoE measurement for side link transmission based on the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement.

[0104] In some embodiments, if QoE measurements are performed per service type, the first terminal device 110 may have multiple sidelink connections with multiple UEs, in which case the first terminal device 110 has multiple UEIDs. Each of the multiple UEIDs is associated with one of the multiple sidelink connections.

[0105] In such an embodiment, when the first terminal device 110 receives first configuration information regarding QoE measurement, the first terminal device 110 can perform service measurement together with the designated second terminal device 120. In this case, the first network device 130 needs to provide the ID of the first terminal device 110 connected to the designated second terminal device 120 in the first configuration information.

[0106] Alternatively, the first terminal device 110 can measure the same service running on all connected terminal devices associated with the sidelink service type. For example, the first terminal device 110 has sidelink connections to the second terminal device 120 and the third terminal device. A streaming service is running between the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120, and also between the first terminal device 110 and the third terminal device. Therefore, the first terminal device 110 can perform QoE measurements on the sidelink transmissions associated with the streaming service from the second terminal device 120 and the third terminal device. In this case, the first configuration information may not include the ID of the first terminal device 110. Instead, the first network device 130 may indicate the sidelink service type to be measured in the first configuration information.

[0107] Therefore, the first terminal device 110 can send a QoE measurement report to the first network device 130. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110 can send a QoE measurement report to the second terminal device 120.

[0108] In some embodiments, if the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement includes an application-layer measurement configuration for QoE measurement, then the QoE measurement report may include: a first QoE measurement report associated with the application-layer measurement configuration for QoE measurement.

[0109] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, if the first configuration information regarding the QoE measurement includes the RAN visibility configuration for the QoE measurement, then the QoE measurement report may include: a second QoE measurement report associated with the RAN visibility configuration for the QoE measurement. This will refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 Describe it.

[0110] FIG. 3 A signaling diagram of an example communication process 300 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Process 300 can be considered as an example implementation of method 200. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1B Describe process 300. Process 300 may involve a first terminal device 110, a second terminal device 120, a first network device 130, and a second network device 140.

[0111] Typically, similar to process 200, in process 300, the second terminal device 120 acts as the source terminal device or S-UE 120, and the first terminal device 110 acts as the destination terminal device or D-UE 110. The first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 are connected to the first network device 130 and the second network device 140, respectively. For simplicity, the first network device 130 and the second network device 140 may be referred to as D-gNB and S-gNB, respectively.

[0112] In process 300, the first network device 130 sends the RAN visibility configuration for QoE measurements directly to the first terminal device 110 via RRC dedicated signaling. The first terminal device 110 sends a second QoE measurement report associated with the RAN visibility configuration for QoE measurements to the first network device 130. For brevity, the RAN visibility configuration for QoE measurements is also referred to as the SL RVQoE configuration. The second QoE measurement report is also referred to as the SL RVQoE measurement report. To use the SL RVQoE measurement report for source-side radio resource optimization, the first network device 130 needs to route the SL RVQoE measurement report to the source side (i.e., the second network device 140).

[0113] Process 300 may include references FIG. 2 Actions 210, 215, 220, 225, and 230 are described. For the sake of brevity, details of actions 210, 215, 220, 225, and 230 have been omitted.

[0114] Specifically, such as FIG. 3 As shown, the first network device 130 sends a 335 SL RVQoE configuration to the first terminal device 110.

[0115] In some embodiments, the SL RVQoE configuration may include a subset of the QoE metrics configured in the application-layer measurement configuration for QoE measurements.

[0116] The second terminal device 120 performs a side link transmission from 340 to the first terminal device 110.

[0117] The first terminal device 110 is configured to perform 345 SL RVQoE measurements on the peer link based on SL RVQoE configuration.

[0118] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may receive a third instruction from the first network device 130, the third instruction indicating that an SL RVQoE measurement report should be sent to the first network device 130. In such an embodiment, when an SL RVQoE measurement report is available in the first terminal device 110, the first terminal device 110 sends an SL RVQoE measurement report to the first network device 130 based on the third instruction.

[0119] In some embodiments, the SL RVQoE measurement report may include one of the following: a sidelink quality of service (QoS) flow ID associated with the SL RVQoE measurement report, or a sidelink radio bearer (RB) ID associated with the SL RVQoE measurement report.

[0120] Furthermore, the first terminal device 110 can send second QoE information about the second terminal device 120 to the first network device 130. For example, the first terminal device 110 can send the second QoE information together with the SL RVQoE measurement report. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110 can send the second QoE information before sending the SL RVQoE measurement report.

[0121] The second QoE information about the second terminal device 120 includes at least the ID of the second terminal device 120.

[0122] In some embodiments, the ID of the second terminal device 120 may include a source layer 2 ID, which identifies the second terminal device 120 in the side walkway.

[0123] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the ID of the second terminal device 120 may include a user information ID.

[0124] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the ID of the second terminal device 120 may include a source UE ID, which is used in the Uu interface of the serving cell of the second terminal device 120. For example, the source UE ID may be the C-RNTI of the second terminal device 120 in the serving PCell. When the second terminal device 120 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, the source UE ID used in the Uu interface is the I-RNTI. If the second terminal device 120 is in the RRC_IDLE state, the source UE ID used in the Uu interface does not exist.

[0125] In some embodiments, the second QoE information may further include at least one of the following: • The serving cell ID of the second terminal device 120 • The fourth indication of the RRC status of the second terminal device 120, • The resource allocation mode of the second terminal device 120, or • A fifth indication that specifies whether the SRB for QoE measurement reports is available between the second terminal device 120 and the second network device 140 serving the second terminal device 120.

[0126] Furthermore, the first network device 130 determines the second network device 140 serving the second terminal device 120 based on the second QoE information about the second terminal device 120. For example, the first network device 130 may determine the second network device 140 based on the ID of the serving cell of the second terminal device 120.

[0127] Then, the first network device 130 sends a 360 SL RVQoE measurement report to the second network device 140.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first network device 130 may send an RRC container (i.e., an inter-node RRC message) to the second network device 140. The RRC container may include an SL RVQoE measurement report.

[0129] In some embodiments, the first network device 130 may send UE-associated or non-UE-associated Xn-AP signaling to the second network device 140, the Xn-AP signaling including SL RVQoE measurement reports.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first network device 130 may send an SL RVQoE measurement report together with second QoE information about the second terminal device 120. For example, the second QoE information may include: the source UE ID used in the Uu interface and the ID of the serving cell of the second terminal device 120.

[0131] After receiving the SL RVQoE measurement report, the second network device 140 can use the report to optimize the radio resources of the side link.

[0132] In some embodiments, the second network device 140 may also forward the SL RVQoE measurement report to the second terminal device 120.

[0133] FIG. 4 A signaling diagram of an example communication process 400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Process 400 can be considered as another example implementation of method 200. For purposes of discussion, reference will be made to... FIG. 1B Describe process 400. Process 400 may involve a first terminal device 110, a second terminal device 120, a first network device 130, and a second network device 140.

[0134] Typically, similar to process 300, in process 400, the second terminal device 120 acts as the source terminal device or S-UE 120, and the first terminal device 110 acts as the destination terminal device or D-UE 110. The first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 are respectively connected to the first network device 130 (i.e., D-gNB) and the second network device 140 (i.e., S-gNB).

[0135] In process 400, the first network device 130 sends the SLRVQoE configuration directly to the first terminal device 110 via RRC dedicated signaling. To use the SLRVQoE measurement report for source-side radio resource optimization, the first terminal device 110 sends the SLRVQoE measurement report to the second terminal device 120. The second terminal device 120 then sends the SLRVQoE measurement report to the second network device 140.

[0136] Process 400 may include references FIG. 2 Actions 210, 215, 220, 225, and 230 are described. Furthermore, process 400 may include, as referenced... FIG. 3 Actions 335, 340, and 345 are described. For the sake of brevity, details of actions 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 335, 340, and 345 have been omitted.

[0137] Specifically, such as FIG. 4 As shown, the first terminal device 110 sends a 410 SL RVQoE measurement report to the second terminal device 120 via a PC5 RRC connection. The second terminal device 120 sends a 420 SL RVQoE measurement report to the second network device 140.

[0138] In some embodiments, to support SL RVQoE configuration (sent at 335), the second QoE information regarding the second terminal device 120 may include a fifth indication indicating whether a signaling radio bearer (SRB) for SL RVQoE measurement reports is available between the second terminal device 120 and the second network device 140. The SRB may be SRB4. For example, if SRB4 is available, the first network device 130 may decide to send SL RVQoE configuration to the first terminal device 110, and the SL RVQoE measurement report may be sent from the first terminal device 110 to the second terminal device 120 via a PC5 RRC connection and then to the second network device 140 via SRB4.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 receives a second instruction from the first network device 130 or the second terminal device 120, the second instruction indicating that an SL RVQoE measurement report should be sent to the second terminal device 120. Then, based on the second instruction, the first terminal device 110 sends the SL RVQoE measurement report to the second terminal device 120.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second QoE information regarding the second terminal device 120 may include a fourth indication of the RRC status of the second terminal device 120. Based on the fourth indication of the RRC status, the first terminal device 110 sends an SL RVQoE measurement report to the second terminal device 120.

[0141] For example, if the fourth indication of the RRC status indicates that the second terminal device 120 is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, then the first terminal device 110 sends an SL RVQoE measurement report to the second terminal device 120.

[0142] For another example, if the fourth indication of the RRC state indicates that the second terminal device 120 is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, but there is no SRB4 between the second terminal device 120 and the second network device 140, then when the second terminal device 120 receives an SL RVQoE measurement report from the first terminal device 110, or when the second terminal device 120 knows that the SLQoE measurement was configured to the first terminal device 110 by the first network device 130, the second terminal device 120 can send a request to the second network device 140 to establish SRB4. When the second terminal device 120 knows that the SL QoE measurement was configured to the first terminal device 110 by the first network device 130, at 335, when the first terminal device 110 receives the RVQoE measurement configuration from the first network device 130, the first terminal device 110 can notify the second terminal device 120 that the RVQoE measurement has been configured.

[0143] If the fourth indication of the RRC status indicates that the second terminal device 120 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, then the second terminal device 120 may store the SL RVQoE measurement report. When or after the second terminal device 120 performs an RRC recovery procedure, the second terminal device 120 indicates the availability of the SL RVQoE measurement report to the second network device 140, for example, in an RRCResumeRequest message. Subsequently, the second network device 140 requests the second terminal device 120 to send the SL RVQoE measurement report to itself.

[0144] If the fourth indication of the RRC status indicates that the second terminal device 120 is in the RRC_IDLE state, then the second terminal device 120 can store the SL RVQoE measurement report. When or after the second terminal device 120 performs the RRC setup procedure, the second terminal device 120 indicates the availability of the SL RVQoE measurement report to the second network device 140, for example, in an RRCRequest message or an RRCSetupComplete message. Subsequently, the second network device 140 requests the second terminal device 120 to send the SL RVQoE measurement report to itself.

[0145] After receiving the SL RVQoE measurement report, the second network device 140 can use the SL RVQoE measurement report to optimize the radio resources of the side link.

[0146] FIG. 5 The illustration shows a signaling diagram of an example communication process 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1A or FIG. 1BDescribe process 500. Process 500 may involve a first terminal device 110, a second terminal device 120, a first network device 130, a CN 150, and an OAM 160.

[0147] Typically, in process 500, the second terminal device 120 performs a sidelink transmission to the first terminal device 110. Therefore, the second terminal device 120 acts as the source terminal device or S-UE 120, and the first terminal device 110 acts as the destination terminal device or D-UE 110. The first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 can be connected to the first network device 130 and the second network device 140, respectively. Alternatively, both the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 can be connected to the first network device 130.

[0148] Specifically, the first network device 130 receives a 525 QoE measurement activation message from CN 150 or OAM 160.

[0149] In some embodiments, the QMC function can be activated in the first network device 130 via direct configuration from OAM 160. In such embodiments, activation may be referred to as managed activation, and QoE measurement may be referred to as managed QoE measurement. In such embodiments, the first network device 130 may receive a QoE measurement activation message from OAM 160.

[0150] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the QMC function can be activated in the first network device 130 via signaling from OAM 160 through CN 150. In such embodiments, activation can be referred to as signaling-based activation, and QoE measurement can be referred to as signaling-based QoE measurement. In such embodiments, the first network device 130 can receive a QoE measurement activation message from CN 150 via UE-associated signaling.

[0151] The QoE measurement activation message may include second configuration information about the QoE measurement. The second configuration information includes a first indication that the QoE measurement is for a side link (i.e., a side link QoE measurement indication).

[0152] The first network device 130 sends a 530 broadcast message. The broadcast message includes first configuration information regarding QoE measurements. Therefore, if the first terminal device 110 is in the RRC_INACTIVE or RRC_IDLE state, the first terminal device 110 can receive the first configuration information regarding QoE measurements. In some embodiments, if the first terminal device 110 is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the first terminal device 110 can receive the first configuration information regarding QoE measurements.

[0153] The first configuration information includes a first indication that the QoE measurement is for side link transmissions.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement may further include: an ID identifying the QoE measurement. In some embodiments, the ID identifying the QoE measurement may include: an RRC ID (i.e., measConfigApplayerId) for QoE measurement on the side-link interface, which is used to identify the QoE measurement on the side-link interface. The RRC ID for QoE measurement on the side-link interface may be assigned by the first network device 130 or the first terminal device 110.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement may further include at least one of the following: application layer measurement configuration for QoE measurement, or RAN visibility configuration for QoE measurement.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first network device 130 may send system information including first configuration information about QoE measurements.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first network device 130 may transmit first configuration information regarding QoE measurements via group scheduling. For example, the first network device 130 may assign a Group Radio Network Temporary Identifier (G-RNTI) to all terminal devices or a group of terminal devices including the first terminal device 110. The first network device 130 transmits the first configuration information scrambled with the G-RNTI. The group of terminal devices including the first terminal device 110 monitors the G-RNTI to obtain the first configuration information.

[0158] After receiving the first configuration information, the first terminal device 110 determines, based on the first configuration information, that 535 needs to perform QoE measurement.

[0159] The first terminal device 110 receives 540-side crosslink transmission from the second terminal device 120.

[0160] Then, the first terminal device 110 performs 545 QoE measurement for side link transmission based on the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement.

[0161] Then, the first terminal device 110 sends a 550 dedicated signaling message to the first network device 130. The dedicated signaling message includes a report of QoE measurements.

[0162] In some embodiments, if the first terminal device 110 is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the first terminal device 110 sends a dedicated signaling message including a report of QoE measurements to the first network device 130.

[0163] In some embodiments, if the first terminal device 110 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, the first terminal device 110 may store a QoE measurement report. When or after the first terminal device 110 performs an RRC recovery procedure, the second terminal device 120 indicates the availability of the QoE measurement report to the second network device 140, for example, in an RRCResumeRequest message. Then, the first network device 130 requests the first terminal device 110 to send the QoE measurement report to the first network device 130.

[0164] If the first terminal device 110 is in the RRC_IDLE state, it can store a QoE measurement report. When or after the first terminal device 110 executes the RRC setup procedure, it indicates the availability of the QoE measurement report to the first network device 130, for example, in an RRCRequest or RRCSetupComplete message. Then, the first network device 130 requests the first terminal device 110 to send the QoE measurement report to itself.

[0165] FIG. 6 A flowchart illustrating a method 600 implemented at a first terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B Method 600 is described from the perspective of the first terminal device 110.

[0166] At block 610, the first terminal device 110 receives second QoE information about the second terminal device from the second terminal device performing a side link transmission to the first terminal device 110. The second QoE information includes at least the identifier (ID) of the second terminal device.

[0167] At frame 620, the first terminal device 110 sends the second QoE information to the first network device.

[0168] At frame 630, the first terminal device 110 sends first QoE information about the first terminal device to the first network device. The first QoE information includes the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device.

[0169] At box 640, the first terminal device 110 receives first configuration information about QoE measurement from the first network device. The first configuration information includes a first indication that the QoE measurement is for a side link transmission.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement includes at least one of the following: the ID of a first terminal device, the ID of a second terminal device, the sidelink service type associated with the QoE measurement, the ID identifying the QoE measurement, the application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or the radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0171] In some embodiments, method 600 further includes sending a report of QoE measurement to a first network device or a second terminal device.

[0172] In some embodiments, method 600 further includes: receiving a second instruction from a first network device or a second terminal device, the second instruction indicating that a QoE measurement report should be sent to the second terminal device; and sending the QoE measurement report includes: sending the QoE measurement report to the second terminal device based on the second instruction.

[0173] In some embodiments, method 600 further includes: receiving a third instruction from a first network device, the third instruction indicating that a QoE measurement report should be sent to the first network device; and sending the QoE measurement report includes: sending the QoE measurement report to the first network device based on the third instruction.

[0174] In some embodiments, the second QoE information further includes a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device; and sending a QoE measurement report includes sending a QoE measurement report to the first network device or the second terminal device based on the fourth indication of the RRC status.

[0175] In some embodiments, the QoE measurement report includes at least one of the following: a first QoE measurement report associated with the application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or a second QoE measurement report associated with the radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0176] In some embodiments, the second QoE measurement report includes one of the following: a sidelink quality of service (QoS) flow ID associated with the second QoE measurement report, or a sidelink radio bearer ID associated with the second QoE measurement report.

[0177] In some embodiments, the second QoE information further includes at least one of the following: the serving cell ID of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication indicating whether the signaling radio bearer for the report used for QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and the second network device serving the second terminal device.

[0178] FIG. 7A flowchart illustrating a method 700 implemented at a first network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B Method 700 is described from the perspective of the first network device 130.

[0179] At box 710, the first network device 130 acquires second configuration information regarding QoE measurements. The second configuration information includes a first indication that the QoE measurement is for a side link transmission.

[0180] At frame 720, the first network device 130 receives first QoE information about the first terminal device from the first terminal device. The first QoE information includes the QoE measurement capabilities of the first terminal device.

[0181] At box 730, the first network device 130 receives second QoE information about the second terminal device from the first terminal device, the second terminal device performs a side link transmission to the first terminal device, and the second QoE information includes at least the ID of the second terminal device.

[0182] At box 740, the first network device 130 determines a first terminal device for QoE measurement based on at least one of the second configuration information, the first QoE information, or the second QoE information.

[0183] At frame 750, the first network device 130 sends first configuration information about QoE measurement to the first terminal device. The first configuration information includes a first indication.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement includes at least one of the following: the ID of a first terminal device, the ID of a second terminal device, the sidelink service type associated with the QoE measurement, the ID identifying the QoE measurement, the application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or the radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0185] In some embodiments, method 700 further includes receiving a report of QoE measurement from a first terminal device.

[0186] In some embodiments, method 700 further includes sending to a first terminal device one of the following: a second instruction indicating that a report on QoE measurement should be sent to a second terminal device, or a third instruction indicating that a report on QoE measurement should be sent to a first network device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the QoE measurement report includes at least one of the following: a first QoE measurement report associated with the application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or a second QoE measurement report associated with the radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0188] In some embodiments, the second QoE measurement report includes one of the following: a sidelink quality of service (QoS) flow ID associated with the second QoE measurement report, or a sidelink radio bearer ID associated with the second QoE measurement report.

[0189] In some embodiments, method 700 further includes: determining a second network device serving the second terminal device based on second QoE information about the second terminal device; and sending a report of QoE measurement to the second network device.

[0190] In some embodiments, method 700 further includes: sending second QoE information about the second terminal device to the second network device.

[0191] In some embodiments, the second QoE information further includes at least one of the following: the serving cell ID of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication indicating whether the signaling radio bearer for the report used for QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and the second network device serving the second terminal device.

[0192] FIG. 8 A flowchart illustrating a method 800 implemented at a second network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B Method 800 is described from the perspective of the second network device 140.

[0193] At box 810, the second network device 140 receives a QoE measurement report from the first network device or the second terminal device, the report being transmitted on the side link from the second terminal device to the first terminal device. The second network device and the first network device serve the second terminal device and the first terminal device, respectively.

[0194] Furthermore, the second network device 140 can use the QoE measurement report to optimize radio resources.

[0195] In some embodiments, receiving a QoE measurement report includes receiving a QoE measurement report from a first network device; and method 800 further includes sending a QoE measurement report to a second terminal device.

[0196] In some embodiments, method 800 further includes: receiving second QoE information about a second terminal device from a first network device, the second QoE information including at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device.

[0197] In some embodiments, the second QoE information further includes at least one of the following: the serving cell ID of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication indicating whether the signaling radio bearer for the report used for QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and the second network device.

[0198] In some embodiments, the QoE measurement report includes a second QoE measurement report associated with the radio access network (RAN) visible configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0199] FIG. 9 A flowchart illustrating a method 900 implemented at a second terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B Method 900 is described from the perspective of the second terminal device 120.

[0200] At box 910, the second terminal device 120 receives a report from the network device or the first terminal device on the QoE measurement transmitted from the second terminal device 120 to the first terminal device via the side link.

[0201] Furthermore, the second terminal device 120 can use the QoE measurement report to optimize radio resources.

[0202] In some embodiments, the network device may serve only the second terminal device.

[0203] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the network device may serve both the second terminal device 120 and the first terminal device.

[0204] In some embodiments, method 900 further includes: sending second QoE information about the second terminal device to the first terminal device, the second QoE information including at least the identifier (ID) of the second terminal device.

[0205] In some embodiments, the second QoE information further includes at least one of the following: the serving cell ID of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication indicating whether the signaling radio bearer for the report used for QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and the second network device.

[0206] In some embodiments, the QoE measurement report includes a second QoE measurement report associated with the radio access network (RAN) visible configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0207] FIG. 10 A flowchart illustrating a method 1000 implemented at a first terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B Method 1000 is described from the perspective of the first terminal device 110.

[0208] At box 1010, the first terminal device 110 receives a broadcast message from the first network device. The broadcast message includes first configuration information regarding QoE measurements, the first configuration information including a first indication indicating that the QoE measurements are for side link transmissions.

[0209] At box 1020, the first terminal device 110 determines to perform QoE measurement based on the first configuration information.

[0210] At frame 1030, the first terminal device 110 sends dedicated signaling to the first network device. The dedicated signaling includes a report of QoE measurements.

[0211] In some embodiments, receiving a broadcast message includes receiving system information from a first network device, the system information including first configuration information.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is scrambled by a group radio network temporary identifier of a group of terminal devices, the group of terminal devices including the first terminal device.

[0213] FIG. 11 A flowchart illustrating a method 1100 implemented at a first network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B Method 1100 is described from the perspective of the first network device 130.

[0214] At box 1110, the first network device 130 sends a broadcast message. The broadcast message includes first configuration information regarding QoE measurements. The first configuration information includes a first indication that the QoE measurement is for a side link transmission.

[0215] At frame 1120, the first network device 130 receives dedicated signaling from the first terminal device. The dedicated signaling includes a report of QoE measurements.

[0216] In some embodiments, sending a broadcast message includes sending system information including first configuration information.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is scrambled by a group radio network temporary identifier of a group of terminal devices, the group of terminal devices including the first terminal device.

[0218] FIG. 12 A simplified block diagram of an apparatus 1200 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. The apparatus 1200 can be considered as follows: FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B Another example implementation of the first terminal device 110, the second terminal device 120, the first network device 130, or the second network device 140 shown. Therefore, the device 1200 may be implemented at, or as a part of, the first terminal device 110, the second terminal device 120, the first network device 130, or the second network device 140.

[0219] As shown in the figure, device 1200 includes a processor 1210, a memory 1220 coupled to the processor 1210, suitable transmitters (TX) and receivers (RX) 1240 coupled to the processor 1210, and a communication interface coupled to the TX / RX 1240. The memory 1220 stores at least a portion of a program 1230. The TX / RX 1240 is used for bidirectional communication. The TX / RX 1240 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, although in practice, the access node mentioned in this disclosure may have several antennas. The communication interface can represent any interface required for communication with other network elements, such as an X2 interface for bidirectional communication between eNBs, an S1 interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Serving Gateway (S-GW) and an eNB, an Un interface for communication between an eNB and a Relay Node (RN), or a Uu interface for communication between an eNB and a terminal device.

[0220] Assume that program 1230 includes program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 1210, enable device 1200 to operate according to embodiments of this disclosure, as shown herein with reference to Figures 1 to 1210. FIG. 6 The embodiments discussed herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 1210 of device 1200, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Processor 1210 may be configured to implement various embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, a combination of processor 1210 and memory 1220 may form a processing unit 1250 suitable for implementing various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0221] Memory 1220 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, as non-limiting examples, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Although only one memory 1220 is shown in device 1200, several physically different memory modules may be present in device 1200. Processor 1210 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network and, as non-limiting examples, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 1200 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent on a clock synchronized with the main processor.

[0222] In summary, the embodiments of this disclosure provide the following technical solutions.

[0223] Clause 1. A first terminal device, comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, second quality of experience (QoE) information about the second terminal device from a second terminal device performing a sidelink transmission to the first terminal device, the second QoE information including at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device; transmit the second QoE information to a first network device via the transceiver; transmit via the transceiver to the first network device first QoE information about the first terminal device, the first QoE information including a QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device; and receive via the transceiver, first configuration information about QoE measurement from the first network device, the first configuration information including a first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for a sidelink transmission.

[0224] Clause 2. The first terminal device according to Clause 1, wherein the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement includes at least one of the following: the ID of the first terminal device, the ID of the second terminal device, the sidelink service type associated with the QoE measurement, the ID identifying the QoE measurement, the application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or the radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0225] Clause 3. The first terminal device according to Clause 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: send a report of QoE measurements to the first network device or the second terminal device via a transceiver.

[0226] Clause 4. The first terminal device according to Clause 3, wherein: the processor is further configured to: receive a second instruction from the first network device or the second terminal device via a transceiver, the second instruction indicating that a QoE measurement report is to be sent to the second terminal device; and the processor is configured to: send the QoE measurement report to the second terminal device via the transceiver based on the second instruction.

[0227] Clause 5. The first terminal device according to Clause 3, wherein: the processor is further configured to: receive a third instruction from the first network device via a transceiver, the third instruction indicating that a report of QoE measurement is to be sent to the first network device; and the processor is configured to: send a report of QoE measurement to the first network device via the transceiver based on the third instruction.

[0228] Clause 6. The first network device according to Clause 3, wherein: the second QoE information further includes a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device; and the processor is configured to: based on the fourth indication of the RRC status, transmit a report of QoE measurements to the first network device or the second terminal device via a transceiver.

[0229] Clause 7. The first terminal equipment pursuant to Clause 3, wherein the QoE measurement report includes at least one of the following: a first QoE measurement report associated with the application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or a second QoE measurement report associated with the radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0230] Clause 8. The first terminal device pursuant to Clause 7, wherein the second QoE measurement report includes one of the following: a sidelink quality of service (QoS) flow ID associated with the second QoE measurement report, or a sidelink radio bearer ID associated with the second QoE measurement report.

[0231] Clause 9. The first terminal device pursuant to Clause 1, wherein the second QoE information further includes at least one of the following: the ID of the serving cell of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication indicating whether the signaling radio bearer for the report used for QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and the second network device serving the second terminal device.

[0232] Clause 10. A first network device, comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: acquire, via the transceiver, second configuration information regarding quality of experience (QoE) measurement, the second configuration information including a first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for a sidelink transmission; receive, via the transceiver, first QoE information about a first terminal device from a first terminal device, the first QoE information including the QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device; receive, via the transceiver, second QoE information about a second terminal device from the first terminal device, the second terminal device performing a sidelink transmission to the first terminal device, the second QoE information including at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device; determine a first terminal device for QoE measurement based on at least one of the second configuration information, the first QoE information, or the second QoE information; and transmit, via the transceiver, the first configuration information regarding the QoE measurement to the first terminal device, the first configuration information including the first indication.

[0233] Clause 11. The first network device pursuant to Clause 10, wherein the first configuration information regarding QoE measurement includes at least one of the following: the ID of the first terminal device, the ID of the second terminal device, the sidelink service type associated with the QoE measurement, the ID identifying the QoE measurement, the application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or the radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0234] Clause 12. The first network device pursuant to Clause 10, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a report of QoE measurements from the first terminal device via a transceiver.

[0235] Clause 13. The first network device pursuant to Clause 10, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit via a transceiver to the first terminal device one of the following: a second instruction indicating that a report of QoE measurement should be sent to the second terminal device, or a third instruction indicating that a report of QoE measurement should be sent to the first network device.

[0236] Clause 14. The first network device pursuant to Clause 12 or 13, wherein the QoE measurement report includes at least one of the following: a first QoE measurement report associated with an application layer measurement configuration for QoE measurement, or a second QoE measurement report associated with a radio access network (RAN) visible configuration for QoE measurement.

[0237] Clause 15. The first network device pursuant to Clause 14, wherein the second QoE measurement report includes one of the following: a sidelink quality of service (QoS) flow ID associated with the second QoE measurement report, or a sidelink radio bearer ID associated with the second QoE measurement report.

[0238] Clause 16. The first network device pursuant to Clause 12, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine a second network device serving the second terminal device based on second QoE information about the second terminal device; and transmit a report of QoE measurements to the second network device via a transceiver.

[0239] Clause 17. The first network device according to Clause 16, wherein the processor is further configured to: send second QoE information about the second terminal device to the second network device via a transceiver.

[0240] Clause 18. The first network device pursuant to Clause 10, wherein the second QoE information further includes at least one of the following: the serving cell ID of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication indicating whether the signaling radio bearer for the report used for QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and the second network device serving the second terminal device.

[0241] Clause 19. A second network device, comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a report of quality of experience (QoE) measurement from a first network device or a second terminal device, the report being transmitted over a side link from the second terminal device to the first terminal device, the second network device and the first network device serving the second terminal device and the first terminal device, respectively.

[0242] Clause 20. A second network device pursuant to Clause 19, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a report of QoE measurements from the first network device via a transceiver; and the processor is further configured to: transmit a report of QoE measurements to a second terminal device via a transceiver.

[0243] Clause 21. A second network device pursuant to Clause 19, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive second QoE information about a second terminal device from the first network device via a transceiver, the second QoE information including at least the identifier (ID) of the second terminal device.

[0244] Clause 22. The second network device pursuant to Clause 21, wherein the second QoE information further includes at least one of the following: the serving cell ID of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication of whether the signaling radio bearer for the report used for QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and the second network device.

[0245] Clause 23. A second network device pursuant to Clause 19, wherein the QoE measurement report includes: a second QoE measurement report associated with the radio access network (RAN) visible configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0246] Clause 24. A second terminal device, comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a report of quality of experience (QoE) measurements from a network device or a first terminal device, the report being transmitted over a side link from the second terminal device to the first terminal device.

[0247] Clause 25. The second terminal device pursuant to Clause 24, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit second QoE information about the second terminal device to the first terminal device via a transceiver, the second QoE information including at least the identifier (ID) of the second terminal device.

[0248] Clause 26. The second terminal device pursuant to Clause 25, wherein the second QoE information further includes at least one of the following: the serving cell ID of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of the radio resource control (RRC) status of the second terminal device, the resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication indicating whether the signaling radio bearer for the report used for QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and the second network device.

[0249] Clause 27. A second terminal device pursuant to Clause 24, wherein the QoE measurement report includes: a second QoE measurement report associated with the radio access network (RAN) visible configuration for the QoE measurement.

[0250] Clause 28. A first terminal device, comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a broadcast message from a first network device via the transceiver, the broadcast message including: first configuration information regarding a Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement, the first configuration information including a first indication that the QoE measurement is for a sidelink transmission; determine, based on the first configuration information, to perform a QoE measurement; and send dedicated signaling to the first network device via the transceiver, the dedicated signaling including a report of the QoE measurement.

[0251] Clause 29. The first terminal device pursuant to Clause 28, wherein the processor is configured to receive broadcast messages via a transceiver by receiving system information from a first network device via a transceiver, the system information including first configuration information.

[0252] Clause 30. The first terminal device pursuant to Clause 28, wherein the first configuration information is scrambled by a group radio network temporary identifier for a group of terminal devices, the group of terminal devices including the first terminal device.

[0253] Clause 31. A first network device, comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: transmit a broadcast message via the transceiver, the broadcast message including: first configuration information regarding a Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement, the first configuration information including a first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for a sidelink transmission; and receive dedicated signaling from a first terminal device via the transceiver, the dedicated signaling including a report of the QoE measurement.

[0254] Clause 32. The first network device pursuant to Clause 31, wherein the processor is configured to transmit broadcast messages via a transceiver by: transmitting system information including first configuration information via a transceiver.

[0255] Clause 33. The first network device pursuant to Clause 31, wherein the first configuration information is scrambled by a group radio network temporary identifier of a group of terminal devices, the group of terminal devices including the first terminal device.

[0256] Generally, the various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented using hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented using hardware, while others can be implemented using firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0257] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which execute in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the processes or methods described above. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functionality of a program module can be combined or split among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions of the program module can execute within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module can reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0258] Program code used to perform the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. This program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that, when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0259] The aforementioned program code may be embodied on a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium capable of containing or storing a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media will include electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer floppy disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0260] Furthermore, although operations are described in a specific order, this should not be construed as requiring the operations to be performed in the specific order shown or sequentially, or to perform all of the shown operations to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while several specific implementation details are included in the foregoing discussion, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0261] Although this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that this disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first terminal device, comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, second quality of experience (QoE) information about a second terminal device performing a sidelink transmission to the first terminal device from the second terminal device, the second QoE information comprising at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device; transmit, via the transceiver, the second QoE information to a first network device; transmit, via the transceiver, first QoE information about the first terminal device to the first network device, the first QoE information comprising a QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device; and receive, via the transceiver, first configuration information about a QoE measurement from the first network device, the first configuration information comprising a first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for the sidelink transmission. 2.The first terminal device of claim 1, wherein the first configuration information about the QoE measurement comprises at least one of: an ID of the first terminal device, an ID of the second terminal device, a sidelink service type associated with the QoE measurement, an ID identifying the QoE measurement, an application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or a radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement. 3.The first terminal device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit, via the transceiver, a report of the QoE measurement to the first network device or the second terminal device. 4.The first terminal device of claim 3, wherein: the processor is further configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a second indication from the first network device or the second terminal device indicating that the report of the QoE measurement is to be transmitted to the second terminal device; and the processor is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, the report of the QoE measurement to the second terminal device based on the second indication. 5.The first terminal device of claim 3, wherein: the processor is further configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a third indication from the first network device indicating that the report of the QoE measurement is to be transmitted to the first network device; and the processor is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, the report of the QoE measurement to the first network device based on the third indication. 6.The first terminal device of claim 3, wherein: the second QoE information further comprises a fourth indication of a radio resource control (RRC) state of the second terminal device; and the processor is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, the report of the QoE measurement to the first network device or the second terminal device based on the fourth indication of the RRC state. 7.The first terminal device of claim 3, wherein the report of the QoE measurement comprises at least one of: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ a first QoE measurement report associated with an application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or a second QoE measurement report associated with a radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

8. The first terminal device of claim 7, wherein the second QoE measurement report comprises one of: a sidelink quality of service (QoS) flow ID associated with the second QoE measurement report, or a sidelink radio bearer ID associated with the second QoE measurement report.

9. The first terminal device of claim 1, wherein the second QoE information further comprises at least one of: an ID of a serving cell of the second terminal device, a fourth indication of a radio resource control (RRC) state of the second terminal device, a resource allocation mode of the second terminal device, or a fifth indication of whether a signaling radio bearer for reporting of the QoE measurement is available between the second terminal device and a second network device serving the second terminal device.

10. A first network device comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: obtain, via the transceiver, second configuration information about a quality of experience (QoE) measurement, the second configuration information comprising a first indication indicating that the QoE measurement is for a sidelink transmission; receive, via the transceiver, first QoE information about a first terminal device from the first terminal device, the first QoE information comprising a QoE measurement capability of the first terminal device; receive, via the transceiver, second QoE information about a second terminal device from the first terminal device, the second terminal device performing the sidelink transmission to the first terminal device, the second QoE information comprising at least an identifier (ID) of the second terminal device; determine, based on at least one of the second configuration information, the first QoE information, or the second QoE information, the first terminal device for the QoE measurement; and send, via the transceiver, first configuration information about the QoE measurement to the first terminal device, the first configuration information comprising the first indication.

11. The first network device of claim 10, wherein the first configuration information about the QoE measurement comprises at least one of: an ID of the first terminal device, an ID of the second terminal device, a sidelink service type associated with the QoE measurement, an ID identifying the QoE measurement, an application layer measurement configuration for the QoE measurement, or a radio access network (RAN) visibility configuration for the QoE measurement.

12. The first network device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a report of the QoE measurement from the first terminal device.

13. The first network device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to: ​ ​ determine, based on the second QoE information about the second terminal device, a second network device serving the second terminal device; and send, via the transceiver, the report of the QoE measurement to the second network device.

14. The first network device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to: send, via the transceiver, the second QoE information about the second terminal device to the second network device.

15. A second network device, comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a report of a quality of experience (QoE) measurement from a first network device or a second terminal device, the report being for a sidelink transmission from the second terminal device to a first terminal device, the second network device and the first network device serving the second terminal device and the first terminal device, respectively.

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