System and apparatus for mapping sidelink information in a network and a method in association thereto

Abstract

System (100), apparatus (102) and a method (300) for mapping sidelink information in a network are disclosed. The method (300) includes determining a plurality of sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) resources for indication; generating a mapping between sidelink control information (SCI) and the plurality of SL PRS resources upon determination of the plurality of SL PRS resources for indication, the mapping including a one-to-many mapping between SCI and the plurality of SL PRS resources; generating a signal associated with locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources present in a same slot of the SCI based on the mapping; and communicating the signal to one or more user devices.

Description

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MAPPING SIDELINK INFORMATION IN A NETWORK AND A METHOD IN ASSOCIATION THERETOField Of Invention

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and an apparatus for mapping sidelink (SL) information in a network and in association with, for example, a User Equipment (UE) and / or a base station, usable for communication. The present disclosure further relates a method which can be associated with the system and / or the apparatus.Background of Invention

[0002] Generally, wireless networks provide network connectivity through radio interfaces to mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE), such as smart phones. Energy efficiency and power saving for mapping sidelink (SL) information in a network can be helpful in communication networks, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (fifth generation) New Radio (NR) standard-based telecommunications network.

[0003] Current techniques may not address the issue of reducing the number of information transmissions in sidelink communications in UEs. There can be increase in processing by the UEs, collisions in messages as well as an increase common information transmission, which can waste resources. Thus, the current techniques may not facilitate energy efficiency and power saving in an optimal manner.

[0004] The present disclosure contemplates that it would be helpful to address or at least mitigate one or more issues in relation to conventional techniques for facilitating energy efficiency and power saving when mapping sidelink control information (SCI).Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mapping sidelink information in a network, the method comprising: determining a plurality of sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) resources for indication; generating a mapping between sidelink control information (SCI) and the plurality of SL PRS resources upon determination of the plurality of SL PRS resources for indication, the mapping including a one-to-many mapping between SCI and the plurality of SL PRS resources; generating a signal associated with locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources present in a same slot of the SCI based on the mapping; and communicating the signal to one or more user devices.

[0006] Advantageously, the method as described herein can avoid overhead associated with multiple SCI transmissions when there are multiple SL PRS resources in a slot. When multiple SL PRS resources are multiplexed within a slot, there needs to be a way to efficiently indicate their locations within the slot using the SCI. for indicating the patterns of multiple SL PRS resources in the same slot by means of a one-to-many mapping in a physical SL control channel (PSCCH).

[0007] In an embodiment, SCI comprises time-frequency allocation information related to one or more SL PRS resources belonging to the same slot.

[0008] In an embodiment, the method includes encoding the time-frequency allocation information using data relating to a relationship between the locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources.

[0009] In an embodiment, the method includes determining a relationship between the locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources based on respective SL PRS patterns within the slot.

[0010] In an embodiment, the method includes configuring one or more locations of SCI within a slot, each of the one or more locations associated with a set of SL PRS resources.

[0011] In an embodiment, the set of SL PRS resources are related by one or more characteristics of each of the SL PRS resources, the relation being indicated in the SCI that is associated with the set of SL PRS resources.

[0012] In an embodiment, the one-to-many mapping is generated based on at least one of: a type of relation between the plurality of SL PRS resources in the slot, a total number of SL PRS resources in the slot, a value of a related parameter for the first SL PRS resource and / or an increment value in order to obtain the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot.

[0013] In an embodiment, the type of relation comprises at least one of: location of a first symbol of the SL PRS within a slot, a resource-element offset, a SL PRS resource identity and / or parameters related to the SL PRS resource.

[0014] In an embodiment, generating the signal comprises configuring a number of bits for each of a type of relation between the plurality of SL PRS resources in the slot, a total number of SL PRS resources in the slot, a value of a related parameter for the first SL PRS resource and / or an increment value in order to obtain the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot.

[0015] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of the first aspect.

[0016] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, thesoftware including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method of the first aspect.

[0017] In an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for mapping sidelink information in a network comprising: a first module configured to obtain data associated with a plurality of sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) resources for indication; a second module configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method of the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for mapping sidelink information in a network.

[0018] In an embodiment, the apparatus corresponds to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device corresponding to a base station, and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

[0019] In an embodiment, there is provided a system comprising: at least one apparatus(es); and at least one device(s), wherein the apparatus(es) and the device(s) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

[0020] Advantageously, the system as disclosed herein can reduced signaling overhead compared to one-to-one mapping since only one PSCCH or SCI message with some additional new indications needs to be transmitted, instead of multiple PSCCHs or SCI messages. For a shared RP, this new scheme may be used for the 2nd-stage SCI, while for a dedicated RP, the new scheme may be used in the 1st - stage SCI, as it is already agreed to use only a single stage SCI in the dedicated RP and two-stage SCI in the shared RPBrief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0022] Fig. 1A shows a schematic diagram illustrating a system for mapping sidelink (SL) information in a network which can include at least one apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig. 1 B to 1 G show example scenarios in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus of Fig. 1A in further detail, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a method in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Fig. 4A to 4C show schematic diagrams illustrating example scenarios in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention.Detailed Description

[0027] The present specification discloses apparatus for performing the operations of the methods. Such apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or may comprise a computer or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, the construction of more specialized apparatus toperform the required method steps may be appropriate. The structure of a computer will appear from the description below.

[0028] In addition, the present specification also implicitly discloses a computer program, in that it would be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the individual steps of the method described herein may be put into effect by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language and implementation thereof. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages and coding thereof may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. There are many other variants of the computer program, which can use different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0029] Furthermore, one or more of the steps of the computer program may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially. Such a computer program may be stored on any computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a computer. The computer readable medium may also include a hard-wired medium such as exemplified in the Internet system, or wireless medium such as exemplified in the mobile telephone system. The computer program when loaded and executed on such a computer effectively results in an apparatus that implements the steps of the preferred method.

[0030] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) or wireless device or user device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE),laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, UE category Ml, UE category M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0031] In some embodiments, a more general term “network node” may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a user equipment (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self Optimized Network (SON), positioning node (e.g. Evolved- Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC)), Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0032] Additionally, terminologies such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and do in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two; in general, “gNodeB” could be considered as device 1 and “UE” could be considered as device 2 and these two devices communicate with each other over some radio channel. And in the following the transmitter or receiver could be either gNodeB (gNB), or UE.

[0033] The present disclosure generally contemplates that sidelink (SL) communication can be a communication scheme in which a direct link is established between User Equipments (UEs) and the UEs exchange voice and data directly with each other without intervention of an evolved Node B (eNB). SL communication can be considered as a solution to the overhead of an eNB caused by rapidly increasing data traffic.

[0034] The present disclosure also contemplates that Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) refers to a communication technology through which a vehicle exchanges information with another vehicle, a pedestrian, an object having an infrastructure (or infra) established therein, and so on. The V2X may be divided into 4 types, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-network (V2N), and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P). The V2X communication may be provided via a PC5 interface and / or Uu interface.

[0035] The present disclosure further contemplates that as a wider range of communication devices require larger communication capacities, the need for mobile broadband communication that is more enhanced than the existing Radio Access Technology (RAT) is rising. Accordingly, discussions are made on services and user equipment (UE) that are sensitive to reliability and latency. A next generation radio access technology that is based on the enhanced mobile broadband communication, massive Machine Type Communication (MTC), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC), and so on, may be referred to as a new radio access technology (RAT) or new radio (NR). Herein, the NR may also support vehicle-to- everything (V2X) communication.

[0036] The present disclosure contemplates when a UE is transmitting or receiving sidelink positioning reference signals (SL PRS) to perform SL positioning measurements in a dedicated resource pool (RP), it uses the sidelink control information (SCI) to indicate the location of the SL PRS resource(s). When multiple SL PRS resources are transmitted in the same slot, multiple SCI transmissions may be required to associate with them, which can create additional overhead.

[0037] The present disclosure contemplates that in SL positioning resource allocation, either dedicated resource pool(s) and / or a shared resource pool(s) with sidelink communication can be (pre-)configured for SL PRS. Particularly, either dedicated resource pool(s) or shared resource pool(s) or both can be (pre-)configured in onlythe SL bandwidth part (BWP) of a carrier in a SL-PRS transmission. The present disclosure further contemplates that the design for both types of resources pools may not be the same and that a UE can be (pre-)configured with one or more dedicated SL resource pools or one or more shared SL resource pools.

[0038] The present disclosure contemplates in a one-to-one mapping between a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) and an SL PRS resource, one PSCCH is required to be sent and detected for each SL PRS resource, which can increase processing at receiver UEs and can increase probability of PSCCH collisions. The present disclosure further contemplates that multiple PSCCH transmission may also involve transmission of common information in each transmission, which can be redundant and wastes resources. In other words, when a UE is transmitting or receiving SL PRS signals to perform SL positioning measurements in a dedicated RP, the UE uses the SCI to indicate the location of the SL PRS resource(s). When multiple SL PRS resources are transmitted in the same slot, multiple SCI transmissions may be required to associate with them, which may create additional overhead. Therefore, the present disclosure contemplates the possibility of methods for reducing number of PSCCHs transmitted even when there are several SL PRS resources to be indicated.

[0039] In the above manner, there can be a method for indicating the position or pattern of multiple Sidelink (SL) Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resources within a slot by means of a one-to-many mapping between the SL control information (SCI) and the SL PRS resources., in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 hereinafter.

[0041] Referring to Fig. 1A, a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for mapping sidelink (SL) information in a network is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 can, for example, be suitable forfacilitating energy and improve power efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] As shown, the system 100 can include one or more apparatuses 102, at least one device 104 and, optionally, a communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] The apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the device(s) 104. Specifically, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be coupled to the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] In one embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the communication network 106 and the device(s) 104 can be coupled to the communication network 106. Coupling can be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. The apparatus(es) 102 can, in general, be configured to communicate with the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] The apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be associated with or correspond to or include one or more user equipment (UE) which can carry one or more computers, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, an apparatus 102 can correspond to a UE carrying at least one computer (e.g. an electronic device or module having computing capabilities such as an electronic mobile device which can be carried into a vehicle or an electronic module which can be installed in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention) which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive / dynamic / gradual control, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] In an embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signal(s) in a manner to generate one or more output signals. The inputsignal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104 and received by the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, the input signal(s) can be communicated from a different apparatus(es) 102 and received by the apparatus(es) 102 and perform at least one processing task based on the input signal(s) in a manner to generate one or more output signals.

[0047] The input signal can be associated with a plurality of sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) resources for indication. As a possible option, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The output signal may correspond to a control signal for mapping sidelink information in a network. The apparatus(es) 102 and device(s) 104 will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be associated with / correspond to at least one base station, where the at least one base station can be a Next Generation Node B (gNB). Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to carry / be associated with / include one or more computers (e.g., an electronic device / module having computing capabilities) which can, for example, be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with the base station. The device(s) 104 can be configured to receive one or more input signals which can be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The device(s) 104 can, for example, perform one or more processing tasks in association with dynamic / adaptive / gradual control on the input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate at least one output signal. This will be discussed later in further detail in the context of an example scenario, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] The communication network 106 can, for example, correspond to an Internet communication network, a cellular-based communication network, a wired-basedcommunication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based communication network, a wireless-based communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication (e.g., between the apparatuses 102 and / or between the apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104) via the communication network 106 can be by manner of one or both of wired communication and wireless communication.

[0050] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to generate at least one input signal and perform at least one processing task in association with dynamic / adaptive / gradual control on the input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate at least one output signal. Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to generate (and communicate) the output signal(s) to the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, the device(s) 104 can generate a control signal for mapping sidelink information in a network to the apparatus(es) 102. This will be discussed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in the context of example scenarios with reference to Fig. 1 B to Fig. 1 D, hereinafter.

[0051] Fig. 1 B to 1 G show example scenarios in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 D shows two examples of a SL slot structure. As shown in the Figure, the normal slot structure contains physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) and possibly physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH). The sidelink synchronization signal block (S-SSB) may contain sidelink synchronization signals (S-SS) and physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH). In an embodiment of the invention, SL transmission can have a normal SL slot structure with PSFCH for 14 OFDM symbols as well as the S-SS / PSBCH slot structure. PSCCH and PSSCH will be discussed in further detail below, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0052] In an embodiment, physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) can be used to carry SL control information related to SL resource allocation, sensing and decodingof PSSCH. It may occupy two or three orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing(OFDM) symbols in time domain andPhysical ResourceBlocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain which are pre-configured by the network. The number of OFDM symbols and the number of PRBs can be occupied by PSCCH is a resource pool (RP) and (pre)configured by the network. A sidelink control information (SCI) format 1-A may be carried on PSCCH as a 1st stage SCI, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Table 1 below shows an example of the fields in a SCI format 1-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Table 1 : Fields in SCI format 1-A

[0053] Fig. 1C shows an example of a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) in a slot structure. In an embodiment, PSSCH can be used to carry 2nd-stage SCI and data information, whereby the 2nd-stage SCI can minimize the number of bits in the 1st-stage SCI and can ensure that the number of bits in the 1st-stage SCI do not change with, for example transmission type, propagation channel condition etc. The 2nd-stage SCI can also be allowed to use different formats and code rates.

[0054] In an example embodiment, there may be two 2nd-stage SCI formats, 2-A and 2-B. The 2-B format may include groupcast communication with SL Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback based on geographical location and communication range while the 2-A format may include other scenarios such astransmissions that do not require SL HARQ feedback, unicast that requires SL HARQ feedback and groupcast that requires Acknowledgement (ACK) or Negative- Acknowledgement (NACK) feedback. In addition, 2-C format may be used for indications related to Interval Usage Code (IUC) such as providing or requesting indication, with further parameters based on these relations. Further, format 2-D may be a new 2nd-stage SCI for positioning in shared RP to indicated SL PRS resources. Table 2 below shows an example of the fields in SCI format 2-A and 2-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Fields in SCI format 2-A Fields in SCI format 2-BTable 2: Fields in SCI format 2-A and 2-B

[0055] Fig. 1 D shows an example of a sidelink (SL) positioning slot structure in a dedicated resource pool. In a dedicated resource pool for SL positioning, a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) may not be transmitted in a slot without associated PSCCH as PSCCH is not included in the dedicated resource pool for SL positioning.

[0056] Fig. 1 E shows an example of a normal SL slot structure with PSFCH for 14 OFDM symbols. In shared resource pools, only time division multiplexing (TDM) issupported with regards to PSCCH and SL-PRS multiplexing. In a further embodiment, in a shared resource pool, SL-PRS, associated PSCCH and PSSCH scheduled by the PSCCH are included in the same slot with regards to PSSCH and in SL-PRS multiplexing, only TDM is supported for the comb sizes 1 , 2, 4. In yet another embodiment, in a shared resource pool, SL-PRS, associated PSCCH and PSSCH scheduled by the PSCCH are included in the same slot. The PSSCH in this embodiment may be used for second sidelink control information (SCI) and sidelink shared channel (SL-SCH) and the UE (or user device) may not have data available for transmission.

[0057] In an embodiment, comb-based multiplexing of SL PRS resources from different UEs in a slot may not be supported for shared resource pools, in which TDM-ed SL PRS resources within a slot from a single UE in a dedicated or a shared resource pool may not be supported. The present disclosure contemplates multiple (M,N) pairs within a slot in a dedicated resource pool may be supported only when the different (M, N) pairs are always multiplexed via TDM to different sets of symbols in a slot. Only a single (M,N) value can be mapped within one TDM duration (i.e. one set of symbols). According to an embodiment, for multiple SL PRS resources from the same UE within a slot, comb-based multiplexing can be supported and Time Division Multiplexing may not be supported for dedicated or shared RPs.

[0058] In an example embodiment, mapping to physical resources in a downlink PRS resource is defined as follows. For each DL PRS resource configured, the UE may assume the sequenceis mapped to resources elements accordingto:when the resource elementis within the resource blocks occupied by the downlink PRS resource for which the UE is configuredcan be the first symbol of the DL PRS within a slot and given by the higher-layer parameter dl-PRS- ResourceSymbolOffset. The size of the DL PRS resource in the time domain may givenby the higher-layer parameter dl-PRS-NumSymbolswhile the comb sizemay be given by the higher-layer parameter dl-PRS-CombSizeN such that the combination is one ofand{12, 12} .Theresource-element offsetcan be obtained from the higher- layer parameter dl-PRS-CombSizeN-AndReOffset.

[0059] Fig. 1 F shows an example of a downlink (DL) PRS resource mapping in which the quantity k’ can be given by the table 3 below.

[0060] In an implementation, it can be possible that a single UE may transmit more than one SL PRS within a slot. Current proposals are for a one-to-one mapping between PSCCH and a single SL PRS resource, where it is carried over from SL communication, where one PSCCH is mapped to the PSSCH. Fig. 1G shows examples of slot-based SL PRS multiplexing in previous proposals.

[0061] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility that the UE can determine the RE-offset, PRB / subchannel offset, and / or starting symbol of the SL-PRS based on the two options. The first option can be based on the pre-defined mapping rule between the SL PRS resource and the frequency resource of the PSCCH while the second option can have parameters indicated in the PSCCH. Specifically, for the first option, if a UE decodes a PSCCH, the UE can determine the resource of SL-PRS based on the location of the PSCCH, and no additional bits need to be carried in the SCI. For the second option, if a UE decodes a PSCCH, the UE can obtain the indicated RE-offset, PRB / subchannel offset, and / or starting symbol of SL-PRS to determine the resource of SL-PRS, which can be indicated flexibly and still deals with one-to-one mapping between PSCCH and SL PRS resources.

[0062] The above-described aspect(s) of the system 100 of the present invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described apparatus 102 and device 104 of the present invention. Likewise, all below described aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 and device 104 of the invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above-described system 100 of the invention.

[0063] The aforementioned apparatus(es) 102 or User Equipment (UE) will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 2 hereinafter.

[0064] Referring to Fig. 2, a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus 102 is shown in further detail in the context of an example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0065] In the example implementation 200, the apparatus 102 can correspond to an electronic module 200a. The electronic module 200a can, in one example, correspond to a mobile device which can, for example, be carried into the vehicle by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In another example, the electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device which can be installed / mounted in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this regard, the electronic module 200a can be considered to be carried by the vehicle (e.g., either carried into the vehicle by a user or installed / mounted in the vehicle).

[0066] It is contemplated that the electronic module 200a can be capable of performing one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive / dynamic / gradual control related processing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] The electronic module 200a can, for example, include a casing 200b. Moreover, the electronic module 200a can, for example, carry any one of a first module 202, a second module 204, a third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0068] In one embodiment, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206. In a specific example, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and a third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0069] In this regard, it is appreciable that, in one embodiment, the casing 200b can be shaped and dimensioned to carry any one of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0070] The first module 202 can be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example,the first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204 and the second module 204 can be coupled to the third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204 and / or the third module 206 can, for example, be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. Each of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 can correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0071] In one example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver which can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104 (or base station e.g., a gNB) or from another apparatus 102 (or UE or user device), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. It can also be appreciated that the one or more input signals can be generated within the apparatus 102 (or UE or user device) itself.

[0072] The second module 204 can, for example, correspond to a hardware-based processor which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals) as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0073] The third module 206 can correspond to a hardware-based transmitter which can be configured to communicate one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. The output signal(s) can, for example, include one or more instructions / commands / control signals in association with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency (e.g., power / energy efficiency and / or communication efficiency), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) to map sidelink information, for example mapping sidelink control information (SCI) to sidelink positioning reference signal resources (SL PRS), by a user device (or UE).

[0074] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility that the first and second modules 202, 204 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example, an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and processing functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and processing. The present disclosure further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and transmitting functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and transmitting. The present disclosure yet further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated hardware module, for example a hardware-based transceiver, capable of performing the functions of receiving and transmitting.

[0075] The apparatus 102 (or UE) can, for example, be further configured to process the input signal(s), as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals in a manner so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one specific example, the output signal(s) can include one or more control signals to facilitate some form of dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) for mapping sidelink information by the user device (or UE).

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, the schematic diagram of Fig. 2 may illustrate a device 104 in the context of the example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the example implementation 200 together with its modules 200a, 200b, 202, 204 and 206 as described above may correspond to a device 104 such as a base station (or gNB). For example, the electronic module200a having the casing 200b, the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 may be installed in a base station (or gNB). In an example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver which can be configured to receive one or more input signals which can, for example, be communicated from the apparatus 102 (or UE or user device), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0077] The device 104 (or base station) can, for example, be further configured to process the input signal(s), as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals in a manner so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one specific example, the output signal(s) can include one or more control signals to facilitate some form of dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) for mapping sidelink information by the user device (or UE).

[0078] The above-described aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 and device 104 of the present invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described processing / communication method of the present invention. Likewise, all below described aspect(s) of the method of the invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above described apparatus 102 and device 104 of the invention. It is to be appreciated that these remarks apply analogously to the earlier discussed system 100 of the present disclosure.

[0079] Referring to Fig. 3, a method 300 (or a communication method) for mapping sidelink information in a network in association with the system 100 is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0080] The method 300 can, for example, be suitable for facilitating energy efficiency, network optimization and power saving in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0081] The method 300 can include any one of an input step 302, a processing step 304 and an output step 306, or any combination thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0082] In an embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302 and the processing step 304. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304 and one or both of the input step 302 and the output step 306. In yet a further embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet a further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304. In yet another further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include any one of or any combination of the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306 (i.e., the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306).

[0083] With regard to the input step 302, one or more input signal(s) can be received. For example, the input signal(s) can be communicated from the device 104 and can be received by the apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an alternative embodiment, the input signal(s) can be generated and communicated from a different apparatus 102.

[0084] The input step 302 can include receiving at least one input signal associated with sidelink positioning for a user device (or UE). In an embodiment, the input signal(s) may be generated by the device 104 and transmitted from the device 104 to the apparatus 102. Alternatively, the input signal(s) may be generated and receivedby the apparatus 102 to advance to the processing step 304. For example, the input signal(s) may be generated by a transmitting UE (or user device) and received by a receiving UE (or user device).

[0085] With regard to the processing step 304, at least a processing task can be performed in association with the received input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0086] The processing step 304 may include at least one of: determining a plurality of sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) resources for indication; generating a mapping between sidelink control information (SCI) and the plurality of SL PRS resources upon determination of the plurality of SL PRS resources for indication, the mapping including a one-to-many mapping between SCI and the plurality of SL PRS resources; generating a signal associated with locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources present in a same slot of the SCI based on the mapping; and communicating the signal to one or more user devices. The SCI may include timefrequency allocation information related to one or more SL PRS resources belonging to the same slot.

[0087] In a specific embodiment, information on the locations of the multiple SL PRS resources within the slot can be encoded using information about a relationship between the locations of the multiple SL PRS resources. The relationship between the locations of the multiple SL PRS resources may be indicated in terms of the parameters that determine the respective SL PRS patterns within the slot and the UE (or user device) may compute a one-to-many mapping is provided in the SL control information (SCI) to indicate the locations of the multiple SL PRSs resources present in the same slot. The respective SL PRS patterns may be associated with each of the multiple SL PRS resources. The scheme of implementation can be described according to the following: there are one or more locations / occasions of PSCCHs (or part of SCI) which are (pre-)configured within a slot; each location of the PSCCH orpart of SCI is associated with a set of SL PRS resources which are related in one or more of their characteristics; the relation between the one or more characteristics of the multiple SL PRS resources is indicated in the PSCCH or part of the SCI associated with those multiple SL PRS resources.

[0088] The processing step 304 may further include encoding the time-frequency allocation information using data relating to a relationship between the locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources; determining a relationship between the locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources based on respective SL PRS patterns within the slot and configuring one or more locations of SCI within a slot, each of the one or more locations associated with a set of SL PRS resources.

[0089] The set of SL PRS resources are related by one or more characteristics of each of the SL PRS resources, the relation being indicated in the SCI that is associated with the set of SL PRS resources. The one-to-many mapping may be generated based on at least one of: a type of relation between the plurality of SL PRS resources in the slot, a total number of SL PRS resources in the slot, a value of a related parameter for the first SL PRS resource and / or an increment value in order to obtain the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot.

[0090] The one-to-many mapping may be generated based on at least one of: a type of relation between the plurality of SL PRS resources in the slot, a total number of SL PRS resources in the slot, a value of a related parameter for the first SL PRS resource and / or an increment value in order to obtain the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot. The type of relation may include at least one of: location of a first symbol of the SL PRS within a slot, a resourceelement offset, a SL PRS resource identity and / or parameters related to the SL PRS resource.

[0091] The processing step 304 may further include configuring a number of bits for each of a type of relation between the plurality of SL PRS resources in the slot, atotal number of SL PRS resources in the slot, a value of a related parameter for the first SL PRS resource and / or an increment value in order to obtain the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot.

[0092] With regards to the output step 306, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the apparatus 102, as an option, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an example embodiment, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the device 104. In a more specific example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the device 104 to one or both of the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 102 (or UE or user device) may also perform the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

[0093] The present disclosure further contemplates a computer program (not shown) which can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer program can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and / or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0094] The present disclosure yet further contemplates a computer readable storage medium (not shown) having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer readable storage medium can have data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and / or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0095] Further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates an apparatus 102 and / or a device 104 for mapping sidelink information in a network which can include a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206.

[0096] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be associated with a plurality of sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) resources for indication.

[0097] The second module 204 can be configured to process and / or facilitate processing of the input signal(s) according to the method 300 as discussed earlier to generate one or more output signals.

[0098] The third module 206 can be configured to communicate one or more output signals. The output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to one or more control signals for mapping sidelink information, for example mapping sidelink control information (SCI) to sidelink positioning reference signal resources (SL PRS), by a user device (or UE).

[0099] In one embodiment, the apparatus 102 can correspond to a User Equipment (UE) which can communicate with a device 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station can, for example, correspond to a Next generation Node B (gNB) which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., input signal(s)) to the UE.

[0100] Yet further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates a system 100 which can include one or more apparatuses 102 and one or more devices 104. The apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104 can, for example, be capable of being coupled via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0101] It should be appreciated that the embodiments described above can be combined in any manner as appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0102] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of embodiments described above, not being alternatives or substitutes, may be combined to form yet further embodiments.

[0103] In one example, the possibility of the output signal(s) being communicated from the apparatus(es) 102 was discussed. It is appreciable that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102. Specifically, the possibility that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated outside of the apparatus(es) 102 is contemplated, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to internal command(s) / instruction(s) (e.g., communicated only within an apparatus 102) for adaptively controlling operational configuration of an apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0104] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C show schematic diagrams illustrating example scenarios in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0105] Fig. 4A shows an example of indicating the location of multiple sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) resources in a slot using a single physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) or part of the sidelink control information (SCI). In this embodiment, a one-to-many mapping is provided in the SL control information (SCI) to indicate the locations of the multiple SL PRSs resources present in the same slot, i.e., one PSCCH (or part of SCI) can include time-frequency allocation information about one or more than one SL PRS resources belonging to the same slot. This information on the locations of the multiple SL PRS resources within theslot can be encoded using information about a relationship between the locations of the multiple SL PRS resources. The relationship between the locations of the multiple SL PRS resources may be indicated in terms of the parameters that determine the respective SL PRS patterns within the slot. The respective SL PRS patterns may be associated with each of the multiple SL PRS resources.

[0106] In other words, there are one or more locations / occasions of PSCCHs (or part of SCI) which are (pre-)configured within a slot and each location may be associated with a set of SL PRS resources which are related in their characteristics. The relation between the SL PRS resources may be in terms of any one or a collection of the parameters (associated with the characteristics) that determine the SL PRS resource pattern within the slot, and this relation is indicated in the PSCCH (or a part of the SCI).

[0107] The new indications within the PSCCH (or part of the SCI) which maps to multiple SL PRS resources within the same slot may be defined by the type of relation between the SL PRS resources in the slot, where the PSCCH or part of the SCI is transmitted; the total number of SL PRS resources in the slot; the value of the related parameter for the first SL PRS resource, which is defined as the resource with the lowest value of the related parameter, in the slot and the increment to get the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot.

[0108] The type of relation between the SL PRS resources in the slot, where the PSCCH or part of the SCI is transmitted, can include the relation in terms of any one of the following parameters: the location of the first symbol of the SL PRS within a slot the resource-element offsetidentity of the SL PRS resource and any other parameter related to the SL PRS resource. Thus, the type of relation may be indicated by one or more bits depending on how many possible parameter relations are specified. For e.g., if only andare theare the types of relations specified, then bit 0 means the SL PRS resources are related in terms of the start symboland bit 1 means they are related in terms of the resource-element offset

[0109] The total number of SL PRS resources in the slot can include the following two examples. In example 1 , if there are 3 SL PRS resources in the slot that are related in terms of the resource-element offset , the number 3 isindicated in the associated PSCCH or part of SCI. In example 2, if there are 4 SL PRS resources in the slot that are related in terms of the first symbol of the SL PRS within a slotthe number 4 is indicated in the associated PSCCH or part ofSCI. In these examples, a maximum number of SL PRS resources that can be multiplexed within a slot may be specified, and the number of bits required for this indication would then be

[0110] The value of the related parameter for the first SL PRS resource may be defined as the resource with the lowest value of the related parameter in the slot and can include the following examples. In a first example, if the first SL PRS resource has the resource-element offset , then this value is indicated inthe associated PSCCH or part of SCI. In a second example, if the first SL PRS resource has the first symbol at , then this value is indicated in theassociated PSCCH or part of SCI. Further, the number of bits may depend on the number of different values possible for the parameters. For example, and: thus, the number, , ., . , . ,, , , , , , ■ ■ of bits required in the worst case would bewhich may be reduced by restricting the possible values of and

[0111] The increment to get the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot can include the following examples. In the first example, if the increment to get the resource-element offset of the next SL PRS resource is 2, then this value is indicated in the associated PSCCH or part of SCI. In a second example, if the increment to get the first symbol of the next SL PRS resource is 2, then this value is indicated in the associated PSCCH or part of SCI. In addition, the number of bits required depends on the number of different values possible for the i— * xi— increment, where in the worst case it can be whichmay be reduced by restricting the possible values of the increment to a specified set.

[0112] Fig. 4B shows an example of the invention where the multiple SL PRS resources indicated by the PSCCH or part of the SCI are related in terms of their resource element offset in the frequency domain given by the parameterwhich is incremented by 2 for each SL PRS resource after the first one with

[0113] In this embodiment, SL PRS Resources may share the same resourceelement offset, and the OFDM symbols in time that they occupy are related by the following: type of relation is first symbol of SL PRS resource: 1 (1 -bit); number of SL PRS resources: 4 (3 bits); value of first symbol location for SL PRS Resource 1 : 0 (4- bits in the worst case); and increment in first symbol location to get the corresponding value for the next SL PRS resource: 2 (4-bits in the worst case). Further, other parameters of the SL PRS resources are assumed to be the same for all the SL PRS resources and will be indicated in the PSCCH.

[0114] Fig. 4C shows an example of the invention where the multiple SL PRS resources indicated by the PSCCH or part of the SCI are related in terms of their resource element offset in the frequency domain given by the parameter , which is incremented by 2 for each SL PRS resource after the first one with

[0115] In this embodiment, SL PRS Resources share the same OFDM symbols in time, and their resource-element offsets in are related by the following: type of relation: resource-element offset: 0 (1 -bit); number of SL PRS resources: 3 (3 bits); value of resource-element offset for SL PRS Resource 1 : 1 (4-bits in the worst case); and increment in resource-element offset to get the corresponding value for the next SL PRS resource: 2 (4-bits in the worst case). Further, other parameters of the SL PRS resources are assumed to be the same for all the SL PRS resources and will be indicated in the PSCCH.

[0116] In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims and are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and / or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.Abbreviations:ACK: acknowledgementAGC: automatic gain controlBSR: buffer status reportBWP: bandwidth partCG: configured grantCS-RNTI: configured scheduling radio network temporary identifierDCI: downlink control informationGP: guard periodHARQ: hybrid automatic repeat requestMCS: modulation coding schemeNACK: negative acknowledgementNDI: new data indicatorNR: new radioOFDM: orthogonal frequency-division multiplexingPRB: physical resource blockPRS: positioning reference signalPSBCH: physical SL broadcast channelPSCCH: physical SL control channelPSFCH: physical SL feedback channelPSSCH: physical SL shared channelRAN: radio access networkRB: resource blockRP: resource poolRRC: radio resource controlSCI: sidelink control informationSL: sidelinkSPCI: SL positioning Control InformationS-PSS: SL primary synchronization signalSR: scheduling requestS-SS: SL synchronization signalsS-SSB: SL synchronization signal blockS-SSS: SL secondary synchronization signalSL RSSI: sidelink received signal strength indicatorSL CR: sidelink channel occupancy ratio SL CBR: sidelink channel busy ratioSL-RNTI: sidelink radio network temporary identifierSL-P CR: sidelink positioning channel occupancy ratioSL-P CBR: sidelink positioning channel busy ratioSL-P RSSI: sidelink positioning received signal strength indicator SL-Sh CR: sidelink shared channel occupancy ratioSL-Sh CBR: sidelink shared channel busy ratioTB: transmission blockUE: user equipmentUL: uplink WID: work item description

Claims

Claim(s)1. A method (300) for mapping sidelink information in a network, the method comprising: determining a plurality of sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) resources for indication; generating a mapping between sidelink control information (SCI) and the plurality of SL PRS resources upon determination of the plurality of SL PRS resources for indication, the mapping including a one-to-many mapping between SCI and the plurality of SL PRS resources; generating a signal associated with locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources present in a same slot of the SCI based on the mapping; and communicating the signal to one or more user devices.

2. The method (300) of claim 1 , wherein SCI comprises time-frequency allocation information related to one or more SL PRS resources belonging to the same slot.

3. The method (300) of claim 2, further comprising encoding the time-frequency allocation information using data relating to a relationship between the locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources.

4. The method (300) of claim 1 , further comprising determining a relationship between the locations of the plurality of SL PRS resources based on respective SL PRS patterns within the slot.

5. The method (300) of claim 1 , further comprising configuring one or more locations of SCI within a slot, each of the one or more locations associated with a set of SL PRS resources.

6. The method (300) of claim 5, wherein the set of SL PRS resources are related by one or more characteristics of each of the SL PRS resources, the relation being indicated in the SCI that is associated with the set of SL PRS resources.

7. The method (300) of claim 1 , wherein the one-to-many mapping is generated based on at least one of: a type of relation between the plurality of SL PRS resources in the slot, a total number of SL PRS resources in the slot, a value of a related parameter for the first SL PRS resource and / or an increment value in order to obtain the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot.

8. The method (300) of claim 7, wherein the type of relation comprises at least one of: location of a first symbol of the SL PRS within a slot, a resource-element offset, a SL PRS resource identity and / or parameters related to the SL PRS resource.

9. The method (300) of claim 1 , wherein generating the signal comprises configuring a number of bits for each of a type of relation between the plurality of SL PRS resources in the slot, a total number of SL PRS resources in the slot, a value of a related parameter for the first SL PRS resource and / or an increment value in order to obtain the value of the related parameter for the next SL PRS resource in the slot.

10. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method (300) according to any of the preceding claims.

11. A computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method (300) according to any one of claims 1-9.

12. An apparatus (102) for mapping sidelink information in a network comprising: a first module (202) configured to obtain data associated with a plurality of sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) resources for indication;a second module (204) configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method (300) of claim 1 to claim 9 to generate at least one output signal; and a third module (206) configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for mapping sidelink information in a network.

13. The apparatus (102) according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus (102) corresponds to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device (104) corresponding to a base station, and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

14. A system (100) comprising: at least one device (104) according to claim 13; and at least one apparatus (102) according to any of claims 12 and 13, wherein the apparatus (102) and the device (104) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

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