Configuration of discontinuous reception in sidelink

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of wireless communication that includes receiving a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from a network at a first user equipment, configuring a sidelink DRX cycle based on the sidelink DRX configuration at the first user equipment, receiving data for a second user equipment from the network at the first user equipment, and sending data for the second user equipment in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle on a sidelink from the first user equipment to the second user equipment.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 148,464, filed Jan. 13, 2021, which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety into this specification as if fully set forth below for all applicable purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communication, and more particularly, to techniques for configuring discontinuous reception (DRX) on a sidelink communication channel.

[0003]

[0003] Wireless communication systems have been widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services, such as telephone, video, data, messaging, broadcast, or other similar types of services. These wireless communication systems may utilize multiple access techniques that can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmission power, or other resources) with the users. The multiple access techniques may rely on any of the following: code division, time division, frequency division orthogonal frequency division, single carrier frequency division, or time division synchronous code division, to name a few. These and other multiple access techniques have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that allows various wireless devices to communicate at city, national, regional, and even global levels.

[0004]

[0004] Although wireless communication systems have made great technological advances over the years, problems still exist. For example, complex and dynamic environments can still attenuate or block signals between wireless transmitters and wireless receivers, potentially compromising the various established wireless channel measurement and reporting mechanisms used to manage and optimize the use of finite wireless channel resources. As a result, there is a need for further improvements in wireless communication systems to overcome various problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005]

[0005] One aspect provides a method of wireless communication comprising: receiving a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from a network in a first user equipment; configuring a sidelink DRX cycle in the first user equipment based on the sidelink DRX configuration; receiving data for a second user equipment from the network in the first user equipment; and sending data for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to the second user equipment over a sidelink in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle.

[0006]

[0006] Another aspect provides a method of wireless communication comprising: configuring a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle in a first user equipment; sending a sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to a second user equipment; receiving data for the second user equipment from a network in the first user equipment; and sending data for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to the second user equipment in accordance with the above sidelink DRX cycle on the sidelink.

[0007]

[0007] Another aspect provides a method of wireless communication comprising: receiving a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration at a first user equipment from a second user equipment; configuring a DRX cycle at the first user equipment based on the sidelink DRX configuration received from the second user equipment; receiving data for the second user equipment from a network at the first user equipment; and sending data for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to the second user equipment on a sidelink in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle.

[0008]

[0008] Another aspect provides a method of wireless communications comprising sending a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from a network to a first user equipment and receiving an indication from the first user equipment in the network that sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete.

[0009]

[0009] Another aspect provides a method of wireless communication comprising receiving sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration information from a user equipment in a network.

[0010]

[0010] Other aspects provide an apparatus operable, configured or otherwise adapted to perform the aforementioned method and methods described elsewhere herein, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a processing system, cause the processing system to perform the aforementioned method and methods described elsewhere herein, a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable storage medium comprising code for performing the aforementioned method and methods described elsewhere herein, and an apparatus comprising means for performing the aforementioned method and methods described elsewhere herein. By way of example, the apparatus may comprise a processing system, a device comprising a processing system, or a processing system cooperating via one or more networks.

[0011]

[0011] The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain features for purposes of illustration.

[0012]

[0012] The accompanying drawings depict certain features of the various aspects described in this specification and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]

[0013] A block diagram conceptually illustrating an example wireless communications network. [Diagram 2]

[0014] 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating aspects of an example base station and user equipment. [Figure 3A]

[0015] 1 illustrates various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communications network. [Figure 3B] 1 illustrates various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communications network. [Figure 3C]1 illustrates various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communications network. [Figure 3D] 1 illustrates various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communications network. [Figure 4A]

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a scenario in which it may be advantageous to configure DRX on a sidelink communication channel. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a scenario in which it may be advantageous to configure DRX on a sidelink communication channel. [Diagram 5]

[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates various timelines to illustrate how sidelink DRX cycles can be configured to overlap among multiple user equipments. [Figure 6]

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an example data flow between user equipment for coordinating sidelink DRX configurations between user equipment. [Figure 7]

[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates another example data flow between user equipment for coordinating sidelink DRX configurations between user equipment. [Figure 8]

[0020] FIG. 13 illustrates another example data flow between user equipment and a base station for coordinating sidelink DRX configurations between user equipment. [Figure 9]

[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates another example data flow between user equipment and a base station for coordinating sidelink DRX configurations between user equipment. [Figure 10A]

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates various approaches for sending a sidelink DRX configuration. [Figure 10B] FIG. 1 illustrates various approaches for sending a sidelink DRX configuration. [Figure 10C] FIG. 1 illustrates various approaches for sending a sidelink DRX configuration. [Figure 11]

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an example methodology for configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink communication channel at a user equipment. [Figure 12]

[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates another example method for configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink communication channel at a user equipment. [Figure 13]

[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates another example method for configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink communication channel at a user equipment. [Figure 14]

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates another example method for configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink communication channel in a network. [Figure 15]

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method for receiving a sidelink discontinuous reception configuration in a network. [Figure 16]

[0028] 1 illustrates aspects of an exemplary communications device. [Figure 17]

[0029] 1 illustrates aspects of another exemplary communications device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014]

[0030] Aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and method for configuring discontinuous reception (DRX) on a sidelink communication channel.

[0015]

[0031] Sidelink communications, also referred to as device-to-device (D2D) communications, enable a myriad of enhanced capabilities in wireless devices. For example, sidelink communications may enable a network to send data to a target wireless device not connected to the network through a relay wireless device connected to the network. As another example, sidelink communications may enable various safety mechanisms, such as vehicle-to-device communications that allow an approaching vehicle to notify a pedestrian carrying a wireless device of its impending arrival. Numerous other use cases exist.

[0016]

[0032] A problem with all wireless communications, including sidelink communications, for battery-powered wireless devices (e.g., smartphones, smart wearables, etc.) is that "listening" for such communications requires power. Therefore, wireless devices often implement a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode to conserve power by powering down the receiving equipment. Although power efficiency is improved, the ability to take advantage of advanced features such as those made available by sidelink communications is affected.

[0017]

[0033] The aspects described herein solve this technical problem by coordinating sidelink DRX configurations among user equipments such that they are active at the same time and therefore do not need to be active as frequently. In other words, by aligning the DRX activity periods among user equipments, the user equipments are guaranteed the ability to utilize sidelink communication capabilities while still conserving power.

[0018]

[0034] As described in more detail below, the sidelink configuration adjustment may be implemented in various designs. For example, the network may adjust the sidelink DRX configuration for multiple user equipments (e.g., in a relay / target relationship). As another example, a relay user equipment may adjust the sidelink configuration for itself and for a target user equipment. As yet another example, a target user equipment may adjust the sidelink configuration for itself and for a relay user equipment. In yet another example, the network may configure the sidelink DRX cycle for a relay user equipment, which in turn may configure the DRX cycle for a target user equipment.

[0019]

[0035] In general, the apparatus and methods described herein improve network performance, for example by extending reach and reducing data latency, and improve user equipment performance by enabling additional data transmission and reception opportunities while improving battery power. The additional data may be used to enable improved features and capabilities in the user equipment.

[0020] Overview of Wireless Communication Networks

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 in which aspects described herein may be implemented.

[0021]

[0037] Generally, the wireless communication system 100 includes a base station (BS) 102, a user equipment (UE) 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and a core network 190 (e.g., 5G Core (5GC)), which cooperate to provide wireless communication services.

[0022]

[0038] The base station 102 may provide an access point for the UE 104 to the EPC 160 and / or the core network 190 and may perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, encryption and decryption of radio channels, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, delivery of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracing, RAN Information Management (RIM), paging, positioning, delivery of alert messages, among others. A base station may include or be called a gNB, Node B, eNB, access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver or transceiver function, or transmit / receive point (TRP) in various contexts.

[0023]

[0039] The base stations 102 communicate wirelessly with the UEs 104 via communication links 120. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage to a respective, possibly overlapping, geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell 102' (e.g., a low-power base station) may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro cells (e.g., a high-power base station).

[0024]

[0040] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also called a reserved link) transmissions from the UE 104 to the base station 102, and / or downlink (DL) (also called a forward link) transmissions from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna techniques, such as spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity in various aspects.

[0025]

[0041] Examples of UEs 104 include mobile phones, smartphones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players, cameras, game consoles, tablets, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electric meters, gas pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, health management devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or other similar devices. Some of the UEs 104 may be Internet of Things (IoT) devices (e.g., parking meters, gas pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, or other IoT devices), always-on (AON) devices, or edge processing devices. UEs 104 may also be more generally referred to as stations, mobile stations, subscriber stations, mobile units, subscriber units, wireless units, remote units, mobile devices, wireless devices, wireless communication devices, remote devices, mobile subscriber stations, access terminals, mobile terminals, wireless terminals, remote terminals, handsets, user agents, mobile clients, or clients.

[0026]

[0042] The wireless communications network 100 includes a sidelink DRX configuration component 199 that may be used to coordinate a sidelink DRX configuration between the base station 102 and the UE 104. The wireless network 100 further includes a sidelink DRX configuration component 198 that may be used by the UE 104 to coordinate a sidelink DRX configuration, such as between two UEs 104 (e.g., sidelink connections 158) and the base station 102.

[0027]

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates an aspect of a base station (BS) 102 and a user equipment (UE) 104.

[0028]

[0044] In general, the BS 102 includes various processors (e.g., 220, 230, 238, and 240), antennas 234a-t, transceivers 232a-t, and other aspects involved in transmitting data (e.g., source data 212) and receiving data (e.g., data sink 239). For example, the BS 102 may send data and receive data between itself and the UE 104. The BS 102 includes a controller / processor 240 that includes a sidelink DRX configuration component 241. The sidelink DRX configuration component 241 may be configured to implement the sidelink DRX configuration 199 of the base station of FIG. 1.

[0029]

[0045] Generally, the UE 104 includes various processors (e.g., 258, 264, 262, and 280), antennas 252a-r, transceivers 254a-r, and other aspects involved in transmitting data (e.g., source data 262) and receiving data (e.g., data sink 260). The UE 104 includes a controller / processor 280 with a sidelink DRX configuration component 281. The sidelink DRX configuration component 281 may be configured to implement the distributed antenna panel component 198 of the user equipment of FIG. 1.

[0030]

[0046] Figures 3A-3D illustrate aspects of data structures for a wireless communications network, such as wireless communications network 100 of Figure 1. In particular, Figure 3A is a diagram 300 illustrating an example of a first subframe in a 5G (e.g., 5G NR) frame structure, Figure 3B is a diagram 330 illustrating an example DL channel in the 5G subframe, Figure 3C is a diagram 350 illustrating an example second subframe in the 5G frame structure, and Figure 3D is a diagram 380 illustrating an example UL channel in the 5G subframe.

[0031]

[0047] Further discussion of Figures 1, 2, and 3A-3D is provided later in this disclosure.

[0032] Aspects Related to Configuring Discontinuous Reception on Sidelink Communication Channels

[0048] 4A and 4B show example scenarios in which it may be advantageous to configure discontinuous reception (DRX) on a sidelink communication channel.

[0033]

[0049] In particular, Figure 4A illustrates an example scenario 400 in which a base station 402 (such as base station 102 of Figures 1 and 2) is attempting to send data to a target user equipment 404B that is outside the coverage area of ​​the base station 402. That is, in this example, there is no Uu interface between the base station 402 and the target UE 404B. Furthermore, in this example, the data sent by the base station 402 is a paging message, although in other examples, the base station 402 may attempt to send other types of data to the target user equipment 404B.

[0034]

[0050] To address the coverage issue, the base station 402 can send a data relay request to the relay user equipment 404A, which in this example includes a paging message directed to the target user equipment 404B. In this case, the base station 402 can send the paging relay request because it is within coverage (e.g., over the Uu interface) for the relay user equipment 404A.

[0035]

[0051] The relay user equipment 404A then forwards the paging message to the target user equipment 404B over an alternative communication channel, which in this example is a sidelink communication channel over a PC5 interface.

[0036]

[0052] 4B illustrates an alternative scenario 450 in which the target user equipment 404B is still within coverage of the base station 402, but the connection is weak (e.g., due to degraded channel conditions). For example, the target user equipment 404B may be at the edge of the coverage area of ​​the base station 402, or the target user equipment 404B may be in a condition that adversely affects the connection with the base station 402, such as being inside a building where the signal from the base station 402 is highly attenuated. Alternatively, the target user equipment 404B may be idle or inactive on the Uu interface with the base station 402.

[0037]

[0053] Therefore, the same relaying approach described in connection with Figure 4A may be used to resolve the situation in Figure 4B. In this particular scenario, messages relayed by relay user equipment 404A may add transmit diversity upon reception, thereby improving network reliability.

[0038]

[0054] FIG. 5 shows various timelines illustrating how sidelink DRX cycles may be configured to overlap among multiple user equipments.

[0039]

[0055] In particular, timeline 502 illustrates a typical network timeline in which repeating blocks of time are dedicated to control and data messaging in a wireless communications network, such as network 100 of FIG.

[0040]

[0056] Timelines 504 and 506 show various periods of inactivity or activity on the sidelink communication channel for the relay user equipment and the target user equipment, respectively. As shown, different user equipment may have different DRX cycles (e.g., different active or inactive times during a common on-DRX period). The DRX cycles are generally periodic, and multiple DRX cycles may be configured at the UE. If the UE does not have a specific sidelink DRX configuration, the UE may monitor the entirety of each common on-period.

[0041]

[0057] In the illustrated example, the network configures a common on-period and a common off-period during which all user equipments are inactive or active on the sidelink. During the common on-period, the user equipments may monitor for transmission of discovery / paging messages or data. During the common off-period, the user equipments may stop monitoring any messages or data on the sidelink communication channels but may have communication with the network, e.g., on the Uu interface. The common sidelink DRX cycle configuration may be configured by the network in a system information broadcast (SIB) in some cases.

[0042]

[0058] Timeline 508 illustrates a data transmission timeline during which various types of data may be transmitted from the relay user equipment to the target user equipment. In particular, during times 510 and 512, both the relay user equipment and the target user equipment may be active and thus communicating with each other via a sidelink communication channel (e.g., as described in connection with Figures 4A and 4B).

[0043]

[0059] From Fig. 5 it is evident that aligning the sidelink DRX activity times of the relay user equipment and the target user equipment advantageously facilitates the relay user equipment to be able to relay data to the target user equipment, such as a paging message at time 510 and a data message (e.g. comprising a data packet) at time 512. This may enable the network to send data to the target user equipment even when the target user equipment is idle or inactive with respect to its connection with the network (e.g. over the Uu interface). However, depending on their own DRX configurations, the relay user equipment and the target user equipment may not always have aligned activity time periods. Therefore, it is advantageous to configure the relay user equipment and the target user equipment to have overlapping activity periods.

[0044]

[0060] Configuring the user equipment to have aligned sidelink DRX activity periods may be done in various manners. For example, the network may adjust the configuration of the sidelink DRX cycles of the relay user equipment and the target user equipment to ensure alignment during at least a portion of the common on-period. As another example, the relay user equipment may adjust the configuration of the sidelink DRX cycles of the relay user equipment and the target user equipment to ensure alignment during at least a portion of the common on-period. As yet another example, the target user equipment may adjust the configuration of the sidelink DRX cycles of the relay user equipment and the target user equipment to ensure alignment during at least a portion of the common on-period. In yet another example, some combination of user equipment and network (e.g. hybrid approach) may be used to adjust the configuration of the sidelink DRX cycles of the relay user equipment and the target user equipment to ensure alignment during at least a portion of the common on-period. Thus, various methods for aligning the sidelink DRX activity times (e.g. via sidelink DRX configurations) are described with reference to Figs. 6 to 14.

[0045]

[0061] FIG. 6 shows an example data flow 600 between user equipment for coordinating sidelink DRX configurations between the user equipment.

[0046]

[0062] The flow 600 starts at step 606 where a user equipment 604 (e.g., the user equipment 104 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) sends sidelink DRX preference information to a base station (e.g., the base station 102 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). The sidelink DRX preference information may include various aspects. In one example, the sidelink DRX preference information comprises a plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options. In some cases, the plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options are in an ordered list according to the preferences of the user equipment (e.g., the target user equipment and / or the relay user equipment) to which they apply.

[0047]

[0063] Notably, step 606 is optional and in the absence of any preference information from the user equipment, the base station 102 may generate a configuration for the user equipment.

[0048]

[0064] The flow 600 then proceeds to step 608 where the base station 602 sends a sidelink DRX configuration to the relay user equipment and the target user equipment 604. In some cases, the sidelink DRX configuration may include multiple sidelink DRX configurations for multiple different user equipment.

[0049]

[0065] In some cases, the sidelink DRX configuration of step 608 may be sent using Layer 3 signaling, such as an RRCReconfiguration message sent via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In other cases, the sidelink DRX configuration may be sent using Layer 2 or Layer 1 signaling, such as via downlink control information (DCI) or a medium access control control element (MAC-CE), as described in more detail in connection with Figures 10A-10C.

[0050]

[0066] The target user equipment and relay user equipment 604 may cycle their sidelink DRX based on the sidelink DRX configuration received in step 608.

[0051]

[0067] The flow 600 then proceeds to step 610 where one or both of the target and relay user equipment 604 send an indication to the base station 602 that the sidelink DRX configuration is complete. This indication may take a number of forms. In one example, the indication includes an RRCReconfigurationComplete message.

[0052]

[0068] The sidelink DRX configuration for the relay user equipment and the target user equipment may ensure that both user equipments are active during at least a portion of the common on-DRX period as described in relation to FIG. 5 such that the relay user equipment and the target user equipment may communicate directly over a sidelink communication channel.

[0053]

[0069] Thus, Fig. 6 illustrates an example of network coordination of sidelink DRX configuration for user equipment, such as a target user equipment and a relay user equipment 604. In this example, the base station 602 may have a direct connection (e.g., over a Uu interface) with both the target and relay user equipment to facilitate direct configuration of each user equipment. It should be noted that while Fig. 6 describes two user equipment (a relay and a target), in other cases the network may configure sidelink DRX cycles for any number of user equipments in any number of target / relay relationships with each other.

[0054]

[0070] FIG. 7 shows another example data flow 700 between user equipment for coordinating sidelink DRX configurations between the user equipment.

[0055]

[0071] The flow 700 begins at step 706 where the target user equipment 704A sends sidelink DRX preference information to the relay user equipment 704B. The relay user equipment 704B may receive the sidelink DRX preference information in various manners. In the illustrated example, the relay user equipment 704B may receive the sidelink DRX preference information via a PC5 sidelink connection with the target user equipment 704A.

[0056]

[0072] The flow 700 then proceeds to step 708 where the relay user equipment 704B sends the sidelink DRX preference information from one or both of the target user equipment 704A and the relay user equipment 704B to the base station 702 (e.g., the base station 102 in Figs. 1 and 2). In some cases, the relay user equipment 704B may send joint or combined sidelink DRX preference information (e.g. relating to both the target user equipment and the relay user equipment), e.g. merging its own sidelink DRX preference information and the sidelink DRX preference information of the target user equipment 704A into one message. In other cases, the relay user equipment 704B may send separate messages for each of the sidelink DRX preference information of the target user equipment 704A and the sidelink DRX preference information of the relay user equipment 704B.

[0057]

[0073] Like step 706, step 708 is also optional and in the absence of any preference information from the user equipment, the base station 102 may independently generate a configuration for the user equipment. In the illustrated example, the relay user equipment 704B and the base station 702 are connected via a Uu interface, although other data connection types are possible.

[0058]

[0074] The flow 700 then proceeds to step 710 where the base station 102 sends a sidelink DRX configuration to the relay user equipment 704B. In one example, the sidelink DRX configuration includes a separate sidelink DRX configuration for each of the relay user equipment 704B and the target user equipment 704A (e.g., multiple user equipment).

[0059]

[0075] As above, the sidelink DRX configuration of step 710 may be sent using Layer 3 signaling, such as an RRCReconfiguration message sent via RRC signaling. In other cases, the sidelink DRX configuration may be sent using Layer 2 or Layer 1 signaling, such as via DCI or MAC-CE, as described in more detail in relation to Figures 10A-C.

[0060]

[0076] The relay user equipment 704B may configure its sidelink DRX cycle based on the sidelink DRX configuration received in step 710.

[0061]

[0077] The flow 700 then proceeds to step 712 where the relay user equipment 704B sends the sidelink DRX configuration to the target user equipment 704A. The user equipment 704B may send the sidelink DRX configuration to the target user equipment 704A by various means. In the illustrated example, the user equipment 704B sends the sidelink DRX configuration to the target user equipment 704A over a PC5 sidelink connection. In one example, the sidelink DRX configuration may be sent in an RRCReconfigurationSidelink message configured to forward the sidelink DRX configuration to the target user equipment 704A.

[0062]

[0078] The flow 700 then proceeds to step 714 where the target user equipment 704A sends an indication to the relay user equipment 704B that the sidelink reconfiguration is complete. In one example, this indication may include an RRCReconfigurationSidelinkComplete message that informs the relay user equipment 704B that the target user equipment 704A has applied the sidelink DRX configuration.

[0063]

[0079] The flow 700 then proceeds to step 716 where the relay user equipment 704B sends an indication to the base station 702 that the sidelink DRX configuration is complete. The indication that the sidelink DRX configuration is complete may take a number of forms. In one example, the indication includes an RRCReconfigurationComplete message indicating to the base station 702 that the sidelink DRX configuration was successfully applied.

[0064]

[0080] Thus, Fig. 7 illustrates another example of network coordinated configuration of sidelink DRX cycles for user equipment, such as target user equipment 704A and relay user equipment 704B in this example. However, unlike the example of Fig. 6, in this example the base station 702 coordinates sidelink DRX configurations for multiple user equipment via relay user equipment 704B. It should be noted that while Fig. 7 describes two user equipment (relay and target), in other cases the network may coordinate sidelink DRX configurations for any number of user equipments in any number of target / relay relationships with each other.

[0065]

[0081] FIG. 8 shows another example data flow 800 between user equipment and a base station for coordinating sidelink DRX configurations between the user equipment.

[0066]

[0082] The flow 800 starts at step 806 where the target user equipment 804A sends sidelink DRX preference information to the relay user equipment 804B. The sidelink DRX preference information may include various aspects. In one example, the sidelink DRX preference information comprises a number of sidelink DRX configuration options. In some cases, the number of sidelink DRX configuration options is in a list ordered by the preferences of the user equipment (e.g., the target user equipment and / or the relay user equipment) to which they apply.

[0067]

[0083] Similar to the above example, step 806 is optional and in the absence of any preference information from the target user equipment, the relay user equipment 804B may generate a configuration for the user equipment.

[0068]

[0084] The flow 800 then proceeds to step 808 where the relay user equipment 804B sends a sidelink DRX configuration to the target user equipment 804A.

[0069]

[0085] In some cases, the sidelink DRX configuration of step 808 may be sent using Layer 3 signaling, such as an RRCReconfiguration message sent via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. In other cases, the sidelink DRX configuration may be sent using, for example, Downlink Control Information (DCI) or Medium Access Control (MAC-CE), as described in further detail in connection with Figures 10A-10C.

[0070]

[0086] The target user equipment 804A may configure its sidelink DRX cycle based on the sidelink DRX configuration received in step 808.

[0071]

[0087] The flow 800 then proceeds to step 810 where the target user equipment 804A sends an indication to the relay user equipment 804B that the sidelink DRX configuration is complete. This indication may take a number of forms. In one example, this indication includes an RRCReconfigurationSidelinkComplete message.

[0072]

[0088] Similar to above, the sidelink DRX configuration for the target user equipment 804A may ensure that the target user equipment 804A and the relay user equipment 804B are active during at least a portion of the common on-DRX period, as described in relation to FIG. 5, such that the target user equipment 804A and the relay user equipment 804B may communicate directly over a sidelink communication channel.

[0073]

[0089] The flow 800 then proceeds to step 812 where the relay user equipment 804B sends sidelink DRX configuration information to the base station 802. The sidelink DRX configuration information may include, for example, sidelink DRX configurations for both the target user equipment 804A and the relay user equipment 804B.

[0074]

[0090] It should be noted that steps for the relay user equipment 804B to configure its own sidelink DRX cycle are not shown in Fig. 8. This is because the relay user equipment 804B may determine the sidelink configuration (sent in step 808 to the target user equipment 804A) based on its own existing configuration, such that no reconfiguration is required for the relay user equipment 804B. However, in other cases the relay user equipment 804B may reconfigure its own DRX configuration based on, for example, the sidelink DRX preference information received from the target user equipment 804A in step 806 (if there is any sidelink DRX preference information received).

[0075]

[0091] For example, when the network changes (e.g., a new user equipment joins or leaves or the common DRX cycle changes), the relay user equipment 804B may reconfigure the sidelink DRX configuration of the target user equipment 804A (e.g., the DRX cycle of the target user equipment 804A as shown in FIG. 5) without any sidelink DRX preference information from the target user equipment 804A.

[0076]

[0092] However, the target user equipment 804A may not accept the sidelink DRX configuration of the relay user equipment 804B due to a conflict. For example, the target user equipment 804A may already be configured for other data traffic on the sidelink and may need another configuration from the relay user equipment 804B. If the target user equipment 804A does not accept a particular sidelink DRX configuration of the relay user equipment 804B, the target user equipment 804A may instead send sidelink DRX preference information back to the relay user equipment 804B after receiving the initial sidelink configuration from the relay user equipment 804B in step 808. For example, the target user equipment 804A may send its sidelink DRX preference list with different priorities to the relay user equipment 804B, and then the relay user equipment 804B may adjust the sidelink DRX configuration of the target user equipment 804A based on the highest priority in the preference list that is also suitable for the relay user equipment 804B.

[0077]

[0093] Thus, Fig. 8 illustrates an example of user equipment coordination of sidelink DRX configurations for user equipment, particularly where the relay user equipment coordinates for itself and at least one target user equipment. It should be noted that although Fig. 8 describes two user equipment (a relay and a target), in other cases a user equipment, such as relay user equipment 804B, may coordinate sidelink DRX configurations for any number of target user equipments that are in any number of target / relay relationships with each other.

[0078]

[0094] FIG. 9 shows another example data flow 900 between user equipment and a base station for coordinating sidelink DRX configurations between user equipment.

[0079]

[0095] The flow 900 starts at step 906 where the relay user equipment 904B sends sidelink DRX preference information to the target user equipment 904A. The sidelink DRX preference information may include various aspects. In one example, the sidelink DRX preference information comprises a number of sidelink DRX configuration options. In some cases, the number of sidelink DRX configuration options is in a list ordered by the preferences of the user equipment to which they apply (e.g., the relay user equipment 904B in this example).

[0080]

[0096] Similar to the above example, step 906 is optional and in the absence of any preference information from the relay user equipment, the target user equipment 904A may generate a configuration for the user equipment.

[0081]

[0097] The flow 900 then proceeds to step 908 where the target user equipment 904A sends a sidelink DRX configuration to the relay user equipment 904B.

[0082]

[0098] In some cases, the sidelink DRX configuration of step 908 may be sent using Layer 3 signaling, such as an RRCReconfiguration message sent via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. In other cases, the sidelink DRX configuration may be sent using, for example, Downlink Control Information (DCI) or Medium Access Control (MAC-CE), as described in further detail in connection with Figures 10A-10C.

[0083]

[0099] The relay user equipment 904B may configure its sidelink DRX cycle based on the sidelink DRX configuration received in step 908.

[0084]

[0100] The flow 900 then proceeds to step 910 where the relay user equipment 904B sends an indication to the target user equipment 904A that the sidelink DRX configuration is complete. This indication may take a number of forms. In one example, this indication includes an RRCReconfigurationSidelinkComplete message.

[0085]

[0101] Similar to above, the sidelink DRX configuration for the relay user equipment 904B may ensure that the relay user equipment 904B and the target user equipment 904A are active during at least a portion of the common on-DRX period, as described in relation to FIG. 5, such that the target user equipment 904A and the relay user equipment 904B may communicate directly over a sidelink communication channel.

[0086]

[0102] The flow 900 then proceeds to step 912 where the relay user equipment 904B sends sidelink DRX configuration information to the base station 902. The sidelink DRX configuration information may include, for example, sidelink DRX configurations for both the target user equipment 904A and the relay user equipment 904B.

[0087]

[0103] It should be noted that steps for the target user equipment 904A to configure its own sidelink DRX cycle are not shown in Fig. 9. This is because the target user equipment 904A may determine the sidelink configuration (sent to the relay user equipment 904B in step 908) based on its own existing configuration, such that no reconfiguration is required for the target user equipment 904A. However, in other cases, the target user equipment 904A may reconfigure its own DRX configuration based on, for example, the sidelink DRX preference information received from the relay user equipment 904B in step 906 (if there is any sidelink DRX preference information received).

[0088]

[0104] The relay user equipment 904B may not accept the sidelink DRX configuration of the target user equipment 904A due to a conflict. For example, the relay user equipment 904B may already be configured for other data traffic on the sidelink (e.g., to another target user equipment) and may need another configuration from the target user equipment 904A. If the relay user equipment 904B does not accept a particular sidelink DRX configuration of the target user equipment 904A, the relay user equipment 904B may instead send sidelink DRX preference information back to the target user equipment 904A after receiving the initial sidelink configuration from the target user equipment 904A in step 908. For example, the relay user equipment 904B may send its sidelink DRX preference list with different priorities to the target user equipment 904A, and the target user equipment 904A may then adjust the sidelink DRX configuration of the relay user equipment 904B based on the highest priority option in the preference list that is also suitable for the target user equipment 904A.

[0089]

[0105] In one example, the target user equipment 904A may autonomously select a user equipment specific sidelink DRX configuration (e.g., sidelink DRX cycle) based on an identifier associated with the user equipment, such as a sidelink synchronization identity (SSID) or Layer 2 ID. The network (e.g., base station 902) may determine the number of user equipment specific slots N during the common on period, and the user equipments can then derive their user equipment specific on slots based on their own identifiers. In one example, a user equipment such as the target user equipment 904A may use the following formula:

[0090]

number

[0091]

[0106] Thus, the UE can use this formula to derive its default sidelink configuration if no sidelink DRX configuration is received from the network.

[0092]

[0107] Thus, Fig. 9 illustrates another example of user equipment coordination of sidelink DRX configurations for user equipment, particularly where the target user equipment coordinates for itself and at least one relay user equipment. It should be noted that although Fig. 9 describes two user equipment (a relay and a target), in other cases a user equipment, such as the target user equipment 904A, may coordinate sidelink DRX configurations for any number of relay user equipments that are in any number of target / relay relationships with each other.

[0093]

[0108] 6 to 9 show various examples of sidelink DRX configuration adjustment, where either the network (e.g. base station) or the user equipment adjusts the sidelink DRX configuration, although in other examples both the network and the user equipment may be involved in the sidelink DRX configuration.

[0094]

[0109] For example, the network may configure the relay user equipment as shown and described in relation to Figures 6 and 7, but the relay user equipment may then configure the target user equipment as shown and described in relation to Figure 8. Other examples are possible.

[0095]

[0110] 10A-10C show various schemes for sending a sidelink DRX configuration.

[0096]

[0111] As mentioned above, the sidelink DRX configuration information may be sent via Layer 3 signaling, such as RRC signaling, or Layer 1 or Layer 2 signaling, such as DCI and MAC-CE signaling. The advantage of Layer 1 and Layer 2 signaling is low latency, which means that the configuration can be performed more quickly.

[0097]

[0112] In some examples, Layer 1 and Layer 2 signaling may be used to signal a pre-configured sidelink DRX configuration. In other examples, Layer 1 and Layer 2 signaling may also be used for more dynamic sidelink DRX alignment over the sidelink between the relay user equipment and the target user equipment.

[0098]

[0113] FIG. 10A shows an example of a system information block (SIB) type 18 for indicating a preconfigured sidelink DRX configuration.

[0099]

[0114] In some cases, the network may pre-configure multiple sidelink DRX configurations and inform the user equipment of the available options through system information block (SIB) signaling. In one example, the network (e.g., a base station) broadcasts the pre-configured DRX configuration options on the Uu interface using a SIB18 message as shown in Figure 10A, where the "commDRXConfig" field is used to define the pre-configured options.

[0100]

[0115] In such a scenario, all user equipment connected to the network receive the same pre-configured options via the SIB18 message, where commDRXConfig is a set of possible sidelink DRX configurations, each associated with an index. Each user equipment may then use one of the SL DRX configurations in the pre-configured set.

[0101]

[0116] After broadcasting the pre-configured DRX configuration using SIB18 block as in FIG. 10A, the network may indicate to each user equipment (such as the target user equipment and relay user equipment in FIG. 6) which option to select via a user equipment specific message such as SIB19 block in FIG. 10B.

[0102]

[0117] For example, the "DRXInfoList" field in Fig. 10B may contain a list of numbers, where each number indicates one option from a set of pre-configured options for SL DRX, and each number is associated with a user equipment identifier. After receiving the SIB19 block, the user equipment finds its user equipment identifier in the list and determines its pre-configured sidelink DRX configuration options.

[0103]

[0118] FIG. 10C illustrates another manner in which the network may signal the sidelink DRX configuration to the user equipment.

[0104]

[0119] In particular, Figure 10C may represent a downlink control information (DCI) element and a medium access control element (MAC-CE). In either case, the network may use a number (e.g., an octal number) to indicate one option of a set of pre-configured options for sidelink DRX.

[0105]

[0120] For example, in the case of FIG. 10C depicting DCI, each DCI element (eg, C0, . . . C7) is dedicated to one user equipment.

[0106]

[0121] Similarly, where FIG. 10C represents the MAC-CE, each MAC-CE element (eg, C0, . . . C7) is dedicated to one user equipment.

[0107] Exemplary Method for Configuring Discontinuous Reception on a Sidelink Communication Channel

[0122] FIG. 11 illustrates an example method 1100 for configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink communication channel at a user equipment.

[0108]

[0123] The method 1100 begins at step 1110 of receiving a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from a network at a first user equipment.

[0109]

[0124] The sidelink DRX configuration may configure various aspects of the sidelink communication channel. For example, the sidelink DRX configuration may cause the first user equipment and the second user equipment to become active during a common portion of a common sidelink DRX cycle as shown and described in FIG. 5.

[0110]

[0125] The first user equipment may receive the sidelink DRX configuration in various manners. For example, the first user equipment may receive the sidelink DRX configuration via Layer 3 signaling, such as Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling from the network, or via Layer 2 and Layer 1 signaling, such as Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling from the network or Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling from the network. In some cases, the first user equipment receives the sidelink DRX configuration from the network via the Uu interface.

[0111]

[0126] The method 1100 then proceeds to step 1120 of configuring a sidelink DRX cycle based on the sidelink DRX configuration in the first user equipment.

[0112]

[0127] The method 1100 then proceeds to step 1130 of receiving, at the first user equipment, data for the second user equipment from the network.

[0113]

[0128] The data for the second user equipment may be many types of data. For example, the data for the second user equipment may be a paging message. As another example, the data for the second user equipment may be a data packet or other type of message.

[0114]

[0129] The method 1100 then proceeds to step 1140 of sending data for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to the second user equipment on the sidelink in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle.

[0115]

[0130] The first user equipment may send data to the second user equipment in various ways. In one example, the first user equipment sends data to the second user equipment over a PC5 interface on the sidelink.

[0116]

[0131] In some cases, the method 1100 may be performed with additional steps not shown in FIG.

[0117]

[0132] In some cases, the method 1100 may include sending a sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to the second user equipment.

[0118]

[0133] In some cases, the method 1100 may include sending a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the first user equipment from the first user equipment to the network.

[0119]

[0134] In some cases, the method 1100 may include receiving, at the first user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment from the second user equipment, and sending the sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to a network.

[0120]

[0135] In some cases, the method 1100 may include sending a second sidelink DRX configuration on the sidelink from the first user equipment to the second user equipment, where the second sidelink DRX configuration is configured to configure a DRX cycle in the second user equipment.

[0121]

[0136] In some cases, the method 1100 may include receiving, at the first user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment and sending a third sidelink DRX configuration over the sidelink from the first user equipment to the second user equipment, where the third sidelink DRX configuration is based on the sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment.

[0122]

[0137] In some cases, a user equipment (e.g., UE 104 in wireless communications network 100 of FIG. 1 ) or a portion thereof may perform, or be configured, operable, or adapted to perform, the operations of method 1100. In some cases, the operations of method 1100 may be implemented as software components (e.g., sidelink DRX component 281 of FIG. 2 ) executed and running on one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 280 of FIG. 2 ). Signals related to the operations may be transmitted or received by the UE by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 252 of FIG. 2 ) or via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 280) that acquire and / or output the signals.

[0123]

[0138] 11 illustrates one example of a method according to the disclosure herein, and other examples are possible that may include additional or alternative steps or omit certain steps. The various examples described in connection with FIG. 11 are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the method 1100.

[0124]

[0139] FIG. 12 illustrates another example method 1200 for configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink communication channel at a user equipment.

[0125]

[0140] The method 1200 begins at step 1210 with configuring a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle in a first user equipment.

[0126]

[0141] The method 1200 then proceeds to step 1220 of sending a sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to the second user equipment.

[0127]

[0142] The sidelink DRX configuration may configure various aspects of the sidelink communication channel, for example, the sidelink DRX configuration may cause the second user equipment and the first user equipment to be active during a common portion of a common sidelink DRX cycle as shown and described in FIG.

[0128]

[0143] The first user equipment may send data to the second user equipment in various manners. In one example, the first user equipment sends data to the second user equipment over a PC5 interface on the sidelink.

[0129]

[0144] The method 1200 then proceeds to step 1230 of receiving data for the second user equipment from the network at the first user equipment.

[0130]

[0145] The data for the second user equipment may be many types of data. For example, the data for the second user equipment may be a paging message. As another example, the data for the second user equipment may be a data packet or other type of message.

[0131]

[0146] The method 1200 then proceeds to step 1240 of sending data for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to the second user equipment on the sidelink in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle.

[0132]

[0147] In some cases, the method 1200 may be performed with additional steps not shown in FIG.

[0133]

[0148] In some cases, the method 1200 includes receiving, at the first user equipment, a message from the second user equipment indicating that the second user equipment has configured its sidelink DRX cycle in accordance with the sidelink DRX configuration.

[0134]

[0149] In some cases, the method 1200 includes receiving, at the first user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment from a second user equipment, and generating a sidelink DRX configuration based on the sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment.

[0135]

[0150] In some cases, the method 1200 includes receiving, at the first user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment from a second user equipment, and sending, from the first user equipment to the second user equipment, a second sidelink DRX configuration based on the sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment.

[0136]

[0151] The sidelink DRX configuration preferences may include various information. In one example, the sidelink DRX configuration preferences comprise a list of multiple sidelink DRX configuration options ordered by the second user equipment's preferences. In another example, the sidelink DRX configuration preferences may include a single preferred DRX configuration option for the second user equipment. Other examples are possible.

[0137]

[0152] In some cases, the method 1200 includes sending sidelink DRX configuration information from the first user equipment to a network, the sidelink DRX configuration information comprising a sidelink DRX configuration for the first user equipment and a sidelink DRX configuration for the second user equipment.

[0138]

[0153] In some cases, a user equipment (e.g., UE 104 in wireless communications network 100 of FIG. 1 ) or a portion thereof may perform, or be configured, operable, or adapted to perform, the operations of method 1200. In some cases, the operations of method 1200 may be implemented as software components (e.g., sidelink DRX configuration component 281 of FIG. 2 ) executed and running on one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 280 of FIG. 2 ). Signals related to the operations may be transmitted or received by the UE by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 252 of FIG. 2 ) or via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 280) that acquire and / or output the signals.

[0139]

[0154] 12 illustrates one example of a method according to the disclosure herein, and other examples are possible that may include additional or alternative steps or omit certain steps. The various examples described in connection with FIG. 12 are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the method 1200.

[0140]

[0155] FIG. 13 illustrates another example method 1300 for configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink communication channel at a user equipment.

[0141]

[0156] The method 1300 begins at step 1310 of receiving a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration at a first user equipment from a second user equipment.

[0142]

[0157] The sidelink DRX configuration may configure various aspects of the sidelink communication channel, for example, the sidelink DRX configuration may cause the first user equipment and the second user equipment to be active during a common portion of a common sidelink DRX cycle as shown and described in FIG.

[0143]

[0158] The method 1300 then proceeds to step 1320 of configuring a DRX cycle at the first user equipment based on the sidelink DRX configuration received from the second user equipment.

[0144]

[0159] The method 1300 then proceeds to step 1330 of receiving, at the first user equipment, data for the second user equipment from the network.

[0145]

[0160] The data for the second user equipment may be many types of data. For example, the data for the second user equipment may be a paging message. As another example, the data for the second user equipment may be a data packet or other type of message.

[0146]

[0161] The method 1300 then proceeds to step 1340 of sending data for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to the second user equipment on the sidelink in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle.

[0147]

[0162] The first user equipment may send data to the second user equipment in various manners. In one example, the first user equipment sends data to the second user equipment over a PC5 interface on the sidelink.

[0148]

[0163] In some cases, the method 1300 may be performed with additional steps not shown in FIG.

[0149]

[0164] In some cases, the method 1300 includes sending a message from the first user equipment to the second user equipment indicating that the first user equipment has configured its sidelink DRX cycle in accordance with the sidelink DRX configuration.

[0150]

[0165] In some cases, the method 1300 includes sending a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the first user equipment from the first user equipment to the second user equipment.

[0151]

[0166] The sidelink DRX configuration preferences may include various information. In one example, the sidelink DRX configuration preferences comprise a list of multiple sidelink DRX configuration options ordered by the first user equipment's preferences. In another example, the sidelink DRX configuration preferences may include a single preferred DRX configuration option for the first user equipment. Other examples are possible.

[0152]

[0167] In some cases, the sidelink DRX configuration received at the first user equipment from the second user equipment is based on a sidelink DRX configuration preference from the first user equipment.

[0153]

[0168] In some cases, a user equipment (e.g., UE 104 in wireless communications network 100 of FIG. 1 ) or a portion thereof may perform, or be configured, operable, or adapted to perform, the operations of method 1300. In some cases, the operations of method 1300 may be implemented as software components (e.g., sidelink DRX configuration component 281 of FIG. 2 ) executed and running on one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 280 of FIG. 2 ). Signals related to the operations may be transmitted or received by the UE by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 252 of FIG. 2 ) or via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 280) that acquire and / or output the signals.

[0154]

[0169] 13 illustrates one example of a method according to the disclosure herein, and other examples are possible that may include additional or alternative steps or omit certain steps. The various examples described in connection with FIG. 13 are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the method 1300.

[0155]

[0170] FIG. 14 illustrates another example method 1400 for configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink communication channel in a network.

[0156]

[0171] The method 1400 begins at step 1410 with sending a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from the network to the first user equipment.

[0157]

[0172] The network may send the sidelink DRX configuration in various manners. In one example, the network sends the sidelink DRX configuration over the Uu interface.

[0158]

[0173] The sidelink DRX configuration may include various information. In one example, the sidelink DRX configuration includes a sidelink DRX configuration for a first user equipment and a sidelink DRX configuration for a second user equipment.

[0159]

[0174] The sidelink DRX configuration may configure various aspects of the sidelink communication channel, for example, the sidelink DRX configuration may cause the first user equipment and the second user equipment to be active during a common portion of a common sidelink DRX cycle as shown and described in FIG.

[0160]

[0175] The method 1400 then proceeds to step 1420 of receiving, at the network, from the first user equipment, an indication that the sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete.

[0161]

[0176] The network may receive the indication that the sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete in various manners. In one example, the network receives the indication that the sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete over the Uu interface.

[0162]

[0177] The indication that sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete may include various information. In one example, the indication that sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete includes an indication that sidelink DRX configuration is complete for one or more of the first user equipment and the second user equipment. In some cases, the indication that sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete comprises a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message.

[0163]

[0178] In some cases, the method 1400 may be performed with additional steps not shown in FIG.

[0164]

[0179] In some cases, the method 1400 includes receiving a sidelink DRX configuration preference from the first user equipment.

[0165]

[0180] The sidelink DRX configuration preferences may include various information. In one example, the sidelink DRX configuration preferences comprise a list of multiple sidelink DRX configuration options arranged by preference of one or more of the first and / or second user equipment. In another example, the sidelink DRX configuration preferences may include a single preferred DRX configuration option of one or more of the first and second user equipment. Other examples are possible.

[0166]

[0181] In some cases, a base station (such as, for example, base station 102 in wireless communications network 100 of FIG. 1 ) or a portion thereof may perform, or be configured, operable, or adapted to perform, operations of method 1400. In some cases, operations of method 1400 may be implemented as software components (e.g., sidelink DRX component 241 of FIG. 2 ) executed and running on one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 240 of FIG. 2 ). Signals associated with the operations may be transmitted or received by the base station by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 234 of FIG. 2 ) or via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 240) that acquire and / or output the signals.

[0167]

[0182] 14 illustrates one example of a method according to the disclosure herein, although other examples are possible that may include additional or alternative steps or omit certain steps. The various examples described in connection with FIG. 14 are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the method 1400.

[0168]

[0183] FIG. 15 illustrates an example method 1500 for receiving a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration in a network.

[0169]

[0184] The method 1500 begins at step 1510 of receiving sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration information from a user equipment at a network.

[0170]

[0185] The sidelink DRX configuration information may include various information. In one example, the sidelink DRX configuration information includes a sidelink DRX configuration for a first user equipment and a sidelink DRX configuration for a second user equipment.

[0171]

[0186] The sidelink DRX configuration for the first and / or second user equipment may configure various aspects of the sidelink communication channel. For example, the sidelink DRX configuration may cause the first and second user equipment to be active during a common portion of a common sidelink DRX cycle as shown and described in FIG. 5.

[0172]

[0187] The network may receive the sidelink DRX configuration in various manners. In one example, the network receives the sidelink DRX configuration information over a Uu interface.

[0173]

[0188] In some cases, a base station (such as, for example, base station 102 in wireless communications network 100 of FIG. 1 ) or portions thereof may perform, or be configured, operable, or adapted to perform, the operations of method 1500. In some cases, the operations of method 1500 may be implemented as software components (e.g., sidelink DRX component 241 of FIG. 2 ) executed and running on one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 240 of FIG. 2 ). Signals associated with the operations may be transmitted or received by the base station by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 234 of FIG. 2 ) or via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 240) that acquire and / or output the signals.

[0174]

[0189] 15 illustrates one example of a method according to the disclosure herein, and other examples are possible that may include additional or alternative steps or omit certain steps. The various examples described in connection with FIG. 15 are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the method 1500.

[0175] Exemplary Wireless Communication Device

[0190] FIG. 16 illustrates an example communications device 1600 including various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform operations of the techniques disclosed herein, such as those illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 6-13.

[0176]

[0191] The communications device 1600 includes a processing system 1602 coupled to a transceiver 1608 (e.g., a transmitter and / or receiver). The transceiver 1608 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device 1600, such as various signals described herein, via an antenna 1610. The processing system 1602 may be configured to perform processing functions of the communications device 1600, such as processing signals received and / or transmitted by the communications device 1600.

[0177]

[0192] The processing system 1602 includes a processor 1604 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1612 via a bus 1606. In certain aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1612 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the processor 1604, cause the processor 1604 to perform operations illustrated in Figures 6-13 or other operations to perform various techniques described herein for sidelink DRX configuration.

[0178]

[0193] In the shown example, the computer-readable medium / memory 1612 stores code 1614 for sending and receiving sidelink DRX preference information, code 1616 for sending and receiving sidelink DRX configuration, code 1618 for sending and receiving DRX configuration confirmation, code 1620 for configuring a sidelink DRX, and code 1622 for sending and receiving data.

[0179]

[0194] In the illustrated example, the processor 1604 has circuits configured to implement codes stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 1612, including a circuit 1624 for sending and receiving sidelink DRX preference information, a circuit 1626 for sending and receiving sidelink DRX configuration, a circuit 1628 for sending and receiving DRX configuration confirmation, a circuit 1630 for configuring sidelink DRX, and a circuit 1632 for sending and receiving data.

[0180]

[0195] The various components of the communications device 1600 may provide means for performing the methods described herein, including those in connection with FIGS.

[0181]

[0196] In some examples, the means for transmitting or sending (or the means for outputting for transmission) may include the transceiver 254 and / or the antenna 252 of the UE 104 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1608 and antenna 1610 of the communications device 1600 of FIG. 16.

[0182]

[0197] In some examples, the means for receiving (or the means for obtaining) may include the transceiver 254 and / or the antenna 252 of the UE 104 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1608 and antenna 1610 of the communications device 1600 of FIG.

[0183]

[0198] In some examples, the means for configuring sidelink DRX, the means for determining a sidelink DRX preference, the means for generating a configuration confirmation, and the means for processing received data may include a processing system that may include one or more processors, such as the receive processor 258, the transmit processor 264, the TX MIMO processor 266, and / or the controller / processor 280 including the sidelink DRX configuration component 281 of the UE 104 shown in FIG. 2 , and / or the processing system 1602 of the communications device 1600 of FIG. 16 .

[0184]

[0199] Notably, FIG. 16 is merely an example use case and many other examples and configurations of communications device 1600 are possible.

[0185]

[0200] Figure 17 illustrates aspects of another example communications device 1700 that includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform operations of the techniques disclosed herein, such as those illustrated and described in connection with Figures 6-10 and 14-15. In some examples, the communications device 1700 may be a base station 102, for example, as described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

[0186]

[0201] The communications device 1700 includes a processing system 1702 coupled to a transceiver 1708 (e.g., a transmitter and / or receiver). The transceiver 1708 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device 1700, such as various signals described herein, via an antenna 1710. The processing system 1702 may be configured to perform processing functions of the communications device 1700, such as processing signals received and / or transmitted by the communications device 1700.

[0187]

[0202] The processing system 1702 includes a processor 1704 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1712 via a bus 1706. In certain aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1712 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the processor 1704, cause the processor 1704 to perform operations illustrated in Figures 6-10 and 14-15, or other operations to perform various techniques described herein for sidelink DRX configuration.

[0188]

[0203] In the shown example, computer-readable medium / memory 1712 stores code 1714 for sending and receiving sidelink DRX preference information, code 1716 for sending and receiving a sidelink DRX configuration, code 1718 for receiving a DRX configuration confirmation, and code 1720 for sending and receiving data.

[0189]

[0204] In the illustrated example, the processor 1704 has circuitry configured to implement codes stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 1712, including a circuit 1724 for receiving sidelink DRX preference information, a circuit 1726 for sending and receiving a sidelink DRX configuration, a circuit 1728 for receiving a DRX configuration confirmation, and a circuit 1730 for sending and receiving data.

[0190]

[0205] The various components of the communications device 1700 may provide means for performing the methods described herein, including those in connection with FIGS. 6-10 and 14-15.

[0191]

[0206] In some examples, the means for transmitting or sending (or the means for outputting for transmission) may include the transceiver 232 and / or the antenna 234 of the base station 102 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1708 and antenna 1710 of the communication device 1700 of FIG. 17.

[0192]

[0207] In some examples, the means for receiving (or the means for obtaining) may include the transceiver 232 and / or the antenna 234 of the base station 102 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1708 and antenna 1710 of the communication device 1700 of FIG. 17.

[0193]

[0208] In some examples, the means for determining a sidelink DRX preference, the means for determining a sidelink DRX configuration, and the means for processing received data may include a processing system that may include one or more processors, such as the receive processor 238, the transmit processor 220, the TX MIMO processor 230, and / or the controller / processor 240 including the sidelink DRX configuration 241 of the base station 102 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the processing system 1702 of the communications device 1700 of FIG. 17.

[0194]

[0209] Notably, FIG. 17 is merely an example use case and many other examples and configurations of communications device 1700 are possible.

[0195] Example clauses

[0210] The following numbered clauses provide implementation examples.

[0196]

[0211] Clause 1: A method of wireless communication, comprising: receiving a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from a network at a first user equipment; configuring a sidelink DRX cycle based on the sidelink DRX configuration at the first user equipment; receiving data for a second user equipment from the network at the first user equipment; and sending the data for the second user equipment in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle on a sidelink from the first user equipment to the second user equipment.

[0197]

[0212] Clause 2: The method of clause 1, further comprising sending the sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to the second user equipment.

[0198]

[0213] Clause 3: The method of clause 1, further comprising sending a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the first user equipment from the first user equipment to the network.

[0199]

[0214] Clause 4: The method of clause 1 or 2, further comprising receiving, at the first user equipment, from the second user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment; and sending the sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to the network.

[0200]

[0215] Clause 5: The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration is configured for the first user equipment and the second user equipment to be active during a common part of a common sidelink DRX cycle.

[0201]

[0216] Clause 6: The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the first user equipment receives the sidelink DRX configuration from the network via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0202]

[0217] Clause 7: The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the first user equipment receives the sidelink DRX configuration from the network via downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0203]

[0218] Clause 8: The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the first user equipment receives the sidelink DRX configuration from the network via Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling.

[0204]

[0219] Clause 9: The method of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the data for the second user equipment comprises a data packet or a paging message.

[0205]

[0220] Clause 10: The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the first user equipment receives the sidelink DRX configuration from the network via a Uu interface, and the first user equipment sends the data on the sidelink to the second user equipment via a PC5 interface.

[0206]

[0221] Clause 11: The method of clause 1, further comprising sending a second sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to the second user equipment on the sidelink, the second sidelink DRX configuration being configured to configure a DRX cycle in the second user equipment.

[0207]

[0222] Clause 12: The method of clause 11, further comprising receiving, at the first user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment; and sending a third sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to the second user equipment over the sidelink, wherein the third sidelink DRX configuration is based on the sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment.

[0208]

[0223] Clause 13. The method of clause 12, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration preferences comprise a plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options.

[0209]

[0224] Clause 14. The method of clause 13, wherein the plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options are in a list arranged according to preferences of the second user equipment.

[0210]

[0225] Clause 15: A method of wireless communication, comprising: configuring a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle in a first user equipment; sending a sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to a second user equipment; receiving data for the second user equipment from a network in the first user equipment; and sending the data for the second user equipment in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle on a sidelink from the first user equipment to the second user equipment.

[0211]

[0226] Clause 16: The method of clause 15, further comprising receiving, at the first user equipment, a message from the second user equipment indicating that the second user equipment has configured its sidelink DRX cycle in accordance with the sidelink DRX configuration.

[0212]

[0227] Clause 17: The method of clause 15, further comprising receiving, at the first user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment from the second user equipment; and generating the sidelink DRX configuration based on the sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment.

[0213]

[0228] Clause 18. The method of clause 17, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration preferences comprise a list of a plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options arranged according to preferences of the second user equipment.

[0214]

[0229] Clause 19: The method according to any one of clauses 15 to 18, further comprising receiving, at the first user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment from the second user equipment; and sending, from the first user equipment to the second user equipment, a second sidelink DRX configuration based on the sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment.

[0215]

[0230] Clause 20. The method of clause 19, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration preferences comprise a list of a plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options arranged according to preferences of the second user equipment.

[0216]

[0231] Clause 21: The method of any one of clauses 15 to 20, wherein the data for the second user equipment comprises a data packet or a paging message.

[0217]

[0232] Clause 22: The method according to any one of clauses 15 to 21, further comprising sending sidelink DRX configuration information from the first user equipment to the network, the sidelink DRX configuration information comprising the sidelink DRX configuration for the first user equipment and a sidelink DRX configuration for the second user equipment.

[0218]

[0233] Clause 23: A method according to any one of clauses 15 to 22, wherein the first user equipment sends the data to the second user equipment via a PC5 interface on the side link.

[0219]

[0234] Clause 24: A method of wireless communication comprising: receiving, at a first user equipment, a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from a second user equipment; configuring, at the first user equipment, a DRX cycle based on the sidelink DRX configuration received from the second user equipment; receiving, at the first user equipment, data for the second user equipment from a network; and sending, on a sidelink from the first user equipment to the second user equipment, the data for the second user equipment in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle.

[0220]

[0235] Clause 25: The method of clause 24, further comprising sending a message from the first user equipment to the second user equipment indicating that the first user equipment has configured its sidelink DRX cycle in accordance with the sidelink DRX configuration.

[0221]

[0236] Clause 26: The method of clause 24, further comprising sending a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the first user equipment from the first user equipment to the second user equipment.

[0222]

[0237] Clause 27. The method of clause 26, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration preferences comprise a list of a plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options arranged according to preferences of the first user equipment.

[0223]

[0238] Clause 28: The method of clause 24, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration received at the first user equipment from the second user equipment is based on the sidelink DRX configuration preference from the first user equipment.

[0224]

[0239] Clause 29: The method of any one of clauses 24 to 28, wherein the data for the second user equipment comprises a data packet or a paging message.

[0225]

[0240] Clause 30: A method according to any one of clauses 24 to 29, wherein the first user equipment sends the data to the second user equipment via a PC5 interface on the side link.

[0226]

[0241] Clause 31: A method of wireless communication, comprising: sending a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from a network to a first user equipment; and receiving an indication from the first user equipment in the network that sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete.

[0227]

[0242] Clause 32. The method of clause 31, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration includes a sidelink DRX configuration for the first user equipment and a sidelink DRX configuration for a second user equipment.

[0228]

[0243] Clause 33: The method of clause 31 or 32, wherein the indication that the sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete includes an indication that the sidelink DRX configuration is complete for one or more of the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0229]

[0244] Clause 34. The method of any one of clauses 31 to 33, wherein the indication that the sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete comprises a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message.

[0230]

[0245] Clause 35. The method according to any one of clauses 31 to 34, further comprising receiving a sidelink DRX preference from the first user equipment.

[0231]

[0246] Clause 36: The method of clause 35, wherein the sidelink DRX preferences comprise a plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options for one or both of the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0232]

[0247] Clause 37. The method of clause 36, wherein the plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options are in a list ordered by preference.

[0233]

[0248] Clause 38: A method according to any one of clauses 31 to 37, wherein sending the sidelink DRX configuration from the network to the first user equipment and receiving in the network the indication from the first user equipment that the sidelink DRX reconfiguration is complete are performed via a Uu interface between the first user equipment and the network.

[0234]

[0249] Clause 39: A method of wireless communication, comprising receiving sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration information from a user equipment in a network.

[0235]

[0250] Clause 40. The method of clause 39, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration information comprises a sidelink DRX configuration for a first user equipment and a sidelink DRX configuration for a second user equipment.

[0236]

[0251] Clause 41. The method of clause 39 or 40, wherein the network receives the sidelink DRX configuration information via a Uu interface.

[0237]

[0252] Clause 42: Apparatus comprising a memory comprising computer-executable instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the processing system to perform a method according to any one of clauses 1 to 41.

[0238]

[0253] Clause 43: An apparatus comprising means for carrying out the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 41.

[0239]

[0254] Clause 44: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a processing system, cause the processing system to perform the method of any one of clauses 1 to 41.

[0240]

[0255] Clause 42: A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium comprising code for performing the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 41.

[0241] Additional Wireless Communication Network Considerations

[0256] The techniques and methods described herein may be used for a variety of wireless communication networks (or wireless wide area networks (WWANs)) and radio access technologies (RATs). Although aspects may be described herein using terminology commonly associated with 3G, 4G, and / or 5G (e.g., 5G New Radio (NR)) wireless technologies, aspects of the disclosure may be equally applicable to other communication systems and standards not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0242]

[0257] 5G wireless communication networks may support a variety of advanced wireless communication services, such as enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMMB), millimeter wave (mmWave), machine type communications (MTC), and / or mission critical targeted ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), etc. These and other services may include latency and reliability requirements.

[0243]

[0258] Returning to FIG. 1, various aspects of the disclosure may be performed within an exemplary wireless communication network 100.

[0244]

[0259] In 3GPP, the term "cell" can refer to a coverage area of ​​a Node B (NB) and / or an NB subsystem serving this coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In an NR system, the terms "cell" and BS, next generation Node B (gNB or gNode B), access point (AP), distributed unit (DU), carrier, or transmit / receive point (TRP) may be used interchangeably. A BS may provide communication coverage for a macrocell, a picocell, a femtocell, and / or other types of cells.

[0245]

[0260] A macrocell may generally cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a few kilometers in radius) and may provide unrestricted access to UEs with a service subscription. A picocell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may provide unrestricted access to UEs with a service subscription. A femtocell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide restricted access to UEs that have an association with the femtocell (e.g., UEs in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) and UEs of home users). A BS in a macrocell may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS in a picocell may be referred to as a pico BS. A BS in a femtocell may be referred to as a femto BS or a home BS.

[0246]

[0261] Base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC 160 through a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). Base stations 102 configured for 5G (e.g., 5G NR or Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with the core network 190 through a second backhaul link 184. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC 160 or the core network 190) through a third backhaul link 134 (e.g., an X2 interface). The third backhaul link 134 may generally be wired or wireless.

[0247]

[0262] The small cell 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed frequency bands. When operating in unlicensed frequency bands, the small cell 102' may utilize NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency band used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' utilizing NR in unlicensed frequency bands may increase coverage and / or increase capacity of the access network.

[0248]

[0263] Some base stations, such as the gNB 180, may operate in conventional sub-6 GHz bands, millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies, and / or near-mmWave frequencies in communicating with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in mmWave or near-mmWave frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as an mmWave base station.

[0249]

[0264] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and, for example, the UE 104 may be over one or more carriers. For example, the base station 102 and the UE 104 may use a bandwidth per carrier of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400 MHz, etc.) allocated in a carrier aggregation such that the total frequency used for transmission in each direction is up to Yx MHz (x component carriers). The carriers may be adjacent or non-adjacent to each other. The carrier allocation may be asymmetric between DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than to UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may also be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carrier may also be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

[0250]

[0265] The wireless communication system 100 further includes a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 in communication with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 over a communication link 154, for example in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed frequency band and / or the 5 GHz unlicensed frequency band. When communicating in the unlicensed frequency band, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) before communicating to determine if the channel is available.

[0251]

[0266] Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication links 158. The D2D communication links 158 may use DL / UL WWAN bands. The D2D communication links 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). The D2D communication may be via various wireless D2D communication systems, such as FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on IEEE 802.11 standards, 4G (e.g., LTE), or 5G (e.g., NR), to name a few options.

[0252]

[0267] The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. In general, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management.

[0253]

[0268] Typically, user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are forwarded through a Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to a PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides IP address allocation and other functions for the UE. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to an IP Service 176, which may include, for example, the Internet, an Intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming services, and / or other IP services.

[0254]

[0269] The BM-SC 170 provides functionality for provisioning and delivery of MBMS user services. The BM-SC 170 may act as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and start MBMS bearer services in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 that belong to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collection of charging information related to eMBMS.

[0255]

[0270] The core network 190 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196.

[0256]

[0271] The AMF 192 is generally a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the core network 190. Generally, the AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management.

[0257]

[0272] All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are forwarded through the UPF 195, which provides core network 190 with allocation of IP addresses and other functions for UEs connected to IP services 197. IP services 197 may include, for example, the Internet, an intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming services, and / or other IP services.

[0258]

[0273] Turning back to FIG. 2, various example components of a BS 102 and a UE 104 (eg, wireless communications network 100 of FIG. 1) that may be used to implement aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0259]

[0274] At the BS 102, the transmit processor 220 may receive data from a data source 212 and control information from a controller / processor 240. The control information may be for a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), a Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH), a Physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH), a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), a Group Common PDCCH (GC PDCCH), etc. In some examples, the data may be for a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

[0260]

[0275] A Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (MAC-CE) is a MAC layer communication structure that may be used to exchange control commands between wireless nodes. The MAC-CE may be carried on a shared channel, such as a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), or a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH).

[0261]

[0276] The processor 220 processes (e.g., encodes and symbol maps) the data and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols, respectively. The transmit processor 220 may also generate reference symbols, such as for a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), a Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), a PBCH Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), and a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS).

[0262]

[0277] A transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on ​​the data symbols, control symbols, and / or reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to modulators (MODs) in transceivers 232a-t. Each modulator in transceivers 232a-t may process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, upconvert, etc.) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The downlink signals from the modulators in transceivers 232a-t may be transmitted via antennas 234a-t, respectively.

[0263]

[0278] At the UE 104, the antennas 252a-252r may receive downlink signals from the BS 102 and may provide received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) within the transceivers 254a-254r, respectively. Each demodulator within the transceivers 254a-254r may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain received symbols.

[0264]

[0279] A MIMO detector 256 may obtain received symbols from all demodulators in transceivers 254a-254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols and provide decoded data for the UE 104 to a data sink 260 and provide decoded control information to a controller / processor 280.

[0265]

[0280] On the uplink, at the UE 104, a transmit processor 264 may receive and process data (e.g., for a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)) from a data source 262 and control information (e.g., for a Physical Uplink Control Information (PUCCH)) from a controller / processor 280. The transmit processor 264 may also generate reference symbols for a reference signal (e.g., a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS)). The symbols from the transmit processor 264 may be precoded by a TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed by a modulator in the transceivers 254a-254r (e.g., for SC-FDM), and transmitted to the BS 102.

[0266]

[0281] At the BS 102, uplink signals from the UE 104 may be received by antennas 234a-t, processed by demodulators in transceivers 232a-t, detected by a MIMO detector if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by the UE 104. The receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to a data sink 239 and provide the decoded control information to a controller / processor 240.

[0267]

[0282] Memories 242 and 282 may store data and program codes for BS 102 and UE 104, respectively.

[0268]

[0283] The scheduler 244 may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0269]

[0284] The antennas 252, processors 266, 258, 264, and / or controller / processor 280 of the UE 104 and / or the antennas 234, processors 220, 230, 238, and / or controller / processor 240 of the BS 102 may be used to perform the various techniques and methods described herein.

[0270]

[0285] For example, as shown in Figure 2, the controller / processor 240 of the BS 102 has a sidelink DRX configuration component 241 that may be configured to adjust the sidelink DRX configuration in accordance with aspects described herein. As shown in Figure 2, the controller / processor 280 of the UE 104 has a sidelink DRX configuration component 281 that may be configured to adjust the sidelink DRX configuration in accordance with aspects described herein. Although shown with a controller / processor, other components of the UE 104 and the BS 102 may be used to perform the operations described herein.

[0271]

[0286] 5G may utilize orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with cyclic prefix (CP) on the uplink and downlink. 5G may also support half-duplex operation with time division duplex (TDD). OFDM and single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) divide the system bandwidth into multiple orthogonal subcarriers, also commonly called tones and bins. Each subcarrier may be modulated with data. Modulation symbols may be sent in the frequency domain in OFDM and in the time domain in SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers may be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers may be determined by the system bandwidth. The minimum resource allocation, called a resource block (RB), may be 12 consecutive subcarriers in some examples. The system bandwidth may be divided into subbands. For example, a subband may cover multiple RBs. NR may correspond to a basic subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kHz, and other SCS may be defined relative to the basic SCS (e.g., 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz, etc.).

[0272]

[0287] As noted above, FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communications network, such as wireless communications network 100 of FIG.

[0273]

[0288] In various aspects, the 5G frame structure may be frequency division duplexed (FDD) where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that set of subcarriers are dedicated to either DL or UL. The 5G frame structure may also be time division duplexed (TDD) where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that set of subcarriers are dedicated to both DL and UL. In the example given in Figures 3A and 3C, the 5G frame structure is assumed to be TDD, subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and X is flexible use between DL / UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 34 (mostly UL). Subframes 3 and 4 are shown with slot formats 34 and 28, respectively, but any particular subframe may be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot format 0 is all DL, and slot format 1 is all UL. The other slot formats 2-61 include a mix of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. The UE is configured with the slot format through a received Slot Format Indicator (SFI) (either dynamically via DL Control Information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling). Note that the following description also applies to the 5G frame structure, which is TDD.

[0274]

[0289] Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equal-sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. A subframe may also include a minislot, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. In some examples, each slot may include 7 or 14 symbols depending on the slot configuration.

[0275]

[0290] For example, in slot configuration 0, each slot may contain 14 symbols, and in slot configuration 1, each slot may contain 7 symbols. The symbols on the DL may be Cyclic Prefix (CP) OFDM (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on the UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) Spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also called Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power-limited, i.e., restricted to single stream transmission scenarios).

[0276]

[0291] The number of slots in a subframe is based on the slot configuration and numerology. In slot configuration 0, the different numerologies (μ) 0 to 5 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 slots per subframe, respectively. In slot configuration 1, the different numerologies 0 to 2 allow for 2, 4, and 8 slots per subframe, respectively. Thus, for slot configuration 0 and numerology μ, there are 14 symbols per slot and 2μ slots per subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are determined by the numerology. The subcarrier spacing is 2 μ × 15 kHz, where μ is the numerology 0 to 5. Thus, numerology μ=0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and numerology μ=5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480 kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. Figures 3A-3D give an example of slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and numerology μ=2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs.

[0277]

[0292] A resource grid is sometimes used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot contains a resource block (RB), also called a physical RB (PRB), that spans 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0278]

[0293] As shown in Figure 3A, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE (e.g., UE 104 in Figures 1 and 2). The RS may include demodulation RS (DM-RS) (denoted as Rx in one particular configuration, where 100x is the port number, although other DM-RS configurations are possible) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may also include beam measurement RS (BRS), beam refinement RS (BRRS), and phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0279]

[0294] 3B shows an example of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame. The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries DCI in one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs), each CCE containing 9 RE Groups (REGs), each REG containing 4 consecutive REs of an OFDM symbol.

[0280]

[0295] A primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of a particular subframe of a frame. The PSS is used by the UE (e.g., 104 in Figures 1 and 2) to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identification.

[0281]

[0296] A secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of a particular subframe of a frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing.

[0282]

[0297] Based on the physical layer identification and the physical layer cell identification group number, the UE can determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries the master information block (MIB), may be logically grouped with the PSS and the SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block. The MIB provides the number of RBs in the system bandwidth and the system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information that is not transmitted through the PBCH, such as the system information block (SIB), and paging messages.

[0283]

[0298] As shown in FIG. 3C, some of the REs carry DM-RS (denoted as R in one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE may transmit DM-RS for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may be transmitted in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DM-RS may be transmitted in different configurations depending on whether a short or long PUCCH is transmitted and the particular PUCCH format used. The UE may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS). The SRS may be transmitted in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and the UE may transmit the SRS in one of the combs. The SRS may be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

[0284]

[0299] FIG. 3D illustrates an example of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame. The PUCCH may be located as shown in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI) such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicators (CQI), precoding matrix indicators (PMI), rank indicators (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data and may be further used to carry buffer status reports (BSR), power headroom reports (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0285] Additional Considerations

[0300] The above description provides examples of sidelink DRX configurations in a communication system. Changes may be made in the functionality and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the present disclosure. Various examples may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described in connection with some examples may be combined in some other examples. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects described herein. Furthermore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such apparatus or methods implemented with other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure described herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

[0286]

[0301] The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communication technologies, such as 5G (e.g., 5G NR), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), and other networks. The terms "network" and "system" are often used interchangeably. A CDMA network may implement a radio technology, such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other CDMA variants. cdma2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement a radio technology, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA network may implement radio technologies such as NR (e.g., 5G RA), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDMA, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are parts of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE and LTE-A are releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)". cdma2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2)". NR is an emerging wireless communications technology under development.

[0287]

[0302] In some examples, access to the air interface may be scheduled. A scheduling entity (e.g., a BS) allocates resources for communication among some or all devices and equipment within its service area or cell. The scheduling entity may be responsible for scheduling, allocating, reconfiguring, and releasing resources for one or more subordinate entities. That is, for scheduled communication, the subordinate entities utilize the resources allocated by the scheduling entity. A base station is not the only entity that may function as a scheduling entity. In some examples, a UE may function as a scheduling entity and may schedule resources for one or more subordinate entities (e.g., one or more other UEs), and the other UEs may utilize the resources scheduled by the UE for wireless communication. In some examples, a UE may function as a scheduling entity in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network and / or a mesh network. In the example of a mesh network, the UEs may communicate directly with each other as well as with the scheduling entity.

[0288]

[0303] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving those methods. The method steps and / or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified.

[0289]

[0304] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" of a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single constituent items. For example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination of multiples of the same element (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other permutation of a, b, and c).

[0290]

[0305] The term "determining" as used herein includes a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, database, or another data structure), and ascertaining, etc. "Determining" can also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), and accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), etc. "Determining" can also include solving, selecting, choosing, establishing, etc.

[0291]

[0306] Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "only one" unless specifically stated otherwise, but rather "one or more." The term "several" also refers to one or more, unless specifically stated otherwise. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or that later become known to those of skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made available to the public, regardless of whether the disclosure is expressly set forth in the claims. An element of a claim is not to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase "step for."

[0292]

[0307] The various operations of the above-described methods may be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the corresponding functions, which may include various hardware and / or software components and / or modules, such as, but not limited to, circuits, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or processors (e.g., general purpose or specially programmed processors).

[0293]

[0308] The various example logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure may be implemented or performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as, for example, a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, a system on a chip (SoC), or any other such configuration.

[0294]

[0309] When implemented in hardware, an exemplary hardware configuration may comprise a processing system in a wireless node. The processing system may be implemented with a bus architecture. The bus may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges depending on the particular application and overall design constraints of the processing system. The bus may link various circuits including a processor, a machine-readable medium, and a bus interface. The bus interface may be used, among other things, to connect a network adapter to the processing system via the bus. The network adapter may be used to perform the signal processing functions of the PHY layer. In the case of user equipment (see FIG. 1), a user interface (e.g., keypad, display, mouse, joystick, touch screen, biometric sensor, proximity sensor, light emitting element, etc.) may also be connected to the bus. The bus may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further. The processor may be implemented with one or more general-purpose and / or special-purpose processors. Examples include microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP processors, and other circuits capable of executing software. Those skilled in the art will recognize how to best implement the described functionality of a processing system depending on the particular application and the overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0295]

[0310] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Software shall be broadly construed to mean instructions, data, or any combination thereof, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A processor may be responsible for general processing, such as managing a bus and executing software modules stored in a machine-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium may be coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. In alternative examples, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. By way of example, the machine-readable medium may include a transmission line, a carrier wave modulated by data, and / or a computer-readable storage medium on which instructions are stored separate from a wireless node, all of which may be accessed by a processor via a bus interface. Alternatively, or in addition, the machine-readable medium, or any portion thereof, may be integral to the processor, such as in the case of a cache and / or general purpose register file. Examples of machine-readable storage media may include, by way of example, a RAM (random access memory), a flash memory, a ROM (read only memory), a PROM (programmable read only memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable read only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), a register, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a hard drive, or any other suitable storage medium, or any combination thereof. The machine-readable medium may also be implemented in a computer program product.

[0296]

[0311] A software module may comprise one instruction or many instructions and may be distributed across several different code segments, among different programs, and across several storage media. A computer-readable medium may comprise several software modules. A software module includes instructions that, when executed by a device such as a processor, cause a processing system to perform various functions. A software module may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. Each software module may be in one storage device or may be distributed across several storage devices. As an example, a software module may be loaded into RAM from a hard drive when a triggering event occurs. During execution of a software module, a processor may load some of the instructions into a cache to increase access speed. One or more cache lines may then be loaded into a general purpose register file for execution by the processor. When functionality of a software module is described below, it will be understood that such functionality is implemented by a processor when executing instructions from that software module.

[0297]

[0312] Also, any connection is referred to as a computer-readable medium, as appropriate. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared (IR), radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Thus, in some aspects computer-readable medium may comprise non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., tangible media). Additionally, in other aspects computer readable medium may comprise transitory computer readable medium (eg, a signal). Combinations of the above may also be considered examples of computer readable medium.

[0298]

[0313] Accordingly, certain aspects may comprise a computer program product for performing the operations presented herein. For example, such a computer program product may comprise a computer-readable medium having stored (and / or encoded) instructions executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein, such as, for example, instructions for performing the operations described herein and illustrated in Figures 6-15.

[0299]

[0314] Furthermore, it should be understood that modules and / or other suitable means for performing the methods and techniques described herein can be downloaded and / or otherwise obtained by a user terminal and / or base station, where applicable. For example, such devices can be coupled to a server to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, the various methods described herein can be provided via a storage means (e.g., a physical storage medium such as RAM, ROM, compact disc or floppy disk) such that the user terminal and / or base station can obtain the various methods upon coupling or providing the storage means to the device. Furthermore, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein to a device can be utilized.

[0300]

[0315] It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated herein. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methods and apparatus described herein.

Claims

1. 1. A method of wireless communication, comprising: receiving a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration from a network at a first user equipment; configuring a sidelink DRX cycle based on the sidelink DRX configuration in the first user equipment; receiving, at the first user equipment, data for a second user equipment from the network; sending the data for the second user equipment in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle over a sidelink from the first user equipment to the second user equipment; sending the first sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to the second user equipment over the sidelink, wherein the first sidelink DRX configuration is configured to configure a DRX cycle in the second user equipment. receiving, at the first user equipment, a sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment; sending a second sidelink DRX configuration from the first user equipment to the second user equipment over the sidelink, the second sidelink DRX configuration being based on the sidelink DRX configuration preference from the second user equipment; A method for providing the above.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a sidelink DRX configuration preference for the first user equipment from the first user equipment to the network.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the sidelink DRX configuration preference for the second user equipment from the first user equipment to the network.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration is configured such that the first user equipment and the second user equipment are active during a common part of a common sidelink DRX cycle.

5. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment receives the sidelink DRX configuration from the network via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

6. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment receives the sidelink DRX configuration from the network via Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling.

7. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment receives the sidelink DRX configuration from the network via Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data for the second user equipment comprises a paging message.

9. the first user equipment receiving the sidelink DRX configuration from the network over a Uu interface; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment sends the data to the second user equipment over the sidelink via a PC5 interface.

10. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidelink DRX configuration preferences comprise a plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sidelink DRX configuration options are in a list ordered by preferences of the second user equipment.

12. 1. An apparatus comprising: a memory having executable instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the executable instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the steps of any one of claims 1 to 11.