Devices and methods for communication

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a carrier aggregation (CA) solution in (SL) communications. In this solution, a first terminal device determines a set of resources on at least one frequency to be used for sidelink (SL) transmissions between the first terminal device and a second terminal device. The first terminal device consists of two or more frequencies. The SL transmission includes at least one of signaling radio bear (SRB) transmissions, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmissions. The first terminal device performs SL transmissions on the set of resources with the second terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for carrier aggregation in sidelink (SL) communication.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technologies, various communication networks have been developed or studied. In some wireless communication networks, in addition to communicating with a base station via an access link, a user equipment (UE) can also communicate with other devices using a sidelink (e.g., a communication link between a UE and another UE). Such communication is related to, for example, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) (e.g., from a vehicle-based communication device to a road infrastructure node), vehicle-to-network (V2N) (e.g., from a vehicle-based communication device to one or more network nodes such as a base station), combinations thereof, and / or vehicle-based communication devices that can communicate with other devices, which can be collectively referred to as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Further improvements in technologies related to sidelink communication are desired.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided which is performed by a first terminal device. This method includes determining a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the first terminal device consists of two or more frequencies, and the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bear (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and performing SL transmission on the set of resources with the second terminal device.

[0004] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided that is performed by a network device. This method includes generating a configuration that represents a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bear (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and transmitting the configuration to the first terminal device.

[0005] A third aspect provides a communication method performed by a first terminal device, which includes transmitting resource information to a second terminal device before performing a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) replication transmission to the second terminal device, wherein the resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device for physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; a second resource used by the first terminal device for performing a PDCP replication transmission; a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission; or a mapping of an original radio link control (RLC) channel and a replicated RLC channel; and performing a PDCP replication transmission with the second terminal device, at least in part, based on the resource information.

[0006] A fourth aspect provides a communication method performed by a second terminal device, which includes receiving resource information from a first terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission with the first terminal device, wherein the resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission, a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission, or a mapping of an original radio link control (RLC) channel and a replicated RLC channel; and performing a PDCP replication transmission with the first terminal device, at least in part, based on the resource information.

[0007] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided which is performed by a network device. This method includes receiving feedback information from a first terminal device, the feedback information indicating at least one of the following: whether a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by a second terminal device; whether a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device.

[0008] A sixth aspect provides a communication method performed by a first terminal device, which includes performing sidelink (SL) transmission on multiple frequencies with a second terminal device, and triggering the selection of a frequency from the multiple frequencies in one of the following cases: the number of negative acknowledgments (NACKs) associated with the frequency is greater than or equal to a first threshold number; the first channel busy ratio (CBR) value associated with the frequency measured by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or the second CBR value associated with the frequency measured by the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0009] A seventh aspect provides a communication method performed by a first terminal device, which includes determining at least one frequency used by the first terminal device for sidelink (SL) transmission with a second terminal device based on at least one of a first set of frequencies supported by the first terminal device, a second set of frequencies supported by the second terminal device, a first set of channel busy rate (CBR) measurement results associated with at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, or a second set of CBR measurement results associated with at least a portion of the second set of frequencies, and performing SL communication with the second terminal device on at least one frequency.

[0010] In an eighth aspect, a first terminal device is provided, comprising a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to determine a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between the first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the first terminal device is comprised of two or more frequencies, and the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bear (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and to perform the SL transmission on the set of resources with the second terminal device.

[0011] In a ninth aspect, a network device is provided, comprising a processor configured to cause the network device to generate a configuration indicating a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bear (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and to transmit the configuration to the first terminal device.

[0012] In a tenth aspect, a first terminal device is provided, which includes a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to transmit resource information to a second terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission to a second terminal device, wherein the resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device for physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; a second resource used by the first terminal device for performing a PDCP replication transmission; a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission; or a mapping of an original radio link control (RLC) channel and a replicated RLC channel; and to perform a PDCP replication transmission with the second terminal device, at least partially based on the resource information.

[0013] In an eleventh aspect, a second terminal device is provided, which includes a processor configured to cause the second terminal device to receive resource information from the first terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission with the first terminal device, wherein the resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission; a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission; or a mapping of an original radio link control (RLC) channel and a replicated RLC channel; and to perform a PDCP replication transmission with the first terminal device, at least partially based on the resource information.

[0014] In a twelfth aspect, a network device is provided, the network device including a processor configured to cause the network device to receive feedback information from a first terminal device, the feedback information indicating at least one of the following: whether a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; whether a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device.

[0015] In a thirteenth aspect, a first terminal device is provided, which includes a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to perform sidelink (SL) transmission on multiple frequencies with a second terminal device, and to trigger the selection of a frequency from the multiple frequencies in one of the following cases: when the number of negative acknowledgments (NACKs) associated with a frequency is greater than or equal to a first threshold number; when a first channel busy rate (CBR) value associated with a frequency measured by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or when a second CBR value associated with a frequency measured by the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0016] In a fourteenth aspect, a first terminal device is provided, which includes a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to determine at least one frequency used by the first terminal device for sidelink (SL) transmission with a second terminal device based on at least one of a first set of frequencies supported by the first terminal device, a second set of frequencies supported by the second terminal device, a first set of channel busy rate (CBR) measurement results associated with at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, or a second set of CBR measurement results associated with at least a portion of the second set of frequencies, and to perform SL communication with the second terminal device on at least one frequency.

[0017] In the 15th aspect, a computer-readable medium containing instructions is provided, and when the instructions are executed on at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to perform the method according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh aspect.

[0018] Other features of this disclosure will be readily apparent through the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] The above and other objectives, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent through a more detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure in the accompanying drawings.

[0020] [Figure 1] This document describes an exemplary communication environment in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0021] [Figure 2] The signaling flow of SL communication consisting of two or more frequencies according to some embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0022] [Figure 3]Shows the signaling flow of PDCP replication communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 4] Shows the signaling flow of reselection procedures for SL communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Figure 5] Shows the signaling flow of frequency selection procedures for SL communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 6] Shows a flowchart of a method implemented by a first terminal device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 7] Shows a flowchart of a method implemented by a network device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 8] Shows a flowchart of a method implemented by a first terminal device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 9] Shows a flowchart of a method implemented by a second terminal device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 10] Shows a flowchart of a method implemented by a network device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 11] Shows a flowchart of a method implemented by a first terminal device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] [Figure 12]A flowchart shows a method implemented in a first terminal device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] [Figure 13] A simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for carrying out exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numerals represent identical or similar elements. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] The principles of this disclosure will now be illustrated with reference to several exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only and should be understood as being helpful to those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing this disclosure, without implying any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in a variety of ways other than those described below.

[0035] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0036] As used herein, the term “terminal device” refers to any device equipped with wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of terminal devices include user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices, Vehicle-mounted V2X communication devices (where X represents pedestrians, vehicles, or infrastructure / networks), Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) devices, spacecraft or aerial vehicles within non-terrestrial networks (NTN) including high-altitude platforms (HAP) with satellites and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR) Examples include, but are not limited to, extended reality (XR) devices, which include various types of reality such as reality and virtual reality (VR); unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are aircraft without human pilot intervention, commonly known as drones; equipment mounted on high-speed trains (HSTs); digital cameras, sensors, game consoles, music storage and playback devices, and other image capture devices; or internet equipment that enables wireless or wired internet access and browsing.A “terminal device” can also have “multicast / broadcast” capabilities and support public safety and mission-critical, V2X applications, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast distribution, IPTV, smart TV, radio services, software distribution over the radio, group communications, and IoT applications. It may also incorporate one or more Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), known as multi-SIMs. The term “terminal device” may be used interchangeably with UE, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile terminal, user terminal, or radio equipment.

[0037] The term "network device" refers to a device that can provide or host a cell or coverage from which terminal devices can communicate. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission / reception point (TRP), remote radio unit (RRU), radio head (RH), remote radio head (RRH), IAB node, low-power nodes such as femtonodes, piconodes, and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS).

[0038] Terminal devices or network devices may be equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning capabilities. Generally, this includes models that are trained on large amounts of collected data for specific functions and can be used to predict certain information.

[0039] Terminal or network devices may operate in multiple frequency ranges, including FR1 (e.g., 450 MHz to 6000 MHz), FR2 (e.g., 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz), frequency bands above 100 GHz, and terahertz (THz). Furthermore, they may operate in licensed / unlicensed / shared spectrum. In multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) application scenarios, terminal devices may have multiple connections to network devices. Terminal or network devices may also operate in full-duplex, flexible-duplex, and cross-split-duplex modes.

[0040] Embodiments of this disclosure may be performed using test equipment such as signal generators, signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, test terminal devices, test network devices, and channel emulators. In some embodiments, the terminal device may be connected to a first network device and a second network device. One of the first and second network devices may be a master node and the other a secondary node. The first and second network devices may use different radio access technologies (RATs). In some embodiments, the first network device may be a first RAT device and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In some embodiments, the first RAT device is an eNB and the second RAT device is a gNB. Information related to different RATs may be transmitted from at least one of the first or second network devices to the terminal device. In some embodiments, the first information may be transmitted from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second information may be transmitted directly from the second network device to the terminal device or via the first network device. In some embodiments, information regarding the configuration of a terminal device set by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device through the first network device. Information regarding the reconfiguration of a terminal device set by the second network device may be transmitted directly from the second network device to the terminal device or through the first network device.

[0041] As used herein, the singular forms “a / an” and “the” are intended to include the plural unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. The term “including” and its variations are interpreted as an open term meaning “including, but not limited to.” The term “based on” is interpreted as “at least partially based on.” The terms “one embodiment” and “a certain embodiment” are interpreted as “at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” is interpreted as “at least one other embodiment.” The terms “first” and “second” may refer to different or the same subject. The following may include other explicit and implicit definitions.

[0042] In some examples, values, procedures, or devices are referred to as “best,” “worst,” “highest,” “minimum,” “maximum,” etc. Such descriptions are intended to show that a choice can be made from among many functional options being used, and it will be understood that such a choice does not need to be better, smaller, higher, or more desirable than the other options.

[0043] As used herein, the terms “resource,” “transmit resource,” “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing communication, such as a resource in the time domain, a resource in the frequency domain, a resource in the spatial domain, a resource in the code domain, or any other resource that enables communication. Hereinafter, unless expressly stated otherwise, resources in both the frequency domain and the time domain are used as examples of transmit resources to illustrate some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are similarly applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0044] In conventional SL communication, for example, during SRB 0 / 1 / 2 transmission, the peer UE cannot know the exact configuration of the carrier list. Therefore, the reliability of the transmission cannot be guaranteed by peer UE negotiation. Instead, the network configuration should be relied upon to synchronize the SRB0 / 1 / 2 transmission of the Tx UE (or transmitter) with the reception of the Rx UE (or receiver).

[0045] Furthermore, because SL communication has a CA architecture, there are many issues to be resolved, such as how to perform SRB0 / 1 / 2 transmissions in a CA architecture, how to perform physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions in a CA architecture, and how to perform carrier selection / reselection for unicast.

[0046] In consideration of the above and other potential issues, embodiments of this disclosure propose solutions related to carrier selection / reselection for SL SRB0 / 1 / 2 transmission, PSFCH transmission, and / or unicast in SL communications. The principles and embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0047] In this disclosure, the term "frequency" may refer to a frequency range in the frequency domain. Hereinafter, we will use a carrier as an example of frequency to illustrate some specific exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Note that in other embodiments, frequency may be a frequency band, a frequency band group, a carrier group, etc. This disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0048] In this disclosure, SL terminal devices are equivalent to each other. With this in mind, the first and second terminal devices will be used below as examples of SL terminal devices to illustrate some specific exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Note that the exemplary embodiments described with respect to the first and second terminal devices are equally applicable to other SL terminal devices. For the sake of brevity, identical or similar details have been omitted.

[0049] In this disclosure, the phrase "transmission between the first terminal device and the second terminal device" may refer to a unicast transmission between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0050] In this disclosure, the term “perform a transmission” may also mean “receive a transmission” and / or “send a transmission.” Specifically, “A performs a transmission with B” may also mean “A receives a transmission from B” and / or “A sends a transmission to B.”

[0051] In this disclosure, mappings (such as one-to-one mappings) may exist between RLC channels, RLC entities, logical channel identifiers (LCIDs), carriers, and paths (which may also be called transmit legs). Given this, these terms described above may be used interchangeably.

[0052] In this disclosure, the terms “selection” and “reselection” may be used interchangeably. For example, “reselection of a resource / carrier” may be replaced with “selection of a resource / carrier,” and vice versa.

[0053] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication environment 100 in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be carried out. In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, including a first terminal device 110-1, a second terminal device 110-2, and a network device 120, can communicate with each other. The first terminal device 110-1 and the second terminal device 110-2 are performing SL communication.

[0054] In the example shown in Figure 1, the first terminal device 110-1 may be an UE, the second terminal device 110-2 may also be an UE, and the network device 120 may be a base station providing services to one or both of the UEs.

[0055] The number of devices and their connections shown in Figure 1 are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as implying any limitations. The communication environment 100 may include any appropriate number of devices configured to carry out exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. It will be understood that, although not shown, one or more additional devices may be located within a cell managed by the network device 120, and one or more additional cells may be deployed within the communication environment 100. Note that, although shown as a network device, the network device 120 may be a device other than a network device. Although shown as a terminal device, terminal devices 110-1 or 110-2 may be appropriate devices other than terminal devices.

[0056] In the following, for the sake of clarity, several exemplary embodiments will be described in which the first terminal device 110-1 or the second terminal device 110-2 operates as a UE and the network device 120 operates as a base station. However, in some exemplary embodiments, the operations described in relation to the terminal device may be performed by the network device or other devices, and the operations described in relation to the network device may be performed by the terminal device or other devices.

[0057] In some exemplary embodiments, when the first terminal device 110-1 or the second terminal device 110-2 is a terminal device and the network device 120 is a network device, the link from the network device 120 to the first terminal device 110-1 or the second terminal device 110-2 is called a downlink (DL), and the link from the first terminal device 110-1 or the second terminal device 110-2 to the network device 120 is called an uplink (UL). In a DL, the network device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and the first terminal device 110-1 or the second terminal device 110-2 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In a UL, the first terminal device 110-1 or the second terminal device 110-2 is a TX device (or transmitter), and the network device 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0058] Communication in communication environment 100 includes, but is not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), New Radio (NR), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA®), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), and Machine-Type Communication (MTC), and may comply with any appropriate standard. Embodiments of this disclosure may be performed in accordance with any generation of communication protocols that are currently known or will be developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced Network, or sixth-generation (6G) networks.

[0059] In the following, some operations are described from the perspective of the first terminal device 110-1, but please understand that the corresponding operations should be performed by the second terminal device 110-2 and / or the network device 120, and vice versa.

[0060] Refer to Figure 2, which shows a signaling flow 200 of SL communication consisting of two or more frequencies according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “frequency” refers to a range of frequencies or frequency points representing a range of frequencies. For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, frequency may refer to a carrier.

[0061] For the sake of explanation, the signaling flow 200 will be described with reference to Figure 1, for example, involving a first terminal device 110-1, a second terminal device 110-2, and a network device 120. The signaling flow 300 involves the first terminal device 110-1 and the second terminal device 110-2, which are attempting to perform SL communication (also called "SL transmission" in the embodiments of this disclosure). The first terminal device 110-1 may be a Tx terminal device, and the second terminal device 110-2 may be an Rx terminal device. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110-1 may be an Rx terminal device, and the second terminal device 110-2 may be a Tx terminal device.

[0062] The first terminal device 110-1 determines (210) a set of resources on at least one frequency to be used for SL transmission between the first terminal device 110-1 and the second terminal device 110-2. The first terminal device 110-1 consists of two or more frequencies, e.g., one or more carriers. SL transmission relates to several types of communication between the first terminal device 110-1 and the second terminal device 110-2. For example, SL transmission includes signaling radio bearer (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and / or similar. It should be understood that the above-described exemplary transmissions included in SL transmission are shown for illustrative purposes only and do not imply any limitation. Other suitable types of communication / transmission may also be applicable.

[0063] In some embodiments, the determination of the set of resources (210) may be carried out in various ways. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the first terminal device 110-1 may receive a first configuration from the network device 120 (211) and determine the set of resources (210) based on the first configuration.

[0064] The first configuration may represent a set of resources on at least one frequency that is generated by the network device 120 and used for SL transmission between the first terminal device 110-1 and the second terminal device 110-2. Furthermore, or alternatively, in some embodiments, the first configuration may represent at least one frequency (e.g., one or more carriers) and a resource pool configuration corresponding to at least one frequency. It should be understood that the above examples shown in the first configuration are not intended to imply any limitations and are provided solely for illustrative purposes. In other embodiments of this disclosure, the network device 120 may use the first configuration to provide other information to the first terminal device 110-1.

[0065] The network device 120 may transmit the first configuration to the first terminal device 110-1 in several ways. For example, the network device 120 may transmit the first configuration via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, a system information block (SIB), and / or other appropriate messages. Based on the first configuration, the first terminal device 110-1 may determine (210) a set of resources.

[0066] As an alternative to the above method for determining the set of resources, the first terminal device 110-1 may determine (212-1) the first information, notify the network device 120 by transmitting a configuration (for convenience of explanation, also called the "second configuration") that indicates the first information (such as frequency-related information described later), and then determine the set of resources based on the first information and a further configuration (for convenience of explanation, also called the "third configuration") received from the network device 120.

[0067] The first information may be determined (212-1) via a higher layer of the first terminal device 110-1. The higher layer of the first terminal device 110-1 may be, for example, a radio resource control (RRC) layer or a vehicle-to-anything (V2X) layer. The first information may indicate a set of frequencies including at least one frequency, one or more mappings, and / or similar. With respect to one or more mappings, each mapping may indicate a correspondence between a set of frequencies and a destination identifier. For example, there may be a mapping for use in SL transmission of an SRB. As another example, there may be further mappings for use in PSFCH transmission.

[0068] Next, the first terminal device 110-1 transmits a second configuration to the network device 120 (212-2). The second configuration may include first information, instructions indicating that the resources indicated by the first information will be used for SL transmission, and / or similar. The network device 120 may generate or determine a resource pool configuration (also referred to as a “third configuration” for illustrative purposes) corresponding to at least one frequency, and transmit the third configuration to the first terminal device 110-1.

[0069] The resource pool configuration may represent at least one set of resource pools, each set of resource pools corresponding to at least one frequency. In other words, one frequency may correspond to one or more resource pools, and the first terminal device 110-1 may select one resource pool to communicate with the second terminal device 110-2.

[0070] Alternatively, or further, the resource pool configuration may indicate channel busy rate (CBR) thresholds corresponding to priority or frequency (such as carrier). Furthermore, or as a further alternative, the resource pool configuration may indicate resource allocation modes (such as resource allocation mode 1, mode 2, mode 3, and mode 4), resource allocation mechanisms for resource allocation modes, and / or similar.

[0071] In some embodiments, the resource allocation mode may refer to either scheduled resource allocation or autonomous resource selection. For example, mode 1 may correspond to scheduled resource allocation, and mode 2 may correspond to autonomous resource selection.

[0072] In some embodiments, the resource allocation mechanism may be sensing, partial sensing, or random selection. Furthermore, information regarding the resource allocation mechanism is only required for a specific resource allocation mode. For example, in mode 2, a resource allocation mechanism is required, and an exemplary resource allocation mechanism may be one of sensing, partial sensing, or random selection.

[0073] The resource allocation modes and mechanisms described above are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted in any way. In other words, the resource allocation modes and mechanisms may be any currently defined or future defined resource allocation modes and mechanisms. This disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0074] When the first terminal device 110-1 receives the third configuration from the network device 120 (212-2), it may determine a set of resources (210) based on the second and third configurations.

[0075] The set of resources determined (210) by the first terminal device 110-1 in any of the above-described methods may be a pre-configured semi-static resource or a dynamically scheduled resource. For example, the set of resources may include multiple resource elements on one or more carriers used for SL transmission. The first terminal device 110-1 recognizes the set of resources and then performs an SL transmission (220) on the set of resources with the second terminal device 110-2.

[0076] To further enhance understanding, several exemplary embodiments of the above process are described below.

[0077] In some embodiments of this disclosure, for convenience of explanation, terminal devices may also be referred to as UEs, and network devices may also be referred to as networks (NW). During SRB 0 / 1 / 2 transmission, peer UEs (e.g., a first terminal device 110-1 and a second terminal device 110-2) cannot know the exact configuration of the carrier list. Therefore, the reliability of the transmission cannot be guaranteed by negotiation among peer UEs. Instead, the network configuration should be relied upon to synchronize the SRB 0 / 1 / 2 transmission of the Tx UE with the reception of the Rx UE.

[0078] In some embodiments, the UE may receive from the network device a configuration (i.e., a first configuration) indicating the resources used for SL-SRB0 / 1 / 2 transmission. The configuration may include at least one of a frequency list which may include one or more frequency information items and / or resource pool configurations.

[0079] The configuration may be transmitted in various ways. For example, the configuration may be transmitted through SIB, dedicated RRC signaling, and / or similar means.

[0080] In some embodiments, the UE may receive from its upper layer a configuration (i.e., first information) indicating resource information to be used for SL-SRB0 / 1 / 2 transmission. This configuration may include a mapping between frequency lists and initial destination identifiers (IDs) and / or frequency lists. After the UE receives such a configuration from its upper layer, the UE may report the mapping between frequency lists and initial destination IDs and / or frequency lists to the network and, if the UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, indicate that its use is for SL-SRB0 / 1 / 2 transmission.

[0081] Next, the UE may receive from the network a further configuration (i.e., a third configuration) that shows a resource pool configuration of one or more reported frequencies.

[0082] In some embodiments, the resource pool configuration may include a CBR threshold configuration per priority. Alternatively, or further, the resource pool configuration may include a resource allocation mechanism for mode 2, e.g., sensing, partial sensing, or random selection. Alternatively, or further, the resource pool configuration may include resource allocation modes, e.g., mode 1, mode 2, etc.

[0083] In some embodiments, the network device may configure a default resource for performing SL-SRB0, SL-SRB1, or SL-SRB2 transmissions, or it may perform PSFCH transmissions, SL MAC CE transmissions, as described below.

[0084] In some embodiments, the UE may receive from the network a configuration (i.e., a first configuration) indicating resources used for SL-SRB0 / 1 / 2 transmissions, PSFCH transmissions, and SL MAC CE transmissions. For example, the configuration may include at least one of a default carrier used for unicast-related signaling transmissions, or a resource pool configuration on the default carrier. There are several types of unicast-related signaling transmissions. For example, a unicast-related signaling transmission may be an SL-SRB0, SL-SRB1, or SL-SRB2 transmission, or a PSFCH transmission, SL MAC CE transmission, etc. Alternatively, two or more carriers may be set as default resources.

[0085] The UE may receive the configuration from the network in different ways. For example, the configuration may be transmitted via at least one of SIB or dedicated RRC signaling from the network. After receiving on the default carrier and the corresponding resource pool configuration, the UE may perform transmission on the corresponding carrier.

[0086] Figure 3 shows the signaling flow 300 of PDCP replication communication according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the signaling flow 300 will be described using, for example, a first terminal device 110-1, a second terminal device 110-2, and a network device 120 with reference to Figure 1.

[0087] The signaling flow 300 involves a network device 120 and a first terminal device 110-1 and a second terminal device 110-2 that are attempting to perform PDCP replication transmission. The first terminal device 110-1 may be a Tx terminal device or a transmitter device, and the second terminal device 110-2 may be an Rx terminal device or a receiver device. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110-1 may be an Rx terminal device or a receiver device, and the second terminal device 110-2 may be a Tx terminal device or a transmitter device.

[0088] As shown in Figure 3, before performing a PDCP replication transmission, the first terminal device 110-1 transmits (310) resource information to the second terminal device 110-2. The resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource, a second resource, a third resource, or a mapping of the original radio link control (RLC) channel and the replicated RLC channel. Specifically, the first resource is used by the first terminal device for PSFCH transmission. The second resource is used by the first terminal device to perform a PDCP replication transmission. The third resource is a resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission.

[0089] In some embodiments, if the first terminal device 110-1 is a receiver device, the resource information may indicate a first resource. If the first terminal device 110-1 is a transmitter device, the resource information may indicate a second resource, a third resource, and / or a mapping.

[0090] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if the second terminal device 110-2 is a transmitter device, the resource information may indicate the first resource. If the second terminal device 110-2 is a receiver device, the resource information may indicate at least one of the second resource, the third resource, or a mapping.

[0091] The second terminal device 110-2 receives resource information from the first terminal device 110-1. Therefore, the second terminal device 110-2 may know the feedback resources for future PDCP replication transmissions or future PDCP replication transmissions. For example, the resource information may allow the second terminal device 110-2 to know the resources used for communication between the first terminal device 110-1 and the second terminal device 110-2. Furthermore, the second terminal device 110-2 may know the mapping between the original RLC channel and the replicated RLC channel. In some embodiments, the mapping may be set by the network device 120 or the first terminal device 110-1.

[0092] Next, the first terminal device 110-1 and the second terminal device 110-2 perform PDCP replication transmission (350) based at least partially on resource information.

[0093] In some embodiments, resource information may indicate the first resource in a variety of ways. For example, it may be indicated by at least one receiving resource pool of the first terminal device 110-1 corresponding to a frequency, at least one resource pool used to transmit PSFCH transmissions, at least one frequency used to transmit PSFCH transmissions, an indication that PSFCH transmissions are performed for each RLC channel, and / or similar.

[0094] The second terminal device 110-2 may transmit (320) feedback information regarding the resource configuration to the first terminal device 110-1. Next, as shown in Figure 3, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit (330) feedback information regarding the resource configuration to the network device 120. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second terminal device 110-2 may transmit the feedback information directly to the network device 120.

[0095] The feedback information may indicate whether the first resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device, or whether the second resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device. Alternatively, or further, the feedback information may indicate a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device, or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device. It should be understood that the above examples shown by the feedback information are not intended to imply any limitations and are provided solely for illustrative purposes. Other information may also be included in the feedback information.

[0096] The network device 120 receives feedback information from the first terminal device 110-1. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the network device 120 may further adjust the first resource and / or the second resource, which may be indicated by the feedback information, for example. For example, if either the first resource or the second resource, or both, are rejected by the second terminal device, the network device 120 may adjust the first resource and / or the second resource and notify the first terminal device 110-1 of the adjustment by sending a message. The first terminal device 110-1 may receive a message from the network device 120 (340) indicating at least one of the adjusted first resource or the adjusted second resource, thereby knowing the corresponding adjustment.

[0097] While performing a PDCP replication transmission (350), the first terminal device 110-1 may receive the PDCP replication transmission from the second terminal device 110-2, for example, via a first radio link control (RLC) channel and a second RLC channel. In response, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit a PSFCH transmission of the PDCP replication transmission to the second terminal device (360).

[0098] A PSFCH transmission may indicate at least one of the following: a negative acknowledgment (NACK) for a PDCP packet if the PDCP packet fails on both the first and second RLC channels; the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet failed; an acknowledgment (ACK) for a PDCP packet if the PDCP packet succeeds on either the first or second RLC channel; an ACK for a PDCP packet if the PDCP packet succeeds on both the first and second RLC channels; or the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet succeeded. It should be understood that the above examples of information indicated by a PSFCH transmission are not intended to imply any limitations and are provided solely for illustrative purposes. Other information may also be indicated by a PSFCH transmission.

[0099] To further enhance understanding, several exemplary embodiments of the above process are described below.

[0100] In the following exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, for convenience of explanation, terminal devices may also be referred to as UEs, and network devices may also be referred to as NWs or networks. More specifically, the first terminal device 110-1 may also be referred to as UE1, and the second terminal device 110-2 may also be referred to as UE2 or a peer UE of UE1.

[0101] In the case of PDCP replication over unicast, after UE1 receives the receive configuration from the network device (or UE1 may be pre-configured and therefore such reception may be omitted), if the PC5-RRC connection with the peer UE (UE2) is set up / in the process of being set up, UE1 may transmit the receive resource pool configuration to the peer UE on each carrier. Alternatively, UE1 may transmit the receive resource pool configuration on one carrier that will be used for PSFCH transmission to the peer UE. Alternatively, UE1 may transmit a carrier on which PSFCH transmission will be performed. As a further alternative, UE1 may indicate that PSFCH transmission will be performed on any carrier.

[0102] After receiving the PSFCH transmission configuration from UE1, the peer UE confirms / rejects the configuration via, for example, PC5-RRC signaling, SL-MAC CE, or Sidelink Control Information (SCI).

[0103] After the peer UE has verified the PSFCH transmission configuration from UE1, it reports the configuration to its network if it is in the RRC_CONNECTED state. In detail, if UE1 decides to transmit PSFCH on a resource pool of one specific carrier for PDCP replication reception, it may indicate at least the following information via the PSFCH resource: in nack-only feedback, UE1 indicates a NACK if it has not received any packets on any carrier; in nack-only / ack-nack feedback, UE1 indicates a NACK for a specific RLC channel (original LCID / replicated LCID indication) if it has not received any packets on that channel; in ack-nack feedback, UE1 indicates an ACK if it has received one packet from any carrier; in ack-nack feedback, UE1 indicates an ACK for a specific RLC channel if it has received packets on both RLC channels; and / or similar.

[0104] After UE1 receives an acknowledgment / rejection instruction from its peer UE, if it is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, it reports the result to the network device (e.g., network device 120).

[0105] The PSFCH transmission of either UE1 or UE2 is dynamic. For example, to ensure resource utilization efficiency and transmission reliability, the transmitter UE or Tx UE may indicate its preferred carrier for PSFCH reception using, for example, SCI, PC5-RRC signaling, or SL MAC CE.

[0106] In some embodiments, when UE1 performs a PDCP replication transmission to a peer UE, it may use the LCIDs for the original and replicated transmissions by a hardcoded mapping between the original LCID and the replicated LCID, or use a network-based mapping configuration between the original LCID and the replicated LCID (which should be transmitted to the peer UE) when the UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, or use a self-determined mapping configuration between the original LCID and the replicated LCID (which should be transmitted to the peer UE).

[0107] Figure 4 shows a signaling flow 400 of a reselection procedure for SL communication according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the signaling flow 400 will be described using, for example, a first terminal device 110-1, a second terminal device 110-2, and a network device 120 with reference to Figure 1.

[0108] Similar to the signaling flow 200, the signaling flow 400 involves the network device 120 and a first terminal device 110-1 and a second terminal device 110-2 that are attempting to perform SL transmission. The first terminal device 110-1 may be a Tx terminal device or a transmitter device, and the second terminal device 110-2 may be an Rx terminal device or a receiver device. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110-1 may be an Rx terminal device or a receiver device, and the second terminal device 110-2 may be a Tx terminal device or a transmitter device.

[0109] As shown in Figure 4, the first terminal device 110-1 performs SL transmission (410) on multiple frequencies with the second terminal device 110-2. When certain conditions are met, the first terminal device 110-1 triggers (420) the selection of one of the multiple frequencies (this may be the initial selection or a re-selection).

[0110] For example, if the number of negative responses (NACKs) associated with a frequency is greater than or equal to a first threshold number, the first terminal device 110-1 triggers selection (420). In another example, if the first channel busy rate (CBR) value associated with a frequency measured by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value, the first terminal device 110-1 triggers selection (420). In yet another example, if the second CBR value associated with a frequency measured by the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, the first terminal device 110-1 triggers selection (420). It should be understood that the above exemplary conditions are not intended to imply any limitations and are provided for illustrative purposes only. Other suitable conditions for triggering selection / re-selection may exist.

[0111] In some embodiments, in response to a successful selection, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit a message to the second terminal device 110-2 (430-1) indicating at least the selected frequency. Alternatively, or further, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit a message to the network device 120 (430-2) indicating the selected frequency.

[0112] Furthermore, or alternatively, in some embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may count the number of frequencies unavailable for SL transmission. If the first terminal device 110-1 determines that the number of frequencies unavailable for SL transmission is equal to or greater than a second threshold number (440), it may report a wireless link failure to the network device 120 (450).

[0113] To further enhance understanding, several exemplary embodiments of the above process are described below.

[0114] In the following exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, for convenience of explanation, terminal devices may also be referred to as UEs, and network devices may also be referred to as NWs or networks. More specifically, the first terminal device 110-1 may also be referred to as a UE.

[0115] If the first terminal device 110-1 performs PSFCH feedback as NACK-only / ACK-NACK for each carrier, the first terminal device 110-1 may maintain a counter for each carrier to count the number of consecutive NACKs for each carrier. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110-1 may have a NACK counter threshold set by the network device 120. For example, the counter threshold may be set per carrier, per UE, or at some other appropriate level of granularity.

[0116] If the number of NACK counts on a particular carrier is greater than or equal to a set counter threshold, the first terminal device 110-1 may be triggered to perform resource reselection (or selection) on that resource (e.g., carrier). If resource reselection is triggered on all set carriers, the first terminal device 110-1 may trigger a Radio Link Failure (RLF).

[0117] The first terminal device 110-1 may report CBR measurements on the configured resource pools on each carrier and report the CBR measurement results to a peer UE, for example, a second terminal device 110-2. If the CBR measurement of the second terminal device 110-2 (i.e., the peer UE) exceeds a threshold set on a particular carrier, the first terminal device 110-1 triggers a reselection of resources on that particular carrier.

[0118] When the first terminal device 110-1 performs carrier reselection triggered by resource reselection, it may report the reselected carrier set to the second terminal device 110-2 (i.e., peer UE) via a PC5-RRC message.

[0119] When the second terminal device 110-2 performs carrier reselection triggered by resource reselection, it may report the selected / reselected carrier set to the network device 120 via an RRC message, provided that the first terminal device 110-1 is in the RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0120] Figure 5 shows a signaling flow 500 of a frequency selection procedure for SL communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the signaling flow 500 will be described using, for example, a first terminal device 110-1 and a second terminal device 110-2 with reference to Figure 1.

[0121] The signaling flow 500 involves a first terminal device 110-1 and a second terminal device 110-2 that are attempting to perform SL transmission. The first terminal device 110-1 may be a Tx terminal device or a transmitter device, and the second terminal device 110-2 may be an Rx terminal device or a receiver device. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110-1 may be an Rx terminal device or a receiver device, and the second terminal device 110-2 may be a Tx terminal device or a transmitter device.

[0122] As shown in Figure 5, the first terminal device 110-1 determines (560) at least one frequency to be used by the first terminal device 110-1 for sidelink (SL) transmission with the second terminal device 110-2. The determination (560) is based on at least one of a first set of frequencies supported by the first terminal device, a second set of frequencies supported by the second terminal device, a first set of channel busy rate (CBR) measurement results associated with at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, a second set of CBR measurement results associated with at least a portion of the second set of frequencies, and / or other relevant factors. The first terminal device 110-1 then performs (580) SL communication with the second terminal device 110-2 on at least one frequency.

[0123] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit (570) information indicating at least one frequency to the second terminal device 110-2 or the network device 120.

[0124] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit (510) a first configuration indicating a first set of frequencies to the second terminal device 110-2. Furthermore, the first terminal device 110-1 may receive (520) a second configuration indicating a second set of frequencies from the second terminal device 110-2. Using both the first set of frequencies and the second set of frequencies, the first terminal device 110-1 may determine (530) an intersection set of the first set of frequencies and the second set of frequencies. Both the first set of CBR measurement results and the second set of CBR measurement results are associated with the intersection set.

[0125] Optionally, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit (540) a first report indicating a first set of CBR measurement results to the second terminal device 110-2. In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may receive (550) a second report indicating a second set of CBR measurement results from the second terminal device 110-2. It should be understood that the receiving (550) operation may be performed before, simultaneously with, or after the transmitting (540) operation.

[0126] To further enhance understanding, several exemplary embodiments of the above process are described below.

[0127] In the following exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, for convenience of explanation, terminal devices may also be referred to as UEs, and network devices may also be referred to as NWs or networks. More specifically, the first terminal device 110-1 may also be referred to as UE-A, and the second terminal device 110-2 may also be referred to as UE-B.

[0128] In the career selection procedure, UE-A is configured with a service-to-career-list-A mapping relationship, and its peer UE-B is configured with a service-to-career-list-B mapping relationship.

[0129] When UE-A performs a carrier selection, peer UE-B should report the service-to-carrier-list-B mapping relationship to UE-A, and UE-A should perform a carrier selection within the intersection set of carrier-set-A and carrier-set-B, i.e., carrier-set-C.

[0130] In detail, UE-A first performs CBR measurements on each carrier in carrier set-C, and simultaneously receives the CBR measurement results for each carrier in carrier set-C from UE-B. UE-A then filters the candidate selection carrier list in carrier set-C to include carriers that satisfy the condition that both UE-A and UE-B's CBR measurements on the resource pool for a given carrier fall below a set threshold.

[0131] UE-A may select carriers from the candidate carrier selection list in descending order of their CBR measurements.

[0132] For each unicast link, if UE-A is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, UE-A may report the selected carrier list, along with the associated destination layer 2 ID, to the network device 120.

[0133] UE-A may report the selected carrier list to peer UE-B via a PC5-RRC message, and upon receiving the selected carrier list, peer UE-B should report its selected carrier list to its network device 120.

[0134] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a communication method 600 implemented in a first terminal device according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the method 600 will be described in terms of the first terminal device 110-1 in Figure 1.

[0135] In block 610, the first terminal device 110-1 determines a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the first terminal device consists of two or more frequencies, and the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bare (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission.

[0136] In block 620, the first terminal device 110-1 performs SL transmission on a set of resources with the second terminal device.

[0137] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 receives a first configuration from a network device, wherein the first configuration represents at least one frequency or a resource pool configuration corresponding to at least one frequency, and determines a set of resources based on the first configuration.

[0138] In some exemplary embodiments, the first configuration is transmitted via at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a system information block (SIB).

[0139] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may determine first information via a higher layer of the first terminal device that indicates at least one of a set of frequencies including at least one frequency, or at least one mapping (each mapping indicating a correspondence between a set of frequencies and a destination identifier).

[0140] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit to the network device a second configuration, wherein the second configuration indicates at least one of first information and an instruction indicating that the resources indicated by the first information are to be used for SL transmission; receive from the network device a third configuration indicating a resource pool configuration corresponding to at least one frequency; and determine a set of resources based on the second and third configurations.

[0141] In some exemplary embodiments, the upper layer of the first terminal device is a radio resource control (RRC) layer or a vehicle-to-anything (V2X) layer.

[0142] In some exemplary embodiments, the resource pool configuration includes at least one of the following: at least one set of resource pools (each set of resource pools corresponding to at least one frequency), priority or channel busy rate (CBR) thresholds corresponding to frequencies, resource allocation modes, or resource allocation mechanisms for resource allocation modes.

[0143] In some exemplary embodiments, the set of resources is either pre-configured semi-static resources or dynamically scheduled resources.

[0144] In some exemplary embodiments, one of the first and second terminal devices is a transmitter, and the other of the first and second terminal devices is a receiver.

[0145] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a communication method 700 implemented in a network device according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the method 700 will be described in terms of the network device 120 in Figure 1.

[0146] In block 710, the network device 120 generates a configuration that shows a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, the SL transmission including at least one of signal radio bear (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission.

[0147] In block 720, the network device 120 transmits the configuration to the first terminal device.

[0148] In some exemplary embodiments, the network device 120 may receive a second configuration from the first terminal device before transmitting the configuration to the first terminal device, the second configuration comprising at least one of the following: a set of frequencies including at least one frequency; at least one mapping (each mapping indicating a correspondence between the set of frequencies and a destination identifier); and an instruction indicating that the set of frequencies is to be used for SL transmission.

[0149] In some exemplary embodiments, the configuration shows at least one of at least one frequency, or a resource pool configuration corresponding to at least one frequency.

[0150] In some exemplary embodiments, the resource pool configuration includes at least one of the following: at least one set of resource pools (each set of resource pools corresponding to at least one frequency), priority or channel busy rate (CBR) thresholds corresponding to frequencies, resource allocation modes, or resource allocation mechanisms for a particular resource allocation mode.

[0151] In some exemplary embodiments, the configuration is transmitted via at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a system information block (SIB).

[0152] In some exemplary embodiments, the set of resources is either pre-configured semi-static resources or dynamically scheduled resources.

[0153] Figure 8 shows a flowchart of a communication method 800 implemented in a first terminal device according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the method 800 will be described in terms of the first terminal device 110-1 in Figure 1.

[0154] In block 810, the first terminal device 110-1 transmits resource information to the second terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission with the second terminal device, the resource information indicating at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device for physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; a second resource used by the first terminal device for performing a PDCP replication transmission; a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission; or a mapping of the original radio link control (RLC) channel and the replicated RLC channel.

[0155] In block 820, the first terminal device 110-1 performs PDCP replication transmission to the second terminal device, at least partially based on resource information.

[0156] In some exemplary embodiments, resource information indicates a first resource by at least one of the following: at least one receive resource pool of a first terminal device corresponding to a frequency; at least one resource pool used to transmit physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions; at least one frequency used to transmit PSFCH transmissions; and an instruction indicating that PSFCH transmissions are performed for each radio link control (RLC) channel.

[0157] In some exemplary embodiments, the mapping is configured by a network device or a first terminal device.

[0158] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may receive feedback information from the second terminal device, the feedback information indicating at least one of the following: whether the first resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; whether the second resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device.

[0159] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit feedback information to a network device that provides services to the first terminal device.

[0160] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 and the processor may further receive a message from the network device indicating at least one of the first or second resources that has been adjusted, if at least one of the first or second resources has been rejected by the second terminal device.

[0161] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may receive a PDCP replica transmission from the second terminal device via a first radio link control (RLC) channel and a second RLC channel, and may also transmit a PSFCH transmission of the PDCP replica transmission to the second terminal device, the PSFCH transmission indicating at least one of the following: a negative acknowledgment (NACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet fails on both the first and second RLC channels; the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet failed; an acknowledgment (ACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet succeeds on either the first or second RLC channel; an ACK for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet succeeds on both the first and second RLC channels; or the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet succeeded.

[0162] In some exemplary embodiments, if the first terminal device 110-1 is a receiver device, the resource information indicates a first resource, and if the first terminal device 110-1 is a transmitter device, the resource information indicates at least one of a second resource, a third resource, or a mapping.

[0163] Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a communication method 900 implemented in a second terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the method 900 will be described in terms of the second terminal device 110-2 in Figure 1.

[0164] In block 910, the second terminal device 110-2 receives resource information from the first terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) duplicate transmission with the first terminal device, the resource information indicating at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP duplicate transmission; a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission; or a mapping of the original radio link control (RLC) channel and the duplicated RLC channel.

[0165] In block 920, the second terminal device 110-2 performs PDCP replication transmission to the first terminal device 110-1, at least partially based on resource information.

[0166] In some exemplary embodiments, resource information indicates a first resource by at least one of the following: at least one receive resource pool of a first terminal device corresponding to a frequency; at least one resource pool used to transmit physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions; at least one frequency used to transmit PSFCH transmissions; and an instruction indicating that PSFCH transmissions are performed for each radio link control (RLC) channel.

[0167] In some exemplary embodiments, the mapping is configured by a network device or a first terminal device.

[0168] In some exemplary embodiments, the second terminal device 110-2 may transmit feedback information to the first terminal device or a network device providing services to the second terminal device, the feedback information indicating at least one of the following: whether the first resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; whether the second resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device.

[0169] In some exemplary embodiments, the second terminal device 110-2 may transmit a PDCP replication transmission to the first terminal device via a first radio link control (RLC) channel and a second RLC channel, and may receive a PSFCH transmission for a PDCP replication transmission to the second terminal device, the PSFCH transmission indicating at least one of the following: a negative acknowledgment (NACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet fails on both the first and second RLC channels, the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet failed; an acknowledgment (ACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet succeeds on either the first or second RLC channel, an ACK for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet succeeds on both the first and second RLC channels, or the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet succeeded.

[0170] In some exemplary embodiments, if the second terminal device is a transmitter, the resource information indicates a first resource, and if the second terminal device is a receiver, the resource information indicates at least one of a second resource, a third resource, or a mapping.

[0171] Figure 10 shows a flowchart of a communication method 1000 implemented in a network device according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, method 1000 will be described in terms of the network device 120 in Figure 1.

[0172] In block 1010, the network device 120 receives feedback information from the first terminal device, the feedback information indicating at least one of the following: whether a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; whether a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device.

[0173] In some exemplary embodiments, if at least one of the first resource or the second resource is rejected by the second terminal device, the network device 120 may send a message to the first terminal device 110-1 indicating at least one of the following adjusted first resource or adjusted second resource.

[0174] Figure 11 shows a flowchart of a communication method 1100 implemented in a first terminal device according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the method 1100 will be described in terms of the first terminal device 110-1 in Figure 1.

[0175] In block 1110, the first terminal device 110-1 performs sidelink (SL) transmission on multiple frequencies with the second terminal device.

[0176] In block 1120, the first terminal device 110-1 triggers the selection of a frequency from among multiple frequencies in one of the following cases: when the number of negative responses (NACKs) associated with a frequency is greater than or equal to a first threshold number; when the first channel busy ratio (CBR) value associated with a frequency measured by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or when the second CBR value associated with a frequency measured by the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0177] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may, in response to successful reselection, transmit a message to the second terminal device or network device indicating at least the reselected frequency.

[0178] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may report a wireless link failure to the network device based on the determination that the number of frequencies unavailable for SL transmission is equal to or greater than a second threshold number.

[0179] In some exemplary embodiments, one of the first and second terminal devices is a transmitter, and the other of the first and second terminal devices is a receiver.

[0180] Figure 12 shows a flowchart of a communication method 1200 implemented in a first terminal device according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the method 1200 will be described in terms of the first terminal device 110-1 in Figure 1.

[0181] In block 1210, the first terminal device 110-1 determines at least one frequency used by the first terminal device for sidelink (SL) transmission with the second terminal device based on at least one of a first set of frequencies supported by the first terminal device, a second set of frequencies supported by the second terminal device, a first set of channel busy rate (CBR) measurement results associated with at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, or a second set of CBR measurement results associated with at least a portion of the second set of frequencies.

[0182] In block 1260, the first terminal device 110-1 performs SL communication with the second terminal device 110-2 on at least one frequency.

[0183] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit a first configuration indicating a first set of frequencies to the second terminal device, receive a second configuration indicating a second set of frequencies from the second terminal device, and determine an intersection set of the first and second sets of frequencies, with the first and second sets of CBR measurement results associated with the intersection set.

[0184] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit a first report indicating a first set of CBR measurement results to the second terminal device and receive a second report indicating a second set of CBR measurement results from the second terminal device.

[0185] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110-1 may transmit information indicating at least one frequency to the second terminal device or network device.

[0186] In some exemplary embodiments, one of the first and second terminal devices is a transmitter, and the other of the first and second terminal devices is a receiver.

[0187] Figure 13 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 1300 suitable for carrying out embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparatus 1300 can be considered a further exemplary embodiment of any of the apparatuses shown in Figure 1. Thus, apparatus 1300 may be implemented in the first terminal device 110-1, the second terminal device 110-2, or the network device 120, or as at least a part thereof.

[0188] As shown in the figure, the device 1300 includes a processor 1310, a memory 1320 coupled to the processor 1310, a suitable transceiver 1340 coupled to the processor 1310, and a communication interface coupled to the transceiver 1340. The memory 1310 stores at least a portion of the program 1330. The transceiver 1340 may be for bidirectional or unidirectional communication as required. The transceiver 1340 may include at least one of a transmitter 1342 and a receiver 1344. The transmitter 1342 and receiver 1344 may be functional modules or physical entities. The transceiver 1340 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, but in practice, the access node referred to in this application may have multiple antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements, such as the X2 / Xn interface for bidirectional communication between eNBs / gNBs, the S1 / NG interface for communication between Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) / SGW / UPE and eNBs / gNBs, the Un interface for communication between eNBs / gNBs and relay nodes (RNs), or the Uu interface for communication between eNBs / gNBs and terminal devices.

[0189] Program 1330 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 1310, enable the device 1300 to operate according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as described herein with reference to Figures 1-13. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 1310 of the device 1300, by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 1310 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a combination of the processor 1310 and memory 1320 may form processing means 1350 adapted to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0190] Memory 1320 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, including but not limited to non-temporary computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. Although only one memory 1320 is shown in device 1300, device 1300 may contain multiple physically different memory modules. Processor 1310 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may include, but not limited to, one or more of the following: general-purpose computers, dedicated computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures. Device 1300 may contain multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent to a clock synchronized with the main processor.

[0191] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first terminal device including a circuit. The circuit is configured to determine a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between the first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the first terminal device consists of two or more frequencies, and the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bar (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and to perform SL transmission on the set of resources with the second terminal device. Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a circuit that performs any of the methods performed by the first terminal device as described above.

[0192] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device including a circuit is provided. The circuit is configured to generate a configuration indicating a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bear (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and to transmit the configuration to the first terminal device. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuit may be configured to perform any method performed by the network device as described above.

[0193] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first terminal device including a circuit. The circuit is configured to transmit resource information to a second terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission to the second terminal device, wherein the resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device for physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions; a second resource used by the first terminal device for performing PDCP replication transmissions; a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive PSFCH transmissions; or a mapping of an original radio link control (RLC) channel and a replicated RLC channel; and to perform a PDCP replication transmission with the second terminal device, at least in part, based on the resource information. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also configure the circuit to perform any of the methods performed by the first terminal device as described above.

[0194] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a second terminal device including a circuit. The circuit is configured to receive resource information from the first terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission with the first terminal device, wherein the resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission, a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission, or a mapping of the original radio link control (RLC) channel and the replicated RLC channel; and to perform a PDCP replication transmission with the first terminal device, at least in part, based on the resource information. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also configure the circuit to perform any of the methods performed by the second terminal device as described above.

[0195] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network device including a circuit. The circuit is configured to receive feedback information from a first terminal device, the feedback information indicating at least one of the following: whether a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by a second terminal device; whether a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also indicate the circuit is configured to perform any method performed by the network device as described above.

[0196] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first terminal device including a circuit that performs sidelink (SL) transmission on multiple frequencies with a second terminal device and triggers a selection of a frequency from the multiple frequencies in one of the following cases: when the number of negative responses (NACKs) associated with a frequency is greater than or equal to a first threshold number; when a first channel busy rate (CBR) value associated with a frequency measured by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or when a second CBR value associated with a frequency measured by the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold value. Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a first terminal device that performs any of the methods described above.

[0197] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first terminal device including a circuit. The circuit is configured to determine at least one frequency used by the first terminal device for sidelink (SL) transmission to a second terminal device based on at least one of a first set of frequencies supported by the first terminal device, a second set of frequencies supported by the second terminal device, a first set of channel busy rate (CBR) measurement results associated with at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, or a second set of CBR measurement results associated with at least a portion of the second set of frequencies, and to perform SL communication with the second terminal device on at least one frequency. Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide the circuit, which may be configured to perform any of the methods performed by the first terminal device as described above.

[0198] As used herein, the term “circuit” may refer to a hardware circuit and / or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. For example, a circuit may be a combination of an analog and / or digital hardware circuit and software / firmware. As a further example, a circuit may be any part of a software-equipped hardware processor, such as a digital signal processor, software, and memory, which work together to enable a device such as a terminal or network device to perform various functions. In yet another example, a circuit may be a hardware circuit and / or processor, such as a microprocessor or a part of a microprocessor, which requires software / firmware for operation but may not have software when not needed for operation. As used herein, the term “circuit” also encompasses implementations of hardware circuits or processors alone, or implementations of parts of hardware circuits or processors, and implementations of software and / or firmware associated therewith.

[0199] In summary, embodiments of this disclosure provide the following aspects:

[0200] In one embodiment, a first terminal device is proposed, comprising a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to determine a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between the first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the first terminal device consists of two or more frequencies and the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bare (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and to perform SL transmission on the set of resources with the second terminal device.

[0201] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a first terminal device to receive a first configuration from a network device, wherein the first configuration represents at least one frequency or a resource pool configuration corresponding to at least one frequency, and to determine a set of resources based on the first configuration.

[0202] In some embodiments, the first configuration is transmitted via at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a system information block (SIB).

[0203] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a first terminal device to determine, via a higher layer of the first terminal device, first information indicating at least one of a set of frequencies including at least one frequency, or at least one mapping (each mapping indicating a correspondence between a set of frequencies and a destination identifier).

[0204] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a first terminal device to transmit a second configuration to a network device, wherein the second configuration indicates at least one of first information and an instruction indicating that the resources indicated by the first information are to be used for SL transmission; to receive a third configuration from the network device, which indicates a resource pool configuration corresponding to at least one frequency; and to determine a set of resources based on the second and third configurations.

[0205] In some embodiments, the upper layer of the first terminal device is a radio resource control (RRC) layer or a vehicle-to-anything (V2X) layer.

[0206] In some embodiments, the resource pool configuration includes at least one of the following: at least one set of resource pools (each set of resource pools corresponding to at least one frequency), priority or channel busy rate (CBR) thresholds corresponding to frequencies, resource allocation modes, or resource allocation mechanisms for resource allocation modes.

[0207] In some embodiments, the set of resources is either pre-configured semi-static resources or dynamically scheduled resources.

[0208] In some embodiments, one of the first and second terminal devices is a transmitter, and the other of the first and second terminal devices is a receiver.

[0209] In one embodiment, a network device is proposed, comprising a processor configured to cause the network device to generate a configuration indicating a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bare (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, and to transmit the configuration to the first terminal device.

[0210] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the network device to receive a second configuration from the first terminal device before transmitting the configuration to the first terminal device, the second configuration comprising at least one of the following: a set of frequencies including at least one frequency; at least one mapping (each mapping indicating a correspondence between the set of frequencies and a destination identifier); and an instruction indicating that the set of frequencies is to be used for SL transmission.

[0211] In some embodiments, the configuration represents at least one of at least one frequency, or a resource pool configuration corresponding to at least one frequency.

[0212] In some embodiments, the resource pool configuration includes at least one of the following: at least one set of resource pools (each set of resource pools corresponding to at least one frequency), priority or channel busy rate (CBR) thresholds corresponding to frequencies, resource allocation modes, or resource allocation mechanisms for a particular resource allocation mode.

[0213] In some embodiments, the configuration is transmitted via at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) signaling or system information blocks (SIB).

[0214] In some embodiments, the set of resources is either pre-configured semi-static resources or dynamically scheduled resources.

[0215] In one embodiment, a first terminal device is proposed, which includes a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to transmit resource information to the second terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission to the second terminal device, wherein the resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device for physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, a second resource used by the first terminal device to perform a PDCP replication transmission, a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission, or a mapping of the original radio link control (RLC) channel and the replicated RLC channel; and to perform a PDCP replication transmission with the second terminal device, at least partially based on the resource information.

[0216] In some embodiments, resource information indicates a first resource by at least one of the following: at least one receive resource pool of a first terminal device corresponding to a frequency; at least one resource pool used to transmit physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions; at least one frequency used to transmit PSFCH transmissions; and an instruction indicating that PSFCH transmissions are performed for each radio link control (RLC) channel.

[0217] In some embodiments, the mapping is configured by a network device or a first terminal device.

[0218] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a first terminal device to receive feedback information from a second terminal device, the feedback information indicating at least one of the following: whether a first resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; whether a second resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device.

[0219] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first terminal device to transmit feedback information to a network device that provides services to the first terminal device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first terminal device to receive a message from the network device indicating at least one of the adjusted first or adjusted second resources if at least one of the first or second resources is rejected by the second terminal device.

[0221] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a first terminal device to receive a PDCP replica transmission from a second terminal device via a first radio link control (RLC) channel and a second RLC channel, and to cause the second terminal device to transmit a PSFCH transmission of the PDCP replica transmission, wherein the PSFCH transmission indicates at least one of the following: a negative acknowledgment (NACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet fails on both the first and second RLC channels; the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet failed; an acknowledgment (ACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet succeeds on either the first or second RLC channel; an ACK for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet succeeds on both the first and second RLC channels; or the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet succeeded.

[0222] In some embodiments, if the first terminal device is a receiver device, the resource information indicates a first resource, and if the first terminal device is a transmitter device, the resource information indicates at least one of a second resource, a third resource, or a mapping.

[0223] In one embodiment, a second terminal device is proposed, which includes a processor configured to cause the second terminal device to receive resource information from the first terminal device before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission with the first terminal device, wherein the resource information indicates at least one of the following: a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission, a third resource from which the first terminal device is expected to receive a PSFCH transmission, or a mapping of the original radio link control (RLC) channel and the replicated RLC channel; and to perform a PDCP replication transmission with the first terminal device, at least partially based on the resource information.

[0224] In some embodiments, resource information indicates a first resource by at least one of the following: at least one receive resource pool of a first terminal device corresponding to a frequency; at least one resource pool used to transmit physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions; at least one frequency used to transmit PSFCH transmissions; and an instruction indicating that PSFCH transmissions are performed for each radio link control (RLC) channel.

[0225] In some embodiments, the mapping is configured by a network device or a first terminal device.

[0226] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a second first terminal device to transmit feedback information to a network device that provides services to the first or second terminal device, the feedback information indicating at least one of the following: whether the first resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; whether the second resource is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device.

[0227] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a second terminal device to send a PDCP replication transmission to the first terminal device via a first radio link control (RLC) channel and a second RLC channel, and to receive a PSFCH transmission for the PDCP replication transmission to the second terminal device, wherein the PSFCH transmission indicates at least one of the following: a negative acknowledgment (NACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet fails on both the first and second RLC channels, the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet failed; an acknowledgment (ACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet succeeds on either the first or second RLC channel, an ACK for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet succeeds on both the first and second RLC channels, or the RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels on which the PDCP packet succeeded.

[0228] In some embodiments, if the second terminal device is a transmitter, the resource information indicates a first resource, and if the second terminal device is a receiver, the resource information indicates at least one of a second resource, a third resource, or a mapping.

[0229] In one embodiment, a network device is proposed, which includes a processor configured to cause the network device to receive feedback information from a first terminal device, wherein the feedback information indicates at least one of the following: whether a first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by a second terminal device; whether a second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a PDCP replication transmission is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; a third resource included in the first resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device; or a fourth resource included in the second resource that is acknowledged or rejected by the second terminal device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the network device to send a message to the first terminal device indicating at least one of the following adjusted first or adjusted second resources if at least one of the first or second resources is rejected by the second terminal device.

[0231] In one embodiment, a first terminal device is proposed, which includes a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to perform sidelink (SL) transmission on multiple frequencies with a second terminal device, and to trigger the selection of a frequency from the multiple frequencies in one of the following cases: when the number of negative acknowledgments (NACKs) associated with a frequency is greater than or equal to a first threshold number; when a first channel busy rate (CBR) value associated with a frequency measured by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or when a second CBR value associated with a frequency measured by the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0232] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first terminal device to send a message to the second terminal device or network device indicating at least the reselected frequency in response to the success of the reselection.

[0233] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first terminal device to report a wireless link failure to the network device based on a determination that the number of frequencies unavailable for SL transmission is greater than or equal to a second threshold number.

[0234] In some embodiments, one of the first and second terminal devices is a transmitter, and the other of the first and second terminal devices is a receiver.

[0235] In one embodiment, a first terminal device is proposed, which includes a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to determine at least one frequency used by the first terminal device for sidelink (SL) transmission with a second terminal device based on at least one of a first set of frequencies supported by the first terminal device, a second set of frequencies supported by the second terminal device, a first set of channel busy rate (CBR) measurement results associated with at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, or a second set of CBR measurement results associated with at least a portion of the second set of frequencies, and to perform SL communication with the second terminal device on at least one frequency.

[0236] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a first terminal device to transmit a first configuration representing a first set of frequencies to a second terminal device, receive a second configuration representing a second set of frequencies from the second terminal device, and determine an intersection set of the first and second sets of frequencies, so that the first and second sets of CBR measurement results are associated with the intersection set.

[0237] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first terminal device to transmit a first report indicating a first set of CBR measurement results to the second terminal device, and to receive a second report indicating a second set of CBR measurement results from the second terminal device.

[0238] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a first terminal device to transmit information indicating at least one frequency to a second terminal device or network device.

[0239] In some embodiments, one of the first and second terminal devices is a transmitter, and the other of the first and second terminal devices is a receiver.

[0240] In one embodiment, the first terminal device includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing instructions, wherein when an instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device causes the device to perform the method performed by the first terminal device described above.

[0241] In one embodiment, the network device includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing instructions, wherein when an instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device causes the device to perform the method performed by the network device described above.

[0242] In one embodiment, the second terminal device includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing instructions, wherein when an instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device causes the device to perform the method performed by the second terminal device described above.

[0243] In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium stores instructions, and when these instructions are executed on at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to perform the method carried out by the first terminal device described above.

[0244] In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium stores instructions, and when these instructions are executed on at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to perform the method carried out by the network device described above.

[0245] In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium stores instructions, and when these instructions are executed on at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to perform the method carried out by the second terminal device described above.

[0246] In one embodiment, a computer program including instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform the method performed by the first terminal device described above.

[0247] In one embodiment, a computer program including instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform the method carried out by the network device described above.

[0248] In one embodiment, a computer program including instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform the method performed by the second terminal device described above.

[0249] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some embodiments may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented in firmware or software executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or some other graphical representations, but it will be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented, in non-limiting examples, in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers, or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0250] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions contained in a program module, which are executed on a device on a target real or virtual processor, and which perform the processes or methods described above with reference to Figures 1-13. Generally, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. The functions of program modules may be combined or separated as needed in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions for a program module may be executed in a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module may reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0251] Program code for performing the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. This program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing device, and when executed by the processor or controller, it will perform the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code may run entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a standalone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0252] The above program code may be embodied in a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that contains or can store a program used by an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus, or a program used in conjunction with such a system or apparatus. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, devices, or apparatus, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, or flash memory), optical fibers, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0253] Furthermore, although the operations are presented in a specific order, it should not be understood that such operations must be performed in the specific order shown, sequentially, or all shown operations must be performed in order to obtain the desired results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although the above description includes some specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of individual embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may be implemented individually or in any suitable combination of sub-features in multiple embodiments.

[0254] While this disclosure is described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. The first terminal device, The first terminal device, Determining a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, wherein the first terminal device comprises two or more frequencies, and the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bear (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, The SL transmission is performed on the set of resources between the second terminal device and the other device, Includes a processor configured to perform the following: The first terminal device.

2. The processor further provides the first terminal device with Through the upper layer of the first terminal device, A set of frequencies including at least one of the aforementioned frequencies, or Each mapping shows a correspondence between a set of frequencies and a destination identifier, with at least one mapping. Configured to determine first information that indicates at least one of the following, The first terminal device according to claim 1.

3. The processor further provides the first terminal device with The second configuration is transmitted to the network device, wherein the second configuration is First piece of information, An instruction indicating that the resources indicated by the first information will be used for the SL transmission, To show at least one of the following, A third configuration showing a resource pool configuration corresponding to at least one of the aforementioned frequencies is received from the network device, Determining the set of resources based on the second and third configurations described above, Configured to execute, The first terminal device according to claim 2.

4. The first terminal device, The first terminal device, Before performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) copy transmission with the second terminal device, resource information is transmitted to the second terminal device, wherein the resource information is A first resource used by the first terminal device for physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, A second resource used by the first terminal device to perform PDCP replication transmission, The third resource where the first terminal device is expected to receive the PSFCH transmission, or Mapping of the original Radio Link Control (RLC) channel and the replicated RLC channel. To show at least one of the following, Performing the PDCP replication transmission with the second terminal device based at least partially on the resource information, Includes a processor configured to perform the following: The first terminal device.

5. The aforementioned resource information is, At least one receiving resource pool of the first terminal device corresponding to the frequency, At least one resource pool used to transmit physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions, At least one frequency used to transmit the PSFCH transmission, An instruction indicating that the PSFCH transmission will be performed for each radio link control (RLC) channel, The first resource is indicated by at least one of the following: The first terminal device according to claim 4.

6. The processor further provides the first terminal device with The system is configured to receive feedback information from the second terminal device, and the feedback information is, Whether the first resource is confirmed or rejected by the second terminal device, Whether the second resource is confirmed or rejected by the second terminal device, A third resource included in the first resource, which is confirmed or rejected by the second terminal device, or A fourth resource included in the second resource, which is confirmed or rejected by the second terminal device, Showing at least one of the following: The first terminal device according to any one of claims 4 to 5.

7. The processor further provides the first terminal device with If at least one of the first resource or the second resource is rejected by the second terminal device, the network device is configured to receive a message indicating at least one of the adjusted first resource or the adjusted second resource. The first terminal device according to claim 6.

8. The processor further provides the first terminal device with The PDCP duplicate transmission is received from the second terminal device via the first radio link control (RLC) channel and the second RLC channel, and The system is configured to cause the PSFCH transmission of the PDCP replication transmission to be transmitted to the second terminal device, and the PSFCH transmission is, A negative acknowledgment (NACK) for a PDCP packet when the PDCP packet fails on both the first and second RLC channels. The RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels, when the PDCP packet fails, When the PDCP packet is successful on either the first or second RLC channel, an acknowledgment (ACK) is given to the PDCP packet. If the PDCP packet is successful on both the first and second RLC channels, an ACK or The RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels, upon successful delivery of the PDCP packet, Showing at least one of the following: The first terminal device according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. If the first terminal device is a receiver device, the resource information indicates the first resource, and If the first terminal device is a transmitter device, the resource information indicates at least one of the second resource, the third resource, or the mapping. The first terminal device according to any one of claims 4 to 8.

10. A second terminal device, The second terminal device, Before performing packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission with the first terminal device, resource information is received from the first terminal device, wherein the resource information is A first resource used by the first terminal device to transmit a physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or The second resource used by the first terminal device to transmit the aforementioned PDCP copy transmission, The third resource where the first terminal device is expected to receive the PSFCH transmission, or Mapping of the original radio link control (RLC) channel and the replicated RLC channel. To show at least one of the following, Performing the PDCP replication transmission with the first terminal device based at least partially on the resource information, Includes a processor configured to perform the following: The second terminal device.

11. The aforementioned resource information is, At least one receiving resource pool of the first terminal device corresponding to the frequency, At least one resource pool used to transmit physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmissions, At least one frequency used to transmit the PSFCH transmission, An instruction indicating that the PSFCH transmission will be performed for each radio link control (RLC) channel, The first resource is indicated by at least one of the following: The second terminal device according to claim 10.

12. The processor further provides a second first terminal device, The system is configured to transmit feedback information to the first terminal device or the network device that provides services to the second terminal device, and the feedback information is, Whether the first resource is confirmed or rejected by the second terminal device, Whether the second resource is confirmed or rejected by the second terminal device, A third resource included in the first resource, which is confirmed or rejected by the second terminal device, or A fourth resource included in the second resource, which is confirmed or rejected by the second terminal device, Showing at least one of the following: The second terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 11.

13. The processor further provides the second terminal device with The PDCP duplicate transmission is transmitted to the first terminal device via the first radio link control (RLC) channel and the second RLC channel, and The second terminal device is configured to receive the PSFCH transmission for the PDCP replication transmission, and the PSFCH transmission is A negative response (NACK) to the PDCP packet when the PDCP packet fails on both the first and second RLC channels. The RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels, when the PDCP packet fails, When the PDCP packet is successful on either the first or second RLC channel, an acknowledgment (ACK) is given to the PDCP packet. If the PDCP packet is successful on both the first and second RLC channels, an ACK or The RLC channels of the first and second RLC channels, upon successful delivery of the PDCP packet, Showing at least one of the following: The second terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. If the second terminal device is a transmitter device, the resource information indicates the first resource, and If the second terminal device is a receiver device, the resource information indicates at least one of the second resource, the third resource, or the mapping. The second terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 13.

15. The first terminal device, The first terminal device, Sidelink (SL) transmission is performed on multiple frequencies between the second terminal device and the second terminal device, and If the number of negative responses (NACKs) associated with the aforementioned frequency is equal to or greater than a first threshold number, If the first channel busy rate (CBR) value associated with the frequency, measured by the first terminal device, is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, If the second CBR value associated with the frequency measured by the second terminal device is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, In one of the cases, the selection of a frequency from the plurality of frequencies is triggered. Including a processor configured as follows: The first terminal device.

16. The first terminal device, The first terminal device, At least one frequency used by the first terminal device for sidelink (SL) transmission with the second terminal device, A first set of frequencies supported by the first terminal device, A second set of frequencies supported by the second terminal device, A first set of channel busy rate (CBR) measurement results associated with at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, or A second set of CBR measurement results associated with at least a portion of the second set of frequencies, The decision is made based on at least one of the following, The SL communication is performed on at least one frequency with the second terminal device. Including a processor configured as follows: The first terminal device.

17. The processor further provides the first terminal device with The first configuration, which represents the first set of frequencies, is transmitted to the second terminal device. The second configuration, which represents the second set of frequencies, is received from the second terminal device, and It is configured to determine the crossover set of the first and second sets of frequencies, The first and second sets of CBR measurement results are associated with the crossover set. The first terminal device according to claim 16.

18. The processor further provides the first terminal device with A first report showing the first set of CBR measurement results is transmitted to the second terminal device, and The system is configured to receive a second report from the second terminal device, which shows the second set of CBR measurement results. The first terminal device according to claim 17.

19. A communication method implemented in a first terminal device, Determining a set of resources on at least one frequency used for sidelink (SL) transmission between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, wherein the first terminal device comprises two or more frequencies, and the SL transmission includes at least one of signal radio bear (SRB) transmission, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmission, The SL transmission is performed on the set of resources between the second terminal device and the other device, including, Communication method.

20. A communication method implemented in a first terminal device, Before performing packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) replication transmission with the second terminal device, resource information is transmitted to the second terminal device, wherein the resource information is A first resource used by the first terminal device for physical side-link feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission, A second resource used by the first terminal device to perform PDCP replication transmission, The third resource where the first terminal device is expected to receive the PSFCH transmission, or Mapping of the original radio link control (RLC) channel and the replicated RLC channel. To show at least one of the following, Performing the PDCP replication transmission with the second terminal device based at least partially on the resource information, including, Communication method.

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