Multiple consecutive slot transmissions

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, method, and computer-readable storage medium for multi-consecutive slot transmission. The apparatus obtains at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for side-link transmission. The apparatus determines a first set of multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources based on a first number of slots for multi-consecutive-slot transmission, the multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources having the first number of consecutive slots. If the first set of multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resource condition, the apparatus selects a target resource for transmission of the multi-consecutive-slot transmission from the first set of multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources. Alternatively, the apparatus determines a target resource for transmission of the multi-consecutive-slot transmission based on a multi-consecutive-slot transmission criterion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more specifically to methods, devices, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for multi-consecutive slots transmission. [Background technology]

[0002] Multiple consecutive slot transmission, also known as MCSt, is supported in Mode 1 and Mode 2 resource allocation in sidelink unlicensed (SL-U) communications. Multiple consecutive slot transmission can reduce the need or frequency for a UE to perform Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) to access a channel after acquiring Channel Occupancy Time (COT), and can help conserve COT to transmit as much data as possible from the UE as quickly as possible in the next slot. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0003] From an UE perspective, a higher layer (e.g., the MAC layer) may trigger Layer 1 (L1) to report one or more candidate resources for transport blocks (TBs). These candidate resources are typically single-slot resources. Because resource selection in the higher layers is random, selecting a temporally consecutive set of resources that satisfy a specific multi-slot transmission length may not be straightforward. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one processor and at least one memory for storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: obtain at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for sidelink transmissions; determine a first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources from the at least one group of single-slot candidate resources based on a first number of slots for multiple-slot transmissions; select a target resource for transmitting a multiple-slot transmission from the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources in accordance with the determination that the multiple-slot transmission candidate resources have a first number of consecutive slots and that the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition; determine a target resource for transmitting a multiple-slot transmission based on a multiple-slot transmission criterion based on a set size and / or a change in the first number of slots in accordance with the determination that the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition; and transmit a multiple-slot transmission on the target resource.

[0005] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a method, the method comprising: in a device, obtaining at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for sidelink transmission; determining a first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources based on a first number of slots for multiple-slot transmissions, wherein the multiple-slot transmission candidate resources have a first number of consecutive slots; selecting a target resource for transmitting multiple-slot transmissions from the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources in accordance with the determination that the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition; determining a target resource for transmitting multiple-slot transmissions based on a multiple-slot transmission criterion based on a set size and / or a change in the first number of slots in accordance with the determination that the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition; and transmitting multiple-slot transmissions on the target resource.

[0006] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising: means for obtaining at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for sidelink transmission; means for determining a first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources based on a first number of slots for multiple-slot transmissions, wherein the multiple-slot transmission candidate resources have a first number of consecutive slots; means for selecting a target resource for transmitting multiple-slot transmissions from the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources in accordance with a determination that the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition; means for determining a target resource for transmitting multiple-slot transmissions based on a multiple-slot transmission criterion based on a set size and / or a change in the first number of slots in accordance with a determination that the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition; and means for transmitting multiple-slot transmissions on the target resource.

[0007] A fourth aspect of this disclosure provides a computer-readable medium containing instructions stored to cause a device to perform at least the method according to the third aspect.

[0008] It should be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify any significant or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will be readily apparent through the following description.

[0009] Next, several exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating an example communication environment in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. [Figure 2] is a flowchart of a method implemented in an apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] is a flowchart of a method implemented in an apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] is a schematic diagram of exemplary resource selection of a plurality of consecutive slot transmission candidate resources. [Figure 5] is a schematic diagram of exemplary resource selection of a plurality of consecutive slot transmission candidate resources. [Figure 6] is a flowchart of a method implemented in an apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] is a schematic diagram of exemplary resource selection of a plurality of consecutive slot transmission candidate resources for transmission of a plurality of TBs. [Figure 8] is a schematic diagram of exemplary resource selection of a plurality of consecutive slot transmission candidate resources from a plurality of RB sets. [Figure 9] is a schematic diagram of exemplary resource selection of a plurality of consecutive slot transmission candidate resources from a plurality of RB sets. [Figure 10] is a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] is a block diagram of an exemplary computer-readable medium according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Description of Embodiments

[0011] Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numerals represent identical or similar elements.

[0012] Next, the principles of this disclosure will be explained with reference to several exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are described 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 various ways other than those described below.

[0013] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0014] References in this disclosure such as “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” and “an example embodiment” indicate that the described embodiments may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, but not all embodiments are required to include such features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, if certain features, structures, or characteristics are described in relation to an embodiment, whether explicitly described or not, it is considered within the knowledge of those skilled in the art that such features, structures, or characteristics will affect other embodiments.

[0015] In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc., preceding nouns may be used to describe various elements, but it should be understood that these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one element from another and do not restrict the order of nouns. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiment, the first element may be called the second element, and similarly, the second element may be called the first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination of one or more of the enumerated terms.

[0016] When used herein, "at least one of the following: <list of two or more elements>" ) and at least one of The phrases ")" and similar phrases in which lists of two or more elements are joined by "and" or "or" mean at least one of the elements, or at least two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0017] As used herein, unless expressly stated otherwise, performing a “in response to A” step does not mean that the step takes place immediately after the occurrence of “A,” and may include one or more intervening steps.

[0018] The terms used herein are for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments. Where used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Where used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” and / or “including” identify the presence of the described features, elements, and / or components, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0019] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more, or all of the following: (a) Hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations of analog and / or digital circuits only) and, (b) The following combinations of hardware circuits and software (if applicable): (i) combinations of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) Any part of a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor), software, and memory, which includes software that works in conjunction to cause a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions, (c) Hardware circuits and / or processors, such as a microprocessor or part of a microprocessor, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate; however, the software may not be present if it is not required for operation.

[0020] This definition of circuit applies to all uses of this term in this application, including all claims. Further examples include, as used in this application, the term circuit, which includes implementations of hardware circuitry or processors (or more processors) only, or implementations of parts of hardware circuitry or processors and the software and / or firmware associated with them. The term circuit also includes, for example, baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices, where applicable to a particular claim element.

[0021] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network compliant with any appropriate communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), and Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT). Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices within a communication network may be conducted in accordance with any appropriate generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G), sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a variety of communication systems. Given the rapid developments in communications, there will naturally be future types of communication technologies and systems to which this disclosure may be embodied. The scope of this disclosure should not be construed as being limited only to the aforementioned systems.

[0022] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communications network from which terminal devices access the network and receive services. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a network device may refer to a base station (BS) or access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved node B (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also called a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, low-power nodes such as femto and pico, satellite network devices, low orbit (LEO) satellites and geostationary (GEO) satellites, and non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network devices such as aircraft network devices. In some exemplary embodiments, a radio access network (RAN) partitioned architecture comprises centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs) in an IAB donor node. An IAB node consists of a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) portion that acts like a UE (Union Engine) to its parent node, and a DU (Unit Unit) portion of the IAB node that acts like a base station to the next hop's IAB node.

[0023] The term "terminal device" refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. More specifically, terminal devices may also be called communication devices, user equipment (UE), Subscriber Station (SS), Portable Subscriber Station, Mobile Station (MS), or Access Terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, game terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPEs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearables, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated processing chains), consumer electronic devices, and devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks. Terminal devices may also correspond to the Mobile Termination (MT) portion of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device,” “communication device,” “terminal,” “user equipment,” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0024] As used herein, the terms “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing communication, such as communication between a terminal device and a network device, including resources in the time domain, resources in the frequency domain, resources in the spatial domain, resources in the code domain, or any other combination of resources in the time, frequency, space, and / or code domain that enable communication. Hereinafter, unless expressly stated, resources in both the frequency and time domains are used as examples of transmission resources to describe some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Note that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0025] In the conventional behavior of a UE (e.g., Rel-16 or Rel-17), upon receiving a set of candidate resources from the PHY, the MAC may randomly select from the set of candidate resources for SL transmission. Instead of selecting the first resource available in time, random selection helps ensure that multiple transmissions from different UEs are distributed across the time and frequency domains, avoiding congestion that would occur if all UEs were to intentionally select the resource that is available earliest.

[0026] However, as mentioned above, candidate resources must meet a specific length, i.e., the number of slots required for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, so random selection may not be suitable for multiple consecutive slot transmissions.

[0027] One possible reasonable way to achieve multiple consecutive slot transmissions is to apply specific criteria, such as a consecutive slot criterion. However, applying a consecutive slot criterion to resource selection may significantly reduce the number of candidate resources and therefore the randomness in resource selection, potentially leading to congestion again in the SL channel.

[0028] Therefore, this point must be considered when implementing the consecutive slot criterion; that is, the resource selection algorithm applying this criterion must ensure that, particularly from the perspective of an external observer, when viewed as a group, candidate resources are selected such that multiple consecutive slot transmissions from individual UEs are temporally distributed and do not all overlap in the time and frequency domains. Considering this, multiple consecutive slot transmissions in SL require improvement, at least in terms of resource selection.

[0029] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 shows an exemplary communication environment 100 in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The communication environment 100 may support SL communication between terminal devices. As shown in Figure 1, the communication environment 100 may comprise a plurality of terminal devices 110 and 112 (e.g., UEs).

[0031] Terminal devices 110 and 112 can communicate with each other via SL communication. In the example in Figure 1, terminal devices 110 and 112 can select resources for SL transmission from a pre-configured or predetermined set of candidate resources, also known as a resource pool 120. In some exemplary embodiments, the resource pool 120 may span multiple LBT channels (e.g., 20 MHz), and thus multiple resource block (RB) sets may be configured.

[0032] Taking terminal device 110 as an example, its upper layer (e.g., MAC layer) triggers L1 (e.g., PHY layer) resource selection for one or more TBs being sent. In response, L1 may report a set of available candidate resources for one or more TBs. The set of candidate resources may be single-slot resources.

[0033] In some exemplary embodiments, one or more TBs may be transmitted in multiple consecutive slots in the time domain, also known as multiple consecutive slot transmission. Thus, the upper layer selects a target resource from a set of candidate resources based on at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission condition and / or criterion. At least one multiple consecutive slot transmission condition and / or criterion can ensure that the selected resource has a specific length within the slot and conforms to an expected distribution in the time domain and / or frequency domain, which will be discussed in more detail later.

[0034] In the context of embodiments of this disclosure, terminal device 112 may or may not use the same multiple consecutive slot transmission conditions and / or criteria as terminal device 110. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0035] Note that in some exemplary embodiments, the operations described in relation to terminal devices may be implemented in network devices or other devices, and the operations described in relation to network devices may be implemented in terminal devices or other devices.

[0036] The number of devices and their connections shown in Figure 1 are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limitations. The communication network 100 may include any appropriate number of devices configured to implement the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that one or more additional devices and connections, not shown, may be deployed in the communication network 100.

[0037] In some exemplary embodiments, a link from a terminal device (e.g., terminal device 110 or 112) to a network device (not shown) is called a downlink (UL), and a link from a network device to a terminal device is called an uplink (DL). In a DL, the network device is a transmit (TX) device (or transmitter), and the terminal device is a receive (RX) device (or receiver). In a UL, the terminal device is a TX device (or transmitter), and the network device is an RX device (or receiver). In an SL, the terminal device can be both an RX and a TX device. For example, if terminal device 110 transmits an SL to terminal device 112, then terminal device 110 is a TX device and terminal device 112 is an RX device. Conversely, if terminal device 112 transmits an SL to terminal device 110, then terminal device 112 is a TX device and terminal device 110 is an RX device.

[0038] Communication in communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols such as first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), and sixth generation (6G), wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Furthermore, communications may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform Spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0039] According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, a resource selection solution for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is provided. In particular, the MAC layer employs specific consecutive slot criteria and / or conditions to determine candidate resources to be used for multiple consecutive slot transmissions.

[0040] Using the contiguous slot criterion, the MAC layer can identify a set of multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources consisting of one or more combinations of single-slot candidate resources that are contiguous in the time domain and satisfy the target number of slots. The MAC layer then evaluates whether the set of multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources satisfies certain conditions. If it does, the MAC layer may randomly select one from the set of multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources to perform a multi-consecutive-slot transmission. If it does not, the MAC layer may change the target number of slots and re-identify the multi-consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources until the result satisfies the certain conditions. In this way, resource selection for multi-consecutive-slot transmission can be efficiently achieved without causing congestion among multiple UEs.

[0041] Next, referring to Figure 2, a flowchart of Method 200 as implemented in an apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in Figure 2, Method 200 includes at least a terminal device 110. For convenience of explanation, Method 200 will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0042] Before performing an SL transmission on an SL channel, terminal device 110 must select a resource from the configured resource pool 120. The resource pool 120 may be shared with other terminal devices, such as terminal device 112. In method 200, the sidelink transmission may take the form of a multi-consecutive-slot transmission, transmitted in two or more consecutive slots in the time domain, with different subchannel allocations in each slot. For a single TB, the number of subchannels within each single-slot candidate resource is the same, but these may occur in different subchannels. For multiple TBs, the number of subchannels may differ depending on the TB, and these may occur in different subchannels.

[0043] In block 210, the terminal device 110 acquires at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for SL transmission.

[0044] As mentioned above, the MAC layer of terminal device 110 can trigger L1 resource selection for SL transmission, which may correspond to one or more TBs. Resource selection for each TB may be triggered individually. Therefore, L1 may report at least one group of candidate resources available for SL transmission. If there are multiple TBs, there may be multiple groups of candidate resources. The candidate resources reported from L1 are single-slot resources. As a result, the MAC layer may obtain a single-slot candidate resource from L1.

[0045] In block 220, terminal device 110 is N slotMCSt_1 Based on the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, as shown by [formula], a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources. The multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources may have the first number of consecutive slots.

[0046] In this way, the MAC layer of the terminal device 110 is continuous in the time domain and has a first number of slots N slotMCSt_1 Identify all possible combinations of single-slot candidate resources having a length of N. In the context of the embodiment, the first number of slots N slotMCSt_1 This may refer to the initial number of target slots when resource selection begins. The first number of slots N slotMCSt_1 Depending on whether the set of candidate resources for sending multiple consecutive slots, generated based on this, meets certain conditions and / or criteria, the value of the target slot count may change.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments, for a single TB, the MAC layer may identify all possible combinations of single-slot candidate resources that occupy a target number of consecutive slots from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources provided by L1 for that TB.

[0048] Alternatively, in the case of multiple TBs, the MAC layer may identify all possible combinations of single-slot candidate resources that occupy a number of consecutive slots of the target across multiple groups of single-slot candidate resources provided by L1 for each of the multiple TBs.

[0049] In block 230, the terminal device 110 determines whether the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition.

[0050] For example, at least one candidate resource condition for sending multiple consecutive slots includes at least one of the following: • The size of the first set of candidate resources for sending multiple consecutive slots exceeds the threshold size. • The first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is evenly distributed within the selection window in the time domain and / or frequency domain. For example, in the case of HARQ retransmission of multiple consecutive slot transmissions, at least a portion of the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions satisfies pre-configured isolation in the time domain with respect to any other candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions within the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions.

[0051] In some exemplary embodiments, the threshold size may be preconfigured. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the threshold size may be determined based on a ratio of resources in the resource selection window, for example, the minimum size being Y% of the number of single-slot candidate resources in the resource selection window.

[0052] In some exemplary embodiments, the terminal device 110 may average the time and frequency indices across all multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources and then determine whether the difference between that value and the time and frequency indices of the central slot in the selection window falls within a pre-configured range.

[0053] Furthermore, or alternatively, in some exemplary embodiments, if each portion of the selection window contains the minimum portion of the generated multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources, the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources may be considered uniformly distributed within the selection window, for example, each quarter of the selection window contains at least one-fifth of the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources.

[0054] Furthermore, or alternatively, in some other embodiments, the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources may be considered uniformly distributed within the selection window based on frequency tests of uniformity, such as the chi-squared test or the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.

[0055] If the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission satisfies at least one of the conditions for a candidate resource for multiple consecutive slot transmission, in block 240, the terminal device 110 selects a target resource for multiple consecutive slot transmission from the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission.

[0056] Alternatively, if the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission does not satisfy at least one of the conditions for a candidate resource for multiple consecutive slot transmission, in block 250, the terminal device 110 determines a target resource for transmission of multiple consecutive slot transmission based on the multiple consecutive slot transmission criteria based on the set size and / or change in the first number of slots.

[0057] In block 260, the terminal device 110 may then transmit multiple consecutive slot transmissions on target resources consisting of a first number of consecutive slots. If the sidelink transmission comprises a single TB, the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is determined from a group of candidate resources for single slots, and the TB may be repeated in each of the first number of consecutive slots. Alternatively, the TB may be distributed across the first number of consecutive slots.

[0058] If a sidelink transmission has multiple TBs, the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions may be determined from multiple groups of candidate resources for single slots, and each of the multiple TBs may be repeated in one different of the first consecutive slot number. Alternatively, each of the multiple TBs may be distributed across the first consecutive slot number.

[0059] There may be a lower target number of slots indicating the minimum number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, and a required target number of slots indicating the maximum number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, or a higher target number of slots.

[0060] Various implementations can be considered to determine the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. In some exemplary embodiments, the required number of target slots may be determined based on the desired duration of the COT corresponding to the channel access priority class (CAPC) associated with the sidelink transmission.

[0061] In some other embodiments, the required number of target slots may be determined based on the period of the physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) associated with the sidelink transmission.

[0062] In yet another embodiment, the required number of target slots may be determined based on a congestion metric of the channel busy ratio (CBR) associated with the sidelink transmission. For example, if the CBR exceeds a CBR threshold, the required number of target slots may be less than a predetermined value. In yet another embodiment, the required number of target slots may be determined based on the amount of data in the buffer of the terminal device 110, which may require a number of slots to be transmitted.

[0063] Depending on whether you start with a lower or higher number of target slots, the substeps in Method 200 may differ, which will be explained in relation to Figures 3 to 6.

[0064] Next, referring to Figure 3, a flowchart of Method 300 for resource selection starting from the minimum number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is shown. Method 300 can be implemented in a device such as a terminal device 110. For the sake of explanation, Method 300 will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0065] The operation in blocks 310 and 320 is the same as the operation in blocks 210 and 220 in Figure 2, and therefore the details will not be repeated here. In method 300, the first number of slots N for multiple consecutive slot transmissions slotMCSt_1 is a lower target slot number. Terminal device 110 may attempt to increment the lower target slot number until it reaches the number of slots required for multiple consecutive slot transmission. This can be achieved by an iterative series of steps to determine a feasible set of multiple consecutive slot candidate resource sets.

[0066] For example, the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions could be 2, i.e., N slotMCSt_1 = 2. Therefore, the terminal device 110 identifies all possible combinations of two consecutive slots from the reported single-slot candidate resource, which forms a first set of multiple consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources.

[0067] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary resource selection 400 of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources, where N slotMCSt_1 = 2. As shown in Figure 4, the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources comprises multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources 401-406.

[0068] Similar to block 230, the terminal device 110 may then determine whether the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition.

[0069] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition may include the size of a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources exceeding a threshold size. If the size exceeds the threshold size, method 300 may proceed to block 340, i.e., the terminal device 110 may randomly select a target resource from the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources that exceed the threshold size.

[0070] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition may include that the size of a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is equal to a threshold size. Thus, in block 330, the terminal device 110 determines whether the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is equal to a threshold size.

[0071] If the size of the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission is equal to the threshold size, method 300 may proceed to select a target resource from the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission, as shown in block 340.

[0072] Otherwise, further evaluation may be necessary. For example, the size of the first set of candidate resources for sending multiple consecutive slots, as shown in Figure 4, is 6. If the threshold size is set to 4, the size of the first set of candidate resources for sending multiple consecutive slots will not be equal to the threshold size.

[0073] In block 350, the terminal device 110 determines whether the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is less than a threshold size. If the size is less than the threshold size, since the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy the size condition, the possibility of selecting the same resource as another terminal device may be increased.

[0074] In this case, the method 300 proceeds to block 355. In block 355, the terminal device 110 obtains a second set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources previously determined based on a second number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, that is, N slotMCSt_2 can be obtained. The second number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission is the first number of slots N for multiple consecutive slot transmission slotMCSt_1 may be smaller than. For example, N slotMCSt_2 =1, and in this case, the second set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources corresponds to at least one group of single-slot candidate resources reported by L1. In block 360, the terminal device 110 may randomly select a target resource for multiple consecutive slot transmission from the second set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources.

[0075] If the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources exceeds the threshold size, the terminal device 110 may change the number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission. As a result, the set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources may be recalculated until a specific condition is satisfied.

[0076] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is 6, which exceeds the threshold size 4, and in this case, the method 300 may proceed to block 370.

[0077] In block 370, the terminal device 110 increases the number of first slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions by a predetermined number, thereby increasing the number of third slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, i.e., N slotMCSt_3 This can be determined. For example, the first number of slots N for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. slotMCSt_1 It may be incremented by 1, and the number of third slots N slotMCSt_3 = 3

[0078] Next, the terminal device 110 can compare the increased number of slots with the required number of slots, for example, the number of slots for a higher target. Thus, in block 375, the terminal device 110 determines the third number of slots N for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. slotMCSt_3 It can be determined whether the number exceeds the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions.

[0079] If the number of target slots is exceeded, it means that the requirement for multiple consecutive slot transmission has been exceeded. In this case, method 300 may return to block 340, and the terminal device 110 may select a target resource from a first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission.

[0080] Alternatively, a third number of slots N for transmitting multiple consecutive slots. slotMCSt_3 If the number of slots does not exceed the target number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, the terminal device 110 will send a third number of slots N slotMCSt_3 The decision can be repeated in block 320 using this method. In this case, the terminal device 110 has a third number of slots N. slotMCSt_3 Based on this, a third set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission can be determined from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources. Each of the third set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission may have a third number of consecutive slots.

[0081] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary resource selection 500 of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources, where N slotMCSt_3 = 3. As shown in Figure 5, the third set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources comprises multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources 501 and 502. slotMCSt_1 Similar to the previous iteration when = 2, the terminal device 110 may then evaluate a third set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission based on the threshold size. If the size of the third set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission is equal to the threshold size, the terminal device 110 may select a target resource from the third set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission. If the size of the third set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission is less than the threshold size, the terminal device 110 may randomly select a target resource from the previous set, i.e., the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission. If the size of the third set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission exceeds the threshold size, the third number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission may be changed by increasing it by a predetermined number, resulting in a fourth number of slots N slotMCSt_4 It will become.

[0082] Number of fourth slots N slotMCSt_4 A new iteration is triggered if the number of slots does not exceed the target number of slots. Alternatively, if the number of slots exceeds N slotMCSt_4 If the number of available slots exceeds the number of available slots, the terminal device 110 may randomly select a target resource from the current set, i.e., a third set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission.

[0083] It should be understood that all sets of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources generated in different iterations can be stored in the terminal device 110.

[0084] Next, referring to Figure 6, a flowchart of Method 600 for resource selection starting from the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is shown. Method 600 can be implemented in a device such as a terminal device 110. For the sake of explanation, Method 600 will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0085] The operation in blocks 610 and 620 is the same as the operation in blocks 210 and 220 in Figure 2, and therefore the details will not be repeated here. In method 600, the first number of slots N for multiple consecutive slot transmissions slotMCSt_1 This is the required number of slots, i.e., the number of higher target slots. The number of higher target slots can be reduced until it can be used to generate a feasible set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources that meet certain conditions, such as the minimum target size.

[0086] In method 600, a first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission is generated based on a higher target number of slots. The terminal device 110 can then evaluate the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission based on at least one condition for multiple consecutive slot transmission.

[0087] In block 630, the terminal device 110 can determine whether the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources exceeds a threshold size, for example, whether the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is greater than or equal to the minimum size of the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource set.

[0088] If the size is greater than or equal to the minimum size, method 600 may proceed to block 640, in which case terminal device 110 may select a target resource from a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources.

[0089] If the size is not greater than or equal to the minimum size, method 600 may proceed to block 650. In this case, the terminal device 110 may change the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. In block 650, the terminal device 110 changes the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions to N. slotMCSt_1 By reducing this by a predetermined number, the number of fourth slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, i.e., N slotMCSt_4 This can be determined. For example, the first number of slots N for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. slotMCSt_1 It can be reduced by 1, that is, N slotMCSt_4 =N slotMCSt_1 It could be -1.

[0090] Next, terminal device 110, for example, N slotMCSt_4 If >0, the reduced number of slots can be compared to the threshold number. Therefore, in block 655, the terminal device 110 has a fourth number of slots N for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. slotMCSt_4 It is possible to determine whether the number exceeds a threshold.

[0091] If the threshold number is exceeded, the terminal device 110 will have a fourth slot number N slotMCSt_4 The decision can be repeated in block 620 using this method. In this case, the terminal device 110 has a fourth number of slots N slotMCSt_4 Based on this, a fourth set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission can be determined from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources. Each of the fourth set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission may have a fourth number of consecutive slots.

[0092] Alternatively, a fourth number of slots N for transmitting multiple consecutive slots. slotMCSt_4 If the number does not exceed the threshold, method 600 may return to block 640, and terminal device 110 may select a target resource from the current set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources, i.e., the first set.

[0093] In some exemplary embodiments, the generation of all possible sets of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions can be implemented by reusing a single slot candidate. This may be configured or preconfigured. For example, when searching for two consecutive slots for a candidate resource for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, i.e., N slotMCSt If = 2, and three consecutive slot candidate resources are identified, the terminal device 110 may generate only one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate from these, provided the parameter is valid. Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may generate two multiple consecutive slot transmission candidates (the frequency domain aspect is omitted).

[0094] In some exemplary embodiments, if multiple sets of single-slot candidate resources are combined into a superset before calculating a set of multiple consecutive slot candidate resources, the scaling of the number of subchannels may be calculated against the total number of subchannels.

[0095] In some exemplary embodiments, as an alternative to the operation in blocks 330 and 370 and blocks 630 and 650, the search may also be based on a bisection search, i.e., by halving the number of remaining resources between the preferred set of multiple consecutive slot candidate resources and the current set of multiple consecutive slot candidate resources.

[0096] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary resource selection 700 of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources for the transmission of multiple TBs. As shown in Figure 7, multiple consecutive slot candidate resources 701-705 are selected for TB1 and TB2. In this case, the number of subchannels may differ between TB1 and TB2, and may occur in different subchannels.

[0097] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary resource selection 800 of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources from multiple RB sets. In the case of multiple RB sets, i.e., RB set 1 and RB set 2 (for example, if the resource pool may span multiple LBT channels of 20 MHz), in one exemplary embodiment, the number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission may be combined for each RB set, and the set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources may comprise all generated combinations of all RB sets. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources may comprise subchannels of different RB sets, e.g., multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources 801-803, and the number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission may be combined across RB sets.

[0098] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary resource selection 900 of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission from multiple RB sets. In an exemplary embodiment, the combination of slot numbers for multiple consecutive slot transmission should be such that at least the resources in the first single slot of the combination have subchannels from each RB set used during multiple consecutive slot transmission, for example, multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources 901-903, while multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource 904 may use only RB set 2.

[0099] In some exemplary embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 200 (for example, the terminal device 110 in Figure 1) may include means for performing each operation of the methods 200. The means can be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means can be implemented in a circuit or a software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as the terminal device 110 in Figure 1, or may be included therein.

[0100] In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus includes: means for obtaining at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for sidelink transmission; means for determining a first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources based on a first number of slots for multiple-slot transmissions, wherein the multiple-slot transmission candidate resources have a first number of consecutive slots; means for selecting a target resource for transmitting multiple-slot transmissions from the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources in accordance with the determination that the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition; means for determining a target resource for transmitting multiple-slot transmissions based on a multiple-slot transmission criterion based on a set size and / or a change in the first number of slots in accordance with the determination that the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition; and means for transmitting multiple-slot transmissions on the target resource.

[0101] In some exemplary embodiments, the sidelink transmission comprises a single transport block TB, and a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined from a group of single slot candidate resources, and the TB is repeated in each of the first number of consecutive slots, or the TB is distributed over the first number of consecutive slots.

[0102] In some exemplary embodiments, the sidelink transmission comprises multiple TBs, where a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined from multiple groups of single slot candidate resources, and each of the multiple TBs is repeated in one different of the first consecutive slot number, or each of the multiple TBs is distributed across the first consecutive slot number.

[0103] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one group of single-slot candidate resources corresponds to multiple resource block RB sets, and a first set of multiple consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources is determined for each RB set or across multiple consecutive or non-consecutive RB sets.

[0104] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one group of single-slot candidate resources corresponds to multiple resource block RB sets, and a first set of multiple consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources comprises a first set of multiple consecutive-slot transmission candidate resources determined across multiple consecutive or non-consecutive RB sets.

[0105] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition includes at least one of the following: the size of a first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources exceeds a threshold size; the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources is evenly distributed within a selection window in the time domain and / or frequency domain; or at least a portion of the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources satisfies a pre-configured separation in the time domain with respect to any other multiple-slot transmission candidate resources in the first set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources.

[0106] In some exemplary embodiments, the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions comprises the minimum number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, and at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition includes that the size of a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is equal to a threshold size, and according to the determination that the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition, the apparatus: means for determining whether the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is less than a threshold size; means for obtaining a second set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources previously determined based on a second number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, according to the determination that the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is less than a threshold size, wherein the second number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is smaller than the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions; and from the second set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources, Means for selecting a target resource for transmission of a continuous slot transmission; means for determining a third number of slots for a multiple continuous slot transmission by increasing the first number of slots for the multiple continuous slot transmission by a predetermined number according to the determination that the size of a first set of candidate resources for multiple continuous slot transmission is not less than a threshold size; means for selecting a target resource from a first set of candidate resources for multiple continuous slot transmission according to the determination that the third number of slots for the multiple continuous slot transmission exceeds the target number of slots for the multiple continuous slot transmission; means for determining a third set of candidate resources for multiple continuous slot transmission from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources based on the third number of slots for the multiple continuous slot transmission, according to the determination that the third number of slots for the multiple continuous slot transmission does not exceed the target number of slots for the multiple continuous slot transmission, wherein the candidate resources for multiple continuous slot transmission comprise the third number of continuous slots;The system further comprises means for determining whether to select a target resource for sending a multiple-slot transmission from a third set of multiple-slot transmission candidate resources based on at least one multiple-slot transmission candidate resource condition.

[0107] In some exemplary embodiments, the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions comprises the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, and at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition includes the size of a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources exceeding a threshold size, and in accordance with the determination that the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition, the device: means for determining a fourth number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions by reducing the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions by a predetermined number; and in accordance with the determination that the fourth number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions exceeds a threshold number Accordingly, the means for determining a fourth set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources based on a fourth number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, wherein the candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission have a fourth number of consecutive slots; means for determining whether to select a target resource for transmission of multiple consecutive slot transmission from the fourth set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission based on at least one condition for candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission; and means for selecting a target resource from a first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission in accordance with the determination that the fourth number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission does not exceed a threshold number.

[0108] In some exemplary embodiments, the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is preconfigured or determined based on the ratio of at least one group of single-slot candidate resources in the resource selection window.

[0109] In some exemplary embodiments, the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is determined based on at least one of the following: the duration of the channel occupancy time (COT) corresponding to the channel access priority class (CAPC) associated with the sidelink transmission; the periodicity of the physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) associated with the sidelink transmission; the congestion metric of the channel busy rate (CBR) associated with the sidelink transmission; or the amount of data in the device's buffer.

[0110] In some exemplary embodiments, the predetermined number is 1.

[0111] In some exemplary embodiments, a predetermined number is determined by halving the difference between the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions and the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions.

[0112] Figure 10 shows a simplified block diagram of a device 1000 suitable for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 1000 may be provided for implementing a communication device, for example, a terminal device 110 shown in Figure 1. As shown, the device 1000 includes one or more processors 1010, one or more memories 1020 coupled to the processors 1010, and one or more communication modules 1040 coupled to the processors 1010.

[0113] The communication module 1040 is for bidirectional communication. The communication module 1040 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interfaces necessary for communication with other network elements. In some exemplary embodiments, the communication module 1040 may include at least one antenna.

[0114] The processor 1010 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may include, in non-limiting examples, one or more general-purpose computers, dedicated computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multicore processor architectures. The device 1000 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are synchronous and dependent on a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0115] Memory 1020 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM) 1024, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), optical discs, laser discs, and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM) 1022 and other volatile memories that are not retained during power-off periods.

[0116] The computer program 1030 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1010. The instructions in program 1030 may include instructions for performing actions / behaviors of some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Program 1030 may be stored in memory, for example, ROM 1024. The processor 1010 may perform any appropriate actions and processes by loading program 1030 into RAM 1022.

[0117] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by program 1030, and as a result, device 1000 may perform any of the processes of this disclosure as described with reference to Figures 2 to 9. The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0118] In some exemplary embodiments, program 1030 may be tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium that may be contained in device 1000 (such as memory 1020), or in another storage device accessible by device 1000. Device 1000 may load program 1030 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 1022 and execute it. In some exemplary embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-temporary storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. As used herein, the term “non-temporary” refers to the limitations of the medium itself (i.e., tangible rather than signal) rather than limitations on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0119] Figure 11 shows a block diagram of an exemplary computer-readable medium 1000, which may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disc. The computer-readable medium 1100 stores a program 1030.

[0120] In general, various embodiments of this 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 that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Various embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or other graphical representations, but it should be understood that any blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers, or other computing devices, or any combination thereof, as non-limiting examples.

[0121] Some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored in a computer-readable medium, such as a non-temporary computer-readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those contained in a program module, and is executed on a device on a target physical or virtual processor, performing one of the methods described above. Generally, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. The functionality of a program module may be combined or separated among program modules as needed in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions of a program module may be executed in a local device or a distributed device. In a distributed device, a program module may reside in both local and remote storage media.

[0122] Program code for performing the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The 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 the program code is executed by the processor or controller, it will implement the functions / operations specified in the flowchart 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.

[0123] In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, and the like.

[0124] Computer-readable media may be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media include electrical connections having 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, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0125] Furthermore, while the operations are presented in a specific order, it should not be understood that such operations must be performed in a specific or sequential order, or that all of the operations presented must be performed, in order to obtain the desired result. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, the above description includes details of several specific implementation forms, but these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Unless expressly stated, certain features described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in a combination of a single embodiment. Conversely, unless expressly stated, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately or in any suitable subcombination in multiple embodiments.

[0126] 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 attached claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the aforementioned features and actions are disclosed as exemplary forms that implement the claims.

Claims

1. At least one processor, At least one memory to store instructions and An apparatus comprising, where an instruction is executed by at least one processor, the apparatus provides at least, Obtain at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for sidelink transmission, Based on a first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources, and the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources have the first number of consecutive slots. In accordance with the determination that a first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions satisfies at least one condition for a candidate resource for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, a target resource for sending multiple consecutive slot transmissions is selected from the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. In accordance with the determination that a first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission does not satisfy at least one of the conditions for a candidate resource for multiple consecutive slot transmission, the target resource for transmission of the multiple consecutive slot transmission is determined based on the multiple consecutive slot transmission criteria based on the set size and / or change in the first number of slots. Send multiple consecutive slot transmissions on the target resource. Device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sidelink transmission comprises a single transport block TB, a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined from a group of single slot candidate resources, and the TB is repeated in each of a first number of consecutive slots or the TB is distributed over a first number of consecutive slots.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sidelink transmission comprises multiple TBs, a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined from multiple groups of single slot candidate resources, each of the multiple TBs is repeated in one different first number of consecutive slots, or each of the multiple TBs is distributed across the first number of consecutive slots.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one group of single-slot candidate resources corresponds to multiple resource block RB sets, and a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined for each RB set or across multiple consecutive or non-consecutive RB sets.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one group of single-slot candidate resources corresponds to a plurality of resource block RB sets, and a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources comprises a first multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource determined across a plurality of consecutive or non-consecutive RB sets.

6. At least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition is met, The size of the first set of candidate resources for sending multiple consecutive slots exceeds the threshold size. A first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is evenly distributed within a selection window in the time domain and / or frequency domain, or At least a portion of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources satisfies a pre-configured separation in the time domain with respect to any other multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources within the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.

7. The first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions includes the minimum number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, and at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition includes that the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is equal to the threshold size. In accordance with the determination that the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition, the device further... The system is tasked with determining whether the size of the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission is less than a threshold size. According to the determination that the size of the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission is less than the threshold size, A second set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission, previously determined based on a second number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, is obtained if the second number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission is smaller than the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission. From a second set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, the system prompts the user to select a target resource for sending multiple consecutive slot transmissions. According to the determination that the size of the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission is not less than the threshold size, By increasing the number of first slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions by a predetermined number, the number of third slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is determined. In accordance with the determination that the number of third slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions exceeds the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, a target resource is selected from the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. In accordance with the determination that the number of third slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions does not exceed the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions, Based on a third number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, a third set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources, and the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources have a third number of consecutive slots. Based on at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition, it is possible to determine whether to select a target resource for sending a multiple consecutive slot transmission from a third set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission comprises the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, and at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition includes that the size of the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources exceeds a threshold size. In accordance with the determination that the first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition, the device further... By reducing the number of first slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions by a predetermined number, the number of fourth slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is determined. In accordance with the determination that the number of fourth slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions exceeds the threshold number, Based on the fourth number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, a fourth set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources is determined from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources, and the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources have the fourth number of consecutive slots. Based on at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition, it is determined whether to select a target resource for sending multiple consecutive slot transmissions from a fourth set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources. In accordance with the determination that the number of fourth slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions does not exceed a threshold number, a target resource is selected from the first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmissions. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions is preconfigured or determined based on the ratio of at least one group of single-slot candidate resources in the resource selection window.

10. The number of target slots for sending multiple consecutive slots is The duration of the channel occupancy time (COT) corresponding to the channel access priority class (CAPC) associated with sidelink transmission. Periodicity of the physical sidelink feedback channel PSFCH associated with sidelink transmission, The congestion metric of the channel busy rate CBR associated with sidelink transmission, or Amount of data in the device's buffer The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, determined based on at least one of the following.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the predetermined number is 1.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a predetermined number is determined by halving the difference between the number of target slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions and the first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmissions.

13. In the device, obtain at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for sidelink transmission, Determining a first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources, based on a first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, wherein the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources have the first number of consecutive slots. Selecting a target resource for sending a multiple-sequence-slot transmission from the first set of multiple-sequence-slot transmission candidate resources, based on the determination that the first set of multiple-sequence-slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multiple-sequence-slot transmission candidate resource condition, Based on the determination that a first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission does not satisfy at least one of the conditions for a candidate resource for multiple consecutive slot transmission, the target resource for transmission of a multiple consecutive slot transmission is determined based on the multiple consecutive slot transmission criteria based on the set size and / or change in the first number of slots, Sending multiple consecutive slot transmissions on the target resource and Methods that include...

14. A means for obtaining at least one group of single-slot candidate resources available for sidelink transmission, A means for determining a first set of candidate resources for multiple consecutive slot transmission from at least one group of single-slot candidate resources, based on a first number of slots for multiple consecutive slot transmission, wherein the multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources have the first number of consecutive slots. Means for selecting a target resource for sending a multiple consecutive slot transmission from a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources, based on the determination that a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources satisfies at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition, Means for determining a target resource for sending a multiple consecutive slot transmission based on a multiple consecutive slot transmission criterion based on a set size and / or a change in the first number of slots, according to the determination that a first set of multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resources does not satisfy at least one multiple consecutive slot transmission candidate resource condition, A means for sending multiple consecutive slot transmissions on a target resource and A device equipped with the following features.

15. A computer-readable medium containing instructions stored to cause a device to perform at least the method described in claim 13.

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