Method, terminal device, and base station for resource allocation

Abstract

To provide a method for a resource allocation, a terminal device, and a base station.SOLUTION: In a communication system containing a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device, a method executed in the terminal device, includes steps of: determining a scheduling priority for a channel state information (CSI) feedback; determining a final scheduling priority for transmitting to be entered on the basis of the scheduling priority for at least the CSI feedback; and allocating a resource of a sharing channel for the transmission to be entered on the basis of the final scheduling priority.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication, and more particularly, to methods, terminal devices, and base stations for resource allocation.

Background Art

[0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure. Therefore, the statements in this section should be read from this perspective and should not be understood as an admission as to what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.

[0003] D2D (device-to-device) communication in a cellular network is defined as direct communication between two terminal devices without passing through a base station or a core network. In Releases 14 and 15 of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the enhancements related to D2D operations include support for V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication. There are mainly three use cases defined for V2X, namely, V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle), V2P (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian), and V2I / N (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure / Network). Thus, V2X communication includes any combination of direct communication between vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure.

[0004] Long Term Evolution (LTE) has economies of scale and can enable closer integration between V2I communication and V2V / V2P communication. Therefore, providing an LTE-based V2X interface can be economically advantageous compared to using dedicated V2X technologies such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11p. FIG. 1 shows a V2X scenario for an LTE-based network. V2V covers LTE-based communication between vehicles via either Uu or the side link. Uu refers to the cellular interface between a User Equipment (UE) and an evolved Node B (eNB). The side link can refer to a direct communication interface between UEs (also called the PC5 interface in LTE). V2P covers LTE-based communication between a vehicle and a device carried by an individual (e.g., a handheld terminal carried by a pedestrian, cyclist, driver, or passenger) via either Uu or the side link. V2I / N covers LTE-based communication between a vehicle and a Road Side Unit / Network. A Road Side Unit (RSU) is a transportation infrastructure entity (e.g., an entity that transmits speed notifications) that communicates with V2X-capable UEs via the side link or via Uu. For V2N, the communication is performed via Uu.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described in detail hereinafter. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide an improved solution for resource allocation.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a terminal device is provided. The method includes transmitting at least one request to a base station, the request requesting to allocate resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than a layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The method further includes receiving, from the base station, a resource allocation in response to the at least one request.

[0008] In this method, resources for transmitting lower layer signaling can be appropriately scheduled.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the resources allocated for at least one lower layer signaling may be resources of a shared channel.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the at least one request may be transmitted using one of a plurality of predetermined resources. Each of the plurality of predetermined resources may indicate a corresponding setting of the lower layer signaling.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, one request regarding a plurality of lower layer signaling may be transmitted, or a plurality of requests each corresponding to one of the plurality of lower layer signaling may be transmitted.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower layer signaling may be periodic signaling, and the at least one request may be transmitted periodically in response to a trigger of the lower layer signaling. Alternatively, the lower layer signaling may be aperiodic signaling, and the at least one request may be transmitted aperiodically in response to a trigger of the lower layer signaling.

[0013] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the lower layer signaling can be periodic signaling. This method may further include providing the base station with information related to the periodicity of the lower layer signaling. This method may further include receiving from the base station a resource allocation for the lower layer signaling periodically.

[0014] In embodiments of the present disclosure, providing the base station with information may include transmitting to the base station information for determining the periodicity. Alternatively, providing the base station with information may include determining the periodicity and notifying the base station of the periodicity.

[0015] In embodiments of the present disclosure, this method may further include determining a scheduling priority for the lower layer signaling corresponding to a plurality of requests when the plurality of requests are to be transmitted. This method may further include prioritizing the transmission order of the plurality of requests based on the determined scheduling priority.

[0016] In embodiments of the present disclosure, this method may further include determining a scheduling priority for at least one lower layer signaling corresponding to at least one request. The at least one request may be transmitted based on the determined scheduling priority.

[0017] In embodiments of the present disclosure, when at least one second request for allocating resources for data and at least one request are transmitted, a scheduling priority for the data corresponding to the at least one second request may be determined. The at least one request and the at least one second request may be transmitted based on the scheduling priorities determined for at least one lower layer signaling and the data.

[0018] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the scheduling priority for low-layer signaling is preset as a fixed scheduling priority, or can be determined based on at least one of the scheduling priority for data from another terminal device to which the low-layer signaling is to be transmitted, and the network load situation.

[0019] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the low-layer signaling can be channel state information (CSI) feedback.

[0020] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the shared channel can be a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH).

[0021] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the request can be one of a scheduling request (SR), a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), and a radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0022] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include providing user data and transferring the user data to a host computer via transmission to a base station.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented at a base station is provided. The method includes receiving from a terminal device at least one request that requests allocating resources for at least one low-layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The method further includes allocating resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0024] In this method, it is possible to appropriately schedule resources for transmitting low-layer signaling.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the resources allocated for at least one low-layer signaling may be resources of a shared channel.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of at least one request may be received using one of a plurality of predetermined resources. Each of the plurality of predetermined resources may indicate a corresponding setting of low-layer signaling.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, one request regarding a plurality of low-layer signalings may be received, or a plurality of requests corresponding to each of the plurality of low-layer signalings may be received.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the low-layer signaling may be periodic signaling, and at least one request may be received periodically. Alternatively, the low-layer signaling may be aperiodic signaling, and at least one request may be received aperiodically.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the low-layer signaling may be periodic signaling. This method may further include receiving information related to the periodicity of the low-layer signaling from the terminal device. This method may further include determining the periodicity based on the received information. This method may further include periodically allocating resources to the terminal device based on the periodicity.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the information related to the periodicity of the low-layer signaling may be information for determining the periodicity or information indicating the periodicity.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the low-layer signaling may be CSI feedback.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shared channel may be a PSSCH.

[0033] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the request can be one of SR, MAC CE, and RRC signaling.

[0034] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a terminal device is provided. The method includes determining a scheduling priority for lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The method further includes determining a final scheduling priority for incoming transmissions based at least on the scheduling priority for lower layer signaling. The method further includes allocating resources for incoming transmissions based on the final scheduling priority.

[0035] In this method, it is possible to appropriately schedule resources for transmitting lower layer signaling.

[0036] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the resources allocated for lower layer signaling can be resources of a shared channel.

[0037] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the scheduling priority for lower layer signaling can be preset as a fixed scheduling priority, or determined based on at least one of the scheduling priority for data from another terminal device to which the lower layer signaling is to be transmitted and the network load situation.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, determining the final scheduling priority may include determining whether an incoming transmission includes a data transmission. Further, determining the final scheduling priority may include, when the incoming transmission includes a data transmission, determining the final scheduling priority as the higher value of the scheduling priority for data and the scheduling priority for lower layer signaling. Further, determining the final scheduling priority may include, when the incoming transmission does not include a data transmission, determining the final scheduling priority as the scheduling priority for lower layer signaling.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the scheduling priority may be represented by proximity-based service for each packet priority (ProSe) (PPPP) or quality of service (QoS) information.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower layer signaling may be CSI feedback.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shared channel may be a PSSCH.

[0042] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory includes instructions executable by the at least one processor, whereby the terminal device functions to transmit to a base station at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The terminal device further functions to receive from the base station a resource allocation in response to the at least one request.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device may function to execute the method according to the above first aspect.

[0044] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a base station is provided. The base station includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory includes instructions executable by the at least one processor, whereby the base station functions to receive from the terminal device at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower-layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted. The base station further functions to allocate resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station may function to execute the method according to the above second aspect.

[0046] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory includes instructions executable by the at least one processor, whereby the terminal device functions to determine a scheduling priority for lower-layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted. The terminal device further functions to determine a final scheduling priority for incoming transmissions based on at least the scheduling priority for lower-layer signaling. The terminal device further functions to allocate resources for incoming transmissions based on the final scheduling priority.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device may function to execute the method according to the above third aspect.

[0048] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to execute a method according to any one of the first to third aspects described above.

[0049] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to execute a method according to any one of the first to third aspects described above.

[0050] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a transmission module for transmitting at least one request to a base station, the request demanding allocation of resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The terminal device further includes a reception module for receiving a resource allocation in response to the at least one request from the base station.

[0051] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, a base station is provided. The base station includes a reception module for receiving at least one request from a terminal device, the request demanding allocation of resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The base station further includes an allocation module for allocating resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0052] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a first determination module for determining a scheduling priority for lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer to which a buffer status report is transmitted. The terminal device further includes a second determination module for determining a final scheduling priority for incoming transmissions based at least on the scheduling priority for lower layer signaling. The terminal device further includes an allocation module for allocating resources for incoming transmissions based on the final scheduling priority.

[0053] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a terminal device is provided. The method includes providing information related to the periodicity of lower layer signaling, which is periodic signaling, to a base station. The method further includes periodically receiving resource allocation for lower layer signaling from the base station.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, providing information to the base station may include transmitting information for determining the periodicity to the base station. Alternatively, providing information to the base station may include determining the periodicity and notifying the base station of the periodicity.

[0055] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a base station is provided. The method includes receiving information related to the periodicity of lower layer signaling, which is periodic signaling, from a terminal device. The method further includes determining the periodicity based on the received information. The method further includes periodically allocating resources to the terminal device based on the periodicity.

[0056] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the information related to the periodicity of lower layer signaling may be information for determining the periodicity or information indicating the periodicity.

[0057] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory includes instructions executable by the at least one processor, whereby the terminal device functions to provide the base station with information related to the periodicity of low-layer signaling that is periodic signaling. The terminal device further functions to periodically receive from the base station a resource allocation for low-layer signaling.

[0058] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a base station is provided. The base station includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory includes instructions executable by the at least one processor, whereby the base station functions to receive from the terminal device information related to the periodicity of low-layer signaling that is periodic signaling. The base station further functions to determine the periodicity based on the received information. The base station further functions to periodically allocate resources to the terminal device based on the periodicity.

[0059] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a providing module for providing the base station with information related to the periodicity of low-layer signaling that is periodic signaling. The terminal device further includes a receiving module for periodically receiving from the base station a resource allocation for low-layer signaling.

[0060] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, a base station is provided. The base station includes a receiving module for receiving from the terminal device information related to the periodicity of low-layer signaling that is periodic signaling. The base station further includes a determining module for determining the periodicity based on the received information. The base station further includes an allocating module for periodically allocating resources to the terminal device based on the periodicity.

[0061] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device is provided. The method includes providing user data in the host computer. The method further includes starting, in the host computer, a transmission that conveys the user data to the terminal device via a cellular network including the base station. The base station receives at least one request from the terminal device that requests to allocate resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted. The base station allocates resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include transmitting the user data in the base station.

[0063] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user data may be provided in the host computer by executing a host application. The method may further include executing, in the terminal device, a client application associated with the host application.

[0064] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system including a host computer including a processing circuit configured to provide user data and a communication interface configured to transfer the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a terminal device is provided. The cellular network includes a base station having a wireless interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit of the base station is configured to receive at least one request from the terminal device that requests to allocate resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted. The processing circuit of the base station is further configured to allocate resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0065] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a base station.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a terminal device. The terminal device may be configured to communicate with the base station.

[0067] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing circuit of the host computer may be configured to execute a host application, thereby providing user data. The terminal device may include a processing circuit configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0068] According to a 20th aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device is provided. The method includes providing user data in the host computer. The method further includes starting, in the host computer, a transmission that conveys the user data to the terminal device via a cellular network including the base station. The terminal device transmits to the base station at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted. The terminal device receives from the base station a resource allocation in response to the at least one request.

[0069] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include receiving the user data from the base station in the terminal device.

[0070] According to a 21st aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system including a host computer including a processing circuit configured to provide user data and a communication interface configured to transfer the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a terminal device. The terminal device includes a wireless interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit of the terminal device is configured to transmit at least one request to a base station requesting allocation of resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The processing circuit of the terminal device is configured to receive a resource allocation in response to the at least one request from the base station.

[0071] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a terminal device.

[0072] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cellular network may further include a base station configured to communicate with the terminal device.

[0073] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing circuit of the host computer may be configured to execute a host application and thereby provide user data. The processing circuit of the terminal device may be configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0074] According to a 22nd aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device. The method includes receiving, at the host computer, user data transmitted from the terminal device to the base station. The terminal device transmits at least one request to the base station requesting allocation of resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The terminal device receives a resource allocation in response to the at least one request from the base station.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include providing user data to a base station in a terminal device.

[0076] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include executing a client application in a terminal device, thereby providing user data to be transmitted. The method may further include executing a host application associated with the client application on a host computer.

[0077] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include executing a client application in a terminal device. The method may further include receiving input data for the client application in the terminal device. The input data may be provided in a host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application. The user data to be transmitted may be provided by the client application in response to the input data.

[0078] According to a 23rd aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system including a host computer including a communication interface configured to receive user data resulting from transmission from a terminal device to a base station. The terminal device includes a wireless interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit of the terminal device is configured to transmit at least one request to the base station that requests allocation of resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The processing circuit of the terminal device is further configured to receive resource allocation from the base station in response to the at least one request.

[0079] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a terminal device.

[0080] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a base station. The base station may include a wireless interface configured to communicate with a terminal device, and a communication interface configured to transfer user data carried by a transmission from the terminal device to the base station to a host computer.

[0081] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing circuit of the host computer may be configured to execute a host application. The processing circuit of the terminal device may be configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing user data.

[0082] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing circuit of the host computer may be configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data. The processing circuit of the terminal device may be configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing user data in response to the request data.

[0083] According to a 24th aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device is provided. The method includes receiving, at the host computer from the base station, user data resulting from a transmission received by the base station from the terminal device. The base station receives from the terminal device at least one request requesting allocation of resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The base station allocates resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0084] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include receiving, at the base station, user data from the terminal device.

[0085] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include starting, at a base station, transmission of received user data to a host computer.

[0086] According to a 25th aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system including a host computer including a communication interface configured to receive user data resulting from transmission from a terminal device to a base station. The base station includes a wireless interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit of the base station is configured to receive from the terminal device at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The processing circuit of the base station is further configured to allocate resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0087] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a base station.

[0088] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a terminal device. The terminal device may be configured to communicate with the base station.

[0089] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing circuit of the host computer may be configured to execute a host application. The terminal device may execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby being configured to provide user data that would be received by the host computer.

[0090] According to a 26th aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a communication system including a base station and at least one terminal device is provided. The method includes transmitting, from at least one terminal device to the base station, at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The method further includes receiving, at the base station from at least one terminal device, at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling. The method further includes allocating, at the base station based on at least one request, resources to a terminal device. The method further includes receiving, at at least one terminal device from the base station, a resource allocation in response to at least one request.

[0091] According to a 27th aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system including at least one terminal device and a base station is provided. The at least one terminal device is configured to transmit to the base station at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted, and to receive from the base station a resource allocation in response to the at least one request. The base station is configured to receive from at least one terminal device at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling, and to allocate resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0092] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0094] For purposes of explanation, in the following description, details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalent arrangements.

[0095] References in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular function, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that particular function, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular function, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is presented that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such function, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. Some of the embodiments described hereinafter separately or independently may also be implemented in combination according to various application scenarios.

[0096] The logical channel prioritization procedure is applied when a new transmission is executed. Each sidelink logical channel has an associated priority called Proximity-based Service for Packet Priority (PPPP). Multiple sidelink logical channels can have the same associated priority. PPPP is provided by a higher layer to the access stratum (AS) layer. The packet delay budget (PDB) of a protocol data unit (PDU) can be determined from PPPP. A low PDB is mapped to a high priority PPPP value.

[0097] Regarding V2X on the sidelink, there are two different resource allocation (RA) procedures, namely centralized RA (so-called "mode 3" in LTE and "mode 1" in New Radio (NR)), and autonomous RA (so-called "mode 4" in LTE and "mode 2" in NR). The transmission resources are selected within a resource pool predefined or configured by the network (NW).

[0098] When using centralized RA, the sidelink radio resources for data transmission are scheduled / assigned by the NW. The UE sends a sidelink buffer status report (BSR) to the NW to inform of the sidelink data available for transmission in the sidelink buffer associated with the MAC entity, and the NW signals the resource allocation to the UE using downlink control information (DCI) format 5 / 5A. When using distributed RA, each device independently determines which radio resources to use for each transmission, for example, based on sensing. For both RA modes, sidelink control information (SCI) is transmitted on the physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) to indicate the allocated sidelink resources for the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH).

[0099] Sensing is based on the decoding of SCI and the reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement of the PSSCH from surrounding UEs. The SCI indicates a scheduling priority, which is the lowest PPP (i.e., the highest priority) among all logical channels included in the MAC PDU. If the measured RSRP from surrounding UEs scaled by the PPP of the UE performing sensing and the PPP of the sensed UE is lower than the threshold, the resource is considered to be available. The measured RSRP is scaled down if the UE performing sensing has a lower PPP (i.e., a higher priority). Correspondingly, the resource is more likely to be considered available and used by the UE. Details can be obtained from 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 36.213 V15.4.0, Section 14.1.1.6.

[0100] The 3GPP SA1 working group has completed new service requirements for future V2X services in FS_eV2X. The term "SA" refers to stand-alone, the term "FS" refers to feasibility study, and the term "eV2X" refers to extended V2X. The SA1 working group has identified 25 use cases for advanced V2X services that will be used in 5G (e.g., LTE and NR). Such use cases are classified into four use case groups: vehicle platooning, extended sensors, advanced driving, and remote driving. In some use cases such as platooning, cooperative driving, dynamic ride sharing, etc., direct unicast transmission via sidelink will be required.

[0101] The integrated requirements for each use case group are incorporated into Technical Report (TR) 22.886. For these advanced applications, the expected requirements to meet the required data rate, capacity, reliability, latency, communication range, and speed are more stringent. To meet these requirements, several improvements (such as, for example, link adaptation for sidelink based on CSI feedback, a more hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process, and adaptive HARQ retransmission for sidelink based on HARQ feedback, etc.) need to be introduced.

[0102] It has already been agreed to introduce sidelink CSI feedback for (at least) sidelink unicast, and the CSI feedback can be delivered using the PSSCH (including the PSSCH that only contains CSI).

[0103] Regarding centralized RA, the UE needs to send the sidelink BSR to the NW to inform the buffer status associated with the MAC entity. However, CSI feedback is layer 1 (L1) signaling below the MAC, and thus it is not possible to use the BSR to indicate the number of bits that will be included in the CSI feedback. As a result, the NW cannot appropriately allocate resources for the PSSCH that includes CSI feedback, especially in the case where the PSSCH only contains CSI feedback.

[0104] Moreover, the PPP is provided by the higher layer associated with the data packet. The higher layer cannot provide the PPP for L1 signaling such as CSI feedback. Due to this, distributed RA based on sensing cannot function properly because it is not possible to appropriately set the PPP in the SCI when the PSSCH includes CSI feedback.

[0105] The present disclosure proposes an improved solution for resource allocation. This solution can be applied to a wireless communication system including a terminal device and a base station. The terminal device can communicate with the base station through a wireless access communication link. The base station can provide a wireless access communication link to the terminal devices within its communication service cell. The base station can be, for example, an eNB in LTE or a gNB in NR. It should be noted that the communication can be carried out between the terminal device and the base station according to any suitable communication standard and protocol. The terminal device can also be called, for example, a device, an access terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile unit, a subscriber station, etc. This can refer to any end device that can access a wireless communication network and receive services therefrom. By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device can include a portable computer, an imaging terminal device such as a digital camera, a gaming terminal device, a music storage / playback device, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.

[0106] In the scenario of the Internet of Things (IoT), the terminal device can correspond to a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurement and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurement to another terminal device and / or network device. In this case, the terminal device may be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which can be called a machine-type communication (MTC) device in the 3GPP context. Specific examples of such machines or devices can include sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machines, bicycles, vehicles, or household or personal appliances, such as personal wearables like refrigerators, TVs, watches, etc.

[0107] Here, several embodiments are described to explain an improved solution for resource allocation. As a first embodiment, the UE notifies the NW that resources are needed to transmit sidelink CSI, and the NW schedules transmission resources for the PSSCH including CSI feedback. In this way, it is possible to properly schedule resources for transmitting sidelink CSI.

[0108] For example, a (sidelink) CSI-specific scheduling request (SR) can be introduced to notify the NW that sidelink CSI feedback needs to be sent via the PSSCH. A dedicated SR resource can be configured for CSI-specific SR. Optionally, multiple SR resources can be configured for this CSI-specific SR, and each SR resource indicates a specific CSI feedback setting. For example, whether the CSI feedback is wideband feedback or subband feedback, or what will be reported in the CSI feedback (e.g., channel quality indicator (CQI), and / or rank indication (RI), and / or precoding matrix indicator (PMI), etc.). Alternatively, each SR resource may only indicate the number of bits that will be included in the CSI feedback.

[0109] Regarding periodic CSI feedback, a CSI-specific SR may be triggered when a timer for triggering periodic CSI feedback expires or is about to expire. Regarding aperiodic CSI feedback, a CSI-specific SR may be triggered by the Rx UE at the time of receiving a request to send CSI feedback from the transmitting side (Tx) UE, and / or when the measured quality of a sidelink (SL) channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) deteriorates below a specific threshold or the variation exceeds a specific threshold, and / or when the speed of the receiving side (Rx) UE (i.e., the UE that sends CSI feedback) becomes higher than a specific threshold or the variation exceeds a specific threshold, etc.

[0110] In a case where multiple CSI feedbacks need to be transmitted simultaneously (e.g., from multiple Tx UEs to the same Rx UE), it is possible to send multiple CSI-specific SRs each corresponding to one CSI feedback, or a single CSI-specific SR regarding all CSI feedbacks may be sent. In the latter case, the SR may indicate, for example, the total number of bits that will be included in all CSI feedbacks.

[0111] As an alternative option, for periodic CSI feedback, the NW may reserve (or allocate) resources for the PSSCH containing the CSI feedback based on the periodicity of the CSI feedback, without the need for the UE to explicitly inform the NW that the CSI feedback needs to be transmitted via the sidelink. In this case, the CSI-specific SR can only be sent when an aperiodic CSI feedback is triggered. The periodicity can be determined based on, for example, the UE's speed, service QoS requirements, UE capabilities (e.g., the maximum rank that can be supported by the Tx UE and Rx UE), etc. Optionally, the UE can report the above assistance information to the NW, and the NW can set the periodicity of the CSI feedback taking that assistance information into account. In that case, the periodicity does not need to be explicitly informed to the UE. Alternatively, the periodicity of the CSI feedback can be set by the UE and then informed to the NW.

[0112] Optionally, the NW can indicate to the UE via RRC signaling or in DCI that a particular sidelink grant is for the PSSCH containing the CSI feedback (and only that). Optionally, the UE can also inform the NW via dedicated signaling that sidelink CSI feedback has been triggered and needs to be transmitted, and optionally, the settings or the number of bits of the CSI feedback as well. For example, the dedicated signaling can be a MAC control element (CE) or RRC signaling.

[0113] As a second embodiment, a scheduling priority can be allocated for (sidelink) CSI feedback. Since CSI is L1 signaling, it is impossible to obtain its scheduling priority from a higher layer. To solve this, it is possible to allocate a scheduling priority for CSI using at least one of the following options. As a first option, a fixed scheduling priority can be allocated for CSI feedback. As a typical example, the lowest scheduling priority can be allocated for CSI feedback, whereby data transmission is always prioritized over CSI feedback. The priority can be set by the NW or pre-configured in the UE. As a second option, the scheduling priority of CSI feedback can be set based on the priority of data from the Tx UE to which the CSI feedback is to be sent. Therefore, data with a higher priority will obtain a CSI report more quickly. As a third option, the scheduling priority can be adjusted based on the network load situation, for example, the channel busy ratio (CBR). When the CBR becomes higher, a lower scheduling priority can be allocated.

[0114] Optionally, when multiple CSI-specific SRs need to be sent, priority can be applied when determining which SR will be sent. In this case, the priority of the CSI-specific SR can be set based on the scheduling priority of the CSI feedback corresponding to the CSI-specific SR. The CSI-specific SR with a higher priority can be sent first. Similarly, since the scheduling priority of the CSI feedback can be set in relation to the scheduling priority of data transmission as described above, when one or more SRs for data transmission and one or more CSI-specific SRs need to be sent, their priorities can be applied when determining which SR will be sent first. Similar to the determination of the priority of the CSI-specific SR, the priority of the SR for data transmission can be set based on the scheduling priority of the data corresponding to this SR. That is, the determination of the scheduling priority of the CSI feedback can be performed even if there are one or more CSI-specific SRs. Because some of those SRs may be for data transmission, while some others may be for CSI feedback.

[0115] In both the first and second embodiments described above, the sidelink CSI can be transmitted using a separate PSSCH regardless of whether there is data to be transmitted. In this case, a separate SCI can be used to indicate the Tx resources for the PSSCH containing only the CSI feedback. In the case where the PSSCH can contain both data and CSI feedback, the scheduling priority in the SCI can be set to the higher scheduling priority of the data and the CSI feedback.

[0116] Although the above embodiments have been described in the context of LTE, the principles of the present disclosure are also applicable to NR or any radio access technology (RAT). Further, although the above embodiments have been described by way of example using CSI feedback transmitted on the PSSCH, the principles of the present disclosure are also applicable to the scheduling of any other lower layer signaling (below the MAC layer) transmitted on any other shared channel.

[0117] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 19, this solution will be further described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In block 202, the terminal device transmits to the base station at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report (BSR) is transmitted. In block 204, the terminal device receives from the base station a resource allocation in response to the at least one request. In this method, it is possible to appropriately schedule resources for transmitting lower layer signaling.

[0118] For example, the lower layer signaling can be channel state information (CSI) feedback. The resources allocated for at least one lower layer signaling can be resources of a shared channel such as the PSSCH. Examples of requests can be, but are not limited to, scheduling requests (SRs), MAC control elements (CEs), and RRC signaling.

[0119] Optionally, each of at least one request may be transmitted using one of a plurality of predetermined resources. Each of the plurality of predetermined resources may indicate a corresponding setting of the lower layer signaling. In the above example of CSI feedback, the indicated setting of the CSI feedback may be related to one or more of whether the CSI feedback is wideband feedback or subband feedback, the type of information to be reported in the CSI feedback, and the number of bits to be included in the CSI feedback.

[0120] For example, in a case where a plurality of lower layer signalings need to be transmitted simultaneously, one request regarding the plurality of lower layer signalings may be transmitted, or a plurality of requests corresponding to each of the plurality of lower layer signalings may be transmitted.

[0121] Optionally, the lower layer signaling may be periodic signaling, and at least one request may be transmitted periodically in response to a trigger of the lower layer signaling. For example, such a trigger may be an event that a timer for triggering periodic signaling expires or is about to expire. Alternatively, the lower layer signaling may be aperiodic signaling, and at least one request may be transmitted aperiodically in response to a trigger of the lower layer signaling. For example, such a trigger may be one or more of an event that the terminal device receives a request from another terminal device to send lower layer signaling, an event that the measured quality of a reference signal becomes worse than a predetermined threshold, an event that the variation of the measured quality exceeds a predetermined threshold, and an event that the speed of the terminal device becomes higher than a predetermined threshold or its variation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0122] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a terminal device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. This method can be used for the purpose of scheduling resources to transmit low-layer signaling, which is periodic signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which BSR is transmitted. In block 302, the terminal device provides information related to the periodicity of the low-layer signaling to the base station. For example, block 302 can be implemented as block 302-1 or blocks 302-2 to 302-3 shown in FIG. 4. In block 302-1, the terminal device transmits information for determining the periodicity to the base station. Examples of such information can include, but are not limited to, the speed of the terminal device, service QoS requirements, and capabilities. In this method, the base station can determine the periodicity based on such information. Alternatively, in block 302-2, the terminal device determines the periodicity. This determination can be made based on the information listed above. In block 302-3, the terminal device notifies the base station of the periodicity. In block 304, the terminal device periodically receives a resource allocation for low-layer signaling from the base station. In this method, the terminal device does not need to periodically transmit a request to the base station for a resource allocation for low-layer signaling.

[0123] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a terminal device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the method includes blocks 506-508 and 202-204. In block 506, when a plurality of requests are to be transmitted, the terminal device determines a scheduling priority for low-layer signaling corresponding to those plurality of requests. The scheduling priority for low-layer signaling can be pre-set as a fixed scheduling priority. Alternatively, the scheduling priority for low-layer signaling can be determined based on at least one of the scheduling priority for data from another terminal device to which the low-layer signaling is to be transmitted and the network load situation. In block 508, the terminal device prioritizes the transmission order of the plurality of requests based on the determined scheduling priority. Requests corresponding to a higher priority can be transmitted preferentially compared to requests corresponding to a lower priority. Then, blocks 202 and 204 are executed. For the sake of brevity, the details of these blocks are omitted here.

[0124] As described above, the determination of the scheduling priority of CSI feedback can be performed even if there is one or more CSI-specific SRs. This is because some of those SRs may be for data transmission, while some others may be for CSI feedback. Therefore, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method in a terminal device. This method includes determining a scheduling priority for at least one low-layer signaling corresponding to at least one request. The method further includes blocks 202 and 204. In this embodiment, at least one request is transmitted in block 202 based on the determined scheduling priority.

[0125] As a typical example, when at least one second request for allocating resources for data and at least one request are sent, the terminal device may determine a scheduling priority for the data corresponding to the at least one second request. The at least one request and the at least one second request may be sent based on at least one lower layer signaling and the determined scheduling priority for the data.

[0126] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In block 602, the base station receives from the terminal device at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted. Block 602 corresponds to block 202, the details of which are omitted here. In block 604, the base station allocates resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request. In this method, it is possible to appropriately schedule the resources for transmitting the lower layer signaling. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the details of the embodiment of block 604.

[0127] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a base station according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. This method can be used for the purpose of scheduling resources to transmit low-layer signaling, which is periodic signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a BSR is transmitted. At block 802, the base station receives information related to the periodicity of the low-layer signaling from the terminal device. For example, the information related to the periodicity of the low-layer signaling can be information for determining the periodicity or information indicating the periodicity. At block 804, the base station determines the periodicity based on the received information. At block 806, the base station periodically allocates resources to the terminal device based on the periodicity. In this method, it is not necessary for the terminal device to periodically transmit a request for resource allocation for the low-layer signaling to the base station.

[0128] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a terminal device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. At block 802, the terminal device determines a scheduling priority for low-layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. For example, the low-layer signaling can be CSI feedback. The resources scheduled for at least one low-layer signaling can be resources of a shared channel such as a PSSCH. For example, the scheduling priority can be represented by proximity-based service per packet priority (PPPP) in LTE or Qos information in NR. Optionally, the scheduling priority for the low-layer signaling can be pre-set as a fixed scheduling priority. Alternatively, the scheduling priority for the low-layer signaling can be determined based on at least one of the scheduling priority for data from another terminal device to which the low-layer signaling is to be transmitted and the network load situation.

[0129] In block 804, the terminal device determines the final scheduling priority for incoming transmissions based at least on the scheduling priority for at least low-layer signaling. For example, block 804 may be implemented as blocks 908 - 912 in FIG. 9. In block 908, the terminal device determines whether the incoming transmission includes a data transmission. An incoming transmission is a transmission that is to be sent by the terminal device. If it is determined in block 908 that the incoming transmission includes a data transmission, then the terminal device determines, in block 910, the final scheduling priority as the higher value of the scheduling priority for data and the scheduling priority for low-layer signaling. On the other hand, if it is determined in block 908 that the incoming transmission does not include a data transmission, then the final scheduling priority is determined as the scheduling priority for low-layer signaling.

[0130] In block 806, the terminal device allocates resources for the incoming transmission based on the final scheduling priority. As a typical example, in the case of CSI feedback transmitted on the PSSCH, the terminal device may perform sensing and determine whether resources are available based on the final scheduling priority (determined in block 804) and the sensed results (e.g., RSRP and PPP from surrounding terminal devices). This may be similar to the process described in 3GPP TS 36.213 V15.4.0, section 14.1.1.6. Note that the two blocks shown consecutively in the figure may actually be executed substantially simultaneously or, depending on the related functionality, may be executed in the reverse order.

[0131] Based on the above description, at least one aspect of the present disclosure provides a method implemented in a communication system including a base station and at least one terminal device. The method includes transmitting, from at least one terminal device to the base station, at least one request that requests allocation of resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than a layer in which a buffer status report is transmitted. The method further includes receiving, at the base station from at least one terminal device, at least one request that requests allocation of resources for at least one lower layer signaling. The method further includes allocating, at the base station based on at least one request, resources to a terminal device. The method further includes receiving, at at least one terminal device from the base station, a resource allocation in response to at least one request.

[0132] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an apparatus suitable for use in implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, any of the terminal devices and base stations described above can be implemented through apparatus 1000. As shown, apparatus 1000 can include a processor 1010, a memory 1020 for storing programs, and optionally a communication interface 1030 for communicating data with other external devices through wired and / or wireless communication.

[0133] The program includes program instructions, and when those program instructions are executed by processor 1010, they enable apparatus 1000 to operate in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure as discussed above. That is, embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented at least partially by computer software executable by processor 1010, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0134] The memory 1020 can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The processor 1010 can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0135] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the terminal device 1100 includes a transmission module 1102 and a reception module 1104. The transmission module 1102 can be configured to transmit to the base station at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted, as described above with respect to block 202. The reception module 1104 can be configured to receive from the base station a resource allocation in response to at least one request, as described above with respect to block 204.

[0136] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the base station 1200 includes a reception module 1202 and an allocation module 1204. The reception module 1202 can be configured to receive from the terminal device at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted, as described above with respect to block 602. The allocation module can be configured to allocate resources to the terminal device based on at least one request, as described above with respect to block 604.

[0137] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a terminal device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the terminal device 1300 includes a first determination module 1302, a second determination module 1304, and an allocation module 1306. The first determination module 1302 may be configured to determine a scheduling priority for lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted, as described above with respect to block 702. The second determination module 1304 may be configured to determine a final scheduling priority for incoming transmissions based at least on the scheduling priority for at least lower layer signaling, as described above with respect to block 704. The allocation module 1306 may be configured to allocate resources for incoming transmissions based on the final scheduling priority, as described above with respect to block 706. The modules described above may be implemented by hardware, or software, or a combination of both.

[0138] Based on the above description, at least one aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication system including at least one terminal device and a base station. The at least one terminal device is configured to transmit to the base station at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling applicable in a layer lower than the layer in which the buffer status report is transmitted, and to receive a resource allocation in response to the at least one request from the base station. The base station is configured to receive at least one request for allocating resources for at least one lower layer signaling from the at least one terminal device, and to allocate resources to the terminal device based on the at least one request.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 14, according to an embodiment, a communication system includes a remote communication network 3210 such as a 3GPP type cellular network. The remote communication network 3210 includes an access network 3211 such as a radio access network and a core network 3214. The access network 3211 includes a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c such as NB, eNB, gNB, or other types of radio access points, each of which defines a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c can be connected to the core network 3214 via a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first UE 3291 disposed in the coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to the corresponding base station 3212c or to be paged by the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 in the coverage area 3213a can be wirelessly connected to the corresponding base station 3212a. Although a plurality of UEs 3291, 3292 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where a single UE is in a coverage area or where a single UE is connected to the corresponding base station 3212.

[0140] The remote communication network 3210 is itself connected to a host computer 3230, which can be embodied as the hardware and / or software of a stand-alone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 3230 can be under the ownership or control of a service provider or can be operated by or for a service provider. The connections 3221 and 3222 between the remote communication network 3210 and the host computer 3230 can extend directly from the core network 3214 to the host computer 3230 or can extend via an optional intermediate network 3220. The intermediate network 3220 can be one of, or a combination of, a public network, a private network, or a hosted network, and the intermediate network 3220 can, if any, be a backbone network or the Internet, and in particular, the intermediate network 3220 can include two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0141] The communication system of FIG. 14 enables connectivity between the connected UEs 3291, 3292 and the host computer 3230. That connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291, 3292 are configured to communicate data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 3250 using the access network 3211, the core network 3214, any intermediate network 3220, and possibly additional infrastructure (not shown) as a medium. The OTT connection 3250 can be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of the routing of the uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 3212 may not be informed or need to be informed about the past routing of incoming downlink communications that carry data originating from the host computer 3230 and that are to be transferred (e.g., handed over) to the connected UE 3291. Similarly, the base station 3212 need not be aware of the future routing of ongoing uplink communications originating from the UE 3291 to the host computer 3230.

[0142] Exemplary embodiments according to the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the foregoing paragraphs are then described with reference to FIG. 15. In communication system 3300, host computer 3310 includes hardware 3315 that includes a communication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of another communication device of communication system 3300. Host computer 3310 further includes a processing circuit 3318, which may have storage capabilities and / or processing capabilities. Specifically, processing circuit 3318 may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer 3310 further includes software 3311, which is stored on or accessible by host computer 3310 and executable by processing circuit 3318. Software 3311 includes host application 3312. Host application 3312 may be operable to provide services to remote users such as UE 3330 connected via an OTT connection 3350 terminating at UE 3330 and host computer 3310. When providing services to remote users, host application 3312 may be capable of providing user data, which is transmitted using OTT connection 3350.

[0143] The communication system 3300 further includes a base station 3320 provided in a remote communication system and including hardware 3325, the hardware 3325 enabling the base station 3320 to communicate with a host computer 3310 and with a UE 3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of another communication device of the communication system 3300, as well as a wireless interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 3370 with a UE 3330 disposed in a coverage area (not shown in FIG. 15) served by the base station 3320. The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 to the host computer 3310. The connection 3360 may be direct, or the connection 3360 may pass through a core network (not shown in FIG. 15) of the remote communication system and / or one or more intermediate networks external to the remote communication system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 3325 of the base station 3320 further includes a processing circuit 3328, the processing circuit 3328 including one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 3320 further has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0144] The communication system 3300 further includes the UE 3330 that has been previously mentioned. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 may include a radio interface 3337 that is configured to set up and maintain a radio connection 3370 with a base station serving the coverage area where the UE 3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 further includes a processing circuit 3338, and the processing circuit 3338 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) that are adapted to execute instructions. The UE 3330 further includes software 3331, and the software 3331 is stored in or accessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuit 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 may be operable to provide services to a human or non-human user via the UE 3330 with the support of the host computer 3310. In the host computer 3310, the running host application 3312 may communicate with the running client application 3332 via the OTT connection 3350 that terminates at both the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. When providing services to the user, the client application 3332 may receive request data from the host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0145] Note that the host computer 3310, base station 3320, and UE 3330 shown in FIG. 15 can be the same as or identical to one of the host computer 3230, base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c in FIG. 14, and one of the UEs 3291, 3292, respectively. That is, the internal operations of these entities can be as shown in FIG. 15, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be the network topology of FIG. 14.

[0146] In FIG. 15, the OTT connection 3350 is abstractly depicted to illustrate communication between the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330 via the base station 3320 without any explicit reference to intermediate devices and the exact routing of messages through these devices. The network infrastructure can determine the routing, and the network infrastructure can be configured to hide that routing from the UE 3330, or from the service provider operating the host computer 3310, or from both. While the OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure can further make a decision, and based on that decision, the network infrastructure can dynamically change the routing (e.g., based on network load balancing considerations or reconfiguration).

[0147] The wireless connection 3370 between the UE 3330 and the base station 3320 follows the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of the OTT services provided to the UE 3330 using the OTT connection 3350, in which the wireless connection 3370 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments can improve latency, thereby providing advantages such as reduced user waiting time.

[0148] Measurement procedures may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rates, latency, and other factors that one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330 in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure, and / or the network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350, may be implemented in the software 3311 and hardware 3315 of the host computer 3310, or in the software 3331 and hardware 3335 of the UE 3330, or in both. In an embodiment, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in the communication devices through which the OTT connection 3350 passes, or in relation to those communication devices, and those sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or values of other physical quantities from which the software 3311, 3331 may calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection 3350 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc., and the reconfiguration need not affect the base station 3320 and may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 3320. Such procedures and functions can be said to be known and practiced in the art. In a particular embodiment, the measurement may include unique UE signaling that facilitates measurement at the host computer 3310, such as throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. The measurement may be performed in that the software 3311 and 3331 cause messages, especially empty or "dummy" messages, to be transmitted using the OTT connection 3350, during which the software 3311 and 3331 monitor propagation time, errors, etc.

[0149] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only the drawing reference to FIG. 16 will be included in this section. In step 3410, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 3411 of step 3410 (which may be optional), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 3420, the host computer starts a transmission to convey the user data to the UE. In step 3430 (which may be optional), the base station transmits the user data conveyed in the transmission started by the host computer to the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. In step 3440 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0150] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only the drawing reference to FIG. 17 will be included in this section. In step 3510 of this method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 3520, the host computer starts a transmission to convey the user data to the UE. The transmission may be via the base station according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. In step 3530 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data conveyed in the transmission.

[0151] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only the drawing reference to FIG. 18 will be included in this section. In step 3610 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 3620, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 3621 of step 3620 (which may be optional), the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In sub-step 3611 of step 3610 (which may be optional), the UE executes a client application that provides user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the particular manner in which user data is provided, the UE starts transmitting the user data to the host computer in sub-step 3630 (which may be optional). In step 3640 of this method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure.

[0152] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only the drawing reference to FIG. 19 will be included in this section. In step 3710 (which may be optional), according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 3720 (which may be optional), the base station starts transmitting the received user data to the host computer. In step 3730 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission started by the base station.

[0153] In general, various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, a microprocessor, or other computing device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or in some other pictorial diagram, but these blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein are non-limiting examples and may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or any combination thereof, which is well understood.

[0154] As such, it should be understood that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus embodied as an integrated circuit, in which case the integrated circuit may include circuitry (and optionally firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor, a digital signal processor, a baseband circuit, and a radio frequency circuit that can be configured to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0155] It should be understood that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in computer-executable instructions, such as in one or more program modules executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, a program module includes routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types when executed by a processor in a computer or other device. The computer-executable instructions may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a removable storage medium, a solid state memory, RAM, etc. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the functions of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. Additionally, the functions may be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0156] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", etc. in this disclosure indicate that the described embodiments may include a particular function, structure, or characteristic, but not that every embodiment must include that particular function, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular function, structure, or characteristic is described in relation to an embodiment, it is presented that implementing such function, structure, or characteristic in relation to other embodiments is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art, whether or not explicitly described.

[0157] The terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, but it should be understood that these elements are not to be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms.

[0158] The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. When used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well (except where the context clearly indicates otherwise). The terms "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes", and / or "including", when used in this specification, specify the presence of the features, elements, and / or components referred to, but it will be further understood that they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The terms "connect", "connects", "connecting", and / or "connected" as used in this specification cover direct and / or indirect connections between two elements.

[0159] The present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein, either explicitly or in any generalization thereof. Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, upon consideration of the foregoing description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, all such modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method in a terminal device, comprising: determining a scheduling priority for channel state information (CSI) feedback; determining a final scheduling priority for subsequent transmissions based at least on the scheduling priority for the CSI feedback; allocating resources of a shared channel for the subsequent transmissions based on the final scheduling priority, wherein determining the final scheduling priority comprises: determining whether the subsequent transmission includes data transmission; if the subsequent transmission includes data transmission, determining the final scheduling priority as the higher value of the scheduling priority for the data and the scheduling priority for the CSI feedback; if the subsequent transmission does not include data transmission, determining the final scheduling priority as the scheduling priority for the CSI feedback. A method.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scheduling priority for the CSI feedback is preset as a fixed scheduling priority.

3. The scheduling priority is represented by proximity-based service (ProSe) per packet priority (PPPP), or quality of service (QoS) information, The method according to claim 1.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the shared channel is a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH).

5. at least one processor, At least one memory and a terminal device including the same, when the at least one memory is executed by the at least one processor (1010), causes the terminal device to determine a scheduling priority for channel state information (CSI) feedback; determine a final scheduling priority for a subsequent transmission based on at least the scheduling priority for the CSI feedback; allocate resources of a shared channel for the subsequent transmission based on the final scheduling priority; and include instructions to cause the same to perform, determining the final scheduling priority includes determining whether the subsequent transmission includes data transmission; when the subsequent transmission includes data transmission, determining the final scheduling priority as the higher value of the scheduling priority for the data and the scheduling priority for the CSI feedback; when the subsequent transmission does not include data transmission, determining the final scheduling priority as the scheduling priority for the CSI feedback; and a terminal device.

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