Method and terminal for sidelink communication

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for sidelink communication. In the communication method, a first terminal device determines a first resource in a time window before a first slot from a resource pool configured for the first terminal device based on a resource selection scheme of the first terminal device. The first terminal device determines a first number of occupied resources in the first resource. The first terminal device determines a congestion level indicator of a sidelink channel for the first slot based at least in part on the first number and the number of first resources. The sidelink channel is associated with the first terminal device. In the proposed mechanism, a sidelink congestion level indicator, such as a channel congestion ratio (CBR), is determined taking into account the resource selection scheme and the receiving capabilities of the terminal device. This can improve the accuracy of the CBR measurement, which is advantageous for sidelink congestion control and power consumption reduction of the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of communications, and more particularly, to solutions for sidelink communication.

Background Art

[0002] As one of the main technologies of the fifth-generation communication system, also known as the New Radio (NR) technology, the Vehicle to X (V2X) communication technology between vehicles and various things can be based on D2D communication technologies such as sidelink communication technology. There are two resource allocation modes for V2X communication in the 5G system. In the first mode (hereinafter referred to as NR V2X mode 1 or mode 1), one terminal device uses the resources allocated by the network device to communicate with the other terminal device. In the second mode (hereinafter referred to as NR V2X mode 2 or mode 2), one terminal device performs V2X communication with the other terminal device on the resources within a preconfigured resource pool.

[0003] The resources in mode 2 can be determined by an autonomous selection method using, for example, a full sensing scheme, a partial sensing scheme, or a random selection scheme. Additionally or alternatively, terminal devices in V2X communication have various reception capabilities. For example, there are terminal devices that cannot receive SL signals and channels, terminal devices that can only receive PSCCH, and terminal devices that can execute some or all of the SL signals and channels defined in NR V2X. Furthermore, there are terminal devices that can operate in the Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mode. Congestion control contributes to reducing the power consumption of terminal devices, but in some scenarios, especially for mode 2, the conventional solutions for congestion control cannot be implemented.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for sidelink congestion control.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes, in a first terminal device, determining, based on a resource selection scheme of the first terminal device, a first resource within a time window before a first slot from a resource pool configured for the first terminal device; determining a first number of occupied resources in the first resource; and determining a congestion level indicator of a sidelink channel of the first terminal device in the first slot, at least partially based on the first number and a number of the first resources.

[0006] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes determining a target time window in the second terminal device according to a determination that a preconfigured time window overlaps an off period of an intermittent reception cycle of the second terminal device; determining a first number of occupied resources from target resources within a resource pool configured for the second terminal device within the target time window; and determining a congestion level indicator, at least partially based on the first number and a number of the target resources, wherein both the target time window and the preconfigured time window are associated with the congestion level indicator of the sidelink channel of the second terminal device in a first slot.

[0007] In a third aspect, a method executed by a terminal device is provided. The method includes obtaining a signal strength parameter by measuring a signal in a target resource of a sidelink channel associated with the terminal device within a time window in a first slot; and determining a channel congestion rate of the first slot, at least partially based on the signal strength parameter and a resource selection scheme of the terminal device.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a first terminal device is provided. The first terminal device includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions. The memory and the instructions are configured to cause the processor to execute the method according to the first aspect on the first terminal device.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a second terminal device is provided. The second terminal device includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions. The memory and the instructions are configured to cause the processor to execute the method according to the second aspect on the second terminal device.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions. The memory and the instructions are configured to cause the processor to execute the method according to the third aspect on the terminal device.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium storing instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed on at least one processor of a device, the instructions cause the device to execute the method according to the first aspect.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable medium storing instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed on at least one processor of a device, the instructions cause the device to execute the method according to the second aspect.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, a computer-readable medium storing instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed on at least one processor of a device, the instructions cause the device to execute the method according to the third aspect.

[0014] Note that the "Summary of the Invention" section is not intended to determine the important features or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understandable through the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through a more detailed description of some embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings.

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[0016] In the drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The principles of the present disclosure will be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and are for those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various aspects other than those described below.

[0018] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0019] As used herein, the term "circuit" may mean a hardware circuit and / or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. For example, a circuit may be a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware. Also, a circuit may be any part of a hardware processor, software, and memory that cooperate to cause a device, such as a terminal device or a network device, to perform various functions. Further, a circuit may be a hardware circuit and / or a processor such as a microprocessor or a part of a microprocessor that requires software / firmware to operate, but software may not be present if it is not required for operation. In this specification, the term "circuit" also includes the execution of a hardware circuit or a processor, the execution of a part of a hardware circuit or a processor, or the execution of the accompanying software and / or firmware.

[0020] As used herein, the term "network device" or "base station" (BS) refers to a device that can provide or host a cell or coverage with which a terminal device can communicate. Network devices include, for example, but are not limited to, Node B (NodeB or NB), Evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), infrastructure devices for V2X communication, Transmission Reception Point (TRP), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Radio Head (RH), Remote Radio Head (RRH), femto nodes, pico nodes, and other low-power nodes.

[0021] As used herein, the term "terminal device" or "user equipment (UE)" refers to any device having a wireless or wired communication function. Communication includes the transmission and / or reception of wireless signals using electromagnetic signals, radio waves, infrared signals, and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information wirelessly. Examples of terminal devices include user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, in-vehicle devices for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication (where "X" means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure / network), image capture devices such as digital cameras, game devices, music storage and playback devices, or Internet devices that enable wireless or wired Internet access and browsing, but are not limited thereto. Hereinafter, embodiments will be described using UE as an example of a terminal device, but "terminal device" and "user equipment (UE)" may be used interchangeably in the context of the present disclosure.

[0022] In one embodiment, the terminal device is connected to a first network device and a second network device. One of the first network device and the second network device is a master node, and the other is a secondary node. The first network device and the second network device may use different radio access technologies (RATs). In one embodiment, the first network device is a first RAT device, and the second network device is a second RAT device. In one embodiment, the first RAT device is an eNB, and the second RAT device is a gNB. Information regarding different RATs may be transmitted from at least one of the first network device and the second network device to the terminal device. In one embodiment, the first information is transmitted from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second information is transmitted directly from the second network device to the terminal device or transmitted from the second network device to the terminal device via the first network device. In one embodiment, information regarding the configuration of the terminal device constituted by the second network device is transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. Information regarding the reconfiguration of the terminal device constituted by the second network device is transmitted directly from the second network device to the terminal device or transmitted from the second network device to the terminal device via the first network device.

[0023] As used herein, "transmission / reception point", "transmission / receiving point", or "transmission and reception point" generally refers to a station that communicates with a user equipment. However, the transmission and reception point may be referred to by different terms such as base station (BS), cell, Node-B, evolved Node-B (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), transmission / reception point (TRP), sector, site, base transceiver system (BTS), access point (AP), relay node (RN), remote radio head (RRH), radio unit (RU), antenna, etc.

[0024] That is, in the present disclosure, a transmission and reception point, a base station (BS), or a cell may be understood as an inclusive concept, which is part of an area or function covered by a base station controller (BSC) in code division multiple access (CDMA), a Node-B in WCDMA (registered trademark), an eNB or a sector (site) in LTE, a gNB or a TRP in NR, and the like. Therefore, the concept of a transmission and reception point, a base station (BS), and / or a cell may include various coverage areas such as a megacell, a macrocell, a microcell, a picocell, a femtocell, etc. Further, such a concept may include the communication range of a relay node (RN), a remote radio head (RRH), or a radio unit (RU).

[0025] In the present disclosure, a user equipment and a transmission / reception point may be two transmission / reception objects having an inclusive meaning used to embody the technologies and technical concepts disclosed in this specification, and are not limited to specific terms or words. Further, a user equipment and a transmission / reception point may be an uplink or downlink transmission / reception object having an inclusive meaning used to embody the technologies and technical concepts disclosed in this specification, and are not limited to specific terms or words. Here, uplink (UL: Uplink) transmission / reception is a method in which data is transmitted from a user equipment to a base station. On the other hand, downlink (DL: Downlink) transmission / reception is a method in which data is transmitted from a base station to a user equipment.

[0026] As used herein, the terms "resource", "transmission resource", "resource block", "physical resource block", "uplink resource", or "downlink resource" refer to any resource for communication between a terminal device and a network device or the like. For example, resources in the time domain, resources in the frequency domain, resources in the spatial domain, resources in the code domain, or any other resource enabling communication, etc. may be mentioned. Hereinafter, as an example of a transmission resource, resources in the frequency domain and resources in the time domain will be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0027] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "include" and its variations are read as open terms meaning "including, but not limited to". The term "based on" is read as "at least in part based on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are read as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" is read as "at least one another embodiment".

[0028] As used herein, terms such as "first", "second", etc. used to describe various elements are used to distinguish the elements and do not limit these elements. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, the first element can be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element can be referred to as the first element. The term "and / or" as used herein includes all combinations by any one or more of the recited terms.

[0029] In some examples, a value, procedure, or apparatus is referred to as "optimal", "lowest", "highest", "minimum", "maximum", etc. Note that such descriptions are intended to indicate that they are selectable from multiple functional alternatives used, and such selections do not have to be better, smaller, higher, or more preferable than other selections.

[0030] In conventional V2X (e.g., LTE-V2X) and V2X in an NR system, congestion level indicators such as channel congestion rate (CBR) and channel occupancy rate (CR) may be used for sidelink congestion control. As described above, congestion control has the merit of power saving for terminal devices and improves the performance of the system.

[0031] The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measured on the sidelink channel may be used as an indicator for determining whether a resource is "busy". Specifically, RSSI is defined as the linear average of the total received power (unit [W]) observed in subchannels configured in the OFDM symbols of a slot configured for the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) and the physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) starting from the second OFDM symbol. The CBR for sidelink communication may be measured in slot n based on the CBR measurement window [n - a, n - 1]. Here, a may be equal to 100 or 100·2 μ or equal to the slot. CBR may be defined as a part of the subchannels within a resource pool where the measured SL RSSI exceeds a (preconfigured) threshold. The range of CBR may be configured with a set of TX parameters including the permitted MCS, maximum number of retransmissions, subchannel size, CR limit, etc.

[0032] The terminal device may be provided with a CR limit to limit the number of resources for transmission. The CR in a specific slot n may be evaluated over a time window including the range of slots [n-a, n+b]. Specifically, the CR in a specific slot n may be determined as the ratio of the total number of transmission subchannels in slots [n-a, n-1] of the terminal device and the subchannels permitted in slots [n, n+b] to the total number of subchannels configured in slots [n-a, n+b]. Here, a is a positive integer, b is 0 or a positive integer, and a and b follow the upper layer parameter sl-TimeWindowSizeCR, where a+b+1 = 1000 or 1000·2 μ It is determined by the UE implementation of the slot, b < (a+b+1) / 2, and n+b must not exceed the last transmission opportunity of the permission for the current transmission.

[0033] Specifically, for the sidelink congestion control in the sidelink resource allocation mode 2, when the terminal device is configured with a higher parameter sl-CR-Limit and transmits PSSCH in slot n, the terminal device must ensure the following. Σ i≧k CR(i) ≦ CR Limit (k)···········(1) Here, k represents the priority value of the terminal device, CR(i) represents the CR evaluated in slot n-N for PSSCH transmission set to i in the SCI set, and CR Limit (k) corresponds to the upper layer parameter sl-CR-Limit associated with the priority value k and the CBR range including the CBR measured in slot n-N. Here, N is the congestion control processing time based on the processing capacity of the terminal device defined in TS38.214.

[0034] The conventional definition of the above-mentioned convergence level indicator may not be suitable for power-saving UEs in NR sidelink communication. For example, a power-saving UE may fall into the off-period of the configured DRX period by using either a partial sensing scheme or a random selection scheme, and thus may not monitor or decode all slots within the measurement window. As a result, the UE may not monitor or decode all slots within the measurement window.

[0035] Also, the reception capabilities of power-saving UEs may vary. For example, some UEs may receive signals on both the PSSCH and the PSCCH. Some UEs may not have reception capabilities or may not need to receive on the PSSCH for some reason. Also, some UEs may not have reception capabilities or may not need to receive on both the PSSCH and the PSCCH for some reason. Furthermore, some UEs may operate in DRX mode. In sidelink mode 2 communication, there is no mechanism for sidelink convergence control of terminal devices considering resource selection methods, reception capabilities, reception modes, DRX, etc.

[0036] To solve the above problems and other potential problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for sidelink convergence control that can measure or evaluate a convergence level indicator while considering a resource selection method, a specific reception operation of a terminal device, and DRX. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the power consumption when determining the convergence level indicator and improve the accuracy of the convergence level indicator. This is also advantageous for subsequent convergence control in the terminal device.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication environment 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be executed. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication environment 100 may be part of a communication network and includes a first terminal device 110 and a second terminal device 120. In the present disclosure, the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 use sidelink resource allocation mode 2. That is, in this embodiment, sidelink communication is executed on resources within a resource pool 102 preconfigured for the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120.

[0038] Before transmitting on the sidelink channel, the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 may select resources by random selection within a predetermined resource selection window in the resource pool 102 without sensing, or may select resources after performing partial sensing in the resource pool 102.

[0039] Also, the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 may have different reception capabilities. As an example, one or both of the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 receive signals in both the PSSCH and the PSCCH. As another example, one or both of the terminal devices 110 and 120 do not have reception capabilities or, for some reason, do not receive signals in the PSSCH. Instead, one or both of the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 may not have reception capabilities or, for some reason, may not receive signals in both the PSSCH and the PSCCH. Also, the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 are operable in the DRX mode described later.

[0040] The first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 may perform congestion control to improve the quality and performance of sidelink communication. In order to execute congestion control, the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 need to determine congestion level indicators including, but not limited to, CBR and CR.

[0041] The first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 may determine the CBR in a specific slot n by measuring the signals received in the resources of the resource pool 102. When the measured signal strength exceeds a threshold of a predetermined signal strength, it is determined that the corresponding resource is occupied or "in use". On the other hand, when the measured signal strength does not exceed the threshold of the predetermined signal strength, the corresponding resource is determined to be free or "unused". The CBR in a specific slot n may be determined as the ratio of the number of occupied or "in use" resources to the total number of resources in the resource pool 102 within a certain period of slots [n - a, n - 1].

[0042] The CR in a specific slot n may be evaluated by determining the ratio of the total number of resources in the resource pool 102 within the duration of slots [n - a, n + b] to the sum of the respective transmission resource numbers of the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 in the past slot set, for example, [n - a, n - 1], and the number of resources permitted for the future slot set, for example, [n, n + b].

[0043] It should be understood that the numbers of the terminal devices 110 and 120 shown in FIG. 1 are merely illustrative for explanation purposes and are not limiting. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of terminal devices, network devices, and other communication devices used in the implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] Note that various wireless communications and wired communications (if necessary) are performed among all communication devices. In FIG. 1, the terminal devices 110 and 120 are schematically shown as mobile phones, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the terminal devices 110 and 120 may be devices having a wireless communication function such as a vehicle.

[0045] Communication in the communication environment 100 can comply with any suitable standard including, but not limited to, GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), EC-GSM-IoT (Extended Coverage-GSM-IoT), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access: registered trademark), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), GERAN (GSM EDGE Radio Access Network), etc. Further, the communication can be executed according to any known or future-developed generation of communication protocol. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G), generations after 5G, sixth generation (6G), etc.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 200 can be implemented by a terminal device such as the first terminal device 110 shown in FIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, the method 200 can also be implemented in other terminal devices not shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of explanation, without loss of generality, with reference to FIG. 1, the method 200 executed by the first terminal device 110 will be described.

[0047] At 210, the first terminal device 110 determines a first resource within a time window before the first slot n from the resource pool 102 based on the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device 110. In some exemplary embodiments, the time window may be a set of slots for determining the congestion level indicator in the first slot n shown in FIG. 3. If the congestion level indicator is CBR, the measurement of CBR may be performed within the time window.

[0048] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first terminal device 110 may select a transmission resource using either a partial sensing scheme or a random selection scheme. The time window 300 starts at slot n-a and ends at slot n-1. The resources 301 and 302 indicated by the grid-patterned boxes may correspond to slots n-a+1 and X, which are resources selected to monitor and measure the RSRP within the resources 301 and 302, i.e., to perform partial sensing within the resource pool 102. The resources 303 and 304 indicated by the white boxes correspond to slots Y and n-1, which are resources not selected to perform partial sensing within the resource pool 102. The resources 305 and 306 indicated by the hatched boxes correspond to slot n-a and slot n-2, which are resources outside the resource pool 102. In other words, the resource 305 is not configured for the sidelink resource pool of the first terminal device 110.

[0049] In some exemplary embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device 110 is a partial sensing scheme. In these embodiments, the first resource is a resource for which the first terminal device 110 performs partial sensing, such as resources 301 and 303, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0050] In some exemplary embodiments where the resource selection method of the first terminal device 110 is a partial sensing scheme, the first terminal device 110 may determine the first resource based on a threshold number S0. The number N1' of the first resources may be equal to or greater than the threshold number S0, i.e., N1'≧S0. The threshold number S0 may be a parameter configured via an RRC (Radio Resource Configuration) parameter, a MAC control element (CE), sidelink control information (SCI), downlink control information (DCI), and a message or information suitable for the execution of the present disclosure.

[0051] In the above embodiment, when the first terminal device 110 determines that the number Ns of sensing resources for which the first terminal device 110 performs partial sensing (for example, the number of resources 301 and 302) is less than the number N1', that is, Ns < N1', the first terminal device 110 may further select a second resource different from the first resources 301 and 302 from the resource pool 102. For example, the second resource may be selected from resources 303 and 304. The number N2' of the second resources may be equal to or greater than the difference between the number N1' and the number Ns of the sensing resources 301 and 302. Therefore, the number N1' of the first resources including the sensing resources 301 and 302 and the second resources 303 and 304 may be expressed as N1' = Ns + N2'.

[0052] In the above embodiment, when the first terminal device 110 determines that the number Ns of the sensing resources 301 and 302 is equal to or greater than the number N1', that is, Ns ≧ N1', the first terminal device 110 may select all the first resources from the sensing resources. That is, at least a part of the sensing resources 301 and 302 is determined as the first resource.

[0053] In some exemplary embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device 110 is a random selection scheme. In these embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may select a preconfigured number S of resources within the time window 300 from the resource pool 102. Alternatively, the number of resources exceeding the preconfigured number S may be selected, and the selected resources may be determined as the first resources. The preconfigured number S may be a parameter configured via RRC parameters, MAC CE, SCI, DCI, and messages or information suitable for the execution of the present disclosure.

[0054] At 220, the first terminal device 110 determines a first number N1 of occupied resources in the first resource. To determine the first number N1, the first terminal device 110 may obtain a signal strength parameter (e.g., RSSI) by measuring a signal received in the first resource. Then, the first terminal device 110 may determine the first number N1 of occupied resources corresponding to the signal strength parameter exceeding the threshold strength P0 from the first resource.

[0055] In some exemplary embodiments, the signal strength parameter is a received signal strength indicator measured in the first resource in one or more of PSSCH and PSCCH based on the reception capability of the first terminal device 110. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a frame structure 400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] In an embodiment where the first terminal device 110 uses a partial sensing scheme, if the first terminal device 110 has reception capability on PSCCH 401 but does not have reception capability on PSSCH 402, or if it has reception capability on both PSSCH 401 and PSSCH 402 but does not receive a signal on PSSCH 402, the first terminal device 110 may obtain the signal strength parameter by measuring the signal received on PSCCH 401. In this example, the first terminal device 110 is also referred to as a type 1 UE.

[0057] In the above embodiment, if the first terminal device 110 has reception capability for PSCCH 401 and PSSCH 402, the first terminal device 110 may obtain the signal strength parameter by measuring the signals received on both PSCCH 401 and PSSCH 402. In this example, the first terminal device 110 is also referred to as a type 2 UE.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first terminal device 110 is a type 1 UE using a random selection scheme, it may obtain a signal strength parameter by measuring the signal received on the PSCCH 401, similar to a type 1 UE using a partial sensing scheme. Further, when the first terminal device 110 is a type 2 UE using a random selection scheme, it may obtain a signal strength parameter by measuring the signals received on both the PSCCH 401 and the PSSCH 402, similar to a type 2 UE using a partial sensing scheme.

[0059] When the first terminal device 110 uses a random selection scheme and does not have the reception ability for the PSCCH 401 or the PSSCH 402, or when it does not receive a signal on the PSCCH 401 or the PSSCH 402, it may measure the signal strength parameter on the respective sidelink channels 401 and 402 as a type 1 UE or a type 2 UE indicated by upper layer parameters via RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, SCI, etc.

[0060] In 230, the first terminal device 110 determines a congestion level indicator of the sidelink channel for the first slot n based at least in part on the first number N1 and the number N1' of the first resources. In some exemplary embodiments, the congestion level indicator may be determined as a ratio R of the first number N1 to the number N1' of the first resources, i.e., R = N1 / N1'.

[0061] In some exemplary embodiments, when determining the congestion level indicator at 230, the first terminal device 110 may further consider a second resource. In these embodiments, the congestion level indicator may be determined as the ratio R' of the sum of a first number and a weighted second number α1N2 to the total number N0 of resources within the resource pool 102 in the time window 300, i.e., R'=(N1 + α1N2) / N0. Here, the second number N2 represents the number of second resources within a resource pool 102 different from the first resource in the time window 300. The weight α1 takes a value between 0 and 1 and is associated with the traffic priority of the first terminal device 110 that can be composed of RRC parameters.

[0062] In these embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may determine a second number N2 equal to the difference between the total number N0 and the number N1' of the first resources. That is, N2 = N0 - N1'. The sum of the first number and the weighted second number is referred to as a third number N3. In other words, the congestion level indicator is the ratio R' of the third number N3 to the total number N0.

[0063] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a mechanism for determining a control level indicator is provided. By considering the resource allocation mode, resource selection scheme, reception capability, and reception mode of the terminal device, a balance between power consumption and CBR measurement accuracy and CR evaluation accuracy can be achieved.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 500 can be executed by a terminal device operable in the DRX mode, such as the second terminal device 120 shown in FIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, the method 500 can also be executed in other terminal devices not shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of explanation, without loss of generality, with reference to FIG. 1, the method 500 executed by the first terminal device 120 will be described.

[0065] At 510, the second terminal device 120 determines whether a preconfigured time window overlaps with the off period of the DRX cycle of the second terminal device 120. The preconfigured time window may be configured via the upper layer of the second terminal device 120. Since the second terminal device 120 does not monitor the sidelink channel during the off period, it does not receive signals. In other words, the off period is not used for the determination of the congestion level indicator, and a target time window for determining the congestion level indicator in the first slot is expected.

[0066] At 510, if it is determined that the preconfigured time window overlaps with the off period of the DRX cycle, then at 520, the second terminal device 120 determines a target time window. In the present disclosure, both the target time window and the preconfigured time window are associated with the congestion level indicator of the sidelink channel within the first slot. The sidelink channel may be associated with the second terminal device 120, for example, the sidelink channel between the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120.

[0067] In some exemplary embodiments, the congestion level indicator is the CBR. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a scheme 600 for determining the CBR according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the preconfigured time window 601 starts at slot n-a and ends at slot n-1, and includes slots n-2 and n-1 in the on period 611 of the DRX cycle of the second terminal device 120, slots X and Y within the off period 612, and slots n-a and n-a+1 in the on period 613. In this case, the preconfigured time window 601 overlaps with the off period 612.

[0068] At 520, the second terminal device 120 may determine the remaining preconfigured time window 601 excluding the off period 612. The target time window may be determined based on the remainder of the preconfigured time window 601. In some exemplary embodiments, the remainder of the preconfigured time window 601 is determined as the target time window.

[0069] In some other exemplary embodiments, the target time window may include additional slots within the resource pool 102 in addition to the remainder of the preconfigured time window 601. The second terminal device 120 may determine the additional slots based on the upper layer parameter sl - TimeWindowSizeCBR indicating the size of the target resources within the time window for measuring CBR, such as 100 or 100·2 μ slots. If the number of resources in the resource pool 102 of the remainder of the preconfigured time window 601 is below the threshold size, the second terminal device 120 may determine the target time window by further including additional slots. For example, the second terminal device 120 determines the slot n - a', which is the start slot of the target time window, such that the number N1' of the target resources is equal to a predetermined number S1, such as 1000 or 1000·2 μ slots. In this example, the end slot of the target time window remains slot n - 1.

[0070] At 530, the second terminal device 120 determines the first number N1 of occupied resources from the target resources within the resource pool 102 configured for the second terminal device 120 within the target time window. In some exemplary embodiments, the second terminal device 120 may obtain a signal strength parameter by measuring the signal received at the target resources and determine the first number N1 of occupied resources from the target resources. In these embodiments, each occupied resource corresponds to a signal strength parameter exceeding a preconfigured threshold strength via the upper layer.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the signal strength parameter may be obtained by measuring in symbols and physical resource blocks configured for one or more of PSCCH or PSSCH based on the reception capability of the second terminal device 120. For example, if the second terminal device 120 has reception capability on PSCCH but does not have reception capability on PSSCH, or if it has reception capability on both PSSCH and PSSCH but does not receive a signal on PSSCH, the signal strength parameter may be obtained by measuring the signal received on PSCCH. As another example, if the second terminal device 120 has reception capability on both PSSCH and PSSCH, the signal strength parameter may be obtained by measuring the signals received on both PSSCH and PSSCH.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, if the second terminal device 120 does not have reception capability on PSSCH or PSCCH, or if it does not receive a signal on PSSCH or PSCCH, the signal strength parameter may be measured for each of the sidelink channels indicated by upper layer parameters via RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, SCI, etc.

[0073] At 540, the second terminal device 120 determines a congestion level indicator for the sidelink channel based at least in part on the first number N1 and the number N1' of target resources. In some exemplary embodiments, the second terminal device 120 may determine the ratio R of the first number N1 to the number N1' of target resources, i.e., R = N1 / N1'.

[0074] In some other exemplary embodiments, when determining the convergence level indicator at 540, the second terminal device 120 may further consider the second resources of the resource pool 102 during the off period. In this case, the second terminal device 120 may determine a second number N2 of the second resources (in the example shown in FIG. 6, 6). The second terminal device 120 may also determine a total number N0 of the resources of the resource pool 102 within the target time window including the second resources (in the example shown in FIG. 6, 15). Then, the second terminal device 120 may determine, as a third number N3, the sum of the first number N1 and the weighted second number α1N2. The weighted second number α1N2 may be determined based on the second number N2 and the weight α1. The weight α1 takes a value between 0 and 1 and is associated with the traffic priority of the second terminal device 120 that may be composed of RRC parameters. In this case, as the convergence level indicator, the ratio of the third number N3 to the total number N0 may be determined.

[0075] In some other exemplary embodiments, at 510, if the second terminal device 120 determines that a preconfigured time window overlaps with at least one off period of the DRX cycle, the last measured CBR may be reported as the CBR in the first slot n.

[0076] As another example of the convergence level indicator, the CR in the first slot may be determined by implementing method 500. The CR in the first slot may be evaluated as the ratio of the number of subchannels used or permitted for transmission by the second terminal device 120 within a specific time window to the total number of subchannels configured within the resource pool 102 in the time window.

[0077] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a scheme 700 for determining a CR according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, a preconfigured time window 701 for determining the CR in the first slot n starts from slot n-a and ends at slot n+b. The resources indicated by the grid-patterned boxes correspond to slots n-a', n-a, and n-2, which are resources outside the resource pool 102. The resources indicated by the dotted-patterned boxes correspond to the resources used or permitted for transmission by the second terminal device 120. The resources indicated by the white boxes correspond to the resources in the resource pool 102 that are not used or permitted for the second terminal device 120.

[0078] Similarly, at 510, the second terminal device 120 may determine whether the preconfigured time window 701 overlaps with at least one off period of the DRX cycle of the second terminal device 120. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the second terminal device 120 determines that the preconfigured time window 701 overlaps with off periods 712 and 714.

[0079] In these cases, since the second terminal device 120 does not perform transmission or reception during the off period, the preconfigured time window 701 is not suitable for determining the CR. At 520, the second terminal device 120 determines a target time window. For example, the target time window may be determined based on the rest of the preconfigured time window 701 other than off periods 712 and 714.

[0080] In some exemplary embodiments, the second terminal device 120 may determine the rest of the preconfigured time window 701 other than off periods 712 and 714 as the target time window. In this case, the target time window includes slots n-a+1, n-1, n, n+b-1, and n+b. In some other exemplary embodiments, the resources in the rest of the preconfigured time window 701 are insufficient for determining the CR. In this case, in addition to the rest of the preconfigured time window 701, the target time window may include additional slots within the resource pool 102.

[0081] In the above case, the second terminal device 120 is 1000 or 1000·2 μ For example, the second terminal device 120 may determine an additional slot based on a higher layer parameter sl-TimeWindowSizeCR indicating the size of the target resource within the time window for CR evaluation, such as a slot. If the number of resources in the resource pool 102 remaining in the preconfigured time window 701 is less than a predetermined number S1, for example, 1000 or 1000·2 μ slots, the second terminal device 120 may determine the target time window by further including additional slots. For example, the second terminal device 120 may determine slot n-a’ as the start slot of the target time window and slot n+b’ as the end slot so that the number N1’ of target resources is equal to the predetermined number S1. Here, b’ < (a’+b’+1) / 2. In this example, the end slot of the target time window needs to occur before the last transmission opportunity permitted for the current transmission of the second terminal device 120 in the time domain.

[0082] At 530, the second terminal device 120 may determine a first number N1 of occupied resources from the target resources within the resource pool 102 within the target time window 701. In an embodiment where the start slot of the target time window is slot n-a, the second terminal device 120 may determine the first number N1 of subchannels used for transmission in slots [n-a, n-1] and subchannels permitted in slots [n, n+b]. In an embodiment where the start slot of the target time window is slot n-a’, the second terminal device 120 may determine the first number N1 of subchannels used for transmission in slots [n-a’, n-1] and subchannels permitted in slots [n, n+b’].

[0083] At 540, the second terminal device 120 may determine the CR based at least in part on the first number N1 and the number N1' of target resources. In some exemplary embodiments, the second terminal device 120 may determine the ratio R of the first number N1 to the number N1' of target resources, i.e., R = N1 / N1'.

[0084] In some other exemplary embodiments, when determining the CR at 540, the second terminal device 120 may further consider the second resources of the resource pool 102 during the off period. In this case, the second terminal device 120 may determine the second number N2 of the second resources, such as the slots of the off periods 712 and 714 shown in FIG. 7. The second terminal device 120 may determine the total number N0 of the resources of the resource pool 102 within the target time window including the second resources. Then, the second terminal device 120 may determine the third number N3 as the sum of the first number N1 and the weighted second number α1N2. The weighted second number α1N2 is determined based on the second number N2 and the weight α1. The weight α1 takes a value between 0 and 1 and is associated with the traffic priority of the second terminal device 120 that may be composed of RRC parameters. In this case, the CR in the first slot n may be determined as the ratio of the third number N3 to the total number N0.

[0085] In some other exemplary embodiments, if the second terminal device 120 determines at 510 that a preconfigured time window overlaps with at least one off period of the DRX cycle, the second terminal device 120 may report the last evaluated CR as the CR in the first slot n.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mechanism for determining a control level indicator is provided based on the resource allocation mode, resource selection scheme, reception capability, and reception mode of a terminal device. Therefore, a balance can be achieved between power consumption and the measurement accuracy of CBR and the evaluation accuracy of CR.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 800 is executable by a terminal device such as the first terminal device 110 shown in FIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, the method 800 is also executable on other terminal devices not shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of illustration, without loss of generality, with reference to FIG. 1, the method 800 executed by the first terminal device 110 will be described.

[0088] At 810, the first terminal device 110 obtains a signal strength parameter by measuring a signal in a target resource of a sidelink channel within a time window in a first slot. The sidelink channel is associated with the first terminal device 110.

[0089] In some exemplary embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device 110 is a partial sensing scheme. In these embodiments, the target resource may include a subchannel corresponding to the slot monitored by the first terminal device 110 based on the partial sensing scheme.

[0090] In some exemplary embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device 110 is one of a random selection scheme and a partial sensing scheme. The target resource may include a subchannel corresponding to at least a threshold number of slots selected by the first terminal device 110 from the resource pool 102. In other words, the number of target slots corresponding to the target resource is equal to or greater than the threshold number S0. The threshold number S0 may be a parameter configured via an RRC message, MAC CE, SCI, DCI, etc.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, when the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device 110 is the partial sensing scheme, the first terminal device 110 may determine whether the number of first slots monitored by the terminal device based on the partial sensing scheme exceeds the number of target slots. According to the determination that the number of first slots exceeds the number of target slots, the first terminal device 110 may select all target resources from the first resource. That is, at least some of the first slots are determined as target slots. According to the determination that the number of first slots is less than the number of target slots, the first terminal device 110 may determine the first resource as the first part of the target resources. Then, the first terminal device 110 may select a second resource different from the first resource from the resource pool 102 as the second part of the target resources. The second resource includes a second subchannel corresponding to the second slot, and as a result, the total number of the first slot and the second slot is equal to the number of target resources.

[0092] In some exemplary embodiments, at 810, the first terminal device 110 may determine a first number N1 of occupied resources from the target resources. To determine the first number N1, the first terminal device 110 may obtain a signal strength parameter (e.g., RSSI) by measuring the signal received in the target resources. Then, the first terminal device 110 may determine the first number N1 of occupied resources from the target resources. In these exemplary embodiments, each occupied resource corresponds to a signal strength parameter exceeding a threshold strength P0.

[0093] In some exemplary embodiments, the signal strength parameter may be obtained in a resource in one or more of the PSCCH or PSSCH based on the reception capability of the first terminal device 110.

[0094] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110 has the ability to receive on the PSCCH but does not have the ability to receive on the PSSCH. In this case, at 810, the first terminal device 110 may obtain the signal strength parameter by measuring the signal received on the PSCCH. In this example, the first terminal device 110 is also referred to as a type 1 UE.

[0095] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110 has the ability to receive for both the PSSCH and the PSCCH. In this case, at 810, the first terminal device 110 may obtain the signal strength parameter by measuring the signals received on both the PSSCH and the PSCCH. In this example, the first terminal device 110 is also referred to as a type 2 UE.

[0096] At 820, the first terminal device 110 determines the channel congestion rate for the first slot based at least in part on the signal strength parameter of the first terminal device 110 and the resource selection scheme. In some exemplary embodiments, at 820, the first terminal device 110 may determine the ratio of the first number N1 to the number N1' of the target resources.

[0097] In some exemplary embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may determine the total number N0 of resources within the resource pool 102 within the time window. The first terminal device 110 may determine a second number N2 equal to the difference between the total number N0 and the number N1' of the target resources. Then, the first terminal device 110 may determine a third number N3 as the sum of the first number N1 and the weighted second number α1N2. The weighted second number α1N2 is obtained by applying the weight α1 to the second number N2. The weight α1 takes a value between 0 and 1 and is associated with the traffic priority of the first terminal device 110, which may be composed of RRC parameters. The channel congestion rate determined at 820 may be the ratio R of the third number N3 to the total number N0.

[0098] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mechanism for determining a control level indicator is provided based on a resource allocation mode, a resource selection scheme, a reception capability, and a reception mode of a terminal device. Therefore, a balance between power consumption and the measurement accuracy of CBR can be achieved.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 900 suitable for implementation of some embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 900 can be considered as a further exemplary embodiment of a network device, similar to the terminal devices 110 and 120 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the apparatus 900 can be implemented as at least part of the terminal devices 110 and 120 and a network device, or can be executable by at least part of the terminal devices 110 and 120 and a network device.

[0100] As shown in the figure, the apparatus 900 includes a processor 910, a memory 920 connected to the processor 910, a suitable transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) 940 connected to the processor 910, and a communication interface connected to the TX / RX 940. The memory 920 stores at least part of the program 930. The TX / RX 940 is for two-way communication and has at least one antenna for facilitating communication. In practice, the Access Node described in the present application has a plurality of antennas. The communication interface represents any interface necessary for communication with other network elements. For example, an X2 interface for two-way communication between gNBs or eNBs, an S1 interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Serving Gateway (S-GW) and a gNB or eNB, a Un interface for communication between a gNB or eNB and a relay node (RN), or a Uu interface for communication between a gNB or eNB and a terminal device, etc. can be mentioned.

[0101] Program 930 includes program instructions and, when executed by an associated processor 910, enables device 900 to operate in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, as described with reference to FIGS. 2, 5, and 8. Embodiments herein can be implemented by computer software executable by processor 910 of device 900, by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Processor 910 may be configured to execute various embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the combination of processor 910 and memory 920 may form processing means 950 configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0102] Memory 920 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network and can be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology. Data storage technologies include, for example, but are not limited to, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Although only one memory 920 is shown within device 900, there may be multiple physically separate memory modules. Processor 910 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network and includes one or more of, but is not limited to, a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures. Device 900 may have multiple processors such as an application-specific integrated circuit chip that is temporally synchronized with the clock of the main processor.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first terminal device includes a circuit having the following configuration. Specifically, based on the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device, the circuit determines a first resource within a time window before the first slot from a resource pool configured for the first terminal device, determines a first number of occupied resources in the first resource, and is configured to determine a congestion level indicator of the sidelink channel associated with the first terminal device for the first slot, at least partially based on the first number and the number of the first resources.

[0104] In some embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device includes a partial sensing scheme, and the circuit is configured to determine the first resource by determining, as the first resource, a resource for which the first terminal device performs partial sensing.

[0105] In some embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device includes one of a partial sensing scheme and a random selection scheme, and the circuit is configured to determine the first resource by selecting a preconfigured number of resources within the time window from the resource pool and determining the preconfigured number of resources as the first resource.

[0106] In some embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the first terminal device includes a partial sensing scheme, and the circuit is configured to determine a set of the first resources as follows. Specifically, according to a determination that the number of sensing resources for which the first terminal device performs partial sensing is less than a threshold number, the circuit selects, from the resource pool, a number of second resources different from the first resources, the sum of which with the sensing resources exceeds the threshold number, determines the first resources including the sensing resources and the second resources, and is configured to determine at least a part of the sensing resources as the first resources according to a determination that the number of sensing resources exceeds the threshold number.

[0107] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to determine a first number of occupied resources as follows. Specifically, the circuit acquires a signal strength parameter by measuring a signal received in a first resource, and is configured to determine a first number of occupied resources corresponding to the signal strength parameter that exceeds a threshold strength from the first resource.

[0108] In some embodiments, the signal strength parameter is acquired in a first resource in one or more channels of a physical sidelink control channel or a physical sidelink shared channel based on the reception capability of the first terminal device.

[0109] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to acquire a signal strength parameter as follows. Specifically, the circuit is configured to acquire a signal strength parameter by measuring a signal received in the physical sidelink control channel according to a determination that the first terminal device has reception capability for the physical sidelink control channel but does not have reception capability for the physical sidelink shared channel.

[0110] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to acquire a signal strength parameter as follows. Specifically, the circuit is configured to acquire a signal strength parameter by measuring signals received in both the physical sidelink shared channel and the physical sidelink control channel according to a determination that the first terminal device has reception capabilities for both the physical sidelink shared channel and the physical sidelink control channel.

[0111] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to determine a congestion level indicator by determining a ratio of the first number to the number of first resources.

[0112] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to determine the congestion level indicator as follows. Specifically, the circuit determines the total number of resources in the resource pool within the time window, determines a second number equal to the difference between the total number and the number of first resources, and determines a third number as the sum of the first number and the weighted second number determined by applying the weight associated with the traffic priority of the first terminal device to the second number, and is configured to determine the ratio of the third number to the sum.

[0113] In some embodiments, the congestion level indicator includes the sidelink channel congestion rate.

[0114] In some embodiments, the second terminal device includes a circuit having the following configuration. The circuit determines the target time window in the second terminal device according to the determination that the preconfigured time window overlaps with the off period of the intermittent reception cycle of the second terminal device, determines the first number of occupied resources from the target resources in the resource pool configured for the second terminal device in the target time window, and is configured to determine the congestion level indicator of the sidelink channel at least partially based on the first number and the number of target resources. Here, both the target time window and the preconfigured time window are associated with the congestion level indicator of the sidelink channel in the first slot, and the sidelink channel is associated with the second terminal device.

[0115] In some embodiments, the second terminal device includes a circuit configured to determine the target time window as follows. Specifically, the circuit determines the remainder of the preconfigured time window other than the off period as the target time window, and is configured to determine the target time window based on the remainder of the preconfigured time window.

[0116] In some embodiments, the convergence level indicator includes a sidelink channel congestion rate, the end slot of a preconfigured time window is the first slot, and the circuit is configured to determine a target time window as follows. Specifically, the circuit is configured to determine a start slot of the target time window such that the number of target resources exceeds a threshold number, and is configured such that the end slot of the target time window is the first slot.

[0117] In some embodiments, the convergence level indicator includes a sidelink channel occupancy rate, and the circuit is configured to determine a target time window as follows. Specifically, the circuit is configured to determine a start slot and an end slot that is before the last transmission opportunity permitted to a second terminal device in the time domain such that the number of target resources exceeds a threshold number.

[0118] In some embodiments, the convergence level indicator includes a sidelink channel congestion rate, and the circuit is configured to determine a first number of occupied resources as follows. Specifically, the circuit is configured to obtain a signal strength parameter by measuring a signal received in a target resource, and to determine a first number of occupied resources corresponding to the signal strength parameter that exceeds a threshold strength from the target resource.

[0119] In some embodiments, the signal strength parameter is obtained in a target resource in one or more channels of a physical sidelink control channel or a physical sidelink shared channel based on the reception capability of a second terminal device.

[0120] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to obtain a signal strength parameter as follows. Specifically, the circuit is configured to obtain a signal strength parameter by measuring a signal received in a physical sidelink control channel in accordance with a determination that the second terminal device has a reception capability for the physical sidelink control channel but does not have a reception capability for the physical sidelink shared channel.

[0121] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to obtain signal strength parameters as follows. Specifically, the circuit is configured to obtain signal strength parameters by measuring signals received on both the physical sidelink shared channel and the physical sidelink control channel according to a determination that the second terminal device has reception capabilities for the physical sidelink shared channel and the physical sidelink control channel.

[0122] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to determine a congestion level indicator by determining a ratio of a first number to the number of target resources.

[0123] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to determine a congestion level indicator as follows. Specifically, the circuit determines a second number of second resources in the resource pool during the off period, determines the total number of resources in the resource pool in the target time window including the second resources, and determines a third number as the sum of the first number and a weighted second number determined based on the second number and a weight associated with the traffic priority of the second terminal device, and is configured to determine a ratio of the third number to the sum.

[0124] In some embodiments, the congestion level indicator includes one of the sidelink channel congestion rate or the sidelink channel occupancy rate.

[0125] In some embodiments, the terminal device includes a circuit having the following configuration. The circuit obtains signal strength parameters by measuring signals in the target resources of the sidelink channel associated with the terminal device within a time window in a first slot, and is configured to determine the channel congestion rate of the first slot based at least in part on the signal strength parameters and the resource selection scheme of the terminal device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the terminal device includes a partial sensing scheme, and the target resource includes a subchannel corresponding to a slot monitored by the terminal device based on the partial sensing scheme.

[0127] In some embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the terminal device includes one of a random selection scheme and a partial sensing scheme. The target resource includes a subchannel corresponding to at least a threshold number of slots selected from a resource pool by the terminal device, and the threshold number is at least a preconfigured parameter.

[0128] In some embodiments, the resource selection scheme of the terminal device includes a partial sensing scheme. According to the determination that the number of first slots monitored by the terminal device based on the partial sensing scheme exceeds a threshold number, the circuit selects, as a resource, a first resource including a first subchannel corresponding to at least a part of the first slots. According to the determination that the number of the first slots is less than the threshold number, the circuit determines the first resource as the first part of the target resource, and selects, from the resource pool, as the second part of the target resource, a second resource different from the first resource and including a second subchannel corresponding to second slots whose total number with the first slots exceeds the threshold number.

[0129] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to obtain a signal strength parameter by determining a first number of occupied resources corresponding to a signal strength parameter exceeding a threshold strength from the target resource.

[0130] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to determine a channel congestion rate by determining a ratio of the first number to the number of the target resources.

[0131] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to determine the channel congestion rate as follows. Specifically, the circuit determines the total number of resources in the resource pool within the time window, determines a second number equal to the difference between the total number and the number of target resources, and determines a third number as the sum of the first number and the weighted second number determined by applying a weight associated with the traffic priority of the terminal device to the second number, and is configured to determine the ratio of the third number to the sum.

[0132] In some embodiments, the signal strength parameter is obtained in resources in one or more channels of the physical sidelink control channel and the physical sidelink shared channel based on the reception capability of the terminal device.

[0133] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to obtain the signal strength parameter as follows. Specifically, the circuit is configured to obtain the signal strength parameter by measuring the signal received in the physical sidelink control channel according to the determination that the terminal device has the reception capability for the physical sidelink control channel but does not have the reception capability for the physical sidelink shared channel.

[0134] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to obtain the signal strength parameter. Specifically, the circuit is configured to obtain the signal strength parameter by measuring the signals received in both the physical sidelink shared channel and the physical sidelink control channel according to the determination that the terminal device has the reception capability for both the physical sidelink shared channel and the physical sidelink control channel.

[0135] The components included in the apparatus and / or device of the present disclosure can be implemented in various ways, including software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more units can be implemented using software and / or firmware such as machine-executable instructions stored in a storage medium. In addition to or instead of the machine-executable instructions, some or all of the units within the apparatus and / or device may be implemented at least partially by one or more hardware logic components. Examples of hardware logic components that can be used include, but are not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application specific standard products (ASSp), system-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and the like.

[0136] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Note that although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or other graphical representations, the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof, but are not limited thereto.

[0137] The present disclosure further provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions that are included in program modules executed within an apparatus on an actual or virtual processor to execute the processes or methods described with reference to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. The functions of the program modules may be combined or divided among the program modules according to the requirements of various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions for the program modules may be executed within a local or distributed apparatus. In a distributed apparatus, the program modules may be arranged on both local and remote storage media.

[0138] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, whereby when the program code is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations defined in the flowchart and / or block diagram are realized. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, a part of it may be executed on a machine, it may be a stand-alone software package, a part of it may be executed on a machine and a part of it may be executed on a remote machine, or it may be executed entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0139] The above program code may be embodied in a machine-readable medium that can include or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of the machine-readable storage medium include electrical connections by one or more wires, portable computer diskettes, hard disks, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the above.

[0140] Furthermore, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this does not require that such operations be performed in the particular order or sequential order shown, or that all depicted operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although the above description includes details of some specific embodiments, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Specific features described in separate embodiments may be implemented in a single embodiment in combination. Conversely, various features described in a single embodiment may also be implemented separately, or in any suitable sub-combination, in multiple embodiments.

[0141] Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of terms specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the above specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms for carrying out the claims.

Claims

1. In a slot where a terminal performs partial sensing within a CBR (Channel Busy Ratio) measurement window, perform SL RSSI (SideLink Received Signal Strength Indicator) measurement; and Based on the SL RSSI measurement, measure SL CBR (SideLink Channel Busy Ratio); including the number of the slots is greater than or equal to a set threshold number, the threshold number is a parameter configured via at least one of an RRC message, a MAC CE, an SCI, and a DCI; a method.

2. A terminal including a processor, the processor is configured to perform SL RSSI (SideLink Received Signal Strength Indicator) measurement in a slot where the terminal performs partial sensing within a CBR (Channel Busy Ratio) measurement window, and configured to measure SL CBR (SideLink Channel Busy Ratio) based on the SL RSSI measurement, the number of the slots is greater than or equal to a set threshold number, the threshold number is a parameter configured via at least one of an RRC message, a MAC CE, an SCI, and a DCI; a terminal.

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