First terminal device, second terminal device, and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium. The method includes determining, at a first terminal device, at least one set of starting points in the time domain for sidelink transmissions, each of the at least one set including one or more starting points. The method also includes transmitting the sidelink transmission in at least one resource starting from a starting point in the at least one set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly, to methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for sidelink communication.

Background Art

[0002] Sidelink in unlicensed spectrum or band (SL-U) is an important topic in Release 18 of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)).

[0003] SL-U should be based on the sidelink of New Radio (NR) and NR-U. In NR sidelink transmission in licensed spectrum, the time-domain resources for sidelink transmission are fixed by configuration or pre-configuration. In other words, the time-domain resources for sidelink transmission are within the sidelink resource pool, and specific symbols within each slot can be used as the start symbol of sidelink transmission.

[0004] In the case of SL-U, the terminal device may receive as many potential sidelink transmissions as possible. Therefore, the complexity of blindly detecting potential sidelink transmissions increases.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Generally, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for communication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes determining, at a first terminal device, at least one set of starting points in a time domain for sidelink transmission. Each of the at least one set includes one or more starting points. The method also includes transmitting a sidelink transmission in at least one resource starting from one starting point in the at least one set.

[0007] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes determining, at a second terminal device, at least one set of starting points in a time domain for sidelink reception. Each of the at least one set includes one or more starting points. The method also includes receiving a sidelink transmission in at least one resource starting from one starting point in the at least one set.

[0008] In a third aspect, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a processor and a memory storing instructions. The memory and the instructions are configured to cause the processor to execute the method according to the first aspect in the terminal device.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a processor and a memory storing instructions. The memory and the instructions are configured to cause the processor to execute the method according to the second aspect in the terminal device.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable medium storing instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed in at least one processor of a device, the device is caused to execute the method according to the first aspect.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable medium storing instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed in at least one processor of a device, the device is caused to execute the method according to the second aspect.

[0012] It should be understood that the summary part of the invention is not intended to identify the important or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure should be easily understood through the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Through the more detailed description of some embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure should become clearer.

[0014]

Figure 1

[0015]

Figure 2

[0016]

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 3D

Figure 3E

[0017]

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

[0018]

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

[0019]

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

[0020]

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

[0021]

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

[0022]

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 9C

[0023]

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

Figure 10C

Figure 10D

Figure 10E

[0024]

Figure 11

[0025]

Figure 12

[0026]

Figure 13

[0027] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements. **DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION**

[0028] The principles of the present disclosure will be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and are helpful for those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not imply any limitation to the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0029] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs.

[0030] As used herein, the term "terminal device" refers to any device having a wireless or wired communication function. Examples of terminal devices include, but are not limited to, user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDA), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, vehicle-mounted devices for V2X communication (where X means pedestrian, vehicle or infrastructure / network), imaging devices such as digital cameras, gaming devices, music storage / playback devices, Internet devices enabling wireless / wired Internet access and browsing, etc.

[0031] As used herein, the term "network device" or "base station" (BS) refers to a device capable of providing or hosting a cell or coverage with which a terminal device can communicate. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, Node B (NodeB or NB), Evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), transmission and reception point (TRP), remote radio unit (RRU), radio head (RH), remote radio head (RRH), femto node, low-power nodes such as pico nodes, etc.

[0032] 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 "comprising" and variations thereof are to be construed as an open-ended term meaning "including, but not limited to". The term "based on" is to be construed as "at least in part based on". The terms "some embodiments" and "an embodiment" are to be construed as "at least some embodiments". The term "another embodiment" is to be construed as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. may refer to different objects or the same object. There may be other definitions, explicit or implicit, in the following content.

[0033] In some examples, a value, process, or device is referred to as "optimal", "lowest", "highest", "minimum", "maximum", etc. It should be understood that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection is possible from among multiple functional alternatives being used, and that such a selection need not be better, smaller, higher, or more preferable than other selections.

[0034] As described above, in NR sidelink transmission in a licensed spectrum, the time-domain resources for sidelink transmission are fixed by configuration or pre-configuration. In other words, the time-domain resources for sidelink transmission are within the sidelink resource pool, and a specific symbol within each slot can be used as the start symbol for sidelink transmission.

[0035] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for sidelink transmission to solve the above problems and one or more other potential problems. According to this solution, the first terminal device determines at least one set of starting points in the time domain for sidelink transmission. Each set includes one or more starting points. The first terminal device performs sidelink transmission in at least one resource starting from one of the starting points. This solution can facilitate blind decoding of sidelink signals in the unlicensed band.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 100 may include a first terminal device 110 and a second terminal device 120. It should be understood that the communication network 100 may further include a network device (not shown). The network device may communicate with the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 via respective wireless communication channels. It should be understood that the number of devices in FIG. 1 is shown for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitation to the present disclosure. The communication network 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and / or terminal devices suitable for implementing the implementation of the present disclosure.

[0037] In FIG. 1, the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 are shown as vehicles enabling V2X communication. It should be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to terminal devices other than vehicles such as mobile phones and sensors.

[0038] The first terminal device 110 determines at least one set of starting points in the time domain for sidelink transmission. Each set includes one or more starting points. In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may perform an LBT process. If the LBT process is successful, the first terminal device 110 performs sidelink transmission to the second terminal device 120 in at least one resource starting from one starting point in at least one set.

[0039] Communications in the communication network 100 may conform to any suitable standard, including, but not limited to, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA®), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. Further, the communications may be performed according to any generation of communication protocol known currently or developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols.

[0040] Figure 2 shows an exemplary signaling chart illustrating an exemplary process 200 for resource selection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, process 200 may involve the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 shown in Figure 1. Process 200 may include additional operations not shown and / or may omit some of the operations shown, and it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. Further, although presented herein primarily as being executed sequentially, it should be understood that at least some of the operations of process 200 may be executed simultaneously or in an order different from that shown in Figure 2.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the first terminal device 110 determines (210) at least one set of starting points in the time domain for sidelink transmission. Each set includes one or more starting points.

[0042] The first terminal device 110 transmits a sidelink transmission to the second terminal device 120 in at least one resource starting from one starting point in the set (230). Correspondingly, the second terminal device 120 receives the sidelink transmission from the first terminal device 110 in at least one resource starting from one starting point in at least one set.

[0043] In some embodiments, optionally, the first terminal device 110 may perform an LBT process before one starting point (220). If the LBT process is successful, the first terminal device 110 transmits a sidelink transmission in at least one resource starting from one starting point in the set.

[0044] In some embodiments, a set of start points is indicated over a certain period. The period of the start point in a set may be determined based on the number of resource units in the time domain. Each of the resource units may be an NR Uu physical resource unit including a slot, a half-slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol. In this way, the SL-U mode can be made compatible with the legacy sidelink transmission mode.

[0045] In some embodiments, each of the resource units in the time domain may be a slot. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C respectively show examples of start points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] In the examples shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the period of the start point (also referred to as the start point period) is determined based on the number of slots. In other words, the period of the start point in a set is calculated based on the number of slots. The start point of the SL-U transmission is located in one symbol. That is, the terminal device may start sidelink transmission in a dedicated symbol.

[0047] In FIG. 3A, the start point period is 5 slots, and the start symbol in the slot (i.e., symbol #0) is used as the start point.

[0048] In FIG. 3B, the start point period is 2 slots, and the start symbol in the slot (i.e., symbol #0) is used as the start point.

[0049] In FIG. 3C, the start point period is 5 slots, and a symbol other than the start symbol in the slot is used as the start point. For example, symbol #k in the slot may be used as the start point, where k is a positive integer.

[0050] In some embodiments, the boundary of the starting point period may be determined based on at least one of a system frame number, a direct frame number, an offset with respect to the boundary of the system frame number, and an offset with respect to the boundary of the direct frame number. This will be described with reference to FIG. 3D.

[0051] FIG. 3D shows an example of a period of a starting point according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 3D, the boundary of the starting point period is determined based on an offset with respect to the boundary of the system frame number or an offset with respect to the boundary of the direct frame number.

[0052] In some embodiments, the period and position of the starting point may be determined according to a bitmap indication that can be indicated by a network device or a sidelink device. According to the bitmap indication, one bit of the bitmap is associated with one slot, and a bit set to "1" means that the starting point is included in the response slot. This will be described with reference to FIG. 3E.

[0053] FIG. 3E shows an example of setting a starting point according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 3E, a bitmap indication "10000" is assigned by the gNB. According to this indication, the slot corresponding to the bit set to "1" is the slot including the starting point. Within the indicated slot, at least one symbol is used as the starting point (i.e., symbol #0 in FIG. 3E). The bitmap indication can repeat the mapping. That is, the length of the bitmap is the period of the starting point.

[0054] In some embodiments, each of the resource units in the time domain may be a half-slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol. In other words, the starting point period is defined as a specific number of half-slots, mini-slots, or symbols.

[0055] In some embodiments, a set of starting points may include multiple symbols within a single slot. In other words, multiple symbols within one slot may be used as starting points. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C respectively show examples of starting points according to still other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the starting point period is 5 slots, and symbols #0 and #7 within one slot are used as starting points.

[0057] In FIG. 4B, the starting point period is 5 slots, and three consecutive symbols within one slot are used as starting points. For example, symbols #k, k + 1, k + 2 within the slot are used as starting points, where k is an integer.

[0058] In FIG. 4C, the starting point period is 5 slots, and three non - consecutive symbols within one slot are used as starting points. For example, symbols #k, m, s within one slot are used as starting points, where k, m, s are integers and k < m < s.

[0059] In some embodiments, considering the characteristics of sidelink transmission in the unlicensed band, the period of the starting point of SL - U transmission may be determined according to the LBT - related resource units in the time domain, including the sensing slot and the transmission guard period. In other words, the period of each set of starting points may be determined based on the timing interval or the basic period. Hereinafter, the basic period may also be referred to as the basic guard period (GP). The length of the timing interval or the basic period may be fixed, pre - set, or pre - defined. In this way, the SL - U transmission method may be made compatible with the unlicensed band transmission method and the LBT process. By using a typical length of time as the basic period for the period of the starting point of SL - U, more opportunities may be provided for SL - U resource occupancy.

[0060] In some embodiments, the timing interval or the basic period may be associated with at least one of the number of milliseconds (ms) or the number of microseconds (us). Examples of the number of us may include, but are not limited to, 5 us, 9 us, 16 us, 25 us. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0061] FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively show examples of the period of the starting point according to still other embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the starting point period is k ms, where k is a positive integer defined in the sidelink communication system. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the starting point period is 100 basic GPs, where the basic GP is 16 us.

[0062] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be determined based on at least one of a flag signal or a flag channel. In other words, set the starting point according to a dedicated signal or channel, that is, use the signal as a flag to further determine the possible starting point of SL-U transmission. In some embodiments, the boundary of the starting point period may be determined based on a flag signal or a flag channel. In this way, a more flexible opportunity for the starting point for sidelink transmission can be provided.

[0063] In some embodiments, the flag signal may include at least one of a sidelink system synchronization block (SL-SSB) transmitted by a sidelink terminal device or a system synchronization block (SSB) transmitted by a network device.

[0064] In some embodiments, the flag signal may include a preamble signal transmitted by a sidelink terminal device, a roadside unit (RSU), a relay node, or a header terminal device in a group.

[0065] In some embodiments, the flag signal may include a sidelink discovery signal, a sidelink control information (SCI) signal or a feedback signal transmitted by a sidelink terminal device, an RSU, a relay node, or a header terminal device within a group, or a downlink control information (DCI) signal transmitted by a network device.

[0066] In some embodiments, the flag channel may include at least one of a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH), a physical sidelink notification channel (PSSCH), or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0067] Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C respectively show examples of starting points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the examples shown in Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C, the boundary of the starting point period is determined based on the flag signal, and the starting point period is determined based on the number of slots.

[0068] In Figure 6A, the starting point period is 5 slots, and the starting symbol within the slot (i.e., symbol #0) is used as the starting point. The SL-SSB is used as the flag signal, and the boundary of the starting point period is calculated from the slot of the SL-SSB.

[0069] In Figure 6B, the starting point period is 2 slots, and the starting symbol within the slot (i.e., symbol #0) is used as the starting point. The SL-SSB is used as the flag signal, and the boundary of the starting point period is calculated from the slot following the slot of the SL-SSB.

[0070] In FIG. 6C, the starting point period is 5 slots, and symbols other than the starting symbol within the slot are used as the starting point. For example, symbol #k within the slot may be used as the starting point, where k is a positive integer. SL-SSB is used as a flag signal, and the boundary of the starting point period is calculated from the slot of SL-SSB.

[0071] FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively show examples of starting points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the boundary of the starting point period is determined based on a flag signal, and the starting point period is determined based on a timing interval. As shown in FIG. 7A, the starting point period is k ms, where k is a positive integer. SL-preamble is used as a flag signal, and the boundary of the starting point period is calculated from the slot of SL-preamble.

[0072] In the example of FIG. 7B, the starting point is not periodic. The starting point is determined based on at least one of a one-to-one mapping between the starting point and the flag signal, or a one-to-one mapping between the starting point and the flag channel. As shown in FIG. 7B, SL-preamble is used as a flag signal.

[0073] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be determined based on at least one of the type of sidelink signal or the type of sidelink channel. In other words, the starting point of SL-U may be defined or (pre)configured independently for different types of signals or channels. Defining or (pre)configuring the starting point dedicatedly will increase the opportunity for more important signals or data, or signals or data with higher priority to occupy resources.

[0074] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink signal may include at least one of sidelink control information (SCI) signals, sidelink data, sidelink transmission positive acknowledgment (ACK) or negative acknowledgment (NACK), sidelink CSI (channel state information), SL-SSB, or sidelink discovery signals.

[0075] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink channel may include at least one of a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH), a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), or a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH).

[0076] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink transmission may include at least one of sidelink unicast transmission, sidelink groupcast transmission, or sidelink broadcast transmission.

[0077] Figures 8A and 8B respectively show examples of starting points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the examples shown in Figures 8A and 8B, two sets of starting points are determined based on the type of sidelink signal or the type of sidelink channel.

[0078] As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the first set of starting points (also referred to as configuration set #1) is configured for sidelink control information-related signals or channels including PSCCH, PSFCH, PSBCH, SL-SSB, and SCI. The second set of starting points (also referred to as configuration set #2) is configured for PSSCH, sidelink data, and PSDCH. In the example shown in Figure 8A, the starting points of the first set partially overlap with the second set. In the example shown in Figure 8B, the starting points of the first set and the second set do not overlap.

[0079] Figures 9A, 9B, and 9C respectively show examples of starting points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the examples shown in Figures 9A, 9B, and 9C, dedicated sets of starting points are determined based on the type of sidelink channel.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 9A, for PSFCH and PSDCH, a first set of starting points is set with a starting point period of 5 slots and symbol #0 within the slot being used as the starting point. As shown in FIG. 9B, for PSCCH and PSSCH, a second set of starting points is set with a starting point period of 10 slots and symbol #k within the slot being used as the starting point. As shown in FIG. 9C, for PSBCH, a third set of starting points is set with a starting point period of 160 slots and symbol #0 within the slot being used as the starting point. It should be noted that the boundary of the period of the first set of starting points is the same as the boundary of the period of the second set of starting points, while the boundary of the period of the third set of starting points is different from the boundaries of the periods of the first and second sets of starting points.

[0081] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be determined based on a priority class associated with a sidelink signal, a priority class associated with a sidelink channel, a priority class of a sidelink transmission, or a priority class of a sidelink data packet. Since a priority class is introduced to identify the relationship between a sidelink signal, a sidelink channel, or a sidelink transmission and the set of starting points, the overhead and complexity of the configuration can be reduced.

[0082] Table 1 shows an example of the definition of the priority classes of signals or channels to be predefined in the system.

Table 1

[0083] Table 2 shows another example of the definition of the priority classes of signals or channels to be predefined in the system.

Table 2

[0084] Table 3 shows an example of the definition of the priority classes of sidelink transmissions to be predefined in the system.

Table 3

[0085] In some embodiments, considering the various requirements of sidelink transmission, it is reasonable to define corresponding sets of starting points according to different factors. This can provide several other ways to determine the set of starting points according to other factors. Such other ways are beneficial for sidelink transmission in unlicensed bands and may be suitable for some specific use cases.

[0086] For example, at least one set of starting points may be determined based on the type of sidelink transmission. The type of sidelink transmission may include at least one of sidelink unicast transmission, sidelink groupcast transmission, or sidelink notification transmission.

[0087] FIGS. 10A and 10B respectively show examples of starting points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the examples shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, two sets of starting points are determined based on the type of sidelink transmission.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 10A, for sidelink notification transmission, the first set of starting points (also referred to as configuration set #1) is used. As shown in FIG. 10B, for sidelink unicast transmission, the second set of starting points (also referred to as configuration set #2) is used.

[0089] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be determined based on the type of terminal device. The terminal device may include a roadside unit (RSU), a terminal device operating as a header of a terminal device group, a terminal device operating as a member of a terminal device group, or a terminal device transmitting SL-SS.

[0090] FIGS. 10C and 10D respectively show examples of starting points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the examples shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, two sets of starting points are determined based on the type of terminal device.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 10C, a first set of starting points (also referred to as setting set #1) is set in the header of the sidelink communication group. As shown in FIG. 10B, a second set of starting points (also referred to as setting set #2) is set in one or more members of the sidelink communication group.

[0092] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be determined based on the size of the data packet for sidelink transmission, for example, the transmission block (TB) size, the size of the subchannel or the interleaving, that is, the number of resource blocks (RBs) included in one subchannel or interleaving.

[0093] FIG. 10E shows an example of starting points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10E, the first set of starting points (also referred to as starting point set #1) is set for the first interleaving configuration, that is, the configuration where the size of the interleaving is 10 RBs, and the second set of starting points (also referred to as starting point set #2) is set for the second interleaving configuration, that is, the configuration where the size of the interleaving is 20 RBs. The second interleaving configuration is different from the first interleaving configuration. The first set and the second set of starting points are determined based on a flag signal. The offset between the flag signal and the first set of starting points is 5 slots, and the offset between the flag signal and the second set of starting points is 7 slots.

[0094] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be determined based on the identification (ID) of the terminal device that is the target receiving device for sidelink transmission. For example, the ID of the terminal device may be divided into a broadcast ID, a multicast ID, or a unicast target Rx UE ID.

[0095] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be determined based on sidelink transmission or the latency requirements of data packets.

[0096] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be assigned as a common setting for all sidelink terminal devices operating in the same unlicensed band. The common setting of the sidelink terminal devices may be beneficial for the implementation of SL-U transmission and reception and the power consumption of the terminal devices.

[0097] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be pre-set. Therefore, there is no obvious signaling overhead.

[0098] Alternatively, at least one set of starting points may be set by a centralized management node. For example, at least one set of starting points may be set via a system information block (SIB) indicated by a network device. The network device may indicate one or more sets of starting points indicating the settings of each priority class described with reference to Table 1 using an SIB message.

[0099] Alternatively, at least one set of starting points may be set via radio resource control (RRC) signaling indicated by a network device of the Uu link. Alternatively, at least one set of starting points may be set via PC5 RRC signaling indicated by an RSU, a sidelink relay node, a header of a terminal device group, or a management node. For example, in the case of sidelink groupcast communication, the header device of the sidelink communication group indicates the setting of the starting point to the members of the group via PC5 RRC signaling. In another example, the sidelink relay node receives the setting of the starting point of SL-U from the network device and then transfers the setting to other sidelink terminal devices.

[0100] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be assigned to a plurality of sidelink terminal devices as group-specific settings, or may be assigned to one target terminal device as a terminal device-specific setting. This may be used for some dedicated sidelink scenarios, and doing so may increase the flexibility of SL-U transmission.

[0101] Specific settings may be indicated by a gNB, eNB, RSU, sidelink relay node, a header of a terminal device group, or a sidelink terminal device.

[0102] For example, in sidelink groupcast communication, a header device of a sidelink communication group may indicate dedicated settings of starting points to member devices of the group via PC5 RRC signaling or an SCI.

[0103] In another example, in the case of sidelink unicast communication, a terminal device that transmits a sidelink signal may indicate a starting point of unicast signaling transmission to a terminal device that receives the sidelink signal via PC5 RRC signaling or an SCI.

[0104] Alternatively, a gNB or eNB may indicate dedicated settings of starting points to a relay node via RRC signaling or DCI.

[0105] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 1100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 1100 can be implemented by a terminal device such as the first terminal device 110 shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, without loss of generality while referring to FIG. 1, the method 1100 will be described as being executed by the first terminal device 110.

[0106] In block 1110, the first terminal device 110 determines at least one set of starting points in the time domain for sidelink transmission. Each of the at least one set includes one or more starting points.

[0107] In block 1120, the first terminal device 110 transmits a sidelink transmission in at least one resource starting from one starting point in at least one set.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may determine at least one set of starting points based on at least one of the type of sidelink signal, the type of sidelink channel, the type of sidelink transmission, the priority class of the sidelink signal, the priority class of the sidelink channel, the priority class of the sidelink transmission, the size of the data packet, the priority class of the data packet, the size of the subchannel, the size of the interleaving, the identification of the second terminal device that receives the sidelink transmission, the type of the first terminal device, the bitmap indication, or the delay requirement of the sidelink transmission or data packet.

[0109] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink signal includes at least one of a sidelink control signal, a sidelink data signal, an acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement of a sidelink transmission, a sidelink channel state information signal, a sidelink system synchronization block, or a sidelink discovery signal.

[0110] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink channel includes at least one of a physical sidelink control channel, a physical sidelink shared channel, a physical sidelink feedback channel, a physical sidelink notification channel, or a physical sidelink discovery channel.

[0111] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink transmission includes at least one of a sidelink unicast transmission, a sidelink groupcast transmission, or a sidelink notification transmission.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may determine the period of the starting point in one set based on at least one of the number of resource units in the time domain or the timing interval.

[0113] In some embodiments, each of the resource units in the time domain includes at least one of a slot, a half-slot, a mini-slot, a symbol, or a basic period.

[0114] In some embodiments, the timing interval or the basic period is associated with at least one of the number of milliseconds or the number of microseconds.

[0115] In some embodiments, the boundary of the period is determined based on at least one of a system frame number, a direct frame number, an offset with respect to the boundary of the system frame number, an offset with respect to the boundary of the direct frame number, a flag signal, or a flag channel.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may determine at least one set of starting points based on at least one of a flag signal or a flag channel.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first terminal device 110 may determine the starting points in at least one set of starting points based on at least one of a one-to-one mapping between the starting points and the flag signal or a one-to-one mapping between the starting points and the flag channel.

[0118] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points includes a plurality of symbols within a single slot.

[0119] In some embodiments, the plurality of symbols includes consecutive symbols within a single slot.

[0120] In some embodiments, the plurality of symbols includes non - consecutive symbols within a single slot.

[0121] In some embodiments, the flag signal includes at least one of a sidelink system synchronization block, a system synchronization block, a preamble signal, a sidelink discovery signal, a sidelink control signal, a sidelink feedback signal, or a downlink control signal.

[0122] In some embodiments, the flag channel includes at least one of a physical sidelink control channel, a physical sidelink shared channel, a physical sidelink feedback channel, a physical sidelink notification channel, a physical sidelink discovery channel, or a physical downlink control channel.

[0123] In some embodiments, additionally, the first terminal device 110 may receive configuration information regarding at least one set of starting points from one of a network device, a roadside unit, a sidelink relay node, or a sidelink terminal device.

[0124] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be pre - configured.

[0125] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 1200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 1200 can be implemented by a terminal device such as the second terminal device 120 shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, without loss of generality while referring to FIG. 1, the method 1200 will be described as being executed by the second terminal device 120.

[0126] In block 1210, the second terminal device 120 determines at least one set of starting points in the time domain for sidelink transmission. Each of the at least one set includes one or more starting points.

[0127] In block 1220, the second terminal device 120 receives sidelink transmissions in at least one resource starting from one starting point in at least one set.

[0128] In some embodiments, the second terminal device 120 may determine at least one set of starting points based on at least one of the type of sidelink signal, the type of sidelink channel, the type of sidelink transmission, the priority class of the sidelink signal, the priority class of the sidelink channel, the priority class of the sidelink transmission, the size of the data packet, the priority class of the data packet, the size of the subchannel, the size of the interleaving, the identification of the second terminal device that receives the sidelink transmission, the type of the first terminal device, the bitmap indication, or the delay requirement of the sidelink transmission or data packet.

[0129] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink signal includes at least one of a sidelink control signal, a sidelink data signal, an acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement of a sidelink transmission, a sidelink channel state information signal, a sidelink system synchronization block, or a sidelink discovery signal.

[0130] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink channel includes at least one of a physical sidelink control channel, a physical sidelink shared channel, a physical sidelink feedback channel, a physical sidelink notification channel, or a physical sidelink discovery channel.

[0131] In some embodiments, the type of sidelink transmission includes at least one of a sidelink unicast transmission, a sidelink groupcast transmission, or a sidelink notification transmission.

[0132] In some embodiments, the second terminal device 120 may determine the period of the starting point in one set based on at least one of the number of resource units in the time domain or the timing interval.

[0133] In some embodiments, each of the resource units in the time domain includes at least one of a slot, a half-slot, a mini-slot, a symbol, or a basic period.

[0134] In some embodiments, the timing interval or the basic period is associated with at least one of the number of milliseconds or the number of microseconds.

[0135] In some embodiments, the boundary of the period is determined based on at least one of a system frame number, a direct frame number, an offset with respect to the boundary of the system frame number, an offset with respect to the boundary of the direct frame number, a flag signal, or a flag channel.

[0136] In some embodiments, the second terminal device 120 may determine at least one set of starting points based on at least one of a flag signal or a flag channel.

[0137] In some embodiments, the second terminal device 120 determines the starting point in at least one set of starting points based on at least one of a one-to-one mapping between the starting point and the flag signal or a one-to-one mapping between the starting point and the flag channel.

[0138] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points includes a plurality of symbols within a single slot.

[0139] In some embodiments, the plurality of symbols includes consecutive symbols within a single slot.

[0140] In some embodiments, the plurality of symbols includes non-consecutive symbols within a single slot.

[0141] In some embodiments, the flag signal includes at least one of a sidelink system synchronization block, a system synchronization block, a preamble signal, a sidelink discovery signal, a sidelink control signal, a sidelink feedback signal, or a downlink control signal.

[0142] In some embodiments, the flag channel includes at least one of a physical sidelink control channel, a physical sidelink shared channel, a physical sidelink feedback channel, a physical sidelink notification channel, a physical sidelink discovery channel, or a physical downlink control channel.

[0143] In some embodiments, additionally, the second terminal device 120 may receive configuration information regarding at least one set of starting points from one of a network device, a roadside unit, a sidelink relay node, or a sidelink terminal device.

[0144] In some embodiments, at least one set of starting points may be pre-configured.

[0145] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 1300 suitable for implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 1300 can be considered as a further exemplary embodiment of the terminal device 110 or the terminal device 120 shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the apparatus 1300 can be implemented in or as at least a part of the terminal device 110 or the terminal device 120.

[0146] As shown in the figure, the apparatus 1300 includes a processor 1310, a memory 1320 coupled to the processor 1310, a suitable transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) 1340 coupled to the processor 1310, and a communication interface coupled to the TX / RX 1340. The memory 1320 stores at least a part of the program 1330. The TX / RX 1340 is for bidirectional communication. The TX / RX 1340 has at least one antenna for facilitating communication, but in fact, the access node described in the present application may have a plurality of antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communicating with other network elements, for example, the X2 interface for bidirectional communication between gNBs or eNBs, the S1 interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Serving Gateway (S-GW) and a gNB or eNB, the Un interface for communication between a gNB or eNB and a Relay Node (RN), or the Uu interface for communication between a gNB or eNB and a terminal device.

[0147] The program 1330 is considered to include program instructions, and when the program is executed by the associated processor 1310, it enables the apparatus 1300 to operate according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12 herein. The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware executable by the processor 1310 of the apparatus 1300. The processor 1310 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, the combination of the processor 1310 and the memory 1320 may constitute a processing means 1350 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0148] Memory 1320 may be of any type suitable for a local technical network and may be implemented by any suitable data storage technology (examples include, but are not limited to, computer-readable non-transitory storage media, semiconductor-based storage devices, magnetic storage devices and systems, optical storage devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory, etc.). Although only one memory 1320 is shown in device 1300, multiple physically different memory modules may be installed in device 1300. Processor 1310 may be of any type suitable for a local technical network and may include, for example, but is not limited to, a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and one or more processors based on a multi-core processor configuration. Device 1300 may have multiple processors, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit chip that is temporally dependent on a clock synchronized with a master processor.

[0149] The components included in the devices and / or apparatuses of the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms including software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, one or more units may be implemented using software and / or firmware, for example, machine-readable instructions stored in a storage medium. In addition to or instead of the machine-readable instructions, some or all of the units of the device and / or apparatus may be implemented at least partially by one or more hardware logic components. For example, exemplary types of hardware logic components that can be used include, but are not limited to, FPGA (Field-programmable Gate Arrays), ASIC (Application-specific Integrated Circuits), ASSP (Application-specific Standard Products), system-on-chip systems (SOCs), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Devices), etc.

[0150] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented by hardware, and other aspects may be implemented by firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or otherwise in some pictorial representation, and the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented by, for example, hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or combinations thereof, but it will be understood that they are not limited thereto.

[0151] The present disclosure further provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules. The instructions are executed on a device on a target actual processor or virtual processor, and execute the processes or methods described above with reference to any one of FIGS. 2 to 12, for example. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of program modules may be combined or divided among program modules as needed. The machine-readable instructions of program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located on either local or remote storage media.

[0152] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure may be described in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or a controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing devices. When the program code is executed by the processor or the controller, the functions / operations defined in the flowchart and / or block diagram are implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, executed as an independent software package, partially executed on a machine and partially executed on a remote machine, or entirely executed on a remote machine or server.

[0153] The above-mentioned program code may be embodied on a machine-readable medium, and the machine-readable medium may be any tangible medium that includes or stores a program used by an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, or a program used in combination therewith. 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, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the machine-readable storage medium include one or more wires, portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0154] Note that, although the operations have been described in a particular order, it should not be understood that these operations are required to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence, or that all of the operations shown are required to obtain a desired result. In some situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although the foregoing discussion includes details of several specific embodiments, these are not limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather explanations of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Some of the features described in the context of individual embodiments may be implemented in combination in one embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of one embodiment may be implemented separately in a plurality of embodiments or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0155] Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first terminal device, comprising: means for receiving first configuration information indicating a first number of multiple slots for transmitting a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH); means for receiving second configuration information indicating two start symbols for transmitting a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) within a slot; means for attempting to transmit the PSFCH over the first number of multiple slots in response to receiving the PSSCH; and the first terminal device.

2. The means for attempting to transmit the PSFCH comprises: means for attempting to transmit the PSFCH in a certain slot within the first number of multiple slots in response to receiving the PSSCH, The first terminal device according to Claim 1.

3. The means for attempting to transmit the PSFCH comprises: means for executing a channel access procedure before transmitting the PSFCH, The first terminal device according to Claim 1.

4. The two start symbols within the slot are symbol 0 and symbol 7, The first terminal device according to Claim 1.

5. A second terminal device, comprising: means for receiving first configuration information indicating a first number of multiple slots for receiving a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH); means for receiving second configuration information indicating two start symbols for transmitting a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) within a slot; means for receiving the PSFCH over the first number of multiple slots in response to transmitting the PSSCH; and the second terminal device.

6. The two start symbols within the slot are symbol 0 and symbol 7, The second terminal device according to Claim 5.

7. A method performed by a first terminal device, comprising: receiving first configuration information indicating a first number of multiple slots for transmitting a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH); receiving second configuration information indicating two start symbols for transmitting a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) within a slot; attempting to transmit the PSFCH over the first number of multiple slots in response to receiving the PSSCH; and the method.

8. Attempting to transmit the PSFCH comprises: attempting to transmit the PSFCH in the slot over the first number of multiple slots in response to the receiving of the PSSCH, The method according to claim 7.

9. Attempting to transmit the PSFCH includes performing a channel access procedure before transmitting the PSFCH, The method according to claim 7.

10. The two start symbols in the slot are symbol 0 and symbol 7, The method according to claim 7.

11. A method performed by a second terminal device, receiving first configuration information indicating a first number of a plurality of slots for physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) reception, receiving second configuration information indicating two start symbols for transmission of a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) within the slot, receiving the PSFCH over the first number of the plurality of slots in response to transmission of the PSSCH, including method.

12. The two start symbols in the slot are symbol 0 and symbol 7, The method according to claim 11.

Images