Methods and apparatuses for determining beam indication application time, and device and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the present application are methods and apparatuses for determining a beam indication application time, and a device and a storage medium. A method comprises: a first device sending beam indication information to a second device; the first device receiving response information sent by the second device for the beam indication information; and the first device determining that the application start time of an indicated beam is a first slot after at least a specific time interval after a specified time, wherein the specified time comprises the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent, and the beam indication information is carried by means of at least one of the following: SCI, and a first MAC CE.

Description

Method, device, equipment and storage medium for determining beam indication application time

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the Patent Office of China on September 22, 2023, with application number 202311247613.0 and titled “Method, device, equipment and storage medium for determining beam indication application time”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, device and storage medium for determining beam indication application time. Background Art

[0004] Sidelink (SL) communication systems can operate in the millimeter wave frequency band. Since the millimeter wave band has a short wavelength and high propagation loss, introducing beamforming in SL communication can overcome the path loss caused by high-frequency transmission and increase the coverage of SL communication.

[0005] Beam-based SL communication requires determining the beam to be used for SL transmission and indicating the beam to be used during SL transmission, a process known as beam indication. However, current related technologies present the following problem: the transmitter in SL communication cannot determine whether the receiver has successfully decoded the beam indication information. This can lead to inconsistent understanding of the application time of the beam indication between the transmitter and receiver, resulting in degraded communication performance. Therefore, ensuring consistent understanding of the application time of the beam indication between the transmitter and receiver is an urgent issue in SL communication.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present application provide a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for determining a beam indication application time.

[0008] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining the application time of a beam indication, including: a first device sends beam indication information to a second device; the first device receives response information sent by the second device for the beam indication information; the first device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is sent; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, first MAC CE.

[0009] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining the application time of a beam indication, including: a second device receives beam indication information sent by a first device; the second device sends response information to the first device for the beam indication information; the second device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, first MAC CE.

[0010] In the third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for determining the application time of a beam indication, including: a sending module for sending beam indication information to a second device; a receiving module for receiving response information sent by the second device for the beam indication information; a determination module for determining that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is sent; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, first MAC CE.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for determining the application time of a beam indication, comprising: a receiving module for receiving beam indication information sent by a first device; a sending module for sending response information for the beam indication information to the first device; a determining module for determining that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, first MAC CE.

[0012] In the fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication node, comprising: a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, it implements the steps of the method for determining the beam indication application time provided in the first and second aspects of the embodiments of the present application.

[0013] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method for determining the beam indication application time provided in the first and second aspects of the embodiments of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG1 is a flow chart of a method for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] FIG2 is another flowchart of a method for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing a principle of a process for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] FIG4 is another schematic diagram of the principle of a process for determining the beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] FIG5 is another schematic diagram of a process for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] FIG6 is another schematic diagram of a process for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] FIG8 is another structural diagram of a device for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The method for determining the beam indication application time provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to SL communication using the fourth-generation mobile communication technology (4G) long term evolution (LTE) technology, SL communication using the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) new radio (NR) technology, and SL communication using the sixth-generation mobile communication technology (6G) that may appear in the future. The embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0025] FIG1 is a flow chart of a method for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the method may include:

[0026] S101. A first device sends beam indication information to a second device.

[0027] S102. The first device receives response information sent by the second device to the beam indication information.

[0028] S103: The first device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after the designated time and at least a specific time interval.

[0029] The specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: sidelink control information (Sidelink control information, SCI), the first medium access control element (Medium Access Control Control Element, MAC CE).

[0030] The above-mentioned beam indication information can be a transmission configuration indication state (TCI state) indication, or an SL reference signal indication. For example, the beam can be indicated by a reference signal resource, or it can be understood that: the beam can be indicated by an index of a TCI state, or by an index of an SL reference signal. The SL reference signal can be an SL reference signal sent by a first device, or an SL reference signal sent by a second device. The SL reference signal includes at least one of the following: a channel state information reference signal (Channel State Information Reference Signal), a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and a SL synchronization signal block (Sidelink-Synchronization Signal / PSBCH Block, S-SSB). Each TCI state configuration includes at least one quasi co-location (QCL) information, and each QCL information corresponds to an SL reference signal and a QCL type; or each TCI state configuration includes a configuration parameter of an SL reference signal (for example, an index of an SL reference signal).

[0031] Optionally, the first device indicates / configures one or more beams to the second device through higher-layer signaling, and then indicates one of the beams through the SCI and / or the first MAC CE. For example, taking the beam indication through the TCI state as an example, the first device indicates / configures one or more TCI states to the second device through higher-layer signaling, and then the first device indicates one of the TCI states (e.g., indicating a TCI state index) through the SCI and / or the first MAC CE.

[0032] Optionally, the first device provides a quasi-co-located SL reference signal for the SL signal or channel sent by the first device through the beam indicated by the SCI and / or the first MAC CE. For example, taking the beam indicated by the TCI state as an example, the first device provides a quasi-co-located SL reference signal for the SL signal or channel sent by the first device through the TCI state indicated by the SCI and / or the first MAC CE. That is, the SL signal or channel sent by the first device has a QCL relationship with the SL reference signal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the SCI and / or the first MAC CE (for example, corresponding to the same transmit beam and / or receive beam, or the same large-scale parameters, etc.), that is, the second device can receive the SL signal or channel sent by the first device according to the indicated TCI state.

[0033] Optionally, the beam indicated by the SCI and / or the first MAC CE of the first device provides a reference for determining the spatial filter of the SL signal or channel sent by the second device to the first device. For example, taking the beam indicated by the TCI state as an example, the TCI state indicated by the first device through the SCI and / or the first MAC CE provides a reference for determining the spatial filter of the SL signal or channel sent by the second device to the first device. The second device can determine the spatial filter of the SL signal or channel sent by the second device to the first device based on the reference signal corresponding to the indicated TCI state, that is, the second device can send the SL signal or channel to the first device according to the indicated TCI state.

[0034] Optionally, beam indication information can be carried via the SCI. For example, using the TCI state as an example, the first device can indicate one of N1 TCI states to the second device via the SCI. The N1 TCI states (i.e., the TCI state list) can be indicated by the first device via PC5-RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, or via a MAC CE, or by indicating N TCI states via PC5-RRC and then activating the N1 TCI states via a MAC CE.

[0035] Optionally, the beam indication information may also be carried by the first MAC CE. For example, taking the beam indication by TCI state as an example, the first device indicates one of N1 TCI states to the second device via the first MAC CE. The N1 TCI states may be indicated by the first device via PC5-RRC signaling.

[0036] Optionally, the beam indication information may also be carried simultaneously through the SCI and the first MAC CE. For example, taking the beam indicated by the TCI state as an example, the first device indicates one of N1 TCI states to the second device through the SCI and the first MAC CE (for example, indicating the same TCI state through the SCI and the first MAC CE). The N1 TCI states may be indicated by the first device through PC5-RRC signaling.

[0037] Optionally, the beam indication information may indicate a TCI indication or a pair of TCI states; for example, when indicating a pair of TCI states, one TCI state corresponds to a link from the first device to the second device, and the other TCI state corresponds to a link from the second device to the first device.

[0038] Optionally, after receiving the beam list (for example, containing more than one beam) configuration provided by the first device through high-layer signaling, and before applying the indicated beam from the configured beam, the second device may assume that the SL channel (for example, the demodulation reference signal of the SL channel) or SL reference signal to which the indicated beam is applied is quasi-co-located or corresponds to the same spatial filter as the transmit beam of the first device or the receive beam of the second device determined in the initial beam training process or the beam failure recovery process.

[0039] Optionally, after receiving the beam list (e.g., containing more than one beam) configuration provided by the first device through high-layer signaling, and before applying the indicated beam from the configured beams, the second device may assume that the SL channel (e.g., the demodulation reference signal of the SL channel) or the SL reference signal to which the indicated beam is applied adopts a predefined (or default) spatial filter. For example, the predefined spatial filter may be the TCI state with the smallest index, the TCI state with the largest index, or the TCI state with a specific index in the TCI state list indicated / configured by the first device to the second device.

[0040] Optionally, after the indicated beam begins to be applied, it remains in effect until the beam indicated by the new beam indication information begins to be applied. For example, if the new beam indication information indicates a different beam, if the beam indicated by the new beam indication information is the same as the beam currently being applied, the new beam indication information is ignored, or the beam indicated by the new beam indication information is considered to have already taken effect.

[0041] The above-mentioned specific time interval is the time interval X, and the unit of X can be OFDM symbol (abbreviated as symbol), millisecond or time slot, etc. This application does not limit the unit of X. The above-mentioned X is a positive integer. For example, the value of X is related to the capability of the SL UE (for example, the first device and / or the second device), or is configured or indicated by the first device (for example, through PC5-RRC signaling) to the second device, or is configured or indicated by the second device to the first device, or the network configures the value of X for the SL UE, or preconfigures the value of X, or predefines the value of X. This embodiment does not limit the method for determining X.

[0042] The first device sends beam indication information to the second device, and the first device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam after receiving the response information of the second device. The start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot at least after a specific time interval after the time corresponding to the response information, or the first time slot at least after a specific time interval after the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is sent. For example, starting from the first time slot at least X symbols after the last symbol of the response information, the first device uses or sends an SL signal or channel to the second device using the indicated beam; optionally, the first device can also use or receive the SL signal or channel sent by the second device based on the indicated beam.

[0043] Optionally, the first device receives the response information for the beam indication information sent by the second device, including: within a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent, the first device receives the response information for the beam indication information sent by the second device. For example, the first device receives the response information for the beam indication information sent by the second device within Y time slots at the latest after sending the beam indication information (the latest time point is called the delay boundary). The value of Y is configured or indicated to the second device by the first device, or configured or indicated to the first device by the second device, or the network configures the value of Y for the first device or the second device, or preconfigures the value of Y, or predefines the value of Y. This embodiment does not limit the method for determining the value of Y. Optionally, in the case of receiving the response information for the beam indication information, the first device determines that the indicated beam starts to be applied in the first time slot at least X symbols after the end time of Y time slots after sending the beam indication information. For another example, the first device receives response information for the beam indication information sent by the second device within a time window consisting of time slots Y1 to Y2 after sending the beam indication information (a total of Y2-Y1+1 time slots), where the values ​​of Y1 and Y2 are configured or indicated to the second device by the first device, or configured or indicated to the first device by the second device, or the network configures or preconfigures the values ​​of Y1 and Y2 for the first device or the second device, or predefines the values ​​of Y1 and Y2. This embodiment does not limit the method for determining the values ​​of Y1 and Y2. Upon receiving the response information for the beam indication information, the first device determines that the indicated beam is to be applied starting from the first time slot that is at least X symbols after the end time of the Y2th time slot after sending the beam indication information.

[0044] Optionally, when the beam indication information is carried by SCI, the response information is one of the following: hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information corresponding to the physical side link shared channel (PSSCH) scheduled by the SCI carrying the beam indication information, and HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI carrying the beam indication information. That is, when the beam indication information is carried by SCI, as long as the first device receives the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI sent by the second device, it can determine the start application time of the indicated beam. Regardless of whether the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information (ACK) or negative acknowledgement information (NACK). When the beam indication information is carried by SCI, regardless of whether the SCI schedules the PSSCH, as long as the first device receives the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI sent by the second device, it can determine the start application time of the indicated beam.

[0045] Optionally, when the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the response information is HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information. That is, when the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the first device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam only when the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE is received and indicated as ACK.

[0046] Optionally, the above-mentioned response information may also be confirmation information for the beam indication information. Optionally, the confirmation information is carried by the second MAC CE. That is, regardless of whether the beam indication information is carried by the SCI or by the first MAC CE, the first device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam as long as it receives the confirmation information (e.g., ACK) for the beam indication information carried by the second MAC CE. The second MAC CE is transmitted through the PSSCH. Optionally, the confirmation information carried by the second MAC CE also includes information of the indicated beam, so that the first device can determine the beam indication information corresponding to the confirmation information.

[0047] Optionally, the first device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot at least after a specific time interval after the specified time, and at least one of the following conditions must be met: the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D; when the indicated beam is used to determine the spatial filter of the SL signal / channel sent by the second device to the first device, the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D; the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to at least one of the one or more beams indicated / configured to the second device by the first device through high-layer signaling is type D; the indicated beam is different from the previously indicated beam.

[0048] Optionally, when the response information is HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI, or when the response information is HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI, or when the response information is HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE (collectively referred to as "the case where the response information is HARQ feedback information"), it also includes at least one of the following: the first device expects to receive HARQ feedback information; the first device expects the priority of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information to be a specific value; the first device does not expect the HARQ feedback to be disabled; the first device does not expect not to receive HARQ feedback information due to the priority of the feedback channel; the priority of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information is a specific value; the high-level parameter indicates enabling HARQ feedback; the SCI indicates enabling HARQ feedback; for SCI-associated PSSCH transmission, HARQ feedback is always enabled; for the PSSCH carrying the first MAC For example, in the case of a PSSCH transmission of a CE, HARQ feedback is always enabled; the SCI is the SCI associated with the PSSCH transmission for enabling HARQ feedback (for example, the SCI associated with the PSSCH transmission for enabling HARQ feedback selected by the first device carries beam indication information); the first MAC CE is the MAC CE carried by the PSSCH transmission for enabling HARQ feedback (for example, the MAC CE included in the PSSCH transmission for enabling HARQ feedback selected by the first device carries beam indication information). For example, in the case where the SCI associated with the PSSCH or the MAC CE included in the PSSCH carries beam indication information, regardless of whether HARQ feedback is enabled, the first device should receive the response information sent by the second device.

[0049] Among them, the above-mentioned specific value is a value determined by configuration or pre-configuration or predefined. For example, the specific value is 1, that is, the priority of the PSFCH corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying beam indication information has a higher priority, which can avoid or reduce the situation where the PSFCH transmission is discarded due to the low priority of the PSFCH, so that the first device and the second device have a consistent understanding of the start application time of the indicated beam (such as TCI state). In this application, configuration generally refers to the way in which a base station, access point, central node, high-level entity or other network-side entity (collectively referred to as the network in this application) notifies the user equipment (UE) of the configuration signaling, or a UE notifies another UE of the configuration signaling. Pre-configuration generally refers to the configuration information or default configuration information pre-saved by the UE. In addition, the pre-configuration can be updated through the network or other means; pre-defined refers to the configuration or parameters clearly stated in the protocol.

[0050] FIG2 is another flow chart of a method for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG2 , the method may include:

[0051] S201. The second device receives beam indication information sent by the first device.

[0052] S202. The second device sends response information to the first device regarding the beam indication information.

[0053] S203: The second device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the designated time.

[0054] The specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of a specific time window after the beam indication information is received; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, the first MAC CE.

[0055] The second device receives the beam indication information sent by the first device, and after the second device sends response information to the first device for the beam indication information (or when it is about to send response information to the first device for the beam indication information, or when it is about to send response information to the first device for the beam indication information and the response information is confirmation information), it can determine the start application time of the indicated beam. The start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the time corresponding to the response information, or the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received. For example, starting from the first time slot at least X symbols after the last symbol of the response information, the second device receives the SL signal or channel sent by the first device using or according to the indicated beam, or the second device sends the SL signal or channel to the first device using or according to the indicated beam. For example, starting from the first time slot at least X symbols after the end time of a specific time window after the beam indication information is received, the second device receives the SL signal or channel sent by the first device using or according to the indicated beam, or the second device sends the SL signal or channel to the first device using or according to the indicated beam.

[0056] Optionally, the above-mentioned X is a positive integer, for example, the value of X is related to the capability of the user equipment (for example, the first device and / or the second device), or is configured or indicated to the second device by the first device, or is configured or indicated to the first device by the second device, or the network configures the value of X for the SL user equipment, or preconfigures the value of X, or predefines the value of X. This embodiment does not limit the method for determining X.

[0057] Optionally, the second device sends response information to the first device regarding the beam indication information, including: within a specific time window after the beam indication information is received, the second device sends response information to the first device regarding the beam indication information. For example, the second device sends response information regarding the beam indication information to the first device within Y time slots at the latest after receiving the beam indication information (the latest time point is called a delay boundary), and the second device determines that the indicated beam starts to be applied in the first time slot at least X symbols after the end time of Y time slots after receiving the beam indication information. The value of Y is configured or indicated to the second device by the first device, or configured or indicated to the first device by the second device, or the network configures the value of Y for the first device or the second device, or preconfigures the value of Y, or predefines the value of Y. This embodiment does not limit the method for determining the value of Y. For another example, after receiving the beam indication information, the second device sends response information to the first device within the time window consisting of the Y1th to Y2th time slots (a total of Y2-Y1+1 time slots). The second device determines that the indicated beam starts to be applied in the first time slot at least X symbols after the end time of the Y2th time slot after receiving the beam indication information.

[0058] Optionally, when the beam indication information is carried through the SCI, the response information is one of the following: HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI carrying the beam indication information, and HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI carrying the beam indication information. That is, when the beam indication information is carried through the SCI, the second device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam as long as it sends the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI carrying the beam indication information. Regardless of whether the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information (ACK) or negative information (NACK). When the beam indication information is carried through the SCI, regardless of whether the SCI schedules the PSSCH, the second device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam as long as it sends the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI carrying the beam indication information.

[0059] Optionally, when the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the response information is HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information. That is, when the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the second device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam only when it sends the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE and the HARQ feedback information indicates ACK.

[0060] Optionally, the above-mentioned response information may be confirmation information for the beam indication information. Optionally, the confirmation information is carried by the second MAC CE. That is, regardless of whether the beam indication information is carried by the SCI or by the first MAC CE, the second device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam as long as it sends the confirmation information (ACK) for the beam indication information carried by the second MAC CE. The second MAC CE is transmitted through the PSSCH. Optionally, the confirmation information carried by the second MAC CE also includes information of the indicated beam, so that the first device can determine the beam indication information corresponding to the confirmation information.

[0061] Optionally, the second device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot at least after a specific time interval after the specified time, and at least one of the following conditions must be met: the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D; when the indicated beam is used to determine the spatial filter of the SL signal / channel sent by the second device to the first device, the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D; the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to at least one of the one or more beams indicated / configured by the first device to the second device through high-layer signaling is type D; the indicated beam is different from the previously indicated beam.

[0062] Optionally, when the response information is HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by SCI, or when the response information is HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI, or when the response information is HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE (collectively referred to as "the case where the response information is HARQ feedback information"), it also includes at least one of the following: the second device expects to send HARQ feedback information; the second device expects the priority of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information to be a specific value; the second device does not expect the HARQ feedback to be disabled; the second device does not expect not to receive HARQ feedback information due to the priority of the feedback channel; the priority of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information is a specific value; the high-level parameter indicates enabling HARQ feedback; the SCI indicates enabling HARQ feedback; for PSSCH transmission associated with the SCI, HARQ feedback is always enabled; for PSSCH transmission carrying the first MAC CE, HARQ feedback is always enabled; SCI is the SCI associated with the PSSCH transmission that enables HARQ feedback; the first MAC CE is the MAC carried by the PSSCH transmission that enables HARQ feedback For example, when the SCI associated with the PSSCH or the PSSCH contains a MAC CE carrying beam indication information, the second device should send response information to the first device regardless of whether HARQ feedback is enabled.

[0063] Optionally, one beam indication information corresponds to a specific time window.

[0064] Optionally, a specific time window corresponds to a beam indication information.

[0065] Optionally, when a specific time window corresponds to multiple beam indication information, the multiple beam indication information need to indicate the same beam; or when a specific time window corresponds to multiple beam indication information, the response information sent within the specific time window is for the predetermined beam indication information. For example, the predetermined beam indication information can be the first beam indication information among the multiple beam indication information corresponding to the specific time window, or the last beam indication information, or a beam indication information determined according to a specific rule.

[0066] The following takes the beam indication information as the TCI state indication, the beam indication information is carried by the SCI, the response information is the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI, and the HARQ feedback is performed through the physical side link feedback channel (Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel, PSFCH) as an example (that is, when the SCI-scheduled PSSCH sent by the first device has feedback resources, if HARQ feedback is enabled, or HARQ feedback resources are mapped / configured, the application time of the beam indication can be determined by referring to the process described in the following embodiment):

[0067] As shown in Figure 3, the first device (UE1) sends a TCI state indication (i.e., beam indication information) in time slot n, and the TCI state indication is carried by the SCI. The second device (UE2) receives the TCI state indication, and the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication. For the second device, as long as the second device sends the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication, regardless of whether the HARQ feedback information indicates ACK or NACK, the second device can determine that the indicated beam will be applied in the first time slot at least after a specific time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH, or the second device determines that the indicated beam will be applied in the first time slot at least after the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received and at least after a specific time interval. For the first device, as long as the first device receives the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication, regardless of whether the HARQ feedback information indicates ACK or NACK, the first device can determine that the indicated beam starts to be applied in the first time slot after at least a specific time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH, or the first device determines that the indicated beam starts to be applied in the first time slot after the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is sent and at least a specific time interval, so that the first device and the second device have the same understanding of the start application time of the beam indication.

[0068] In this embodiment, for the second device, the condition that must be met for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam is that the second device will send HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication. Exemplarily, when the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication, the indicated TCI state begins application in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information.

[0069] In some embodiments, for the second device, the second device will send HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication, which is a condition that must be met to determine the start application time of the indicated beam. Optionally, other conditions need to be met, for example, the indicated TCI state is different from the previously indicated TCI state, the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D, when the indicated beam is used to determine the spatial filter of the SL signal / channel sent by the second device to the first device, the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D, the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to at least one beam among one or more beams indicated / configured by the first device to the second device through high-layer signaling is type D, etc.

[0070] Illustratively, when the second device is about to send HARQ feedback information corresponding to an SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying a TCI state indication, and the indicated TCI state is different from the previously indicated TCI state, the indicated TCI state is applied starting in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information. In this example, the first condition among the aforementioned other conditions is used as an example for description. If the second device needs to meet one or more of the aforementioned other conditions, the condition "the indicated TCI state is different from the previously indicated TCI state" in the example can be replaced by one or more of the aforementioned other conditions, and these conditions are not further described here.

[0071] In this embodiment, for the first device, receipt by the first device of HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying a TCI state indication is a condition that must be met to determine the start time of application of the indicated beam. Exemplarily, for the first device, if the first device receives HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying a TCI state indication, the indicated TCI state begins to be applied in the first time slot at least after a time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information, or the indicated TCI state begins to be applied in the first time slot at least after a time interval X after the end time of a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first device receiving HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying a TCI state indication is a mandatory condition. In some embodiments, other conditions may also be met, such as the indicated TCI state being different from the previously indicated TCI state, which are not further described here.

[0073] Exemplarily, the first device receives HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying a TCI state indication and the indicated TCI state is different from the previously indicated TCI state. The indicated TCI state is applied starting from the first time slot after at least the time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information, or the indicated TCI state is applied starting from the first time slot after the end time of a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent and at least the time interval X.

[0074] Optionally, the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information may be the last symbol or the time slot of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information. For example, the second device sends the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH through the PSFCH corresponding to the PSSCH in time slot n+K, and the indicated TCI state starts to be applied in the first time slot (for example, time slot n+K+M) at least after the time interval X after the last symbol of the PSFCH, or starts to be applied in the first time slot at least after the time interval X after the time slot where the PSFCH is located. Regardless of whether the HARQ feedback information is ACK or NACK, the first device and the second device can determine the start application time of the indicated TCI state, so that the first device and the second device have the same understanding of the start application time of the indicated TCI state. Wherein, the above-mentioned K is a positive integer. For example, the value of K is determined by the mapping relationship between the PSSCH and the feedback channel (for example, PSFCH).

[0075] In another embodiment, when the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is ACK, the second device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam (for example, the indicated TCI state starts to be applied in the first time slot at least after the time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information).

[0076] In this embodiment, the second device must send HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying a TCI state indication, and the HARQ feedback information must be ACK. Alternatively, other conditions may also need to be met, such as the indicated TCI state being different from the previously indicated TCI state.

[0077] In this embodiment, for the second device, if the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication and the HARQ feedback information is ACK, the second device can determine the start application time of the indicated TCI state.

[0078] In this embodiment, for the first device, if the first device receives HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication and the HARQ feedback information is ACK, the first device can determine the start application time of the indicated TCI state (for example, the indicated TCI state starts to be applied in the first time slot at least after the time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information).

[0079] In this embodiment, the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information may be the last symbol or the timeslot of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information. For example, the indicated TCI state may be applied starting from the first timeslot at least after a time interval X after the last symbol of the PSFCH, or starting from the first timeslot at least after a time interval X after the timeslot where the PSFCH is located.

[0080] In some embodiments, the priority of the PSFCH corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication is a specific value. The specific value is a value determined by configuration, pre-configuration, or pre-defined. For example, the specific value is 1, i.e., the priority of the PSFCH corresponding to the SCI-scheduled PSSCH carrying the beam indication information has a higher priority. This can avoid or reduce the situation where the PSFCH transmission is discarded due to the low priority of the PSFCH, so that the first device and the second device have a consistent understanding of the application time of the indicated beam (e.g., TCI state).

[0081] The following takes the beam indication information as the TCI state indication, the beam indication information is carried by the SCI, the response information is the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI, and the HARQ feedback is performed through the PSFCH as an example (that is, when the SCI sent by the first device or the reference signal indicated by the SCI or the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI has feedback resources, if HARQ feedback is enabled, or the HARQ feedback resource is mapped / configured, the application time of the beam indication can be determined by referring to the process described in the following embodiment):

[0082] As shown in Figure 4 , a first device sends a TCI state indication in time slot n, carried by the SCI. If a second device successfully decodes the SCI, the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI. For example, the second device receives an SCI that carries the TCI state indication. Only after the SCI is successfully decoded can the second device obtain the TCI state indication and send HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI. The indicated TCI state then applies starting in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI, or starting in the first time slot that is at least a time interval after the end of a specific time window following the reception of the beam indication information. As long as the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI (for example, feedback is only sent upon successful decoding of the SCI; therefore, HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI is generally only an ACK, not a NACK), the second device can determine the start time of the indicated TCI state. For the first device, once the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI is received, the first device can determine the start time of applying the indicated TCI state. For example, the start time of applying the indicated TCI state may be: the indicated TCI state starts applying in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information.

[0083] In this embodiment, for the second device, sending HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI is a condition that must be met to determine the start time of application of the indicated beam. For example, when the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI carrying a TCI state indication, the indicated TCI state is applied starting in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time indicated by the HARQ feedback information.

[0084] In this embodiment, for the second device, sending HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI is a necessary condition for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam. Optionally, other conditions may also need to be met, such as the indicated TCI state being different from the previously indicated TCI state, which will not be further described here.

[0085] For the first device, receipt of HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI by the first device is a condition that must be met for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam. For example, if the first device receives HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI, the indicated TCI state begins application in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information.

[0086] For the first device, receipt of HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI is a necessary condition for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam. Optionally, other conditions may also need to be met, such as the indicated TCI state being different from the previously indicated TCI state, which will not be further described here.

[0087] Optionally, the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information may be the last symbol or the time slot of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information. For example, the second device sends HARQ feedback information through the PSFCH corresponding to the SCI in time slot n+K, and the indicated TCI state is applied starting from the first time slot after at least the time interval X after the last symbol of the PSFCH (such as time slot n+K+M), or starting from the first time slot after at least the time interval X after the time slot where the PSFCH is located. Wherein, the above-mentioned K is a positive integer. For example, the value of K can be determined by the mapping relationship between the SCI and the feedback channel corresponding to the SCI (such as PSFCH), or by the mapping relationship between the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI and the feedback channel corresponding to the PSSCH (such as PSFCH).

[0088] Optionally, the PSFCH resource corresponding to the SCI can be determined based on a mapping rule between the PSFCH resource and at least one of the following: the channel where the SCI is located, the signal associated with the SCI, and the channel associated with (or scheduled by) the SCI. For example, the PSFCH resource corresponding to the SCI can be determined based on the time-frequency resources occupied by the SCI, or based on the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal indicated (or associated) by the SCI, or a PSFCH resource can be selected from the PSFCH resources corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI, or the PSFCH resource can be determined based on the identifier of at least one of the first device and the second device and the resources occupied by the SCI.

[0089] Optionally, the priority of the PSFCH corresponding to the SCI is a specific value. The specific value is a configured, preconfigured, or predefined value. For example, the specific value is 1, that is, the TCI state indication is carried by the SCI, and the PSFCH corresponding to the SCI has a higher priority, which can avoid or reduce the situation where the PSFCH transmission is discarded due to the low priority of the PSFCH, so that the first device and the second device have a consistent understanding of the application time of the indicated beam (e.g., TCI state).

[0090] In another embodiment, the second device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam only when the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI carrying the TCI state indication and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is ACK. The first device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam only when the first device receives HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI carrying the TCI state indication and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is ACK.

[0091] The following takes the beam indication information as the TCI state indication, the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the response information is the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information, and HARQ feedback is performed through the PSFCH as an example (that is, when the SCI-scheduled PSSCH sent by the first device has feedback resources, if HARQ feedback is enabled, or HARQ feedback resources are mapped / configured, the application time of the beam indication can be determined by referring to the process described in the following embodiment):

[0092] As shown in Figure 5, the first device sends a TCI state indication in time slot n, and the TCI state indication is carried by the first MAC CE. After the second device successfully decodes the first MAC CE, the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE. When the HARQ feedback information indicates ACK, the indicated TCI state starts to be applied in the first time slot after at least the time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH, or the indicated TCI state starts to be applied in the first time slot after the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received and at least the specific time interval.

[0093] For the second device, the condition that must be met for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam is that the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the HARQ feedback information is ACK. Exemplarily, when the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the HARQ feedback information is ACK, the indicated TCI state begins application in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information.

[0094] For the second device, the condition for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam is that the second device sends HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the HARQ feedback information is ACK. Optionally, other conditions must also be met, such as the indicated TCI state being different from the previously indicated TCI state. For details, please refer to the description of the above embodiment, and this embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0095] For the first device, receiving HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE and the HARQ feedback information being ACK is a condition that must be met to determine the start time of applying the indicated beam. For example, if the first device receives HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE and the HARQ feedback information is ACK, then the indicated TCI state begins to apply in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information.

[0096] For the first device, receiving HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the HARQ feedback information being ACK, is a necessary condition for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam. Optionally, other conditions may also need to be met, such as, for example, the indicated TCI state being different from the previously indicated TCI state. For details, please refer to the description of the above embodiment, and this embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0097] Optionally, the time corresponding to the HARQ feedback information may be the last symbol or the time slot of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information. For example, the second device sends HARQ feedback information through the PSFCH corresponding to the PSSCH in time slot n+K, and the HARQ feedback information indicates ACK, and the indicated TCI state is applied starting from the first time slot after at least the time interval X after the last symbol of the PSFCH, or starting from the first time slot after at least the time interval X after the time slot where the PSFCH is located. Wherein, K is a positive integer, for example, the value of K is determined by the mapping relationship between the PSSCH and the feedback channel (e.g., PSFCH).

[0098] Optionally, the priority of the PSFCH corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the TCI state indication (for example, the PSSCH carries the first MAC CE, and the first MAC CE carries the TCI state indication) is a specific value. Optionally, the specific value is a value determined by configuration, pre-configuration, or predefined. For example, the specific value is 1, that is, when the TCI state indication is carried by the first MAC CE, the PSFCH corresponding to the PSSCH containing the first MAC CE has a higher priority, which can avoid or reduce the situation where the PSFCH transmission is discarded due to the low priority of the PSFCH, so that the first device and the second device have a consistent understanding of the start application time of the indicated beam (for example, the TCI state).

[0099] The following takes the beam indication information as the TCI state indication, the beam indication information is carried by the SCI or the first MAC CE, and the response information is the confirmation information for the beam indication information sent by the second MAC CE as an example (that is, when the SCI-scheduled PSSCH sent by the first device has no feedback resources, such as HARQ feedback is disabled, no HARQ feedback resource is mapped / configured, and the application time of the beam indication can be determined by referring to the process described in the following embodiment, or regardless of whether there is a HARQ feedback resource or whether HARQ feedback is enabled, the application time of the beam indication can always be determined by referring to the process described in the following embodiment, that is, for SL communication, the application time of the beam indication can always be determined by referring to the process described in the following embodiment):

[0100] As shown in Figure 6, the first device sends a TCI state indication in time slot n, and the TCI state indication is carried by SCI or the first MAC CE; after the second device successfully decodes the beam indication information, the second device sends confirmation information for the TCI state indication through the second MAC CE, and the indicated TCI state starts to be applied in the first time slot after at least the time interval X after the time corresponding to the confirmation information, or the indicated TCI state starts to be applied in the first time slot after the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received and at least the specific time interval.

[0101] For the second device, sending confirmation information for the TCI state indication is a condition that must be met to determine the start time of application of the indicated beam. For example, when the second device sends confirmation information for the TCI state indication, the indicated TCI state begins application in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time indicated by the confirmation information.

[0102] For the second device, sending confirmation information regarding the TCI state indication is a necessary condition for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam. Optionally, other conditions may also need to be met, such as, for example, the indicated TCI state being different from the previously indicated TCI state. For details, refer to the description of the above embodiment and are not further elaborated here.

[0103] For the first device, receiving confirmation information for the TCI state indication is a condition that must be met to determine the start time of application of the indicated beam. For example, if the first device receives confirmation information for the TCI state indication, the indicated TCI state begins application in the first time slot that is at least a time interval X after the time indicated by the confirmation information.

[0104] For the first device, receipt of confirmation information regarding the TCI state indication is a necessary condition for determining the start time of application of the indicated beam. Optionally, other conditions may also need to be met, such as, for example, the indicated TCI state being different from the previously indicated TCI state. For details, refer to the description of the above embodiment and are not further elaborated here.

[0105] Optionally, the time corresponding to the confirmation information may be the last symbol or the timestamp of the channel (e.g., PSSCH) carrying the confirmation information. For example, the second device sends confirmation information indicating the TCI state to the first device through the second MAC CE in timeslot n+K. The indicated TCI state is applied starting from the first timeslot at least after the time interval X after the last symbol of the PSSCH carrying the second MAC CE, or the indicated TCI state is applied starting from the first timeslot at least after the time interval X after the timestamp of the PSSCH carrying the second MAC CE.

[0106] Optionally, the second device may send confirmation information for the TCI state indication within a specific time window after receiving the TCI state indication. For example, the second device sends confirmation information for the TCI state indication within Y time slots at the latest after receiving the TCI state indication (the latest time point is called a delay bound).

[0107] Optionally, the first device receives confirmation information for the TCI state indication within a specific time window after sending the TCI state indication. For example, the first device receives confirmation information for the TCI state indication within Y time slots at the latest after sending the TCI state indication (the latest time point is called a delay limit).

[0108] Optionally, the above-mentioned second MAC CE itself is confirmation information (that is, there is no need for a bit in the MAC CE to indicate confirmation information). That is, when the first device receives the second MAC CE, it is considered that the second device has obtained the indicated beam, and the first device can determine the start application time of the indicated beam. Optionally, the confirmation information can also be indicated by the bit value in the second MAC CE. For example, when the TCI state indication is successfully decoded by the second device, the second device sends a second MAC CE, and the confirmation information is indicated by a bit value (for example, a bit value of 1) in the second MAC CE, indicating that the TCI state indication is successfully decoded by the second device.

[0109] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a device for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7 , the device may include: a sending module 701 , a receiving module 702 , and a determining module 703 .

[0110] Specifically, the sending module 701 is configured to send beam indication information to the second device;

[0111] The receiving module 702 is configured to receive response information sent by the second device to the beam indication information;

[0112] The determination module 703 is used to determine that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein, the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is sent; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, the first MAC CE.

[0113] Optionally, when the beam indication information is carried by SCI, the response information is one of the following:

[0114] The HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI, and the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI.

[0115] Optionally, when the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the response information is the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information.

[0116] Optionally, the response information is confirmation information for the beam indication information.

[0117] Optionally, the confirmation information is carried by a second MAC CE.

[0118] On the basis of the above embodiment, optionally, the receiving module 702 is specifically configured to receive response information for the beam indication information sent by the second device within a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent.

[0119] Optionally, determining the start application time of the indicated beam as the first time slot at least a specific time interval after the designated time also requires satisfying at least one of the following conditions:

[0120] The quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D;

[0121] When the indicated beam is used to determine the spatial filter of the SL signal / channel sent by the second device to the first device, the quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D;

[0122] The quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to at least one beam among the one or more beams indicated / configured to the second device through high-layer signaling is type D;

[0123] The indicated beam is different from the previously indicated beam.

[0124] Optionally, when the response information is HARQ feedback information, at least one of the following is further included:

[0125] Expecting to receive HARQ feedback information;

[0126] The priority of the feedback channel carrying HARQ feedback information is expected to be a specific value;

[0127] HARQ feedback is not expected to be disabled;

[0128] It is not expected that HARQ feedback information will not be received due to the priority of the feedback channel;

[0129] The priority of the feedback channel carrying HARQ feedback information is a specific value;

[0130] The higher layer parameter indicates that HARQ feedback is enabled;

[0131] The SCI indication enables HARQ feedback;

[0132] For PSSCH transmission associated with the SCI, HARQ feedback is always enabled;

[0133] For PSSCH transmission carrying the first MAC CE, HARQ feedback is always enabled;

[0134] The SCI is an SCI associated with a PSSCH transmission that enables HARQ feedback;

[0135] The first MAC CE is a MAC CE carried by a PSSCH transmission that enables HARQ feedback.

[0136] FIG8 is another schematic diagram of the structure of an apparatus for determining a beam indication application time according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , the apparatus may include: a receiving module 801 , a sending module 802 , and a determining module 803 .

[0137] Specifically, the receiving module 801 is configured to receive beam indication information sent by the first device;

[0138] The sending module 802 is configured to send response information to the first device regarding the beam indication information;

[0139] The determination module 803 is used to determine that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein, the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, the first MAC CE.

[0140] Optionally, when the beam indication information is carried by SCI, the response information is one of the following:

[0141] The HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI, and the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI.

[0142] Optionally, when the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the response information is the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information.

[0143] Optionally, the response information is confirmation information for the beam indication information.

[0144] Optionally, the confirmation information is carried by a second MAC CE.

[0145] On the basis of the above embodiment, optionally, the sending module 802 is specifically configured to send response information for the beam indication information to the first device within a specific time window after the beam indication information is received.

[0146] Optionally, determining the start application time of the indicated beam as the first time slot at least a specific time interval after the designated time also requires satisfying at least one of the following conditions:

[0147] The quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D;

[0148] When the indicated beam is used to determine the spatial filter of the SL signal / channel sent by the second device to the first device, the quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D;

[0149] The first device indicates / configures the second device through high-layer signaling that the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to at least one beam among the one or more beams is type D;

[0150] The indicated beam is different from the previously indicated beam.

[0151] Optionally, when the response information is HARQ feedback information, at least one of the following is further included:

[0152] Expecting to send HARQ feedback information;

[0153] The priority of the feedback channel carrying HARQ feedback information is expected to be a specific value;

[0154] HARQ feedback is not expected to be disabled;

[0155] It is not expected that HARQ feedback information will not be sent due to the priority of the feedback channel;

[0156] The priority of the feedback channel carrying HARQ feedback information is a specific value;

[0157] The higher layer parameter indicates that HARQ feedback is enabled;

[0158] The SCI indication enables HARQ feedback;

[0159] For PSSCH transmission associated with the SCI, HARQ feedback is always enabled;

[0160] For PSSCH transmission carrying the first MAC CE, HARQ feedback is always enabled;

[0161] The SCI is an SCI associated with a PSSCH transmission that enables HARQ feedback;

[0162] The first MAC CE is a MAC CE carried by a PSSCH transmission that enables HARQ feedback.

[0163] In one embodiment, an electronic device is also provided. The electronic device can be a first device or a second device, and the internal structure diagram of the electronic device can be shown in Figure 9. The electronic device 900 includes a processor, a memory, a network interface, and a database connected via a system bus. The processor of the electronic device 900 is used to provide computing and control capabilities. The memory of the electronic device 900 includes a non-volatile storage medium and an internal memory. The non-volatile storage medium stores an operating system, a computer program, and a database. The internal memory provides an environment for the operation of the operating system and computer program in the non-volatile storage medium. The database of the electronic device is used to store data generated during the determination of the beam indication application time. The network interface of the electronic device is used to communicate with an external terminal via a network connection. When the computer program is executed by the processor, a method for determining the beam indication application time is implemented.

[0164] Those skilled in the art will understand that the structure shown in Figure 9 is merely a block diagram of a partial structure related to the solution of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the electronic device to which the solution of the present application is applied. The specific electronic device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have a different component arrangement.

[0165] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0166] The first device sends beam indication information to the second device;

[0167] The first device receives response information sent by the second device to the beam indication information;

[0168] The first device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the designated time;

[0169] The specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, the first MAC CE.

[0170] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0171] The second device receives the beam indication information sent by the first device;

[0172] The second device sends response information to the first device regarding the beam indication information;

[0173] The second device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, the first MAC CE.

[0174] The computer storage medium of the embodiment of the present application can adopt any combination of one or more computer-readable media. The computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to: an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device or device, or any combination of the above. Computer-readable storage media include (non-exhaustive list): an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above. In the present application, a computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium containing or storing a program, which can be used by an instruction execution system, device or device or used in combination with it.

[0175] A computer-readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, the data signal carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may also be any computer-readable medium other than a computer-readable storage medium that can transmit, propagate, or transfer a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0176] The program code contained on the computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wire, optical cable, radio frequency (RF), etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0177] Computer program code for performing the operations of the present disclosure may be written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination of multiple programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​(such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, Ruby, Go), and conventional procedural programming languages ​​(such as "C" or similar programming languages). The program code may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a separate software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving a remote computer, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0178] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the term user terminal covers any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as a mobile phone, a portable data processing device, a portable web browser or a vehicle-mounted mobile station.

[0179] In general, various embodiments of the present application may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although the present application is not limited thereto.

[0180] Embodiments of the present application may be implemented by executing computer program instructions by a data processor of a mobile device, for example, in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0181] Any block diagram of a logical flow in the drawings of this application may represent program steps, or may represent interconnected logical circuits, modules and functions, or may represent a combination of program steps and logical circuits, modules and functions. A computer program may be stored on a memory. The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), optical memory devices and systems (digital versatile discs DVD or CD), etc. Computer-readable media may include non-transitory storage media. A data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, such as, but not limited to, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

Claims

1. A method for determining a beam indication application time, comprising: The first device sends beam indication information to the second device; The first device receives response information sent by the second device to the beam indication information; The first device determines the start application time of the indicated beam to be the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the designated time; The specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: side link control information SCI, first media access control element MAC CE.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: In the case where the beam indication information is carried by the SCI, the response information is one of the following: The hybrid automatic repeat request HARQ feedback information corresponding to the physical side link shared channel PSSCH scheduled by the SCI, and the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: In the case where the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the response information is the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The response information is confirmation information for the beam indication information.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The confirmation information is carried by the second MAC CE.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first device receives response information for beam indication information sent by the second device, including: Within a specific time window after the beam indication information is sent, the first device receives response information to the beam indication information sent by the second device.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot at least a specific time interval after the designated time, and at least one of the following conditions needs to be met: The quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D; When the indicated beam is used to determine the spatial filter of the SL signal / channel sent by the second device to the first device, the quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D; The first device indicates / configures the second device through high-layer signaling that the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to at least one beam among the one or more beams is type D; The indicated beam is different from the previously indicated beam.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: In the case where the response information is HARQ feedback information, the response information further includes at least one of the following: The first device expects to receive HARQ feedback information; The first device expects that the priority of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information is a specific value; The first device does not expect HARQ feedback to be disabled; The first device does not expect not to receive HARQ feedback information due to the priority of the feedback channel; The priority of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information is a specific value; The high-level parameter indicates that HARQ feedback is enabled; The SCI indication enables HARQ feedback; For PSSCH transmission associated with the SCI, HARQ feedback is always enabled; For the PSSCH transmission carrying the first MAC CE, HARQ feedback is always enabled; The SCI is an SCI associated with a PSSCH transmission enabling HARQ feedback; The first MAC CE is a MAC CE carried by a PSSCH transmission that enables HARQ feedback.

9. A method for determining a beam indication application time, comprising: The second device receives the beam indication information sent by the first device; The second device sends response information to the first device for the beam indication information; The second device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, the first MAC CE.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: In the case where the beam indication information is carried by the SCI, the response information is one of the following: The HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH scheduled by the SCI, and the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the SCI.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein: In the case where the beam indication information is carried by the first MAC CE, the response information is the HARQ feedback information corresponding to the PSSCH carrying the first MAC CE, and the content indicated by the HARQ feedback information is confirmation information.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The response information is confirmation information for the beam indication information.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The confirmation information is carried by the second MAC CE.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The second device sends response information to the first device for the beam indication information, including: Within a specific time window after receiving the beam indication information, the second device sends response information to the first device in response to the beam indication information.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The second device determines that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot at least a specific time interval after the designated time, and at least one of the following conditions needs to be met: The quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D; When the indicated beam is used to determine the spatial filter of the SL signal / channel sent by the second device to the first device, the quasi co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to the indicated beam is type D; The first device indicates / configures the second device through high-layer signaling that the quasi-co-location type of the SL reference signal corresponding to at least one beam among the one or more beams is type D; The indicated beam is different from the previously indicated beam.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein: In the case where the response information is HARQ feedback information, the response information further includes at least one of the following: The second device expects to send HARQ feedback information; The second device expects that the priority of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information is a specific value; The second device does not expect HARQ feedback to be disabled; The second device does not expect not to send HARQ feedback information due to the priority of the feedback channel; The priority of the feedback channel carrying the HARQ feedback information is a specific value; The high-level parameter indicates that HARQ feedback is enabled; The SCI indication enables HARQ feedback; For PSSCH transmission associated with the SCI, HARQ feedback is always enabled; For the PSSCH transmission carrying the first MAC CE, HARQ feedback is always enabled; The SCI is an SCI associated with a PSSCH transmission enabling HARQ feedback; The first MAC CE is a MAC CE carried by a PSSCH transmission that enables HARQ feedback.

17. A device for determining a beam indication application time, comprising: A sending module, used to send beam indication information to the second device; A receiving module, configured to receive response information sent by a second device to the beam indication information; A determination module is used to determine that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is sent; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, the first MAC CE.

18. A device for determining a beam indication application time, comprising: A receiving module, used to receive beam indication information sent by the first device; A sending module, configured to send response information to the first device in response to the beam indication information; A determination module is used to determine that the start application time of the indicated beam is the first time slot after at least a specific time interval after the specified time; wherein the specified time includes the time corresponding to the response information or the end time of the specific time window after the beam indication information is received; the beam indication information is carried by at least one of the following: SCI, the first MAC CE.

19. A communication node, comprising: A memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16 when executing the computer program.

20. A storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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