MAC-to-PHY Beam Indication for Sidelink SCI Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack efficient methods for beam indication from MAC to PHY layer to monitor for the SCI including the one or more resource reservations of the second UE, the indication from the MAC layer to the PHY layer to monitor for the SCI including the one or more resource reservations of the second UE, the indication from the MAC layer to the PHY layer to monitor for the SCI including the one or more resource reservations of the second UE, the indication from the MAC layer to the PHY layer triggering at least one of a sensing beam, a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state, or a spatial relation, where the at least one of the sensing beam, the TCI state, or the spatial relation is associated with monitoring for the SCI including the one or more resource reservations of the second UE; and transmit a beam to a target UE on one or more resources that are selected based on the one or more resource reservations of the second UE.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus at a first user equipment (UE) receive sidelink control information (SCI) including one or more resource reservations of a second UE based on an indication from a medium access control (MAC) layer to a physical (PHY) layer to monitor for the SCI, triggering a sensing beam, a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state, or a spatial relation, and transmit a beam to a target UE on selected resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the MAC layer triggers sensing beam, TCI state, or spatial relation indications to the PHY layer for monitoring SCI, then channel sensing precision and resource allocation efficiency are improved, but the complexity of inter-layer signaling and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC layer triggers the PHY layer to monitor SCI in advance by providing sensing beam indications, TCI state indications, or spatial relation indications before actual data transmission. This preliminary action allows the receiving UE to prepare the appropriate receiving beams and spatial filters, improving channel sensing precision and resource allocation efficiency while managing signaling complexity through targeted triggering rather than continuous indication.
2Productivity
If multiple resource reservations from second UE are monitored to select transmission resources, then resource allocation efficiency and interference avoidance are improved, but the time and processing load for resource selection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving UE monitors SCI from the second UE to obtain resource reservation information, but does not need to process all possible resource parameters in full detail. Instead, the UE selectively extracts critical resource allocation information (such as time-frequency resources and spatial parameters) from the SCI messages, achieving sufficient resource allocation efficiency without incurring excessive processing time or computational load.
3Productivity
If beam transmission is performed based on selected resources from resource reservations, then spatial reuse and spectrum efficiency are improved, but the precision requirements for beam alignment and resource coordination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial relation information and TCI states as intermediary parameters that bridge the MAC layer resource allocation decisions and the PHY layer beamforming operations. These intermediaries carry spatial configuration information (such as reference signal spatial parameters) that guide the transmitting UE to align its beams with the intended receiving UE, thereby achieving accurate beam alignment and efficient spatial reuse without requiring direct complex coordination between resource selection and beamforming control.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
A first UE may receive SCI including one or more resource reservations of a second UE based on an indication from a MAC layer to a PHY layer to monitor for the SCI including the one or more resource reservations of the second UE. The indication from the MAC layer to the PHY layer may trigger at least one of a sensing beam, a TCI state, or a spatial relation. The at least one of the sensing beam, the TCI state, or the spatial relation may be associated with monitoring for the SCI including the one or more resource reservations of the second UE. The first UE may transmit a beam to a target UE on one or more resources that are selected based on the one or more resource reservations of the second UE.