NR Sidelink Discovery Message Protocol for Direct UE Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no user plane protocol stack defined for New Radio (NR) sidelink discovery, limiting the discovery opportunities in direct communication between user equipment (UEs).

Innovation Solution

A user plane protocol stack is developed for NR sidelink discovery, enabling UEs to determine a sidelink resource and transmit a discovery message over the user plane, facilitating direct communication and discovery between UEs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If no user plane protocol stack is defined for NR sidelink discovery, then the protocol design remains simple, but discovery opportunities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery opportunitiesVSAvoidprotocol design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the user plane protocol stack to serve multiple functions: it supports both traditional base station-controlled discovery and new direct UE-to-UE discovery without base station involvement. The same protocol stack handles different discovery scenarios (with and without base station coverage), increasing adaptability while maintaining a unified protocol design rather than requiring separate protocols for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If direct UE-to-UE sidelink communication is enabled without base station assistance, then communication autonomy is improved, but reliability of discovery may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication autonomyVSAvoiddiscovery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the user plane protocol stack acts as a mediator between control plane discovery procedures and direct data plane communication. The protocol stack includes standardized fields for service identification, resource allocation, and message formatting that ensure reliable discovery even when UEs communicate directly without base station assistance. The intermediary protocol layer provides structure and reliability to autonomous discoveries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by defining specific protocol parameters within the user plane stack that can be adjusted based on discovery conditions. These parameters include service identification fields, resource allocation indicators, and message type flags that change according to whether the discovery is base station-assisted or autonomous. This allows the system to maintain reliability across different operational modes by adapting protocol parameters to the specific discovery scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260075400A1User plane protocol design for new radio (NR) sidelink discovery message

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure relate to discovery in a wireless communication network. According to one aspect, a user equipment (UE) may determine to use a service associated with a sidelink communication, determine a contents of a discovery message including an indication of the message being the discovery message for the service, and determine a sidelink resource for use to transmit the discovery message. The UE may then transmit over a user plane using the determined sidelink resource the discovery message including the indication of the message being the discovery message for the service. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.