Sidelink Pre-emption via PSFCH Indication for 5G NR Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 3GPP 5G NR technology lacks a detailed pre-emption mechanism for resource allocation between user equipment (UEs) in sidelink communications, leading to inefficiencies in accessing reserved resources for high-priority transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for implementing a pre-emption mechanism in sidelink communications, where a UE receives sidelink control information (SCI) indicating reserved resources, determines if these resources can be pre-empted, and transmits a pre-emption indication (PI) on the physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) to pre-empt these resources for higher priority transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pre-emption mechanism is implemented for resource allocation between UEs in sidelink communications, then higher priority transmissions can access reserved resources efficiently, but the system complexity increases due to the need for PI transmission and monitoring protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-emption indication (PI) as an intermediary signal transmitted on the PSFCH channel. This PI acts as a mediator between the transmitting UE that needs to pre-empt resources and the receiving UE that has reserved resources. The PI carries essential pre-emption information without requiring complex direct negotiation protocols, thereby resolving the contradiction by enabling efficient resource pre-emption while maintaining manageable system complexity through a standardized indication mechanism.
2Reliability
If detailed pre-emption mechanisms are added to 3GPP 5G NR sidelink communications, then resource access for high-priority transmissions is improved, but the overhead of control signaling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing PSFCH (Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel) infrastructure to carry pre-emption indications. By making the PSFCH multi-functional - serving both its original purpose for HARQ feedback and the new function for transmitting PI - the system achieves reliable high-priority transmission access without adding separate dedicated control channels. This universal usage approach improves reliability while minimizing additional control signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the existing PSFCH signal parameters to encode pre-emption information. Instead of creating a completely new control mechanism, the system changes the parameter space of the existing PSFCH to include pre-emption indication capabilities. This approach allows the system to convey additional control information (pre-emption status) by utilizing unused or underutilized parameter dimensions of the existing channel, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present application are related to a method and apparatus for pre-empting a resource of a user equipment (UE) supporting New Radio (NR). A method for sidelink communications performed by a UE according to an embodiment of the present application includes: receiving a sidelink control information (SCI) indicating one or more reserved resources, wherein the SCI explicitly or implicitly indicates a pre-emption indication (PI) resource on physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH); determining whether the one or more reserved resources can be pre-empted; upon determining that the one or more reserved resources can be pre-empted, transmitting a PI on the PI resource on the PSFCH to pre-empt the one or more reserved resources; and performing a sidelink transmission on the pre-empted one or more reserved resources.