Sidelink Frequency Selection Under Licensed and Unlicensed Permissions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently managing sidelink communications, particularly in ensuring compliance with network policies and spectrum usage rules, especially when using both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands, due to hidden node problems and the inability of infrastructure equipment to directly measure unlicensed spectrum suitability.

Innovation Solution

A method for a communications device to determine and enforce sidelink policies by provisioning permissions for using unlicensed spectrum, allowing the device to select communication resources based on stored policies or indications, without requiring direct resource allocation by infrastructure equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If infrastructure equipment directly measures and allocates resources for sidelink communications, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but system complexity and measurement capability requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relay communications device as an intermediary between the remote communications device and infrastructure equipment. The relay device performs measurements on sidelink channels and reports results to infrastructure equipment, which then makes resource allocation decisions. This mediator approach allows accurate measurements to be made at the relay device level while keeping infrastructure equipment simpler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay communications device autonomously performs measurements of sidelink channels and evaluates resource suitability without requiring direct infrastructure equipment involvement in the measurement process. The relay device self-services the measurement function and provides processed information to infrastructure equipment for allocation decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If communications devices use both licensed and unlicensed frequency ranges for sidelink, then communication flexibility is improved, but compliance management and interference control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidcompliance management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provisions the communications device with permission information in advance, indicating which frequency ranges (licensed or unlicensed) the device is permitted to use for sidelink communications. This preliminary action allows the device to autonomously select appropriate frequency ranges without requiring real-time compliance checks, simplifying multi-frequency management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of frequency range selection based on provisioned permissions. The communications device adapts its frequency usage by selecting from licensed or unlicensed ranges according to pre-configured authorization, enabling flexible operation while maintaining compliance through parameter-based control rather than complex real-time management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If relay communications device autonomously selects resources without infrastructure equipment allocation, then resource selection speed is improved, but resource allocation control and policy compliance become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource selection speedVSAvoidpolicy compliance reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The infrastructure equipment provides resource allocation parameters and policy information to the relay communications device in advance. The relay device then autonomously selects resources based on these pre-provisioned parameters, achieving fast resource selection while ensuring policy compliance through predetermined constraints rather than real-time control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic resource allocation approach where the relay communications device autonomously selects resources based on current channel conditions and provisioned parameters. This dynamic selection enables fast adaptation to changing conditions while maintaining compliance through pre-configured policy boundaries that guide autonomous decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12520331B2Method for communications device and communications device for determining permitted use of sidelink communications

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A method for a communications device which is configurable to transmit or receive data on a sidelink using communication resources of a first frequency range and is configurable to transmit or receive data on a sidelink using communications resources of a second frequency range, the first frequency range being a licensed frequency range, and the second frequency range being an unlicensed frequency range, the method including determining that the communications device is not permitted to transmit the data on a sidelink using communication resources of the first frequency range, determining that the communications device is permitted to transmit the data on a sidelink using communication resources of the second frequency range, and transmitting or receiving data on a sidelink using communication resources of the second frequency range.