Sidelink Resource Allocation on Unlicensed Spectrum With Interlace Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The design of a resource allocation framework for sidelink (SL) operation on unlicensed/shared spectrum (SL-U) is critical due to the differences between legacy NR unlicensed (NR-U) and SL frameworks, necessitating a fundamental premise to ensure effective SL operation on unlicensed spectrum.

Innovation Solution

A resource allocation framework is developed for sidelink transmission, dividing the SL-U bandwidth into resource pools and guard bands, with interlaces and sub-channels configured per resource block set, and utilizing interlace-based transmission with sub-channel indexing and indication through System Information Block (SIB), Radio Resource Control (RRC), and MAC Control Element (MAC-CE) for efficient resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the SL-U bandwidth is divided into multiple resource pools and RB sets with guard bands, then resource allocation flexibility and interference management are improved, but the system complexity and configuration overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The SL-U bandwidth is segmented into multiple resource pools (RPs) and resource block (RB) sets, with each segment independently configurable. Guard bands are inserted between RPs and within RB sets to provide isolation. This segmentation enables flexible resource allocation while managing interference through structured division of the frequency spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resource allocation framework employs dynamic configuration where the number of RPs, RB sets, and guard band positions can be adapted based on channel conditions and traffic requirements. Sub-channels are dynamically assigned within RB sets, allowing the system to optimize resource distribution in real-time while maintaining a manageable configuration structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If interlace-based transmission with sub-channel indexing is implemented, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but the signaling overhead and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Interlaces are pre-configured and indexed within each RB set, with sub-channel indices assigned in advance. This preliminary structuring of resources allows for efficient allocation by simply indicating the interlace index and sub-channel index through signaling, rather than specifying individual resource blocks, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining allocation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interlace structure serves as an intermediary layer between the physical resource blocks and the logical sub-channels. By introducing interlaces as a intermediate organization unit with cyclic indexing, the system enables compact resource indication through indices rather than explicit resource block lists, reducing signaling overhead while preserving allocation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If guard bands are inserted between resource pools and RB sets, then interference between adjacent resources is reduced, but the usable bandwidth and spectral efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference managementVSAvoidusable bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Guard bands are selectively inserted at specific locations where interference is most likely to occur, such as between resource pools and within RB sets, rather than uniformly across the entire bandwidth. This localized approach provides interference protection where needed while minimizing the impact on overall usable bandwidth. The positioning and sizing of guard bands can be optimized based on local interference conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12538285B2Resource allocation for sidelink on unlicensed spectrum

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE LTD

AI summary

A method can include determining a resource allocation framework for sidelink communication, allocating resources in a resource grid for PSCCH, PSSCH, or PSFCH based on the framework, and transmitting a sub-channel index and an RB set index to indicate resource allocation information of the PSCCH, the PSSCH, or the PSFCH over an SL-U spectrum, wherein the resource allocation framework comprising at least one SL-U CC including an SL-U BWP including X indexed RBs, the SL-U BWP being divided into Y indexed RPs and at least one inter-RP GB when to Y being an integer greater than 1, each RP being divided into N indexed RB sets and at least one intra-cell GB when N being an integer greater than 1, K indexed interlaces configured to map the RBs cyclically per RP, and sub-channels configured to map the interlaces per RB set and cyclically across different RB set per RP.