WO2022252196A1

WO2022252196A1 - Channel occupancy time sharing for transmission in unlicensed band

Info

Publication number: WO2022252196A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/098200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tao Tao; Lianghai JI; Nuno Manuel KIILERICH PRATAS; Ling Yu; Vinh Van Phan; Yong Liu; Naizheng ZHENG
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2021-06-03
Filing date: 2021-06-03
Publication date: 2022-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-03
Also published as: CN117529942A

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable storage media of COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed band. The method comprises generating assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device and transmitting the assistance information to the second device. In this way, the COT sharing mechanism can be supported without any grouping for sidelink transmission in unlicensed spectrum. Meanwhile, an efficient channel access can be achieved to make sure the coexistence fairness to other device and system.

Description

CHANNEL OCCUPANCY TIME SHARING FOR TRANSMISSION IN UNLICENSED BAND

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable storage media of Channel Occupancy Time (COT) sharing for transmission in unlicensed band.

BACKGROUND

The support for NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum has been introduced in Release 16. The NR operation in unlicensed bands relies on the transmitting device sensing the radio resources before commencing transmission. One of the sensing techniques is known as LBT.

In the complex industrial scenario, the sidelink communication in unlicensed spectrum may provide potential benefits such as coverage extension, reliability enhancement and low latency. Therefore, the study of unlicensed sidelink communication has been discussed recently.

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution of COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed band.

In a first aspect, there is provided a first device. The first device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program codes; the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to generate assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device and transmit the assistance information to the second device.

In a second aspect, there is provided a second device. The second device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program codes; the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to receive, from a first device, assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the second device; and in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission, perform the transmission within the COT.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method. The method comprises generating assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device and transmitting the assistance information to the second device.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method. The method comprises receiving, from a first device, assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the second device; and in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission, performing the transmission within the COT.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for generating assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device and means for transmitting the assistance information to the second device.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving, from a first device, assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the second device; and means for in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission, performing the transmission within the COT.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to carry out the method according to the third aspect.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to carry out the method according to the fourth aspect.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will also be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are presented in the sense of examples and their advantages are explained in greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

FIG. 2 shows a signaling chart illustrating a process of COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed band according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an example method of COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed band according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an example method of COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed band according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an example embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish functionalities of various elements. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and/or “including” , when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) :

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit (s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor (s) with software (including digital signal processor (s) ) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) hardware circuit (s) and or processor (s) , such as a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a microprocessor (s) , that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as fifth generation (5G) systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) , Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the future fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP) , for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a NR Next Generation NodeB (gNB) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. A RAN split architecture comprises a gNB-CU (Centralized unit, hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP) controlling a plurality of gNB-DUs (Distributed unit, hosting RLC, MAC and PHY) . A relay node may correspond to DU part of the IAB node.

The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE) , a subscriber station (SS) , a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) , or an access terminal (AT) . The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE) , laptop-mounted equipment (LME) , USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE) , an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD) , a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery) , an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or an automated processing chain contexts) , a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to Mobile Termination (MT) part of the integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node (a. k. a. a relay node) . In the following description, the terms “terminal device” , “communication device” , “terminal” , “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

Although functionalities described herein can be performed, in various example embodiments, in a fixed and/or a wireless network node, in other example embodiments, functionalities may be implemented in a user equipment apparatus (such as a cell phone or tablet computer or laptop computer or desktop computer or mobile IoT device or fixed IoT device) . This user equipment apparatus can, for example, be furnished with corresponding capabilities as described in connection with the fixed and/or the wireless network node (s) , as appropriate. The user equipment apparatus may be the user equipment and/or or a control device, such as a chipset or processor, configured to control the user equipment when installed therein. Examples of such functionalities include the bootstrapping server function and/or the home subscriber server, which may be implemented in the user equipment apparatus by providing the user equipment apparatus with software configured to cause the user equipment apparatus to perform from the point of view of these functions/nodes.

As mentioned above, the NR operation in unlicensed bands may rely on the transmitting device sensing the radio resources before commencing transmission, such as a LBT procedure. Especially for the sidelink communication in the unlicensed spectrum, it has been considered integrating the Listen before Talk (LBT) mechanism to enable sidelink communications in the unlicensed spectrum.

Generally, there are two broad types of LBT schemes, namely Frame Based Equipment (FBE) and Load Based Equipment (LBE) . In FBE, channel sensing is performed at fixed time instants; if the channel is busy, the transmitting device may back off for a fixed time period and senses the channel again after this period. In LBE approach, the channel sensing is performed at any time instant and random back-off is used if the channel is found busy.

More specifically, different types of LBT procedures, such as Type 1 LBT, Type 2A/2B LBT and Type 2C LBT, have been defined for NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum.

The LBT Type 1, which can also be referred to as LBT Category 4 (LBT Cat. 4) , is always used by the initiating device whenever it does not have a pre-existing COT towards the responding device.

The LBT Type 2A and LBT Type 2B, which may also be referred to as LBT Category 2 (LBT Cat. 2) , may be used in different cases. It is a form of single-shot or “fast” LBT. It is used if the initiating device and the responding device are sharing a COT, but the interval between transmissions is larger than 16us.

Furthermore, the LBT Type 2C, which may also be referred to as LBT Category 1 (LBT Cat. 1) , can be used in the case where the COT was acquired by another node. For example, if the initiating device shares the COT with the responding device and if the responding device uses the opportunity in up to 16us, there is no need to do the LBT again. The COT has a maximum duration defined in regulations.

Moreover, the LBT Type 1 is defined as a continuous sensing of the channel of a device for at least N Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) intervals. Once the channel is declared as idle, the sensing/initiating device can access the channel for a maximum time, which is also known as the MCOT. During the time, the sensing device can grant access to the responding devices can grant access to the served UEs and rely on channel COT sharing. In COT sharing conditions, the responding UEs are allowed to access the channel by performing Type 2 LBT.

The key COT sharing strategy is that the initiating device may perform Cat. 4 LBT to acquire a COT, then the responding device (based on grant from the initiating device) only requires to perform 16 us or 25 μs CCA (or even without LBT in a certain condition) before its transmission within the COT. The main benefit of COT sharing is to reduce LBT delay and LBT overhead at the responding devices.

FIG. 1 shows an example communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 100 may comprise a terminal device 110 and terminal devices 120-1 to 120-4. The terminal devices 120-1 to UE 120-3 may be located within a sensing coverage 102 of the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120-4 may be located outside the sensing coverage 102 of the terminal device 110.

In communication network 100, for example, the terminal device 110 may be considered as the COT initiating device by performing Cat. 4 LBT or Cat. 2 LBT, in case of LBE or FBE, respectively. Hereinafter the terminal device 110 may be referred to as the initiating UE 110 or a first device 110. The terminal devices 120-1 to 120-4, which may act as the COT responding devices, are able to perform transmissions within the COT initiated by the UE 110. Hereinafter the terminal devices 120-1 to 120-4 may be referred to as the responding UE 120 or a second device 120 collectively.

It is to be understood that the number of terminal devices shown in FIG. 1 is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication network 100 may include any suitable number of terminal devices.

It is to be understood that the communication network 100 may also comprise a network device (not shown) . The network device can communicate with terminal devices 110 and 120-1 to 120-4. The network device can also be considered as a COT provider or COT initiating device for the terminal devices 110 and 120-1 to 120-4.

Conventionally, the initiating device may apply a certain energy detection threshold before attempting to perform channel access, to check for the channel availability and acquire the COT. This certain energy detection threshold can protect a certain region where no strong interference was detected to occur, while guaranteeing that the transmission from the initiating device cannot generate high interference to other devices outside this region. Hence, the devices within the sensing coverage of the initiating device may share the COT.

The COT sharing information from the initiating device may be received by multiple responding devices that are sensing/monitoring sidelink channels. Furthermore, the control information carrying COT sharing information normally has extremely high hearability by surrounding devices. Hence the very far away devices may be able to receive such COT sharing information.

For example, with reference to in FIG. 1, if the UE 120-4 located outside the sensing/protection coverage of the initiating device, i.e., the UE 110 shares the COT initiated by the UE 110, the transmission from the UE 120-4 may generate high interference to other devices/system. This violates the fundamental principle behind COT sharing.

Therefore, it is expected that the responding device may determine whether the COT initiated by the initiating device is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE without pre-defining a group or cluster for COT sharing.

The present disclosure provides solutions of COT sharing. In this solution, the initiating UE may generate assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the initiating UE. The assistance information can be used for the responding UE to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the responding UE. The initiating UE may transmit the assistance information to the responding UE. The responding UE may determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the responding UE based on the assistance information and corresponding measurements. If the responding UE determines that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the responding UE, the responding UE may perform the transmission within the COT.

In this way, the COT sharing mechanism can be supported without any grouping for transmission in unlicensed spectrum. Meanwhile, an efficient channel access can be achieved to make sure the coexistence fairness to other device and system.

Principle and implementations of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 2, which shows schematic process of COT sharing. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 200 may involve the initiating UE 110 and the responding UE 120 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Hereinafter the solution of COT sharing in the unlicensed spectrum proposed in the present disclosure may be described with a scenario of the sidelink transmission in the unlicensed spectrum. It is to be understood that the solution of COT sharing in the unlicensed spectrum proposed in the present disclosure may not be limited to the sidelink transmission scenario. Any other communication scenario may also apply the COT sharing solution in the unlicensed spectrum proposed in the present disclosure. For example, for the scenario where the COT initiating device is a network device.

As mentioned above, the initiating UE 110 may perform a LBT procedure to acquire a COT. The initiating UE 110 may generate the COT sharing information and broadcast the COT sharing information to multiple responding UEs.

The initiating UE 110 may also determine a COT sharing criterion to help the responding UEs to determine whether the COT initiated by the initiating UE 110 is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE. Hereinafter the criterion may be referred to as the assistance information associated with a COT.

As shown in FIG. 2, the initiating UE 110 generates 205 the assistance information.

In some example embodiments, the assistance information may relate to a signal quality threshold, which can be used by the responding UE to determine whether the responding UE is allowed to share the COT. For example, the signal quality threshold may be referred to as a Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP) threshold.

In an option, the initiating UE 110 may determine the signal quality threshold based on the Energy Detection Threshold (EDT) used in channel access procedure of the initiating UE 110. For example, if the EDT is high, the signal quality threshold can be lower. If the EDT is low, the signal quality threshold should be higher.

As another option, the initiating UE 110 may determine the signal quality threshold based on the transmit power of the transmission. The transmission may be referred to as the sidelink transmission between the initiating UE 110 and the responding UE 120.

In some example embodiments, the initiating UE 110 may determine a range within which the responding UE may be allowed to use the COT for the transmission of the responding UE. In this case, the assistance information may relate to a sensing range of the initiating UE 110 associated with the COT sharing.

In an option, the initiating UE 110 may determine the sensing range based on the EDT associated with transmit power used for a transmission of the initiating UE 110. For example, if the EDT is high, the sensing coverage is large. Whereas, if the EDT is lower, the sensing coverage is smaller.

As another option, the sensing range may be determined based on a location relationship between the initiating UE 110 and a desired communication target of the initiating UE 110. For example, the sensing coverage should at least cover this communication target. As shown in FIG. 1, if the responding UE 120-1 is the communication target of the initiating UE 110, the initiating UE 110 may determine the sensing range based on the location relationship between the initiating UE 110 and the responding UE 120-1. The location relationship or distance between the initiating UE 110 and the desired communication target may be determined based on location information received from the desired communication target, such as zone identification (ID) of the desired communication target or based on Time of arrival (ToA) or Round Trip Time (RTT) distance measurements between the initiating UE 110 and the desired communication target.

Alternatively, the initiating UE 110 may determine the sensing range by considering a further sensing coverage of other COT providers, i.e., other initiating UEs. If the initiating UE 110 receives information about a further COT initiated by a further initiating UE, the initiating UE 110 may determine the sensing range based on the further sensing range of the further initiating UE, to avoid the overlap between the two sensing ranges.

It is also possible that the initiating UE 110 may determine the sensing range based on the location information, such as zone IDs, of the surrounding UEs. The location information of the surrounding UEs can be received from the Sidelink Control Information (SCI) and/or data payload from these surrounding UEs. Based the location information of the surrounding UEs, the initiating UE 110 may estimate the sensing range.

In some example embodiments, the initiating UE 110 may generate the assistance information based on the Channel Busy Ratio (CBR) determined by the initiating UE 110. The initiating UE 110 may determine the signal quality threshold or the sensing range associated with a COT sharing based on the channel busy ratio and therefore generate the assistance information based on the the signal quality threshold or the sensing range associated with a COT sharing. For example, with a higher level of CBR, the initiating UE 110 may determine a smaller range for COT sharing or a higher signal quality threshold.

Alternatively, the initiating UE 110 may generate the assistance information including the result of the CBR measurement, rather than determine corresponding criterion based on the result. The responding UE 120 may determine whether the COT initiated by the initiating UE 110 is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE 120 by itself based on the result of the CBR measurement.

It is also possible that the initiating UE 110 may also determine the respective LBT types for the multiple slots within the COT initiated by the initiating UE 110. For example, the LBT Type 2C may be possible for some certain slots within the COT. The initiating UE 110 may determine the slots, within which the LBT Type 2C can be applied, for example, based on criteria observed at the initiating device 110, such as RSSI levels or resource pool CBR, or based on the request by the intended responding devices.

In some example embodiments, the initiating UE 110 may determine an association between the respective listen before talk types for multiple slot within the COT and a set of reference signal quality thresholds and generate the assistance information based on the association. Alternatively, the initiating UE 110 may also determine an association between the respective listen before talk types for multiple slot within the COT and a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing and generate the assistance information based on the association.

After generating the assistance information, as shown in FIG. 2, the initiating UE 110 transmit 210 the assistance information to the responding UE 120. Then the responding UE 120 may determine 215 whether the COT initiated by the initiating UE 110 is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE 120 based on the criterion obtained from the assistance information and the corresponding measurements performed at the responding UE 120.

In some example embodiments, the responding UE 120 may obtain a signal quality threshold from the assistance information. The responding UE 120 may determine an actual signal quality of a reference signal, such as DMRS, received from the initiating UE 110 and compare the actual signal quality with the signal quality threshold. If the responding UE 120 determines that the actual signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, the responding UE 120 may determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE 120.

In some example embodiments, the responding UE 120 may obtain a sensing range associated with a COT sharing from the assistance information. In this case, the responding UE 120 may determine a location relationship between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110 to determine whether the responding UE 120 is located within the sensing range. Similarly, the location relationship between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110 can be determined based on the zone ID information of the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110or based on the ToA or RTT measurement between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110. If the responding UE 120 is located within the sensing range, the responding UE 120 may determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE 120.

In some example embodiments, the responding UE 120 may obtain priority information associated with the COT, for example, from SCI. The priority information may also help the responding UE 120 to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE 120 along with the assistance information.

For example, if the responding UE 120 obtains criterions about the signal quality or the sensing range associated with the COT sharing from the assistance information and determine the situation of the responding UE 120 cannot satisfy the criterions. However, if the responding UE 120 determines, for example, the COT is configured with a high priority value, the responding UE 120 may consider the COT as valid with a lower RSRP and/or a larger range.

Alternatively, a mapping between respective reference priority values and a set of reference signal quality thresholds or a set of reference sensing ranges associated with a COT sharing can be pre-configured for both responding UE 120 and initiating UE 110. When the responding UE 120 receives the priority information associated with the COT, the responding UE 120 may obtain a target priority value of COT and determine the corresponding target signal quality threshold or target sensing range associated with the COT sharing. The responding UE 120 may determine whether COT is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE 120 based on the target signal quality threshold or target sensing range associated with the COT sharing and other criterions about the signal quality or the sensing range associated with the COT sharing obtained from the assistance information. With the priority information, it enables a finer control of COT sharing information based on different conditions at the different responding UEs.

As mentioned above, the assistance information may include the result of CBR measurement of the initiating UE 110. Based on the result of CBR measurement from the assistance information, the responding UE 120 may also determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE 120. For example, if the channel busy ratio is less than a threshold ratio, the responding UE 120 may determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission.

If the responding UE 120 determines that the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission, the responding UE 120 may perform the transmission within the COT.

In some example embodiments, the assistant information may comprise a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference signal quality thresholds. The responding UE 120 may determine a target LBT type to be used for the LBT procedure before the transmission within the COT.

For example, the responding UE 120 may determine an actual signal quality of a reference signal, for example DMRS, received from the initiating UE 110 and determine the target listen before talk type to be used for the LBT procedure based on the mapping and the actual signal quality.

In some example embodiments, the assistant information may also comprise a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference sensing ranges associated with a COT sharing. Similarly, the responding UE 120 may determine a location relationship between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110 and determine the target listen before talk type to be used for the LBT procedure based on the mapping and the location relationship between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110.

It is also possible that if the responding UE 120 determines that the LBT Type 2C cannot applied for the COT, the responding UE 120 may also determine the COT is not suitable for the transmission of the responding UE 120 and therefore the COT is not allowed to be used for the transmission of the responding UE 120.

In this way, the COT sharing mechanism can be supported without any grouping for sidelink transmission in unlicensed spectrum. Meanwhile, an efficient channel access can be achieved to make sure the coexistence fairness to other device and system.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an example method 300 of COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed band according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 can be implemented at the first device 110 as shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

At 310, the first device generates assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device. The assistance information is used for a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a signal quality threshold based on at least one of an energy detection threshold used for a channel access procedure associated with the first device and a transmit power associated with a further transmission of the first device. The first device may further generate the assistance information based on the signal quality threshold.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on an energy detection threshold associated with a transmit power of a further transmission of the first device and generate the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.

In some example embodiments, if the first device determines that the second device is a communication target for the first device, the first device may determine a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on a location of the second device and generate the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.

In some example embodiments, if the first device determines that the first device receives information about a further COT initiated by a third device, the first device may determine a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on a further sensing range of the third device and generate the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine respective locations of at least one second device based on zone identification information of the at least one second device and a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on the respective locations. The first device may further generate the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a channel busy ratio of the first device; and determine, based on the channel busy ratio, at least one of a signal quality threshold or a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a channel busy ratio of the first device and generate the assistance information based on the channel busy ratio.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and at least one of a set of reference signal quality thresholds, or a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing; and generate the assistance information based on the mapping.

At 320, the first device transmits the assistance information to the second device.

In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an example method 400 of COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed band according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 can be implemented at the second device 120 as shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

At 410, the second device received, from a first device, assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device. The assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the second device.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain a signal quality threshold from the assistance information and determine an actual signal quality of a reference signal received from the first device. If the second device determines that the actual signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, the second device may determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing from the assistance information and determine a location relationship between the first device and the second device. If the second device determines that the second device is located within the sensing range based on the location relationship, the second device may determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain a mapping between respective reference priority values and a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing and determine a target priority value associated with COT. The second device may determine a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on the target priority value and the mapping.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain a channel busy ratio of the first device from the assistance information. If the second device determines that the channel busy ratio is less than a threshold ratio, the second device may determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission.

At 420, if the second device determines that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission, the second device performs the transmission within the COT.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain, from the assistant information, a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference signal quality thresholds and determine an actual signal quality of a reference signal received from the first device. The second device may further determine a target listen before talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the actual signal quality; and perform a listen before talk procedure based on the target listen before talk type before the transmission.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain, from the assistant information, a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing and determine a location relationship between the first device and the second device. The second device may further determine a target listen before talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the location relationship and perform a listen before talk procedure based on the target listen before talk type before the transmission.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing the method 300 (for example, implemented at the initiating UE 110) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 300. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for generating assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device and means for transmitting the assistance information to the second device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing the method 400 (for example, implemented at the responding UE 120) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a first device, assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the second device; and means for in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission, performing the transmission within the COT.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a device 500 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 500 may be provided to implement the communication device, for example the initiating UE 110 and the responding UE 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 500 includes one or more processors 510, one or more memories 540 coupled to the processor 510, and one or more transmitters and/or receivers (TX/RX) 540 coupled to the processor 510.

The TX/RX 540 is for bidirectional communications. The TX/RX 540 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements.

The processor 510 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 500 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

The memory 520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 524, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM) , a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD) , a digital video disk (DVD) , and other magnetic storage and/or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 522 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

A computer program 530 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 510. The program 530 may be stored in the ROM 520. The processor 510 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 530 into the RAM 520.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 530 so that the device 500 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIGs. 2 to 4. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

In some embodiments, the program 530 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 500 (such as in the memory 520) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 500. The device 500 may load the program 530 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 522 for execution. The computer readable medium may include any types of tangible non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. FIG. 6 shows an example of the computer readable medium 600 in form of CD or DVD. The computer readable medium has the program 530 stored thereon.

Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, device, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the methods 300-400 as described above with reference to FIGs. 3-4. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, device or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

A first device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program codes;

the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to:

generate assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device; and

transmit the assistance information to the second device.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a signal quality threshold based on at least one of the following:

an energy detection threshold used for a channel access procedure associated with the first device, or

a transmit power associated with a further transmission of the first device; and

generating the assistance information based on the signal quality threshold.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on an energy detection threshold associated with a transmit power of a further transmission of the first device; and

generating the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

in accordance with a determination that the second device is a communication target for the first device, determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on a location of the second device; and

generating the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

in accordance with a determination that the first device receives information about a further COT initiated by a third device, determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on a further sensing range of the third device; and

generating the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining respective locations of at least one second device based on zone identification information of the at least one second device;

determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on the respective locations; and

generating the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to:

determine a channel busy ratio of the first device; and

determine, based on the channel busy ratio, at least one of the following:

a signal quality threshold; and

a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a channel busy ratio of the first device; and

generating the assistance information based on the channel busy ratio.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and at least one of the following:

a set of reference signal quality thresholds, or

a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing; and

generating the assistance information based on the mapping.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.
A second device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program codes;

the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to:

receive, from a first device, assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the second device; and

in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission, perform the transmission within the COT.
The second device of Claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtain a signal quality threshold from the assistance information;

determine an actual signal quality of a reference signal received from the first device; and

in accordance with a determination that the actual signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission.
The second device of Claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtain a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing from the assistance information;

determine a location relationship between the first device and the second device; and

in accordance with a determination, based on the location relationship, that the second device is located within the sensing range, determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission.
The second device of Claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtain a mapping between respective reference priority values and a set of reference signal quality thresholds;

determine a target priority value associated with COT; and

determine a signal quality threshold based on the target priority value and the mapping.
The second device of Claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtain a mapping between respective reference priority values and a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing;

determine a target priority value associated with COT; and

determine a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on the target priority value and the mapping.
The second device of Claim 12, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtaining a channel busy ratio of the first device from the assistance information; and

in accordance with a determination that the channel busy ratio is less than a threshold ratio, determine the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission.
The second device of Claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtain, from the assistant information, a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference signal quality thresholds;

determine an actual signal quality of a reference signal received from the first device;

determine a target listen before talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the actual signal quality; and

perform a listen before talk procedure based on the target listen before talk type before the transmission.
The second device of Claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtain, from the assistance information, a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing;

determine a location relationship between the first device and the second device;

determine a target listen before talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the location relationship; and

perform a listen before talk procedure based on the target listen before talk type before the transmission.
The second device of Claim 12, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.
A method comprising:

generating assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device; and

transmitting the assistance information to the second device.
The method of Claim 20, wherein generating the assistance information comprises:

determining a signal quality threshold based on at least one of the following:

an energy detection threshold used for a channel access procedure associated with the first device, or

a transmit power associated with a further transmission of the first device; and

generating the assistance information based on the signal quality threshold.
The method of Claim 20, wherein generating the assistance information comprises:

determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on an energy detection threshold associated with a transmit power of a further transmission of the first device; and

generating the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The method of Claim 20, wherein generating the assistance information comprises:

in accordance with a determination that the second device is a sidelink communication target for the first device, determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on a location of the second device; and

generating the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The method of Claim 20, wherein generating the assistance information comprises:

in accordance with a determination that the first device receives information about a further COT initiated by a third device determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on a further sensing range of the third device; and

generating the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The method of Claim 20, wherein generating the assistance information comprises:

determining respective locations of at least one second device based on zone identification information of the at least one second device;

determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on the respective locations; and

generating the assistance information based on the sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The method of Claim 20, further comprising:

determining a channel busy ratio of the first device; and

determining, based on the channel busy ratio, at least one of the following:

a signal quality threshold; and

a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing.
The method of Claim 20, wherein generating the assistance information comprises:

determining a channel busy ratio of the first device; and

generating the assistance information based on the channel busy ratio.
The method of Claim 20, wherein generating the assistance information comprises:

determining a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and at least one of the following:

a set of reference signal quality thresholds, or

a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing; and

generating the assistance information based on the mapping.
The method of Claim 20, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.
A method comprising:

receiving, from a first device, assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the second device; and

in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission, performing the transmission within the COT.
The method of Claim 30, further comprising:

obtaining a signal quality threshold from the assistance information;

determining an actual signal quality of a reference signal received from the first device; and

in accordance with a determination that the actual signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, determining the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission.
The method of Claim 30, further comprising:

obtaining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing from the assistance information;

determining a location relationship between the first device and the second device; and

in accordance with a determination, based on the location relationship, that the second device is located within the sensing range, determining the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission.
The method of Claim 30, further comprising:

obtaining a mapping between respective reference priority values and a set of reference signal quality thresholds;

determining a target priority value associated with COT; and

determining a signal quality threshold based on the target priority value and the mapping.
The method of Claim 30, further comprising:

obtaining a mapping between respective reference priority values and a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing;

determining a target priority value associated with COT; and

determining a sensing range of the first device associated with a COT sharing based on the target priority value and the mapping.
The method of Claim 30, further comprising:

receiving a channel busy ratio of the first device from the first device; and

in accordance with a determination that the channel busy ratio is less than a threshold ratio, determining the COT is allowed to be used for the transmission.
The method of Claim 30, further comprising:

obtaining, from the assistant information, a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference signal quality thresholds;

determining an actual signal quality of a reference signal received from the first device;

determining a target listen before talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the actual signal quality; and

performing a listen before talk procedure based on the target listen before talk type before the transmission.
The method of Claim 30, further comprising:

obtaining, from the assistance information, a mapping between respective listen before talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference sensing ranges of the first device associated with a COT sharing;

determining a location relationship between the first device and the second device;

determining a target listen before talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the location relationship; and

performing a listen before talk procedure based on the target listen before talk type before the transmission.
The method of Claim 30, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.
An apparatus comprising:

means for generating an assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of a second device; and

means for transmitting the assistance information to the second device.
An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, from a first device, an assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used for the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission of the second device; and

means for in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed to be used for a transmission, performing the transmission within the COT.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method of any of claims 20-29 or the method of any of claims 30-38.