WO2025195637A1

WO2025195637A1 - Beam-based communication with transverse power density following a statistical distribution

Info

Publication number: WO2025195637A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/051272
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yi Tan; Torsten WILDSCHEK; Diomidis Michalopoulos
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2024-03-18
Filing date: 2025-01-20
Publication date: 2025-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-18
Also published as: GB2639587A; GB202403832D0

Abstract

A method implemented by a user equipment is provided that includes determining at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment. The method includes determining an angle range, and a statistical distribution of power density within the angle range, based on the at least one condition. And the method includes forming beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams are directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution. A corresponding apparatus to implement a user equipment is also provided.

Description

BEAM-BASED COMMUNICATION WITH TRANSVERSE POWER DENSITY FOLLOWING A STATISTICAL DISTRIBUTION

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications and, in particular, to beam-based communication.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A telecommunications system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A telecommunications system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

[0003] In a wireless telecommunications system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). Some wireless systems can be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] A user can access the telecommunications system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier.

[0005] The telecommunications system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a telecommunications system is the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Other examples of telecommunications systems are Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced and the so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP).

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] Example implementations of the present disclosure are directed to telecommunications and, in particular, to sidelink communication. The present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following example implementations.

[0007] Some example implementations provide an apparatus to implement a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory configured to store instructions; and at least one processing circuitry configured to access the at least one memory, and execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to at least: determine at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determine an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and form beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution.

[0008] Some example implementations provide an apparatus to implement a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: means for determining at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determining means for determining an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and means for forming beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution. [0009] Some example implementations provide a method implemented by a user equipment, the method comprising: determining at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determining an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and forming beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution.

[0010] Some example implementations provide a computer-readable storage medium implemented at a user equipment, the computer-readable storage medium being non- transitory and having instructions stored therein that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to at least: determine at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determine an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and form beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution.

[0011] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying figures, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific example implementation described herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and example implementations, should be viewed as combinable unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise. [0012] It will therefore be appreciated that this Brief Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example implementations so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described example implementations are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other example implementations, aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some described example implementations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE(S)

[0013] Having thus described example implementations of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a telecommunications system that includes one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) coupled to one or more external data networks, according to some example implementations of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a deployment of a PLMN, according to some example implementations;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates sidelink communication between user equipments (UEs), according to some example implementations;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a Gaussian distribution;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates beams formed by a UE within an angle range, according to some example implementations;

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates sidelink communication between a transmit (TX) UE and a receive (RX) UE forming beams within respective angle ranges that are center aligned, according to some example implementations;

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates sidelink communication between the TX UE and the RX UE in which their respective angle ranges are center misaligned, according to some example implementations;

[0021] FIG. 8 shifting an angle range of a UE to search for another UE, according to some example implementations; [0022] FIG. 9 illustrates various types of statistical distributions that may be selected, according to some example implementations;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a signaling chart of a procedure by which a TX UE may receive a RX UE distribution, according to some example implementations;

[0024] FIGS. 11 A, 11B, 11C, 11D, HE and 1 IF are flowcharts illustrating various steps in a method implemented by a user equipment, according to various example implementations; and

[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates an apparatus according to some example implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these example implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0027] Unless specified otherwise or clear from context, references to first, second or the like should not be construed to imply a particular order. A feature described as being above another feature (unless specified otherwise or clear from context) may instead be below, and vice versa; and similarly, features described as being to the left of another feature else may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Also, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to engineering tolerances or the like.

[0028] As used herein, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, the “or” of a set of operands is the “inclusive or” and thereby true if and only if one or more of the operands is true, as opposed to the “exclusive or” which is false when all of the operands are true. Thus, for example, “[A] or [B]” is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, or if both [A] and [B] are true. Further, the articles “a” and “an” mean “one or more,” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Furthermore, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified, the terms “data,” “content,” “digital content,” “information,” and similar terms may be at times used interchangeably. The term “network” may refer to a group of interconnected computers including clients and servers; and within a network, these computers may be interconnected directly or indirectly by various means including via one or more switches, routers, gateways, access points or the like.

[0029] Reference may be made herein to terms specific to a particular system, architecture or the like, but it should be understood that example implementations of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to any of a number of systems, architectures and the like. For example, reference may be made to 3 GPP technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced, 5GNR, 5G Advanced and 6G; however, it should be understood that example implementations of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to non-3GPP technologies such as IEEE 802, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0030] Further, 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); (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); or (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.

[0031] The above 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.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a telecommunications system 100 according to various example implementations of the present disclosure. The telecommunications system generally includes one or more telecommunications networks. As shown, for example, the system includes one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) 102 coupled to one or more other external data networks 104 - notably including a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Each of the PLMNs includes a core network

(CN) 106 backbone such as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) of LTE, the 5G core network (5GC) or the like; and each of the core networks and the Internet are coupled to one or more radio access networks (RANs) 108, air interfaces or the like that implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs). As used herein, a “network device” refers to any suitable device at a network side of a telecommunications network. Examples of suitable network devices are described in greater detail below.

[0033] In addition, the system includes one or more radio units that may be varyingly known as user equipment (UE) 110, terminal device, terminal equipment, mobile station or the like. The UE is generally a device configured to communicate with a network device or a further UE in a telecommunications network. The UE may be a portable computer (e.g., laptop, notebook, tablet computer), mobile phone (e.g., cell phone, smartphone), wearable computer (e.g., smartwatch), or the like. In other examples, the UE may be an Internet of things (loT) device, an industrial loT (IIoT device), a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology, or the like. In some examples, as referenced by 3 GPP, the UE may be a narrowband loT (NB-IoT) device, an enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) device, a reduced capability (RedCap) device, an ambient loT device, or the like.

[0034] In operation, these UEs 110 may be configured to connect to one or more of the RANs 108 according to their particular radio access technologies to thereby access a particular CN 106 of a PLMN 102, or to access one or more of the external data networks 104 (e.g., the Internet). The external data network may be configured to provide Internet access, operator services, 3rd party services, etc. For example, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has classified 5G mobile network services into three categories: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra- reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC) or massive internet of things (MIoT).

[0035] Examples of radio access technologies include 3 GPP radio access technologies such as GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced, 5GNR, 5G Advanced, and 6G. Other examples of radio access technologies include IEEE 802 technologies such as IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15 (including 802.15.1 (WPAN/Bluetooth), 802.15.4 (Zigbee) and 802.15.6 (WBAN)), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ultra wideband (UWB), and the like. Generally, a radio access technology may refer to any 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G or higher generation mobile communication technology and their different versions, as well as to any other wireless radio access technology that may be arranged to interwork with such a mobile communication technology to provide access to the CN 106 of a mobile network operator (MNO).

[0036] In various examples, a RAN 108 may be configured as one or more macrocells, microcells, picocells, femtocells or the like. The RAN may generally include one or more radio access nodes that are configured to interact with UEs 110. In various examples, a radio access node may be referred to as a base station (BS), access point (AP), base transceiver station (BTS), Node B (NB), evolved NB (eNB), macro BS, NB (MNB) or eNB (MeNB), home BS, NB (HNB) or eNB (HeNB), next generation NB (gNB), enhanced gNB (en-gNB), next generation eNB (ng-eNB), or the like. The RAN may include some type of network controlling/governing entity responsible for control of the radio access nodes. The network controlling/governing entity and radio access node may be separate or integrated into a single apparatus. The network controlling/governing entity may include processing circuity configured to carry out various management functions, etc. The processing circuity may be associated with a memory, computer- readable storage medium or database for maintaining information required in the management functions.

[0037] A RAN 108 may be centralized or distributed. In various examples, components of a RAN may be interconnected by Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), optical fiber, dark fiber, passive wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), WDM passive optical network (WDM-PON), optical transport network (OTN), time sensitive networking (TSN) and/or any other data link layer network, possibly including radio links. The RAN may be connected to a CN 106 through one or more gateways, network functions or the like.

[0038] As will be appreciated, a PLMN 102 may be deployed in a number of different manners. In a 4GLTE deployment, the EPC is the CN 106, and the evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) is the RAN 108; and the E-UTRAN includes one or more eNBs (radio access nodes) configured to connect UEs to the E- UTRAN to thereby access the EPC. FIG. 2 illustrates a deployment 200, such as a 5G or 6G deployment. As shown, the 5GC 202 is the CN, and the next generation (NG) radio access network (NG-RAN) 204 is the RAN; and the NG-RAN includes one or more gNBs 206 (radio access nodes) configured to connect UEs 110 to the NG-RAN to thereby access the 5GC. The term ‘gNB’ in 5G may correspond to the eNB in 4G LTE.

[0039] In some deployments, operations of the gNB 206 or other radio access node may be carried out, at least partly, in a central/centralized unit (CU), such as a server, host or node, operationally coupled to a distributed unit (DU), such as a radio head/node. It is also possible that node operations may be distributed among a plurality of servers, hosts or nodes.

[0040] It should also be understood that the distribution of work between the 5GC 202 (or other CN) operations and gNB 206 (or other radio access node) operations may vary depending on implementation. Thus, a 5G network architecture may be based on a so-called CU-DU split. One gNB-CU (central node) may control one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU may control a plurality of spatially separated gNB-DUs, acting at least as transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) nodes. In some example implementations, however, the gNB- DUs (also called DU) may include, for example, a radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the gNB-CU (also called a CU) may include the layers above the RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC), and an internet protocol (IP) layer. Other functional splits are also possible. It is considered that a skilled person is familiar with the open systems interconnection (OSI) model and the functionalities within each layer. [0041] In some example implementations, the server or CU may generate a virtual network through which the server communicates with the radio node. In general, virtual networking may involve a process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Such virtual network may provide flexible distribution of operations between the server and the radio head/node. In practice, any digital signal processing task may be performed in either the CU or the DU, and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the CU and the DU may be selected according to implementation. [0042] Some deployments of 4G LTE and 5G in particular are considered standalone (SA) deployments. Other deployments combine 4G LTE and 5G technologies, and are referred to as non-standalone (NSA) deployments. In some deployments, the E-UTRAN includes one or more ng-eNBs that are configured to communicate with the 5GC, and that may also be configured to communicate with one or more gNBs. Similarly, in another deployment, the NG-RAN may include one or more en-gNBs that are configured to communicate with the EPC, and that may also be configured to communicate with one or more eNBs. In various instances, a single UE 110, a dual-mode or multimode UE, may support multiple (two or more) RANs — thereby being configured to connect to multiple RANs, such as 4G LTE and 5G.

[0043] Some deployments support sidelink communication in which UEs 110 can directly communicate with each other without necessarily going through a gNB 206 or other radio access node. This direct communication may be in addition to or in lieu of communication with the gNB, and may be used for proximity services, device-to-device (D2D), UE-to-UE (E2E), V2X, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), and other scenarios where low- latency, high-throughput or localized communication is desired.

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates sidelink communication 300, according to some example implementations. As shown, for sidelink communication, information may be transmitted from a transmit (TX) UE 110A to one or more receive (RX) UEs 110B over a PC 5 interface (in 5G NR) in a unicast, groupcast or broadcast manner. In this regard, the PC5 interface is a one-to-many communication interface. In 3 GPP, various sidelink frequency ranges (FR) may be supported. These frequency ranges include FR1 with a frequency range including sub-6 GHz frequencies that provide wide-area coverage, and FR2 with a frequency range including mm Wave frequencies that provide ultra-high data rates but with more limited coverage.

[0045] In 5G NR, FR2 and other high-frequency communication typically requires beam alignment in that transmit and receive beams need to point to each other during communication. The communication may breakdown when the transmit and receive beams become misaligned. Beam failure recovery procedures to reestablish the beams may then be needed to resume the communication. This breakdown may occur frequently for moving UEs 110 (e.g., TX UE 110A, RX UE HOB) due to their movement causing misalignment between their respective transmit and receive beams. And each beam reestablishment procedure may require an exchange of signals or messages that is timeconsuming and hinders communication between the moving UEs.

[0046] Example implementations of the present disclosure provide a solution for beam-based communication that includes forming beams within an angle range with a distributed power density to maintain sufficient beam alignment during transmit and receive communication when the UEs 110 are in motion. The solution of example implementations may be used in unicast, groupcast and broadcast communication.

[0047] Beam-based communication describes radio communication using a beam. A beam is a spatially constrained channel. The beam has directivity which is the direction of maximum gain for the spatially constrained channel. A beam can be formed, in transmission, by weighting a signal applied to each antenna element used for transmission with a phasor represented by an amplitude and phase. The amplitude and phases are chosen for each antenna element to obtain constructive interference along the directivity. The antenna elements are often arranged in a regular array. An equivalent approach can be used in reception, according to the theorem of reciprocity.

[0048] Like a torch casts light to distant places, a transmitted beam may have a radiation pattern that spreads, and its energy may diffuses, as the beam propagates away from its source. The transverse energy of the beam (perpendicular to the propagation direction) is Gaussian distributed. FIG. 4 illustrates a Gaussian distribution 400 (also known as a normal distribution) with its full-width half maximum (FWHM) 402 and beam diameter 404. According to example implementations of the present disclosure, a UE 110 (TX UE 110A, RX UE 110B) may likewise form beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time (referred to at times as a flashing rate y), directed in random (random or pseudo-random) angular directions within an angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows a statistical distribution, such as a Gaussian distribution. [0049] FIG. 5 illustrates beams formed by a UE 110 (TX UE 110A, RX UE HOB) within an angle range, according to some example implementations. As shown, the UE may include an antenna array 502 of antenna elements 504 configured to form beams 506 directed in random angular directions within an angle range 508 having an angular width </>. Examples of suitable antenna(s) include a horn antenna, antenna array, single antenna or any other type of antenna configured with beam shapes having a peak power in respective ones of the random angular directions within the angle range. In some examples, the beams are formed by a digital beam formation in which the angular directions are quantized. In other examples, the beams are formed by an analog beam formation in which the angular directions may be continuous.

[0050] Within the angle range 508, the flashing rate y may be defined as how many beams 506 are formed per unit time (e.g., per second). Each of the beams may have a fixed beamwidth <9, and the angular direction (pointing angle) of the beam may be limited within the angle range. As shown in FIG. 5, the beam width of each beam may be much smaller than the angular width of the angle range (3 « <>). It may also be assumed that // is the center angle of the angle range, and o is the angular variation from the center angle of the angle range. Statistically, the transverse power intensity in the angle range may follow a statistical distribution, such as a Gaussian distribution N(//, ), in the direction of propagation.

[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates sidelink communication 600 between a TX UE 110A and a RX UE 110B, according to some example implementations. As shown, both the TX UE and RX UE may include respective antenna arrays 502 configured to form beams 506 within respective angle ranges 508. As long as the respective angle ranges overlap, the TX UE and the RX UE may maintain communication, regardless of how the UEs move. [0052] In FIG. 6, the respective angle ranges 508 of the UEs 110A, 110B are center aligned. FIG. 7 illustrates sidelink communication 700 between the TX UE and the RX UE in which their respective angle ranges are center misaligned. The sidelink communication between the TX UE and the RX UE may be maintained even when their respective angle ranges are center misaligned, as long as their respective angle ranges at least partially overlap.

[0053] In some examples, the TX UE 110A and the RX UE HOB form respective beams 506 within their own angle range 508 that randomly (randomly or pseudo- randomly) follows a Gaussian distribution. A connection between the TX UE and the RX UE therefore may not be guaranteed for each beam. In this regard, a connection ratio p may be defined based on the flashing rate y as follows:

Successful connections per unit time p = -

Y

[0054] The connection ratio p may vary depending on the size of the overlapping area between the respective angle ranges 508 within which beams 506 are formed by the TX UE and the RX UE. When the center angles p of the respective angle ranges are aligned, the connection ratio and thereby the bit rate may be at their peak.

[0055] The TX UE 110A and the RX UE 110B may form beams 506 within respective angle ranges 508 to enable the TX UE and the RX UE to maintain communication when the respective angle ranges are center misaligned, but their respective angle ranges 506 at least partially overlap. In some examples, either or both the TX UE or the RX UE may therefore monitor the angle ranges to keep the corresponding angle ranges at least partially overlapped.

[0056] According to some example implementations of the present disclosure, a UE 110 (TX UE 110A, RX UE HOB) may be configured to determine at least one condition of at least one of the UE or a second UE (RX UE, TX UE), and determine an angle range 508, and a statistical distribution for beams 506 within the angle range, based on the condition(s).The UE may then be configured to form beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time (at a flashing rate) for communication with at least the second UE, where the beams are directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution (e.g., a Gaussian distribution). Example implementations may therefore provide flexibility for the UE to adjust its angle range for sidelink communication 300 for various condition(s), such as channel conditions and mobility scenarios. [0057] In some examples, the beams 506 may be formed by the UE 110 for communication of data organized in subframes, slots or symbols, and each of the beams is formed for a duration of at least a subframe, slot or symbol. In this regard, in a subframe, slot or symbol-based communication system, such as LTE or 5G NR sidelink, the flashing rate of the beams may be based on timing of subframes, slots or symbols, which may depend on subcarrier spacing, carrier frequencies, etc., used in the configuration. The data, then, may be configured in each slot, and transmitted based on the slots. In some further examples, the beams may be formed for transmission of data, including retransmission of one or more missing subframes, slots or symbols from the data as received by the second UE.

[0058] A general procedure for establishing sidelink communication 300 may include the TX UE 110A configured to broadcast a message with an identification/layer 2 identifier (ID) of a RX UE HOB. The RX UE may receive the message from the TX UE, and determine the identification/layer 2 ID in the message matches the RX UE’s identification/layer 2 ID, the RX UE may respond to the TX UE. The UEs may also exchange some PC5 messages exchanges for security purposes (e.g., ProSe security) before establishing a communication link.

[0059] However, if the angle range 508 of the TX UE 110A only covers 120 degrees, the TX UE 110A may be configured shift the angle range to different directions one or more times before locating the RX UE 110B to receive the broadcast message. This is shown in FIG. 8 for TX UE shifting to angle ranges 508A, 508B, 508C. In some examples, such as a vehicle equipped with more than one panel (antenna array 502), in which the TX UE panel includes multiple antenna elements 504, , each panel may provide form beams 506 within angle ranges in different directions. The panels may therefore be used together to cover up to 360 degrees. In this case, the TX UE may broadcast the message at the same time on all of the panels (if supported), or switch between the panels one-by-one, to locate the RX UE.

[0060] In various examples, the angle range 508 and statistical distribution may be determined in any of a number of different manners, based on any of a number of different conditions of the UE 110 (TX UE 110A, RX UE 110B) and/or the second UE (RX UE, TX UE). Examples of suitable conditions include a location of the UE and/or the second UE, a speed of movement of the UE and/or the second UE, a source of interference (referred to at times as a “blocker”) located between the UE and the second UE, and/or a change in orientation of the UE and/or the second UE.

[0061] In some examples, the UE 110 (TX UE 110A, RX UE 110B) may be configured to determine at least one of an angular width or the center angle // of the angle range 508 within which the random beams 506 are formed based on the condition(s). Additionally or alternatively, the UE may be configured to determine a mean and/or a standard deviation of the statistical distribution (e.g., Gaussian distribution) followed by the transverse power density (per unit time) within the angle range, based on the condition(s). Even further, additionally or alternatively, the UE may select a type of the statistical distribution from a plurality of different types of statistical distribution, based on the condition(s). Examples of suitable types of distributions include uniform, Gaussian, double Gaussian, Rayleigh, Rician or the like.

[0062] In some examples, the UE 110 may be configured to determine or change the center angle // of angle range 508 (mean), and/or its angular variation o from the center angle of the angle range (standard deviation), based on the speed of movement of the UE and/or the second UE, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 for TX UE 110A and RX UE 110B. More particularly, for example, each of the TX UE or the RX UE may be configured to determine its respective speed of motion, and either or both may inform the other of its speed of movement, which may then be used to determine the angular variation o that may be used for the sidelink communication 300, such as in the establishment procedure. In some examples, beam density in the angle range may be approximately equally distributed if the angular variation o of a Gaussian distribution approaches infinity.

[0063] Similarly, the UE 110 (TX UE 110A, RX UE HOB) may be configured to determine or change the angle range 508 based on the speed of movement of the UE and/or the second UE (RX UE, TX UE). In this regard, the TX UE / RX UE may determine a larger angular width of the angle range if the TX UE and the RX UE are moving faster relative to each other, and a smaller angular width of the angle range if the TX UE and the RX UE are moving slower relative to each other.

[0064] In various examples in which the beams 506 are formed by a digital beam formation, the angular directions of the beams in the angle range may be quantized, and the statistically-distributed transverse power density may therefore be an approximation. In some of these and other examples, the statistical distribution may be selected from a number of different types of statistical distributions. FIG. 9 illustrates various types of statistical distributions that may be selected, according to some example implementations.

[0065] The quantization of the angular directions of the random beams 506 formed by the UE 110 (TX UE 110A, RX UE HOB) may also limit the angular directions to certain angles within the angle range 508, and limit resolution of the angular directions. Other distributions may therefore be used for forming the beams within the angle range, as well as to adjust the peak of the transverse power density within the angle range. Moreover, adjusting the peak of the transverse power density by other distribution, and not letting the peak in the center of it, such as by Rician distribution, throughput may be increased in some examples in which a blocker is located between the UEs.

[0066] Further examples of the present disclosure are provided below from the perspective of a TX UE 110A for transmission of data to one or more RX UEs 110B. It should be understood, however, that example implementations may be equally applicable to a RX UE for receiving a transmission of data from a TX UE.

[0067] In some examples, the TX UE 110A may be configured to determine the location of the RX UE 110B, and determine the angle range 508 and/or statistical distribution based on the location. In particular, for example, the TX UE may be configured to determine the location of the RX UE from a NG-RAN 204 or other RAN 108 to which the RX UE is connected. The RX UE may use various means to determine its own location and report the location to the NG-RAN / RAN. A gNB 206 or other radio access node in the NG-RAN / RAN may also provide measurement information for the RX UE to the TX UE as an indication of the location of the RX UE. In yet another example, the RX UE may provide a panned track of movement to the NG-RAN / RAN, which may be in turn provided to the TX UE. The TX UE may then, for example, determine a shape of the statistical distribution in the angle range, and determining the center angle // of angle range to point in a direction of the location of the RX UE.

[0068] Example implementations of the present disclosure may be suitable for unicast, groupcast or broadcast communication. For unicast communication, a TX UE 11 OA may (at least roughly) determine the location of the RX UE 11 OB, the TX UE may determine an angle range 508 including a center angle // pointed in a direction of the location of the RX UE, and a normally-distributed transverse power density. In other examples, the transverse power density may follow other distributions, based on condition(s) of either or both UEs, as described above. A particular example of a number of conditions is provided in Table 1 below.

Table 1

[0069] Relative to Table 1, TX UE 110A / RX UE 110B location and speed of movement may be used to determine the angle range 508 and quantization of the random angular directions of the beams 506. If there is a blocker is present between the TX UE and the RX UE, a Rayleigh or Rician distribution may be selected instead of a normal distribution. And the angle range may be determined based on a change in the orientation of the TX UE changes. The larger an orientation change, for example, the larger the a angular width of angle range. Any uncertainty of orientation changes, or measurement error, may also be considered for a larger angle range.

[0070] Table 2 below provides an example of suitable configurations of the angle range 508 that may be used by either or both the TX UE 110A or the RX UE 110B, according to various example implementations. As shown, the configurations include angle range e, angular direction quantization and type of statistical distribution.

Table 2

[0071] The unicast communication the TX UE 110A and the RX UE 110B may be maintained when either or both TX UE or RX UE move. It may be predicted that in a number of cases, the RX UE may receive discontinuous frames/subframes/slots/symbols from the TX UE. In these cases, the TX UE may therefore implement a retransmission procedure to retransmit any missing frames/subframes/slots/symbols to the RX UE so that the entire communication between the TX and the RX may be completed. Examples of suitable retransmission procedures include automatic repeat request (ARQ), hybrid ARQ (HARQ), and the like.

[0072] In some examples in which the speed of movement of the TX UE 110A and the RX UE 110B is below a threshold speed, and a beam failure rate is below a threshold failure rate, the TX UE 110A (and RX UE 11 OB) may switch from forming the beams 506 that are directed in random angular directions within the angle range 508 to forming a single beam in a single angular direction for the communication, such as according to conventional beam-based communication. This switch may in turn increase efficiency of the communication between the UEs under those conditions. In a more particular example, the TX UE and the RX UE may switch to conventional beam-based communication when the UEs are fixed, and the beam failure rate is below a threshold failure rate of a number of failures per unit time (e.g., one failure per five seconds). The threshold failure rate may be defined in a number of different manners, such as based on real scenarios and in field studies. The threshold speed and/or threshold failure rate may also be (pre-) configured by the NG-RAN 204 or other RAN 108 before the TX UE and the RX UE start to communicate to each other.

[0073] In some examples, the TX UE 110A and multiple RX UEs HOB may implement a groupcast or broadcast procedure for groupcast or broadcast communication. In some of these examples, the angle range 508 and/or the statistical distribution may be determined based on the condition(s) including a density of the multiple RX UEs in space. In particular, for example, the TX UE may (at least roughly) determine the location of a group of RX UEs, such as in a manner described above, and select a type of statistical distribution reflecting the density of UEs in space to more efficiently transmit data to the group of RX UEs. By forming beams 506 within the angle range, communication between the TX UE and the group of RX UEs may be maintained when one or more of the RX UEs move. Similar to unicast, the TX UE may implement a retransmission procedure to retransmit any missing frames/subframes/slots/symbols to any of the RX UEs.

[0074] For broadcast communication, data transmission in some examples may be up to 360 degrees. To more efficiently broadcast data in time and frequency, the TX UE 110A may determine a population density of RX UEs in an area in which the data is to be broadcast. The TX UE may then determine the angle range, and a statistical distribution within the angle range, that reflects the population density.

[0075] In a more particular example, consider a TX UE 110A located inside a building at the corner, and a population of RX UEs HOB is also located inside the building. The population density of the RX UEs around the TX UE may be known or determined based on locations of the RX UEs, which may be determined by the UE as described above. The TX UE may broadcast data more frequently to the center of the building than to the corner of the building. Therefore, the transverse power density of the beams 506 within the angle range 508 around the TX UE may be Gaussian distributed or Rayleigh distributed. A peak of the transverse power density may point in a direction of high population angles.

[0076] If the TX UE 110A is in coverage of the NG-RAN 204 or other RAN 108, the network may provide the RX UE distribution to the TX UE. The RX UE distribution may be provided in a number of different manners, such as a set of positions, or one position for each RX UE. In other examples, the distribution may be provided in an aggregated form, such as a histogram in azimuth angle, or a parameterized distribution in azimuth angle. In another example in which three-dimensional (3D) beamforming is supported by the TX UE and considered useful for the broadcast, the distribution may be provided as a histogram or a parameterized distribution in both azimuth and elevation/zenith angle.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a signaling chart 1000 of a procedure by which a TX UE 110A may receive a RX UE 110B distribution, according to some example implementations. As shown, the TX UE at step 1001 sends a first message (Msgl) to a gNB 206 to request that the gNB provide a target UE distribution. In some examples, the first message may include the TX UE’s own location, or the NG-RAN 204 may already know the TX UE location from an earlier positioning procedure. The first message may also include information about the target UE population, such as a sidelink layer 2 identification (which in the case of V2X may be derived from a V2X service ID). The gNB then at step 1002 sends a second message (Msg2) in which the gNB provides the requested target UE distribution to the TX UE.

[0078] In cases in which the TX UE 110A is out of coverage of the NG-RAN 204 or other RAN 108, the TX UE may determine the RX UE 110B distribution in a number of other manners. In some examples, the TX UE may determine the RX UE distribution based on a sidelink positioning procedure. In another example, the TX UE may determine the RX UE distribution from a harvesting of information on zone IDs provided in second stage secondary cell information (SCI) (e.g., SCI format 2-B). In this regard, zone ID may provide a rough two-dimensional position of the UE transmitting the SCI; and accordingly, the TX UE may learn about the spatial distribution (in two-dimensions) of other UEs by monitoring SCI transmissions of those other UEs.

[0079] In yet another example, in the case of V2X, a UE 110 (e.g., TX UE 110A) may track the locations of other UEs (e.g., RX UEs HOB). The UE may receive messages transmitted by the other UEs, such as cooperative awareness messages (CAM), vehicle awareness messages (VAM), basic safety messages (BSM), probe safety messages (PSM) or the like. These messages may include information about current position, heading and velocity; and based on that information, the UE may maintain a “local dynamic map” with the current and predicted positions of the other UEs.

[0080] As described above, the flashing rate y at which beams 506 are formed may be based on timing of subframes, slots or symbols, which may depend on subcarrier spacing, carrier frequencies, etc., used in the configuration. Table 3 below provides an example of suitable definition of the flashing rate for subframes or slots, according to some examples.

Table 3 In Table 3, configuration number represents a subcarrier spacing configuration as defined by 3 GPP, and configuration number + 1 may be to avoid “zero” in the multiplication. [0081] FIGS. 11 A - 1 IF are flowcharts illustrating various steps in a method 1100 implemented by a user equipment, according to various example implementations. The method includes determining at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment, as shown at block 1102 of FIG. 11 A. The method includes determining an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition, as shown at block 1104. And the method includes forming beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution, as shown at block 1106.

[0082] In some examples, the beams are formed at block 1106 for communication of data organized in subframes, slots or symbols, and each of the beams is formed for a duration of at least a subframe, slot or symbol.

[0083] In some examples, the beams are formed at block 1106 for transmission of the data to the second user equipment, including retransmission of one or more missing subframes, slots or symbols from the data as received by the second user equipment. [0084] In some examples, the beams are formed at block 1106 by one or more antennas configured with beam shapes having a peak power in respective ones of the random angular directions within the angle range.

[0085] In some examples, the beams are formed at block 1106 by a digital beam formation in which the random angular directions are quantized.

[0086] In some examples, the beams are formed at block 1106 by an analog beam formation in which the random angular directions are continuous.

[0087] In some examples, the at least one condition includes at least one of a location of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a speed of movement of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment, or a change in orientation of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment. [0088] In some examples, determining the angle range at block 1104 includes determining at least one of an angular width or a center angle of the angle range within which the beams are formed, as shown at block 1108 of FIG. 1 IB.

[0089] In some examples, determining the statistical distribution at block 1104 includes determining at least one of a mean or a standard deviation of the statistical distribution followed by the transverse power density, as shown at block 1110 of FIG. 11C.

[0090] In some examples, determining the statistical distribution at block 1104 includes selecting a type of the statistical distribution from a plurality of different types of statistical distribution, as shown at block 1112 of FIG. 11D.

[0091] In some examples, determining the at least one condition at block 1102 includes determining a location of the second user equipment from a radio access network to which the second user equipment is connected, as shown at block 1114 of FIG. HE.

[0092] In some examples, the beams are formed at block 1106 for unicast communication. In some of these examples, at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined at block 1104 based on the at least one condition including a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0093] In some examples, the beams are formed at block 1106 for unicast communication with the second user equipment. In some of these examples, determining the at least one condition at block 1102 includes determining a speed of movement of the user equipment and the second user equipment, as shown at block 1116 of FIG. 1 IF. Also in some of these examples, the method 1100 further includes making a determination that the speed of movement is below a threshold speed, and a beam failure rate is below a threshold failure rate, as shown at block 1118. And based on the determination, the method includes switching from forming the beams directed in the random angular directions within the angle range to forming a single beam directed in a single angular direction for the communication with the second user equipment, as shown at block 1120. [0094] In some examples, the user equipment is a transmit user equipment, the second user equipment is a receive user equipment, and the beams are formed at block 1106 for groupcast or broadcast communication with multiple receive user equipments including the receive user equipment. In some of these examples, at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined at block 1104 based on the at least one condition including a density of the multiple receive user equipments in space.

[0095] According to example implementations of the present disclosure, a telecommunications system 100 or PLMN 102, and its components such as a UE 110, TX UE 110A, RX UE HOB, CN 106, RAN 108, 5GC 202, NG-RAN 204 and/or gNB 206, may be implemented by various means. Means for implementing the system and its components may include hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof. In some examples, one or more apparatuses may be configured to function as or otherwise implement the system and its components shown and described herein. In examples involving more than one apparatus, the respective apparatuses may be connected to or otherwise in communication with one another in a number of different manners, such as directly or indirectly via a wired or wireless network or the like.

[0096] According to some example implementations, at least some of the method 1100 described with respect to FIGS. 11 A-l IF may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for performing functions corresponding steps of the method. Examples of a suitable apparatus may include a user equipment, user device, user terminal or the like.

[0097] FIG. 12 illustrates an apparatus 1200 in which means for performing various functions includes hardware, alone or under direction of one or more computer programs from a computer-readable storage medium or other memory, such as computer memory, according to some example implementations of the present disclosure. Generally, an apparatus of example implementations of the present disclosure may comprise, include or be embodied in one or more fixed or portable electronic devices. Examples of suitable electronic devices include a wearable computer, mobile phone, portable computer, desktop computer, workstation computer, server (server computer) or the like. The apparatus may include one or more of each of a number of components such as, for example, processing circuitry 1202 connected to computer-readable storage medium or other memory 1204. [0098] The processing circuitry 1202 may be composed of one or more processors alone or in combination with one or more computer-readable storage media. The processing circuitry is generally any piece of computer hardware that is capable of processing information such as, for example, data, computer programs and/or other suitable electronic information. The processing circuitry is composed of a collection of electronic circuits some of which may be packaged as an integrated circuit or multiple interconnected integrated circuits (an integrated circuit at times more commonly referred to as a “chip”). The processing circuitry may be configured to execute computer programs, which may be stored onboard the processing circuitry or otherwise stored in the memory 1204 (of the same or another apparatus).

[0099] The processing circuitry 1202 may be a number of processors, a multi-core processor or some other type of processor, depending on the particular implementation. Further, the processing circuitry may be implemented using a number of heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is present with one or more secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative example, the processing circuitry may be a symmetric multi-processor system containing multiple processors of the same type. In yet another example, the processing circuitry may be embodied as or otherwise include one or more ASICs, FPGAs or the like. Thus, although the processing circuitry may be capable of executing a computer program to perform one or more functions, the processing circuitry of various examples may be capable of performing one or more functions without the aid of a computer program. In either instance, the processing circuitry may be appropriately programmed to perform functions or operations according to example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0100] The memory 1204 is generally any piece of computer hardware that is capable of storing information such as, for example, data, computer programs, instructions 1206 (e.g., computer-readable program code) and/or other suitable information either on a temporary basis and/or a permanent basis. The memory may include volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, and may be fixed or removable. Examples of suitable memory include recording media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard drive, a flash memory, a thumb drive, a removable computer diskette, an optical disk or some combination thereof. [0101] The memory 1204 is a non-transitory device capable of storing information. One example of a suitable memory is a computer-readable storage medium, which is distinguishable from a computer-readable transmission medium capable of carrying information from one location to another. Examples of suitable computer-readable transmission media comprise electronic carrier signals, telecommunications signals, software distribution packages, or some combination thereof. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM versus ROM). A computer-readable medium as described herein generally refers to a computer-readable storage medium or computer-readable transmission medium. A computer-readable medium is any entity or device capable in which information, such as one or more computer programs or portions thereof, may be stored and carried.

[0102] In addition to the memory 1204 (e.g., computer-readable storage medium), the processing circuitry 1202 may also be connected to one or more interfaces for displaying, transmitting and/or receiving information. The interfaces may include a communications interface 1208 and/or one or more user interfaces. The communications interface may be configured to transmit and/or receive information, such as to and/or from other apparatus(es), network(s) or the like. The communications interface may be configured to transmit and/or receive information by physical (wired) and/or wireless communications links. In some examples, the communications interface includes one or more antennas for forming beams for communication of information, as described above.

[0103] The user interfaces may include a display 1210 and/or one or more user input interfaces 1212. The display may be configured to present or otherwise display information to a user, suitable examples of which include a liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, organic LED (OLED) display, active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) or the like. The user input interfaces may be wired or wireless, and may be configured to receive information from a user into the apparatus, such as for processing, storage and/or display. Suitable examples of user input interfaces include a microphone, image or video capture device, keyboard or keypad, joystick, touch-sensitive surface (separate from or integrated into a touchscreen), biometric sensor or the like. The user interfaces may further include one or more interfaces for communicating with peripherals such as printers, scanners or the like.

[0104] Execution of the instructions 1206 by the processing circuitry 1202, or storage of the instructions in the memory 1204, supports combinations of operations for implementing example implementations of the present disclosure. In this manner, an apparatus 1200 may comprise at least one processing circuitry and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processing circuitry, where the at least one processing circuitry is configured to execute instructions stored in the at least one memory. It will also be understood that one or more functions, and combinations of functions, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems and/or processing circuitry which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and program code instructions.

[0105] Some example implementations of the present disclosure may also be carried out in the form of a computer process defined by one or more computer programs or portions thereof. Example implementations of the present disclosure may be carried out by executing at least one portion of a computer program comprising instructions. The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form. The computer program may be stored in a computer-readable medium that is readable by a computer, processing circuitry or other suitable apparatus. As indicated above, for example, the computer program may be stored in a memory, such as a computer-readable storage medium. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable transmission medium. The coding of software for carrying out example implementations of the present disclosure is well within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0106] As will be appreciated, any suitable instructions may be loaded onto a computer, a processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus from a memory or a computer-readable medium (e.g., computer-readable storage medium, computer-readable transmission medium) to produce a particular machine, such that the particular machine becomes a means for implementing the functions specified herein. The instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer, a processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner to thereby generate a particular machine or particular article of manufacture. In some examples, the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium may produce an article of manufacture, where the article of manufacture becomes a means for implementing functions described herein. The instructions may be retrieved from a computer-readable medium and loaded into a computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus to configure the computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus to execute operations to be performed on or by the computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus.

[0107] Retrieval, loading and execution of instructions comprising program code instructions may be performed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded and executed at a time. In some example implementations, retrieval, loading and/or execution may be performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Execution of the program code instructions may produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions executed by the computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing functions described herein.

[0108] As explained above and reiterated below, the present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following example implementations.

[0109] Clause 1. An apparatus to implement a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory configured to store instructions; and at least one processing circuitry configured to access the at least one memory, and execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to at least: determine at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determine an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and form beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution.

[0110] Clause 2. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the beams are formed for communication of data organized in subframes, slots or symbols, and each of the beams is formed for at least a duration of a subframe, slot or symbol. [0111] Clause 3. The apparatus of clause 2, wherein the beams are formed for transmission of the data to the second user equipment, including retransmission of one or more missing subframes, slots or symbols from the data as received by the second user equipment.

[0112] Clause 4. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the beams are formed by one or more antennas configured with beam shapes having a peak power in respective ones of the random angular directions within the angle range.

[0113] Clause 5. The apparatus of clause 4, wherein the beams are formed by a digital beam formation in which the random angular directions are quantized.

[0114] Clause 6. The apparatus of clause 4 or clause 5, wherein the beams are formed by an analog beam formation in which the random angular directions are continuous.

[0115] Clause 7. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the at least one condition includes at least one of a location of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a speed of movement of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment, or a change in orientation of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment.

[0116] Clause 8. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus caused to determine the angle range includes the apparatus caused to determine at least one of an angular width or a center angle of the angle range within which the beams are formed.

[0117] Clause 9. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the apparatus caused to determine the statistical distribution includes the apparatus caused to determine at least one of a mean or a standard deviation of the statistical distribution followed by the transverse power density.

[0118] Clause 10. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus caused to determine the statistical distribution includes the apparatus caused to select a type of the statistical distribution from a plurality of different types of statistical distribution.

[0119] Clause 11. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus caused to determine the at least one condition includes the apparatus caused to determine a location of the second user equipment from a radio access network to which the second user equipment is connected.

[0120] Clause 12. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication, and at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0121] Clause 13. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication with the second user equipment, and the apparatus caused to determine the at least one condition includes the apparatus caused to determine a speed of movement of the user equipment and the second user equipment, and wherein the at least one processing circuitry is configured to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to further at least: make a determination that the speed of movement is below a threshold speed, and a beam failure rate is below a threshold failure rate; and based on the determination, switch from forming the beams directed in the random angular directions within the angle range to forming a single beam in a single angular direction for the communication with the second user equipment.

[0122] Clause 14. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the user equipment is a transmit user equipment, the second user equipment is a receive user equipment, and the beams are formed for groupcast or broadcast communication with multiple receive user equipments including the receive user equipment, and wherein at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a density of the multiple receive user equipments in space. [0123] Clause 15. An apparatus to implement a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: means for determining at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determining means for determining an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and means for forming beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution. [0124] Clause 16. The apparatus of clause 15, wherein the beams are formed for communication of data organized in subframes, slots or symbols, and each of the beams is formed for at least a duration of a subframe, slot or symbol.

[0125] Clause 17. The apparatus of clause 16, wherein the beams are formed for transmission of the data to the second user equipment, including retransmission of one or more missing subframes, slots or symbols from the data as received by the second user equipment.

[0126] Clause 18. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 17, wherein the beams are formed by one or more antennas configured with beam shapes having a peak power in respective ones of the random angular directions within the angle range.

[0127] Clause 19. The apparatus of clause 18, wherein the beams are formed by a digital beam formation in which the random angular directions are quantized.

[0128] Clause 20. The apparatus of clause 18 or clause 19, wherein the beams are formed by an analog beam formation in which the random angular directions are continuous.

[0129] Clause 21. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 20, wherein the at least one condition includes at least one of a location of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a speed of movement of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment, or a change in orientation of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment.

[0130] Clause 22. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 21, wherein the means for determining the angle range includes means for determining at least one of an angular width or a center angle of the angle range within which the beams are formed.

[0131] Clause 23. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 22, wherein the means for determining the statistical distribution includes means for determining at least one of a mean or a standard deviation of the statistical distribution followed by the transverse power density.

[0132] Clause 24. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 23, wherein the means for determining the statistical distribution includes means for selecting a type of the statistical distribution from a plurality of different types of statistical distribution. [0133] Clause 25. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 24, wherein the means for determining the at least one condition includes means for determining a location of the second user equipment from a radio access network to which the second user equipment is connected.

[0134] Clause 26. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 25, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication, and at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0135] Clause 27. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 26, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication with the second user equipment, and the means for determining the at least one condition includes means for determining a speed of movement of the user equipment and the second user equipment, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for making a determination that the speed of movement is below a threshold speed, and a beam failure rate is below a threshold failure rate; and based on the determination, means for switching from forming the beams directed in the random angular directions within the angle range to forming a single beam directed in a single angular direction for the communication with the second user equipment.

[0136] Clause 28. The apparatus of any of clauses 15 to 27, wherein the user equipment is a transmit user equipment, the second user equipment is a receive user equipment, and the beams are formed for groupcast or broadcast communication with multiple receive user equipments including the receive user equipment, and wherein at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a density of the multiple receive user equipments in space. [0137] Clause 29. A method implemented by a user equipment, the method comprising: determining at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determining an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and forming beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution. [0138] Clause 30. The method of clause 29, wherein the beams are formed for communication of data organized in subframes, slots or symbols, and each of the beams is formed for at least a duration of a subframe, slot or symbol.

[0139] Clause 31. The method of clause 30, wherein the beams are formed for transmission of the data to the second user equipment, including retransmission of one or more missing subframes, slots or symbols from the data as received by the second user equipment.

[0140] Cl ause 32. The method of any of clauses 29 to 31, wherein the beams are formed by one or more antennas configured with beam shapes having a peak power in respective ones of the random angular directions within the angle range.

[0141] Clause 33. The method of clause 32, wherein the beams are formed by a digital beam formation in which the random angular directions are quantized.

[0142] Clause 34. The method of clause 32 or clause 33, wherein the beams are formed by an analog beam formation in which the random angular directions are continuous.

[0143] Clause 35. The method of any of clauses 29 to 34, wherein the at least one condition includes at least one of a location of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a speed of movement of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment, or a change in orientation of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment.

[0144] Clause 36. The method of any of clauses 29 to 35, wherein determining the angle range includes determining at least one of an angular width or a center angle of the angle range within which the beams are formed.

[0145] Clause 37. The method of any of clauses 29 to 36, wherein determining the statistical distribution includes determining at least one of a mean or a standard deviation of the statistical distribution followed by the transverse power density.

[0146] Clause 38. The method of any of clauses 29 to 37, wherein determining the statistical distribution includes selecting a type of the statistical distribution from a plurality of different types of statistical distribution. [0147] Clause 39. The method of any of clauses 29 to 38, wherein determining the at least one condition includes determining a location of the second user equipment from a radio access network to which the second user equipment is connected.

[0148] Clause 40. The method of any of clauses 29 to 39, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication, and at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0149] Clause 41. The method of any of clauses 29 to 40, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication with the second user equipment, and determining the at least one condition includes determining a speed of movement of the user equipment and the second user equipment, and wherein the method further comprises: making a determination that the speed of movement is below a threshold speed, and a beam failure rate is below a threshold failure rate; and based on the determination, switching from forming the beams directed in the random angular directions within the angle range to forming a single beam directed in a single angular direction for the communication with the second user equipment.

[0150] Clause 42. The method of any of clauses 29 to 41, wherein the user equipment is a transmit user equipment, the second user equipment is a receive user equipment, and the beams are formed for groupcast or broadcast communication with multiple receive user equipments including the receive user equipment, and wherein at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a density of the multiple receive user equipments in space.

[0151] Clause 43. A computer-readable storage medium implemented at a user equipment, the computer-readable storage medium being non-transitory and having instructions stored therein that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to at least: determine at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determine an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and form beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution.

[0152] Clause 44. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 43, wherein the beams are formed for communication of data organized in subframes, slots or symbols, and each of the beams is formed for at least a duration of a subframe, slot or symbol.

[0153] Clause 45. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 44, wherein the beams are formed for transmission of the data to the second user equipment, including retransmission of one or more missing subframes, slots or symbols from the data as received by the second user equipment.

[0154] Clause 46. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 45, wherein the beams are formed by one or more antennas configured with beam shapes having a peak power in respective ones of the random angular directions within the angle range.

[0155] Clause 47. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 46, wherein the beams are formed by a digital beam formation in which the random angular directions are quantized.

[0156] Clause 48. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 46 or clause 47, wherein the beams are formed by an analog beam formation in which the random angular directions are continuous.

[0157] Clause 49. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 48, wherein the at least one condition includes at least one of a location of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a speed of movement of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment, or a change in orientation of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment.

[0158] Clause 50. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 49, wherein the apparatus caused to determine the angle range includes the apparatus caused to determine at least one of an angular width or a center angle of the angle range within which the beams are formed.

[0159] Clause 51. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 50, wherein the apparatus caused to determine the statistical distribution includes the apparatus caused to determine at least one of a mean or a standard deviation of the statistical distribution followed by the transverse power density.

[0160] Clause 52. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 51, wherein the apparatus caused to determine the statistical distribution includes the apparatus caused to select a type of the statistical distribution from a plurality of different types of statistical distribution.

[0161] Clause 53. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 52, wherein the apparatus caused to determine the at least one condition includes the apparatus caused to determine a location of the second user equipment from a radio access network to which the second user equipment is connected.

[0162] Clause 54. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 53, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication, and at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0163] Clause 55. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 54, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication with the second user equipment, and the apparatus caused to determine the at least one condition includes the apparatus caused to determine a speed of movement of the user equipment and the second user equipment, and wherein the computer-readable storage medium has further instructions stored therein that, in response to execution by the at least one processing circuitry, causes the apparatus to further at least: make a determination that the speed of movement is below a threshold speed, and a beam failure rate is below a threshold failure rate; and based on the determination, switch from forming the beams directed in the random angular directions within the angle range to forming a single beam in a single angular direction for the communication with the second user equipment.

[0164] Clause 56. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 43 to 55, wherein the user equipment is a transmit user equipment, the second user equipment is a receive user equipment, and the beams are formed for groupcast or broadcast communication with multiple receive user equipments including the receive user equipment, and wherein at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a density of the multiple receive user equipments in space.

[0165] Clause 57. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of clauses 29 to 42.

[0166] Clause 58. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 29 to 42.

[0167] Clause 59. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 29 to 42.

[0168] Clause 60. A computer program comprising instructions that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 29 to 42.

[0169] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated figures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated figures describe example implementations in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus to implement a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: means for determining at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determining means for determining an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and means for forming beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the beams are formed for communication of data organized in subframes, slots or symbols, and each of the beams is formed for at least a duration of a subframe, slot or symbol.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the beams are formed for transmission of the data to the second user equipment, including retransmission of one or more missing subframes, slots or symbols from the data as received by the second user equipment.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the beams are formed by one or more antennas configured to form the beams with beam shapes having a peak power in respective ones of the random angular directions within the angle range.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the beams are formed by a digital beam formation in which the random angular directions are quantized.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the beams are formed by an analog beam formation in which the random angular directions are continuous.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one condition includes at least one of a location of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a speed of movement of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment, or a change in orientation of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the means for determining the angle range includes means for determining at least one of an angular width or a center angle of the angle range within which the beams are formed.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the means for determining the statistical distribution includes means for determining at least one of a mean or a standard deviation of the statistical distribution followed by the transverse power density.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the means for determining the statistical distribution includes means for selecting a type of the statistical distribution from a plurality of different types of statistical distribution.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the means for determining the at least one condition includes means for determining a location of the second user equipment from a radio access network to which the second user equipment is connected.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication, and at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment.

13. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the beams are formed for unicast communication with the second user equipment, and the means for determining the at least one condition includes means for determining a speed of movement of the user equipment and the second user equipment, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for making a determination that the speed of movement is below a threshold speed, and a beam failure rate is below a threshold failure rate; and based on the determination, means for switching from forming the beams directed in the random angular directions within the angle range to forming a single beam directed in a single angular direction for the communication with the second user equipment.

14. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the user equipment is a transmit user equipment, the second user equipment is a receive user equipment, and the beams are formed for groupcast or broadcast communication with multiple receive user equipments including the receive user equipment, and wherein at least one of the angle range or the statistical distribution is determined based on the at least one condition including a density of the multiple receive user equipments in space.

15. A method implemented by a user equipment, the method comprising: determining at least one condition of at least one of the user equipment or a second user equipment; determining an angle range, and a statistical distribution for beams within the angle range, based on the at least one condition; and forming beams at a rate of a number of beams per unit time for communication with at least the second user equipment, the beams directed in random angular directions within the angle range to effect a transverse power density per unit time that follows the statistical distribution.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the beams are formed for communication of data organized in subframes, slots or symbols, and each of the beams is formed for a duration of at least a subframe, slot or symbol.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the beams are formed for transmission of the data to the second user equipment, including retransmission of one or more missing subframes, slots or symbols from the data as received by the second user equipment.

18. The method of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the at least one condition includes at least one of a location of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a speed of movement of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment, a source of interference located between the user equipment and the second user equipment, or a change in orientation of at least one of the user equipment or the second user equipment.

19. The method of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein determining the angle range includes determining at least one of an angular width or a center angle of the angle range within which the beams are formed.

20. The method of any of claims 15 to 19, wherein determining the statistical distribution includes determining at least one of a mean or a standard deviation of the statistical distribution followed by the transverse power density.

21. The method of any of claims 15 to 20, wherein determining the statistical distribution includes selecting a type of the statistical distribution from a plurality of different types of statistical distribution.